And Vanessa was terrified she knew the reason why.
“Ladies.” The two men stood when the butler led them into the parlor, but only one was smiling. And it wasn’t the one who’d spoken, Roland Prince. “Thank ye for joining us.”
“Of course, milord!” Mother tittered as she dipped into a deep curtsey. “We are honored.”
It wasn’t until Bonnie followed their mother that Vanessa remembered her manners, and forced herself to stop looking at Roland long enough to curtsey as well.
He’d stepped up to Mother’s side, and was leading her toward the little arrangement of chairs facing a cold hearth. “Lady Machara, Baroness Oliphant, may I present my brother? Mr. Phineas Prince.”
“You most certainly can!” Mother winked at Roland, her outrageous flirting curling something deep in Vanessa’s stomach. “But a mere ‘mister’? Oh dear,” she pretended to bemoan as she offered the youngest Prince brother her hand. “I was certain such a handsome Prince as yerself would be a lord.”
“Alas,” quipped Phineas stiffly as he bowed over Mother’s hand. “I am one of those bores who believes the future of humanity rests in knowledge and study, and thus I am content with my lack of title.”
“How amusing! Ye must meet my other daughter, Bonnibelle! Bonnie, come meet the delightful Mr. Prince! Ye two can bore one another!”
As she laughed at her own joke, Mother missed the way the faces around her went carefully blank at her insult. Vanessa didn’t, because she couldn’t seem to tear her gaze away from Roland’s eyes.
When he turned to her, she was quick to arrange her expression into the smile she knew made her look beautiful, yet approachable. He studied her for a moment longer than was necessary, making her feel as if he wasn’t quite impressed with her efforts.
Finally, he inclined his head, and Vanessa felt herself begin to breathe again. “Miss Oliphant,” he murmured politely, as he took her hand. “We meet again.”
It wasn’t a I’m so glad we’ve met again, or a Of course we’d meet again, since I invited ye, after all, or even a What in the hell are ye doing here, so that we could meet again? It was just a simple statement, and Vanessa found herself floundering in intentions.
“Aye, milord.” She remembered to keep her voice breathy and alluring, the way Mother said men preferred. “Thank ye so much for having us. This is the highlight of our week.”
He straightened, but didn’t release her hand. His touch, the way it had in the past, sent little shivers of delicious warmth through her, and she felt as if she could spend the rest of her life hold his hand, despite the layer of soft glove she wore. When she felt his thumb trace a small circle across the backs of her fingers, she wanted to drop her gaze to confirm, but couldn’t seem to stop looking at him.
And the way he was looking at her.
Despite the warmth of his touch, his gaze was…closed off. Not at all the open and laughing young man she’d danced and flirted with at the ball. But at least he wasn’t in the icy anger she’d felt from him when he’d come to the Inn for tea.
“Aye,” he finally murmured, and when she shifted frantically through her memory to the last thing said, she bristled at his agreement. As if this should be the highlight of her week.
With a faint sniff, and telling herself it didn’t matter how nice his touch felt, she pulled her hand from Roland’s and straightened her shoulders. Surprisingly, his lips curled upward at her haughtiness, but it wasn’t a warm smile.
He inclined his head once more. “Tea, Miss Oliphant?”
When he gestured to the collection of chairs, where Bonnie and his brother were already speaking animatedly about something-or-other, she lifted her chin and swept past him, her stomach all in knots.
Why was he acting this way? She studied him surreptitiously as she poured the tea, and was disconcerted to find him watching her. Oh, she was used to men looking at her, but Roland was studying. Noting her move…judging. She could feel his regard, and didn’t care for the sensation.
Mainly because she was worried he might not like what he saw.
* * *
Vanessa should be nervous, because she knows what Roland heard her say about his brother. But she has no idea what he has planned for her! If you’re in the mood for more fun, flirty Highland fairytales, check out Vanessa and Roland’s enemies-to-lovers story, The Lass Who Kissed a Frog!
Other Books by Caroline Lee
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Steamy Scottish Historicals:
The Sinclair Jewels (4 books)
The Highland Angels (5 books)
The Hots for Scots (8 books)
Highlander Ever After (3 books)
Sensual Historical Westerns:
Black Aces (3 books)
Sunset Valley (3 books)
Everland Ever After (10 books)
The Sweet Cheyenne Quartet (6 books)
Sweet Contemporary Westerns
Quinn Valley Ranch (5 books)
River’s End Ranch (14 books)
The Cowboys of Cauldron Valley (7 books)
The Calendar Girls’ Ranch (6 books)
Click here to find a complete list of Caroline’s books.
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About the Author
Caroline Lee has been reading romance for so long that her fourth-grade teacher used to make her cover her books with paper jackets. But it wasn't until she (mostly) grew up that she realized she could write it too. So she did.
Caroline is living her own little Happily Ever After in NC with her husband, sons, and new daughter, Princess Wiggles. And while she doesn't so much "suffer" from Pittakionophobia as think that
