Chapter Eleven

The next day tensions were high as they all sat in the parlor. Clarissa plucked at an invisible piece of lint as Viscount Heathton rambled on about his hunting prowess. A fine quality to have, Clarissa agreed, but it was not a subject that she could spend the better part of an hour talking about. Nor did she want to.

As much as she wanted to, she couldn't tell him to go home because she had no interest in his hunts or him for that matter. Nicholas was huddled in a corner of the room, enjoying a cup of tea with Gwen. Every once in a while, he would lift his hands and push them in the air, trying to prompt her to engage.

But, Lord above, this man was a bore. She wanted naught to do with him.

Near the window, Alexander seethed as his eyes shot spears of fire into Heathton's back.

When James had announced Heathton's arrival, Clarissa was shocked. Was it normal protocol to call on someone that was just visiting? She didn't ken but found it odd.

Alexander had turned red as the gown she had purchased at the modiste the day before and his hands had fisted at his sides. But he had James show him to the parlor and refreshments brought in. Tea, sandwiches, and figs.

He had remained silent. Seething, but silent.

If he spoke, Clarissa was afraid of what might come out of his mouth.

"…and that was the second stag I shot on that particular outing. I have his antlers hanging on display in my study. The rack is quite impressive," his gaze dropped to her chest and her cheeks flamed.

Alexander's eyes bulged and Nicholas's head shot up to glare at the man, before one of them hurried over.

"I believe ye have out welcomed your stay, Heathton," Nicholas stated.

"But—"

Nicholas's eyes blazed black and Heathton snapped his mouth shut. He stood and gave her a quick bow. "Miss Gordon."

And then he was gone.

Clarissa breathed a sigh of relief. Finally, some silence.

"May I talk to ye about the partridge I shot when I was twelve?" Alexander jested.

"For the love of all things, that was the dullest hour of my life. And I have had some verra dull hours, but that, that was just horrid."

"I am sorry he took such liberties. He willna be allowed to call again. I will make sure of it." He smiled. "That is if he e'en wants to after Nicholas escorts him outside." He winked. "Either way, I shall inform James that he is no longer welcome."

She smiled her thanks and watched Gwen as she approached, a grin on her face. "Look at all the gentlemen tripping over themselves to assure ye are no' insulted."

Clarissa chortled. "I dinna think Nicholas counts. The man is my brother."

"Aye, but Alexander isna, and he was at your side quicker than your brother."

She sighed. He did come to her rescue in a breadth's time. Not that it mattered. Nicholas was still being obtuse when it came to Alexander. Just last eve, he had again warned her to stay away. For someone that claimed to be the man's best friend, he certainly did not think enough of him to make a good match for his sister.

The man was a duke. No higher station than the king. What else did Nicholas want? Shouldn't her happiness be taken into consideration?

Seeming to sense her plight, Gwen spoke up. "Give Nicholas some time. He will come around."

She slid her gaze over to her sister-in-law. "I am no' so certain of that. If he did, he would put an end to these callers. Can he no' see I have naught interest in any of them?"

Gwen bit her lip and nodded. "I think he is beginning to see. I catch him watching the two of ye sometimes. He only wants ye to have a stable home and be taken care of."

"And I only want to be happy," Clarissa spurted.

It was the same thing she had heard over and over again. He only wants you to be taken care of. She would rather be poor than tied to a horrible, boring rich man. Or worse, a man of means that treated her poorly. Why was it that Nicholas could no' see that?

"Viscount Heathton will no' be entering the halls of Millwool any longer," Nicholas said, entering the parlor. Standing beside Gwen's chair, he squeezed her shoulder and she leaned into the caress. "I am sorry for making ye sit through that, sister. The man was a cad."

"Ye can say that again," Alexander said from the door, where he leaned against the frame, his legs crossed at the ankles.

How long had he been there?

"I think ye should give Clarissa the afternoon off from callers, Nicholas. The poor lass just sat through an hour of the louse talking about hunting. As a man who enjoys hunting, e'en I found myself hating it the longer I had to listen to him ramble on. And then that last line? Completely unwarranted and vile." Alexander pushed away from the door and shook his head. "Heathton will be looking for a wife for a long time to come. Unless he comes across some desperate family that needs to marry their daughter off for whatever reason. And in that case, I feel sorry for the poor girl."

Clarissa giggled at Alexander's deduction. He was right. She already pitied the unknown girl.

"True. He didna seem so foul at the ball. But now we ken. If ye want a respite, Clarissa, by all means, take one," Nicholas offered.

But as she stood, James entered, clearing his throat.

