Chapter 9

Between being trussed up like a turkey, the fake simpers and high pitched laughter or the hot ballroom crushed at the biggest ball thrown for the coming out of Charlotte Rothesay, Evie wasn't sure which one she hated most. They were precisely why she had avoided London's Season for the past two winters. Her final Season at nineteen was salvageable only because she had met her dearest friend Pippa Rothesay then, and it was also because of her that Evie was now in the duke's ballroom. Her friend's letter had cried mercy at being berated by her brother at every turn.

According to Pippa, Fabian Rothesay had returned from his second trip around the continent, and had apparently taken on his mantle as the heir to the dukedom very seriously all of a sudden. Not entirely sure of why, but Pippa was dying for a reprieve and had practically begged for Evie to come down for a week to save her.

Not that Evie was very sure what her presence would do to change anything, but she had never been able to say no to Pippa and so, she had agreed. Which brought her back to where she currently stood against the wall, actively avoiding the crush in the middle. Pippa had been swept away by her father not too long ago, and Evie was in no mood to socialize. Not when it's been a week since she's seen Connor. The very next day after it had finally been revealed that Evie was in fact, the viscount's daughter, there had been some news from the MacKenzie Keep that required Hammond to send his first in command back to deal with it. Hammond himself was now in London with them, but Connor had left the very morning, and Evie had only found out about his departure after she had woken up.

Since then, the girl hadn't been able to stop wondering. What did he think? Was he angry? Did he think her different now that he knew she actually had a social status? All these questions continuously swirled in her head, distracting her so much that when a certain dirty blond hair male tapped her on her shoulder, Evie startled and would've spilt her glass of punch had it not been caught by her new companion. "Careful Eve, you're going to spoil your gorgeous gown."

"Oh! Fabian, do make a sound when you creep up. You frightened me." Embarassed, Evie placed her hands on her chest and scowled good-naturedly at her best friend's brother. She had occasionally seen Fabian, but because of how often he was away, they got on amicably at best. Nevertheless, Evie had always known Pippa's brother to be friendly and quirky at times. True enough, he grinned and swept into a waist-bending bow, placing the now-empty glass on a passing waiter's before looking up, impish green eyes grinning at her as well.

"The mistake is mine, my lady. I would make sure to wear bells he next time I approach you." Evie laughed at that, swatting him as he straightened up. "Do be real, Fabian. Are you back for good now? I heard Pippa say so."

"Did she ask you to come save her?" Fabian grinned in returned. Evie's eyes almost bulged out. "How did you know?" her surprised question came, but the heir to Rothesay just smirked and gave a wolfish grin at her, before extending a upheld palm. "That's for me to know and for you to find out. Perhaps... if you grace me with a dance, you may find the answer."

It was... different, Evie felt somehow. His tone dipped and resonated as if they had a million meanings behind them, quite different from the shallow and quick conversations she's always had when they ran into each other whenever she was with Pippa. At the thought of her best friend however, Evie was suddenly reminded of what Pippa had said just as they were piling into their carriages.

"Keep him as busy as possible. He's been breathing down my neck like a dragon. I need some peace, please please please Evie."

Focusing back on Fabian's still upturned hand, she gave in by slipping her hand into his, feeling the warmth engulf her fingers as he led her to the dance floor just as the band struck up a quadrille. "Enjoying yourself, my lady?"

"Evie, please. You've known me for awhile now, Fabian, surely we're past that stage. Or should I start addressing you as my lord now?"

Fabian laughed at her cheeky answer, watching the few loose red tendrils swirl as they moved. As the only son to his father, while he may not enjoy taking on a dukedom as much, he was a very responsible young man who knew his duty. Fabian had dreamed of having a love match like the marriage of his parents... but with the downturn of the economy and the bad businesses, he knew what he had to do. Besides, it wasn't that Evie was bad looking wasn't it? She was just.... his little sister's best friend,  that's all.

Pulling her in as the quadrille now melted into the first waltz of the night, he noticed the sudden look of confusion in Evie's eyes and squeezed her palm. He had to do right by his father, and Evie had been the first idea he had.

"Looks like I'm stealing a second dance from you."

---

While there had been no pressing issues technically, for Connor to be pushing his steed so hard, the dark haired captain found himself quite anxious to get to London, for quite a different reason then before. Just a month and  a half ago, Connor Gilroy had been loath to set foot in the city he had always blamed for the death of his parents and kin. But it was surprising how one girl could change the feelings of a man.

Feeling the thundering of his ride's hooves on the granite sidewalks of London streets, he finally located the address the servants at Cavalon Castle had given him when he returned back. After a week of sorting out the lack of water issues due to a piping problem, Connor had took the strongest horse from the stables of the Keep and practically flew his way back, anxious to see Evie.

