As he said those words, Elaine, too, did feel like she knew this man or had seen him before, and suddenly started to worry. Perhaps he was an acquaintance of her father, or she had met him in some relation to the farm.
“Och, I ken where’ve seen ye,” he said in sudden recognition. “In Oban at the marketplace. In fact, I’ve seen ye more than once when I’ve been there buying herbs for Keir’s tinctures.”
Elaine's blood ran cold, and she stood frozen to the spot like a scared rabbit as her mind went blank. She had quickly devised an explanation for her surname. But she couldn't think of anything to say—her mind had simply shut down. If he had seen her in the market, he would have known she was not a lady of pleasure. She would have been dressed very differently. Something her mother had said a long time ago suddenly came back to her.
“Ye can mak’ a man dae anything with a bit o’ flirting.”
“Well,” she said, softening her tone. “If ye have seen me in the market, nae doubt I was nae at my best,” she continued, softening her eyes. “As ye can see,” she gestured to her rather provocative gown, her bosoms attempting to burst from the low-cut corset. “I’m much finer when my services are required.”
“Aye,” Finn replied, his breathing a little deeper. “I can surely see that.” Lifting his hand, he brushed his knuckles across the back of her hand. A sensation that Elaine supposed was intended to evoke a pleasurable response. Yet, all she could feel was her skin crawling as his eyes lingered on the exposed flesh of her soft and pale breasts.
“I suppose I must be getting on,” she said, careful not to sound as if she were frightened or running away.
“So soon?’ Finn pouted playfully. “But we’ve hardly had a chance tae get acquainted.”
If his eyes were anywhere near her face, Elaine might have believed he was actually interested in getting to know her. Yet she could hardly blame him. She had started it. If nothing else, he would at least now believe she was a lady of pleasure. But she wanted to be certain.
“I’m afraid,” Elaine sighed in feigned exhaustion. “That after the activities o’ last night, Finn, I’m in need o’ much rest. Besides, the laird wishes me tae come tae him again tonight, and I cannae return in a weary state.”
“Then, until we meet again, Elaine,” Finn said, inclining his head toward her.
“Until then, Finn,” Elaine said sweetly before turning away and dropping the smile from her face.
* * *
“Have ye decided what yer going tae dae about this dagger?” Keir asked, sat in a high-backed hair in the library with Duncan pacing back and forth before the huge fireplace.
Duncan was pleased that Elaine was to come again that evening, and while she had been on his mind moments before, Keir’s question quickly changed his train of thought.
“I havnae,” Duncan said.
It was better for him if he remain seated. They never knew when another seizure would strike or when he would lose consciousness. All of the herbs and tinctures Finn had tried had done little to alleviate or cure his ailment. And, despite not knowing what caused it, Keir was wise enough to pick a location where he could cause himself less harm.
“I still cannae get my head around it,” Keir replied. “The men searched that area thoroughly. Why was the blade not found then?”
Duncan shrugged. “There could be many reasons, Keir. Perhaps it was muddy; perhaps the dagger was disturbed when they searched a second time. I feel your confusion, but we cannae let that distract us from dealing with the situation at hand. A dagger from another clan was found at the same place my wife and son’s bodies were discovered. It has tae mean something.”
“My, my,” Finn declared as he entered the library, interrupting their conversation. “I have just laid eyes upon the lass who was with ye last night, Duncan. Upon seeing her,” he grinned as he walked further into the room, “I cannae blame ye for finally taking the plunge. Haveyeseen her, Keir?”
Duncan regarded Finn with a slight smile.
Keir shook his head. “I cannae say I have.”
“Well, I can tell ye, she’s a bonnie lass,” Finn near drooled. “I’ll bet her skin is like silk, eh, Duncan? And those beautiful milky bosoms,” Keir closed his eyes, clearly imagining them at that moment. “I wouldnae mind getting a wee taste o’ those mysel.”
Keir appeared slightly amused at Finn’s expression. But Duncan found himself suddenly frustrated, even jealous at the idea of Finn having his hands anywhere near her.
“Dinnae speak o’ her that way!” he barked.
Both Finn and Keir suddenly turned toward Duncan with heavy frowns of confusion. “Good God, man,” Keir replied. “Whatever is the matter with ye?”
“Naething is the matter,” Duncan said, turning from them. His reaction had been entirely out of character. And now the words were out of his mouth; he suddenly felt scrutinized.
“Ye dinnae have feelings for the woman, dae ye, Duncan?” Finn asked. “Sure, we all ken ye dinnae lie with them anyway. Well, until last night.”
“Nae, I dinnae have feelings for the woman. Dinnae talk such nonsense. Ye ken well, Finn, that I’ve had nae interest in any woman since Cora.”
Even as he spoke those words, he knew they were untrue, because Elaine had been on his mind since he awoke that morning. His defense of her had astounded him as it had the others. And yet, while he could openly deny feelings for her, he couldn't fool himself.