Page 67 of What a Scot Wants
Imogen halted on the periphery of the group, none of the women having spotted her.Charity girl?They had to be speaking of her. The him, clearly, was Ronan.
“He didn’t even bother to accompany his betrothed tonight. Perhaps another announcement is in the works.”
The group of them twittered and leaned in closer, lowering their voices. Imogen walked away, the champagne she sipped unable to dissolve the stone lodged in her throat. Familiar faces swam before her, but her jaw felt like a brick that didn’t want to budge.
Those women were right. Hadn’t Imogen been thinking it earlier? Lady Reid was the best solution. So why was she fretting over the gossip so damned much?
Imogen had wedged herself into a remote corner of the ballroom when she heard Ronan’s name being announced. He’d come. The weightless sensation inside her chest only proved that she was in more danger than ever when it came to her contrary fiancé. She closed her eyes and took a few deep breaths to settle her scattered spirits.
“You’re getting tired of your game, aren’t you?”
Silas.
Hell, Imogen hadn’t even seen him approaching, but now he stood before her, his rangy frame blocking her view of the ballroom entrance.
“I’m under the weather.” It was all she could manage right then.
“Or you are finally coming to see that I was right all along,” he said, his full lips stretching into a smug grin. “Be done with him already, Gennie.”
Once upon a time, she lived for those smiles. Now, they only filled her with revulsion. Silas was like the apple from one of her favorite children’s stories: shiny, red and beautiful on the outside, but rotten and poisonous on the inside.
“Go away.”
“I know what you stand to lose,” he said, and Imogen snapped her eyes to his. “Oh yes, your father let slip the truth of your ‘betrothal’ over dinner. But I can help you, you know.”
The man belonged in an asylum. She frowned. When had he had dinner with her father? Was he trying to work his way into her parents’ graces? Slither his way into their lives again? “I want your help as much as I do a case of gout.”
“There is something you might be interested to know about your Highlander—or rather, somethinghewould be willing to forfeit his precious distillery for in order to keep secret.”
She narrowed her eyes on him and was filled with a sudden, inexplicable urge to protect her dratted fiancé from Silas and his opportunistic schemes, despite whatever secret he was suggesting. “You’re mistaken if you think I want anything from you.”
“Mr. Calder.” Ronan’s deep voice resonated through Imogen. He had cut his way across the crowded ballroom swiftly.
Silas turned and all but scowled at him. “Good evening, Your Grace. So glad to see you could make it. Lady Imogen was looking rather abandoned.”
“I couldnae leave her to the wolves, now could I?” Ronan’s reply wasn’t accompanied by a smile. His serious, brooding blue-gray eyes hunted Silas’s face a moment, his hand stealing around Imogen’s waist. She hated herself a little more for leaning into him, for breathing a little easier now that he stood close, but did it anyway.
Silas made no reply but bowed and moved off.
“Was he bothering ye?”
Now that Silas was gone, Imogen tried to break from the hand that rested about her waist. “No.”
“I’m no’ blind, Imogen.” Ronan’s fingers dug into her hip and held her to his side. “I ken ye have history with him.”
“Don’t be absurd. Why are you late?” she shot back. “Where have you been? Wait, let me guess—Lady Reid’s?”
It was an obvious attempt to deflect his questions, but after a moment of enduring a knowing glare, he scowled. “In fact, aye. I was.”
The stone in her throat increased in size.I cannot let him see.
“At this rate, you’ll be bringing her to our engagement ball.”
“I’ll no’ be bringing her anywhere, no’ anymore.” Imogen had no ready quip for what seemed to be a brutally forthright reply and could only stare at him. “Come. Dance with me.”
A slow waltz was already in progress, and couples were moving across the dance floor. They joined them, Imogen too curious about his statement to refuse.
“I ended it tonight,” he said after a few turns.
