Free Love Me Forever by Johanna Lindsey Page A

Megan’s rich green gown had prompted an envious sigh—when the Highlander sauntered into the room, looking exceptionally handsome in a dark burgundy dinner jacket that nearly matched his hair color when the light reflected in it just so. And his thick, unclubbed hair floated about his shoulders, highly unfashionable. Yet when had Highlanders ever conformed to fashion, and on him, well, the style seemed just right. A bit of lace at the neck and cuffs of his white silk shirt added to the dashing effect he presented.
    Cynthia’s mouth dropped open. Kimberly had nearly the same reaction, though she managed to keep her mouth closed. No doubt about it, he still attracted her on every level, causing her senses to become vibrantly alive and expectant.
    But he didn’t notice her or anyone else for that matter. He came in wearing his charm-the-ladies smile, but there was only one lady he was interested in charming and he moved straight to her.
    That lady was the duchess, of course, and since Megan was on the other side of the room, it was impossible to hear what words were exchanged between them. But it became comical, watchingthem, as Megan realized he was going to reach for her hand and tried to prevent it. She swiftly moved her hand out of his reach, but had to do it again and again since Lachlan refused to give up, was actually chasing her hand with his until he finally caught it to bring to his lips for a lingering kiss, or at least, he meant for it to be lingering. But Megan immediately snatched her hand back, giving him a frown for his efforts.
    Everyone, of course, was watching them. Lucinda chuckled. Devlin scowled. Kimberly shook her head.
    Into the silence that followed, Cynthia found her voice, saying in an awed tone, “He’s a veritable giant, isn’t he?”
    Kimberly had thought so at first too, but having stood next to him since, she’d been forced to change her mind. “I don’t think so,” she replied.
    Cynthia should have been mortified, having made a thoughtless remark like that, and in a voice that would carry. Her mother certainly was. But the girl seemed quite unaware of her faux pas.
    As for Kimberly’s reply, Cynthia simply looked at her as if she were daft. So she stood up to demonstrate why she might not consider him a giant. Cynthia’s eyes followed her up and up and finally her expression mirrored some mild self-disgust, as if to say, now why didn’t I notice that before?
    “Well, no wonder you wouldn’t think so. You’re a giant too,” the girl said.
    Poor Lady Cowles was beet red by that point, but the comment struck Kimberly funny for some reason, and she laughed out loud. It had been solong since she had done so that it felt strange—yet good. But when she wound down, ending in a smile, she happened to catch Lachlan giving her an odd look. She had not meant to draw his notice to her, and having it now, she found herself flustered again. But fortunately, dinner was announced at that moment and the exodus began toward the dining hall.
    Megan had made an effort to again limit the chairs at the dining table, but without actually assigning seats and being obvious about her strategy, it didn’t work this time. In fact Kimberly and Lachlan were the first seated and as it happened, at opposite ends of the long table.
    Megan was a bit put out. But having witnessed Lady Kimberly’s smile in the parlor, she was still so pleased that she realized the seating arrangements didn’t matter that much.
    That smile, genuine as it was, had completely transformed the lady, surprising Megan at first, then delighting her. Amazing what a couple of dimples could do for one’s appearance, not to mention disposition. And although Kimberly still couldn’t be called beautiful in the classic sense, when she smiled, there was a warm, sensual appeal to her features that made her quite lovely indeed. And Megan was thrilled that Lachlan MacGregor had also taken note.
    Along that same line of thought, another idea