“So very true. I do so love it here. Donnal is so very fond of his homeland.” Belle gave a nervous little giggle. “Oh, dear, you haven’t met Donnal, have you?”
Grace lightly shook her head. “I cannot say that I have. I take it you bring news…have you married?”
“Not yet. But soon.”
Was it Grace’s imagination, or had Belle’s reply come a bit too quickly? She seemed rather ill at ease, such an unnatural state for a bride-to-be.
“Am I to understand you are engaged?” Grace gently persisted.
Joy filled Belle’s eyes. “We are to be wed in a week’s time.”
“How very wonderful,” Grace said. She turned to Harrison. “So exciting for you! My…husband, Dr. MacMasters, and I have only recently exchanged our vows.”
Drat, she should not have stumbled over the word.Husband.After all the lies she’d told in her life, why should this harmless falsehood be so difficult? Why did uttering the lie feel so very wrong?
If Belle detected her hesitation, she did not betray it as she directed a beaming smile at Harrison. “Husband?” Belle said with delight. “I do not recall making your acquaintance, Dr. MacMasters. I think I’d remember a man like you.”
“I don’t believe I’ve had the pleasure,” he said, slanting Grace a speaking glance.
“Oh, dear, I’ve been remiss in my introductions.” With a prim manner, Grace offered the heiress a polite introduction to her faux husband.
After the exchange of pleasantries, Belle set her attention on Grace. “So, what brings you to Scotland, my dear friend?”
“Like you, my man is a Highlander. We’ll be taking up residence at his family’s estate, not far from Loch Ness.”
“That is indeed a beautiful patch of God’s green earth.” A little frown tugged at Belle’s mouth. “Loch Ness is quite a distance from here. How long will you be in this vicinity?”
“Our honeymoon—if that’s what you could call it—was quite brief, so we’ve decided to take a wedding trip. A month touring Scotland, my adopted home.”
“I’m so happy for you,” Belle said.
“As I am for you. There’s something to be said for a true love story.”
“True love…” Belle seemed to ponder the words. “Ah, yes…I could not agree more.”
“I had to include time in Stirling. I do so adore the museum. As I recall, we share an interest in the art of Rembrandt.”
Belle clasped her hands with delight. “Have you come for the unveiling of the gallery’s latest acquisition?”
“That goes without saying, dear,” Grace said, throwing in a cheeky smile for good measure.
“How wonderful.” Belle’s tone was serene, but her expression lit with delight. “My intended and I will also be there, though I must admit, I’ve had to coax Donnal to join me. The man finds museums a bit sedate for his tastes, but he knows how much this means to me.”
Grace slanted Harrison a glance. “We look forward to making his acquaintance.”
“Indeed,” he concurred with a bored expression.
“Donnal is quite a man,” Belle went on. “It seems that wedding in Edinburgh was a lucky charm for both of us. And to think—I didn’t even catch the bouquet.”
“I cannot say that I even tried. I could not have envisioned myself as a married woman.” The words tumbled from Grace’s mouth, perhaps the most honest statement she’d made to the heiress since their conversation had begun a few minutes earlier.A married woman.The very thought of it seemed as preposterous as the notion that Grace might board a flying machine and dash off to the moon.
“Life is indeed unpredictable.” Belle slanted her companions a glance. Now seated at a corner table, the salt-and-pepper-haired woman shot her a pointed look and gave a brusque shake of her head. Belle wrung her hands together, the happiness draining from her eyes. “I do need to rejoin my companions. We’re running a bit late…as usual, they’re quick to remind me…and I’m afraid we’re all a bit famished.”
“Of course,” Grace said. “It was a pleasure seeing you again. I do hope we’ll have a chance to chat following the unveiling.”
“That would be lovely.” Once again, Belle’s glance flickered to the round table and the two women. The older of the pair continued to watch her with a focus Grace suspected had nothing to do with impatience and hunger pangs. “It was a pleasure making your acquaintance, Dr. MacMasters. Until tonight, Grace.”
With that, she turned on her heel and scurried off to rejoin the ladies who’d accompanied her.
