Seth sighed dramatically. “Just remember: no punching. No yelling.”
Alasdair’s grin was slow and wicked. “Nae promises, dear Seth.”
Chapter Six
“Look to your right,” Wilhelmina whispered and nudged. “Incoming scoundrels.”
The melody was sweet, drifting through the drawing room like a delicate perfume, but it did nothing to lighten Elizabeth’s mood.
She sat stiffly between Wilhelmina and Lady Grisham, her usual place at these stifling events. To any outsider, they might have looked like a genteel trio, but in truth, she felt trapped, hemmed in by scrutiny on all sides.
Every movement she made was watched, weighed, and judged. There were eyes on her constantly, waiting,hoping, for her to falter.
At times, the absurdity of it nearly made her laugh. She was being offered up like a prize mare to the highest bidder, expected to smile sweetly and appear grateful for the privilege. The urgeto giggle rose like a bubble in her throat, especially as she scratched at the infuriating itch beneath her gloves.
But she didn’t. She wouldn’t. Not here.
Not when the wolves were circling.
“It’s not the time, Mina,” she complained to her half-sister, forcing a smile.
They tried to enjoy the musicale as it was meant to be enjoyed, even though she knew she and her sister were still the object of cruel gazes.
“You know that I have eyes at the back of my head… well, more or less,” Wilhelmina whispered, even as she appeared to be occupied by the performance.
“And?”
“Turn around.”
Elizabeth turned and didn’t know if she should’ve regretted it.
There, a few seats back, was the tall Scotsman she met at the gallery.
“I am certain that he is looking at you directly,” Wilhelmina mused under her breath.
As her gaze met his, Elizabeth silently pleaded with him not to speak of their encounter, though she wasn’t certain he’d understand the unspoken request. His expression, steady and unreadable, seemed meant to reassure her.
But should she feel reassured? Or wary of a man who had seen her in a moment so unguarded?
“You do remember how to breathe, dear, don’t you?” Wilhelmina mumbled to her.
Elizabeth returned her focus to the performance as she replied, “I am breathing, Mina.”
“Mm, I’m not certain. You look like someone has challenged you to a duel.”
“Well, you’ve irritated enough mothers and daughters in this room that I just might receive a challenge one day.”
Wilhelmina leaned in slightly, her tone as breezy as the fan she lazily waved. “If you do, I only ask that you let me choose your weapon.”
Elizabeth gave her a sidelong glance. “Gloves or hairpins?”
Wilhelmina tilted her head, lips barely moving. “Scimitar.”
Elizabeth blinked. “That’s… dramatic.”
A slow smile. “So is this crowd. And not in an entertaining way, tragically.”
Elizabeth smiled, then nodded towards the performance, trying to coax her half-sister into focusing on the show.