Page 7 of A Highlander's Bride

Daniel turned to Lady Chisholm. “I assume ye would like to be shown to yer bedchambers to freshen up before ye join us?”

“Aye, we would like that, Laird,” Lady Chisholm said.

Just then Lady Munro entered the great hall. “My daughter will be right down, Laird.” She looked as though she had been involved in a wrestling match. Maybe this little fete the king had planned might be interesting after all.

*

“I canno’ believeye would embarrass yer da and me by arriving at the great hall dressed like this!”

Beth had never heard her mam speak to her in such an angry voice. Her face was red and she was still huffing from practically dragging her up the stairs to her bedchamber.

She waved her finger in Beth’s face. “Ye will change into something appropriate for visiting with the Makenzie Laird. And fix yer hair and where did ye get the spectacles? And those horrible shoes? And wiping yer mouth on the sleeve of that hideous dress. And where did you get that dress?”

The poor woman dropped to the bed and placed her hand on her chest. “I think I’m about to faint.”

Beth began to get concerned. “I’m sorry, Mam. I dinna mean to upset ye so. I just doona want the laird to pick me.” She walked across the room to summon a maid. “I’ll send for some tea while I change.”

Her mother nodded and seemed to calm down. After asking fortea from the young lass who answered her call, she began to shimmy out of the four dresses she had on, in hopes of appearing too plump to appeal to the laird.

Her mam’s eyes grew wide as she wiggled out of the clothing. She began to fan herself with her ever-present linen cloth. “I think instead of having that tea, I will go back to the great hall and greet The Chisholm and his wife and daughter.”

Beth nodded and continued to untie the bodice of the last dress. Her mam turned as she reached the door. “And doona come downstairs dressed in any way that is no’ your usual way to do so.” With a sharp close of the door, she left the room.

Beth sat on the bed and closed her eyes. She hadn’t thought her idea would work quickly, but now her parents were both angry and would probably keep a close eye on her.

The self-important laird seemed to be laughing at her the entire time. He was very handsome, but most likely knew it and planned to have her and the other lass fall all over him.

Not her.

She was not going to give up and allow herself to be presented along with another girl like champion horses to catch the laird’s eye.

She pulled out an “acceptable” dress to wear, thinking about the laird. In truth, he was more handsome than any man she had ever known. He had wavy, deep red hair that made it almost to his shoulders. His arms bulged with muscles that rippled every time he moved. Once he stood to greet her when she arrived to break her fast in the great hall, all she could see was his muscular thighs and calves, covered by snug braies. She dragged her eyes away from the sight and found herself looking into his blue eyes which showed both mirth and cleverness.

Well, he won’t use his cleverness on me.

After washing off the flour she’d gotten from their cook at Faulis Castle that she’d used to cover her freckles and make her appear sickly,and then fixing her hair in her usual manner, with the two sides braided, pulled back, and fastened at the back of her head, she gazed into the looking glass and sighed.

Although her family always told her differently, she’d never considered herself pretty, but she knew she didn’t shatter mirrors. Hopefully, the other lass competing for this arrogant oaf would be very pretty and charming and he would select her right away. Then she could go back to her life as it was and how she wanted it to continue.

She dug out a pair of her own shoes from one of the trunks and slipped them on. Time again to face the man she was determined not to impress, even if he was the finest-looking man she’d ever seen.

She smiled; she had other methods that her parents didn’t know about.

Chapter Three

Daniel waited patientlyfor Lady Beth and his three more newly arrived guests to appear. Lady Munro seemed to have calmed down. “I want to apologize to ye, Laird. I doona ken what my daughter was thinking, but she will be down shortly in a presentable manner.”

He smiled and nodded, quite interested to see what the lass looked like when she wasn’t dressed like a verra old woman. He still had a hard time not laughing about it again, which, given Lady’s Munro tense scowl was probably not a good idea.

A maid had picked up the discarded shoes and with Lady Monro’s instructions had discarded them.

“Good morn again, Laird.” Laird Chisholm, his wife and daughter all entered the great hall.

Daniel stood and waved to the bench where Laird and Lady Munro sat, along with Gregory. Daniel gestured toward his cousin. “May I introduce ye to Gregory Mackenzie.”

They nodded at him and Daniel said, “Please have a seat and the servers will bring out food and drink.”

Lady Chisholm pushed her daughter toward the very slight space between Daniel and Lady Munro, which had been Lady Beth’s seat before her mam had towed her off. “Ye can sit next to the Laird, Alice. I’m sure he is interested in speaking with ye.”