Page 6 of In the Highlander's Bed

Gordon bowed over the gloved hand. “It’s my pleasure, my lady.”

Lady Mary Alice did not pull her hand away. For a second Gordon had no choice but to hold it until Headmistress Hillary cleared her throat and brought the young woman back to her senses.

An English officer wearing a ridiculous wig of tight ringlets across his forehead cut right in between her and Gordon. “Lady Mary Alice, do you not remember? This next dance is promised to me. The musicians are ready to play now.”

Lady Mary Alice’s lips puckered into a moue of protest. “Was it promised, Captain Ardmore? I remember you ignoring me—”

“It was,” Headmistress Hillary interjected.

“Yes. I almost forgot,” Lady Mary Alice said. She placed her hand on the arm the officer offered with an obvious lack of enthusiasm.

“Perhaps I may have the next dance?” Gordon suggested, pleased to see the Englishman receive such a snub.

Lady Mary Alice brightened. “Of course—”

“I’mopen for this dance,” a bosomy redhead said, jumping in to fill the void and beating two other of Madame Lavaliere’s pupils to the opportunity.

“I beg to differ,” a lieutenant who had been standing close to Captain Ardmore said. “You promised this dance to me, Miss Heloise.”

“Did I?” the redhead wondered. “I don’t remember.”

“Miss Heloise,” Headmistress Hillary said sternly.

The corners of the redhead’s mouth drooped. “I really don’t remember,” she protested. “But if I did, I suppose I’llhaveto dance with you.”

“You did,” the lieutenant said, offering his arm while frowning at Gordon.

Before another young woman could claim the dance, Gordon said to Headmistress Hillary, “Please, may I beg an introduction to the young woman standing behind you—” He broke off in surprise.

Miss Constance Cameron wasn’t there.

He looked around and caught sight of her attempting to slip unnoticed out a glass-paneled door leading into the darkness of the garden. Headmistress Hillary, noticing his hesitation,turned just as Miss Constance glanced back to see that she was safe.

She wasn’t.

Caught, she attempted to cover her actions by making a great pretense of opening and closing the garden door as if there had been some difficulty with it she needed to fix. But Gordon knew differently. So, apparently, did the headmistress.

“Excuse me,” Headmistress Hillary said. Without waiting for a response, she marched over to Miss Constance. Gordon followed, too aware that if he stayed, a half-dozen girls were lined up to jump on him.

“I just wished a breath of fresh air,” Miss Constance quickly explained as the headmistress approached.

“We have guests, young lady,” Headmistress Hillary said with the irritation of one who has had to repeat herself too often for patience. “A gentlewoman does not leave the room when she has guests to entertain.”

“One breath—” Miss Constance pleaded.

“No—” Mistress Hillary answered as Gordon cut in.

“I fear I’ve created a contretemps,” he said. An apology was always the best reason to set aside manners.

It worked. “Oh, Mr. Lachlan, I’m sorry for leaving you alone,” Headmistress Hillary replied, a bit rattled by his presence. “Believe me, this is none of your fault.”

“But I fear it is so,” he pressed.

Mistress Hillary forced a smile. “My pupil was feeling a bit faint but she has recovered completely, haven’t you, my dear?”

Constance Cameron murmured an unintelligible answer. Her side glance toward the others standing close by told Gordon that she did not appreciate so much unwanted attention.

But he had what he wanted. “Please, Headmistress, may I beg an introduction?”