passed so very quickly. Christopher prayed for the day when Sandra would do as she had promised him years before and tell her daughter about her real father. “I’m just waiting until she’s old enough to comprehend all of this. It’s a delicate issue for a young girl,” she reminded him whenever he asked.
Now he was beginning to wonder if she ever would reveal his identity to Lisa. Fear alternated with helpless anger. His hands were tied, his silence expected, and emptiness gnawed at his soul.
He knew it wouldn’t be right to act without permission from the child’s mother. After all, she must understand her daughter better than anyone. What if he risked revealing all to Lisa, and the girl refused to believe him? Their warm relationship would be destroyed. Worse yet, she might feel betrayed because he had lied to her all of these years, pretending to be an honorary uncle when he really was her father. She might hate him. He couldn’t bear that.
And so he continued to wait and hope for a time when he could embrace his daughter and tell her how much he loved her…had always loved her.
As it turned out, Lisa’s class was on a field trip that day and he couldn’t see her at all. Disappointed, he picked up his copy of the builder’s contracts for the addition from the administration office, then drove back into the city. He would need to review them before the board meetings. The urge was stronger than ever to cherish and protect the little girl who might never know his secret burden.
“The Royal Mile was wonderful!” Jennifer cried when she saw Christopher waiting for her outside the Caledonia. “I bought a ton of great stuff, and I almost never shop while leading a tour!”
He had been under such an oppressive cloud since he left St. James that he’d feared his spirits would not be lifted even by seeing her again. But just the sight of her sunny face and sparkling eyes did wonders for him. She gave him something other than his troubles to think about.
“I’m glad,” he said, at the moment more interested in the lovely glow of her cheeks than her shopping victories. An intriguing thought shot unbidden through his mind. Just how far down her body did that glow extend? The length of her long, sweet throat was rosy with excitement, but her collar stood obstinately in the way. Would her breasts be flushed as well?
He felt himself react to the image, then immediately warned himself to get a grip. He liked her; she excited him. That, after all, must be the end of it. When he was younger, he had effortlessly picked up girls and, if they were willing, made careless love. American coeds had been attracted to his English accent like moths to the proverbial flame. And when he let slip his title in casual conversation…instant melt-down. A quick hop into bed.
But after Lisa came into the world, he took sex far more seriously. His liaisons became infrequent, cautiously and safely executed. He had learned he wasn’t the sort of man who could spread his progeny with abandon. He considered himself responsible for little Lisa.
There was also a change in the way he allowed himself to feel about women. If they were so easily able to enjoy one man’s pleasures then go off with another for reasons of prestige or money or pure flightiness, he would never again let himself feel anything enduring for one of them. It was a matter of self-preservation.
But Jennifer was incredibly desirable. She would tempt any man to throw off caution as quickly as a topcoat at the first bloom of spring. He must be careful…very careful, he reminded himself.
Having completed the afternoon’s tours, the group had returned to the hotel for a hearty meal. Early-evening excursions had been arranged by those wanting to pack more into their day, while others discussed going to the theater or a quiet game of cards in the lounge.
“Looks like you’ll have some time to fill before turning in,” Christopher said after Jennifer bade her crew a good evening.
“Yes,” she said. “But I need to check in with my mother and pack for London.”
“I see.” So tomorrow she would indeed be gone. He sighed inwardly. In the little time he’d spent with her, she’d been good for him. When he was with her, his thoughts seemed lighter, the day somehow brighter, more tolerable. He dwelled less on his mistakes. Or maybe that was all romantic hogwash, and he just wanted to sleep with her. A good dose of lust definitely took a man’s mind off his troubles.
“Thank you for all you’ve done,” she murmured, laying her hand on his arm, making him even more aware of the sweet scent wafting up from her skin. She stood close to him. So close he could easily slip his arm around her waist and pull her against him. Right here in the lobby. Why not? “Everyone has said,” she continued breezily, “what a wonderful treat it has been, your taking us around today.”
He forced out the correct, civil words and even gave her a polite smile. “No trouble at all. I enjoyed myself.”
She beamed up at him in appreciation, and he thought he had never liked green eyes as much as he did now. “Yesterday…I was serious about my invitation. If you ever do come to America, and you’re near Baltimore—”
“It’s unlikely,” he said, interrupting. “You can do me another favor, though.” He hadn’t thought through his words. They simply arrived on his lips, and he had no power to stop them.
“Anything,” she said. “What is it?”
“You wouldn’t have dinner with me last night. What about tonight?”
She blinked thoughtfully. “I’m not sure I should.”
“Why not? You’re free for the night. You need to eat, don’t you? I know all the best places in Edinburgh.”
“But—”
“You’re leaving tomorrow. I’m not asking for a lifetime commitment.” Lust was a charmer, he was. The muscles in his shoulders and back tensed as he waited for her answer. Don’t say no…don’t say no! a voice chanted from inside of him. “I’m harmless,” he added, flashing her a deliberately wolfish grin.
She laughed out loud. “I’m not sure of that part.” Still, she hesitated. “Listen, I don’t know any tactful way of asking this, but… Are you attached in any way?”
He chuckled. “You mean married? Good Lord, no.”
“I meant…seeing anyone.”
“No. Although I do keep the phone numbers of a few ladies who graciously accompany me on social occasions. Would you like references from them?”
Jennifer rolled her eyes. “I’m sorry, it’s just, you never said and—” she shrugged, looking prettily flustered. “Yes, I’ll have dinner with you. You pick a good place to eat.”
“I know the perfect one,” he said.
Two hours later Jennifer was certain she’d made a mistake when Christopher pulled his car off the A7 and onto an unpaved road that looked suspiciously like the one leading to Donan. “I thought we were going to your favorite restaurant.”
“My favorite place to eat isn’t a restaurant.”
“You can cook?” she asked.
“No,” he admitted. “I have a wonderful woman who prepares my meals. When I was given a choice of the family’s estates as part of my inheritance, I chose Donan.
