Page 11 of A Highlander's Bride

“So ye’ve said.” He stood and threw a few coins on the table. “Come, lass, it grows dark and I ken yer parents will be worried.”

Still stunned from his words, she merely followed him out of the inn and to the stables where he lifted her onto her horse, threw his leg over his own horse, and led the way, expecting her to trail behind him.

Which she did.

*

Daniel had breatheda sigh of relief when he found Lady Beth in the village tavern inn. Relief was soon followed by a burst of anger, although he’d tried to hide it from her.

The lass apparently dinna understand how dangerous it was to travel by herself. Not that he was surprised, since in the very short time he’d known her, he expected her to do whatever it was that went against how other young lasses behaved.

This particular lass fascinated him. And even more so now.

After he had thrown a few coins on the table and escorted her from the inn, he placed his hand on her lower back, a true sign of possession. Which was a good thing to do in the village inn since hesaw the way other men looked at her. Lady Beth might not belong to him yet, but if he had his way—which he generally did—she would be his.

Once they returned from the inn, he was greeted by Lady Chisholm staring pointedly at Lady Beth. “My laird, Lady Alice has been looking for ye. I believe ye offered to listen to her play the pianoforte this afternoon.”

The perfect host, Daniel said, “I am verra sorry, my lady, but other things took up my time. I will be most happy to listen to her after supper.”

Somewhat appeased, the woman smiled. “Thank ye, Laird, I ken Lady Alice was very disappointed when ye were no’ here.” She looked back and forth at him and Lady Beth as if she expected him to offer a further explanation.

He smiled at her. “Again I apologize, Lady Chrisholm, please offer my apologizes to Lady Alice and I will see you all at supper.”

Lady Beth disappeared up the stairs right after Lady Chisholm cast her a look that said she was no more than a lightskirt.

Whistling a favorite tune, he ascended the stairs to his bedchamber.

Let the battles begin.

*

Beth studied thedresses in her wardrobe, looking for the least attractive one to wear to supper. The atmosphere in the keep didn’t necessarily lend itself to changing for supper like they were in some London fancy townhouse. However, Lady Chisholm had insisted that they should change for supper because it was the ‘thing to do.’

A soft knock on her door drew her attention. “Aye.”

Her mam entered the room, already dressed. “Where were ye all day?” She studied her daughter, looking as though she wished at timesshe and her husband had been more strict with their lass.

Beth shrugged. “Out riding, enjoying the fresh air.”

She frowned. “Yer da and I were worried.”

Beth pulled a dress from the wardrobe. “I ride by myself at home all the time.” No, this dress would not do, it showed off more flesh than she wanted to present to the laird.

“Ye’re no’ at home now, and ’tis dangerous for ye to wander around by yerself. Yer da and I were so concerned we asked the laird to look for ye. Did ye see him?”

“Aye.” This dress might be a good choice. She always thought the color was too dull for her coloring but had brought it along anyway. Yes, this was the perfect dress. She was sure Lady Alice would be dressed in a very fancy dress.

Her mam moved closer as if Beth couldn’t hear her only five feet away. “Where did he find ye?”

She frowned, trying to remember the conversation they were having. “He dinna ‘find’ me because I wasna lost.”

Mam’s eyes narrowed. “Do no’ disrespect me, lass. I am yer mam.” She paused and continued, “then where did he see ye when ye weren’t lost?”

Beth pulled the dress over her head to muffle her voice. “The village inn.”

“What? I dinna hear ye.”

She sighed. “At the village inn, I went there for an ale because I was thirsty and hungry.” She turned to her mam. “They have an excellent meat pie.”