“I was not worried.” Which was a bald-faced lie, since her feelings were all jumbled and she needed time to think.
She’d been attracted to Alasdair since she and her sisters had arrived in Scotland, but she had thought it was because he’d been the friendliest of the five brothers. And shehadplayed the flirting game with him—just to keep in practice for what would be expected here in London during the Season—and he had responded in kind. She’d not thought much of it, since he’d left for Ireland soon after the Campbell ball, but now, seeing him in London…
Everything was so confusing.
…
Louisa returned in time for dinner, having spent most of the afternoon with her brother and sister-by-marriage who’d arrived back in town a few days ago. She tossed the bonnet she’d been wearing on the parlor sofa and flopped down beside it.
“I had no idea toddlers required so much attention.” She pushed a stray hair off her face. “It was all Margaret could do to keep John from creating a disaster. I am exhausted from chasing after the little monster.”
“And your brother was nae help?”
Louisa shook her head. “He was not eventhere. My sister Anne was, since she just got back to Town, but she was no help, either.”
“Why not?” Lorelei asked.
“Anne has never been very maternal,” Louisa answered.
“She doesna want bairns?”
“I do not think so. She is more interested in attending soirees and the theater.”
“Living in Northumberland does leave one a desire for excitement while in London,” Lorelei said.
“I suppose. The Duke of Oakley has been a guest—”
“Lady Melissa Talbot’s father?” Lorelei interrupted.
“Yes. Anne said he and her father-by-marriage are planning some sort of business venture. She was vague about it.” Louisa straightened as Belton rang the little silver bell that announced dinner. “She takes much more notice of things here. She mentioned she’d seen Lady Melissa at the Pot and Pineapple yesterday with a black-haired, good-looking man who spoke with a Scottish burr.” Louisa shrugged as she stood. “It sounded like it might have been Mr. MacGregor.”
Lorelei strove to keep her face impassive as they walked toward the dining room. No doubt it had been Alasdair. No wonder he’d not needed to pay Medusa—Melissa—a call this afternoon. He’d spent yesterday with her! So much for thinking he might be interested inher. Well then. Lorelei lifted her chin.
Fiona was wrong. He probably didn’t evencarewho’d sent the roses.
Chapter Ten
“I am thinking that perhaps we should do some actual shopping today,” Lorelei said to Fiona after they’d left Louisa on Hill Street Monday.
“Why? Mary and Garth will be doing it for us.”
“Yes, but they usually come back with only a few packages. I do not want Lady Bute to get suspicious when we always seem to lag behind them and are carrying nothing.”
“Hmmm. Ye may be right. Alasdair is already suspicious.”
Lorelei wished Fiona hadn’t mentioned his name. She’d spent most of the weekend arguing with herself that it didn’t matter if he was seen escorting Lady Melissa. Theplanhad been to keep him distracted. Only nowshewas the distracted one. They’d been in London nearly a month and she hadn’t met a single man who made her skin tingle like when Alasdair touched her. As handsome and suave as some of the gentlemen were—such as Lord Westwood—she couldn’t imaginekissingany of them. And, lately, that idea had been intruding on all her thoughts. She wanted to feel Alasdair’s lips on hers again. Would it be as magical as she remembered?
“Well?”
Lorelei refocused. “What did you say?”
“I asked if ye didna want to go on an adventure today.”
“I did not saythat.” Lorelei smiled. “We do not have to do our shopping onBondStreet.”
“Ye ken somewhere else?”
“I was thinking we might go to Spitalfields.”
