Free Sally MacKenzie Bundle by Sally Mackenzie

wants.”
    “Wake him up?”
    “Yes. From what I have observed, men are very simple creatures. They may be able to fight battles and build canals, but when it comes to emotions, they are hopelessly inept. They go along merrily eating and sleeping and fornicating until something—or someone—interrupts them.”
    Lizzie did not care for the thought of Robbie happily fornicating. And shouldn’t the events of last night and this afternoon have served to wake him to his love for her, if he harbored any love at all? Still, she did not want to give up her dream of marrying him until she had exhausted every possibility.
    For the first time since she’d left Robbie in the garden, she felt some hope.
    “All right, though I have to say, Meg, that after our interlude in the shrubbery, I would have thought Robbie would be as awake as he could be.”
    “You have a point.” Meg clasped her knees, pursed her lips, and rocked back on the bed. “But you have not yet introduced the threat of losing you. In fact, if you don’t mind my saying so, it sounds as if you’ve been very, um, accessible.”
    Lizzie blushed. “Well, perhaps.”
    Meg nodded. “Robbie may need to face the real possibility that you will wed another man before he is prompted to take matrimonial action. Or he may be a special case—I cannot guarantee success.”
    “Yes, of course.” Lizzie chose not to think about failure. She had already contemplated that unpleasant possibility and she did not like the heavy feeling it created in her stomach.
    “At least you will be able to move beyond your current state of uncertainty. You’ve lingered there far too long.” Meg sat up straight. “So, we need to come up with a plan to upset Robbie.”
    Lizzie frowned. “You didn’t say anything about upsetting Robbie.”
    “Lizzie, you have not been paying attention. He needs to think you will wed another man. If that doesn’t upset him, you must wash your hands of him. As you say, he’s had ample opportunity to discover you stir his animal instincts. If that is all he feels for you, you will never get him to come up to scratch. He can exercise those instincts with women of easier virtue. At least I hope their virtue is easier.”
    “Meg!”
    “You would not be the first lady to mistake passion for love and fall for a scoundrel.” Meg frowned. “I understand some men won’t pay for what they can get for free, but I wouldn’t have thought Robbie would be one of those men.”
    Lizzie flushed. “You mean—”
    “If a man thinks he can get a woman into bed without a wedding ring, he will be happy to do so. Though Robbie must know he cannot do that with you, even if you were willing. James would not stand for it.” Meg chewed on the edge of her thumb. “It is a puzzle.”
    “Yes.” It was more than a puzzle. It was a stomach churning nightmare. “So what do you suggest?”
    “First, you need to keep your distance from Robbie. If he should try to initiate any of the activities from the shrubbery, you must decline firmly.”
    “Of course. There is no danger he will be allowed any such liberties again.”
    “Good. It would be best if you do not spend any time alone with him.”
    “But—”
    “No. This is important. If he has feelings for you, we want them frustrated, so no tête-à-têtes, understand?”
    “Very well. Not that I expect he will initiate any.”
    “You never know. And you will have to enforce this policy yourself. Lady Bea will be no help—she is not the strictest of chaperones. In fact, she’s more likely to urge you into Robbie’s arms than out of them.”
    “I really do not need a chaperone.”
    “Hmm. An adequate chaperone would have kept you from your encounter with Robbie in the bushes. Be certain to stay out of Tynweith’s gardens.”
    “Of course.”
    Meg nodded. “Right. Then at the same time you are frustrating Robbie by keeping your distance, you must convince him you are in danger of contracting another alliance. He