Chapter 19 #2
Alexander was standing on her narrow landing holding a corsage.
Mallory stared at him: she’d been expecting him to wear a suit as he usually did, but he’d chosen a more traditional approach and was wearing a kilt, of all things.
Her gaze travelled from his smart jacket, crisp shirt, to his belted waist, the blue-and-grey tartan complete with sporran, and then to his calf-high socks and the small skean dhu dagger that was nestling inside the right one.
She couldn’t help herself. ‘Wow.’
Alexander didn’t say anything as he gazed at her, his expression inscrutable.
Mallory swallowed awkwardly. ‘A kilt is a great choice. There’s a romance about a kilt that any woman will approve of – it’s rugged and masculine but it also suggests tradition and strength.
’ She was aware that she was babbling but she couldn’t stop herself.
‘And, of course, it helps that you have great legs.’
Alexander remained mute.
She raised her head and met his eyes. ‘Uh, is everything alright?’
He cleared his throat and finally spoke. ‘Mallory.’ His voice sounded unusually hoarse. ‘You’re breathtaking.’
She’d hoped he’d appreciate her efforts but she hadn’t expected that reaction. Her toes curled in her totteringly high shoes. ‘Um, thank you.’
His smile was so tight and controlled that she wondered for a moment if she’d somehow offended him. ‘This evening is about you, not me,’ she said. ‘If the dress is too showy—’
A growl rumbled in his chest. ‘It’s perfect.’
She gazed at him then shrugged. ‘Okay.’ She gestured to the stairs. ‘Shall we?’
He leaned towards her and seemed to inhale deeply. ‘Yes,’ he said eventually. ‘Let’s.’
Preoccupied by other matters, Mallory hadn’t given much thought as to how they would travel to the Wolf Ball, which was being held in the heartbreakingly beautiful Grand Hotel eight miles outside Coldstream.
If she’d considered it, she’d have assumed they would take the tram to the outskirts and then clamber onto buses specially hired from outside the magical city for the event.
The Coldstream streets were too narrow for large vehicles to navigate comfortably, and cars were rare – unless you were the likes of Alexander MacTire, and even then magic and technology didn’t mix particularly well.
What Mallory hadn’t expected was a carriage drawn by two gleaming black horses. ‘We’re travelling in that?’
‘The first night we met you didn’t appear impressed by the fact that I owned a car,’ Alexander said. ‘This seemed more appropriate. Besides, this is a ball. Horse and carriage is surely the best way to travel.’
‘I’m Goldilocks, remember? Not Cinderella.’
A small smile curled his mouth. ‘But I’m trying to be Prince Charming.’ He opened the carriage door. ‘Here, I’ll help you up. I can assure you that it’s quite spacious and comfortable.’
She allowed him to take her hand and she clambered inside. He was right: the carriage interior was large, with a padded seat along one side and – of course – a small bar along the other. Two chilled champagne flutes were waiting.
‘A wee aperitif?’ Alexander asked, once he’d settled beside her. ‘I can promise you it’s a good vintage.’
Feeling squirmingly awkward, Mallory nodded. ‘Sure. Yes. Thank you. That would be lovely. Very nice.’ She pulled a face.
Alexander turned his amber eyes on her. ‘You’re nervous?’
‘Of course. I’m not used to this sort of thing and I want to make sure that we find you the right person. This is important.’
‘It is.’ He continued to watch her. ‘I’m nervous, too.’
He didn’t look nervous. Not now. She wetted her lips. ‘A drink would be great.’
He retrieved a bottle of champagne from an ice bucket, poured two glasses and handed her one as the carriage rolled forward. The clip-clop of the horses’ hooves on the cobbles was charmingly audible without being loud enough to intrude on their conversation.
‘Neither of us should be nervous,’ Alexander said. ‘It’s quite illogical to feel that way.’
Mallory raised her eyebrows and took a small sip from her glass. ‘Go on.’
He grinned. ‘You’ve already told me I look like a romantic hero in this kilt.’
‘I didn’t quite say that.’
‘You said I had great legs.’
‘I’ll give you that,’ she replied grudgingly.
‘As I’ve told you before,’ Alexander murmured. ‘I’m handsome, charming and sex on legs – sex on great legs, in fact. Can there possibly be a woman attending the Wolf Ball who won’t think that?’
‘I can’t imagine so,’ Mallory responded drily. ‘And the best part is that you’re so very modest.’
He laughed. ‘Oh, I’m not reserving the compliments for myself. You will be a great success, too.’
She snorted.
‘You’re Mallory Nash,’ he continued softly. ‘Of course you’ll be successful.’ He raised his glass. ‘To us.’
She swallowed. ‘To us.’
He took a sip but he didn’t stop looking at her. ‘Mallory,’ he began. ‘I…’
‘You’ll find her tonight, Alexander,’ she reassured him quickly. ‘I’m sure of it.’
He blinked and looked away. ‘Yes.’
She took another gulp of champagne. ‘Do you remember Isadora Jones?’
His brow furrowed slightly. ‘Yes.’
‘You dated her ten years or so ago.’
Alexander pulled away another inch. ‘You’ve been doing your research.’
‘That’s what you’re paying me for.’
His expression closed and she felt a twitch.
What did that mean? He didn’t like Isadora?
He hated the idea of approaching her again?
Or did he actually think this was a relationship that could work?
She pressed ahead; it was all she could do.
It was why she was there. ‘Have you spoken to her recently?’
Alexander put down his glass. ‘Our paths rarely cross.’
He didn’t seem to want to talk about Isadora but Mallory plunged ahead. ‘You didn’t date for long. Why didn’t the relationship continue?’
A muscle throbbed in his jaw. ‘It was a long time ago.’ Mallory waited. Eventually he sighed. ‘We were both too busy. I was having problems with my father and she had her own stuff going on.’
‘So it was a timing issue.’ Mallory’s tone held a note of triumph that she didn’t really feel.
He didn’t respond. ‘She’ll be there tonight,’ she went on.
‘You put a star next to her name to say that you’d already been in a relationship so I didn’t look into her to begin with, but Boris has highlighted her many attributes and I think he’s right. ’
‘Mm.’
She persisted. ‘She’s very intelligent. Her wolf pack is strong, so she’s unlikely to rise much higher in the ranks, not because she isn’t capable but because there are too many other good candidates for positions of power.
In fact, she’s supporting her cousin’s bid for beta wolf, which proves she’s more interested in helping others rather than in furthering her own cause.
Isadora Jones has a genuine knack for getting on with people, and that will really help her if she marries into another pack. ’
‘Yes.’
‘And the Jones’ wolves would be great pack to form a strong alliance with. You should seek her out, have a chat with her. She’s single at the moment but I doubt she will be for long. She’s dating, but she’s not settled on anyone.’
He drained his glass. ‘I’ll talk to her.’
‘On paper she’s the perfect woman for you.’
‘On paper,’ he conceded. He sighed. ‘I will make sure I talk to her.’
Mallory would have liked a touch more enthusiasm but she was prepared to accept his answer for now. ‘This is going to be a wonderful night.’
Alexander’s hand covered hers and his heat seared her skin. ‘Yes,’ he said, sounding far warmer. ‘It is.’