Flora and felt disinclined to leave her so soon after finding her. He was too blissfully happy with her to abandon her to another.
“Perhaps I will, Julian, but not now. I … damn it! If you must know, I’ve taken a new mistress and simply don’t want to leave her just yet. She’s … I can’t explain it, but Lady Flora is … special. There’s never been another like her.”
Julian gave an exasperated snort. “You said that about your last three mistresses. I tell you true, Sinjun, if you don’t see to your holdings you’re going to be sorry. Soldiers have been keeping the Highlands under severe military rule for seventeen years and resentment runs high. Tis time you claimed your wife and consummated your marriage. You should have done it years ago.”
“You want me to bed that redheaded, freckle-faced hellion!” Sinjun exclaimed. “Surely you remember what a rude little baggage she was. I want nothing to do with her, Julian. Let King George’s army handle her rebellious clansmen. That’s what his army is for.”
“They wouldn’t be rebellious if you’d put in an appearance from time to time to collect your own rents and remind them that you’re their laird’s husband.”
“You’re probably right, Julian, but I can’t tear myself away just yet. You’ll understand once you meet my new mistress. Maybe after a few months I’ll feel differently.”
Julian cocked a dark eyebrow. “Given your history with women, I predict you’ll tire of her within a fortnight.”
“Don’t act the prude with me, Julian. You’re no angel. After your betrothed died you showed no interest in settling down to marriage with another woman. Your name has been linked with at least a dozen women, from innocent maidens to lonely widows. You just don’t stay in one place long enough to settle down with one of them. What dangerous games are you playing, Julian? Your mysterious comings and goings worry me. And I know Emma is concerned. I don’t wish to become an earl, you know, so take care of yourself.”
Julian gripped Sinjun’s shoulder. “Don’t worry about me, Sinjun. ‘Tis you I’m concerned about. I care what happens to you. Will you at least promise to go to Scotland when you and your latest lightskirt part?”
Sinjun stiffened. “Flora is no lightskirt. She’s a lady, a virgin, until she gave herself to me. And, aye, I promise to see to my affairs after Lady Flora returns to her elderly husband.”
Julian looked astounded. “A married virgin? I’ll bet that’s a story worth hearing. If that’s the best I can expect from you, then so be it.”
“Will you be attending the Ravensdale ball tonight? Everyone who’s anyone will be there.”
“Aye, I’m escorting Emma. You can introduce me to your new lover.”
“Very well, if you promise not to charm her away from me.”
Julian laughed. “’Tis unlikely any woman would prefer me over you. I’m far too uninteresting.” He went to the sideboard and helped himself to the brandy.
Sinjun sent him an assessing look. “If you weren’t so bloody somber you’d have women falling at your feet.”
Julian raised his glass to Sinjun. “One rake in the family is all the ton can handle.” He tipped the glass to his lips and drained it. “Well, I must be off. I’m to meet Lord Finchley at the Stock Exchange. I’ll see you tonight.”
Sinjun stared after his brother, wondering why Julian didn’t marry and settle down. He certainly wasn’t lacking in the looks department. There was something dark and dangerous about Julian that attracted women. Needless to say, Julian wasn’t a man Sinjun would like to have as an enemy. But as a brother there was none better.
The rest of the day progressed far too slowly for Sinjun’s liking. He couldn’t wait to see Flora again, nor could he recall when he’d been this excited about a woman. Something he couldn’t quite put his finger on set her apart from other women of his acquaintance.
That evening
“Perhaps I will, Julian, but not now. I … damn it! If you must know, I’ve taken a new mistress and simply don’t want to leave her just yet. She’s … I can’t explain it, but Lady Flora is … special. There’s never been another like her.”
Julian gave an exasperated snort. “You said that about your last three mistresses. I tell you true, Sinjun, if you don’t see to your holdings you’re going to be sorry. Soldiers have been keeping the Highlands under severe military rule for seventeen years and resentment runs high. Tis time you claimed your wife and consummated your marriage. You should have done it years ago.”
“You want me to bed that redheaded, freckle-faced hellion!” Sinjun exclaimed. “Surely you remember what a rude little baggage she was. I want nothing to do with her, Julian. Let King George’s army handle her rebellious clansmen. That’s what his army is for.”
“They wouldn’t be rebellious if you’d put in an appearance from time to time to collect your own rents and remind them that you’re their laird’s husband.”
“You’re probably right, Julian, but I can’t tear myself away just yet. You’ll understand once you meet my new mistress. Maybe after a few months I’ll feel differently.”
Julian cocked a dark eyebrow. “Given your history with women, I predict you’ll tire of her within a fortnight.”
“Don’t act the prude with me, Julian. You’re no angel. After your betrothed died you showed no interest in settling down to marriage with another woman. Your name has been linked with at least a dozen women, from innocent maidens to lonely widows. You just don’t stay in one place long enough to settle down with one of them. What dangerous games are you playing, Julian? Your mysterious comings and goings worry me. And I know Emma is concerned. I don’t wish to become an earl, you know, so take care of yourself.”
Julian gripped Sinjun’s shoulder. “Don’t worry about me, Sinjun. ‘Tis you I’m concerned about. I care what happens to you. Will you at least promise to go to Scotland when you and your latest lightskirt part?”
Sinjun stiffened. “Flora is no lightskirt. She’s a lady, a virgin, until she gave herself to me. And, aye, I promise to see to my affairs after Lady Flora returns to her elderly husband.”
Julian looked astounded. “A married virgin? I’ll bet that’s a story worth hearing. If that’s the best I can expect from you, then so be it.”
“Will you be attending the Ravensdale ball tonight? Everyone who’s anyone will be there.”
“Aye, I’m escorting Emma. You can introduce me to your new lover.”
“Very well, if you promise not to charm her away from me.”
Julian laughed. “’Tis unlikely any woman would prefer me over you. I’m far too uninteresting.” He went to the sideboard and helped himself to the brandy.
Sinjun sent him an assessing look. “If you weren’t so bloody somber you’d have women falling at your feet.”
Julian raised his glass to Sinjun. “One rake in the family is all the ton can handle.” He tipped the glass to his lips and drained it. “Well, I must be off. I’m to meet Lord Finchley at the Stock Exchange. I’ll see you tonight.”
Sinjun stared after his brother, wondering why Julian didn’t marry and settle down. He certainly wasn’t lacking in the looks department. There was something dark and dangerous about Julian that attracted women. Needless to say, Julian wasn’t a man Sinjun would like to have as an enemy. But as a brother there was none better.
The rest of the day progressed far too slowly for Sinjun’s liking. He couldn’t wait to see Flora again, nor could he recall when he’d been this excited about a woman. Something he couldn’t quite put his finger on set her apart from other women of his acquaintance.
That evening
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