Page 3 of Wedded to the Devilish Highlander
She approached the bar, her voice firm despite her rising nerves. “Ale.”
The barkeep poured without question, the mug thudding against the wood. Eileen kept her hood low, her ears strained as she turned toward the room. Her gaze scanned every face, every corner.
No mention of Reid. No MacLennan crests. Nothing but the ever-present hum of drunken laughter.
Then, without warning, a heavy arm landed across her shoulders.
“Och, lighten up, lad,” slurred a voice near her ear. “Ye look like a funeral in trousers.”
Eileen froze. The man reeked of ale and sweat, his hand hot against her cloak. Her instinct screamed to shove him off, to pull her dagger, but she didn’t dare make a scene.
Before she could decide what to do, another voice cut in, smoother, lower, and deadly calm.
“Let the lad be, Calum. Nay man wants to be accosted by a drunkard when they’ve been travelin’ all day. We dinnae need yer boorish behavior to be the first thing anyone who crosses into our lands to experience, or they’ll cross back over and never return. Ye’re doin’ a fine job of proppin’ up this tavern, but a wee bit more coin wouldnae go amiss.”
“Aye, aye, ye’re right as always,” came the withered reply. The arm fell away, and Calum slinked off.
Eileen turned to see a man towering beside her. Tall and broad-shouldered, with raven-black hair and piercing green eyes that seemed to see straight through her. She stared into his eyes, becoming lost in them for a moment before averting her gaze, lest he get the wrong idea.
He wasn’t smiling, but something about his expression said that he very well could, if it suited him.
Calum snorted as he walked away, waving a hand. He muttered over his shoulder, “Just havin’ a jest, Archer.”
Archer! Archer Fleming!The Laird of Clan MacLennan himself. The one Reid went after.
Calum stumbled off, and Archer turned his gaze back to her. Slowly, his eyes swept down her frame, then back up to her face. Not lewd, but calculating.
“Ye all right?” he asked, his voice steady and low.
Eileen took a moment to compose herself.
“Aye, Me Laird,” she replied. “It’s been a long journey, and all I want is a mug of ale afore I retire for the night. I’m thankful for yer assistance and bumpin’ into ye like this. Ye see, I’m lookin’ for one of the men from me castle. Reid Kilmartin. The last I heard, he was on his way to see ye.”
“Then he didnae make it,” Archer replied.
He motioned for the barkeep to pour more ale, not only for Eileen but for himself, too.
Eileen swallowed as the lump in her throat grew. A part of her wanted to ask if he was mistaken about Reid not making it and perhaps something had happened after he got to Castle MacLennan, but she was walking a fine line with her disguise as it was, and would rather the Laird let her be.
When the barkeep set a tankard before her, she took a swig to drown the feelings rising inside her and stop herself from saying something she might regret.
She didn’t have long before the cruel Laird O’Gunn would come for her hand, but Laird MacLennan was no angel either. If Reid had done something to disrespect Laird MacLennan, then he might be locked up in the dungeons.
Eileen turned from the bar and took the ale in her shaking hand to one of the free tables. When she sat and looked up, she realized the Laird had followed her.
“Do ye mind if I join ye?” Archer asked. “I’m interested to hear if ye ran into any trouble on the road. Where was it ye said ye came from?”
Eileen knew she couldn’t object to the Laird joining her at the table, but she didn’t get a chance, as he sat before she could answer.
“McFair Castle,” she replied. “And the roads were fine, Me Laird.” Her voice cracked a little as she spoke, and she focused on keeping it as deep as possible.
“Aye, there’s been talk of bandits on the road recently. Maybe that’s what happened to yer pal. It’s gettin’ more and more dangerous to travel. I expect ye can handle herself. I dinnae like the thought of lassies travelin’ these roads, especially alone.”
Eileen gulped and quickly took another swig of ale
Does he ken that I’m nae who I claim to be?
She reminded herself that if she were a man, she wouldn’t be so meek. She was in a tavern full of men, and while there were not many in the building, they were making some noise. The only one who wasn’t was Archer, and he had a right to do whatever he wanted.
