“I will,” he said, and Rachel gracefully rose from her chair, resting her hand on his arm, her weight hardly making an impact as she leaned on him and he led her into the square where the dancers stepped to the beat, though he kept her far to the outside where he could make sure she wasn’t bumped in any way. He placed an arm around her, taking the weight, little as it was, from her injured leg.
“Are you sure about this?” she asked, as if suddenly realizing just how close they would be if he were to be lifting her.
He nodded, though he felt somewhat strained as he did so. Feeling her body, so soft and inviting, next to his was certainly enticing. He had tried to keep himself away, and now here he was, holding her close as could be.
As he began to practically carry her in circles, however, he could no longer regret a moment of it nor feel any animosity toward his family. The glow of the torches that had been set up around the square played across her dainty features. A smile stretched from one side of her face to the other, showcasing her perfect teeth and eyes that were practically sparkling.
“Oh, Adam,” she said with a contented sigh. “This is absolutely magnificent.”
“What do you mean?” he said, somewhat confused.
“Everything. The stars twinkling high above us in the sky. The freshness of the air around here. The opportunity to dance with— to dance.”
She smiled at him, looking up into his eyes. “Thank you.”
He cleared his throat, surprised to find himself nearly overcome with emotion.
“Are you not used to dancing in much finer surroundings?” he asked.
“Hardly!” she said with a bit of a laugh. “No, unfortunately I have all the dresses for it, but my father is not one to enjoy dances and the like. He would prefer to go out to his clubs. We do attend dinners with some of his acquaintances, and at times there will be a small dance floor, but we hardly ever find ourselves at an actual ball. If we do, I am not exactly the first choice for a partner. I have no title and no dowry, so I am not typically much sought after.”
“But you’re beaut… ah, that is, you certainly must be pleasing to the gentlemen, are ye not?” he asked, raising his eyebrows.
“Why, Adam McDougall, I think you just somewhat gave me a compliment!” she said, laughing at him. “You needn’t pity me too greatly, for I am fortunate enough to receive the odd dance request. However, in London, if one is to look for a partner any further beyond one dance, it seems there must be more to be gained than simply a pretty face. If that, of course, is what you are suggesting.”
Her eyes twinkled, teasing him, and he smiled at her tone.
“I am sorry to hear that,” he said. “The young gentlemen of London do not know what they are missing. And aye, lass, that was a compliment.”
When the dance finished, he returned her to her seat, nodding his head at her and finding his brother once more. Roderick gave him a wink as he leaned back and looked at him. “’Twas not so bad, now was it?”
“No,” he said begrudgingly. “’Twas not.”
“Adam,” came a voice behind him, and he turned to find Rory approaching. The tall, broad blond man was a bit of a rascal, but despite how different they were, Adam rather liked him. Yes, he was irresponsible, but Adam found he was beginning to come round to putting his people before himself, and at the very least he could admit to his mistakes.
“Rory,” he said, clasping the man’s hand in his in a friendly hello. “Good to see you. How is everything at Darfield?”
“Oh, it’s going just fine,” he said. “I appreciate you leading the hunts while the gillie was out. It seems he is back on his feet, though, so we shouldna need you for the remainder of this tour.”
“Thank the Lord,” said Adam in honest gratefulness. “I do not think I could spend one more day with those men.”
Rory shrugged. “Ah, some aren’t so bad after a while.”
“You’re a better man than I, Rory,” said Adam with a shake of his head.
“Before I forget, Trenton sent a message with me,” Rory said, and Adam looked at him with sudden attention.
“Oh?”
“Aye. He said it’s time his daughter came back to Darfield, as they only have a day or so more before they return to London. He said she’s likely to be healed by now and he sees no reason for her to remain. I can stay and take her home if ye’d like, or—”
“No,” Adam said with a shake of his head. “’Tis fine. We’ll see her back to you on the morrow. You have enough to attend to with all the men at your keep. I shouldna want to delay you, and I’m sure my mother will want to take another look at her wound before the girl leaves.”
“Whatever is yer preference,” said Rory with a shrug.
“’Twould be best,” he said, his gaze darting back to the slip of a woman. Tomorrow they would say goodbye. What had he been thinking, holding any feeling toward her? For he realized that his attachment to her had been growing. He was captivated by her, despite his initial misgivings. Regardless of their differences, she had bestowed no judgment upon his family or his people but had rather embraced them all while keeping a lively, generous spirit.
That was all well and good, he reminded himself, but she was not for him, nor ever would be. No matter how she treated them, her father and her own people looked down on him and his fellow Highlanders, seeing them more as hired hands than anything else. He would be best to keep
