Page 38 of The Scot is Hers
Jaime shook her head, a soft, hesitant smile on her lips. “Nay, nay. Alec is a verra good man.”
“I think so too. And I think I shall be happy.” Still, she wished Jaime would divulge what was on her mind.
Jaime brightened, grasping both of Giselle’s hands in hers. “Are ye certain? I would never want anything less than for ye to be happy.”
Giselle glanced down at Volume III, which she’d completed, and Jaime followed her gaze.
“Pride and Prejudice? Was it good?”
Giselle let out a happy sigh. “Aye. Alec sent up each volume with my meals.”
“He knows ye like to read?”
Giselle nodded, and Jaime’s smile grew wider.
“I have to say, Giselle, that is rather romantic.” Jaime sighed. “I think your arrangement may have the potential for more.”
“I would hope it could, but even if no’, I will be satisfied.” That was only partly true. She longed for love, but in her current situation, this was the perfect solution. If she were able to read and kiss him the way that he’d done last night...Well, she’d be quite happy, she was certain.
Jaime’s eyes twinkled. “So what will ye gift him in return after his generous and romantic gesture?”
Giselle’s eyes widened in surprise. “I had no’ thought about it. I’ve nothing. No’ even my own clothes.” She indicated the gown she was wearing today, which was light green with dark green ribbons on the bodice.
Jaime frowned. “Aye, that is true. We shall have to think about it. Romantic gestures go both ways and are a good way to say ye care without the use of words.”
Giselle agreed, and she did want to show Alec in some way how thankful she was he’d done that for her.
“I know one way that ye can start,” Jaime said. “By coming downstairs. He is inundated by the women, especially your favorite, Lady Mary.”
Giselle rolled her eyes. “That lass is a piece of work.”
“Aye, and she’s made it verra clear to the other ladies in attendance that she intends to win him herself.”
Giselle laughed. “If only she knew he was already taken.”
“Exactly.” Jamie gave her a conspiratorial wink.
“I could have myself announced by his butler as his betrothed, but do ye no’ think that would make him angry? He’s yet to tell his mother.” Giselle rolled her eyes and then glanced out the window as if expecting the woman to be below the window, listening. “She terrifies me.”
“How do ye know he has no’ told her?”
“Because that dragon could no’ wait to get me out of her parlor last night. If he’d told her that he was going to marry me, she’d have been up here in a flash to give me a dressing down. Maybe even had her butler send me packing. I’m no’ certain why she dislikes me. I hardly remember ever interacting with her in Edinburgh.”
Jaime shrugged. “She seems to think her son deserves a certain type of woman if ye can believe it from the lasses downstairs. And ye are nothing like them.”
Giselle thought of all the frippery and empty-headedness. Was that the type of woman the countess thought Alec liked or deserved? Someone who would simper and fawn. A plaything, but not having her own mind. She supposed then it was understandable why Giselle would not be looked at in the same light. “So verra accurate.”
“How does your ankle feel?”
Giselle lifted her leg, twirling her ankle as gingerly as she could manage. “Much better, though it is still a bit achy and weak when I walk. I’ve been able to maneuver about my room today, hopping and using furniture to hold onto. Progress.” She laughed and then stood, testing her ankle. It still ached when she put weight on it. “If I go downstairs, I’ll likely no’ be able to stand by his side for long.”
Jaime tapped her chin. “Hmm. I have an idea. What if I arrange for a game of cards, and then ye’ll be sitting? And I’ll have your maid bring ye a cane. I’m sure they have one somewhere in this house; it will help ye walk unassisted and without hopping.”
Giselle hated being so incapacitated as to be able to walk on her own barely. She was used to being active, but more so, to being able to escape any situation without the help of others.
“That would be verra nice, and I do so much appreciate it.”
“’Tis settled then. Ye’ve got plenty of gowns now, aye? Do ye need any more?”
