Page 33 of A Highlander's Bride

“I doona ken. I’m a tad warn out from all the dancing.” She shook her head and pointed to an older man twirling a young girl around. “I doona ken how they do it.”

Daniel grinned. “Fergus does it because he kens he will lay in his bed for the next three days, having his sons do all the necessary chores.”

Before she could respond, they heard the familiar, annoying voice. “Oh, there ye are Laird.” Lady Chisholm walked up behind them, dragging Lady Alice. “Lady Alice was hoping ye would dance with her.”

She shoved the poor girl, who stumbled and landed in Daniel’s arms. He quickly straightened her and backed up a few steps. Beth had to hide her grin at how quickly he got rid of her.

Being the gracious host and laird, he looked at the lass. “Lady Alice, would ye like to dance?”

She nodded, looking at her shoes. Her mam gave her another shove and this time Daniel caught her by the arms and they made their way to where the dancers were hopping, jumping, and twirling around the bonfire.

“Donna they make a great couple?” Lady Chisholm said as Daniel and Alice joined the dancers.

Refusing to give the answer the woman wanted, Beth merely shrugged.

“My Alice has everything the laird could possibly want in a wife.” Lady Chisholm placed her hands at her middle and sighed as shewatched them.

Beth had to use all her good training to keep quiet at a conversation she had no intention of having with this woman.

“If ye will excuse me, I need to make a visit to the garderobe.”

Lady Chisholm reached out and grabbed her arm. Rather forcefully. “Doona plan on marrying the laird, lass. My Alice will be his wife.”

Beth pulled her arm free and walked off without comment. The woman was not only delusional, but frightening.

*

Daniel watched thebrief conversation between Beth and Lady Chisholm, and then Beth’s quick departure. He didn’t have to think too hard to imagine what that was all about. He really had to get Beth to give him the answer he wanted so he could make his announcement and be done with the annoying and pushy Lady Chisholm.

Although the crowd was loud, Lady Alice made no effort to speak with him. He tried a few times, but was only rewarded with a nod or shrug.

Thankfully, the bagpipes, fiddlers, and flutists decided to take a break and he was able to walk Lady Alice back to her mam. Without changing his pace, he turned on his heel and headed to the keep to find Beth. He found her sitting on one of the stone benches in the inner bailey when he arrived. “Are ye hiding from Lady Chisholm, too?” he said as he joined her.

“Aye.”

“The musicians are taking a break, but I asked them to play something slow so I can take ye in my arms.”

“Is that so?” she said with a smirk. “Suppose another mon has already asked me to dance a slow one?”

He leaned in close to her ear. “I will make sure the dance with ye is the last thing he does.”

Beth laughed, that tinkling sound he loved so much. He stood and took her hand. “Come, Old Noah is no’ kenned for taking long breaks.”

They rounded the castle walls, heading to the bonfire when Lady Chisholm walked up. “Laird. I’m so glad to see ye. They say the next dance will be a slow one and Lady Alice is so looking forward to a slow dance with ye.”

He nodded. “I am sure there is a lad who will be happy to dance with her, but I promised this one to Lady Beth.”

Lady Chisholm huffed and walked away.

Daniel took a deep breath. “I doona ken how much longer I can tolerate the woman.”

The music started up and Daniel swung Beth around and took her in his arms.

Perfect.

She fit him exactly right, just like in all the other ways. Their hearts beat as one, as they should. He tugged her closer and she laughed. But she didn’t pull back.

After five or more minutes, the music ended. He took her by the hand and led her away from the bonfire.