Chapter Five

Clarissa woke the next morning to a pounding on her door. She rubbed the sleep from her eyes as she sat up and pushed off the covers.

"Who is it?" She grumbled, stepping into her slippers and slipping on her robe, cinching it at the waist as she made her way to the door.

The pounding ceased for a brief moment and then started again.

What time was it? She could not have slept in to such an hour that demanded such a rude awakening.

"What is it?" She pulled the door open, and Gwen almost knocked on her.

Her sister-in-law pushed past her and entered her room as if she hadn't just woken her up from a deep sleep in the most maddening of ways.

"Good morn, Clarissa."

"Is it?" She shut the door and turned.

"Aye. We've a ball to attend. Tonight."

"Tonight?" Clarissa repeated, shocked.

Gwen bobbed her head up and down. "'Tis why ye need to wake. We've much to do to ensure we are ready."

Clarissa fell back onto her bed, exhausted from yesterday's journey and tossing and turning throughout the night while thoughts of Alexander intruded her mind.

"Dinna sulk. There will be plenty of time for sleeping when ye are back home."

Clarissa sat up. "That is weeks from now."

"Who kens, maybe ye will find your future husband at this ball," Gwen said cheerily, mirth lighting her eyes.

"I dinna want to find a husband, nor am I in need of one."

Gwen giggled. "Your brother says differently."

"Ugh, sometimes Nicholas can be incorrigible. Now that he's found happiness in a wife, he wants to marry me off."

"That is no' true. He only wants what is best for ye."

Clarissa eyed Gwen. Her sister-in-law seemed aware of her feelings for Alexander, but she had not come out and told her that she hoped to marry him. Somehow, some way. She had dreamt about it for months. Never mind that Nicholas would be completely against such a union. He would take a lot of convincing.

But then there was Alexander. He could have any lass he wanted. He was a duke. A very handsome duke, and she was sure that at whatever ball it was they were invited to, that every mother with a daughter of marrying age in near proximity would be there fawning over him. Batting their eyelashes, fluttering their fans and overly displaying their chests to entice him.

Which they more than likely would. Alexander was a known rake. Who was she to think that she could catch his eye?

"Alexander will of course be there."

It was as if Gwen could read her thoughts.

"Will he now?"

Gwen nodded.

"That has naught to do with me."

Gwen joined her on the bed and clasped her hands. "I ken ye are attracted to Alexander. 'Tis been blatantly obvious since ye saw him at Huntly. How Nicholas hasna noticed, I've no clue."

"It doesna matter. Nicholas would ne'er allow such a union."

"Why no'? 'Tis an even match. If I can marry a duke," she lowered her voice. "Which I still canna believe most days. My point is, if I can marry a duke, surely, ye, the sister of a duke, is a proper station to marry the Duke of Argyll."

Clarissa shook her head. "Ye shan't say such things. My feelings are my own and they will stay that way. Please. Dinna say a word. Nicholas mustn't ken. Or Alexander for that matter," she pleaded. "Neither of them can know."

Gwen sighed. "I truly think if ye explained your feelings to your brother, he would understand." She squeezed her hands. "And let us be honest here, one would need to be blind no' to see the affection in your eyes whenever he is near."

"Mayhap so, but it does no' matter. Alexander has a type of woman he chases after. I am most certainly no' that type of woman."

Sweeping her hand in the air, dismissing Clarissa's statement, Gwen stood, her hands on her hips. "I think we need to make him realize that ye are that woman."

Shocked, Clarissa looked at Gwen. "I will do no such thing."

"Why? This is your chance."

"But Nicholas…"

"Let me deal with your brother. I've some experience in that. He just needs to see the reason in it and when he does, all will be well." Gwen clapped her hands together as if she'd just solved all the problems in the world.

If only it were that easy. But as Clarissa thought about her sister-in-law's words, mayhap having her on her side wasn't such a bad idea. Clearly, she couldn't convince Alexander to marry her if she avoided him at all costs.

Nay, she only needed to enlist the right people.

Pulling the doors of the wardrobe open, Gwen peered inside. "Where is that beautiful blue gown ye brought? Ah, here it is." She pulled it from the cupboard and laid it out over the back of the chair. "Alexander doesna have any ladies' maids helping him here, why would he, since 'tis just him and his brother," a peal of laughter escaped her lips. Her sister-in-law was positively giddy. "But he did say he hired some for the time we are to stay here to help us with whatever we need." She snapped her fingers. "They'll be here soon."

Clarissa groaned. "I ken your intentions are well meaning, but what will Nicholas say when he uncovers your scheme? I dinna want to be the cause of any strife between the two of ye."

Gwen paused as she riffled through the drawer where Clarissa had stored her jewelry. "Heavens no? Dinna ye see? This is perfect. Ye will be the bonniest lass at the ball. Your dance card will be full, and no doubt, ye will have suitors calling upon ye in the following days."