He had left still reeling from the shock of finding out that the redhead he had been so obsessed about was actually the daughter of a viscount. Yet the whole month of interacting with her had told Connor that she was a true Highlander with her outlandish ways and zest for life. Just being next to her reinvigorated Connor, partially why he practically vaulted off his tired horse once he drew up to the bustling, brightly lit Rothesay townhouse. With quick instructions to the surprised groom to wipe down his horse, Connor strode in large steps towards the open doorway. While he knew very well that he was in no way dressed for a proper ball in his kilt and rough tunic and belt, Connor was quite keen on setting eyes on his red-haired beauty again.

The noise of chatter assaulted his ears when he first entered, but it was the subsequent and sudden dying down of noise and party that made Connor more self conscious then ever. Suddenly, it was as if every pair of eyes in the house was on him, making the rough-looking Highlander feel more out of place then ever. Everyone gaped, the music drew to a halt, and even the footman standing at the top of the marble staircase stared at the frozen form of the warrior. Made aware of every strand of hair out of place, how different he looked next to the immaculately dressed lords of the realm, for the first time in his life, Connor Gilroy who had faced armies and warriors, felt like turning his back to run.

He would've done so too, had a hand not been laid on his arm. When Connor's gaze followed the owner of the hand, it only gave him a measure of comfort to see the familiar face of Hammond. But that comfort only lasted for so long, realizing that his laird too, was trussed up in a suit and cravat, like the other lords around.

"Was the theft issue settled?" Hammond's concerned voice asked, understandably regarding the safety of his clan. Tightly, Connor nodded to show that he had solved the minor misunderstanding, but found himself unable to speak. His laird's fingers tightened around his arms, before turning to face the mass. "My first in command, Captain Connor Gilroy."

It was Hammond's attempted at dispersing the awkwardness, but when silence was stretched further, Connor finally gave in and wrenched his arms away. "I'll be-" his words paused, eyes widening when his gaze fell upon the one reason why he had even dared to brave London society. Dressed in a beautifully crafted ivory gold number, the dress clung to her body and fell in soft waves, giving her an almost dream-like aura. With hair done up in a golden wire, tendrils of red falling around her soft cheekbones and accentuating her emerald gaze, even at a distance she took Connor's breath away. For the briefest of seconds, a burst of joy thudded against Connor's heart at the sight of Evie after a weeks absence, but the second was over too quick, when he noticed the one next to her.

Messy head of brunette curls, piercing dark gaze, and one arm around her waist with the other firmly clasped in her palm, Connor almost immediately felt like throwing a punch at the male even when he didn't know who he was.

"I'll be at Cavalon Castle waiting. Sorry, I shouldn't have came."

"Connor-"

"I get it, Hammond. Don't worry. I never liked it here anyway." he flashed a tight smile in an effort to ease the conflicting look his laird wore, before walking off with a final glance at Evie's face.

Watching as Connor walked off, a part of her ached to go after him, knowing full well how cruel London society could be. The way the chatter erupted immediately after he left the ballroom made it clear on the new topic of conversation. The notes were slowly struck up again, feeling Fabian's fingers tightened around her palms and pulling her back, she met the eyes of the elder male, frowning when she saw his suspicious gaze. "I wonder who that ruffian was. I think I may have to remind Father to up the security around during balls."

"That 'ruffian' was Captain Gilroy. My cousin already mentioned that he was his captain, so he is of no threat to anyone within this hall." Evie jumped to his defense as quick as possible, only realizing after she finished that her tone sounded almost offended, much to Fabian's clear surprise. "I-I'm sorry. I didn't re- Wait, if your cousin said he was his captain... Who is your cousin?" Technically, they had introduced Hammond to the Rothesay's earlier when they first arrived, but no one actually had pointed out who he was.

"Hammond's the laird of the clan MacKenzie back in Scotland."

"Scotland? Your cousin's a Highlander?" Fabian's surprised tone irritated the protective dragon within Evie. Scowling, she defensively asked him to clarify, to which Fabian stuttered for a little before replying, "Nothi-nothing much. Just... well, we have a truce with them yes, but it doesn't change the fact that they are all savages with little knowledge of civilization. I don't think they even know the etiquettes and propriety rules to be... well, proper."

Evie scoffed, stepping back as the music died down. "Proper, is something that is different for everyone. And I assure you, that my cousin isn't a savage." Grabbing Hammond's arm as he walked past, the girl tugged him closer. "And neither is his captain. If anything, they hold more honor then any London dandy I know."

"Evie?"

"Fabian's being rude, could you please bring me away from him Hammond?" Pointedly turning away from a mortified looking Fabian, the redheard laird raised a brow at the younger English male, before shrugging and doing as told, leaving the brunette male quite at a loss in the middle of the dance floor. Watching as she retreated, he blinked rapidly. What had just happened? And he had thought his methods of winning Evie would be surefire and faultless. Technically, he had to admit that he was speaking out of turn, considering that London society only ostracised Highlanders because the Highland ways are vastly different from their own, but what was the reason behind Evie's vehement defending of not only her cousin, but the so-called captain?

