Jane stared at him for a long moment and slowly curled her lips in a polite smile.
“Ye need nae apologize, my laird.”
Darach watched her place her trembling hands on the table before she curled them into fists. Maybe shewaslike other women; he scared her too after all. He raised his eyes to look at her and gave her a little smile.
“Ye need nae be scared of me. I am of nae harm tae ye.”
“Somehow, I dinnae believe that, my laird.”
Her words had come out sharp, and Darach knew she truly believed them. Her eyes dimmed, and he got a better view of the shadows that colored them. She had been trying valiantly to hide her discomfort, but now that they were alone, safe from the guards, it radiated from her in waves.
What have I done tae inspire such fear in this woman?
He understood that the tales of him and Morven’s brutality struck terror into the hearts of most men, but these eyes were not afraid because of said stories.
It was something else, something he desired to know.
“Why?”
“Why what, my laird?”
“Why do ye think I’m a great danger tae ye?”
Jane looked nervously around before her eyes came back to him. “I dinnae think ye are a danger tae me.”
Darach nodded slowly. “What do ye think of me, then?”
She bit her bottom lip so intenselyshe'd draw blood if she didn't stop. She was clearly uncomfortable talkingor being around him, causing hisheart toseizein his chest.Most highborn ladies he had met acted coy for only two reasons. Either they dreaded him, or they were trying to entice him.
“I think naething of ye, my laird.”
Somehow her words sent a rush of disappointment through him. For some reason, he didn’t want her to thinknothingof him. He gazed deeply at her, and she looked quickly away, a tinge of scarlet washing across her chest.
Darach reclined in his seat and raised his mug to his lips.
“Ye lie.”
“Pardon me?” she said—her voice laced with shock.
“Ye clearly think something about me, my lady. Surely, ye ken ye were lying when ye said ye didn’t?”
“Ye would call me a liar?” Her eyes were shooting daggers, and he was sure he would be a dead man if she had her way.
“Are ye nae a liar in this case? I think ye are, and a bad one, I might add. For I’m sure ye must think something of me, even if it is nae as good as I wish it tae be,” Darach said, his gaze never letting hers slip away. He enjoyed how his provocation triggered something in her—a fire he hadn’t seen in anyone for quite a while.
Another blush worked over her cheeks, and she leaned across the table.
“Ye will nae come into my faither’s keep tae insult me.”
Darach lifted a brow and continued to stare at her, trying not to let his gaze slip down to her ample bosom. It was a hard task, but the lady’s eyes were unwavering. He knew it wouldn't be wise to ruffle the feathers of his host’s daughter, so he needed to placate her fast.
Darach sighed. “I surely mean nae harm tae ye, my lady. I merely asked a question that demands a sane response.”
“Are ye questioning my sanity now?” She frowned, her eyes narrowing as she looked sharply at him.
“Nay, I was just eager to ken if there was something ye thought about me. I have always been interested in the first impression I make on people I’ve never met before. Forgive me for being so forward. I’ve nae intention tae insult ye or make an enemy of the daughter of the man who gave me sanctuary this eve. I’ll be on my way as soon as the sun rises. Ye need nae fear me.”
A mocking smile played on her lips. “Trust me, my laird, there’s naething I wish for more than the sun to rise in the sky. I’d rather ye be gone under the veil of night if it would spare me another one of yer questions.”