Chapter Two

L ennox Fraser Hepburn strolled through the townhome that had once belonged to a grandfather he had never met. A cranky aristocrat who had disowned his daughter for falling in love with a Highlander. However, the last laugh was on the old man, since his only child had produced the heir who would inherit his legacy upon his death. It was a title Lennox had never found the need to claim. He had allowed it to fester into demise in revenge for his mother’s mistreatment. That was, until an advantage had presented itself to claim the title and all it entailed.

The very advantage he left simmering in a fit abovestairs, much to his enjoyment. Sparring with Flora Grant was an aphrodisiac of epic proportions. Even their time apart hadn’t diminished the spark between them. While their families held the opinion that Flora would see reason and accept her circumstances, Lennox felt differently. She would resist and deny the connection until she drew her last breath, unless he could prove his intentions were nothing but honorable.

To do so, he must be honest with her, but it was an honesty that Flora wasn’t ready to hear yet. Because then she must be honest with herself. Their exchange a few moments ago showed she remained unable to see the truth before her. He meant to wait a lifetime for her to decide on her own. However, the dire situation she had found herself in required him to protect her at all costs. His protection would force him to confess his secrets and reveal hers too.

For now, he must wait to catch her in her attempt at an escape. Her appearance had altered since he had last seen her, although it didn’t disguise the hellion who had fled Scotland two years past. Underneath all her prim and proper attire breathed a Scottish lass full of sass. Their conversation earlier provided evidence that she still contained the fire in her blood. She may have hidden the flames with worry over the servants learning about their connection, but Flora hadn’t fooled him for even a second.

He closed his eyes as he settled in a chair near an alcove. He tipped the chair to lean back against the wall, with his feet propped on the lower rungs. The image of her fury when he had arrived at the Lockhart residence brought a smile to his lips. Her actions portrayed how she was still his Flora, not the proper governess she pretended to be. He had wanted to provoke her into a fiery reaction but held back because they were surrounded by her friends. No. The difficulties that kept them apart only needed to be voiced between them. Which, to his advantage, allowed him the privilege of emptying his home of servants for the night. They would return in the morning to carry out the image he had devised to flush out the culprit who threatened Flora and her friends.

While Flora had run away to London to deny her feelings, she had never escaped his protection. Even when he had been powerless to aid her demise, he had positioned himself to become her savior, a role he had assumed once he learned of her friend’s attempt to find them positions in Scotland to avoid the scandal they entangled themselves in.

His grandfather’s noose became a position he savored to claim to rescue the only lady who had ever held the ability to affect him so profoundly, an emotion he had yet to fully admit but one he must declare soon. The distance between them needed to be met to where only a whisper of a breath separated them.

The soft pad of footsteps treading down the servants’ staircase had him lowering the chair to all fours. His position proved successful when Flora’s footsteps moved closer. He had chosen the spot because of how well he understood the inner workings of Flora’s mind. She wouldn’t dare expose herself to leave through the front entrance of the townhome and draw notice. Nay. She would rather sneak away through the gardens and expose herself to a more dangerous situation.

He didn’t know whether to admire her bravery or lecture her about the foolishness of her decision. She may be able to protect herself if necessary, but the threat hovering near her left her vulnerable to the mindset of a madman, which was a danger in itself. Her brothers had taught her how to weld a knife, but they hadn’t prepared her for an attack that would leave her defenseless. Not always did one pose a threat with a weapon but with the workings of their vindictive mind, an assault that would cause her to become a victim of unknown circumstances.

This wasn’t a Scottish bloke making unwanted overtures; this was a man set out to destroy anyone in his path. And at that moment, Flora blocked the culprit’s journey to destruction. Lennox believed Flora wasn’t the target of the madman’s ruination, but he hadn’t been able to prove his theory. He hoped the other gentlemen he had met that evening might help solve the mystery. However, in the meantime, he had a lass to keep protected by his side.

“Going somewhere, my love?” Lennox drawled.

Flora paused mid-step at the sound of his voice and turned, searching the darkness for him. “Only to the kitchen, my lord. I hoped a cup of tea would help me sleep.”

“Do you carry a selection of tea in your valise?”

Flora didn’t respond or move an inch. However, that wouldn’t stop her from figuring out how to outsmart him. A silent Flora was as dangerous as a talkative Flora. There was no difference between the two unless you held knowledge of her personality. Each one held the ability to confuse you into believing her intentions until it was too late to see her deception. How else had she been able to sneak away undetected from his home two years ago?

Lennox lit the candle at his side. “Now where do you plan on running to, lass?”

Flora dropped the valise at her feet. “I refuse to stay under the same roof as you.”

Lennox smiled at her with a patience he far from felt, but his nonchalance would infuriate Flora to react. “I am only inquiring about the destination of your urgent departure.”

“That you plan to forbid me from,” Flora accused.

Her harsh accusation brought forth a chuckle from Lennox. He had never used force against another to meet his agenda, and Flora, more than anyone, was well aware of his character to know she spoke falsely. Still, it amused him that he rattled her into an outburst with a simple question about her intended whereabouts.

