“Congratulations! We saw the notice in the paper today.”

With a smile on her face, Lizzie turned away from her group of admirers to see her friend Julianna Stanton behind her.

“Oh, thank you so much.” She allowed only a hint of sarcasm to color her tone as she didn’t want anyone else in the room to know her true feelings on the subject. Julianna however knew all.

“Come,” she beckoned her friend. “Join us.”

Julianna waved at her mother across the room, and then stepped into their circle to join in the conversation. Mr. Pike and Lord Reeves, both rather silly men, often sought both girls out for conversation.

Julianna’s smile was impish. “What are we talking about today?”

Mr. Pike, his blond hair disheveled and unruly, grinned. “Lord Robbins was apparently caught out by his wife with his mistress. Apparently, both women were waiting for him after parliament let out, and met up with him at the same time.”

Juliana was properly scandalized. “Is he here tonight?”

“I don’t think he or his wife will dare show their faces for the rest of the season.”

“Oh dear.” Juliana looked around as if hoping for a glimpse of the disgraced man.

Mr. Russell, the American rancher from Texas, arrived just in time to hear the last bit. “Who won’t dare to show their face?”

Lizzie brightened as, this time, Lord Reeves insisted on telling the story.

Mr. Russell’s smile was slow and spread clear to his eyes as Lord Reeves regaled him with the tale. “Well, well. As my grandfather used to say, if she’s a lady, treat her like a queen. The man must have missed the reminder.”

They all laughed.

Mr. Russell turned to look at Lizzie and Julianna. He was strong, young, and had a determined air about him. With his brown hair, broad cheekbones, and solid jaw he was quite welcome company. “My, my. You ladies look mighty fine this evening.”

“Thank you, Mr. Russell.”

Julianna was blushing.

And that’s why she liked to spend time with Mr. Russell. He was both handsome and personable. And his flattery was a lot of fun.

She was glad she could enjoy it. She couldn’t help but be on edge, as she just knew Alexander was going to show. The longer the day had gone on, the angrier she’d grown over the whole thing. She’d been quite clear about the fact that she didn’t intend to marry him.

Was he trying to force her hand with the announcement?

Or was he as surprised as she was?

When they finally announced the name of The Much Honored Captain Alexander MacGregor, Laird of Inverdeem, she was a bundle of nerves.

He stood at the top of the staircase, and it was as if she was looking upon a stranger, though she knew him well. Or as well as any pen-friend could know another, she supposed.

She took in his outfit. He wore a kilt of dark green and blue plaid, and he’d paired it with the traditional redcoat of the army. His legs were showing beneath the hem of the kilt, which she knew would scandalize and titillate the ladies, but he looked large, strong, and dangerous. And amazingly handsome.

He scanned the crowd and dizziness struck her, leaving her feeling slightly faint. She realized she was holding her breath like a ninny.

Gulping in air, she followed his gaze to where it settled upon her mother.

She pointed in Lizzie’s direction.

He scanned the crowd once more, his gaze flying right over her, before it snapped back again.

She couldn’t breathe. Did he recognize her?

The realization that he did left her feeling slightly out of sorts as he started walking down the stairs. He’d called her homely as a child, and she didn’t believe she resembled that fourteen-year-old girl any longer.

Yet he was making his way straight toward her, and it took her a moment to work out the fact that her red hair probably gave her away.

Bright, shining, and practically the color of fire. Frizzy Lizzie. She heard the harsh echo in her mind.

As he made his way toward her, he grinned, showing even, white teeth, and she realized he truly was incredibly attractive.

She hadn’t been expecting that. Not in the least.

The gentlemen she stood with realized they no longer held her attention and, following her gaze, their eyes widened.

“Did they say that was MacGregor?” Mr. Pike asked.

“They did.” Her voice was faint.

As one, the three men turned to look at her, gaging her reaction.

She pasted on a pleasant smile, and glanced back to see that MacGregor had been stopped by Colonel Templeton.

She turned back to see Mr. Russell watching her closely.

“You look like you need a bit of air. Can I take you outside?”

She nodded, gratefully. “That would be nice, thank you.”

