Part 18 (1/2)

”Thank you.” She fingered the seash.e.l.l strung on a yellow ribbon about her neck.

”Do you like the sea?”

”Aye... I swim very well. My father says I'm surely a selkie that shed her skin.”

He smiled and her breath caught. ”I can see that. You are very beautiful. Lord Graham is most fortunate.”

Her cheeks burned. Other than her father, no man had called her beautiful. Well, Lord Graham had, but that was only in a letter and based on the miniature she sent him-which she feared had deceived him, as she'd asked the painter to make her pretty.

”What of you?” Anne asked. ”Did you come with Lord Graham?”

He nodded, then gestured with his chin. ”You should go.”

Anne didn't move. ”Will I see you again?” It seemed very important that they finish their conversation, that she have the opportunity to learn all about him.

”I'm afraid so.” His expression was regretful and she wanted to ask why, but he said, with more urgency, ”You really should go now.”

She didn't want to leave and meet her betrothed. She'd rather stay here, in this secluded garden, and talk to this strange young man. Of course, that would be ruinous and so she hurried down the path, stopping once to look back at him over her shoulder, but he was gone.

Ridley was annoyed that the girl kept him waiting, playing games with him. He had no wish to wed a child; his preference had always leaned to mature women, not innocents. Her father, puffed up with pride over the silly garden his daughter had designed, chattered inanely about it. Ridley fixed a smile of interest to his face, all the while wondering where that d.a.m.n girl was so he could be through with this and leave.

He'd left Carlisle in a state of agitation that could put all Ridley's plans at risk. A handful of Carlisle and Graham men were currently searching the march for Fayth, but if they didn't find her soon, Ridley would be forced to mount a costly and time-consuming sweep of the borders. But it was necessary. Carlisle had been most insistent. No Fayth, no deal. He was a sick b.a.s.t.a.r.d and Fayth would pay dearly for the trouble she'd caused them all. One bright spot was that Ridley wouldn't have to mete out the punishment himself. Marriage to Old Scratch was precisely what she deserved.

Lady Anne appeared suddenly, surprising a laugh from her father. He held his hands out to her. She was pleasant enough looking, if not a bit plump. Her hair was an unappealing shade of brown. Her hazel eyes regarded him warily. What had changed her mind? For until her last letter, all those before it had been filled with childish sweetness. He hadn't bothered to read them through.

”Lady Anne, your portrait did you no justice. You are a rare beauty.” He smiled and reached for her. She placed a gloved hand in his. Fresh dirt dusted the fingers, leaves clung to the lace, and the glove wasn't even on properly; several of the fingers hung loose and empty.

Ridley didn't allow his smile to falter, though he cringed inwardly. He barely brushed his lips against her hand. He was only too glad to release her when his brother joined him.

”Lady Anne, this is my brother, and captain of my guard, Wesley Graham. Wesley, may I present Lady Anne Irvine, daughter of the earl of Dornock.”

Wesley murmured a greeting, his gaze barely registering the woman before jerking to the side. G.o.d's wounds, he was an oaf. Every day Ridley became more convinced his brother was a sodomite, for he seemed to detest the company of women.

”Good morning... Wesley,” Lady Anne said. She stared at him for an unseemly amount of time.

Ridley glanced at Wesley curiously and noticed how red his scar was. Of course, Wesley was an eyesore and she was horrified by his disfigurement.

”That will be all,” Ridley said, and Wesley retreated stiffly.

”What happened to his face?” Lady Anne asked, staring after him.

”Anne,” her father admonished softly, taking her hand and patting it affectionately.

”No, no,” Ridley said, ”she may ask questions without fear of giving offense. He was in a fight with an outlaw, Red Alex. You know of him surely? He's brother to your neighbor, Lord Annan.”

”He fought with Red Alex?” she asked, eyes wide.

Ridley sighed. ”Yes, and he would do it again, given the chance. An angry man. I'll not make you suffer his company, my lady. You have my word.”

Her gaze followed Wesley until he disappeared, then met Ridley's. ”He's your brother.”

”Aye, and so I must suffer it, eh?”