To Kiss a Highland Rose (Kiss the Wallflower #6) - Tamara Gill Page 0,8

yer aunts insist on coming? They never have before."

Julia sighed. "To be nosy, I would imagine. They have heard the two Englishmen are going to be present and insisted they join the mask."

"I'm sure yer father can be persuaded to keep Julia's aunts occupied. They are of a similar age in any case," Elizabeth said.

"True," Georgina sat just as a knock sounded on the door before a footman brought in a tray of tea.

"Do ye really think people will have time for such games and diversions? They'll arrive, prepare for the ball the following day, and some will travel back to Edinburgh the day after. Must we prepare these events as well? We'll have enough to do with ensuring the ballroom, the food, and the house are ready for so many guests as it is," Julia pleaded.

"I just wanted options." Georgina looked down at her hands, a small frown between her brow.

"It is to yer credit that ye want everyone to have a wonderful time, and they will. The mask is going to be a major success, the ball of the Season. You do not need anything else pulling your guests from what they have traveled here to enjoy." Elizabeth reached out, patting Georgina's hands.

Julia sighed, coming over to sit beside Georgina. "I'm sorry, dearest, for being curt. I'm tired from my travels, that is all. If ye truly want yer guests to do other things at the estate, then we shall, of course, help ye prepare."

Georgina's lips lifted into a small smile. "It's quite alright. I can see that I've been overzealous with my planning. The ball is enough. You're quite right."

"Now, do tell us who else is to arrive." Elizabeth settled back in her chair, relieved that her friends were back to being polite to one another.

"Most of our acquaintances from town, the two Englishmen, of course," Georgina said, throwing a pointed stare at her. "Just about everyone we know, but the house is large enough, the staff has been run off their feet this past week. It's been bedlam here, or so I've been told."

"I cannot wait to dance. My costume of Cleopatra is simply divine," Julia said, pouring herself a cup of tea.

Elizabeth listened as her friends discussed their gowns, how they would do their hair, and who they wished to dance with. The mask was certain to be a success, a night of dancing, of mystery and intrigue. She had not attended a masked ball since her first Season in London, and it would be nice to have one here in Scotland.

The idea that this time tomorrow they would be preparing for a ball sent a thrill up her spine. That Lord Hastings would soon be here was a welcome thought. Would he ask her to dance? Or would he stride off yet again without a backward glance as he had done previously?

Would she dance with him if he did ask? She would, of course. If only to see if her heart fluttered in his presence. Or determine that it was merely an odd reaction toward him upon their first introduction.

Time would reveal all, she supposed, at the masked ball.

Chapter 4

Sebastian knocked Rawden's leg, smiled as his friend, whose face was squashed up against the carriage window, stuttered awake and wiped the dribble from his mouth. "I do so enjoy watching you wash the window with your own drool." He laughed as Rawden mumbled unintelligible words before sitting up and trying to wake.

"Are we here then? A ghastly long trip, was it not?"

"We're four hours from Edinburgh. I hardly think it's worthy of the word ghastly. And cheer up, Rawden, for we have arrived." The carriage lurched sideways as they passed through the gates of Lady Georgina's estate. Sebastian could see the house nestled in the valley below, small lines of smoke billowing from the numerous chimneys.

"I wonder if the prickly Lady Julia Tarrant will be there. It should make the ball more amusing with such women to spar with. Not to mention Lady Georgina is soft on the eyes."

Sebastian raised his brow. "Do behave. We do not need to be escorted off the property and sent back to the capital with our tails between our legs before I have a chance with Lady Elizabeth. I have a property to get back. I can't have you causing any more trouble than I will myself should she find out my motives."

"I am your friend, and I support you in all that you do, but are you