Page 85 of Ruined By the Ruthless Highlander
Still, she took another sip of it, as though determined to overcome the taste.
As stubborn as ever.
Lachlan’s lips curved slightly, and he shook his head, returning his attention to the conversation around him.
“What do ye think, Laird MacLeod?” someone asked.
The men stared at him, clearly expecting an answer, even as he tried to recall what they’d been discussing.
Damn… Mairi.
“Aye,” he said cautiously, and the group broke into approving murmurs.
His eyebrows flew up at their enthusiasm.
I suppose I answered correctly.
Whatever they were discussing, it was barely sufficient to hold his interest. His gaze drifted to Marian again as a few of the men tapped his back, and his eyebrows drew together.
What has happened to her?
The shift in her expression was subtle, but she was no longer smiling. Instead, there seemed to be something bothering her. She nodded as Lady Murray said something to her, and then she turned slightly, her gaze nearly meeting his.
Lachlan looked away at once. He turned to face the men, only to find Laird Murray watching him with a wide smile.
“I’m honored that ye agreed,” Laird Murray said.
Lachlan’s brow furrowed.
What have I agreed to?
“If ye need help hostin’ the next cèilidh in Glen Carrick, I am more than willin’ to oblige.”
“Hostin’ the next cèilidh?” Lachlan repeated, his tone incredulous. “Why would I…” he trailed off when Laird Murray’s smile faltered, and the realization slowly kicked in.
I agreed to host a cèilidh.
His jaw tightened.
’Tis Mairi’s fault.
Laird Murray started to give an awkward explanation, and Lachlan’s gaze swept across the crowd again to find Marian. She was nowhere to be seen.
His fingers curled slightly.
Could she have left?
“Aye,” he told Laird Murray, unintentionally cutting him off.
He excused himself quickly, tapping Laird Murray on the back before stepping away from the group to keep the conversation from spiraling further. Although he noted, in passing, how easily the group had taken to him.
Perhaps it is the ale.
He returned his attention to finding Marian, his eyes scanning the crowd until he found her seated at the table with Lady Murray. The knot in his chest loosened slightly, though he did not care to admit it.
He moved across the hall toward her, his expression softening slightly once he noticed the long look on her face.
Has something happened to her?
