School For Heiresses 3- Beware A Scot's Revenge Read Online Free PDF

effect!” Her green eyes sparkled behind her mask. “How kind of you to let me see it before the room is packed with people.”
    She gave him a smile that would light up the barest crofter’s cottage, and he reacted with a swift intake of breath, followed by a swift throbbing in his ribs. “I’m glad the ballroom passes yer inspection,” he bit out over his pain.
    His terse tone made her smile falter. “I can’t wait to see it fully lit on Friday.” She toyed with her fan. “I suppose you’re attending that ball, as well?”
    “No,” he said baldly. And neither are you, lassie.
    “Oh.”
    The sympathy in her voice made him regret his blunt words. Now she thought him too low to be invited, since only peers or those with titled connections had received the coveted invitations. As clan chief he would also have been invited, if they hadn’t believed him dead. His stung pride got the better of him. “I have to return to the north.”
    “Where in the north?” she said, suddenly alert and eager.
    “No place ye’d ken.” He had to get her off this dangerous subject. His eyes fell on the archway. “They removed the bow windows so guests could pass into the courtyard. Would you like to see what they’ve built out there?”
    Her gaze turned sultry. “That would be lovely, thank you.”
    His heart began to thud. Careful, laddie, keep a rein on yer urges. Mustn’t frighten her off. Generated by ABC Amber LIT Conv erter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html Trying not to notice her delicate touch on his arm, he led her into the dark courtyard, where painted wooden pillars supported a tent of rose and white muslin. When they slipped inside, they found themselves in a very small and private space.
    “A theater owner is having sets painted with pictures of theHighland countryside.”Lachlan gestured to one end. “Then they can draw back the muslin to show the scenes.”
    He felt her gaze search his face. “You seem to know a great deal about the plans for the ball. Are you a friend of the theater owner?”
    “I know people enough inEdinburgh ,” he said evasively.
    Her voice turned sly. “I suppose you made many friends in the army.”
    He tensed. “I told you, I was never in any regiment.”
    “Nonsense.” She planted her hands on her hips. “I’d swear that you adapted that costume from a regimental officer’s uniform.”
    Devil take the lass. “I borrowed it from a soldier friend.”
    “I see.” She snorted. “And that’s why the coat fits you to perfection. Did you borrow your military bearing from your soldier friend, too? And your tendency to pepper your speech with talk of skirmishes and inspections?”
    Mo chreach, he hadn’t realized how he’d betrayed himself. Best turn the tables before she pieced together who he really was.
    “I know why you’re so eager to make me into an officer.” He stepped closer. “Because you can’t make me into a peer, and only an officer or a lord can be fit company for a lady of yer breeding.”
    She thrust out her chin. “I never claimed to be a lady of breeding. For all you know, I might be a milliner.”
    “If you say so, lassie.” With a chuckle, he mimicked her earlier attack. “That’s why you carry yourself like a queen and spend your days collecting ballads, the way milliners do.”
    A shaky laugh escaped her. “You’ve caught me, sir. I’m no milliner. But I could still be a gentlewoman of little means and fewer prospects.”
    “Which is why you’re attending the Peers’ Ball.” He smiled. “Come now, why not just admit you’re a lady of rank?”
    “Not until you admit you’re a soldier,” she said primly. Then she caught her breath. “ That’s why you remind me of Lachlan Ross! He went off to join a regiment, too. I used to imagine him in his regimentals—”
    He kissed her, a brief, soft kiss to shut her up. What else was he supposed to do, damn it? He had to keep her from making comparisons.
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