Page 12 of A Stranger’s Promise

They strode to the parlor door, and Alistair stopped and peered inside. It was a small room, pleasant enough, with windows that overlooked the courtyard, and a sideboard laden with a variety of muffins, cakes, and eggs. The children squirmed impatiently at the large oak table in the center of the room, clearly displeased with having to wait, as Charlotte hovered behind the little girl, attempting yet again to tie a ribbon in her unruly red locks.

He meant to tell them not to wait, that he’d eat elsewhere, but Charlotte chose that moment to bite her lip in concentration and he found himself wondering just how those soft, pink lips would taste.

“Where did he find her?” Nicholas’ whispered words were followed by a long, low whistle.

At the sound, Charlotte and the children glanced up.

“Please, eat.” Alistair nodded at the sideboard. “I have a matter to attend. There’s no need to wait.”

As Charlotte bobbed a curtsey, he spun on his heel, brusquely waving his friend to follow.

“She’s a bit out of his league, is she not?” Nicholas began.

“No’ her,” Alistair interrupted, irritated. After trying a few doors, he found a small, empty sitting room with two shabby velvet chairs and a small table, both placed before a fire long grown cold. No sooner had the door closed behind them, he added, “It’s the children, Nicholas. Charles’ children. Their mother died and he could only bother himself to have them dumped on Lady Prescott’s doorstep before vanishing off to the continent in search of new pleasures.”

“Ah, my dear fellow, I find myself no longer interested in Charles’ latest escapade.”

Alistair didn’t like the lusty gleam that lit Nicholas’ ice-blue eyes.

“Who is she?” Nicholas demanded.

Alistair moved to a nearby chair and folded his arms over the back. Nicholas’ well-deserved reputation as a rake made him an undesirable candidate to spend time with Charlotte.

“No one you need know,” Alistair said.

The man’s keen eyes narrowed in the instant before he crossed the room. He seated himself in the chair beside Alistair and stretched his long legs as he inspected Alistair from head to toe.

“A bit defensive, are you? I would say, even possessive.”

“She is no concern of yours,” Alistair replied.

“Come, come,” his friend pressed with a charming smile. “‘Tis not like you to be defensive over a lass, Alistair. Is she—”

“Leave it be,” Alistair cut him short. “I am not jesting, lad.”

The man studied him for a moment, then a slow smile spread over his face. “Then let us speak of other matters.” He withdrew a coin from his waistcoat pocket and began flipping it in the air. “I have been looking for you.”

“Why, when surely a letter would do?”

“With mail coaches bogged down by the snow and roads impassable, it’s no wonder you haven’t gotten them. I sent three. But then, perhaps Lady Prescott lost them for you?” He snorted. “There is matter of great delicacy, best dealt with in person, as it requires I take you into my confidence and provide an explanation.”

“Explanation?” Alistair echoed, now suspicious.

Nicholas widened his grin. “An explanation as to why you’ll arrive at Culzean to find my guests most likely already there for a most delightful house party.”

It took a moment for the words to sink in. “Guests? Pray tell, what house party is this?”

“Why, yours, my dear fellow,” Nicholas answered smoothly. “I couldn’t invite her to Dunskey without a misunderstanding. I have only just met the lass.”

Alistair groaned. “You invited your lover to Culzean?”

“Nae, not lover. Not yet. She misunderstood. She’s bringing chaperones. Her cousin, some captain, who will no doubt cause problems.” He wrinkled his nose in distaste. Then, with a mischievous grin, he leaned forward. “Perhaps I should demonstrate the pain of the word, aye? Now that I find you here at an inn with a delightful…unless, of course, you’re not fancying her in that way…” He let his voice trail off.

Alistair locked gazes with him. “She is not to be trifled with, Nicholas.”

A tense silence drew out between them.

After a moment, Nicholas relaxed back into his chair. “Then I fancy I will enjoy watching.”