Page 20 of The Highlander Is All That

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“Well. I, for one, am glad they’re here,” Victoria said, and Elizabeth winced at the glee in her tone.

“They are quite handsome,” Catherine said as she buttoned up Elizabeth’s gown. It was a pallid white confection, one she quite abhorred, but when one attended Almack’s, one wore the uniform. “Especially him.”

Heat crawled up Elizabeth’s neck and she murmured, “Hmm?”

“Bower. He’s quite handsome, don’t you think?”

Bower? Her stomach unknotted. “Oh yes.”

“He’s a Scot,” Anne said. She was staring into the mirror and fluffing her hair.

Catherine laughed. “That doesn’t stop a man from being attractive.”

“It does in my eyes.”

“I like Hamish,” Victoria said, twirling around until her gown belled out. “Red hair is so . . . iconic for a Scotsman, don’t you think?”

It took everything in Elizabeth to keep from growling at her sister. Of all of them, Victoria was by far the most beautiful. If she set her sights on Hamish, Elizabeth wouldn’t have a chance.

Well, that thought caught her unawares.

Even though she hadn’t been able to think of much but him since this morning, she hadn’t realized her feelings were quite this strong.

Was it silly to fall so fast?

Was it silly to let one kiss blind her to all else?

Probably.

“I can’t wait to see them in their kilts,” Victoria said. “I hear they are half-naked in them.”

Catherine laughed. “Hardly naked. But their legs are bare.”

“And other things,” Anne muttered. Then, when everyone looked at her in shock, she added, “Or so I’ve heard.”

“Does Duncan wear anything under his kilt?” Victoria asked, and Catherine blushed.

“I’m sure I wouldn’t know,” she sputtered, though it was clear that she did.

Elizabeth’s curiosity suddenly went wild.

Did Hamish wear anything under his kilt?

She would have to be sure to ask.

“There,” Catherine said, giving her a pat. “All done. Turn ’round and let me have a look.”

Elizabeth whirled and Catherine sighed. “You look lovely.”

“Do I?” She examined her reflection in the glass. White was not a flattering color.

“Of course you do,” Anne said. “You all do.”

“You look lovely as well,” Elizabeth murmured. In fact, on Anne, with her blond hair and her rosy complexion, the lack of color suited her. She had the aspect of an angel. While Elizabeth, on the other hand, was something of a sallow dumpling. The fluttering lace didn’t help.

“I think we are all beautiful,” Victoria chirped, which was generous of her.