“I only have one question, Elise.” Harry’s words came out slow and measured, but his eyes were alert, curious even, and if it wasn’t completely ridiculous . . . vulnerable.

Her breath suspended inside her chest.

“Why me? Why not one of those fancy chaps always sniffing around you?”

“Whom are you referring to?” Elise crinkled her forehead in confusion.

“The titled, chinless, drawling sorts your parents seem to fancy.”

The truth teetered on her tongue. Over the years, she had learned to accept people for who they were, not from where they originated. Good, honest men could be found at every level of society, from the wealthy elite down to the local binmen. If she were surer of Harry’s answer, she might have told him. But she wasn’t sure—not at all.

Despite her fears, she sensed her answer was every bit as important to him as his agreement to attend the ball was to her, though as to why she couldn’t say. Nothing but mild curiosity showed on his face.

“Because my parents will never sway my decisions again.”

“Ah.” A muscle bunched in his jaw before his face smoothed of all expression.

Not for the first time, she tried to breach the armor that covered his thoughts. No chinks showed through though, which made it impossible to penetrate.

Harry leaned forward and touched her chin while his gray eyes bored into her soul. “Your parents do hold power over you, every bit as much as a decade ago. It hurts you to displease them, but you continue to do so because you can’t be caged.”

Her eyes stung, and the emotions so close to the surface since her accident threatened to overflow. She blinked twice and didn’t answer until she pulled herself together.

“You see too much,” she murmured.

He kissed her forehead. “I see plenty, Elise. But not enough.”

“Fine. I’ll ask someone else.”

She spun on her heel, but Harry’s hand clamped on her upper arm, the fingers not tight but firm enough to let her know that if she tried to pull away, she wouldn’t get far.

“Kilt or tux?”

Flutters rippled through her body. Victory. She stifled the elation and forced herself to behave. “Surprise me.”

Chapter 17

Overloaded with packages, Elise trailed after her mother and sisters, her hips screaming for relief. Rain pelted the pavement, and wind funneled between Edinburgh’s tall Georgian buildings. Elise paused to readjust their purchases.

“Let me take some of those from you,” Sophie said, removing several bags.

“Girls, let’s stop at the Iona for tea before we go home.” Mother’s face positively glowed after spending an entire day with all three of her daughters.

“Don’t we need a reservation?” Elise asked. The Iona was always booked well in advance.

“The manager knows me. He’ll find us a table.” Mother led the way down the block to the neoclassical tea room.