"Your Grace, another caller has arrived for Miss Gordon."

Alexander sighed, his jaw clenching. It was nice to see that he was not enjoying this charade either.

"Who is it, James?" Nicholas asked.

"Baron Kitt, Your Grace."

Alexander pushed forward. "Och, hell nay," he spat. "I willna have him speaking to Clarissa. No'," he paused, pushing his hand through his dark hair, making the ends stand on edge and the curls to muss. "No' after what he did."

Nicholas pulled Alexander away to the other side of the room. Clarissa watched but could not hear what they were discussing in hushed whispers. Alexander fumed. His body tense and he looked like he was ready to burst.

After a few long moments, Alexander stormed out of the room, and Nicholas approached the sofa where she sat.

"I will leave this choice up to ye. Ye ken what he said at the ball."

She nodded.

"If we didna already have a plan in place, I would beat the bastard to a bloody pulp myself. But I canna. We need to be mindful of our approach."

Why was he even here? When they had danced, she most certainly did not give him the impression that she was interested in any way whatsoever. But she was thankful Nicholas was giving her the option to decline.

"I dinna wish to see him, brother. I would rather do anything but as a matter of fact."

Nicholas smiled and nodded. "I guessed as much. I will tell James."

As he left, he grabbed Gwen's hand and pulled her along with him. "I havena spent nearly enough time with ye as I have wanted on this trip." He nipped at her ear, and she swatted at him, her cheeks reddening, but she followed him out the door.

For a moment, Clarissa sat and enjoyed the silence, thankful she did not have to spend time with Kitt. She shuddered. The man made her nervous. The way his small eyes leered at her whenever she caught a glimpse of him.

She finished her tea and set the cup and saucer on the nearby table and stood to look out the window, which overlooked the garden. Not nearly as vast as her brother's garden at Huntly, but still impressive, nonetheless.

Waiting a few minutes to ensure that Kitt was no longer there, she watched the birds and butterflies flit about, enjoying the nectar from the late season flowers in bloom.

Once she felt she was safe, she left the parlor and was on her way outside when a warm hand circled her wrist and pulled her into an alcove.

She gasped, her heart nearly beating out of her chest as Alexander pulled her close. She clutched at her heart. "Ye nearly frightened me to death." She smacked his chest, the muscles hard underneath her palm.

He chuckled, low and rumbly. "I would ne'er do such a thing."

"Ye just did," she cried out.

"Shhh, ye dinna want to alert your brother to your shenanigans."

"Mine?" She lifted a brow at him. "I have done naught."

His hands dropped to her waist, and he pulled her even closer, so her body was flush against his.

"No' yet, but ye want to," he declared with a devilish grin.

She licked her lips. He was not wrong. She had been thinking about their stolen kisses and wanting them to happen again ever since. But she could not admit to such wanton needs. She rolled her lips inward, trying to think of what she should say to deter him.

"Come walk with me," he stated, his hands dropping from her waist, and he entwined his fingers in hers, pulling her out of the hidden alcove.

She tugged her hand, looking down the corridor.

"Dinna fash about your brother and Gwen. They are," he tilted his head. "How shall I say, otherwise occupied."

Her eyes widened when she figured out what he meant.

He laughed. "They are still newly married. 'Tis only natural."

"'Tis the middle of the day."

He waggled his eyebrows. "When temptation strikes, ye must take it." His eyes lowered to her lips.

Was he going to kiss her again? She had to fight the urge to close her eyes and lean into him, waiting for his mouth to claim hers.

"Let us go outside. The gardens are calling."

"Are they?"

"Well, mayhap no', but I saw ye admiring them earlier. I thought ye would like it."

She nodded and gave him a smile, allowing him to tug her down the hall. "I would verra much enjoy that."

Outside the sun was shining, but the air was crisp. Instinctively, she let go of Alexander's hand and wrapped her arms around herself. She should have grabbed her shawl from her room first before coming out.

Concern creased his brows. "Are ye chilled? Here," he tore off his waistcoat and wrapped it around her shoulders. "This should help."

"Thank ye." She grabbed the lapels and pulled them in close. The coat smelled like Alexander, and she couldn't help herself. She inhaled his scent, which reminded her of the woods with a touch of spice.

They made their way around the back of the castle to where the entrance to the garden stood. Two heavy wooden doors marked the entry. They were so tall, they even towered over Alexander.

Pushing them open, he led her inside; he placed his hand lightly at her back.

"Which way do ye want to go first?"

Clarissa nibbled her lip as she studied the directions to decide which one she wanted to explore first. "Left," she said, choosing the path that had more fauna than hedge.

