Page 80 of To Wed a Wild Scot
Logan’s body went rigid. Was she trying to hint he should return to Scotland, now he’d served his purpose? Grace’s future was secure, so there was no reason for Logan to linger here, was there? Juliana was married, and by the terms of Lord Graystone’s will, she was now Grace’s legal guardian.
As for Logan, he had no legal claim to Grace, despite being Juliana’s husband. But why should he? Lord Graystone had never even heard the name Logan Blair. Bitterness welled inside Logan, and he didn’t try to hide it. “If you’re so anxious to be rid of me, my lady, I’m happy to oblige you.”
Juliana jerked her head up, appalled. “No! That’s not why I…indeed, I only asked because I know you’re anxious to return to the clan, and I wanted to make it clear I—”
“I’ll be gone within the week.” Logan still had to take care of that business with Lord Cowden that Fitz had asked him to settle. He didn’t intend to leave England until it was done, but if Juliana wanted him gone from Graystone Court, he wouldn’t linger afterwards.
It was for the best. The sooner he left, the better off they’d both be.
Julian sucked in a breath. “You don’t understand, Logan. I want—”
“Here I am!” Grace came charging down the stairs, waving her hat over her head. “Nowcan we go?”
“Forgive me, Grace. I forgot I have some business this afternoon.” Logan forced a smile. “I’m afraid it can’t wait.”
Grace’s face fell.
Logan flinched. Damn it, he didn’t like to disappoint a child, particularly this one. He knelt down and took her by the shoulders. “I beg your pardon, but I’ll take you riding another time—later this week, if you like.”
“This week? You promise?” She brightened a little.
He had no business promising the child anything. He’d be gone from her life soon enough. It wasn’t fair to Grace to encourage her attachment.
But the promise fell from his lips, just the same. “Aye, I promise.”
To Logan’s surprise, Grace leaned forward and pressed a kiss to his cheek. “All right.”
Logan ruffled her hair, then rose and opened the door. He paused on the threshold, but didn’t turn to face Juliana. “I don’t know how long I’ll be. You should plan to dine without me.”
He waited, but she didn’t reply. He left without looking back.
* * * *
It was well past calling hours when Logan arrived at Lord Cowden’s estate, but as he’d expected he was admitted at once, and taken to the drawing room to await his lordship.
Lord Cowden left him alone for longer than was polite, but again, Logan wasn’t surprised. Fitz knew Lord Cowden far better than most people did, and he hadn’t hesitated to share his knowledge with Logan.
Logan already understood a great deal more about the man than Cowden realized. He knew, for instance, that Cowden was the sort of man who liked to wield power over others—even such paltry power as keeping a visitor waiting. He also knew Cowden would appear soon enough, if only to satisfy his curiosity regarding the man who’d married Lady Juliana Bernard.
The man who’d succeeded, where Cowden had failed.
When Cowden strolled into the drawing room at last, he was just what Logan expected he’d be.
Tall, handsome, scrupulously elegant.
Cold, with icy gray eyes and a cruel edge to his mouth.
“Well, Mr. Blair. How do you do?” He gave Logan a charming smile. Useful, that smile. That and Cowden’s unrelenting gentlemanliness was what kept in him good standing with theton, despite the ugly whispers that followed him.
“I confess I’m surprised you’ve called,” Cowden went on. “Pleasantly surprised, of course.”
Logan doubted Cowden was at all surprised, but he only nodded politely. “It’s kind of you to receive me at such an hour.”
“Yes, well, I wouldn’t dream of turning away Lady Juliana’s husband. She and I are dear friends, you see. But I suppose she’s told you that already?”
Logan stretched his lips into a thin smile. “She did. I think you’d be surprised at how much she’s told me about you, my lord.”
Lord Cowden’s own smile remained fixed in place, but his eyes narrowed. “Indeed? Well, we’ve known each other since we were children, and as I said, we’re dear friends. I did, of course, hear of Lord Graystone’s recent passing. Unfortunately, I’ve been out of town and was unable to pay my respects.”
