Page 15 of The Widow Wore Plaid

“Here you all are, right on time.” Lady John stopped, taking Lord Harold in from top to toe. Her gaze darted between his and Lady St. Just’s. “May I help you, Lord . . . ?”

“Harold Cross, my lady.” He bowed and glanced to his sister. “Georgie, a proper introduction, if you please.”

“Jane . . .” Flustered, Lady St. Just caught herself, but sudden color tinged her face. “I beg your pardon, Lady John Tarkington, my brother, Lord Harold Cross. Apparently a very late guest.” She cut her gaze at him again. “Not that I’m surprised at all.”

“Lady John, so pleased to meet you at last. Georgie has told me so much about you, as has Lady Brack.” That charming, mischievous smile came out again. “I am sorry to be a bother, being so late to the house party, but I was unavoidably detained in London and only got away a week ago. I hurried north as quickly as I could.”

“I am pleased to meet you as well, Lord Harold.” The lady’s mouth puckered, apparently holding in her amusement. “Lord Kinellan did not inform me of your pending arrival or I would have made better preparation. However, if you are not too fatigued, may I suggest you accompany us out to the luncheon? While we are there I’ll have your room prepared and your valet can attend to your things.”

“Thank you, Lady John. I’m traveling without my man at the moment, but if you can have a footman take my valise to my room, I will settle in upon my return.” Lord Harold continued to smile; however, his bravado couldn’t disguise the worry etched on his face.

Lady St. Just must have seen it also, for she sidled up to him as soon as Lady John went to find the housekeeper. “Hal, what have you done this time?” Her voice was low, but it carried.

Maria turned to Bella, speaking quietly also. “Give me your hat, please. Lord Harold is quite a handsome man don’t you think?” She settled the bonnet on Bella’s head and handed her the ribbons.

Bella nodded, fashioning the bow even as she strained to hear his lordship’s answer to his sister.

“Bella, it is terribly impolite to eavesdrop.”

“Shh. I know.” That would not stop her from attempting it, however. She was more than a little curious what kind of scrape Lord Harold had become embroiled in. Another glance his way, but she had apparently missed the words she’d wanted to hear.

Lord Harold had straightened and was heading back toward her. “Miss Granger, may I escort you to the conveyance? It would begin to make up for my dereliction of duty in London this past spring.” He grinned and her stomach somersaulted.

“Thank you, Lord Harold.” At least she’d managed to say something to this, the most dashing man she’d ever met. She took his arm and they moved quickly toward the door.

Lord Harold might just prove to be the most intriguing gentleman she would meet at this Scottish house party. She could scarcely wait to find out.

Chapter Seven

A soft breeze ruffled the canvas coverings of the canopies constructed for the picnic luncheon. The weather had cooperated splendidly, no clouds to mar the day with rain. Jane stood back a moment, pausing from her hostess duties to savor the satisfaction of an event well done. Kinellan had spoken to Cousin Fiona, who had graciously expressed her happiness for them and seemed to heave a sigh of relief to be finished with her duties at Castle Kinellan.

Which meant today Jane had greeted Kinellan’s guests, walking from table to table, speaking pleasantly to everyone—mostly Kinellan’s relations—but longing to get back to her friends’ table. After two years as the Widows’ Club it would be hard to think of them as the Happy Ever Afters as Georgie had rechristened them.

As she headed toward the back of the tent, Lady Prudence Seton grasped her hand and pulled her to the table she shared with several of her other relatives. “I just wanted to wish you happy, my dear.”

Jane clenched her jaw, a tickle of aggravation in her mind. She’d hoped her friends would have honored her wishes and not spoken of the betrothal before tonight. Now she would certainly have to confess her lapse to Kinellan. Lady Prudence would assuredly accost him and offer her congratulations to him as well. “Thank you so much, Lady Prudence.”

The older lady beamed. “Kinellan had told me you were betrothed some time ago and I must confess after several months and no announcement, I’d begun to doubt he’d told me the truth.” She fixed Jane with a gimlet eye. “Which would have made your presence here at the castle rather scandalous, even for a widow.”

Inwardly shuddering, Jane glanced quickly around the table, hoping no one else marked their conversation. Of course, with Lady Prudence’s braying voice, it was a forlorn hope. All eyes seemed riveted on them. She smiled automatically and returned her attention to the lady in front of her. “We thought it only right to wait and announce the betrothal tonight, when so many of our friends and family were here to share our happiness, my lady.” Closing her eyes, Jane sighed. “Even though we have had the understanding of an engagement for some time.”

“Very good, my dear.” Lady Prudence patted her hand. “I suppose we shall have another announcement from Kinellan as soon as you are wed.” She winked at Jane. “I’d wager you’ll have an heir in your nursery by next May.” Her gaze rested at Jane’s waist. “If not sooner.”

Suppressing a groan, Jane merely nodded, and smiled before saying, “I hope you enjoy the day, Lady Prudence. Don’t let me keep you from your luncheon.”

“Or you from yours, my dear.” The lady smiled gaily then returned her attention to her companions, Rory Seton and his wife, Kitty, who had been avidly following their conversation.

With a nod to the other guests at the table, Jane moved away quickly. She scanned the tables under the canopy, but she’d already chatted with the guests at each one. Duty done, she now was free to join her friends, relax with more pleasant conversation, and sample some of the delicious food whose aromas had made her mouth water for the past hour.

The table she’d set aside for the Widows—she really must stop thinking of them that way—was at the back of the second canopy, a little more secluded than the others as it backed onto a wooded area with a table and other guests only in front of it. She headed there now, looking forward to spending part of the festivities with her friends.

As she approached it, Kinellan rose from the end where he’d been speaking to Lathbury and Wrotham and stopped her before she could reach a seat. “Thank you, my dear, for greeting our guests.” He took her hand and placed a swift kiss upon it.

“I was happy to do it.” She squeezed his hand and let go. “And as it is to be my duty hereafter, I suppose a little practice would not come amiss.” She raised her chin, ready to confess. “I just spoke to Lady Prudence—”

“About Lady Prudence,” Kinellan cut her off, then glanced toward the table.

Lord, he knew already. He’d found out she’d told her friends. She’d never before thought of them as a group of chatterboxes, but apparently, she’d been mistaken.