Page 137 of The Highlander Is All That

Hamish narrowed his eyes. “What do you mean?”

Elizabeth flinched. “Mary, hush.”

Mary pursed her lips. “I think you know what I mean.”

“I most certainly do no’.”

“Mary. Please,” Elizabeth wailed. “This is not the time.”

The time for bluidy what? He speared Elizabeth with a curious stare, but she would not meet his gaze. In fact, she stood, clutched her stomach, said, “I think I shall be ill again,” and swept from the room.

* * *

The next night, Elizabeth smoothed down her dress and checked her reflection in the mirror. She was hardly in the mood for a party, but desperate for the distraction.

Her sisters, fortunately provided just that with their non-stop chatter as they prepared.

“Aren’t you going to the Darlington party?” Mary asked Anne at one point.

“I wouldn’t miss it for the world,” Anne said.

“You’d better change. That frock will never do,” Victoria announced.

“I will, but there’s no rush.”

“You want to look your best.”

Anne chuckled. “I’m not hunting for a husband.”

“You have Bower now,” Victoria said. “How lovely. I’ve always liked him.”

“Me too.” Anne’s smile was brilliant. “A pity he’s not coming tonight.”

“No?” Mary frowned. “I was hoping to have a dance with him.”

“He claims he has too much work to do.” Anne rolled her eyes. “But I suspect he simply dislikes fancy parties.”

“Will you miss all the parties? When you move to Scotland?” Victoria asked.

“I don’t think so. I’ve never been fond of them.”

“You’ve always been happier with your nose in a book.” Mary grinned. “I heard there is an extensive library at Bowermadden.”

Anne sighed. “I am so very happy. Especially because you are both coming to live in Scotland too.” This last bit, she said to Mary and Victoria.

Elizabeth, feeling somewhat put out, huffed.

Victoria sat on the bed beside her and patted her back. “You can come too, Elizabeth. That is, if you and Hamish cannot work things out.”

“Of course they will work things out.” How could Anne be so certain? Did she have the cloud of a beautiful, accommodating, open-armed widow hanging over her head?

“They have to work things out,” Mary said. Unfortunately, she said it in a tone that captured everyone’s attention.

Victoria’s brow wrinkled. “Whatever do you mean?”

For her part, Anne simply turned and stared at Elizabeth. And Anne, being Anne, did not take long to catch on. Her face paled and her mouth dropped open. “No,” she breathed.

Elizabeth rolled over and covered her face with her arm.