Practice Makes Perfect

N iven couldn't fathom how a short after-dinner performance for the Withenshawes had turned into a full blown social evening with guests invited to enjoy Scottish music and a demonstration reel. He'd been nervous enough about performing for the family.

The inclusion of the dancing convinced him Kenneth and Cat had become involved.

Kenneth had become enamored of all things Scottish after his first visit there. When Rowan sheepishly admitted Kenneth had offered to lend him a Scottish outfit for the evening, Niven's suspicions about Daisy were confirmed. Rowan would never have agreed to wear a kilt unless Daisy had coaxed him. It really was surprising what a man would do for a woman he loved. Every afternoon for a week, Rowan had taken her for a carriage ride in Hyde Park and come back full of effusive praise for his new ladylove. Could this truly be the same Daisy Hawkins that Niven knew?

Niven anticipated an announcement would soon be forthcoming. Rowan and Daisy seemed an unlikely couple, but Niven was happy his cousin had apparently found a man she loved.

Kenneth insisted upon a practice session the day before the scheduled musicale. "I hope you don't mind if I take over instructing the group," he told Niven when the participants were gathered. "In Uncle Gregor's absence."

Niven was surprised, but not disappointed. It would be difficult to play and instruct at the same time. Now, he could concentrate on the music. Kenneth had other ideas. "My stepfather will play tomorrow evening. Jock's not as accomplished a fiddle player as you, but this will free you to partner with Lady Willow and lead the square."

Niven and Willow's clandestine interactions to date had consisted of stolen kisses and risky embraces in the foyer. If they danced together, he could take her hand, put his arm around her waist, hold her close. A fast-paced reel always got the heart pumping, unlike the more sedate English dances. The prospect had the inevitable rousing effect on his male parts. "Verra weel," he agreed. "If the lady doesna object."

"She willna," Cat replied with a smile. "She likes ye."

Niven's spirits lifted. He could evidently count on at least two allies in his quest to woo the duke's daughter. However, if his cousin's wife had taken note of their attraction, the Three Trees must have noticed.

He expected Rowan to object to his partnering Lady Willow, but Kenneth didn't give him an opportunity. "Right," he announced. "Attention everyone. This will be an eightsome reel which means four couples. My mother will partner Lord Ash. Lady Daisy will help Lord Rowan learn the sequence of movements. Lord Hawthorne will dance with my wife. Lastly, Niven will lead Lady Willow. This arrangement ensures the people who know the drill are partnered with someone who doesn't."

"Excellent," Willow's father exclaimed from his easy chair on the sidelines of the ballroom.

Ramsay cleared his throat and began with an introduction. "As a duke who'd always considered himself very English, I admit to feeling foolish and unwilling when first expected to dance a reel. However, the Scottish blood inherited from my mother soon took over."

Smiling, Kenneth Hawkins then walked the group through the steps and sequences of the dance. He was a surprisingly patient teacher, but it was Niven who made sure Willow was in the right place at the right time. His hand placed lightly on the small of her back was meant to guide her, but she loved the heat she felt clear through her muslin day-gown.

There were other couples in the square but, for Willow, there was only Niven. Simply walking the steps with him robbed her of breath. His male scent stole up her nostrils. The naughty glint in his eyes made her heart race. The brush of his hips gave rise to wicked thoughts.

When Jock Graham struck up the fiddle, the pace quickened and she was soon lost to the music, the exhilarating movement, the man she wanted as a partner for more than this one occasion.

She wasn't the only one who laughed out loud when Rowan whooped. Glancing in his direction, Willow was astonished to see a broad smile on her stolid brother's face. An even bigger grin transformed Lady Daisy Hawkins from a shrew into a beautiful woman.

"I love this," she exclaimed close to Niven's ear.

"And I love ye," he breathed.

Obliged to dance with a woman old enough to be his grandmother, Ash Halstead was astonished the Dowager Duchess of Ramsay was less out of breath than he was when the practice session was over. She'd more or less arm-wrestled him into position more than once when he'd turned the wrong way.

The Scottish reel was certainly more strenuous than any English dance in which he'd taken part. Not that he, Rowan and Thorne had much occasion in Berkshire to attend balls, and the all-male regimental gatherings they favored tended to focus on drinking and cards.

Hence the reason he was mystified by Rowan's obvious enjoyment of the whole experience. He and his partner were grinning at each other like idiots. If that's what love did to a man, Ash would prefer to avoid romance. Speaking of which, Niven King would have to be watched and warned off any thoughts he had of wooing Willow. The Scot repeatedly professed a wish to be a lifelong bachelor, so he was clearly toying with Ash's sister.

Foot tapping to the music, William Halstead, Duke of Withenshawe, watched the dancers with great interest. Two of his children were clearly smitten with their partners. He was glad for Rowan and relieved his heir seemed to have found a suitable mate. The succession might be assured after all.

His heart bled for Willow and Niven. He cherished his daughter and had great respect for his protégé, but he couldn't allow a relationship to flourish between them. Kenneth Hawkins might well have married a commoner, but his position as a duke had obliged society to accept Catriona. Willow would be shunned if she married Niven who would bring no such protection to the union. The prospect of breaking both their hearts sickened him.