At the top of the stairs, I paused and pressed my hand to my fluttering stomach. I could hear the low rumble of Trevor’s and Gage’s voices below. I closed my eyes and breathed deep again, cursing myself for a fool, and then forced my foot to take the first step downward. The banister was smooth and cool beneath my hand.
As my lower body came into view, I heard the men’s conversation falter as they turned to observe my progress. It took all of my nerve to continue descending as their bodies were steadily revealed from their feet upward with each step. I inhaled sharply when I realized there was but one step left before their faces came into view, and I compelled my foot forward. My fingers tightened on the banister as I met Gage’s eyes for the first time since spurning him the evening before. I could not read his expression, not from this far away, but it did not seem angry or disgruntled as I’d half expected. The band of fear around my chest loosened. Now, if only he was not indifferent, I thought I might be able to survive this night.
The men were silent as I moved closer and closer to them with each step. I wished they would speak, for it only seemed to stretch the moment out, drawing the tension in the room taut like a cord. Gage looked so handsome, and I realized as my brother moved closer that they were identically attired. Gage was actually wearing the kilt, and I couldn’t stop my eyes from dropping to see his legs below the hem. As expected, they were muscular and well defined.
I felt my cheeks flush and quickly lifted my gaze back to meet Gage’s. His eyes twinkled wickedly, aware of exactly what I’d been looking at.
I turned to Trevor as I reached the bottom, accepting his assistance as I descended the remaining steps.
“You look lovely,” he told me with a kind smile.
“Thank you,” I replied and reached up to straighten the brooch fixed to the length of plaid thrown over his shoulder. I felt Gage’s eyes on me the entire time, and when Trevor stepped away to ask after the carriage, there was no longer an excuse to avoid meeting them.
Fortunately, his gaze was not indifferent. His pale blue eyes were bright with an emotion he couldn’t hide, even tinged with wariness as they were.
“You do look lovely.” His voice was deep and warm.
“Thank you. You do, too. That is . . .” I faltered, feeling my cheeks heat again. “You look handsome.”
He grasped the sides of his kilt and stuck out one leg as if dancing. “Do you like the kilt?” he asked with the devil in his eyes.
I scowled at his teasing, even as it pleased me. “You know I do,” I replied, sneaking another peek at his legs. I was willing to be the recipient of any amount of teasing if it meant he would keep smiling at me like that.
I hesitantly moved a step closer, wishing desperately that we could have a moment alone so I could explain myself. I opened my mouth to tell him just that when he spoke first.
“Save your first waltz for me.”
Momentarily stunned, I gaped at him like a fish. “I . . . if you wish,” I finally stammered.
He shifted even closer, his jaw hardening in determination. “I’m finally going to have that dance with you, and I’m not taking any chances we might be interrupted later in the night.”
I searched his eyes, trying to understand. Did he forgive me for trampling on his proposal? Was he going to try again? Or was this his way of punishing me for turning him down?
But before I could ask him for a moment in private, that interruption he’d alluded to came. There was a shout and then the sharp whinny of a horse.
We all turned as one, to watch through the open door as a man struggled to bring his rearing horse under control, narrowly missing the hooves of one of the matching pairs at the front of our carriage waiting on the drive. The coachman scolded the rider as he leapt off his horse and rushed toward the house. Gage and I moved closer to hear.
“From Lord Fleming,” the rider gasped, holding out a letter.
I shared a glance with Gage, knowing what this meant. We’d been waiting for this very message for days.
Trevor took the missive, broke open the seal, and immediately began to read. His eyes widened and his expression turned grim. He frowned as he handed the note across to Gage, who held it low enough so that I might also read it.
It was an abbreviated version of the ransom note Lord Fleming had finally received, and explained the rider’s extreme urgency.
“Tonight?” I exclaimed. “They want the ransom delivered tonight?”
Gage nodded, looking across at Trevor. “They must know we’re on to them.”
“But . . .” I stared out the door at the swiftly falling darkness “. . . that only gives us hours to prepare.”
“Yes,” he replied unhappily. “And the only advantage we have is that they’ve chosen the same delivery method as last time—a horse waiting for us in Shotton Pass. So let’s make the most of it. Can you get a message to Lord Rutherford?” he asked Trevor.
“I’ll send it to the Kerswoods’ Ball. So late in the evening, it’s more likely to reach him there.”
“Tell him we’re going to need his son and nephews if they can be spared.” His eyes hardened. “I’m not taking any chances this time.”