Page 87 of An Enchanted Spring

“Susceptibility,” Nioclas agreed. He clapped him on the back. “Chin up, brother. You’re a brilliant strategist. I’ve no doubt you can overcome this battle to win the war.” He chuckled again. “But damn, do you have the odds stacked against you.”

Emma wasout of breath by the time Shane returned her to her seat. He signaled for more wine.

“You are a good dancer,” she said, gratefully accepting the cup.

He flashed white teeth at her. “For not knowing the dance, you kept up very well yourself.”

Emma avoided his eyes, although she couldn’t help but smile. His eyes crinkled at the corners endearingly. Her heart should’ve been thumping with excitement from his attention, but the only thumping she felt was from the dance steps that echoed through the floor. Emma had no idea how to direct his attentions elsewhere, but luckily Brianagh joined them.

“I do believe Brigit of Muskerry would love a dance, while Lady Emma recuperates,” Brianagh noted, taking the seat next to Emma. She turned imploring eyes on Shane. “Perhaps you’ll oblige her?”

“Of course, my lady.” He bowed, then winked at Emma before sauntering off.

“What I don’t understand is why he would need your services,” Emma said, her eyes following him across the room. “He’s handsome, charming, intelligent, and the son of the clan leader. All in all, quite a catch.”

“His father wants to secure an alliance,” Brianagh replied, also tracking Shane’s movements. When he reached Brigit, she relaxed slightly. “He wants to ally with the Muskerry clan, but Laird Muskerry has no daughter and the women of that clan are…um…” She paused, trying to find the right words. “Well, they’re not as attractive as other women,” she finished. She cringed. “I hate even saying that.”

“Brigit is very pretty,” Emma said, watching the raven-haired beauty dancing with Shane.

“That she is. She’s a Muskerry cousin, who hails from Scotland. She’s here on an extended visit, and if we can get them married, it’ll be a wonderful match for all parties.”

“I don’t want to encourage him,” Emma sighed. “Can I go hide in my room yet?”

“Not yet,” Bri replied sympathetically.

“I don’t know what to do to turn his attentions away without insulting him. I don’t know what to do to turnanyof them away.”

“You could go along with Aidan’s plan,” Bri suggested. “Pretend you’re excited to be married, and pretend you’re in love.”

Emma raised an eyebrow. “After that lovely display at dinner? I’d rather choke on a rotting fish.”

“Graphic, but effective in your sincerity. He’s not perfect, you know.”

“I thought he was.”

Brianagh dipped her head in acknowledgement of a passerby. “No one is perfect. When I met him eight years ago, he was such a happy, carefree man. He had no worries, or if he did, he never showed them. But Nick told me Aidan wasn’t always pleasantries and charm. He is, after all, human. He gets angry, too.”

“Angry is a lot different than mean. I’ve had enough mean to last me a lifetime, thank you very much.” Emma clenched her jaw. “I’m happiest on my own.”

“Can one be happy and lonely at the same time?”

Emma straightened her spine. “I never claimed to be lonely. I never asked for any of Aidan’s help. He pushed it on me, when I was in a difficult situation with limited options.”

“Just remember that Aidan is, at his core, a good man. An imperfect, good, honorable man.”

“I smell a matchmaker at work here,” Emma replied sourly.

“Not this time.” Bri sipped her wine, her expression determined. “I want you to go along with Aidan’s outlandish suggestion for purely personal reasons. I want Shane and Brigit married.”

“To keep your successful reputation?”

“The businesswoman in me says yes, but the romantic in me says it’s for a happy life.” Bri’s eyes misted a little. “They would make each other happy, and I do love a happy ending.”

“How can that mannotget a happy ending?” Emmaasked, watching as Shane and Brigit danced across the floor. “Aside from the good looks and charm, he’s just plainnice.”

“They’re all nice when they’re trying to win a lady’s heart,” Brianagh said with a small laugh. “And I believe Shane to be a good man.”

Which just proved that Aidan wasn’t trying to win anything with her.

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