Page 44 of Taken By the Devilish Highlander
“The ceilidh will be a good opportunity to confirm our connection with the McKenzie clan,” Lennox said at the doorway. “It would be wise for ye to attend, my Laird. Provided ye can do so without any…incidents.”
Lennox left before Archer could respond, but his biting words showed Archer exactly why he couldn’t be lulled into trusting the man. He couldn’t let the conversation finish without sending a veiled critique in Archer’s direction, referencing his episodes. Archer gripped his study door with thoughts of slamming it closed, but then he stopped himself, digging his fingernails into the hard wood.
He’ll be waiting for it,Archer told himself.Dinnae let him win.
He released his grip from the door and walked back to his desk, processing the new information he had received. Feya’s sister was remarried. That meant she was alive and well, and he could only hope it meant the same for Feya’s other siblings. He began to picture the smile that would cross her face when he told her, the relief he would watch leave her body.
A new idea sparked, and Archer was back on his feet. Maybe this news was an opportunity to make things right, and he knew just how to do it.
“My Laird!” The cook looked up from her space behind the counter, her hands covered in flour as she kneaded a large lump of dough in front of her. “Is something wrong?”
Archer shook his head and held up a hand to let her know that everything was fine with the breakfast she had sent up earlier.
“It isnae that,” he said.
He was suddenly at a loss for words now that he stood here in front of Jan. Perhaps he should have sent a servant down to deliver this message. It certainly wasn’t something that required the Lord of the house to burst into the kitchen about. But now that he was here, there was nothing for it, so he pushed forward.
“I’d like ye to prepare something special tonight,” he said simply.
Jan looked at him, her eyes slightly narrowed. The woman had been in this house longer than anyone. She had seen Archer grow up, and no matter how old he got, he always felt like a little kid when he stood in front of her. After all, she had never been shy about scolding him for stealing treats or ruining his dinner. Jan had been the only member of the household who could get away with chastizing the future Laird when he was a child.
“Something special?” she asked. She smirked at him, and all at once he regretted coming down here.
“That rabbit stew you make, perhaps. Something like that.”
“Of course. And how many people will be enjoying the stew?”
He floundered, knowing the answer would reveal his intentions.
“Two.”
He stared at her, a warning in his eyes. Luckily, she managed to hold back her smile, knowing better than to tease him further.
“Of course. And perhaps ye’d like to enjoy it on the terrace, my Laird? I could have Aiden set a table for ye there.”
He hadn’t thought of that, but it was a good idea, and Archer nodded. The terrace would be quiet, a good place for him and Feya to talk about her family without anyone else overhearing them.
“Aye,” he said. “That would be fine.”
He turned to leave, but the cook stopped him.
“My Laird?”
He heard the hesitation in her voice, as if she didn’t know if she should speak up, but he turned back and nodded to her.
“Speak freely.”
“She doesnae like rabbit. Anytime we serve it, there’s half of it left on her plate. Perhaps a good seasoned lamb chop?”
His first instinct was to protest. After all, it was out of line for the woman to question him or assume who was joining him for dinner. But he quickly released this, aware the cook was only trying to help. He nodded.
“Aye. Lamb chops.”
Jan smiled, and Archer turned, setting his sights on the healing chamber. Now that the dinner was arranged, he needed to convince Feya to attend.
22
“He woke up and asked me if I was a princess who needed rescuing.”
