Page 2 of The Wildcat and the Rogue (The Shifter Season #8)
EWAN
There's something about events in London that feel so much more vibrant than those I've attended elsewhere. Perhaps it's the number of people around. That's going to make my job so much harder, especially when there are other distractions I would rather pursue.
"Mr Milne," someone says.
I turn around to see Lord Angus approaching with another man by his side and I smile pleasantly at the two of them. "Lord Angus," I say with a nod of greeting.
"Will we be seeing you in the gaming room later?" he asks.
"Not tonight, I thought I'd give someone else a chance to win for once."
Lord Angus laughs and leans towards his companion. "Mr Milne has a keen eye when it comes to cards."
"I believe it is mostly just luck," I lie.
"If that is so, then hopefully it will run out before you bankrupt the rest of us," Lord Angus says. "This is Baron Hedging." He gestures to the man beside him
I nod to the newcomer. "I don't believe we've met before."
"I've been away from London dealing with my barony," he responds. "My brother died unexpectedly without leaving any heirs other than me. I've come to London in search of a wife."
"A worthy cause to be here," Lord Angus says.
"Indeed," I respond. "My father sent me to London for much the same reason. I didn't find a wife in Scotland, so now I must find one here." Without meaning to, my mind strays back to the one woman I thought would make a fine wife. But she'd disappeared from Scotland about a year ago and I haven't seen her since.
I banish thoughts of Jane Whisking from my mind. I have no idea where she is, and that makes it difficult to court someone.
"I must admit to being glad to have brothers and can take my time finding the perfect wife," Lord Angus says.
I nod. Technically, I'm able to wait. My father is still alive, but as his only heir, I know he hopes for me to find a wife to secure our family line. Much like many of the other gentlemen in the ballroom. The main issue with that being that I am not in a position to seek a wife myself, even if he wishes it.
"I believe the next dance is about to start," Lord Angus says.
"Is there anyone you think is a good prospect for me to dance with?" Baron Hedging asks with a hint of nervousness about him, presumably due to his inexperience with the Season.
"That is hard to say," Lord Angus responds. "Perhaps Miss Whisking, she's a divine dancer."
My whole world shrinks at the sound of her name. "Miss Whisking, you say?"
"Yes. She's from Scotland, do you know her?" A curious expression crosses Lord Angus' face as he asks.
"Our paths have crossed," I murmur, unable to think straight. Jane is in London. And not just in London, but in this room.
"I shall need an introduction," Baron Hedging says.
"I believe she'll be with Mrs Stoaly. if we find her, then we can ensure that you get one," Lord Angus says. "Will you be joining the dance, Milne?"
"The dance? Yes, I believe so." I hadn't been intending to, but now that I know Jane is going to be dancing, I don't think I can stay off the floor.
"Excellent, perhaps we shall retire for cards once the dance is done," Lord Angus says.
I offer him what I hope is a friendly smile, but I'm honestly too caught up in thoughts of Jane to be certain about whether I manage. I can hardly believe she's here in London.
The two of them disappear over to where Jane is standing with a lady who I assume is the aforementioned Mrs Stoaly, leaving me alone to contemplate my next move.
I search around me for a lady to invite onto the dance floor, feeling a little guilty that my intentions are simply to get myself closer to someone else. The only reassurance I have is that most ladies who are not actively courting anyone will wish to be able to dance with all of the gentlemen they will partner during this set.
It only takes me a few moments to ask Miss Batloam to dance with me and to draw her onto the floor. She already seems to be looking around for someone else, which bodes well for the fact I wish to speak to one specific person.
The music starts and I bow to her before starting to dance the necessary steps. My partner seems as eager as I am to seek out another, which at least makes it easy for me to find Jane, and count down the moments until I'm face-to-face with her for the first time in a year. Nerves tighten my stomach as I consider what I might say. I suspect I know why she left Scotland, but I fear she will tell me that it is another reason entirely and I am the one to blame.
The turn of the dance brings me to her faster than I expected, and I find myself looking into the most dazzling brown eyes I've ever encountered.
"Jane," I whisper, forgetting everything about what's proper and expected of us in this situation.
Her whole body tenses at the sound of her name, and I immediately regret using it.
"Miss Whisking," she corrects. "You know that."
"Miss Whisking," I say firmly as I stand in place.
"It is better if we do not speak with one another," she says as she moves around me with the small hops that are required of the dance.
"That's a rather dull turn around the floor if you wish for silence," I say. "If I remember correctly, you enjoy a pleasant conversation while dancing."
"You should remember nothing," she responds, coming to a stop in front of me so that I can repeat the same movements around her. "We do not know one another."
"If that's what you wish." I resist the urge to say her name again. I don't want to infuriate her, but it's difficult not to fall back into old patterns.
She glares at me and moves on to partner with the next man in line as the dance requires. Despite the arrival of my new partner, I can't help my gaze from slipping back to her. It's been almost a year since I last saw her, but now she's in the same room as me, it feels as if it was only yesterday.
I try my best not to watch her, but I know that I am lost now that I know she's in the room. No one has ever captured my attention like her before, and I don't think that has changed just because we are in London and not back home in Scotland. And that won't make things any easier to manage.