This Heart of Mine by Bertrice Small Page B

clever little gifts and a quick wit, sweet words meant for her alone.”
    “She is so very beautiful,” Lord BrocCairn said, almost to himself, as he slipped the miniature of Velvet from his doublet and gazed upon it.
    “Aye, she’s beautiful,” Robin agreed, fighting to keep his mouth from breaking into a grin. “She’s also extremely intelligent, independent, and totally spoilt.”
    “God’s blood, man, ye’re scaring me to death!” exploded Alex. “How the hell am I, a simple Highlander, supposed to handle that?”
    “God almighty, man, don’t let her know you’re afraid of her,” Robin fretted. “She’s a lass, a virgin, an innocent. Court her gently but firmly. She’s not been wooed before, for her mother and her father were most strict with her.”
    “I wish she didn’t have to know who I was, Robin. Not at first. If only I could meet her without her knowing that I’m the Earl of BrocCairn.”
    Robin’s lime-green eyes narrowed a moment, and then he said, “According to my uncle she didn’t want to know anything about you, she was so panicked by the thought of a sudden marriage. She might remember BrocCairn, but I’ll wager she doesn’t know that BrocCairn is Alexander Gordon. Let me introduce you as Lord Gordon, and if she doesn’t recognize the name, then you’ll be safe to court her for a time. If Velvet doesn’t know who you are, then perhaps she will feel comfortable with you and allow herself to get to know you.”
    “But if she doesn’t know I’m BrocCairn, will she allow a man, not her betrothed, to court her?”
    “ ’Twill be nothing more than a harmless flirtation, Alex, and all maids enjoy a summer flirtation.” Robin laughed lightly. “ ’Tis good for them to think they are sowing wild oats before settling down. They are then more content in their marriages.”
    Now it was Alex Gordon’s turn to laugh. “How in hell did ye get so knowledgeable these last few years?” he teased his friend. “I thought that I was the elder.”
    “Aye, you are my elder by three years, Alex, but I’ve been wed, a father, and a widower in the time we’ve been separated.”
    Robin sighed deeply. “Experience makes for knowledge.”
    “I was sorry to hear about Alison,” Alex said quietly. “I wish I had known her, for she must have been quite a lass that ye mourn her so deeply, Robin.”
    “She was a good girl,” his friend replied. “If you hadn’t been in France when we wed, you might have met her.”
    “Aye, but my trip to France was for the crown, and I do precious little for the Stewarts as it is.” He smiled encouragingly. “Ye’ll find another lass someday, Robin.”
    “Nay, I’ll not wed again,” came the firm but quiet reply.
    Alex did not press his friend further, but instead asked, “Are ye not going to show me this London town of yours, Robin?”
    “Aye, I’ll show you London, Alex, and once I’ve entertained the queen, you’ll go to court too. In a few days’ time I’m scheduled to give a huge fête. I don’t believe there has been one in this house since my father’s time. He always gave an enormous Twelfth Night celebration, a masque that every dressmaker in London both dreaded and delighted in, for the costumes were incredible to behold. Since his death, though, my mother has rarely used the house. She has one of her own next door that I suspect will go to Velvet one day.”
    “When will I meet Velvet?”
    “She’s coming to stay with me the day before the queen’s fête. Courage, Alex! I’ve known Velvet to throw things and to shriek, but I’ve never known her to bite.” While his friend glowered at him, Robin chortled mischievously.
    Now, a few days later as he ushered his sister into Lynmouth House, Robin wondered if Alex could learn to court her and if Velvet would even give him the opportunity. She was so full of the delights of the court and of London, which was to be expected considering the quiet life she had led heretofore.
    Velvet