Chapter Three

Aaron escorted Lady Crystal to his town coach bearing the Lomond coat of arms, waiting on the street in front of Sir Walter’s home. She was remarkably quiet for a woman who had been so vociferous earlier. He hoped the unruly display had not dampened her spirit, for he’d never seen such fire. Something in him stirred deep. How he admired her!

His coachman climbed down from his seat up the front and opened the door for them. Aaron assisted Lady Crystal into the coach, noting the litheness of her frame as she climbed in.

He quickly followed, keen to get her out of sight from the rowdy men with too much whisky in them. The lords were used to argument—the whole of Scottish history had been fraught with it—but they didn’t like to have their conservative views challenged by a woman.

“Where are you residing, Lady Crystal?” he asked.

“Wilding House, which is at Wilding Close. My family has a house there, in Edinburgh Old Town off the high street.”

He informed his coachman of their destination, then, noticing her hunched form, asked, “Are you all right?”

She turned to him, and even in the semi-darkness, her sea-green eyes blazed. “Why is it that working men can consider my views, but aristocrats refuse to do so?”

“Ah. Drinking and fighting is what we do best,” he joked, hoping to lighten her mood.

“You’re so right,” she said, her mouth set in a petulant line.

“I listened to every word. I’ll admit I was spellbound. Did you mean it when you said women have desires?” A bump formed in his breeches at the thought of her demanding he ravish her.

“I shouldn’t have said that. It was too much and not part of my planned speech.”

“But do you really have such feelings?”

Her face closed down. “I said it, but that doesn’t mean I’m a lightskirt. Why do women have to be demure, virginal simpletons to be considered marriageable? Not that I ever want to marry.”

“Not marry?” he asked, shocked again. He’d never heard the like.

Her chin tilted up. “I’m not suited to marriage. Even if I were, I have no intention of giving up my income to a lord. That would be foolish.” She gave him a quirk of a smile. “Besides, by now you should have gathered I’m not obedient.”

“So I see. But are you truly free to decide your own fate?” he asked, hopeful.

She didn’t look particularly hot-blooded with her precise blond curls styled under her plumed hat. She had an aristocrat’s long nose, but it was neat in her heart-shaped face. The one giveaway could be that her eyes lit up when her ire was aroused.

How he’d like to be the one to stir her passion! Especially because she didn’t want to marry. That suited him perfectly.

“My father, Earl Wilding, tried to arrange a marriage for me with a laird whom I disliked. But father recently passed away, leaving me to my own destiny.”

“I’ve heard of the heroic exploits of Lord Wilding. He was a very impressive man.”

Her mouth turned down. “My father was a great leader but ruled his daughters with an iron fist.”

Aaron wouldn’t be surprised if they were all strong-willed like her. Deep down, he accepted the system they lived with, even though he didn’t want to be forced into marriage himself. Still, it was Lady Crystal’s spirit that attracted him, and he had a great desire to take her in his arms.

The carriage rocked from side to side, and his shoulder brushed against hers. “We have much in common, which is why I enjoyed your speech. My father is insisting I marry, and I, too, have no wish to wed a person I have no regard for.”

“Surely, as his heir, you will have a say in the matter?” Sympathy crossed her face, and she lost the angry, pinched expression. Up close, she had large, widely spaced eyes and a full, lush mouth. Her blond locks around the nape of her neck bounced with the rhythm of the carriage.

“I have had several lassies presented to me like fillies at market. Ladies chosen by my father, all of excellent pedigree, all simpering and agreeable. They are under much pressure to please me, whether they wish to or not.”

“And this is disagreeable to you?”

“I don’t like this game we are forced to play, although I understand the need for marriage and the need to keep wealth in the family. It’s just that I cannae abide forced marriage. It’s demeaning, and times have changed. Others are able to choose, but I cannot. The poor ladies have to pretend they’re interested in me, and I feel like a stallion with a wallet.”

She laughed, then—really laughed.

“What’s so funny?”

She looked him over as if assessing him for her bed. “That’s an apt description. That’s how I felt when my father insisted I meet lords of his choice. Not being a stallion, though,” she quickly amended with a grin. “But a breeding mare.”

He laughed at her description, sensing underneath a deep understanding dawning between them. “I wish to choose my own wife in my own time.”

Unfortunately, he had little choice in the matter. His father thought of nothing but pleasing his new wife and was quickly burying the estate in debt. Aaron desperately needed to take over the reins of the estate, but his father wouldn’t let him do that unless he married.

The coach hit a pothole as it entered the city gates, and Lady Crystal bumped against him. She gripped his arm in alarm as the carriage rocked from side to side. He fought the urge to pull this uncannily attractive lassie into his embrace.

He leaned out the window. “Slow down, Jenson. We don’t have the devil on our tail.”

“Not any longer, thanks to you, my lord,” Lady Crystal said with a grateful smile. “You have been most kind tonight.”

