The Pursuit by Johanna Lindsey

Author:Johanna Lindsey [Lindsey, Johanna]
Language: eng
Format: epub, pdf
ISBN: 9780380814800
Google: AbsZPtSPlzsC
Publisher: HarperCollins e-books
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Twenty-Seven

WHEN Ian Six reported that Melissa had locked herself in her room and wouldn’t speak to anyone, even the duchess, the MacFearson brothers began to fight among themselves. Their arguments came close to blows on several occasions. Charles came under the most fire, since no one was able to stomach his sarcasm when tempers were already short. Guilt turned them all defensive.

Ian One took it upon himself to visit Megan St. James and explain to her what had transpired, so she wouldn’t worry unduly over Melissa’s seclusion. Receiving a severe tongue lashing from that beautiful, if formidable, lady had put him in a foul mood again.

He’d mellowed in his older years, but it was hard to tell that week. And although he should have sent a detailed letter to Lachlan, because of his mood, he was very brief in the missive he sent off, telling him merely that they’d interfered with Lincoln Burnett’s courtship of Melissa and suggesting that Lachlan come to London sooner than planned, since she was upset about it. He didn’t include a note to his sister. He was really not looking forward to explaining to her what they’d done.

Because they expected Lachlan and Kimberly to show soon, the brothers elected to stay in London for the time being—to face the music, so to speak. They spent a lot of time at the St. James residence, waiting, or at least hoping, that Melissa would get over her shock and come down to rail at them, and before her parents arrived. They deserved it. It would be good for her. And she could then get on with having her season—and Lachlan and Kimberly then wouldn’t be quite as furious with them.

The duchess tolerated them in her house and after a few days even began inviting them to dine with her, since they seemed at such a loss for what to do with themselves. She was still too annoyed with them to invite them to be her house-guests for the duration, but she made a small effort to entertain them, gracious lady that she was. They were Melissa’s relatives, after all, though at the moment the poor girl was probably wishing they weren’t.

They were having dinner with her tonight, had almost finished, when the butler arrived to say, “An un expected guest, Your Grace.” Then, to Ian Six, “If you even look at my nose, Master Ian, I shall quit my post, which is likely to annoy the duchess.”

Megan glanced at the youngest MacFearson, who was already starting to blush, and said, “Yes, extremely annoyed, as it happens.”

His blush got much worse, but no one noticed, because the mentioned “visitor” now stood in the doorway—filled it with his large size, actually—and had everyone’s attention. Silence reigned. Shock had a way of doing that.

Megan was least affected. She left the table, cordially offered her hand to Lincoln Burnett. “You’re back? Somehow that doesn’t surprise me in the least. But you will avoid…disturbing my furniture while you’re here, won’t you?”

It was an order, not a request.

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