He nodded. “Which would you prefer?”
Lorelei was about to suggest that they join Fiona and Erik when Gavin and Louisa approached their table. She frowned slightly as she remembered that Gavin had expressed an interest in Fiona. That might have been just to provoke Alasdair, but if he were serious, then a potential storm might be brewing at that table. She caught Louisa’s eye and got a quick wink which made her relax. Louisa obviously remembered, too, and would keep things in line.
She gestured to another table near the hall entrance. “How about over there?”
“Fine.” Westwood seated her. “Let me get us some punch.”
He had just left when Alasdair came through the doorway. He glanced around the room quickly and she thought she saw his eyes linger on Fiona. Or, more likely, her partner. At least that table was full, so he couldn’t interrupt. Then he turned his attention to her.
Before she realized what he was doing, he’d taken her hand and lifted it to his lips. He actually kissed her knuckles instead of pretending an airy kiss above them like most men did. In fact…Good lord! Did he lick my hand?The sensation of his warm tongue sent a shivery thrill down her spine.
“Are ye alone?” He straightened, acting as though he hadn’t just done the nearly unthinkable. “I will be glad to join ye.”
She gaped at him for a moment, not sure if she could form coherent words. Then she started to explain about Randolph, but Lady Melissa chose that moment to enter the drawing room. Since they were close to the door, she immediately came over and took Alasdair’s arm.
“Were you waiting for me?”
“I—”
Unfortunately, Randolph returned with their drinks just then. For a moment, he and Melissa stared at each other and then he gave a polite nod as he handed Lorelei her drink and took his chair. Melissa laughed a bit loudly as she curled her hand deeper into Alasdair’s sleeve.
“Let us find a place to sit, shall we?”
Alasdair withdrew his arm and then pulled out a chair. “This table is fine with me.”
Melissa’s eyes widened momentarily and Lorelei hoped her own didn’t do the same. Was Alasdair not aware of what had happened between Randolph and Melissa? Or…now she felt her eyes start to narrow instead…was Alasdair testing Melissa to see if she still had any interest in her former beau? Was he jealous of the marquess because he was starting to care for Melissa? She gave Randolph a covert glance, but his expression was impassive, and she didn’t know him well enough to discern what he might be thinking.
But she knew whereherthoughts were going. It was going to be sheer hell sitting across from Melissa, watching her flirt with Alasdair all night. She supposed she could do the same with Randolph just to show neither of them cared… Lorelei sighed silently.
…
It had been sheer hell sitting across from Lorelei and the near-saint Westwood last night at the whist party. The man had given Lorelei so many compliments—including her cleverness with the tricks they’d won—that he’d wondered if the marquess had written them out beforehand. Lorelei, for her part, had responded in kind. He would not have been surprised if she’d started fluttering her lashes but then, Lady Melissa had made up for that by complimenting him after every play, which meant he had to make an effort to do somewhat the same. As the evening wore on, it seemed the two females were trying to outdo each other with the flattery.
A knock on the door interrupted his thoughts. Mr. Smith, Mount Stuart’s secretary, poked his head in.
“Mr. Campbell here to see you, my lord.”
“Have him come in.”
Alasdair straightened some papers as Gavin walked in. Last night, he hadn’t mentioned coming to the office today, but Alasdair hadn’t had much of a chance to talk to him, since everyone had been paired off. However, he hadn’t been happy about Campbell and Erik Taylor both laving attention on Fiona. Maybe he could get some answers now.
“Have a seat,” Mount Stuart said. “What brings you here this morning?”
Gavin removed a sheaf of papers from the leather case he carried and placed them on the desk. “These are copies of transfer of title to some other land near Kilchurn Castle.” He glanced at Alasdair and then back to Mount Stuart. “My uncle wanted to make sure you got them.”
Of course, Argyll would want to make sure every damn acre the Campbells had managed to “get” would be recorded. Alasdair reached over to pick up a sheet. “I’ll compare this to the drawn land tracts.”
“The papers are in order. They were signed by King James VI.”
“’Tis nae surprising, considering he was the king who banished the MacGregors.”
“For a second time.”
“Gentlemen,” Mount Stuart intervened, probably sensing thediscussionwas going to escalate quickly into an argument. “After the proscription was lifted in December, I had a meeting with Argyll. I asked him to produce all documents he had relating to disputed lands.” He glanced at both of them. “I also told him that some of the deeds might not be valid, given the history.”
Which didn’t mean Argyll would agree to anything…and his nephew, who was representing him, was also flirting far too much with Fiona. “Aye. ’Tis good then.”
“All of this will eventually be decided by Parliament, although the king’s priority is tapping down the rebellious Colonies.” Mount Stuart moved the papers aside and smiled at both of them. “Did you enjoy my wife’s whist party?”
