Treasured Read Online Free PDF Page B

clear that beauty runs in the family.”
    Her aunt’s cheeks flushed at the compliment, and Isobel realized, startled, that Aunt Elizabeth was actually enjoying her conversation with Kensington. Isobel could not help but wonder if Elizabeth had truly understood what Isobel had said to her earlier.
    “Mr. Kensington and I have been having a lovely talk,” Elizabeth told her niece. “One forgets how pleasant it is to have visitors. Did you know that this is Mr. Kensington’s first trip to Scotland? You should show him around the estate tomorrow, Isobel.”
    “Um, yes, of course.” Isobel affixed a courteous smile to her face. “If Mr. Kensington would like that.” She glanced toward him, sure that he would turn down the offer. He must find it strange that Aunt Elizabeth was talking as if he were a guest in his house.
    “Indeed, I should be most grateful.” Kensington smiled affably. Obviously he felt none of Isobel’s unease after their confrontation.
    “When you see some of the beauty Baillannan has to offer, Mr. Kensington,” Elizabeth said almost coquettishly, “perhaps you will decide not to depart so quickly.”
    “You are leaving?” Isobel’s heart lifted in hope. Maybe the man would simply go away. He clearly had no likingfor the place. A new thought struck her. What if she could convince him that she could maintain the estate, sending him the profit? After all, that was essentially what she had been doing for Andrew all these years. It would not be her home any longer, but at least she would not have to uproot her aunt. Her mind worked feverishly as the other two continued to talk.
    “Yes.” Kensington nodded. “My intent was merely to see Baillannan and return to London.”
    “Of course, perhaps you are married and have a wife to whom you wish to return posthaste,” Elizabeth went on, her tone studiedly casual. Isobel’s eyes widened in alarm. Surely her aunt was not still bent on matchmaking?
    “No, Miss Rose, I am not married,” Kensington replied politely. “I fear it is a state for which I am not destined; I have never been romantically inclined.”
    “You must not give up hope,” Elizabeth told him as though he had expressed regret about his marital state. “You will find the right woman. I am sure of it.” Their guest seemed to have no answer for that, and Elizabeth continued to chatter. “No doubt there are other things in London that draw you back. I know the city holds a great allure for young men.” Elizabeth sighed. “Sadly, Andrew never stays long with us, either. It is too bad of him not to accompany you on your journey here. I shall have to scold him in my next letter.”
    Kensington looked nonplussed at this remark, and Isobel hastened to smooth over her aunt’s words. “Yes, Andrew would have done better to have introduced you to us and explained the situation. It would have been much easier all around, I am sure.”
    “No doubt he was distraught,” Jack replied drily.
    “Distraught?” Aunt Elizabeth frowned. “Is Andy in some scrape at school again? Are you at Christ’s College as well, Mr. Kensington? Or perhaps you are one of Andrew’s tutors?”
    To Kensington’s credit, he did not turn a hair at Aunt Elizabeth’s odd statement, but simply said, “No, Miss Rose, I was an Oxford man myself. I met Sir Andrew in London.”
    “Andrew isn’t in school anymore, Aunt Elizabeth,” Isobel reminded her gently. “You remember, he is in London now.”
    “Yes, of course. How foolish of me.” Elizabeth gave an embarrassed laugh. “You must forgive me, Mr. Kensington. I sometimes forget how grown-up our Andrew is.”
    “Easily understood, Miss Rose. Sir Andrew is still quite young.”
    “So true.” Elizabeth smiled at him, the faint confusion clearing from her expression.
    Isobel could not help but warm a little to the man for the easy way he responded to her aunt. She steered the conversation back to a safe path. “It is a shame you have had such a rude