Lennox rose and headed toward the kitchen, well aware Flora would follow him since he had never answered her. He filled the kettle and let the fire warm the water. After he set about two cups and made them tea, he opened a tin of biscuits and lowered himself into a chair to enjoy the small repast.

Before long, Flora settled across from him and sipped at her tea. “It is of no concern of yours where I travel to.”

Lennox chuckled. “On the contrary, it is every bit of my concern.”

“You never thought to concern yourself about my welfare when I left Scotland two years ago,” Flora grumbled into her cup of tea.

Lennox smirked at her response. “Ah, now we get to what troubles ye.”

Flora pinched her lips, refusing to speak another word. Her comment betrayed her hidden heartache at how he had abandoned her for his own selfish pleasures. She never wanted him to learn how she secretly wished he would’ve followed her and professed his undying love.

Lennox must speak his next words with caution. He couldn’t show his hand too soon and frighten Flora away. He wouldn’t make the same mistake twice. However, to keep her safe, he must convince her to stay with him. It was only because of the servants he had placed in the household that she remained out of danger. While they might appear as ordinary servants to the unsuspecting eye, he had handpicked them to keep Flora safe until he arrived.

He held out the tin toward her. “Shall we discuss your departure from my life two years ago, or will you at least inform me where you plan to stay once you leave?”

Flora grabbed a biscuit and nibbled on the treat, unsure how to respond. She didn’t want to tell him where she planned to stay when she left, but the alternative of discussing her departure from Scotland was a subject she refused to touch upon. That left her to share her plans for now. If she didn’t inform him, he would interrogate her friends and spill their secrets.

She finished eating the biscuit and folded her hands in her lap, avoiding his gaze. “Lady Courtland has extended an invitation for me to live with them.”

“Is that your wish, then? You prefer to stay with them instead of residing with me?”

“It would be most appropriate if I do so.”

Lennox’s lips twisted to the side. “Never known ye to act in an appropriate manner.”

Flora smoothed her hand along the buttons of her coat. “You know little of me, Lennox Fraser.”

Lennox winked. “You may call me Lord Hepburn, Miss Grant.”

Flora stood abruptly, scowling her annoyance. “You are no more Lord Hepburn than I am ...”

Flora paused in her rebuke. She had been about to utter the very topic she wished to avoid. However, Lennox wouldn’t allow her to dismiss the subject so easily. She lowered back down in the chair in defeat.

Lennox folded his arms across his chest to keep himself from reaching out for Flora and forcing her to admit their connection. He held back because it was a topic meant for another day. Tonight, he only wished to keep her under his roof until he spoke with the other gentlemen about the threat she faced. He was tempted to reply, “No more than you are, Miss Grant...?” However, he refrained from antagonizing Flora more than she already was.

“Can I convince you to stay overnight and tomorrow I will escort you to the Courtland estate?”

Flora shook her head. She needed to get away from him before she gave in to her desires. Even now as she sat across from him, he unsettled her. She swore she didn’t miss him. However, they were false declarations to ease her loneliness during the nights she lay in doubt about the decision she had made.

“You have my promise I will not contest your desire to leave. I only ask you to permit me to offer my protection for your welfare. With the threat against you, it would ease my mind to know I have protected you from the danger lurking outside those doors.”

“’Tis no more danger. The evening was a success for Lord and Lady Lockhart. The culprit never made a move against them,” Flora stated.

“Nay, lass. If you hadn’t stomped out in a fury to the carriage, you would’ve heard the letter I delivered to Lord Lockhart. Lady Lockhart is safe from the villain, but you and Miss Abbott are now at risk of his revenge. Until we discover who makes these threats, I would prefer you not to wander around Edinburgh alone in the dead of night. Especially since your only reason is because you wish not to be alone with me in case you act upon the feelings you hold for me.”

Flora jumped from the chair and stomped across the kitchen to grab her valise. “You, sir, as always, presume too much.”

Lennox followed her and peeled the valise from her grip. “Do I?”

Flora attempted to grab the valise, but Lennox swung it behind his back and sauntered away. When he climbed the stairs and turned the corner to stride along the long hallway, she hesitated. His destination was the master bedchamber, a room she must avoid to keep her sanity. However, he left her with no choice but to continue after him.

She paused in the entryway, watching him as he threw her valise onto an armchair by the fireplace. The warm glow of the fire flickered against the shadows, wrapping her in comfort she far from felt. Rain slashed the windowpanes, and the wind howled its fury. It resembled the intensity of her own emotions.

The past few months had been an unsettling path in her journey to find contentment. At one time, she had dreamed of finding an dependable Scottish man to build a home and family with. When she realized her dreams were those of a fanciful young girl, she had decided to forge her own path. However, one obstacle after another prevented her from happiness. The latest barrier was one who held the decision where she would push ahead. She had no choice. She either followed his lead or ventured into the unknown alone.

Either way, she followed a path set for doom.