"Right. Why would I want that? I dinna."

Gwen rolled her eyes. "Obviously. But ye ken who else's attention ye will catch?"

Clarissa shook her head and drew her knees up to her chest, wrapping her arms around them. "I am quite certain that Alexander sees me as naught more than Nicholas's little sister."

"Bollocks," Gwen spurted.

Clarissa snapped her eyes to Gwen, her mouth open in shock. "Gwen!"

She dismissed her with a wave of her hand. "Och, ye have heard worse, I imagine."

"Aye, but no' from a lady."

Gwen giggled. "Well, before I became Duchess of Huntly, which is still quite strange to say, by the way. As I was saying, before I married your brother, my living arrangements were," she paused, a faraway look darkening her eyes. "Let us just say they werena ideal. A curse was needed here and there."

"Nicholas would be appalled to hear ye speak in such a way."

"He has heard," she confided with a wicked smile. "He rather likes it, in certain situations, mind ye."

Clarissa felt her cheeks heat and she brought her hands up to cover her ears. "Stop. I dinna want to hear about ye and my brother's," she couldn't get herself to say the words. "Ye ken."

Gwen laughed but dropped the subject. "This will be fun. Ye will be the belle of the ball."

She doubted that very much, but let Gwen continue to ramble on. She seemed very invested in securing a husband for her.

Almost as much as her brother was. The difference being that Gwen wanted her to marry for love. Nicholas only wanted to ensure that the union was beneficial to her standing. Annoyance had her flopping back onto the bed in the most unladylike way.

Why couldn't she choose who she marries?

Why should Nicholas have the final say? It wasn't his life that was being planned. He got to choose his wife.

She saw it as only fair that she be allowed the same consideration.

But she didn't have much time to wallow about her situation. A soft knock on the door and two young maids entered the room.

"Good morn, Your Grace, my lady. I am Louise and this is Ellie." Simultaneously, they dipped into curtsies, and set about getting everything ready.

"A bath will be drawn for ye. Then we can style your hair." Louise's eyes fell on the blue gown and lit up with glee. "Is this the dress ye are going to wear?" She picked it up. "'Tis beautiful." She studied Clarissa, her gaze roaming from head to toe. "I can picture it now. Ye will have all the gentlemen of Argyll asking for your hand."

Ellie shushed her and pushed her towards the door. No doubt to order the bath.

"They arrived quickly." Gwen waggled her brows. "Seems to me that someone wants to ensure ye have the help needed as soon as possible."

"Ye are incorrigible. They are here to help ye just as much as me."

Gwen smiled. "True, but we both ken if it was just me, such a fuss wouldna be made."

"We honestly have no such inkling." Clarissa pushed off the bed and padded over to the middle window and pushed the drapes aside. Her breath caught. The view was even more beautiful than Alexander had alluded to. The small waves of the loch lapped gently at the shore. Gulls circled above the water, no doubt in search of fish.

She had the urge to leave the castle and make her way down to the sandy beach. To let her toes sink into the pebbly sand. To feel the water rush over her ankles. She sighed, leaning her forehead against the windowpane.

"'Tis gorgeous, is it no'?" Gwen asked from behind her.

Clarissa nodded. "Verra much so. A walk would be divine."

"Mayhap tomorrow. After we break our fast, we can go for a stroll." Gwen squeezed her shoulders in a small hug. "I shall return to my room and prepare for the ball myself. Call for me if ye need anything."

"I will," Clarissa promised, knowing full well that she would not. If anything, she was trying to find a way to get out of attending the ball. She turned back to the loch. Her mind wandered and she saw herself and Alexander floating along the water in a boat that held only two. As he rowed, the muscles of his powerful arms would ripple as he spoke of the faraway lands he'd visited.

She sighed, shaking the vision clear.

She needed to find a way to stop Alexander from occupying her thoughts day and night.

But with the way thoughts of him warmed her insides and stirred feelings unfamiliar to her, it was no easy task.

*

With everyone busypreparing for their evening out, Alexander didn't have time to seek out the American. He would just have to have Ross introduce him to the man. He'd spent the morning reviewing the books, and though he had set money aside, he needed to use that to pay for the needs of his people.

He had very little to bargain with, and without Ross telling him how much he'd sold the flock for to the American, Alexander was going into the party with none of the necessary information that would help him in regaining his sheep.

Straightening in his chair, he stretched, his back cracking and protesting from being hunched over his desk all morning.

He needed to freshen up. His stomach growled loudly, echoing in the empty study. And eat. He had not eaten since early yestereve, and he and Nicholas had drunk too much while Alexander divulged all his worries.