***

Alexander watched Lizzie being led away by a tall, lanky gentleman.

Colonel Templeton wanted to discuss the war on the peninsula, and how it was faring. He couldn’t seem to get the man to understand that he hadn’t been on the front lines for an entire year.

Several more people came over to offer their condolences on his father’s death, and also congratulations on his upcoming nuptials.

He tried to respond appropriately as he kept an eye on the balcony doors where Lizzie had exited. Finally, with forced good humor, he excused himself and made a beeline for the veranda.

He stepped outside, and was just in time to see the other man bend his head and attempt to kiss Lizzie!

“Lizzie!” He called her name sharply.

For one horrible moment, he thought that he might have the wrong girl. She certainly didn’t resemble the fourteen-year-old he remembered.

With a gasp, she jumped back and took an extra step away from the man. “Captain MacGregor. How … ,” She glanced up at the man in front of her, and then back at Alexander. “How nice to see you,” she said weakly.

It was her.

Before he knew he’d intended to do it, he crossed the space between them, grabbed the other man by his neckcloth, and shoved him away.

He gathered Lizzie under one arm and pressed her close to his side as he glared at the other man, who seemed to be considering violence. “If ye’d like tae spare yourself a sound beatin’, then I suggest ye stay away from my intended.”

That seemed to give the other man pause.

Lizzie groaned.

Alexander’s head felt hot as he stared the other man down, waiting while the scabby git considered the odds, then finally made his bow to Lizzie and turned and walked back inside.

The man hadn’t looked repentant in the least. And why was that?

He swung Lizzie around so he could grip her by the shoulders, wanting to curse her for how beautiful she’d become. “Would ye like to explain that tae me? I havenae seen ye in nine years, but I still expected ye to be faithfully awaiting my return. More fool me?”

She lifted a hand to the smooth skin of her forehead. “Captain MacGregor, we need to talk.”

Feeling dangerous, he reined in his temper and carefully led her toward the balcony doors, but she dug in her heels. He couldn’t help but notice the delicacy of her porcelain skin against the flame of her hair, her warm brown eyes and their lush dark lashes.

“Stop. I need to discuss something with you.”

Though they were now in full view of the crowded ballroom, Alexander could not stand her defiant tone a moment longer and gave into his instincts to show her, and everyone else, that she was his. Grasping the back of her head with one hand, he secured her waist with the other and leaned in and kissed her.

Her lips were warm, giving, compliant. His. Everyone would now know it, including Lizzie, and including the blackguard that had been out here with her. He kissed her with such blind, ravenous intensity that he was caught in the spell of his own making, her lips petal-soft, smooth, and compelling.

He’d waited for this moment for what seemed forever, envisioning it in hundreds of different ways.

The gasps and murmurs from the crowd finally stopped him.

He lifted his head to see her stunned expression and smiled.

Lizzie was finally his.

***

The kiss was wonderful compared to the one she remembered.

Alexander had been practicing.

She hadn’t been able to pull away, and had forgotten herself completely. Her knees felt weak, and she grabbed his arm to steady herself as she once again reminded herself to breathe.

He smiled, seeming to like that reaction very much.

Breathing deeply, she glanced into the ballroom, and horror overtook her. “Dear, Lord. I can’t believe you just did that. What are you trying to do? Ruin us?” She whispered the words through stiffening lips.

“Are ye ready tae go inside?”

At that, fire lit her dark eyes. “Inside, outside, what does it matter? Let’s let everyone here enjoy every second of our reunion.”

“I’m not the one who walked outside with another man.”

She made a scoffing noise. “We need to talk.”

“If we doonae go back inside, right now, I think we truly will be thoroughly ruined. Come in and dance with me.”

“I don’t want to dance.”

His arm around her shoulders, he led her through the doors and onto the dance floor anyway, and she didn’t resist, as every eye in the place was upon them.

They faced each other across the floor, and when the music started, they both moved forward, close enough that she could talk to him. “Your mother put our wedding notice in the newspaper. We need to fix this.”

They circled around each other, mixing with the other dancers until they were face to face again. “I put the notice in the paper, not my mother.”

