The Lass Who Kissed a Frog by Lee, Caroline (bookreader txt) 📕

To Vanessa’s—and Mother’s—surprise, Phineas interrupted her. “On the contrary, Baroness Oliphant. In my family, we value education and would never think of belittling a person just because she enjoys learning as much as we do.” The look he turned on Roland was almost angry, as if urging him to participate. “Isn’t that right, brother?”

As all eyes—including Vanessa’s—turned to him, Roland lazily crossed one leg over the other and nodded, his gaze still glued to Vanessa. She resisted the urge to squirm in her seat like a naughty child. “That is correct, Phin. Our sister Raina spent several years at Twittingham Academy—a finishing school in England.”

“Aye, well, it didnae do her much good, did it?” muttered Mother.

Bonnie and Vanessa both sucked in gasps at their mother’s poor manners to mention The Scandal, and Roland finally—finally—turned his cold gaze from Vanessa. “What was that, Baroness Oliphant?”

For a moment, Mother looked uncomfortable, and while Vanessa knew it would be cruel to rejoice in another’s discomfort, at least she wasn’t the one pinned under Roland’s glare anymore.

But Mother wouldn’t be Mother without the ability to brush off any judgement which didn’t meet her standards. She regained her equilibrium remarkably quickly. “Oh, poo, Lord Blah-blah-blah! I’m certain ye understand I mean nae disrespect to yer family. But ye have to admit Twittingham Academy didnae accomplish exactly what was necessary when it came to yer sister, aye?”

“Raina is an intelligent, brave, strong-minded young lady, and I admire her greatly,” Roland bit out coldly.

“She’s no’ exactly the model of propriety a young lady should aspire to be,” Mother pointed out, and Vanessa wanted to groan.

Surely Mother could tell Roland wasn’t in a good mood today? Why in the world was she continuing to antagonize him?

Was she the only one who could see Roland’s hands tightening on the arms of his chair? Was he about to launch himself across the tea setting to strangle her mother?

“I’m certain ye all must love yer nephew verra much!” Vanessa burst out, the only thing she could think to do to defuse the situation. Unfortunately, her attempt only drew Roland’s attention back onto her once more.

His changeable eyes were bright with anger when he raked his gaze over her. “Indeed,” he finally bit out, and she could see him relaxing his hold as he inhaled slowly. “Wee Ewan is a wonderful lad.”

“Aye,” agreed Phineas stiffly. “We’re all quite protective of him. And his mother.”

Vanessa was certain they were all meant to hear the warning in the youngest Prince brother’s tone, but Mother sniffed again as she leaned forward to place her empty cup delicately on the table.

“Really, Vanessa, bringing up such a topic in polite company. I thought ye kenned better than that.”

Her scold might be half-hearted, but Vanessa did her best to hide her incredulity—and hurt—that her mother would blame her for such a faux pas.

Luckily, Roland came to her rescue. “Why no’ tell us more about yer collection, Phin?” he suggested.

As Phineas launched into a description of his most recent Roman acquisition, Vanessa felt some of the tension leave her shoulders. She exhaled and sent Roland a grateful smile.

But his hard stare told her he hadn’t forgiven her for whatever she’d done wrong.

Chapter 2

“That could’ve gone better.”

“Nay, Broca. It is all part of the story, remember? The lovers have to have a falling out now in order to make the enemies-to-lovers part of the story work.”

“Narrative causality, eh?”

“Exactly. Willa, dear, check your notes and tell us what comes next.”

“Aye, Evangeline. Um…well, I suppose our hero needs to finalize his plan, does he no’? Let’s check in on him.”

* * *

“What in the hell was that all about?”

Roland had just returned from escorting the ladies out, gratefully depositing them with Arnie, the butler, when his brother jumped down his throat. “Pardon?”

Phin wasn’t buying his innocent act. “Ye were the one who insisted we invite the Oliphant ladies to tea, Roland! God’s Blood, I’ve never met a more distasteful old lady,” he added with a shudder as he sank into one of the abandoned chairs. “Did ye hear the way she lit into her daughter like that? When she was the one at fault?”

“Her daughter is equally to blame, I’m certain,” Roland said stiffly, as he stalked across the room.

“How could ye say that? Miss Vanessa was quiet, aye, but perfectly polite and—”

Roland interrupted him with a snort when he reached the drinks cabinet. “Vanessa Oliphant is far from quiet and polite. She is as much a viper as her mother.”

“Then why would ye insist on inviting them to tea?” Phin groaned and ran his hand through his hair. “Miss Bonnibelle was interesting at least. Is she why ye invited her mother and sister along? I found her to be well-read and delightfully curious. I approve.”

“Then ye court her,” Roland growled, as he poured enough whisky to cover the bottom of the glass. “She’s no’ interesting to me.”

“But Vanessa is?”

In order to avoid answering his brother, Roland tossed back the liquor, holding it against his tongue for a moment to relish the flavor—and the burn—before swallowing.

“Roland, ye dinnae have to answer, but I wouldnae mind knowing why I had to spend my afternoon in such awkward straits.”

Staring down at the empty glass, Roland knew his brother was right. “There was a time I thought Vanessa was the woman for me, Phin. Circumstances have since changed, and I realize I was wrong.”

“So ye invited them today to…what? To be certain?”

“Something like that, aye.” He needed another drink. “She’s beautiful, aye, but vain and self-centered. She thinks her beauty makes her better than everyone else.”

His brother was silent for a moment, then Roland heard the sounds of Phin shifting position. “For what it’s worth, I didnae seem to get that from her at all today.”

“Nay, she’s good at seeming,” Roland bit out, reaching for the decanter again. “She seems to be delightful and sweet and flirtatious.” His knuckles tightened around the bottle’s neck. “And then ye hear her real opinions