Free To Tempt a Scotsman by Victoria Dahl Page B

at his friend. "I only came to check on her, but seeing you here, I am now sure that she is near death from boredom."
    She rolled her eyes. "Absolutely untrue, Hart. Don't be cruel."
    Robert smiled ruefully as he bowed. "I'll leave you to your brother's attention, Lady Alexandra. I can see he wishes to speak with you."
    "He seems like a nice young man," Alex offered as soon as he'd moved out of earshot.
    Her brother glanced distractedly at his retreating back and shrugged. "Nice enough, I suppose. I wanted to see how you were doing."
    She fought the urge to roll her eyes again. Hart was overprotective now. His guardianship in early years had been characterized by a marked disinterest in details. "I am fine, Hart."
    "Are you sure?"
    "You know, I was very good at this before. Chatting with people isn't difficult, even for someone of my limited intelligence and delicate health."
    A wide smile spread across his face. The kind of smile, she suspected, that many women would swoon to see directed at them. "No, I suppose it isn't."
    She gave in and rolled her eyes. "Really, Hart, there is nothing to worry about."
    His blue gaze held her own for a long moment, the smile fading away, then he placed her hand on his arm and led her across the room to the open patio doors. She frowned up at him when he stopped to face her just outside the light that spilled from the house.
    "You've been quiet the past few weeks, Alex." His words were soft as down.
    She shook her head automatically. "No, I've only had a lot on my mind." His hand came up to cup her cheek, and Alex fought back the urge to confess her obsession with Collin Blackburn.
    "Pet, you know that you are free to marry at any time. All I ask is that you inform me of any suitors. There are always those men who'd pursue you for your fortune, Alex, and I would look into anyone who caught your interest."
    "Don't—"
    "But you are a lovely woman and you are sure to find someone. I worry that you're lonely."
    Oh, I am lonely, she wanted to cry out, but she only swallowed and shook her head in the dark. "There have been no suitors, Hart. But I think that's probably best for a while, don't you?"
    "I would see you happy."
    Really? she stopped herself from asking. Would you bring me a large Scotsman then, to be my lover? "I am happy, if only because of my indulgent big brother."
    "It is not indulgence. This will all be yours for as long as you want it, Alex. Somerhart is your home as much as mine."
    She loved him so much, she thought, wrapping her arms around his waist so she could press her cheek to his beating heart. "I love you, brother. You're the only man for me. Now let us get back to our guests."
    He held on a moment longer, his chest expanding as if he would speak, but he did not. Instead, he pressed a hard kiss to her head and led her back toward the doors. Before they'd even stepped through, she watched him transform himself back into the perfect host. He was painfully handsome and the most elegant man she'd ever known. No one suspected that beneath his aloof exterior lurked a caring man.
    The thought brought a smile to her mouth. Surely someday he'd fall in love. She couldn't wait to see it. The smile froze on her face. Love. Was that what she suffered from? Surely not. No. Absolutely not. She would not let it be love.
    The second day of the party tumbled by, rushed and seemingly endless. Alex discovered that she'd grown quite used to her solitary life in the country. Having so many people underfoot overwhelmed her when it had seemed a delightful thing a few years ago.
    But now . . . Now it was just too much. Breakfast, then riding, then luncheon. A stroll around the grounds, teatime, a short rest in her room. Finally, dinner and a small musical show. She managed to avoid a private conversation with Robert Dixon, though he made every effort to edge her away from the crowd. She could not imagine why she was avoiding him.
    Hadn't she kissed every man who'd ever caught her eye? Well,