“I hardly think we need to be checked on.”
Alasdair was not easily cowed. “I’ve nae heard a word from either of ye all week. I’ll nae have Ian and Emily angry at me for nae keeping an eye on the both of ye.”
Fiona began to sputter, but Gavin smiled at her.
“As annoying as your brother can be, I have to agree with him on this, although I can understand how aggravating it can be to have Alasdair follow you around. As your neighbor—and a Scot—I will be glad to stand in for him.”
Fiona’s mouth dropped open while Alasdair clamped his jaw so tight a muscle twitched. Lorelei was pretty sure Gavin had offered simply to goad him, since it seemed a national pastime in Scotland for men to spar any chance they could.
“Is that the real reason ye came over here this afternoon?” Alasdair finally asked. “So ye could flirt with my sister?”
Gavin gave him an amused look. “I already told you that I went to Mount Stuart’s first and was told you had come here but…” He turned his gaze back to Fiona who had closed her mouth by now. “Since I have not spent much time in Scotland recently, it would be most pleasurable getting to know your sister better.”
“No.”
Fiona arched an eyebrow at Alasdair. “I think I can answer for myself.” She smiled at Gavin. “I might enjoy that.”
He blinked, surprise flashing across his face for an instant before he smoothed his expression and returned her smile. “I look forward to it.”
Lorelei bit back a smile as Alasdair scowled, clearly not happy that Fiona had overridden his “command.” She was tempted to tease him about women not taking orders from men, but then she realized his reaction was more because aCampbellhad bested him than he was upset with his sister. Not that she would insult Alasdair by pointing that out. Men did have their pride.
Thankfully, the tea arrived just then, and for a few minutes the niceties of pouring and selecting morsels of food were observed.
“What brings you to London, Mr. Campbell?” Louisa asked before the men could get back to arguing. “The social Season?”
“As interesting as that can be, no,” Gavin answered. “Since my uncle is up north at Cawdor, he requested that I sit in for him while the five hundred hectares regarding the MacGregors’ claim are disputed.”
Lorelei glanced at Alasdair, who had suddenly developed an interest in stirring his tea. No wonder the two of them were at odds. No doubt Gavin had already told Alasdair that the Duke of Argyll was going to make sure he didn’t lose one acre. Lorelei knew how important it was to the MacGregors to regain their lands, but especially to Alasdair, whom the rest of his family was depending on. He would hate himself if he failed.
“King George will no doubt have his solicitors go over everything very carefully to make sure all is in order,” Lorelei said, hoping that Alasdair would appreciate her support.
He gave her a quick glance and she thought she saw a corner of his mouth turn up ever so slightly before he assumed a neutral expression worthy of any faro player.
Gavin shrugged. “With the unrest in Boston before Christmas and the colonies now threatening to rebel, I doubt the king will pay much attention to the discussions at all.”
“Yes. My…father did say Parliament was astir over the risk of losing the Colonies,” Louisa said, “although he also said that General Gage should be able to put down any trouble.”
Lorelei wondered if it were really Louisa’s father—who hadn’t come down to London yet—who’d said that or if the topic was being discussed at her bluestocking meetings. She suspected the latter and glanced at Alasdair and Gavin. Women weren’t supposed to be informed aboutmen’sbusiness, let alone have opinions on such, but neither of them seemed to be reproving.
“Well, we have enough troubles over here,” Alasdair finally said, “and those are the ones we need to resolve.”
Lorelei wasn’t sure if he was speaking of the land situation or referring to Gavin’s remarks toward Fiona earlier or that Gavin had just offered his sister a frosted cake. Whether he actually knew her fondness for the sweet or it was part of his repertoire, she didn’t know, but Fiona accepted it with a smile, while Alasdair glowered.
Lorelei watched the exchange with interest. She already knew that Gavin Campbell was a smooth talker who had an easy way with ladies. She didn’t think he actually meant to pay court to Fiona, but he had cleverly maneuvered her into accepting his presence by poking at Alasdair.
But was he doing it because provoking Alasdair was a game or was there a more devious reason? Like making sure MacGregor lands were not returned to them?
Chapter Seven
“I thought we would visit Vauxhall Gardens this afternoon,” Lorelei told Fiona as they started down the stairs to meet with Louisa.
“Is it scandalous too?”
“In a way. At night, it has all sorts of entertainment—concerts and tightrope walkers in the Turkish tent, and vendors selling all sorts of food. It even has fireworks.”
Fiona raised a brow. “It doesna sound scandalous.”
Lorelei smiled. “Well, there are acres of gardens with shrubs and bushes and little nooks around the entertainment area. I heard there are lots of paths, not all of them well-lit, for couples to stroll and…tryst. That is what makes it scandalous.”
