My Heart's in the Highlands by Angeline Fortin (best english novels for beginners .TXT) 📗

on a complete tour of the grounds, I see,” Hero laughed. “Theswan pond, for example, is just past the gardens to the southeastwhere they meet the fringes of the wooded parklands. It is acharming lake, though man-made. I believe Jennings told me theyblasted the site with dynamite to create it. It is stocked withfish to feed the estate, but for more aesthetic reasons, a swanhouse and gazebo were added next to it. It’s a lovely setting withthe willows hanging low over the gazebo. And very well shaded.”

“Shade sounds very appealing at thismoment.”

“It does, doesn’t it?”

“What other treasures have I missed?” heasked, turning her in that direction.

“There is an exquisite Chinese pagoda fartherinto the woodlands, sitting along the banks of a narrow creek, andthe orangery in the orchards to the south is probably the mostdivine structure on the grounds,” Hero told him with enthusiasm.“With all the metal and glass, one might think it a most starkstructure, but there is more ornate ironwork and stained glassthere than in any other building at Cuilean.”

“You’ll have to show it to me.”

“I would love to.” Hero tilted her parasolback and looked up to find Ian studying her with a thoughtfulexpression. “What is it, my lord?”

Ian’s eyes warmed and the corner of his mouthtilted upward in a tender smile. “Nothing more than I have afeeling that there is much that I would have you show me.”

Chapter Eleven

Hero felt her cheeks warm at his allusion,knowing that he wasn’t merely referring to Cuilean’s acreage, andwas thankful that the heat of the day was already keeping themflushed. He was flirting with her. It was subtle but it wasthere.

“And a picnic!” Beaumont added, comingalongside Ian and bringing an end to the moment. “My daughter hasordered a picnic to be brought there for us.”

“Very thoughtful,” Ian said with a grin.

“She’s a very thoughtful girl.”

“Aye, she is.” Ian shot Hero another widesmile, his dark eyes dancing, and she couldn’t help but smile back.“Tell me, Harry,” he continued conversationally, “is it truly theswans you were hoping to see or was it that basket?”

“One would think a man might find pleasure ina great many things,” the duke said solemnly, rocking back on hisheels before spying the gazebo in the distance and striding offtoward it. “I am feeling rather peckish, however.”

Hero watched her father go and followed onIan’s arm. She could feel the strength of it beneath her fingers,feel the power of his body when her shoulder brushed against hisarm. She had never feared strong men—her father, while not so tall,was very powerfully built—but she had never seen the attraction ina large man before either. Robert had been barrel-like in build,and most men of her acquaintance were either similar in stature,running to fat, or far more wiry. Ian was neither burly nor leanbut rather settled nicely between. He was so very masculine inform, tall and muscular with a fine military bearing, yet it was aforce she felt he kept tightly reined. She felt very feminine byhis side, protected without being overshadowed.

It should have been very comforting butinstead his presence kept her feeling on edge.

Aware.

It was an intoxicating feeling ofanticipation that recalled to Hero her earlier admission. She hadfelt like such a ninny for admitting to Ian that at Cuilean she’dalways felt as if something were about to happen, yet Ian left herfeeling the same way. Waiting for something to happen.

Wanting it to happen.

Not knowing how to make it happen.

Hero shook her head ruefully. She’d had butone Season before her father had accepted the Marquis of Ayr’sproposal on her behalf. One Season to flirt with other men,something Hero had decided took much more practice than she’d beenallowed. After that, she’d been whisked away to Dùn Cuilean and hadbeen happy to remain here but for their annual trips to London,Edinburgh, and Balmoral.

Ian might flirt but Hero didn’t truly knowthe best way to respond. She wished she knew better how to go aboutengaging his interest and searched her mind for a topic that mightinterest him. Unfortunately, she found herself flounderinghelplessly.

Thankfully, as if sensing her suddendiscomfort, Ian broke the silence. “Why does your father refer toyou as ‘daughter’ rather than calling you by name?”

Grateful to have the dilemma taken from herhands—even though it was definitely not a provocative subject, Heroanswered, “I think it is so that he does not inadvertently call meby another name. In the past year, I’ve been called Viola, Portia,Juliet, and even Valerie … my sisters and my mother,” she added athis puzzled look. “I think it is Papa’s way of being correct evenwhen he is confused, and perhaps a way of holding on to the presentas well. I look very much like my mother. While I believe Papaenjoys being with me, I sometimes have to wonder if thatresemblance bothers him.”

“Were they very close?”

“I don’t know,” she said and added honestly,“I like to think so though.”

As if Ian could sense that she was becominguncomfortable with the topic, he did not press her but insteadsaid, “Tell me what else you know about Cuilean.”

Hero sighed in relief. He really did have arare talent for putting a person at ease, and the topic was afavorite one. “Dùn Cuilean was built as a stronghold in the earlyfifteenth century. Its name means cave fortress or some combinationof the words. It is an excellent location to defend.”

“A 150-foot cliff does give anadvantage.”

Hero grinned, thankful for Ian’s easy ways.“Yes, it does. The original fortress was actually just the towerand the building that now houses the laundry and stables on thenorth side of the courtyard. The main part of the castle today wasbuilt in the sixteenth century and added on to just fifty to sixtyyears ago, as we talked about last night, bringing the castle toits current size.” Hero paused, then continued, “When I was firstbrought here as a bride, I was astounded by the size and age of thecastle, having been raised solely in London and having left thatcity only for house parties and weekends in nearby manors or fortrips to Bath or Brighton. I