To Kiss a Highland Rose (Kiss the Wallflower #6) - Tamara Gill Page 0,7

harrumphed, supposing that may be true.

They paused inside the card room doors, taking in the gentlemen who were already playing. A footman brought over a tray of whisky, the delectable amber liquid just what Sebastian needed.

"Oh, before I forget. I have news, and some I think you'll be pleased with."

"What is it?" Sebastian asked, taking a healthy swallow of his drink.

"This afternoon, we received an invitation from Lady Georgina Dalton to her masquerade ball. The woman your conquest is living with for the Season. There is one hitch. The ball is being held at Lady Dalton's home out of Edinburgh. The estate is quite large from all accounts, and she has opened her home for her guests to stay a day or two afterward if they wish before returning to town."

A mask? How fortunate for such a ball to be held. One always enjoyed such entertainments where they had an edge of secrecy—a place for clandestine rendezvous. "When is it?" he asked, hoping it was soon. The more time he had with Lady Elizabeth, the better his outcome in winning her would be.

"The week after next," Rawden replied.

Rawden gestured to a table that two gentlemen stood up from, leaving the remaining players short. "Care for a game of whist? Let us show these Scottish lads how real men play cards."

"After you," Sebastian said, not quite sure his friend had picked the worst-playing gentlemen in the room, the size of their winnings putting paid to that notion.

"I'll deal," Rawden declared, introducing them to the other two players.

Sebastian sat, played without much thought while his mind debated how to court Lady Elizabeth. He needed to come across as genuine in his regard. He'd never had to act a lovesick fool before, and it would be new, if not somewhat degrading, to do so. Even so, his marrying her was for the best. It meant that Halligale was once again in his family, to be inherited by the future Earls of Hastings.

It was an unfortunate necessity and one he would not fail at. The estate would not be long in Mackintosh hands. Not after this Season, at least.

By the time Elizabeth arrived at Georgina's estate for the masquerade ball, the preparations were in full swing. Maids ran from room to room, up and down stairs, setting up the ball and the guest rooms. The footmen looked frayed from their endless chores and orders. Standing in the foyer, she pulled off her gloves, not missing the unmistakable sound of Georgina emitting orders from the front parlor. Julia, who traveled with Elizabeth to the estate, rolled her eyes just as Georgina strode into the foyer.

"La, you're here." Georgina handed them both a piece of parchment, pointing at it. "Here are yer chores to do before the guests arrive tomorrow. Do let me know if ye have any questions."

Julia looked over the parchment. She frowned before scrunching up the note in her hand. "Georgina," she said, leading them toward a private sitting room across the hall from the library. "What possessed ye to be so stringent with everyone who's staying here? Ye cannot possibly think we want to do these activities in the short amount of time we're here. I think the ball is adequate enough to keep the guests occupied."

Georgina gaped at Julia as if she'd sprouted two heads.

Elizabeth quelled her smile. "Julia, you're mean. All Georgina wants to do is ensure everyone has a lovely time." She patted her friend's hand, noting Georgina had yet to find her voice.

Julia unfolded the scrunched-up list. "I cannot swim, and yet I'm supposed to be boating out on the loch. Are ye trying to kill your guests with drowning as well as boredom?"

"These suggestions were merely that, a suggestion. I only wanted my guests to know they have plenty of things to occupy their time here. I will not be out on the lawn each morning blowing a whistle and making ye all stand in line if that's what ye think."

Elizabeth grinned, imagining such a scene. "Of course, you won't be, and we never thought ye would. Julia's just in a mood because her aunts are on their way to watch her every move."

"I don't know why they have come. Georgina is a widow, adequate chaperonage for anyone."

Georgina stood and rang the bell for tea. "Not to mention my father has arrived to watch over all of us too. He's come back from London specially. I think he believes I'm still in pigtails." Georgina frowned. "Why did