Page 5 of How to Catch an Heiress

"Done," she said.

What had she to lose?

***

Stirling sipped his wine, then set the glass on the table beside his dinner plate and politely listened as Chastity explained to his dinner guests, Mr. Dorring and Lord Allensby, how the duke’s young groom had broken their new gelding. The duke must have had a talk with his daughter. She was being far too accommodating, and that worried him. He much preferred a frontal assault like the one this morning. At least then he knew what she was up to. This…this was dangerous. They’d been late to dinner, which was exactly what he’d expected after he kept her waiting nearly an hour this morning. But she’d been a different woman than the one he’d left at the stables this morning. He would have to talk with the duke and find out what had happened, then ask him to kindly stay out of the way.

Her gaze caught on his face and she flashed a sweet smile. Yes, this troubled him far more than her obstinacy. There wasn’t a chance in heaven or hell that her father had convinced her to go meekly to the altar. What was the minx planning? Maybe she planned on boring him to death? He hid a smile. Nae, not that one. She wasn’t capable of being boring for more than an evening, and that, he suspected, was part of a larger plan.

They finished dinner and the six men adjourned to the drawing room with the promise that they would meet the ladies in the parlor once they’d had their cigars and brandy. Stirling couldn't remain focused on the conversation. It bothered him not knowing what Chastity was thinking. Until now, she had been an open book and he’d easily kept one step ahead of her. If she drew from the feminine arsenal, the more common tactic of backhanded manipulation, he might be in trouble.

"Where is your mind, Stirling?” the Earl of Allensby broke into his thoughts. “Certainly, not with that pretty girl you are to marry?"

Stirling couldn't help a laugh. He hadn’t been this distracted by a woman in ten years, maybe never, in fact. "Can you blame me?"

Allensby grinned. "If a man must be shackled to a woman, she isn’t a bad choice.”

Stirling was aware of the duke’s attention, so lifted his glass of brandy and answered honestly, "I couldn't agree more."

They finished their cigars and all took their brandies to the parlor where, to Stirling’s relief, Chastity was engaged in a game of cards with the three ladies. She didn't look his way, but he felt certain she was aware of his presence the minute he entered the room. Or perhaps that was just wishful thinking.

Chastity suggested the men join them for cards and she didn't shoot daggers at him with her eyes when he pulled a chair up alongside hers and sat down.As the evening wore on, Chastity did seem at ease. Stirling had just begun to relax a bit himself—the brandy didn't hurt on that score—then he noticed Linda Dorring staring at him. She didn't yank her eyes away as he expected and he stiffened when a slippered foot traced a line up his calf.

What the bloody hell? Stirling hadn't known Dorring long, and had no idea if he and his wife had an arrangement, but he didn't dally with married women even if their husbands looked the other way. And he wasn't pleased with her overt behavior. If Chastity noticed, it could be the justification she needed to end their engagement.And there it was, he realized. Linda Dorring’s sudden interest in him was too convenient. Chastity had to have sanctioned her advances. Stirling shot Linda a thin-lipped look, then shifted his legs beyond reach of her foot.

She thrust out her lip in a very pretty pout that disgusted Stirling. He couldn’t believe Dorring didn’t notice his wife's behavior. But then, maybe he did and ignored it. He might be too accustomed to this sort of conduct.

They finished the game and Stirling rose. “Who would like more brandy?”

The men all agreed more brandy was a good idea. To Stirling's relief, the women rose. Chastity crossed to the open balcony and stood on the threshold. He filled glasses with brandy and handed one to each man. When he grabbed his glass from the sideboard, he saw that Chastity had disappeared. She must have gone out onto the balcony.

Fortunately, everyone was engaged in conversation. He slipped out and found her leaning her elbows against the railing, staring out across the darkened hills.She looked over her shoulder as he approached and he glimpsed the roll of her eyes before she turned away. He repressed a smile. This, he understood.

He stopped beside her and sipped his brandy. "It's a lovely night.”

"It is."

"Castle Kinlochie may lack a view of the River Ness, but the castle is respectable. I hope you will be happy here."

She visibly stiffened. "As the Duchess of Roxburgh, I will one day live at Gledstone Hall."

"Let us pray that day does not come for some time."

She straightened and faced him. "Are you implying that I am waiting for my father to die so that I can claim the title?"

"Not at all. Like you, I am wishing your father many more years of health and happiness."

"The longer he lives, the longer you must wait to become duke."

"True." Stirling sipped his brandy.

"How long are you willing to wait for your reward?" she asked.

"Approximately thirty-six hours."

She blinked, then narrowed her eyes. "I am not fooled by your sweet words."

He kept his gaze locked with hers. Aye, he was certain Chastity was behind Linda Dorring's advances. Perhaps her pique was heightened because that plot had failed.