Elise exited the tearoom with an armload of purchases, followed by her mother and sisters. When she reached the pavement, she stopped abruptly. Two doors from her stood Harry. She’d recognize him anywhere. The tall, lean man spoke to his young son, who tugged on his hand. What were Harry and Sammy doing in Edinburgh?

“There’s Hugh,” her mother said and waved the family driver over to the curb.

Hugh parked in a bus zone and popped the boot.

Elise pivoted and carried her mother’s purchases to the silver Jaguar, but Cairstine beat her to the car before the driver rounded the bonnet.

“Thank you, Cairstine,” Mother said.

“My lady.” Hugh Morrison, a ginger-headed lad from Selkirk, opened the back door.

During all the bustle of loading their bags, Elise kept a peripheral eye on Harry. She was reasonably certain he had just spotted her.

“Mother, if you will excuse me, I’d like to say hello to a friend,” Elise said a little breathlessly.

Cairstine’s attention snapped in her direction, the last of their purchases dangling from her arm by a corded bag. Her sister’s eyes zeroed in on Harry, then zipped back to Elise’s breathless self.

“Is that who’s taking you to the Jumpers Ball?” Cairstine stage-whispered.

“Aye. Shhh,” Elise hissed at her, praying Harry hadn’t overheard.

Harry started in her direction, his long strides eating up the distance between them, Sammy bouncing at his side. Her heart snapped to attention and did a full-on salute. He and his son were a magnificent pair: two fair-headed, good-looking male specimens out enjoying the day.

She wasn’t the only female tracking their progress up the pavement either. And who could blame the other women in the vicinity?

Dressed smartly in trousers and a sport coat, Harry’s crooked incisor flashed below a pair of dark shades. His appearance did not resemble that rough-and-tumble university student she had fallen for so many years ago, but no matter what he wore, Harry held just as much appeal as he ever did.

After the myriad undercurrents during her tea, Elise happily walked toward Harry and his son. Sammy dropped his father’s hand, trotted over, and grasped hers.

“Hiya, Lady Elise.”

“Hello, Sammy. Have you had a fun day in the city?” Elise asked.

“Mm-hmm,” Sammy nodded.

“Shopping?” Harry asked when he caught sight of her mother and sisters.

“Aye, for the Jumpers Ball.” She tilted her head to the side. “What are you doing in Edinburgh?”

“Dad’s looking for kitchen stuff,” Sammy blurted.

“I thought your kitchen came fully stocked?” Elise asked.

“It did, but I need a few items.”

Harry’s foot moved the least bit, a sure tell he wasn’t as comfortable as he appeared. Fascinating. What could be making Harry Benson nervous?

“Do you happen to know of any specialty shops?” Harry asked.

“Mother would know. Let me ask her.” Elise started to turn toward the car.