Bride of the Solway by JOANNA MAITLAND Page A

needed some money. There was none to be had at Langrigg House, so her only option was to borrow. And the only possible sources of a loan were Colonel Anstruther and Captain Graham. There was no one else.
    Cassie's stomach churned yet again at the prospect of asking either of those gentlemen for money, even as a loan. How could she possibly explain it? And what would they think of her? A lady must never take anything from a gentleman, unless he were related to her. A posy of flowers, perhaps, but nothing more. No jewels, or dresses, or other fripperies, and certainly no money. If she had had jewels of her own, it might have been possible to sell them, or pawn them. But she had nothing.
    'A little more wine, Miss Elliott?'
    'Er...just a little. Thank you, Colonel.' She told herself sternly to pay more attention. Daydreaming at the colonel's dinner table, even on so important a subject, would merely bring more of James's wrath upon her head. She must appear to be doing everything possible to ensnare her host. Then James might relax his vigilance a little. It needed only a little.
    The second course had just been set out on the long table. 'May I help you to a little of this Rhenish cream, ma'am?'
    'Thank you, colonel. Only a spoonful, if you would, for I see a dish of your beautiful strawberries at my brother's elbow and I should very much like to taste them again.'
    The colonel nodded and beamed.
    So did James.
    Cassie forced herself to give all her attention to the conversation around the table. She would have plenty of opportunity to make her plans when she was in the drawing room, while the gentlemen sat at their port. She might be alone for quite a time.
    She was just about to rise when Captain Graham said, 'I do hope you are fully recovered from this afternoon's unfortunate episode, Miss Elliott.'
    He was looking straight into her eyes as he spoke. Was there something more there?
    'A good night's sleep is bound to restore you, ma'am. Perhaps, Colonel, we should not sit too long over our port, this evening?'
    'Quite so. Quite so. I was on the point of saying the very same thing. Besides, it would be the height of bad manners to abandon Miss Elliott when I have purposely invited her here to enjoy the house and garden. If you are not too fatigued, ma'am, we might perhaps take a stroll round the garden a little later? It seems to be a remarkably balmy evening.'
    'That would be delightful, sir. I am sure the garden will be particularly beautiful in the gathering twilight. And, as it seems to mean a great deal to you, I should very much like to see its effects. I have been sadly untutored in the past.' Out of the corner of her eye, Cassie could see that James was beaming again. It was bad enough that he had concocted his wicked plans, but did he have to be quite so obvious about it?
    Taking a final sip of her wine—she needed a little courage—Cassie rose in her place. The colonel moved quickly to pull back her chair. 'If you will excuse me, gentlemen, I will leave you to your port and retire to the drawing room.' She smiled round at them all.
    Captain Graham moved to open the door for her. He was still looking at her in that peculiar way. What was he trying to tell her? But he said only, 'We will join you shortly, ma'am. I am very much looking forward to a stroll in the garden.'
    Goodness! Now, what was the reason for that? Was he planning to cut out his host with the only female guest? Cassie felt a little fluttering in the pit of her stomach, at the thought that two gentlemen might be vying for her attention. Then her practical side reasserted itself. She must be imagining it.
     
    James Elliott had taken his sister's empty place and was pouring himself yet another bumper of port. Any normal man would have had to be carried out after the amount Elliott had drunk, but he was clearly used to it. He was slurring his words a little, but that was all. So far.
    Ross was giving half his mind to his conversation with the colonel,