“Despite what your beliefsof marriage may be, do not marry any Scot unless he feels exactlythe way I do.”
Lord Alston bets Mr. Fiskethree hundred pounds that Lady Moira Kirkwood
will be compromised by LordAinsely within the week
and find herself living inScotland by the end of the Season ~ April 25, 1813
“Damn and blast.” Gideonthrew the empty glass against the fireplace. He gave her theperfect opportunity to give up her dream of marrying a Scot today.After the words he spoke, the closest he had ever come to adeclaration of love in his life, she said nothing.Nothing! She should haveconfessed that she no longer wanted a Scot, but would followhim.
Well, maybe not that dramatic, butsomething along those lines. But she said nothing!
He wanted Moira. Hell, he was in lovewith her, and it had happened in just a matter of days. Had anyonetold him it was possible, he would have scoffed and laughed atthem. He now well understood how some of his acquaintances hadwalked into a castle as bachelors one day and out as married men afew days later. It only took a moment to fallcompletely.
Good lord, he sounded like a sappypoet now.
Gideon strode thesideboard and poured another glass of whiskey, with the intent ofbecoming good and drunk. And he wasn’t setting foot in White’sagain for a good long time. He didn’t want to know what was now inthat damn book. Half the tonhad heard Moira reject Struthers, and he didn’twant to know what poor soul Alston and Fiske named next.
He fell into the deep leather chairbeside the fireplace, swirling the liquid around in his glass. “Icould have her.”
He could approach Hearne, explains hisfeelings, and if necessary, confess the liberties he had taken inthe park…or he could tell Moira where his estate waslocated.
Neither was a choice. He tossed a gulpof the whiskey back. He didn’t want her on those terms. He wantedher to marry him because she wanted to.
He could court her, woo her, and kissher senseless until she forgot Scotland even existed.
A smile pulled to his lips. It wasn’ta bad plan, and one that might definitely work, and be quiteenjoyable in the process.
However tonight, he was staying in andgetting good and bloody drunk. It was the only way he was going toget any sleep until Lady Moira became Moira Baxter, LadyAinsley.
“So this is where you havebeen all evening.” Jordan Trent sauntered into the room, and wentstraight to the sideboard to pour himself a glass of whiskey.“Missed you at Henderson’s ball and White’s.”
Gideon glanced at the clock by thedoor. “Neither must have been entertaining. It is barelymidnight.”
Jordan shrugged and flopped down intothe matching chair across from Gideon.
“Why are youhere?”
Jordan took a drink and studiedGideon. “Another bet has been made with regard to LadyMoira.”
“Bloody hell. Do those twohave nothing better to do?”
His friend laughed. “Apparently not.They bet the same three hundred pounds over and over, as it hasbeen for the past five years, and so far I believe they’ve brokeneven.”
He didn’t want to know, but he wouldlearn the name eventually. “Who is it this time?”
“You.”
Moira pulled the counterpane up overher head at the knock at her door. “Go away.”
“Moira, it’s me,” Alvinacalled. “May I come in?”
She glanced at the clock. It was pastone, and she should have risen long before now. But she hadn’tslept a wink last night. Why did Ainsely have to be so wonderfuland make her want things she couldn’t have, such as more kisses andcaresses? He lived in Yorkshire. But, with Ainsely it was possibleto have an affectionate, loving, and unusual marriage, like Nyleand Alvina’s, instead of one like her parents andsister.
Did she dare risk it? But what ifAinsely didn’t love her? She knew nothing of his financial status.He could be as desperate for her funds as the other gentlemen, andby the time she realized the truth, it would be too late. She wouldbe living only four days from her mother with a man who had seducedher for her dowry.
“Moira?” Alvina called outand pounded on the door.
“Come in,” Moira grumbledand rolled over.
Alvina stepped into the room, radiantas ever. No wonder Nyle had fallen in love with her after just oneglance.
“Your mother and brotherare worried.”
Moira sat up and snorted. “I just wishto remain in bed all day.”
Alvina settled onto the bed. “What’swrong?”
Tears welled up in Moira’s eyes, andshe did her best to blink them away. “This Season isn’t turning outas I hoped.”
“What did you expect tohappen?”
“I thought Pippa, Georgie,Patience, and I would have a grand time and then find our husbandsin the end.” She narrowed her eyes. “Not get our names in thatbetting book.”
“We are barely into thesecond week of the Season,” Alvina reminded her.
“And I’ve yet to meet aScotsman.”
“Oh, yes, I hadforgotten.”
Moira blinked and looked up ather.
“What ofAinsely?”
Tears pooled again.
“What is it? Has he donesomething to hurt you?”
Moira shook her head, unable toanswer.
“Moira, you must tellme.”
“I am in love withhim.”
Alvina chuckled. “Is that all? Ithought it was more dire.”
“But it is,” Moirainsisted. “His estate is in Yorkshire.”
Her sister-in-law sat back andnarrowed her eyes. “Are you certain?”
“He told me so himself.Why?”
Alvina shook her head. “I thought itwas farther north.”
“It doesn’t matteranyway,” Moira grumbled and got out of bed. She found her slippersand pushed her feet inside, and Alvina helped her into the robe.Moira pulled on the bell to have Beatrice bring her morningchocolate even though it was afternoon.
“Why doesn’t itmatter?”
Moira chewed on her bottom lip,debating how much she should say. If any of her friends were here,she wouldn’t hesitate, knowing they would take her secrets to thegrave. While Alvina was a good friend, she couldn’t trust that shewouldn’t tell Nyle.
“You have to make me apromise.”
“What?” Alvina settledinto the chair by the window.
“No matter what I tellyou, you cannot, under any circumstances, tell Nyle.”
The smile fell from Alvina’s face andshe sat forward. “What has he done to you, Moira?”
“Promise, or I shan’t saya word.”
Alvina studied Moira, as if weighingher decision. “I swear not to tell my husband anything.”
“Very well.” Moira settledonto the stool and told Alvina everything that had occurred in thepark and Ainsely’s last words to
