"Yes," she said, "I was told he was expecting company, my lord," she said and gave a stiff little curtsy before admitting him into the house. "Right this way, if you'd please," she said. She could feel the heat climbing the back of her neck. She was as attracted to the man as she had been the first time she saw him... But he was a nobleman and now she was a maid. He far outranked her even though she was once an heiress. It didn't matter anyhow, she was far from interested in the man who was too handsome for his own good.

She cast one more glance at him from beneath lowered lashes, then led him to where Tristan was... "Lord Douglas Gordon," she announced in an official-like tone. Then she backed out of the room, saying quickly, "I will get refreshments." One could tell just by looking at her that Douglas Gordon got to her, but she seemed to be trying mightily to act otherwise despite the telltale blush that formed on her cheeks, which she seemed to try to hide by running off in such a manner.