He smiled. "Excellent choice." He offered her his elbow and she slid her arm in his as they leisurely made their way deeper into the garden.

She commented on a few of the blooms familiar to her because Nicholas had them as a hearty mix to live through the cooler days of fall.

"Ye ken a lot about flowers," he quipped.

"Nicholas has always had a soft spot for his flowers. The more rare, the more interesting he found them. He spent so many hours in his greenhouse trying to get them to grow and bloom." The wind blew a tendril of hair into her face, and she swept it behind her ear.

"No' so much now that he and Gwen are married, but when I wanted to engage Nicholas in conversation that I kenned he would find interesting, I made sure I was prepared."

"How so?"

"Our library at Huntly is filled with books about fauna, flowers, plants, trees. Everything to do with gardening. Nicholas chose each one. I read them all multiple times, memorizing the types of flowers, what they needed to thrive, their native climates and environs."

"I bet Nicholas really enjoyed engaging in those conversations with ye."

She shrugged. "I believe so. I enjoyed them as well. The information was interesting even if I am no' interested in gardening myself. I just wanted Nicholas to ken I supported him. That I was there for him, no matter what he was going through." It also allowed her some time for adult conversation since so much of her time was spent with her younger siblings.

Alexander watched her as they continued to walk the pebbled pathway. "Ye are verra special, Clarissa Gordon."

*

If Alexander hadthought he couldn't fall more in love with the beautiful soul Clarissa was, he was wrong. The things she did for her family—caring for her younger siblings while Nicholas was away and their mother was ill—along with what she had done for Nicholas.

He had never met a more genuine, caring person. She was selfless—almost to a fault. As they walked along the path, her slender arm hooked through his, he admired her altruism, but also thought she deserved to be selfish. Not all the time, but once in a while.

She had earned it for all her sacrifices. Sacrifices that everyone else benefitted from. Now whether they had acknowledged those things she had done for them, he didn't ken. He hoped they did. But he also kenned how most people were inherently selfish.

It took a special person to only think of others without a care for one's own self.

Clarissa was that special person.

He wanted to give her the world.

She stepped on a loose rock and lost her footing, grasping at his arm as she tried to prevent herself from tripping forward.

He wrapped his arms around her so she could catch her balance. Once he was sure she was steady, he let go, though he didn't want to.

"Apologies," she mumbled. "I am usually no' the clumsy sort," she confessed.

"I shall have that rock punished at once," he jested.

Blessing him with the brightest smile, her laughter hung in the air as she tucked her windswept hair behind her ear.

His body roared to life in reaction. Gads, he was torturing himself with how close he had been keeping her to him.

"I do no' think the rock will take heed, Your Grace," she said with a twinkle in her big, brown eyes.

Och, the way she addressed him by his title. Normally, he could care less. 'Twas way too proper for his liking, but when the words slipped from Clarissa's lips, they took on a whole new meaning.

"I am afraid I will have to take more stringent actions then. Its behavior must no' be tolerated." He loved their banter. The ease at which it came so naturally.

He didn't ken how he had thought he was happy when he used to go from one lass to another, not caring about their feelings, or that they wanted to see him again when he had no interest. He was a jerk. He would agree with Nicholas about that.

Clarissa had changed his outlook. She had him wishing that she was the one he was awakening all his desires with. He supposed she was, really. He had never had feelings for any of those other women. They were a release. A way to lose himself for a short time and then move on to the next. No emotions involved.

But with Clarissa, all he had was emotions.

"What is this that I have heard about a livestock auction?" Clarissa asked, breaking into his thoughts.

They came upon an elaborate water fountain in the middle of a small water source, filled with lily pads. It was one of his favorite spots to sit and think when he wanted to be alone. Now he wanted to share the space with Clarissa.

"Let's sit and rest our feet."

She quirked an eyebrow at him, but she nodded.

Settling on the bench, with their thighs touching, all sorts of thoughts ran through his mind. Rakish thoughts. He took a deep breath and let it out slow. His body wasn't cooperating either. If he had to stand right now, his body would betray him.

"Is it something I am no' supposed to ken about?" She asked.

"Pardon?"

"The livestock auction. I shall pretend I didna hear a thing if need be." She made a motion of locking her lips and then tossed the ‘key' over her shoulder.

He chuckled. "Nay, no' at all. 'Tis public knowledge. 'Tis my turn to apologize. I must confess my mind wandered for a moment."

And wandered it had.

He rubbed his palms on his thighs. "I am hoping that the event will be a way for me to regain my flock and get them back on Campbell lands."

"Ye miss them."

