A Highland Folly by Jo Ann Ferguson Page B

wondered how she could have let Lucais woo her into such a compromising situation. So swiftly he had taken advantage of it … and her. That must not happen again.

Seven
    Anice slipped her light blue gown over her head and smoothed the dress down. She adjusted the white ribbons beneath the high bodice and checked that the undecorated skirt left no more than her ankles visible. With habit, she reached to hook up herself. She grimaced as Fenella’s fingers batted hers away. Having a maid was a luxury she could not become accustomed to. Although she had lived well while with her mother, she had learned to take care of herself.
    â€œJust in case you find yourself in difficult circumstances,” Mother had told her more than once. What Mother had not guessed was that living here with the Kinlochs and their strict parameters of what was right and wrong were the most difficult circumstances she had imagined … since Lucais MacFarlane had burst into her life.
    Anice tugged at her short sleeves to puff them correctly. When white-haired Fenella ordered her to stand still, she could not keep her toe from tapping with impatience. How she wished this evening were over! That Lucais was right about her staying away was something she hated to own to, but she wanted to agree with him. Yet, to stay here might cause even more trouble because Parlan was going to the meeting tonight too, eager to meet with some of the more volatile villagers. Sir Busby might be able to keep control of the meeting, but she was not certain of that.
    â€œDone,” Fenella announced with satisfaction.
    â€œThank you.” Sitting on the bed, Anice pulled on her best slippers. Easily she crisscrossed the white ribbons around her legs, tying them around her calves, the calves that had been so visible to Lucais this afternoon. A quiver of pleasure raced through her, unstoppable, as she recalled the longing in his voice as he drew her closer.
    What an air-dreamer she was! Getting more deeply involved with him was asking for more trouble. Aunt Coira had made that clear in her lecture that afternoon.
    Anice stood to look into the glass, but her gaze focused on her face. It was taut with emotion. Taking her bonnet from her maid, she straightened her shoulders as she went down the stairs.
    Seeing Neilli waiting at the bottom, Anice tried to conceal her surprise. She knew she had failed when her cousin laughed and asked, “Did you expect Lucais MacFarlane to be waiting here to compliment you? He does not need pretty words when he has already inveigled his way into your arms.”
    â€œNeilli, enough! I have no need for your sarcasm tonight.”
    â€œFrom what Mam says, it is obvious that he thought he had what you needed.”
    â€œNeilli!” She glanced about the hall. Seeing servants eavesdropping, she tied her bonnet ribbons beneath her chin. “Where is Parlan?”
    â€œHe has already left.”
    Anice did not answer as she went out into the already cool evening. That Parlan was going to be early for this meeting bothered her. He was never early for anything, preferring to make a grand entrance whenever possible.
    She threw her fringed green shawl over her shoulders and called a greeting to Pippy, who was lying by the barn. Bonito stuck his head out the door, and she paused to pet his majestic head. With them to watch over the sheep, she need not worry tonight about anything but this meeting.
    And Lucais .
    Why couldn’t she get him out of her thoughts? She had been bird-witted to let him lure her into his arms. She must keep him from making a jumble of her thoughts tonight when she needed to concentrate on keeping tempers from exploding.
    â€œWait for me!”
    Anice swallowed her groan as Neilli ran after her. She had not guessed Neilli would come to the meeting tonight, too. This was getting worse and worse.
    Anice waited for Neilli to speak as they edged down the hillside. Her cousin remained silent as they reached