Page 45 of Provoked

They strolled slowly back down Heriot Row, making polite conversation. David tried to appear interested in the ladies’ excitement over a lecture on phrenology they had attended while surreptitiously looking for any sign of Euan.

“Oh, look, Lizzie,” Catherine suddenly said, interrupting her sister. “It is Lord Murdoagain!”

David’s heartbeat immediately quickened from an easy stroll to a full-blown gallop. He looked up and saw Balfour leaving a house only twenty yards away.

“You were right,” Catherine continued, laughing. “This has to be more than mere friendship. Surely he means to ask Bella to marry him? He has been showing her suchparticularattentions.”

“Kate, really!” Elizabeth chided. “It is quite wrong for you to talk so in front of Mr. Lauriston. He will be embarrassed!”

David made some automatic protest that he wasn’t remotely embarrassed. At the very same moment, Balfour turned his head. Their gazes met, and Balfour looked briefly shocked at David’s appearance, though he covered it quickly.

He waited for them to reach the house he had just left, greeting the ladies with a smile as they drew closer.

“Miss Chalmers and Miss Catherine, how nice to see you both again.” He nodded at David. “Mr. Lauriston.”

“Good afternoon, Lord Murdo,” Elizabeth replied. “We are here to call on our friend, Miss Galbraith. I gather you have had the same notion.”

“Indeed,” Balfour said. “I am sure you will find her in very good health, as I did.”

David decided it was time to retreat, preferably leaving Balfour with the ladies while he made good his escape. “Please do excuse me, Miss Chalmers, Miss Catherine. I must go if I am not to be late.” He glanced at Balfour and gave the barest nod. “Lord Murdo.”

“What happened to you, Lauriston?” Balfour demanded.

“Mr. Lauriston was attacked!” Catherine supplied before David could speak.

“Attacked?”

David opened his mouth to demur, but Elizabeth spoke before he could do so. “Yes! On the way home from the Assembly on Saturday! Isn’t it too awful?”

Balfour said nothing. His expressionless gaze was pinned on David.

“It was nothing,” David murmured. “Just a bit of foolishness on my part.”

“Foolishness?”

David felt warmth steal over his cheeks. “I took an unwise shortcut late at night,” he said, shrugging. “And paid the price, as you can see.”

“Yes, I see.”

There was a brief, awkward silence.

“I really must go,” David said. He bowed over the ladies’ hands and took his leave, promising to call on them soon at Elizabeth’s urging. He felt sure he was going to get away alone, but Balfour moved away with him as the ladies climbed the steps to their friend’s house.

“You look awful,” Balfour said flatly once they were out of earshot.

David scowled and said nothing, quickening his step. Balfour merely picked up his own pace to keep abreast of him.

“Why were you so stupid as to take a shortcut so late at night?” Balfour demanded. “You strike me as an intelligent fellow.”

David ignored him, but Balfour kept talking.

“Do you have a death wish? You could have been killed—” The man’s voice was rising, inexplicable anger in his tone.

David ground to a halt, turning to face him with clenched fists and jaw. “What business is it of yours?” he bit out.

That brought Balfour up short. He faced David with equal belligerence, but though his gaze was angry—accusing, almost—he said nothing, pressing his lips together as though to stop any words emerging. David returned his stare for a long moment, then shook his head and turned on his heel. Somewhat to his surprise, Balfour followed.

The silence between them was oppressive, and after a while, David couldn’t bear it any longer. He forced himself to be civil. Normal. As though the last few minutes had not taken place. “Did you find Miss Galbraith in good spirits?” he asked politely.