Page 4 of Wedded to the Devilish Highlander
“Aye, I would’ve loved to run into some bandits on the road on me way here. I havenae stuck anyone with a sword in a long time.”
“Aye, I bet ye havenae. Where is yer sword, if ye dinnae mind me askin’?”
“I had me maid take it to the inn and polish it for me,” Eileen replied.
Archer smiled and took a large gulp of ale, draining half his tankard. Eileen tried not to rub her fingers together too much.
“Yer maid?” he asked. “I dinnae often hear of a man travelin’ with a maid.”
The tavern fell silent for a moment, as if everyone was listening to their conversation, but it was only a lull in the noise, and Calum started a drunken song as he propped himself up against the bar.
“Aye, well, if I cannae have fun with me sword, then I can have some fun with—” Eileen almost winced, as she almost said ‘sword’ twice. She quickly pivoted. “With me young maid.”
“Aye, I thought ye had that look about ye when ye came in. I could see something in yer eyes. If ye’re lookin’ for somethin’ like that, I can point ye in the right direction.”
Eileen tried to keep her cool, wondering how quickly she could remove herself from the situation.
“That’s kind of ye, Me Laird, but I dinnae need any extra fun tonight.”
Please drop the subject. If ye start boastin’ about the fun you have had with yer conquests, I willnae be able to bear it.
Archer leaned in, close enough that his breath fanned her ear.
Eileen felt a chill run down her spine, and she shivered at the warmth of a man so close. She kept still, trying to show the strength expected of a man. She could not let her disguise slip.
“Ayoung mansuch as yerself ought to be more careful in a place like this,” he murmured.
Eileen’s blood ran cold.
He kens.
She almost fell from her chair, her gaze flicking to the door, panic shooting up her spine.
“Relax,” he said, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth as he leaned back in his chair. “I have nay interest in callin’ ye out. Just thought ye should ken that ye arenae as invisible as ye think. I hope yer maid kens about this. And I wouldnae let Calum ken, or he’ll be on ye like a dog in heat.”
Her cheeks burned.
Damn this man. Smug. Arse.
She squared her shoulders, her voice low but defiant. “I can fend for meself.”
Archer chuckled, deep and soft. “Clearly. But it’s a dangerous game ye’re playin’. Brave, but foolish too. Do ye want to share why ye dressed like this? I was curious when you stepped into this place, and I’m more curious now, with how ye’ve played the part.”
Eileen lifted her chin, her eyes narrowing. “Och, it’s nothin’. I already told ye; I’m lookin’ for someone.”
“Aye, Reid Kilmartin,” Archer said dryly, but his gaze lingered, sharper now. He looked almost entertained. “Judgin’ from the look ye gave me when I told ye he hadnae made it to me castle, ye think I had somethin’ to do with it.”
“Nay, I didnae mean to suggest that, Me Laird,” Eileen said.
She’d been caught out, and she didn’t know what the Laird would do next. She’d offended him, that much was clear.
Their eyes locked, something like amusement flickering in his. His presence was intoxicating, unsettling. She hated how handsome he was—and how aware she was of the way he was looking at her… even in breeches. She could feel him trace her shape through her clothes.
She got up before she looked down at his chest or said something she might regret, her heart pounding against her ribs, her ears burning. As a final act of defiance, she picked up her tankard and drained it. Then, she left the table. As she reached the door, she glanced back.
Archer was staring at a table in the corner where two giggling women sat, batting their eyelashes at him. Eileen shook her head, annoyed. His smile was lazy and charming like he had the world in his pocket.
But his eyes… they found her one last time. She froze by the door, returning his gaze with defiance.
