Page 64 of What a Highlander’s Got to Do

“At any rate, if you find him attractive and he finds you attractive, you should explore it. At least give him a chance.”

“I did give him a chance. He lied to me.”

“Did he?”

“What?” Why was Cat so annoying today?

“Did he say, ‘Hallo. I am a stable lad’?”

Isobel scowled. Had he? Not precisely.

“Or did you make an assumption? You do have such tendencies.”

“I most certainly do no’.”

“Well.” Cat fluffed her skirts. “It seems to me that this house party is an excellent chance to get to know him better. To decide if there could be . . . something between you. However . . .”

“What?”

Cat batted her lashes. “Let me know if you choose to remain indignant over a lie he dinna give you. I find him handsome indeed and I could overlook his title, even if you canna. I wouldna mind giving him a go.”

And with that, she sashayed from the room.

Sashayed.

Isobel glared after her.

How on earth had they remained friends for so long? At the moment, she had no clue.

But one thing she did know.

Catriona was not giving Nick a go.

Not in any way shape or form.

In a flurry she stormed to her armoire and started pulling out one outfit after another.

She had a house party to pack for and there was no time to lose.

* * *

It took a day to prepare the household for the journey to Brighton, but most of that was finding appropriate oversight for the children who, it had been decided, would stay in London with their nannies, lest they terrorize Brighton.

There was some discussion about this, because the first plan was to have the fathers stay with them as well.

This was, of course, decided by their mothers.

The fathers were horrified at the prospect—not that they weren’t the most excellent fathers; they were. But everyone knew that in these families, the mothers were the true authoritarians, and without them, the Hellions might well burn down the house.

Then Uncle Lachlan made the salient point that there was business the men needed discuss with the Duke of Moncrieff and this house party was the perfect opportunity.

He also pointed out that Henley had had wartime experience and, given his head, should be able to keep things under control.

Following that, there was a long and ominous lecture to the older ones that they would be held responsible should anything—anything—go awry. Lachlan did not stop lecturing until their expressions were sufficiently cowed.

Naturally Alexia and little Lileas were put out to be left behind with the boys, but their mothers were firm in that the house party was an adult entertainment for the sole purpose of finding husbands for Catriona and Isobel and they were far too young for such pursuits. That explanation seemed to work.

On everyone but Isobel.