Return of the Scot (Scots of Honor #1) - Eliza Knight Page 0,49

woman feeling incapable.

Jaime shrugged. “Oh, bother. Ye can see how much I care for such social norms, and besides, what better way for ye to find a handsome suitor? Aye, I think I should host a dance. We could even have it on one of the ships.”

Before their conversation could go any further, the door to the office opened, and they both whirled to see the Duke of Sutherland standing in the entrance. His dark hair was a bit windblown, and he’d not shaved that morning, giving him a rugged sort of look that felt almost…dangerous. His clothes were rumpled, and parts of them might even have been what he’d worn the night before, though not all of them. The man was a handsome devil, to be sure. Not an altogether unwelcome sight, though he should have been.

Not only was Jaime surprised to see him there, but she was amazed he was even awake at such an hour. The guests wouldn’t have left Sutherland Gate until the wee hours of the morning, which meant he’d likely gotten as much sleep as she had—equaling none. And judging from the look of him, he’d merely changed coats and freshened up enough not to be appalling—quite the opposite, much to her dismay.

“Your Grace,” she drawled out, her gaze taking in his entire figure from head to toe. He was striking. How many times had she been stunned into silence when he’d entered their house as he courted her sister?

That was all in the past. She shook the daze away and focused on him once more. Oddly, he carried a basket just like the one she’d dragged around the gardens as a lass to pick flowers.

“Your butler said ye’d already left for the day.” Lorne sauntered into the office, shutting the door behind him.

“Oh…” ’Had he gone to her flat?

Lorne held up the basket. “Coffee and scones. I’d have brought tea, but I needed something stronger.”

And so did she. Oh, why did he have to bring her things and be so considerate? It made hating him harder. Made it harder for her to look at him as the rogue she wanted him to be. If he had come in appearing every bit the rake, that would have made it easier to not look at him at all. Of course, that was a lie. The more of a rakehell he appeared to be, the more she seemed to like him.

The duke settled the basket on Emilia’s desk, who immediately went about setting out the food and drink. Jaime was stunned to see how thoughtful he’d been to include three cups instead of only two. As if he’d anticipated Jaime wouldn’t be at her flat and had thought of Emilia here, not wanting to leave her out.

Drat ye, duke! He needed to stop being so nice.

“What are ye doing here?” Jaime asked, narrowing her gaze. There was an ulterior motive, she was certain, and she hoped it wasn’t for him to demand she marry him again.

Lorne pointed to the items on Emilia’s desk. “Coffee. Scones.” His words were simple enough, but his eyes danced as if he waited for her to make him explain. He wanted her to ask; those eyes begged her to ask.

And she was going to. Devil take him. Och, but she was a weak woman. “Besides that. Ye know verra well I’ve a cook that feeds me.”

The corner of his mouth crooked in a grin. “A simple thank ye would suffice.”

“Thank ye ever so much,” Emilia gushed, scooping jam onto her scone.

“Thank ye,” Jaime quipped and pursed her lips, not wanting to seem overly rude—not that she should care. The scent of the warm coffee being poured from the pot had her mouth salivating more than the fruity, buttery scones.

Lorne handed her a cup, his bare fingers brushing hers, sending a tingle racing up her arm and reminding her of the kiss they’d shared the night before. Where were her gloves? She never wore them in the office, as she didn’t often have visitors, nor did she want to get any ink on them. Jaime yanked away before any more unwanted shivers could have their way with her.

“Do ye wish to speak in front of your witness?” he asked, a teasing lilt to his brogue.

Jaime nearly choked on the sip. Goodness, but was he about to demand marriage again? She couldn’t risk it. “Nay.”

Emilia perked up at that and set down her half-eaten scone. “I just realized I need to check on