Her chin lifted. “Why would you do that?”

The intricate steps took them away and back again and they clasped hands and circled. “Why would I not? I’ve waited long enough for my bride, and I’m here tae claim you.”

“Claim me? Like a lost dog?”

She heard him laugh as he moved away once more, but when he came back, his eyes were narrowed. “Are ye trying to end our engagement? Because that will never happen. We will marry; to do otherwise would ruin us both.”

Side-by-side, with the other couples, they moved up and down the floor as she tried to think of a way to convince him.

“Do you want to marry another?”

“No.”

“Mayhap the man you were on the balcony with?”

“I said, no.”

“We are getting married. Except it. I’ll not let ye go until my life is at its end.”

“That can definitely be arranged,” she said darkly.

He laughed, looking delighted with her as she swung away once more. 

***

The dance ended, and so that was that for now. It was not the ideal location to have this talk anyway, and so she determined to put it behind her for the night.

Which was just as well, as everyone in the entire ton seemed to think she was overjoyed, and so they were elated for her in turn.

Lady Yeatman took them both to task for kissing on the veranda. “Such behavior, young man. And you, Lady Elizabeth. I would think that you, at least, would show a little more dignity. You are, after all, in genteel company.”

“My apologies, my lady,” Alexander charmed the older woman with a smile. “I was overcome at seeing her after so long away.”

She softened. “Ah, well … just see that it doesn’t happen again.”

Lizzie’s ire rose.

They also endured some finger wagging and another lecture, but overall the consensus seemed to be that watching them come together after years separated by war was romantic, and that excused much.

She could hear other men telling Alexander, “You lucky dog. Look what a beauty she’s grown into,” and other such talk.

He simply smiled at her, thinking she was trapped.

She was more determined than ever that she’d win her freedom.

Feeling conflicted, she went in search of Julianna. The other girl’s conversation and humorous outlook were exactly what she needed right now.

***

And … just when she started to feel more settled with her friends, he joined them.

As one, Julianna and the two men looked at her to gage her reaction.

She pasted a pleasant smile upon her face.

“Gentlemen, if I might have a moment with my intended?”

The men glanced between the two of them, and then respectfully moved away, taking Julianna with them.

No doubt the respect was for the uniform he wore, or perhaps they even knew of some of his exploits.

“Intended, is it?”

He stared at her, and she was well aware of what he was looking at. Flawless skin, red hair, and eyes that had been called pretty on numerous occasions. Of course they’d once been called mud-colored, as well.

“Now, Lizzie.”

“Don’t you mean Frizzy Lizzie?” She knew her hair was smooth, no longer in braids with loose pieces floating about her head, and hoped he noted the difference.

Before she knew what he meant to do, he grasped her hand and kissed the back of it. “You’re lovely.”

Even through her thin glove, fire seemed to sear her skin.

It wasn’t fair! She hated this man, didn’t she? Hated everything he represented, anyway. Her lack of freedom, her lack of choices. Even though she knew everyone in the room was watching, she couldn’t help but study him with the same intensity that he looked at her.

Dark brown hair, skin tanned from being outdoors, broad cheekbones, a strong jaw. It didn’t begin to describe him. All in all, if the man had simply just walked into the room, she would have thought him strikingly handsome in an overtly male fashion that frayed her tender nerves. A quick glance around assured her that other young ladies were watching him as well.

It wasn’t fair, was it?

She wasn’t, she reminded herself, that young girl she’d once been, the one with an infatuation for her future husband, vulnerable and ready to be crushed when she found he did not share similar emotions or sentiments.

“May I have this dance?”

“Another? I’m sorry, but my card is already full.”

“That’s all right then.”

He grabbed her card, looked at it, and when young Lord Ascot approached for his dance, lifted a brow at the other man until he turned and left.

“It looks as if ye are free, after all. Shall we?”

She sighed. “You are just as big a bully as you ever were.”

He chuckled at that. “And are ye just as much a shrew? Mayhap we will do well together.”

“I’m glad you brought that up.”

“Ye are?”

The dance turned out to be a quadrille so they only had the opportunity to speak upon occasion. Not the best place to stage this conversation, anyway, as others could hear as well.

