He narrowed his eyes thoughtfully as he let himself out. So, making sure he was distracted by Melissa—they’d picked the perfect person, who wanted her own revenge and whose father would help the MacGregor cause—was agamehis sister and Lorelei had concocted so they couldenjoythe Season.
He didn’t care if Melissa was using him to make Westwood jealous or to salvage her pride among theton. That meant he wouldn’t have to feel guilty about paying attention to her with the purpose of winning the approval of her father.
What he hadn’t understood was how much Lorelei wanted her freedom.
He didn’t like the idea, but he didn’t want Lorelei to have any hesitation when he would finally be able to declare himself after the clan business was finished. Much as it went against his natural Highland instinct to simply toss the lass over his shoulder and hie away with her, he would wait.
He could play a game as well. For now.
Chapter Six
Lorelei watched as two of Almack’s founding matrons walked their way at a Tuesday afternoon luncheon. The glint in their eyes told her they were bent on ferreting out information. Although they were not known as gossips, the matrons were determined to sort out what kernels of truth might be hiding inside rumors. That they were heading their way didn’t particularly bode well.
Still, she began to relax a bit after they’d greeted Lady Bute and chitchatted about a dinner party and a crush planned for later this Season. They’d even mentioned that this year’s group of debutantes—Louisa thought of them as a crop to be harvested, which always made Lorelei laugh—were exceptional before Mrs. Fitzroy casually made an additional comment.
“Lady Melissa certainly seems to be taken with that young Scottish man, Mr. MacGregor. They were seen riding in a carriage at Hyde Park on Saturday.”
Lorelei stared at her. So Alasdair had already invited Melissa out in public to be seen together? She’d wondered why he hadn’t shown up all weekend. He’d probably arranged something else with Medu—Melissa—for Sunday.
Mrs. Fitzroy turned to Fiona. “I understand he is your brother?”
“Aye.” Fiona glanced at Lorelei and then back to the matron. “Is it nae proper for him to take a carriage ride with Melissa?”
“It was quite proper. Her aunt Eloise was chaperoning.”
Lorelei tried to keep her face impassive. The aunt, from what she had seen at Almack’s, seemed more interested in the sweets on the serving table than in what her charge was doing. How much had the auntie ignored in the carriage Saturday?
“Although,” Mrs. Belham was saying, “if his intentions are serious, he will have to wait to meet her parents.”
What had she missed? These ladies thought Alasdair had serious intentions? She and Fiona had meant only to distract him, not… Lorelei knew she shouldn’t ask, but her mouth had a mind of its own. “Why is that?”
“The Duke of Oakley is currently up north and the duchess has been feeling poorly with a case of gout and gone to Bath.”
Uneasiness stirred. Perhaps that was the reason Melissa was so emboldened. Neither of her parents were available to keep a sharp eye on her. That could have serious consequences for Alasdair. If he were found in a compromising situation… Did he even know how quickly thetoncould spread such dire rumors? He needed to be warned. But she couldn’t do it. She could just imagine the look on his face if she were to try. He’d probably think she was jealous. Not that she was. Shewasn’t.
“Well, the Season has just begun,” Lady Bute interrupted her thoughts. “It is a little early to start speculating.”
“Of course,” Mrs. Fitzroy said quickly. “With Almack’s deciding to spread its balls throughout the entire Season instead of weekly, there is definitely time.”
“We certainly did not mean to imply anything,” Mrs. Belham added. “Although to be truthful, I think Lord Westwood might be relieved.”
Mrs. Fitzroy looked at Lorelei. “He did seem quite taken with you, my dear. I must say, he is a good man.”
“Absolutely,” Mrs. Belham agreed. “Very honorable.”
Lorelei managed a benign smile and refrained from comment. The ladies would probably be shocked to know that their conversation—the one they thought made him “taken” with her—had actually been about the Parliamentary vote last December that had un-proscribed the MacGregors’ name. He had thought it the right thing to do. Thehonorablething. She had enjoyed the conversation and there had been no flirtation.
And she’d felt like she’d found afriend.
…
“So where are we off to today?” Fiona asked on Monday after they’d separated from Louisa.
“Covent Garden.” Lorelei said as she hailed a hack on Bond Street. “It is a scandalous place.”
“Why?”
Lorelei grinned. “You will see.”
