“How did he know yourbreasts were bound?” It was her very first question.
Moira’s face heated and sheshrugged.
Alvina leaned forward and graspedMoira’s hands. “I must know. Did he touch you anywhere else, or wasthere any other intimate contact between you?”
Moira pulled back and laughed. “Ofcourse not. We were in the park.”
“It didn’t stop him fromtaking some liberties.”
She did have a point. “I can assureyou, that is all that happened between us.”
“Then I don’t see whyyou’re so upset.”
“Because he never asked meto marry him, or even if he could court me for thatmatter.”
“Are youcertain?”
“Of course.” Moira stoodto pace the room. “He said that despite what my beliefs of marriagemay be, I am not to marry any Scot unless he feels exactly the wayAinsely described.”
A mischievous smile pulled at Alvina’slips.
“What are youthinking?”
“If Ainsely were to askfor your hand, would you marry him, even though he has an estate inYorkshire?”
Moira sank back down on the stool andlooked her sister-in-law in the eye. “Yes. I think a chance at loveis more important than never having to endure Mother.”
“There you haveit.”
“Alvina, he didn’t ask me.He is not interested in marrying me.”
“Are you sosure?”
Why did she keep going on like this?“Of course. If he were, he wouldn’t have helped me find a husbandby pointing out all the eligible bachelors in the park.”
“None of whom have anestate in Scotland,” Alvina interrupted.
“He didn’t discourage me.Instead, he told me what kind of Scot to marry.”
“Very well.” Alvinaslapped her hands on her thighs and stood. “We shall find you thatScot.”
“How do you propose we dothat?” Moira was fairly convinced such a man wasn’t in London thisSeason.
“You just leave that tome. Get dressed and I will be back shortly.”
Moira dressed for the day, though shehad no intention of leaving the house. Her rash had somewhatcleared, but the terrible color had barely faded in her hair.Besides, her eyes were now red and puffy with dark circles from asleepless night spent crying. Why did she have to fall in love withAinsely? Why couldn’t he love her? At least enough to convince herthat Yorkshire was far enough away. But all he did was kiss hersenseless, make her feel pretty for the first time in her life, andtell her what type of Scot to marry.
Tears welled in her eyes again. Whydid he have to go and kiss her? In didn’t matter that she wantedhim to, because she’d never anticipated falling in love. She’d beenquite happy thinking he was becoming a grand friend, someone shecould depend upon. Someone who could be very dear to her thisSeason. He had gone and ruined it all by pointing out her four bestfeatures. It was entirely his fault that moving to Scotland to getaway from her mother was no longer important, and he was the reasonno other gentlemen would make her happy.
She took the steps slowly to thebreakfast room. Where had Alvina gone? She was to have returned,but that was an hour ago.
Moira’s stomach grumbled, though shedidn’t have much of an appetite. The breakfast room was too bright,and pain stabbed behind her eyes. “Could you please pull thedrapes?” she asked the footman as she entered. He did as she badeand the room dimmed, bringing a bit of relief. Nothing Cookprepared this afternoon tempted her, despite the objections of herstomach, so Moira chose a piece of bread as the footman poured hera cup of tea. “Is Mother at home?”
“She has gone out,” theservant answered.
Thank goodness. Moira was not in themood to deal with that woman right now.
The footman hovered by the door. Shehated eating while others watched and really, what could shepossibly need that she couldn’t take care of herself? “You may go.If I need anything, I will ring.”
“Very good.” He bowed hishead and left the room. Moira let out a sigh and bit into thebread.
“What am I todo?”
“Find the perfect Scot, ofcourse.”
Moira looked up to find Alvinastanding in the doorway, a large book in her hands, beaming. “Whatis that?”
“Debrett’s.”
“I don’t know how that canbe of any help. I am not looking for an English Lord.”
A quizzical look passed over Alvina’sfeatures. “Have you never read it?”
“No.” Moira dismissed andtook a sip of her tea. “Mother pores over it daily, however,suggesting which heirs and peers I should meet.”
“You should have beenlooking through it as well.” Alvina plunked the book down on thetable in front of Moira. “This one lists Irish andScottish titles.”
“Scottish?” Why hadn’tanyone mentioned this? Just the other day Georgie and Pippa werediscussing Debrett’s, and neither one bothered to mention thispiece of information to her.
Alvina poured a cup of tea and settledinto an empty seat at the table. “I am sure you will find at leastone candidate for your hand in marriage.”
Moira opened the book to Scotland andbegan flipping through the pages.
“Why not start at the top,with the dukes?”
Moira grimaced. “I don’t think I wouldmake a very good duchess.” While Scotland seemed like the next bestthing to heaven, being married to the head of a powerful family wasa bit too daunting. “I will be happy with any lesser peer, or evensecond son, if he owns his own estate.” Though most young womenwouldn’t assume they could marry so high, Moira knew her worth. Abloody fortune to anyone who married her. It really didn’t matterwhat she looked like. Plus, her father had been an earl, whichraised her position and choices somewhat.
“Very well.” Alvinasettled back in her chair, cradling the cup in her hand,watching.
Moira tried not to let Alvina botherher, but it was as if she were waiting for something. There were noeligible dukes anyway, and a few marquesses held promise, as did afew earls.
“Do you think I shouldwrite them down, so I remember?” Moira glanced up atAlvina.
Her sister-in-law grinned into hercup. “I am sure you will remember what you need to.”
Alvina was acting very strangely.Moira focused back on the book and flipped the page.“Viscounts.”
Alvina sat forward and placed her cupon the table.
Moira began reading names and stopped.She grasped the page tight, almost tearing it from the binding. “Helied to me.”
“I am sure he had goodreason,” Alvina assured her.
“Why didn’t you tellme?”
“I wanted