“Ye were saying?”

Their hands pressed together as they navigated the circle, and then were swung around by different partners. “All you need to know is that I’d like for us to have a conversation later. About our engagement.”

He chuckled, “Ye are wanting to get me alone, ye say?”

Heat seared her cheeks. The man was insufferable. She should have known. He’d been teasing her in their letters the last eight years, and even more so in the last two. She should have known he would not take her seriously.

When she was swung around by Lord Garvey, she gave the man a sweet smile, hoping MacGregor would take the hint and realize that unless he treated her in a gentlemanly manner, she’d reserve her smiles for other men.

When it was his turn to clasp her hands again, was it her imagination, or did his hand tighten on hers?

“I dinnae know that I like ye smiling at other men.”

She was surprised he’d admit it. “Is that so?” Was all the time she had before she was swept away again.

If he didn’t like it, perhaps that’s what she should spend her evening doing. She’d have no problem flirting with other men. After all, at twenty-three, she’d attended many seasons and had years of practice.

The dance ended and she managed to smile at the man beside her, before Alexander came forward and offered his arm.

She followed him off the floor, and with his height, he must have spotted her mother in the crowd, because he led her directly there.

Mother, of course, was thrilled to see him.

“Captain MacGregor. It’s so nice to see you. Of course, we saw the announcement in the paper this morning, and knew you were in town. I guess we’ve some planning to do, don’t we?” She smiled benevolently at the two of them, and Lizzie looked away.

“Don’t we, Elizabeth?” Her tone was just a touch stern.

“Of course, Mama.”

Mother nodded once, and then encouraged the two of them to get some refreshments.

As they wandered toward the refreshment table, Lizzie hissed at him. “I still can’t believe you put the notice in the paper today!”

He looked surprised. “Why wouldn’t I do so?”

“Because I wanted to talk to you about it first.”

He started to fill a plate with far too much food. “What is there to talk about?” He handed her the plate, and embarrassment over the amount of food piled high had her blushing. “I can’t eat that much!”

He grinned at her. “I’ll eat what ye dinnae.”

She set the plate on the table as he started making another plate for himself.

She glanced around, glad everybody seemed to be giving them some space. “All I’m saying is that you didn’t give me a chance to talk to you before you put the notice in the paper.”

“Of course, I didnae.” He winked at her. “I wouldn’t want ye to get away now, would I?”

She felt like stomping her foot. “I was hoping to talk you out of it.”

At that, he finally stopped filling his plate, set it down, and pinned her with his green-eyed gaze. “What do ye mean?”

“What do you mean, what do I mean? We’ve talked about this over the years in our letters, about perhaps going our separate ways?”

“Lizzie. Ye talked about it, but I didnae take any of that seriously. There’s nae getting out of this. It would be dishonorable on both our parts, and I’m more than willing to honor the wishes of our mothers, our parents.”

She took a deep breath. That was all good for him, wasn’t it? Perhaps she didn’t wish to be married to someone who didn’t want her. Perhaps she wished to be married to someone of her own choosing!

His jaw was firm now. “Lizzie, the choice has been made.” He went back to choosing different foods for his plate.

“It’s a big decision. And perchance it’s one I should make myself, and you as well.”

“I’ve always known I would marry ye, and I will.”

“No, you won’t.”

“I will. Just see if I dinnae.”

She glanced around, aware that people were staring, and resentfully realized MacGregor could care less what the people here thought. “A discussion for another time then.”

“I’ll gladly discuss anything ye wish, but it willnae make a difference.”

She glanced around and had to wonder why he was so settled on their betrothal. “Wouldn’t you like to choose a bride for yourself?”

“Ye are my choice.”

“No. If I remember correctly, when you were young, you favored blondes with blue eyes. There are several here I might introduce you to.”

He laughed. “I find myself attracted to flame red hair, and eyes the color of amber.”

“You once said my eyes were the color of mud.”

“Surely not. Surely I was never so ungentlemanly.”

“You were, and you know it.”

“Well, I’m not now. I appreciate what I have, and I’m keeping it.”

