Shades of the Wind by Charlotte Boyett-Compo

Lady Catherine,” he said, nodding politely at Holly.
    “That would be Lord Kaelin, I would imagine,” Holly said. “Not many other folks
    come out here willingly.” She dusted her hands on her apron. “I would suspect the
    master sent for him.”
    “Who is Lord Kaelin?” Catherine inquired.
    “Lord Kaelin McGregor. He is the master’s lawgiver,” Holly answered. “You’ll like
    him. He’s a card, he is!”
    Catherine looked down at her dress and frowned. There was flour dusting the gray
    skirt. “I’m certainly not dressed to entertain my host’s lawgiver,” she sighed.
    “You look lovely,” a male voice countered.
    Catherine spun around, her hand going to her mouth. A tall blond-haired man
    stood in the kitchen doorway, a battered satchel in his hand. He was smiling at her and
    from the look in his azure eyes he was amused at her embarrassment.
    “I apologize for dropping in on you like this, milady,” McGregor said.
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    He doesn’t look apologetic, Catherine thought with slight annoyance. If anything,
    the man looked supremely pleased with himself. Drawing herself up and trying to
    ignore the flour clinging to her skirt, she held out her hand.
    “It is a pleasure to meet you, Your Grace,” she said primly.
    His hand was warm and his grip firm. When he brought her fingers to his lips, she
    could not help but draw in her breath at the sensual look he gave her.
    “The pleasure is all mine and please call me Kaelin,” the lawgiver replied as his lips
    brushed the backs of her fingers. He was staring at her from under his long, dark gold
    lashes and as he lifted his head that bold look became hotter still.
    Catherine could feel the color rising in her cheeks and she had to turn away. That
    her puzzled look met Holly’s knowing one only added to Catherine’s discomfort. “May
    I present my companion, Lady Olabishi?”
    “It is an honor to make your acquaintance,” Lord Kaelin said. “Is Lord Bahru up
    and about yet?”
    “I would hope he is by now,” Catherine replied.
    “I have a few papers he needs to sign,” the lawgiver said. “There is also one
    required of you to sign and Lady Olabishi if she will be staying with us.”
    Olabishi had been watching McGregor and vigorously shook her head to indicate
    she would not be staying after the Joining of her companion and Lord Bahru.
    “Obviously, Ola is anxious to return to her homeland,” Catherine said with a faint
    blush. Her blush deepened when Olabishi nodded again, this time emphatically.
    “Then may we retire to the library where I may get at least your signature if Lord
    Bahru hasn’t risen?” the lawgiver inquired.
    “Of course,” Catherine said, and looked to Olabishi who returned to her seat and
    sat down.
    “Are you staying for dinner, Lord Kaelin?” Holly asked, a challenge in her tone.
    Kaelin McGregor winked at her. “You know damned well I can’t pass up one of
    your meals, Holly Mae Hawkins.”
    “You can’t pass up anything if you ask me!” Holly sniffed. She fanned him away
    with her apron. “Get gone. Let a body work!”
    Catherine could tell there was great affection between the two and she smiled,
    appeased somewhat by the jocularity.
    “Unfortunately,” Kaelin was saying as he walked behind Catherine on the brick
    pathway leading back to the main house, “I am engaged.”
    Catherine stopped, turned and stared at him. Her left eyebrow quirked up. “I don’t
    believe I asked your status, milord.”
    “No,” he agreed, taking her elbow and moving her forward, up the three steps to
    the back door. “But Khenty would be very annoyed if I didn’t tell you.”
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    Catherine eased her arm out of his grip as he opened the door for her to enter the
    house. “I can’t see that it makes any difference.”
    “Believe me, it does,” Kaelin insisted.
    “To whom?” she demanded at the library door.
    “To Khenty, of course,” he replied seriously. He reached past