what did it matter? She crossed to the bed and started snipping. She’d cut her cousins’ hair a time or two, and her own, on occasion. She did have some talent for it. However, cutting Aidan’s hair was different. It was so thick, and as she clipped, the shorter ends curled around her fingers.
Cora came up to tell them Lieutenant Fordyce sent word he was growing impatient. Aidan cheerfully wished the officer to the devil, a message Cora could not deliver. Anne rephrased his message to one begging the lieutenant’s patience while she finished dressing.
“Yes, tell him, my lady is at her toilette,” Aidan agreed, and then chuckled, rubbing pieces of his own hair between his fingers.
When she was done, Anne had to admire her handiwork. The shorter style brought a masculine strength to his face. “You look very handsome.”
He grinned. “Change your dress, Anne. Wear your finest. We are going to take a trip. I must shave.” He bounded out of the room with an energy she didn’t feel.
Anne put on the muslin dress trimmed in green ribbons she’d worn the day before. She pinned up her hair and put on her bonnet, tying the ivory ribbons under her chin. She did not have gloves. Such small items had been lost in the coach accident and she had not had time to replace them.
The last thing she did was reach into the hunting sack and pull out her wedding ring. She ran the pad of her thumb over the engraved stag before slipping it on her finger. The band’s weight felt good.
She left the room. Aidan was still in his room, dressing. She could hear him humming. There were times she thought her husband sane…and times she was certain he was mad as his reputation had suggested. She feared this was going to be one of those “mad” times.
Lieutenant Fordyce waited in the great hall. Gathering her courage, Anne breezed into the room with a casualness she didn’t feel. “I hope I haven’t kept you waiting overlong?” she asked with her best “hostess” smile.
“No, my lady,” he responded dutifully.
The thought dawned on Anne that she and the lieutenant could leave immediately before Aidan came down, but a footfall on the step warned her she was too late.
She turned to her husband—and her jaw dropped. Stunned, she backed into the room.
Aidan followed her, but not as she’d ever seen him before. Gone were the leather breeches, the open-necked shirt, and scuffed boots he habitually wore in his role as laird of Clan Dunblack.
Instead, he wore a riding coat of Spanish blue superfine. The color brought out the sharp cobalt color in his eyes and made his shirt seem almost blinding white in contrast. Beneath it was a vest of gold brocade. His boots appeared almost lacquered, they were so black and shiny. Buff-colored breeches hugged his horseman’s thighs, and he carried a top hat made of the finest beaver skin.
He was the very image of a gentleman of breeding. A Corinthian. An Out and Outer with the devastating good looks of a rake…for no amount of tailoring could have faked with padding the powerful strength in his shoulders.
He moved into the room with his usual athletic grace and even Lieutenant Fordyce was given pause. It was one thing to round up a Scottish rebel; it was another to bring in a titled lord who could have walked the streets of London—and have friends in power.
Anne found her voice. “You do know how to tie a neck cloth, my lord,” she said admiringly.
Laughter danced in his eyes. “I always keep starched ones at the ready.” He swung his attention to the officer. “I had Norval send word I wanted my coach readied. I prefer my own conveyance because it will be a more comfortable ride for my wife.”
“Yes, my lord,” the lieutenant responded, cowed by the wondrous change in Aidan’s appearance.
Aidan offered his arm. “Shall we, my lady?”
She smiled, completely charmed. She’d travel to hell with this man. “Yes, my lord.”
The good people of Kelwin still waited outside for them. They craned their necks to get a better view of their laird. Anne was reassured to know she wasn’t the only one taken aback by his transformation.
Aidan nodded to Hugh, but did not speak. Fang’s oldest son drove the coach up. Aidan opened the door and offered Anne his hand.
“Wait one moment, if you please,” Lieutenant Fordyce said. He cast a frown at Thomas Mowat and then said, “I think it