The brandy had made his tongue loose and he had almost mentioned his attraction to Clarissa. Thankfully, he still had his wits about him, and was able to keep his secret. That was the last thing he needed to tell his best friend after revealing that he was on the brink of losing the estate.

He pushed away from the desk and stood, rolling his shoulders to loosen the tense muscles before exiting the study.

As he passed the library, he noticed the door was open. Surely, it wasn't Christopher. His brother had no interest in reading anything, except cards of course. And he did that terribly.

Curious, he peeked inside, and his breath caught. Stretched out on the chaise, nose buried in a book was Clarissa. He was too far away to see which book she read, but she was completely engrossed. She didn't notice as he approached.

She was dressed in a beautiful blue gown; the color accentuated her pale skin and dark hair, which had been pulled into a soft bun, with curled tendrils framing her face.

Quietly, he made his way behind her and plucked the book from her hands.

"Hey!" She quickly sat up in protest and stilled when she saw him.

Was that a good response or bad? He was unsure.

The book in his hand forgotten, he couldn't take his eyes off her. And when she looked at him with those big, chocolate brown eyes, he nearly lost himself.

"I was reading that," she said quietly, her gaze never leaving his.

He broke eye contact and turned the book so he could read the title, Mesmerismus. "Ah, one of my favorites."

"Ye've read Franz Anton Mesmer?" She sounded surprised.

"Aye. Do ye think me incapable of reading?"

"Of course no'," she retorted.

Her cheeks were tinged pink as a flush crept up her neck. A neck he wanted nothing more than to run his lips over. He cleared his throat and tried to ignore the rush of blood to his groin. "Ye may be pleased to ken that I enjoy reading verra much."

She arched a brown brow as she studied him. "Do ye?"

"Aye." Her lips formed into the slightest pout. He didn't think it was something she had done purposely, but he had a most difficult time drawing his eyes away.

"Did ye enjoy this one?" Clarissa straightened, dropping her slippered feet to the floor. Her slippers matched the violet blue tone of her dress.

It reminded him of the flowers that grew wild in the fields.

Feeling more forward than he should, he pointed to the cushion beside her. "May I?"

She sucked her lower lip into her mouth, and he nearly lost the thin semblance of control he was holding on to.

She nodded and moved over, though there was plenty of room for him to sit.

He knew he was walking a thin line. Aye, it was only family here, but they shouldn't be alone. But that still didn't stop him from dropping down beside her. Didn't stop him from leaning close to her, inhaling her sweet scent.

"Tell me your favorite part so far."

"Of?"

He lifted the book in his hand. "The book."

"Oh," she laughed nervously, her thin fingers playing at the silver bejeweled necklace she wore.

Mayhap she was fighting the same feelings he was. Rules be damned, he leaned close and noted she didn't move away from him. Instead, her breath hitched, and caught in her throat as her eyes widened expectantly.

"Ye are a beautiful sight to behold," he said softly.

She lowered her lashes and looked away. "'Tis verra kind of ye to say. Thank ye."

They were so close. With just the slightest shift, he could capture her lips in his. Taste her as he'd been dreaming of for months. Her tongue darted out and wetted her parted lips. It would be so easy.

His body roared to life. The voice inside his head yelling at him to take the opportunity afforded him.

But he couldn't. Not yet. Not until he could secure his holdings and could offer her more than what he currently had, not until he could somehow get her brother's blessing.

For now, he'd focus on the book. "'Tis true. I—"

"What are ye two doing hiding in the library?" Nicholas asked and Alexander snapped to standing, the book that he'd held falling to the floor. Nicholas shot him a questioning stare.

"We arena hiding. We were just discussing books."

"Yes," Clarissa added. "Alexander was just telling me about his favorite scene."

"Was he now?"

"Aye, or I was just getting ready to do so until ye interrupted us." Alexander tried to keep his voice even so as not to pique Nicholas's suspicions while he bent down and scooped the book from the floor.

Clarissa stood and smoothed her skirts. "I must finish preparing for tonight. I was just taking a wee respite to relax." She stood on her tiptoes and kissed Nicholas on the cheek.

Alexander fought the surge of jealousy that flooded him.

"Ye do ken how much I enjoy reading, Brother."

Nicholas raised a brow at his sister's deflection but didn't say anything further. Hell's bells. The lass had only been here a day and Alexander could barely contain his yearning for her. It would take all of his strength to keep his temper tamped down at the ball tonight when every available man would be vying for her arm.

"Clarissa?" Alexander called.

She paused, just inside the door, and turned, "Aye?"

"May ye please be so kind as to allow me to have the first dance?"

Her eyes darted to Nicholas's and then to his. After a moment's pause and just when he didn't think she would answer him, she did.

"I would verra much enjoy that."

And then she was gone, and Alexander was left alone with Nicholas and his scrutinizing gaze.