Page 83 of The Last Debutante
Jamie couldn’t help but laugh. “If you determine what, you must promise to enlighten all of us poor Scots.”
She fixed her gaze on him and absently bit her bottom lip. “It appears I should have ample opportunity to survey all the English travelers. Charity says I shall be in high demand when I return home.”
“Will you?”
“Mmm,” she said. “I’ve had a very grand adventure, apparently, and everyone will want to hear about it.”
“Aha.Diah, leannan,where will you begin?”
“That is a very good question, sir,” she said with mock seriousness. “I rather doubt I will have the time I need to tell it all. I shall touch upon the highlights. An unconscious, naked man.” Her smile broadened. “The kidnapping, of course. That was dramatic at the time, but naturally I shall endeavor to make it seemverydramatic.”
“I think you must. Daggers drawn, that sort of thing.”
“Yes! Thank you!” She laughed. “I shall make myself appear brave and courageous.”
He covered her hand with his and squeezed it. “You should,” he agreed. “You were.”
Her eyes softened. For a moment, she looked sad.
He stroked the back of her hand with his thumb, running over delicate bones and silken skin.Diah,how he would miss her. “I can well imagine your return to England with the tales of your great adventure. And before you know it, you will no longer lay claim to being the last debutante.”
Tears filled her eyes, but Daria smiled. “Do you know that I’ve not even thought of it recently? Things are so different here, Jamie. Things that I thought were of great importance now seem to have no importance at all.”
“Aye,” he said. “I’ve noticed the same.”
“I’m going home, aren’t I?” she whispered.
She was not asking if the ransom would be paid or if he would release her. She was asking if he would keep her. To love, to cherish.
Jamie swallowed down a lump of bitterness and looked at her hand.
She continued, “If I don’t have the opportunity to thank you before I go—not for kidnapping me; it seems rather ridiculous to thank someone for holding one for ransom. But for being so kind about it—well, I don’t really mean that, either,” she said, frowning. “I realize of course that things could have been much worse than they were, and for not making them worse, I thank you.”
He brought her hand to his lips before she could say anything else that would destroy him. “Perhaps it is best if you donna speak of it, aye?”
“Right you are,” she muttered. She pulled her hand free from his, as if she intended to walk away, but then suddenly poked him in the chest. “Promise me you will see to it that Peter has someone to talk to. And Duffson. You must keep an eye on him, for he is far too enamored with the young ladies at Dundavie.”
Jamie smiled.
“Well,” she said, squaring her shoulders, “I should get some rest. I suspect a visit to Mamie’s will be grueling. Good night, Jamie.”
“Good night, Daria.” He bowed low and watched her walk away.
She was far braver than he.
He was ready to quit this feast himself and turned about, almost colliding with Geordie.
Geordie held up his slate.Donna low drea go.
Jamie squinted at it, sounding it out. “Donna low drea go—” He suddenly looked up at his brother. “Donna allow Daria to go,” he said.
Geordie nodded.
But Geordie knew as well as he did that he had no choice.
Twenty-five
DARIA SPENT ANOTHERnight tossing and turning in anguish, her heart breaking. But she was smiling the next morning as she waited for her horse to be saddled. God help her, she would be brave and courageous. She would not allow anyone to see how her heart had shattered.