Frowning as her redhead disappeared amongst the crowd, the heir to the dukedom retreated back to his rooms, strolling with his hands in his pockets whilst he mulled over the thoughts in his head. He had noticed the mildly pained and possibly venomous look that had crossed the kilted male for the briefest of seconds when their eyes met. If he added that together with Evelyn Verrick's very obvious loyalty to him... was it possible?

---

The moment they had enough distance placed between Fabian and themselves, Evie quickly dropped her tight grip on Hammond's arm and turned to her cousin with an anxious look. "Where did Connor go? Is he still around?"

Hammond didn't know if he should rejoice for his friend or feel protective. It was obvious in the way his redheaded cousin asked, that she seemed to care a fair bit for his captain, and in a way Hammond guessed he should feel thankful, for Evie seemed just as much of a hellcat as any other Highland lass he's met. But with her English upbringing, Connor's distaste for the ton and their vast differences in status itself, were they doomed even from the start?

His dark eyes scrutinized Evie's anxious face for a second before he replied in a consigned tone. "He left. It was a long journey to return from the Keep. He only came here to report the status of the Keep to me." It was a lie told through his teeth, but her disappointed face after he spoke suddenly made Hammond wished he had told the truth, and that he hadn't given Connor his so-called advice. Just because he disliked how the supposed 'love' one felt would weaken a man, didn't mean he should subject his best friend to his own values.

Before the laird could correct his words however, Evie had been swept away by one of the many gaggles of girl's around against her wishes, if the baleful look she gave him was of any indication. Not that she had a choice, since Pippa had manhandled her away from Hammond for some gossip or other that was flying past Evie's head, barely listening to her friend as her mind ran a mile a minute. She couldn't wipe the mortified look Connor had wore when the ballroom had fell silent at his entrance, all eyes on him like he was a circus sideshow.

He looked completely out of place with his windswept black curls, messy tunic and belted kilt, yet he had never looked better to Evie. After a week being starved of his looks, the girl's breath had caught when he barged in unannounced and with no prior warning, so surprised that she had stood rooted to the spot until his departure had jolted her back to reality.

"Evie!"

Pippa's loud voice startled the redhead, focusing  back on her friend to realize her large golden eyes glaring at her. "Are you even paying attention to me?"

"Sorry, what was it?" Evie apologized sheepishly. Knowing how acute Pippa's sense for people was though, Evie guessed she shouldn't be surprise when she saw Pippa shooing the rest of their friends away before pouncing on her best friend. "What is wrong with you? I saw your face when that brute walked in. Did you know him?"

"He isn't a brute!"

"Ahah! So you do know him! Out with it Evelyn Verrick, what is bothering you? That's what best friends are for remember." Pippa practically clasped on to Evie's arm and directed glitteringly fascinated eyes at her friend. Evie couldn't help but laugh at the sudden enthusiasm given by the dirty blonde friend of hers, despite being anxious to dash out after Connor. Scandalizing her father and her friend's family right now wasn't at the top of her list. "He's been staying at Cavalon Castle with my cousin for over a month now. He's Hammond's first in command."

"He looks delicious!" Evie twinged at the squeal in Pippa's voice, not realizing she was scowling until Pippa wore a foxy smile. "What, I'm not allowed to say how handsome he looks? Or have you staked your claim?"

"I have staked nothing!" Evie protested, averting her eyes to try and avoid the flushing cheeks. Pippa prodded her with a teasing grin though, noticing everything about her best friend of four years. "You have! Oh do tell Evie!"

"There is nothing to tell Pippa, he's just been staying here."

"Oh, has he been telling you stories! I know how much you loved your mother's stories. Has he brought you back to the Highlands? Have you asked? Will you stay there? Oh I shall miss you so!"

"Pippa, you're going too far! They'll leave when Hammond is satisfied of my wellbeing and that is that. Nothing else!"

"Oh, if you say so." Pippa finally conceded with a sing-song trill in her tone that was obvious she didn't believe her friend. "Do let go Pippa, I have... have to go look for Father. I'm not feeling so well."

Without any further explanation and despite the protests of her friend, Evie wrangled her arms away from Pippa's grip and made a beeline for the side doors. The breathe of fresh night air reinvigorated the girl for a short bit, a reprieve from the stale and humid environment within the packed ballroom. Evie however, had a reason for heading out, her green eyes wildly looking around before she found who she sought.

Picking up her ivory golden skirts, the girl dashed as quickly as her heavy skirts allowed her to, breathing heavily once she reached the top of the steps where a man was just about to jump on his weary looking horse. "Connor, wait!"