It wasn't a question but rather a statement.

He nodded. "Aye. 'Tis silly I ken. They are but animals."

She turned to face him and shook her head, her brown eyes boring into his. "'Tis no'. No' at all. I find it," she tilted her head, searching for the right word, "endearing."

With a chortle, he broke their eye contact.

"I am serious. 'Tis quite evident ye care verra much for them. The worry ye have over them creases your forehead." She reached out, her fingers feathering over the skin of his brow.

His breath caught in his throat.

Palming his cheeks, she forced him to look at her. "I ken how much those sheep mean to ye. To your family. Your people."

He closed his eyes, captivated by her touch and her words. Turning his face, he kissed her palm, and when he opened his eyes, she was so close. Just a few inches more and he could capture her mouth in his.

A pair of crested tits landed on a nearby tree, chittering loudly and breaking the spell. He leaned out of her touch, and they watched as the two birds flitted about, chasing each other from one branch to another.

"I have full confidence in ye that ye will be able to regain ownership. Ye've worked too hard, and they are rightfully yours."

At a loss for words, he just nodded and continued to watch the birds.

"It irks me that ye have to go to such great lengths for them when they already belong to ye. E'eryone kens they belong to ye as well. One would have to be daft to bid against ye at the auction."

He smiled. Her innocence in how the minds of men worked was sweet. Jacob Kitt was someone he'd only met recently, but it didn't take a genius to ken the lout was of unsavory character.

Alexander feared that the bastard would go to great lengths to prevent him from getting what he wanted. But he would do what was necessary. Somehow, some way, he would make things right.

"Ye are verra kind to say such things."

"I only speak the truth, Your Grace."

His heart tugged. The emotional turmoil this beautiful lass caused him was getting harder and harder to ignore.

Standing, he held out his hand to Clarissa. At the sudden movement, the pair of birds skittered away. "Shall we continue?"

Her small hand was warm in his and he gave it a gentle squeeze.

"I should return to the house. We dinna want to be out here too long afore people become suspicious."

"I can escort ye back."

She shook her head. "No need, though I thank ye for the offer." She looked around the garden. "And I thank ye for the tour. Your gardens are lovely." She dipped into a curtsy before turning and heading towards the castle.

He watched her walk away, his heart feeling as if it had been abandoned. His eyes caught movement in one of the upper windows. Looking down at him were Gwen and Nicholas. Nicholas had his arms crossed as he watched from above. Gwen was speaking to him, but he wasn't looking at her.

She swatted at his arm and pointed towards them.

Alexander had naught idea what they were discussing, but it clearly looked to be about him and Clarissa. He sighed. How could he get his best friend to see that he was falling in love with his sister? And that his feelings were true. Not something to pass in the night.

His mind made up, he, too, headed into the castle. He needed to talk to his best friend.

Inside, the corridors were quiet. He didn't ken where Clarissa had disappeared to. Probably to her room. Upstairs, he made his way to the drawing room, as he neared, he heard his name and he slowed to listen.

Feeling a wee bit guilty for eavesdropping, he was just about to make his presence known, but dismissed that idea as he also heard Clarissa's name.

"Ye saw the way Clarissa looked at him."

"Aye," Nicholas grunted.

"Do ye not realize that she is in love with him, and that he is in love with her?" Gwen said softly.

Love?Is that what he was feeling. Did he love Clarissa?

He did. Realization dawned on him as if he'd taken a rock to the head. He loved her.

Nicholas's sigh reached Alexander in the hall. He leaned forward, peering into the room. "Aye," he repeated. "But he is no position to provide for her."

"Dinna be ridiculous, Nicholas. People said negative things about us as well, but did that deter us?" She didn't wait for his answer. "Nay, it only brought us closer together and made us stronger."

"Clarissa needs more than just promises."

"Nicholas, darling, ye have known Alexander all your life. Do ye really think he willna do everything in his power to ensure she has what she needs? Look at everything he is doing to right the wrongs his brother did?"

"I suppose ye are right," he admitted begrudgingly.

She lifted on her toes and gave him a peck on his cheek, her hand patting him on the chest. "Love will always find a way, Nicholas. It did with us, and it will with them as well."

She headed towards the hall, and Alexander scrambled back as quickly and quietly as he could and then turned as if he were just entering the hall when she appeared in the doorway.

"Ah, Your Grace," she dipped her head in greeting. "I believe Nicholas would like a word with ye. He is waiting for ye in the drawing room." She placed a hand on his arm and squeezed, the small gesture somehow making him feel as if everything was going to work out in his and Clarissa's benefit.

He could only hope that was true.