He smiled. “And where do you go?”
“Different places,” she answered. “We went to Spitalfields once to buy silk, but saw a group of street urchins so we gave them our coin instead.”
Louisa frowned. “You went all the way over there?”
“Once,” Lorelei answered quickly before Louisa could disapprove, “but we found there are plenty of poor children in St. Giles, too, and that is much closer.”
“’Tis the least we can do for them,” Fiona added.
Lorelei nodded. “We intend to go back once we get our next allotment of pin money in two weeks.”
“How charitable of you,” Erik said. “I assume you take an escort?”
“We doona need one.” Fiona gave him a slightly annoyed look. “And doona be telling my brother about where we go, either.”
“Your secret is safe with me.” Erik smiled again. “Trust me.”
…
Alasdair studied Martin Talbot, the Duke of Oakley, from his seat next to Melissa at the Talbot dinner table a week later. The duke was only of middling height with the start of a receding hairline, but his eyes were sharp as a hawk’s and nearly the same color. When he spoke, it was in the tone of an army commander, not overly loud but full of authority. Just the kind of man to act as foil to Argyll.
The duke had arrived back in London a few days before, and an invitation to dinner had arrived yesterday. Melissa must have told her father where he was staying because Mount Stuart and his wife had also been invited. An earl—the Earl of Bentley—and his countess were there as well and seemed to be good friends of his hosts. From the conversation, it seemed the earl was not overly fond of the Campbells, so perhaps Mount Stuart had arranged for reinforcements. Alasdair had the feeling he was going to need as many as he could get, since Parliament was so distracted by the Colonists’ revolt.
He was also grateful for the extra guests, since it meant this was not an intimate dinner where he was going to be grilled over his intentions regarding Melissa. Thankfully, her mother was still in Bath recuperating, so that would be one fewer pair of eyes scrutinizing him.
“Has any MacGregor land been deeded back yet?” Oakley came right to the point once dinner was over and the men had retreated to the library for brandy and cigars.
Alasdair was glad he hadn’t taken a sip of liquor yet or he might have choked on the bluntness of the question. “No.”
“MacGregor has been spending the last few weeks going over a mountain of documents and talking to solicitors,” Mount Stuart said. “Argyll sent his nephew down to oversee what’s being done, since most of the disputed land involves them. As you know, the duke will be here himself shortly.”
“The duke is not known to give up as much as a blade of grass,” Lord Bentley said.
“I am aware,” Oakley replied. “We’ve disagreed a time or two.”
Alasdair glanced at Mount Stuart, who gave a barely discernible nod as the discussion turned to previous obstacles that Argyll had created. It sounded like His Grace might be inclined to take his side without bringing Melissa into it at all. He breathed a sigh of relief and spent the next hour explaining which lands the MacGregors wanted returned.
“So,” he concluded, “even though the title to Strae Castle and its holdings are now ours through my brother’s marriage with Emily Woodhaven and our distillery is doing verra well also, we want to restore the rest of the wealth that ’twas MacGregors.” He looked at each of the men. “But we will need your help.”
“Understandable,” Oakley said.
“And you will have mine,” Lord Bentley added.
“And my father still has some influence with the Lords.” Mount Stuart smiled as they all rose to leave. “I think, gentlemen, that you are taking the right side.”
“And I thank ye, too,” Alasdair said to His Grace as he turned to follow the others out. “For my brothers and me.”
“A moment, if you will,” the duke said and closed the door.
Alasdair felt the hair at his nape begin to prickle. “Aye?”
“The arguments you made tonight, while valid, are not my major concern.” The duke’s eyes trained on him as though he were prey. “The reason I will support you is because my daughter desires it. She seems to be quite taken with you.” He paused, his gaze sharpening. “I do hope you will not disappoint her.”
Chapter Seventeen
What had he gotten himself into?Alasdair was still asking himself that question as he and Melissa took seats at Westwood’s and Lorelei’s table at the next whist party. Melissa hadn’t wanted to get anywhere close to Westwood at the last party, and tonight she’d practically run toward his table. He’d had no choice but to follow her after the comments her father had made to him.
But Lord.What had he gotten himself into?The MacGregors needed the support from a duke as powerful as Argyll. His brother had appointed him to handle this. His clan relied on him. Mount Stuart had been pleased with the way the evening had gone. But then, he hadn’t heard Oakley say the only reason he was offering support was because of Melissa. He definitely hadn’t heard the subtle threat in the duke’s words, either.I do hope you will not disappoint her.
