Page 58 of Never Marry a Highlander

The three laughed, although Craig did feel comfortable knowing that keeping an eye on Lorena for that reason would not be necessary.With the way she felt about men, he was fortunate that she turned out to be more passionate than he’d expected when they married.

After planning on what they would contribute to the meeting with the clan chief, the other MacKay lairds, and the Sutherlands, Craig returned to their bedchamber to find Lorena just awakening from her nap.

The flush of sleep on her face, and the dewy look in her eyes was enough to have him thinking of a skipping the dinner in the great hall and having food sent up to them.

But he knew Lorena was eager to join the others for dinner, and for certe the music and dancing afterward.With Fall fully underway, this would be the last gathering for a while because travel would become difficult once the winter and bad weather was upon them.

***

They washed up from their trip, changed into clean clothes and left their assigned room.As they reached the bottom step, Lady MacKay stood at the entrance to the great hall, greeting her guests and inviting them to take seats wherever they wanted.She, Craig, Finn and Robin sat at a table near the center of the room, surrounded by other people that Robin knew from other gatherings.

Lorena looked around at all the people as serving maids entered the room, carrying platters of wonderful smelling food.This time of the day was when her appetite really made itself known.

Just as she picked up her eating knife, she felt a nudge on her shoulder.“Would ye mind moving over, lass, it’s been a while since I’ve spoken to the MacKays and I would enjoy dining with ye.”

Stunned at Lady Beattie’s forwardness, she moved before she even thought about it.Whereupon the woman wedged herself between Lorena and Craig.The others no doubt as startled as she was, said nothing.

However, after a few seconds, Craig stood and moved to Lorena’s other side.“’Tis sorry I am, lass, but I enjoy speaking with my wife as we eat our meal.”

The woman huffed but stayed in the spot and leaned over Lorena to speak with Craig.He was quite abrupt with her but that didn’t seem to dissuade her.“I’m hoping ye will save a dance for me, Craig,” she said, throwing Lorena a smirk.

“Nay, lass.My wife holds all my dances.”

“Oh, I believe ye can save at least one for me.Ye ken we have always danced so well together.”Again, she gave Lorena a smirk.

When Lorena made a move to dump her plate of food onto Lady Beattie’s lap, Craig grabbed her hand.“Ignore her, ye doona want to make a scene in front of all the clans.”’

Outraged, Lorena said, “But she—”

“—I ken, but it wouldn’t look good for Robin if ye behaved in such a way.”

Lorena was appalled to feel the tears gather in her eyes.What should have been a wonderful evening with her and Craig had turned into a tugging contest between her and this hateful woman.

Once the meal was finished, the tables were broken down and pushed against the wall while men gathered in a corner and began to play well-known Scottish tunes.Craig grabbed her hand and tugged her out to the middle of the room.“I doona ken how to dance verra well,” she said.

“’Tis no problem.Just hold onto me and I’ll guide ye.”

After a few missteps, she picked up the idea, and with Craig’s arm wrapped around her waist she handled the various dances quite well.

Hours later, with Lorena not even able to feel her toes anymore, she held her hand up to Craig.“I believe I’ve had enough, husband.‘Tis time to retire.”

His eyes glowed as he seemed to remember the jug of wine and their comfortable bed waiting for them upstairs.“Ye go on up, and I will join ye in a bit.”

She nodded and flushed from the dancing, she looked forward to striping her clothes off her heated body and washing her body with a cool, wet cloth, then climbing into bed where Craig would heat her body up again.Just as she was close to the staircase, Lady Beattie stepped out from a dark corner.

“Do no’ think ye won, lassie.I will have Craig before he leaves here.He could ne’er resist me and a plain lass as yerself will ne’er hold him.”With those words, Beattie turned and flounced away, heading to the dance area.

And straight toward Mister Craig MacKay.