exceptional. If you are able to attend our gathering next week, I should be pleased to make the introduction.â
She bit her lip. What a chance this could be for her, but . . .
A ball.
Why did it have to be a ball?
âCould I not pay a call earlier in the afternoon?â she asked. âOr perhaps the following morning. It would seem a shame to interrupt your amusements with talk of work.â
âThe work is the reason for the gathering. You wouldnât be an interruption.â His hand brushed her wrist. âIâll look out for you, I promise. Do say yes.â
âI have a question,â a deep voice interrupted. âDoes this invitation extend to me?â
Oh, Lord.
Logan.
After a brief, assessing pause in the doorway, he moved into the room. He was dressed for physical labor, it would seem, in his kilt and a loose homespun shirt. He must have just come in from the glen.
Lord Varleigh looked faintly horrified, but also intrigued. His glance to Maddie sent an almost scientific question:
Just what kind of wild creature is this?
Without so much as a nod in the direction of manners or propriety, Logan crossed the room in firm, muddy strides. He drew near Maddie, but his gaze never left Lord Varleighâs.
He casually draped his arm about Maddieâs waist, then flexed itâÂyanking her to his side. The brisk morning air clung to his clothing, bringing with it the faintly green scents of heather and moss.
âGood morning, mo chridhe . Why donât you introduce me to your friend?â
Maddieâs tongue went dry as paper. âB-Âbut of course. Lord Varleigh, may I present Captain Logan MacKenzie.â
âCaptain MacKenzie?â Lord Varleigh looked to Maddie. âNot the Captain MacKenzie. The one you . . .â
âYes,â she managed.
âYour intended?â His gaze darted to Logan. âForgive me, sir. I was under the impression you wereâÂâ
âDead?â Logan supplied. âA common misconception. As ye can see, Iâm verra much alive.â
âExtraordinary. I had no idea.â
âWell,â Logan said smoothly, ânow ye do.â
âI should have mentioned it earlier,â Maddie said. âCaptain MacKenzie only returned with his men yesterday. It was quite the shock. Iâm afraid Iâm still a bit scattered.â
âI can only imagine, Miss Gracechurch.â
âMiss Gracechurch is Mrs. MacKenzie now.â Loganâs hand slid to Maddieâs shoulder in a gesture as baldly possessive as it was unsubtle.
Mine.
âActually,â Maddie interjected, nudging away, âIâm still Miss Gracechurch at the moment.â
âWe exchanged vows last night.â
âIn a traditional handfasting. But thatâs more of a formal betrothal. Itâs . . . well, itâs complicated.â
âI see,â said Lord Varleigh, although it was clear he didnât.
Really, who could? This was madness. Any explanations she might attempt would only make it worse.
When he spoke, Lord Varleighâs jaw barely moved. âAs Iâve been telling Miss Gracechurch, there will be a ball at my home next Wednesday. I should be delighted to welcome you both.â He collected his portfolio and bowed. âUntil then.â
Even after Lord Varleigh left, Loganâs arm remained on Maddieâs shoulder. The room vibrated with quiet tension.
She took a step in retreat.
With unsteady fingers, Maddie gathered her folios and pencils from the table. âI need to return these to my studio.â
âWait,â he said. âDinna move.â
Her knees went weak as he drew closer. It was tempting to blame her reactions on his raw masculine appeal, but Maddie knew better.
He was the firstâÂand likely onlyâÂman to pursue her this way.
She was curious. She was a romantic. And above all, she was lonely.
Hunger, after all, was