Page 30 of The Highlander Is All That

“I need another drink.”

“Henley!” Esmeralda bellowed. “A tea tray.”

Hamish frowned at her. “It wasna tea I was wanting.”

“I am certain of it, but I won’t have my gels witnessing your drunkenness.”

“Fine,” Hamish said. And without another word, he snatched up the whisky carafe and quit the room.

Elizabeth could hear him stomping all the way up the stairs.

“You see,” Victoria said triumphantly. “I told you he was overset.”

* * *

Ranald chuckled as Hamish stormed from the room. He glanced at Anne, who was laughing as well. “Is it wrong of us to torment him?” he asked.

He was pleased that her smile didn’t dim. “Perhaps, but I have to say, I quite enjoyed it.”

“As did I.”

“And he brought it on himself,” she added.

“How did he bring it on himself?” Mary squawked. “He was minding his own business—”

“Half-naked,” Anne said on a sniff.

Mary sighed. “I thought he looked fabulous in that kilt.”

“Perhaps he looked too fabulous,” Victoria suggested. “Lady Jersey just couldn’t help herself.”

“She managed to keep her hands off Bower,” Anne said, and a shiver went up his spine at her name on his lips. And then she said something that made his blood surge. “And Bower is much better looking than Hamish.”

It took a moment for him to recover himself. “I am gratified.”

Anne pinkened and then turned away. “Obviously, Hamish did something to encourage her.”

Lady Esmeralda grunted. “It does not take much to encourage Sarah.”

“Nonetheless, he must have.”

Mary frowned. “I don’t think you are being at all fair.”

“I am being completely fair. And how ironic is it that now we have to protect him?”

It was clear to Ranald that Anne was only teasing, but for some reason, Elizabeth took umbrage. Her face went red and she glared around the room. “Well, really,” she huffed. Then she picked up her shawl and stormed from the room.

Victoria’s eyes widened. “Well,” she said. “That was interesting.”

“This whole evening has been,” Mary added. “My head is spinning.”

“Of course it is. But we must get to bed,” Esmeralda insisted. “We have morning calls.”

“Must we?” Mary groaned.

“Of course we must.” Victoria hooked arms with her sister and tugged her to the door. “There’s so much to do, come along.”

Lady Esmeralda headed for the door as well, just as Henley rolled in the tea tray. “Oh dear,” she said.