She was beautiful. And she was trouble.
The table was overcome with small talk when MacThomas raised his hand at the end of the meal and motioned toward his eldest daughter.
“Darling, do yer duties as the lady of the house and see tae our guests’ needs,” he instructed. “Tell the servants tae have baths drawn, and see that three beds are prepared for them. Ye can head to the infirmary after that.”
Jane MacThomas nodded and rose gracefully, but Morven’s voice broke through the air before she left the room.
“Two beds, my laird, nae three.”
“Surely ye will all be staying the night to rest after yer hard ride from the north?”
Morven shook his head. “The lives of many depend on my warning about Macduff scum prowling the woods. I must take my leave of yer keep, even though my body yearns to stay. His lairdship and his advisor will stay with the wounded before they depart tomorrow.”
MacThomas looked towards Darach and then back at Morven. He nodded. “Then I myself shall accompany ye tae the gates tae ensure yer safe journey.”
“There will be nae need for that, my laird. I intend tae depart alone, as I’d prefer not drawing attention to myself.”
MacThomas laughed. “Do nae dispute with yer elders, lad. Ye might be more fearful than me, but I ken better how to please my guests. I shall make the arrangements for yer departure myself.” The laird stood from his seat and looked at his daughters. “Aileen, see tae the preparation of the rooms then, while Jane keeps the laird and his advisor company.”
Aileen quickly nodded and exited the great hall. Darach stood there watching Morven and their host walk out together. Morven had always supported the Jacobite cause—hissleeping and waking thoughts were of forming an alliance and wresting the kingdom from William of Orange. He saw himself as only useful in battle, but Darach was too tired to argue about it. Morven refused to see he was so much morethan a warrior..
A moment after Morven left, Kenn turned to Darach.
“I need a moment, my laird.”
Darach’s eyebrows shot up, and his companion grinned at the questioning look. “Heavy dinner,” he explained and then summoned one of the guards.
The guard spared a quick look at the elder MacThomas daughter, who was still regally seated at the table. She nodded at the guard, and he led Kenn outside.
Immediately after Kenn stepped out, Darach could feel the warmth in the room increase threefold. A warmth he knew did not derive from the fires in the hall but from the woman he shared the table with, who he was now staring at shamelessly. Her golden hair looked aflame in the light from the torches. There was silence for a moment as the fire crackled. Darach sipped his ale, his eyes never leaving her.
There was no conversation to distract him now, no brother to caution him.
His eyes feasted on the sight of her.
Jane looked like a natural-born queen. Her dress was simple, but she wore it with grace. Still, she was obviously no weak lass who spent all her days safely in her keep. Her gently bronzed skin showed that she probably wandered throughout the day, sometimes, he wagered, without proper protection. Her freckles betrayed her.
“My lady?” Darach called.
The gruff sound of his voice startled her so much that her glass of fortified wine slipped from her hand and fell with a loud crash onto the floor. A footman quickly rushed to her side to help her pick the shards, but Jane only raised her hand in a quick gesture and shook her head at the approaching boy.
“It’s my mess. I’d like tae clean it up myself. Dinnae worry about it.”
The words were accompanied by a little smile, and Darach watched the footman retreat a few steps away, obviously used to the kindness of his mistress.
She is nae just a pretty face, this one. She has a good soul too.
It interested him to know that there was compassion hidden behind the cold façade she’d shown him all evening. Darach's heart warmed at the thought, and he went to kneel by her side to help her in cleaning up the glass..
“I willnae be as easily dismissed as a servant, my lady,” he warned as he noticed her mouth opening to protest. “This is as much my fault.”
“‘Tis nae fault of yers that I scared like a flighty bird in a cage.”
Darach nodded and looked into her eyes. “I shouldnae have called ye that way.”
“I agree.” She nodded. They packed up the mess, and the footman reached forward to take the rag from her hands. This time, she allowed the man to help, and they both returned to their seats.
“I apologize once again, my lady. I am truly sorry.”