Read Online Rumors Among the Heather by Amanda Balfour - Free Book Online Page B

of his bank account
did. Those sorts of things meant nothing to Julie. This new
experience puzzled him. For some odd reason he could not explain,
it made him want her all the more.
    Bringing his attention
to the present, he decided to hold a rout and invite all of his
nearby clansmen and neighbors. The gathering would be a perfect
cover for the discussion he would have with the Highland chiefs.
They would need to decide in less than a month’s time their fate
and the fate of Scotland. He would get Julie to send out the
invitations, and no one would guess the intrigue behind this simple
country dance.
    * * *
    “Miss Hastings, his
lordship would like you to meet him in his study,” the maid
announced.
    Julie put down Ian’s
geography test. “Tell his lordship I’ll be there as soon as Mr.
Dunne comes for Master Ian’s riding lesson.”
    Julie hoped Mr. Dunne
would decide not to come today. She did not want to meet with Lord
Bonnleigh, and she especially did not want to be alone with him.
She fought against the way he made her feel. Whenever he came
within fifty feet of her, she felt dizzy, hot then cold, and
extremely confused. Even Geoffrey had not made her feel this way.
Lord Bonnleigh made her uncomfortable, and she feared he enjoyed
it. She would have to leave if he continued to stay at the castle,
but she hated the thought of parting from Ian and her new home.
    Julie’s simple life
had suddenly grown complicated and left her with no clear purpose.
She always knew her mind, knew what she wanted and how to get it.
Upon quiet reflection, she felt torn apart by her indecision. She
did not know what to do next. How she dreaded the thought of
applying for a new position. This one had been so hard to find, and
if his lordship refused to give her a good reference then the next
position would be even harder. The situation looked hopeless.
    Blue-deviled, Julie
stared out the window. Mr. Dunne strode across the lawn, and she
could put off the meeting with Lord Bonnleigh no longer. After
sending Ian off to the stables, she slowly walked down several
flights of stairs to his study. She busied her hands with smoothing
her skirt. He did not look up as she entered but motioned for her
to have a seat. Julie sat primly, waiting for him to speak.
    “Miss Hastings, I’m
going to give a rout, and I would like you to take care of the
invitations and invite everyone I have on this list. I know this is
short notice, but if you could do this for me in, say, three or
four days, I would be most grateful.”
    Relieved, she answered
him, “I would be delighted. I’ll arrange with Mrs. Highet to take
care of the refreshments. Is there anything else you would like me
to do?”
    A devilish twinkle
appeared in his gaze. He looked her up and down in that annoying
and appraising way she so abhorred. She stared back stonily.
    “I would be pleased if
you attended also. It will be a country dance, but you might enjoy
yourself.”
    “That’s very kind of
you, my lord, but as you know, I am still in mourning.”
    “Is that why you drape
yourself in those ridiculous dresses? That particular black and
white contraption makes you look like a magpie without it’s
beautiful blue sheen. You’re away from home. I see no reason to
carry on with tradition when colors would become you.”
    “I have no intention
of giving up tradition. I mourn for my father. I would not defile
his memory.”
    “As you wish, but I
still would like you to attend. Consider it an order, Miss
Hastings. You will bring Ian down, and at the appropriate time send
him off to bed. After that, my Aunt Marie will be here, and she
requires a companion. I wish you to sit with her.”
    “Lord Bonnleigh, your
other guests might object if they learn your English governess has
been invited. I would not want to cause you any embarrassment.”
    “Stuff and nonsense.
There could be nothing you could do to embarrass me. I insist you
come. No one will object to a beautiful woman attending a