School For Heiresses 3- Beware A Scot's Revenge by Sabrina Jeffries Read Free Book Online Page A

alone—”
    “Of course. Whatever I can do.”
    “Splendid,” he said, glancing up at the mountain. “Just follow my lead.”
    “What do you intend?”
    He patted her hand. “Don’t worry—I won’t alarm her. But it’s hard to court a woman when she hides behind her niece’s skirts.”
    She laughed. “I imagine it is.”
    After lunch, they started their walk to Arthur’s Seat. The birches around Duddingston Loch took little time to pass through, but the actual climb slowed their pace. Thank heavens she’d chosen her most serviceable apparel—a sturdy pelisse robe of merino, herLimerick gloves, and her leather half-boots—because they had to clamber over many a boulder. Still, the walk proved invigorating, and her wide-brimmed straw hat protected her from the bright sun.
    They’d just crossed the last hill before the summit when Colonel Seton stopped short and cried,
    “Damnation!”
    “What’s wrong?”Venetia asked in genuine alarm as he sank to the ground. He removed his boot to examine his heel. “An old war injury kicking up.” He rubbed his stocking foot, then winced. “I should have known better than to attempt such a climb, but I did want you ladies to see the spectacular view.”
    “Just like a man, to be doing things he oughtn’t,” her aunt muttered as she went toward him. “Let me take a look.”
    “No need, it’s fine.” Casting her a determined smile, he put his boot back on and stood. Only to yelp loudly and drop back down.
    “Stop that, you silly fellow,” Aunt Maggie protested. “You mustn’t go another step. Sit here whileVenetia and I fetch the carriage.”
    He sighed. “The carriage won’t make the climb. You’d have to unhitch a horse and lead it up here. Though perhaps if the two of you would let me lean on you, I could limp back down—”
    “No, indeed,”Venetia said hastily, realizing he was waiting for her to “follow his lead.” “I shall hurry down for the horse. It won’t take long.”
    “And I’ll go with you,” her aunt said.
    “Certainly not. We can’t both ride. I can fetch it myself. You should stay here and keep the poor colonel company.”
    Generated by ABC Amber LIT Conv erter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html Aunt Maggie looked torn, but practicality won out. “All right, dear. But do be careful, will you?”
    “Of course,” she said with feigned seriousness.
    Venetiaset off down the path in a hurry, then slowed her steps once she was out of sight. It wouldn’t do to ruin Colonel Seton’s efforts.
    Fanciful thoughts of Aunt Maggie and Colonel Seton in some future marriage absorbed her as she strolled down the mountain. His daughter Lucinda would surely be happy about it. The wedding could take place inEdinburgh , and Venetia might even persuade Papa to let her come toScotland again…
    Spinning such delightful scenarios kept her so absorbed that she was near the bottom before she knew it. She’d almost reached the woods skirting the loch when a strange man emerged from among the birches, giving her quite a start.
    Not that it was odd for people to be in the park today—they’d encountered several walkers—but something about the single-minded expression on his face gave her pause. Even his gentlemanly attire—the chocolate-brown frock coat, buff trousers, and polished Hessians—didn’t assuage her discomfort.
    Casting a nervous glance about her, she realized that this part of the park was presently deserted. Worse yet, the man seemed to be headed right for her.
    Then she noticed his stiff gait, and her heart stuttered. He was tall, with the same chiseled chin as her Highlander. As he doffed his broad-brimmed beaver hat to her, she spotted the jagged scar on his wide brow. Relief flooded her.
    “Good day, lass. I don’t know if you recognize me without the costume—”
    “I do indeed.” Except that it wasn’t the masquerade that she was thinking of. In the brilliance of a sunny day, with his mask gone, he looked even