Free To Tempt a Scotsman by Victoria Dahl Page A

since dinner began.
    Letting her eyes fall away from his, she continued her sweep of the table. Hart had planned this party to coincide with her twentieth birthday, and no more than two dozen handpicked guests had been invited—only the friends and relatives who'd treated her kindly after the scandal. No one else would find themselves close to the handsome Duke of Somerhart anytime soon.
    George and Lucy had sailed to France not a week ago, however, and she found herself oddly nervous without their support. And still lonely, despite her brother's intention to cheer her up.
    Loneliness had settled upon her over the past weeks, cold and suffocating, like a muffling blanket of snow that shrouded her happiness. It wasn't just the loss of Collin Blackburn, though that was certainly a part of it. She was, quite simply, alone. There were no other women like her, not that she knew of. Women who worked the land and the books. Women who were blessed with the luxury of playing at manly pursuits. And thank God she had that, for hard work was the only pleasure she had.
    Laughter swelled briefly around her, and Alex laughed too, making sure that none of the guests could see her distraction. The increasing volume of the chatter signaled the winding down of dinner, and Alex nodded toward Hart and stood.
    "Gentlemen. Please stay for a few moments to enjoy your port. Ladies?"
    They stood around her in a flutter of silks and satins, each bright butterfly wing of gown separated from the next by the stark black of the men's jackets until the women stepped away to file out. Alexandra followed, murmuring pleasantries to the men she passed, and very aware of Robert Dixon's eyes on her.
    A quarter hour passed. Fifteen minutes of torturous talk of babies and tatting and husbands and fashion. Alex spoke of gardens and thought of Collin. She laughed at a joke about waltzing and imagined his hand as it gripped her thigh.
    She could not make herself forget him.
    The men wandered out of the dining room in groups or pairs, trailing the scent of cigars and providing her with a distraction. She made her eyes look at Robert Dixon, made herself study him at his post near the door.
    Aside from being handsome, he was cultured and polite, though his smile spoke of a steel will. And he would inherit the title of Viscount Landry from his father. In short, he was a man she would have found attractive during her Season. Regardless, he did not send any sparks racing through her veins. Had Collin ruined her for other men? Perhaps Mr. Dixon could help her find out.
    His eyes met hers across the room and he moved immediately toward her.
    "Mr. Dixon."
    "Lady Alexandra. You look very. . . happy tonight."
    She laughed at his choice of words. "You expected me to be withering away in exile?"
    He smiled with an endearing touch of embarrassment. "Not withering away, certainly, but you seem almost content."
    "I am. My life is much fuller now that it consists of more than dresses and parties."
    "Surely you enjoyed life in London? You certainly seemed to."
    "Yes. Of course I enjoyed London." His smile disappeared at her flat words.
    "I'm sorry. That was a stupid thing to say."
    "Nonsense, Mr. Dixon." She set her hand boldly on his sleeve. "I am not so fragile as that."
    His hazel eyes warmed at her touch, and she blushed a little and removed her hand. She didn't want to lead him on, didn't want to deceive him, but she needed to know.
    His shoulders eased the slightest bit closer to her as if he would speak softly, and Alex felt her heart speed. She had flirted entire days away in London, but now it felt unnatural, as if she were in danger. As his head dipped toward her ear, she spied Hart approaching from over his shoulder and nearly jumped with relief.
    "Your Grace!" Robert sounded more than surprised to Alex's ears as he pushed to his feet. "Have you come to rescue your sister from my company?"
    Hart smiled easily and took her hand. He kissed her cheek before looking down