Page 13 of The Lass and the Laird

Her brother's mismatched eyes met hers. Rare was the woman who was indifferent to her brother. Handsome features, red-tinged hair and muscular physique meant he rarely lacked companionship. It was speculated he was a Fae's son, with one green eye and the other closer to amber. Whether it was his eyes or something else, he'd not sought a wife yet. Meredith wished he were as focused on that as on her. If there was another reason for not marrying before her, he would not divulge it. Not to her anyway.

Not willing to put himself in a position to be spurned was more the reason. Yet the stubborn man did not hesitate when it came to her. Aiden huffed. "I am not daft. I will make inquiries first to ensure he would be agreeable."

She turned to face him. "Will you wait for a few days at least, Aiden? I promised to visit Cousin Fiona who is about to give birth. I cannot accompany you until I return."

"Very well. But don't think I will relent."

"I'm sure you won't, brother."

Skirts lifted, she rushed down the stairs and out a door to the side garden. Meredith sunk onto a bench and looked past the gate to the open lands. Plush with green grass, cattle grazed lazily on the hills, while on a side pasture a shepherd hurried his herd forward. Everyone heading home or already settled for the night on Stuart lands.

Once married off, she'd miss her home. Her eyes misted. It wasn't fair. She wished to remain here, where it was safe. Too short was the respite after her husband had died. Meredith had been convinced she'd be left to live in peace tending to her garden and managing the household.

With the toe of her foot she dug into the dirt as an errant tear trailed down her cheek. Three days, at least she'd bought herself a little bit of time. Perhaps she'd run into the dark-haired stranger again. What occurred between them was so different, so wickedly good. If she could find him again, would it be the same?

She wondered what he did at this time. Did he think of her? What if he considered her a woman of loose morals for so readily accepting his attentions? Truthfully, she'd not been able to think, her mind only on the amazing sensations his touch brought.

On her feet, she moved to the edge of the garden and allowed her tears free rein. It would not do at all. To marry someone she didn't care for did not bode well. Although the Laird Gordon was fair of face, he was not a good man. To have slept with his own father's wife meant he'd not hesitate to sleep with women other than his wife.

"Milady?" Lily stood at the doorway and leaned forward. "Is that you?"

"Aye. I'm coming now." Meredith wiped at her tears and looked to the starless sky. "’Tis a dark night."

"Surely not a good one to be out alone." Lily fussed with her shawl and pulled Meredith forward. "Come now. Let's get inside before you're pinched by harpies."

The next day dawned clear and sunny. With an herb basket on her arm, Meredith made her way along the loch's edge. Her wet hem tugged at her skirts, but she barely noticed, too engrossed was she in finding the cottage the dark-haired man alluded to live in. He'd said not too far from where she stood, but she didn't make out any type of structure and feared entering the woods which were definitely on Gordon lands. Her cousin had born a healthy baby girl just that morning; her excuse for putting off the visit to Gordon was gone.

A horseman appeared and she moved to stand in the cover of a tree. Her heart leaped in her chest when recognizing the man. He pulled his horse to a stop and dismounted.

He studied the surroundings and then pulled his steed toward the water's edge.

"Come now, lassie, we must speak."

Meredith came from her hiding place. "How did you know I was here?"

"I spotted you from a distance." His lips curved and she could only gape at how handsome he was. How women could fall at the fair laird's feet and not this man's was beyond her understanding.

They stood apart from each other and although she wanted nothing more than to be held by him again, Meredith would wait and allow him to come to her.

"I came to think, needed to ponder on what to do. My brother has decided to ask that Laird Gordon marry me and not you. He says you are but a peasant happening through."

"Is that not a fortunate thing for you and your family if the laird agrees?" His stare was hard, his eyes narrowed as he awaited her reply. Did he think she'd marry someone just because of their station?

"Aye, would be a good thing for my small clan. But I do not wish to marry him. I hear he is a man without honor." She placed the basket down and crossed her arms. "I will run away first."

"Without honor? What do you mean?"

She didn't wish to repeat hearsay, yet how to explain? Meredith considered her words carefully. "It is said he bedded his own father's wife. Whilst his father lived."

"Have you told your brother this?" His eyes scanned her face and Meredith felt a trickle of wariness. What happened? This was not the man she'd lain with the day before. The man who smiled and kissed her so heatedly was now a hard, aloof person.

"I have told my brother I do not wish to marry Laird Gordon. As far as the other, it is only rumor. I don't know it for a fact.” She looked past him. "Aiden said I had no say in the matter."

He remained silent, not nearing and she realized he would not stand up to her brother or the laird for her. Of course, why should he, they were but mere strangers.

"I must go." Meredith backed away. "I wish you well."

The nod of his head was barely perceptible, his eyes not leaving her face. "Farewell."