Page 82 of In the Highlander's Bed

She studied the loops and weaves of her knitting before asking thoughtfully, “Alex, do you have a moment?”

“I do.” He sat on the settee beside her.

“There was a madwoman among the Scots,” Constance said. “She kept talking about water coming and overtaking Gordon.” She ran a light finger over a line of her stitching before saying, “I know the Shawnee believe such people have gifts…but she could just be spouting nonsense, couldn’t she?”

“She could,” Alex said. “However, some people do have visions.”

“Yes, but what if she was just a confused poor soul?”

Alex took the knitting from her. “Constance, why do you ask?”

“Because I don’t ‘feel’ anything,” she dared to confess. “When the duke first told me about the soldiers attacking Gordon, Iknewhe wasn’t dead.I knew. But now, I keep trying to sense where he is, if he is alive, if he is dead, and I feel nothing. The bond between us was very strong, Alex. I would know if something happened to him…wouldn’t I?”

Alex’s dark eyes considered her a moment. “Did he love you?”

“Yes.”

“Then he would have come for you if he was alive. It’s been almost three weeks, Constance. I would let you wait forever, but you know you carry his child.”

“I do,” she admitted. “Justin and Phillip wouldn’thidehim from me, would they?”

Alex sat back. “No. They are both honest men.”

“I want to believe he is alive, Alex. Even if he doesn’t come for me, I want him alive.”

“What was this vision the madwoman had?” Alex asked.

“That Gordon was covered in water and that water took him away.”

“And you don’t believe that is a vision of him drowning?” He didn’t wait for an answer but said, “If he is alive, he may not be in England. He could not stay.”

Constance drew a deep breath and released it. “That’s what I wanted to know,” she murmured. “Before I take Holburn’s offer, I have to be certain.”

“Of course,” Alex agreed.

She stood. “I don’t feel well. Please ask the others to excuse me.” She didn’t wait for his response but went up to her room. There, she lay awake a long time, curled into a ball, her arms and legs protecting her belly and the fragilelife she carried. Whatever the future held, she would honor Gordon’s son.

Constance came down to the Breakfast Room the next morning to find Phillip furious on her behalf. Francesca and Charlotte were with him and equally as concerned.

“Look at the papers,” he said. “The dowager duchess of Holburn has all but posted an announcement that you are betrothed to her son.” He handed theMorning Postto Constance, who read an item in a column that chronicled the routs and balls around Town.

The very wealthy Miss C, youngest of three beauties from America, is soon to make an announcement concerning a certain Duke H. We are expecting to see both parties at Lady V’s Roses at Twilight fete this evening.

“Roses at Twilight?” Constance muttered. “It sounds like a play, not a ball.”

“Everyone does themes,” Francesca answered. “I assure you, the room will be floor-to-ceiling roses if I know Lady Viner. She is as ridiculous in her planning as my stepmother.”

Constance handed the paper back to Phillip.

“What does it matter? We are arranging the marriage as it is.” She helped herself to the tea.

Phillip set the paper aside. “You haven’t met the man,” he told Constance. “I am not an ogre. I don’t want to bully you into anything. I know you already think me a bit of one already. I’m not your enemy. Not any longer.”

Constance turned at the sideboard. “I think I know that.” She frowned. “But I don’t know if I trust you.”

“Trust me. I love your sister very much. I would never harm you. After all, I let my brother take that treasonous sword north.”

“You did,” Constance agreed. She sat at the table beside him. “And I do appreciate everything you are doing on my behalf.”