“You’re a special lassie, my lady. Your views dinnae suit the times we live in, and yet, your words are a boon upon my heart. I feel you understand me, even though you don’t know me.”

“And I you,” she said, her cheeks turning a becoming shade of rose.

He studied her lovely face, wishing he had the courage to kiss her. But he’d already done quite enough to besmirch her reputation.

“It’ll be all over town that I escorted you home alone. I’ll return to Sir Walter’s immediately to collect my brother as soon as I’ve walked you to your door, or your reputation will be lost.”

“I think speaking about women’s sexual desire will already have some effect on my social standing.”

Her blunt veracity made him protective. “Aren’t you worried about it?”

“I told you before: I didn’t mean to say it, so please stop bringing it up. I don’t plan to marry, so hopefully that gaff won’t come back to bite me.”

What an unusual young lady she was!

The coach pulled up on the stone road of the high street, where a mix of all classes dwelled together in the high, tightly packed tenement housing. The driver opened the coach door.

Aaron climbed down, holding his hand out to assist her as she searched for where to place her booted feet.

“Wait for me, Jenson, while I escort the lady to her door.”

Aaron forced himself not to gag at the stink of the old city, where folks threw their chamber pots onto the street at night. A wall-mounted oil lamp cast enough light for him to see and pick his way without soiling his clothes.

They crossed the road, the lady careful to lift her skirts to avoid the horse dung and filth, and walked down the dark steps to the close, which was not much more than a steep alleyway leading to a courtyard. A weathered plaque on the front of the six-story building read Wilding House 1670, signaling the once-fancy address of Lady Crystal’s family. He walked her up the long stone stairs to the fourth floor and watched as she knocked on the door and waited for her maid to answer.

He wondered idly what would have become of her if he hadn’t been a gentleman and safeguarded her at her talk. “Why aren’t you chaperoned?” he asked.

“I sent my maid back to the house earlier, as you saw. Sir Walter and his wife had planned to see me safely home.”

He looked at her askance. “If you must speak on delicate subjects, perhaps you should employ a strong footman to take you to your meetings and offer you some protection,” he suggested.

“Tonight was the first time I’ve encountered such dissension. I already employ a cook, a maid, and a lad to cart water. Though, I agree a footman would be useful.” She held out her hand. “Thank you again, my lord. I am most appreciative of your assistance tonight. I can never repay your kindness.”

Her gloved hand was small in his, the bones fragile. He bent and kissed it, keeping hold of her hand as he gave her a penetrating look. “Perhaps you can. How grateful are you, Lady Crystal?”

She gasped and gazed up at him. “What do you mean? Dinnae be expecting a liberty just because I admitted to the feeling of desire. I’ve told you before, I’m no lightskirt.”

He shook his head. “Liberties I am offered aplenty from ladies who wish to ensnare me in marriage. No, from you I ask a favor, for you are the most fascinating lassie I’ve met in years.”

She snatched her hand from his, then turned and hammered on the door with her fist before looking back at him with a scowl on her face. “You will be sadly disappointed if you think I’ll make myself available to you.”

“But you’re not taken?” he asked, confused.

“I thought I made my point. I’m single and intend on remaining so.”

“Good.”

The Highland Wilding family was very old, well-respected, and famous. According to the war office, the clan leadership skill of her father, the late earl who had fought under Wellington in the Peninsular Wars, was legendary. The family produced warriors, generations of them, who’d fought for what they believed in. If the lady were a man, she’d no doubt be in parliament.

The door opened, and a maid awaited them with a lamp, which illuminated Lady Crystal’s narrowed eyes and pursed lips. “Leave the lamp with me, Hilda. I wish to speak with Lord Lyle. Please go to the kitchen and heat me some milk to have with my supper.”

The maid curtsied, cast him a look of suspicion, and left.

Lady Crystal put her hands on her hips and glared at him with a mulish expression, which was actually rather endearing. “What favor do you have in mind? Choose your words carefully, for I’ve a flintlock pistol at my disposal, and after tonight, I’ve a mind to use it.”

“Well said, my lady. I applaud your courage.” He took a step back and bowed to her, loving her spirit. He could barely contain the pleasure that rippled through his body. “The small favor is this: I wish to invite you to Lomond House this weekend to meet my lord father, his grace, the Duke of Lomond, and my family. You are a treasure, Lady Crystal. I know they’ll enjoy talking to you.”

“You wish me to discuss my views about marriage with the Duke of Lomond?” she asked.

“I know my father speaks very highly of Earl Wilding. What I’d like is for him to hear your views about having choice in marriage. We are at loggerheads over it, and I fear I am losing the battle. I will have to agree to his choice, although the thought of having no affection or care for the woman I will marry sickens me.”

She tilted her head, her face soft with understanding. “I’d gladly give you my support, though I fear it will make no difference to a man of your father’s standing.”

“I’d like him to hear it, and I’d be grateful for your support.” He took her hand, bent over it, and kissed it before straightening. “But perhaps hold back on the subject of desire. I want his grace to like you.”