“It? You mean me? Just let me introduce you around, and we’ll go from there.”

He laughed. “Introduce me to whoever ye like. It willnae change my mind.”

“We’ll just see about that, won’t we?”

He picked up a fork, ready to dig in. “Aye, that we will, lass. That we will.”

***

He’d like to say he was amused, the way he’d been amused all these years every time he received one of her letters, but he wasn’t.

To be perfectly honest, what he was feeling was hurt.

Curse it, why didn’t she want him?

What had he done that was so off-putting? He mentally scanned the contents of the letters he’d received from her over the years.

The ones he’d penned.

Of course, he’d ignored her when she’d stated she wasn’t planning to marry him. He’d never taken her seriously, not once.

So much for him being a strategist.

He watched her across the room, considered joining her again, and decided to let her have some space. There wasn’t much she could do about it anyway, was there? He could tell her so again, but he suspected that was not the tactic to take.

He watched as men slowly joined her circle again and he turned away.

He didn’t wish to be caught gawking at her like some sort of possessive barbarian. He was tempted to dance the rest of the night away, and ignore her completely.

But that wouldn’t gain him what he wanted, would it?

As he stood on the edge of the ballroom and considered, a hand fell on his shoulder.

“Hello, there. Good to see you, old man. What’s it been, two years?”

Alexander turned to see Drake, Lord Browning, standing beside him and he smiled as his spirits immediately lifted. “Drake, ye old scalawag. I didnae expect to see ye here tonight. The way I heard it, ye had been gravely injured, and were moldering in a castle up in Northumberland.”

“Reports of my moldering are greatly exaggerated. And as I don’t own an estate in Northumberland, my relocation there would be odd, indeed.”

He glanced at the cane the other man was using, and raised a brow. “I see ye are playing it up for the ladies. Trying to catch a bit of sympathy and play the fallen hero, are ye?”

Drake laughed and hit the side of his shoe twice with the cane. “With all these newly returned heroes, a man has to do what he can to get an edge, don’t you know?”

Alexander laughed. With Drake’s dark angel looks, he didn’t need to attract the ladies. They fell in his path. “Well, good luck to ye. If ye are ready to take a break from all the dancing, gather a plate of food and we’ll catch up.” He lifted his own plate. “The rumors that Lady Somerset puts on a good spread have proved true.”

“That, in fact, is the major reason I came tonight. That and to get out of the house.”

They turned and started walking toward the table, Drake with much more of a limp than Alexander would have liked to have seen.

“I saw the announcement in the paper today. Why aren’t you cuddling up with your affianced?”

At that, Alexander shot an irritated glance in the direction of the circle where Lizzie stood talking to other men.

So that was to be her strategy, was it?

Again, he considered dancing with all the available ladies, but decided not to sink to her level. Why try to win the battle, when you’ve already won the war? “We said our hellos, and as ye know, ’tis not fashionable to sit in each other’s pockets.”

“Well, fine by me. I’d rather eat then converse with the ladies anyway.”

Drake found a plate and loaded up on the buffet. After the food they’d eaten in Portugal, it was truly a veritable feast.

They found a place to sit. “So, having finally met the lady again, is she to your liking?”

Alexander considered the fiery red hair, her gleaming brown eyes, and couldn’t ignore the letters she’d written over the years. She might not be too thrilled with him at the moment, but that would change, soon enough.

He couldn’t help but smile. She was just as fiery in person as she had been in her letters. “I am well pleased. The lady isn’t verra happy with me at the moment, but I’m sure that will change once we get to know one other.”

Drake laughed. “Well, good luck to you. I’m tempted to stick around to watch you court the gel. It would no doubt be quite entertaining, but I’m for the country soon.”

He rubbed his injured leg as he made the comment and Alexander felt a pang of sympathy for all the man had lost.

“Don’t pity me, MacGregor, at least I came home.”

“Just so.” Alexander raised his glass. 

The rest of the evening was spent catching up with his friend, with others who approached him, and finally with his future father-in-law, who encouraged him to give Lizzie just a bit more time.

It looked like he might be staying in London a bit longer than he anticipated.