When her husband had died from a bee sting of all things, she wondered if Dougray would come for her. She’d waited patiently for her year of morning to finish. And then waited. And waited. He had written to her expressing his condolences but nothing more. In the two years since, he was friendly when they met, but nothing more.
Until earlier today when he had flirted with her in the dining room. What did that mean?
She took a depth breath trying to keep the disappointment at bay. Yet all the revelry, sights, sounds, and tastes of the most exciting night in Scottish history could not shake a strange feeling of detachment.
“Is there someone in particular you are looking for?” Lady Claire asked. “You are staring with a determination I’ve not seen this evening.”
Mary arrived just as Claire spoke. “Lord Glengarry is on the terrace. He asked after you,” Mary replied with a wink.
Lady Claire immediately thought that Glengarry was whom Flora was hunting, when in fact she had no idea who, or what, she wanted.
But her heart was not in it. Her bottom lip trembled. She doubted her heart would be in any match because it only held room for Dougray.
She hoped that when Dougray finally married, she’d be free of his hold, finally knowing that he could never be hers. At the moment her life was at a standstill, still hoping for a miracle. Hoping that one-day he would declare he still loved her. When he finally married, maybe then she could forget him and find a love match she so desired.
Lady Claire looked at Mary and then at Flora. “You have been inside all evening, Lady Flora. Why don’t you go and get some fresh air on the terrace while Lady Mary and I find her husband. I want to thank him for a kindness he did for my father recently. We shall join you outside shortly.”
She knew they were being kind, but she really did not want to face Lord Glengarry. She did not wish to give the man any encouragement until she knew her mind on the matter.
Mary gave her a small push. “Go on. There are many guests out on the terrace there is nothing untoward in seeking fresh air.”
Flora excused herself with a discreet murmur, and with cheeks blazing in embarrassment at their obvious plan, she walked at a sedate pace, toward a future she did not want. Her steps slowed the closer she got to the open doors. Her fingers played with the pearls at her neck as her throat tightened. She glanced over her shoulder and saw the women were no longer watching her, so she ducked sideways and hurried toward the grand curved staircase. Upon walking upstairs she crossed the long portrait gallery and through a few more corridors until she found the small library.
Without thinking she lifted the latch and slipped inside. Several lamps had been lit around the room and the windows at the far end were open letting in a cool breeze. She drifted towards the fresh air not really taking in the room at all.
She stood by the window, her hands on the windowsill taking deep gulping breaths, trying to quell the hopelessness beginning to overwhelm her.
“Sensible minds think alike.”
She jumped out of her skin, turning at the familiar velvety voice. Her heart sped as her eyes found his.
Like a virginal girl she could not get her mouth to work. She stood mesmerized by Dougray’s beauty. He always looked magnificent in his formal attire, but tonight as he sat sprawled on the couch, his midnight blue jacket covering a burgundy waistcoat, with his cravat hanging untied at his throat, his handsome face looked wicked, and dangerous, but so inviting. Her feet wanted to dance across the space dividing them, daintily tumbling her into his lap.
Raven-haired, deep-set blue eyes, coupled with his iron physique, caused her knees to tremble. She’d never wanted him more.
Was she fooling herself or was his self-assured stare full of heat and desire? She needed to sit down.
“I was about to come and find you. I was merely having a few drams for courage.” He patted the settee beside him. With a hint of a devilish smile tugging at one corner of his tempting mouth, he said in a whisper that intimately flowed down her spine, “Take a seat before you fall down.”
She could not move. She could barely breath.
Pinned by his piercing stare, she shivered at the force of the unbridled sensuality in his beautiful eyes. What was he playing at?
