Page 15 of A Sinful Night with a Scot
“Another ale?” Alisdair said, looking at Elsie, his eyebrow lifting.
He knew it had not been an accident, and by the look he gave her, he knew Elsie knew that he knew, too. But without a word, he turned and headed to the bar to replace her drink.
A little while later, Keane returned, the wet shirt clinging to his body. Clearly, he had washed the ale from it, but unable to return to eat half naked, he had no choice but to put it back on, which only brought her more satisfaction.
Sitting opposite her, he scowled over at Elsie. “Ye are lucky we are in a public place, or I’d have put ye over me knee and beaten yer arse.”
“Och, come on, Keane,” Alisdair said soothingly. “It was an… accident. It wasnae like the lass stood and poured it over ye head on purpose.”
Elsie smiled at that remark, and as Keane grunted and turned away, Alisdair flicked a glance in her direction. A second later, he looked away again, making certain Keane did not see their exchange.
The food arrived, and while Alisdair and Keane conversed, Elsie ate in silence. Apart from the fact that she had little to say, she did not particularly have any interest in conversing with them, as though they were now all the greatest of friends. Even more than that, however, she was desperate for her bath, and, the sooner she ate, the sooner she could retire to her room and have some much-needed time to herself.
The laird’s men who sat a table over were rowdy, their laughter filling the room, while the drink was nearly spilt as much as it was drank. They were also rather handsy, and though the maids seemed to laugh it off or lap it up, Elsie could only gawk at the goings on happening before her very eyes.
The sound of Keane chuckling across from her brought her eyes back to her own table. He was still laughing while looking at her.
“What on earth dae ye find so funny?” she asked.
“Yer face as ye’re watching me men.” He grinned. “Ye really are an innocent wee thing, are ye nae, Elspeth?”
“Me name is Elsie.”
“Nay,” he said condescendingly. “Yer name is Elspeth. Ye just prefer tae be called Elsie.”
She huffed and rolled her eyes.
“Tell me why?” he asked.
Glaring at him, she replied, “That’s none o’ yer concern.”
“Well, here’s the thing,” he said, leaning over the table. “If ye cannae be bothered telling me why ye dinnae like Elspeth, I cannae be bothered abiding by yer wishes.”
“Fine,” she huffed, refusing to play his game. Pushing herself from the table, she said, “I am going fer me bath.”
“Nae on yer own, yer nae. Wait, so I can send a man with ye.”
Elsie’s eyes flew wide, “Ye certainly willnae?—”
“He will remain outside yer room,” Keane drawled, looking at her like she was an idiot.
“I’ll go,” Alisdair offered.
Keane glanced at his companion over the table. “Are ye certain?”
“Aye. Let the men have their fun.”
The laird hesitated for another second, and then he nodded. “Fine. Dinnae let her out o’ yer sight.”
Elsie was already walking away when she heard the laird finish his sentence.
“She’s a cunning one.”
Alisdair followed her upstairs and, at the door, she turned to look at him, fear rising in her stomach.
“Ye’ll be safe,” he said, gazing down at her with soft eyes. “I swear. I willnae let any harm come tae ye.”
At that moment, Elsie came to a realization. Alisdair was clearly the rational one between himself and the laird. Strangely, between his words to her now and the way he had spoken to her earlier, not to mention the fact that he had kept her earlier revenge to himself, she found herself actually believing him. Feeling a little more secure, she nodded, unlocked the door, stepped inside of her bedchamber and turned the key in the lock again. His word may be true, but she wasn’t taking any chances.
