The Lass Who Kissed a Frog, Lee, Caroline [i have read the book a hundred times .txt] 📗

He’d only danced with her a few times, but that had been enough. His feelings for her had been almost…magical.

Thank the saints he’d learned what kind of woman she really was before he’d yoked himself to her for all of their days.

But how to explain that to Phin?

“I think…she’s interested in money and influence, and she kens she’s beautiful enough to get them, but no’ important enough—or wealthy enough—to search for them elsewhere. I’m the most eligible bachelor around, no offense.”

“None taken,” Phin said dryly. “And do not forget handsome. The two of ye make quite the pair.”

“Aye, and that is the problem. Lyon is an Earl’s heir, and his wife will one day—no’ for many years, God willing—have all the power and influence she can stand. But Vanessa dismissed him as unworthy of her because of his appearance.”

When he glanced over at his brother, Phineas was frowning thoughtfully. “Then I suppose it is just as well ye’ll no’ have anything more to do with her.”

“I didnae say that.” If things went well, he’d have plenty to do with her, but she wouldn’t like it.

“I’m supposed to be the intelligent one in this family.” Phin raised a brow. “I do not like it when ye scheme.”

“Well, my scheming brother, I cannae say ye’d approve of this plan.”

“We won’t know until ye tell me.”

Was he genuinely curious?

Roland debated explaining to his brother, then shrugged. “I intend to give her a taste of her own medicine. The foul-tasting stuff, no’ the brews flavored with honey.”

Phin’s lips twitched. “I never doubted. So ye’ll teach her a lesson, eh?”

“I want her to have to acknowledge how judgmental and cruel she is. No’ just to me, but to herself. When I’m done, I want her to ken I ken who she really is, deep down. I want her to ken there’s nae mask she can wear anymore, anywhere, because I’ll be certain to make everyone aware of her true nature.”

“That’s…uncharacteristically brutal of ye, Roland.”

Brutal.

That’s what he’d be. Just as she accused Lyon of being.

“I’ll no’ stand by and let someone speak of our brother that way,” he growled.

“Fair enough.” Phin blew out a breath; a sound his horse echoed. “I hope ye offer her the chance to repent before ye ruin her future.”

Ruin her future.

The phrase sent a spike of guilt into Roland’s gut, but he scowled and forced it aside. Ruining her future? That wasn’t his intent. He just wanted her to know he knew who she was, and he wouldn’t be marrying her, now or ever.

“I’m no’ ruining her future,” he mumbled, as much to convince himself as Phin.

“Are ye no’?” His brother hummed. “It sounded as if ye intended to destroy her chances at a marriage, no’ just with ye, but with anyone, even if she repents.”

“I dinnae want to ruin her, especially no’ if she repents,” Roland snapped. “But I want her to acknowledge how wrong she was.”

Thankfully, his brother let that argument drop. “And how are ye intending on doing this?”

“I’m going to present myself to her—in her own space, no’ here, where she’d expect something different. The Oliphant Inn has been the area’s primary lodging for two generations now, even though it was once a manor house belonging to the Barons Oliphant. Despite her airs, and that of her mother, they’re used to hosting all types of people in their home.”

“And am I correct in guessing ye’ll be a…less than desirable type?”

“I’ll be the least desirable,” Roland snarled, “at least according to her standards. I’ll be the ugliest, dirtiest, most barbaric man she can imagine. Perhaps I’ll pretend to be less than whole.”

“Missing an eye perhaps?” mused his brother.

“Oh, excellent! I’m certain my valet could scrounge me up an eyepatch.”

“Ye’ll need to grow a beard.”

Thoughtfully, Roland rubbed at his chin. “That will be simple enough.” His valet sometimes had to shave him twice a day.

“If ye allow that bush on yer chin to grow for a few days, it’s possible even I willnae recognize ye,” Phin admitted. “And if ye add in some dirt…”

“Aye, I’ll be the worst-looking wretch she’s ever encountered, and when she dismisses me, I’ll no’ go.”

“And will ye growl and bark and act otherwise like our brother?”

Roland shook his head, warming to the idea. “Nay. I’ll treat her with the utmost respect, so when she dismisses me, turns me away, there’ll be nae confusion as to why she did it. She’s too obsessed with appearances to do anything otherwise. And then…”

“Ye’ll simply point out her error?” There was a trace of laughter in Phin’s voice as his horse picked its way around a puddle from last night’s rain.

“Nay,” muttered Roland as he considered his plan. “I’ll reveal who I am, and when she begs and pleads for my forgiveness, I’ll no’ grant it. She must learn to see value beyond how a person looks. She must acknowledge how vain and self-centered she really is.”

Their horses reached the top of the hill which marked Phineas’s home. The lane that led to his small manor branched off to the left, and he pulled his horse’s head in that direction.

“And ye’ll do all that without hurting her? Without ruining her future?” Phin’s voice had more than a touch of incredulous humor in it as his animal picked its way in a circle. “So this will not be a public repudiation?”

He wasn’t certain where it would happen, but the thought of harming Vanessa made him want to scowl. “I dinnae want to hurt the lass. I just want her to acknowledge—”

“Yes, yes, that she’s a terrible person.” Phin nodded. “Hopefully, she’ll change her ways, eh?”

Still scowling, Roland nodded. “That is all I want. When she realizes who it is she’s treated so poorly, she’ll walk over coals to beg my pardon, I’m certain. She wants to marry me after all.”

“But ye willnae.” Still trying to hide his smirk—obviously not very well—Phin leaned across the space and offered his hand. “Good luck, brother. I look forward