Page 80 of Ruined By the Ruthless Highlander
Their handshake lingered for what seemed like an eternity, a quiet acknowledgment of men who shared similar values and spoke the same language.
“Ye arrived on a lively night,” Laird Murray said, breaking the silence.
Lachlan nodded once. “We noticed.”
The silence quickly grew awkward between them as they stared at each other.
Laird Murray glanced toward Marian with careful curiosity, and Lachlan noticed immediately. He cleared his throat lightly, turning toward her. “This is Lady Marian Whitcombe. She is with me.”
Laird Murray’s eyebrows rose slightly, while heat rose in Marian’s chest.
Would he not say something further?
She kept a polite smile on her face, though her mind raced at the impropriety of the introduction.
Perhaps he does not know what to say, considering our unique situation.
She briefly considered saying something for herself.
I should do the honors. Introduce myself as a friend of Anna’s. Or an acquaintance. From London.
Her chest tightened slightly as she looked over the excited crowd once more, searching for Anna.
“Lady Marian is me guest from London,” Lachlan added. “She is stayin’ in Glen Carrick until she resolves a family dispute, and she requested to come here today.”
“Ah…” Laird Murray exhaled. “Ye are welcome, me Lady. I presume ye ken me wife.”
Marian smiled softly, glancing at Lachlan as the knot in her chest loosened in relief.
Just then, Anna appeared, moving quickly across the room before Marian could properly prepare herself.
There was a different air about her from the last time Marian had seen her in London, and a quick smile spread across her face.
Anna looked at Marian carefully as though she was racking through her memories, and Marian’s stomach nearly sank.
Does she not remember me?
Her cheeks reddened slightly, and she pursed her lips, just as Anna’s eyes lit up with recognition.
“Lady Marian,” she greeted with genuine delight, pulling Marian in for a hug that caught her off guard. “It has been ages since I last saw you!”
Marian’s face broke into a smile of her own.
Thank goodness.
She hugged her back, and once they broke apart, Anna clapped her hand once to get the attention of a maid nearby. She immediately began to issue instructions.
“Prepare the last chamber upstairs for our guests,” she said briskly. “Fresh linens and a proper fire.”
The maid hesitated. “Me Lady… it is the final room,” she said quietly.
Anna waved a dismissive hand. “Then it will serve perfectly.”
The implication settled in faster for Lachlan than for Marian. He raised an eyebrow. “One room?”
Marian stiffened, her eyes widening in shock.
Surely not.
