Every Time with a Highlander Read Free Page B

eyes a bright shade of orange.”
    The girl took a step back. “In truth?”
    â€œArdith, we’re going to have to work on your credulity, aye? I need you to be sharp-eyed and skeptical. ’Tis the only way to make your way in this world.”
    â€œAye, ma’am.”
    â€œHow long have you been part of the lodge’s household?” she asked lightly, hoping Ardith was familiar with Bridgewater’s habits.
    â€œNot long. A few weeks. His lordship wishes to know if you’d like him to bring in a dressmaker?”
    â€œDoes his lordship not care for my taste?” Undine peered at the simple but exceedingly flattering silk gown that shimmered blue and chartreuse in the candle’s glow. The snug bodice required no boning, the elbow sleeves permitted ease of movement, and a half-dozen hidden pockets meant she was never far from the tools of her trade.
    â€œI think he thought only of the size of your satchel.” She added in a small voice, “And he is quite in love with you. I believe he longs to give you whatever you will accept from him.”
    Undine sighed. “I am in need of a sturdy pair of boots.”
    â€œI’ll let him know.”
    The door opened without a knock. “Undine,” Bridgewater said, “may I have a word?”
    Oh, this will become tiresome quickly. “Of course. Enter.”
    Bridgewater’s gaze cut to Ardith and flicked her away as if she were a trifling bug. She put down the linens and ran.
    â€œHow happy I am to see you settled here,” he said.
    Undine ducked a curtsy in agreement.
    â€œIs the girl to your liking?” he asked. “The housekeeper has some questions.”
    â€œShe’ll do nicely. Thank you.”
    â€œGood. Very good.” He glanced briefly over his shoulder at the hall, and Undine had an uncomfortable sense Ardith should have stayed. “The bishop has surprised me,” he said. “I’m expecting a man from my solicitor’s office tomorrow from London to work out some matters regarding my estate and will. ’Tis a long distance, aye, but the matters are important. There’ll be additional papers for them to draw up after we marry, which will entail another journey.”
    Undine felt an odd tingle up her spine. “Oh? And how has the bishop surprised you?”
    â€œHe’s offered to forgo the banns and marry us tonight.”
    Undine swallowed her shock. “ Tonight? ”
    â€œâ€™Tis only for the paperwork, my dear. Nothing will change between us till you’re ready. The bishop’s offer is kind, and I need his support— we need his support—if we are to bring this eternal fighting to an end. In any case,” he added with a gentle smile, “if anything were to happen to me, I’d want you to have the protection and benefit of my name.”
    She looked in the sharp blue of those eyes. Does he even remember the beating he gave me?
    â€œNo,” she said firmly. “I can’t marry at a moment’s notice. I’ve barely unpacked my things here. Give me a few weeks. Please.”
    â€œThe bishop is near to insisting. ’Twill make no difference in our lives.” He took her hand in his and the blue turned as deep as a loch’s. “You swore your troth to me, even if you said you needed time. You have not made me so happy only to break my heart, have you? Your affection was real, was it not? Not false or…or…” His gaze caught the case of herbs, and he hesitated.
    â€œNo, of course not,” she said firmly. “My heart is unchanged. Of that you can be certain. I just… Tonight?” She blew out a puff of air and gave him a weak smile.
    â€œAye, my love, tonight.”
    The joy in his eyes was unsettling. “But my friends…”
    â€œWe shall throw a real party when you’re ready and do it all again. Your friends will be here then, I promise. No one needs to know