Page 80 of What a Highlander’s Got to Do

His grin was wicked. “I’ve noticed he’s been watching you, too. And with more interest than I’ve noticed from him before.”

“Interest?” While interest paled next to what she wanted, it was something.

“That is to say, he’s been scowling at us.”

For some reason, this made her smile. She leaned closer. “Is that a good thing?”

“I daresay it is. If, indeed, you’re interested in him.” The question in his nonquestion was evident.

Isobel affected a blasé mien and lifted a lazy shoulder. “Perhaps.”

“I see.” His eyes danced. “If you want to catch him, you’ll need to be sly.”

“I dinna say I wanted to catch him.”

“Of course not. But be aware, my cousin has long pronounced he has no wish to marry.”

“Perfect. Neither do I.”

This took him aback. His mouth dropped. “Nae? But you’re a lovely lass.”

“How does that signify?”

He shrugged. “Lovely lasses tend to be married.”

“I doona want to be some man’s property. Certainly no’ if he’s an English lord.”

Robert/Declan chuckled. “Edward is as English as I am.”

Isobel blinked. “What do you mean?”

“We’re both half and half. You’ve met his mother?” He nodded at the duchess, who sat by her son’s side. Her lovely laugh rose among the trees.

“Aye.”

“She’s from Scotland, like my father.”

Isobel swallowed heavily, digesting this. Och, she’d known the duchess was Scottish, but she simply hadn’t put two and two together. “He acts like an English lord,” she muttered.

“Only because it’s what he’s used to. I can attest, when he comes up north, he behaves more like a civilized man.”

“Does he wear a kilt?” she asked. The words escaped before she could hold them back.

“Aye. And he speaks in a brogue.”

“Well, that is good to know. It’s a pity he canna behave like that all the time.” Then again, she would probably become utterly lost in him if he did.

Whatever-his-name-was grinned. “Do you know what I think?”

She turned to him and blinked. “What?”

“I think we need to give dear Edward a nudge.”

“A nudge?”

“Aye. Let’s go punting after lunch and pretend to be having a wonderful time . . . just to see how he reacts. What do you think?” It was clear Robert/Declan was enjoying this conversation immensely, as well as the prospect of annoying his cousin.

“I think I should like that,” Isobel said. “But first . . .”