In the Heat of the Bite Read Online Free PDF Page B

already retired to Derbyshire by that point.
    “I’m sure I have plenty of time to find a wife.” Not that he had any plans to do so, but there was no need to voice his intentions.
    The old man sighed. “For years I thought the same. And all I ended up with were two daughters. Lovely girls, don’t get me wrong, but they can hardly carry on the family name. You don’t realize such things are important until it’s too late.”
    Matthew studied his old friend. His eyes took in each wrinkle on Sir Ralph’s face and even the slight shake to his hand. “Nonsense,” Matthew said with more levity than he felt at the moment. “You look like a young buck. I’m sure you could sire sons well into your nineties.” At least that’s what Ralph had often boasted in his younger days.
    The baronet laughed heartily. “You are so very like your grandfather, young man. I’m certain he would have been very proud of you.”
    “Well, thank you, sir,” Matthew returned with sincerity. Then he spotted his quarry behind Sir Ralph. Alec MacQuarrie stood at the entrance of one of the darkened walks. Matthew watched as the Scot wiped his mouth with a handkerchief. Bloody hell. What had he done now?
    Matthew’s migraine pounded harder.
    “Are you all right, Blodswell?” Sir Ralph stepped closer to him.
    “I, uh, just spotted a friend.”
    Sir Ralph looked over his shoulder in the direction Matthew glared. The movement, or perhaps the rage that rolled off Matthew’s person, caught MacQuarrie’s attention. He nodded his head in greeting and slowly made his way to the pair, tipping his hat at women as he passed them.
    “Ah, Lord Blodswell, what a surprise to see you here.” MacQuarrie smiled.
    “I’m certain it is,” Matthew clipped out, “since I was supposed to meet you somewhere else entirely.”
    The damned Scot didn’t even have the good grace to look halfway apologetic. “Well, how fortuitous to see you here instead.” Then he turned his attention to Sir Ralph. “Alec MacQuarrie,” he introduced himself.
    Sir Ralph smiled. “MacQuarrie? If I’m not mistaken, you are a friend of my son-in-law, Pickering.”
    MacQuarrie nodded. “Aye, I attended Cambridge with Pickering.”
    Pickering?
Dread filled Matthew’s soul as Caitrin Eynsford’s prediction echoed in his mind. Damn it to hell, he was
not
going to a ball tomorrow night. He just wouldn’t do it.
    “Sir Ralph Smyth,” the old man said, offering his hand to MacQuarrie. “My daughter is hosting a ball tomorrow evening. You should stop by to save poor Pickering from all of his duties. I feel safe in saying he will thank you profusely.”
    MacQuarrie glanced briefly in Matthew’s direction. He shook his head in warning, which of course, the infernal Scot paid no attention to. “It’s been so long since I’ve attended a ball. Poor Pickering, indeed. Do tell him Cambridge men must stick together. I wouldn’t miss it.”
    “Wonderful!” Sir Ralph gushed. “And do make sure you drag Blodswell with you. I have a duty to his grandfather to fulfill.”
    A look of confusion crossed MacQuarrie’s face, but he nodded. “Of course, sir.”
    “Very well.” Sir Ralph turned to leave. “My wife is here somewhere. I really should get back to her before she calls the watch to find me.”
    As soon as the man was out of earshot, MacQuarrie cocked his head to one side, regarding Matthew curiously. “What exactly does that man owe your
grandfather
? He’s old, but he can’t be that old.”
    Matthew glared at his charge. “What the devil are you doing here? You were supposed to remain at
Brysi
.”
    The Scot shrugged. “I haven’t had a nursemaid since I was a boy, Blodswell. I don’t need one now.”
    All things considered, MacQuarrie was still a boy; but this was hardly the place for that discussion. “What exactly were you doing down that unlit walk?” Matthew raised his brow expectantly.
    “I was being the man you created me to be.”
    It took all of