My Heart's in the Highlands by Angeline Fortin (ebook reader screen TXT) 📕

much as he and considered it home, Ian had to wonderagain what prompted her return to this place. The castle, despiteits vast beauty, was certainly far removed from society. Indeed, itwas almost removed from civilization itself in its remote locale onthe coast of the Firth of Clyde, miles from anything or anyone,with just Ian in residence, if one didn’t count the bevy ofservants it took to run the castle.

Why would she return?

All of those questions fled his mind themoment Hero appeared on the landing above him, and Ian’s breathcaught. Only one question remained and, for a bachelor of longstanding, it was an uncomfortable one that boggled the mind.

How could he convince her to stay?

The rustling of silk caught his attention andIan turned.

She was so incredibly lovely, Ian thoughtagain as he awaited Hero at the foot of the steps as she swept downthe curved staircase toward him. Her evening gown was a widelystriped rose and bronze silk. The broad hooped skirt was nearly aswide as the staircase as she descended, and at its center, her tinycinched waist was encircled by a band of bronze silk that trailedin lace-edged streamers over the belled skirts. The bodice clungtightly to her every curve. The notched collar—for lack of a betterword—was edged with lace and hung low across her bosom and arms,leaving her shoulders bare. The tops of her breasts nearly spilledover the low neckline with every breath. Her arms were bare aswell, as she eschewed gloves. Only the long ribbons trailing fromthe silken rosettes on lacy trim that served as the arms of thegown made any attempt to cover her bare flesh. Hero wore nojewelry, either, only gold and rose silk flowers in her hair.

His fingers itched to encircle that tinywaist, to caress that ivory skin. Ian had never seen a morebreathtaking sight … that is, until she looked down at him with abrilliant smile.

Ian felt as if the bare-knuckledprizefighter, Tom Sayers, had just hit him below the belt. The windwas nearly taken from him but Ian stood tall and welcomed his guestwith a broad smile and a gentlemanly bow. Surely the marchionesswould expect her husband’s heir to treat her with detached respect,not tethered lust.

Reaching the foot of the stair, Hero returnedthe marquis’s bow with a reflective curtsey of her own, marvelingat how wonderful he looked in his evening attire. His white shirtand cravat contrasted sharply with his dark complexion, hisbrilliant blue waistcoat doing the same against the shirtfront.Over it, Ian wore a navy coat so dark it almost appeared black. Sheloved the peppery darkness of his hair with just enough salt tosoften his dark coloring. Hero held out her hand and allowed him tokiss it formally. The feel of his warm lips against her bare skin,however, was beyond cordial. Tingling tendrils of electricity sether fingers curling around his.

If he objected to her tight grip, Lord Ayrsaid nothing of it, merely tucking her hand in the crook of his armand offering polite conversation as he escorted her out of thehall. “I must apologize for the meal beforehand,” he offered asthey paced slowly through the Library to the Eating Room beyond.“Being alone here, I have instructed Cook to prepare only thesimplest fare these past weeks. I hope you will not bedisappointed.”

“I’m sure I won’t be,” Hero answered in hercultured tones. “Cook is a joy and makes everything tastewonderful. Besides, like you, I don’t tend to favor elaborate mealswhen I am not entertaining, and I am only family here, right?”

Hero cringed as the words escaped her, andMikah did a mental face-palm as well. Neither of them consideredthis virile man to be part of her family. The last thing Mikahwanted was any requirement for a platonic relationship.Appearances, Hero reasoned more primly, must be kept lest hemisinterpret her intention and begin to feel her presence as anuncomfortable burden. Ian’s eyes narrowed at her words, however,and Hero liked to think that perhaps he didn’t care for thefamilial connection either.

Still, the marquis said nothing except toask, “Won’t your father be joining us?”

“No. Papa is tired from the journey and willtake a meal in his rooms.” Hero’s brow creased momentarily. “Iapologize. He doesn’t intend any rudeness.”

“None taken,” Ayr assured her, and Hero couldhear the uncertainty in his voice as he asked, “I hesitate tomention it lest I offend you in turn, but your father seems aninteresting character.”

“That is the kindest interpretation I’ve yetto hear of his condition,” Hero said, smiling, and squeezed hisarm. “It is easy to see that Papa is a gentleman out of sorts withthe world as it were. Since Mama’s death a couple of years ago, myfather has, in some people’s opinion, gone quite mad. I’m sorry ifhe disturbs you. I can keep him from …”

“No, no,” Ayr interrupted. “I meant nothingbeyond curiosity. I confess I find him a somewhat amusingfellow.”

“It has been a good day for him, my lord,”Hero told him. “It will not always be so. Papa wavers between hisold self, forgetfulness, and distraction.”

“It must make him quite unpredictable.”

Hero nodded. “It does. My brother, Arthur,has taken over the business of running the dukedom.”

“And left you to watching after your father?”he asked.

“It is not a difficult burden, my lord,” Herosaid, shrugging away the implication of Ian’s question. “I have apair of nurses to assist me and, I have to admit, I quite preferPapa this way. He was as stern a father as he was a duke before.While there are moments these days that are quite heartbreaking, Ifind him more engaging most of the time.”

“Heartbreaking?” Ayr queried. “In whatway?”

“Can you imagine your father looking at youand having no idea who you are?”

The marquis’s steady stride paused for amoment before he drew her into the Eating Room. “I cannot. It mustbe quite painful to experience. Surely there are other moments tocompensate?”

Hero could hear the sincere sympathy in hisvoice when he spoke and felt it touch her heart. She considered hisquery, thinking of the moments of childlike enthusiasm her fatherdisplayed for life these days, the interest he paid her andaffection he felt toward her that he’d never had time