Page 113 (1/2)

I glower Isla’s way, not because of her idle threats but because it’s clear Holland and I can’t continue with an audience

“Excellent,” Isla says as Holland reaches the door “I suppose we’ll see you at supper,” she adds, glaring back at me As my sister moves to the side to allow Holland to pass, I call out her name, and she turns

Holland reluctantly turns “What?”

Her expression is blank I suffer the sting of it as I settle ement

“You iven your concerns,” I drawl “You said yourself, you don’t want to give anyone at Kilblair anything to gossip about” Conteht as well be hung for a sheep as a lamb?

“You want me to call you duke?” she replies as her mouth flattens into a mutinous line

“Your grace is the correct address”

My sister’s huhter floats in from the hallway I’m heartened to see none of us is truly entertained

“As you like, your grace,” Hollandsme a look that perfectly embodies her contempt

But she’s to be pitied Because I mean to keep her And if that makes me like my father, then he’d better save me a seat next to him in hell

30

Holly

One Uber There is exactly one Uber in the village And apparently, he’s on the way to the train station in Inverness, which is a ninety-minute drive away, to pick up his brother I think this must be what it felt like to live in the 1800s It’s a fifteen-e, so Chrissy said, but that’s froate, not the kitchen door There are cabs, of course, but they couy with the Uber couess I’ll just order another of these, I think, waggling lass to catch the attention of the bartender A woe and improbable hair colour

I wonder if I’d look good with pink hair I guess it would match my cheeks when I’m around Alexander

Ah, Alexander That ass That frustrating, sexy, solid ive us a chance, my mind intones in its approxirace?

And you may kiss my ass

I drain the re alone in the village pub And that would be one Alexander Dalforth

What have you got to lose Holland?