Free Highland Rogue by Deborah Hale

it was probably the sort of thing men admired. The maid’s artful use of cosmetics gave her face more color without looking painted.
    “I was glad to, miss, for the chance of a holiday in Scotland. I’ve heard it’s lovely this time of year, but her ladyship doesn’t care to travel. It’s no great chore to make you look beautiful. You have such a lovely complexion, and fine eyes.” She hesitated. “Do you mind if I offer a suggestion, though, miss?”
    “By all means. You are the expert.”
    “Perhaps I should just hold my tongue, but I did wonder, miss, whether you needed to wear quite so many jewels?”
    Indeed she did, though Claire did not dare confess why. “Do you think they are unbecoming? There are some very valuable pieces here.”
    She had emptied her own jewelry box of many that had never been worn since her mother’s death. Lady Lydiard had contributed several more of distinguished pedigree from the family collection. “Why, this sapphire necklace alone is worth thousands of pounds.”
    “And lovely it is, miss. It goes well with your eyes. But the earrings are a newer style. Do you think they go together? And the bracelets—do you need them on both wrists?”
    Claire would have preferred none at all, and a plainer gown, come to that. Heavy with diamonds and pearls, the bracelets were awkward things. And the weight of the earrings was already challenging the tightness of her corset to see which could inflict the most discomfort upon her. She hoped one day Tessa would appreciate the sacrifices she had made!
    She was not so far gone in taste as to dispute Williams’s opinion about the necklace and the earrings, either. But the point of wearing these jewels was not to enhance her questionable beauty, but to advertise her unquestioned wealth.
    “I appreciate your interest and your suggestions, Williams.” Claire rose from the dressing table. “But I get so few opportunities to wear my jewels, I hate to forgo one when it arises.”
    “I understand, miss.” The Welsh girl bobbed a curtsy. Servants knew better than to contradict their masters, no matter how foolish their actions.
    Claire held out her hand. “Now, if I might have my fan, please?”
    It was a costly item as well, each delicate slat of ivory elaborately carved in an identical pattern. And it might well prove useful for more than impressing the extent of her fortune upon Ewan Geddes.
    “There you go, miss.”
    Claire snapped it open, then gave a practice flutter to cool the tingling warmth that swept through her whenever she contemplated what she was about to do.

Chapter Six
    Blast it all, he was going to be late! And not just fashionably so.
    Racing down the galley way steps at a dangerous speed, Ewan yanked out his pocket watch and peered at its bland, accusing face.
    “Past seven already,” he muttered, “and I still have to change clothes!”
    At least Lady Lydiard was not on board. Claire Talbot had the look of a woman who prized punctuality, though. Was he a fool to believe he had any chance of making a good impression upon her. no matter how well he behaved himself on the voyage?
    Remembering her sudden coolness toward him, and the fine time he’d been having up on deck with the crew of the
Marlet,
made him wonder if he would ever feel at ease in Miss Talbot’s world. And did he want to?
    He stumbled on the last couple of stairs, but managed to stagger the few steps to his cabin. He flung open the door and raced inside, stubbing his foot with violent force into one of the bedposts. With a bellow of pain and rage at himself for not watching his step, he commenced to jump around the room on his sound foot, growling a litany of foul Gaelic curses he’d learned in his youth from Fergus Gowrie, the gamekeeper at Strathandrew.
    Ewan did not realize the cabin door was still open until he heard a high-pitched giggle. He glanced up to see a tiny dark-haired lass scooting by, one hand clamped over her mouth in a vain effort to