Page 90 of The Highlander Who Protected Me

Her mother pressed her lips together for an irritated moment. “I am staying with Lady Montgomery.” She glanced at Arnprior. “Her ladyship is Lord Cringlewood’s cousin on his mother’s side. Our families are exceedingly close.”

Damn and blast.They were clearly all lining up against her.

“Oh, that’s convenient,” Ainsley said lamely.

“Lady Ainsley, would you like me to ring for tea?” Arnprior asked in a kind voice.

“I have already declined refreshments, my lord,” Mamma said. “I only wish to speak to my daughter, alone and uninterrupted.”

Ainsley flushed at her mother’s rude behavior.

That’s what you sound like when you’re in a snit, my girl.

She made a silent vow to be much nicer from now on. In fact, she would make all sorts of vows to reform her behavior if it meant she and Tira could escape this latest crisis unscathed.

Arnprior pointedly ignored her mother. “Ainsley, would you like some tea?”

Her mother tsked her disapproval, although it wasn’t clear whether she objected to his patent disregard of her wishes or to his informal use of Ainsley’s name. No doubt both.

Ainsley gave him a grateful smile. “Thank you, sir, but I’ll just speak with my mother. I know luncheon is about to be served, so please go ahead without me.”

“There’s no rush,” he said. “And I’ll be happy to remain, if you prefer it.”

“I wouldnotprefer it,” Mamma said icily.

Ainsley briefly closed her eyes. Her mother was a high stickler, but she generally had distinguished manners. For her to be acting so out of character with an aristocrat meant she was thoroughly knocked off her pins.

The earl patiently waited for Ainsley to answer his question. Despite how awful this day was turning out to be, she felt enormous gratitude for his kindness. It would seem she had another supporter in the household, after all.

She shook her head. “Thank you, sir, but I’ll be fine.”

“As you wish. But I will be close by if you need me.”

“Along with everyone else,” Ainsley said ruefully.

His smile was brief and charming, and then he gave her mother a genial nod. “My lady, I hope to see you again soon.”

“I very much doubt that will be the case.”

Arnprior threw Ainsley an ironic look before departing the room.

“Really, Mamma, did you have to be so awful? Lord Arnprior was simply trying to be polite.”

“I have the headache,” her mother announced in a blighting tone.

Ainsley mentally sighed. Mamma was prone to headaches whenever she was upset, which always made things worse. This one was sure to be a whopper.

“I’m sorry you’re not feeling well. Are you sure you don’t want something to drink? Can I fetch you a headache powder?”

“Oh, Ainsley, stop fussing and do sit down. Staring up at you is making it worse.”

“Sorry.” Ainsley took the seat Arnprior had just vacated.

Her mother seemed to finally pull in her horns by managing a strained smile. “As I’m sure you can imagine, the last few days have been exceedingly stressful. You know how I hate traveling.”

She did look a trifle exhausted, but as lovely and elegant as always. Her mother possessed a slim, straight figure, and had black hair with dramatic white streaks at the temples. Like Ainsley, she had a blue-violet gaze that many considered her best feature, contributing to her fame as a great beauty. Those eyes were striking and unmistakable, a characteristic she now shared with her granddaughter.

Please, God. Don’t let her have seen Tira’s eyes.

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