Page 53 of The Highlander's Auctioned Bride
“Of course,” Maisie said, forcing a smile onto her face. “I ne’er would have held it against ye.”
And just like that, the doe-eyed look left Lillian’s eyes, and she was quite calm again. Maisie walked beside her for a little while as they both admired the roses and flowers. Something was hanging in the air between them, and it was not too long before Maisie discovered what it was.
“Excuse me boldness,” Lillian said, “but ye daenae have the look of a happy, blushing bride.”
There it is. She is seeking confirmation that James and I are nae happy.
“Why dae ye say that?” she asked evasively.
“Och, I didnae wish to speak out of turn, it’s just that I have noticed he has been away a lot.”
“There has been trouble in the clan.”
“Och, Jamie would ne’er neglect the clan.”
‘Jamie’?
Maisie felt her ire rising as they continued. How dare Lillian insinuate herself into Maisie’s life only days after their wedding, poking her nose in where it was not wanted and asking impertinent questions.
“I assure ye, I am perfectly content,” Maisie insisted, feeling as though her defensive tone could only make things worse.
“Nae, nae, a happy wife doesnae say she iscontent,”Lillian said. “I am sorry, m’lady, ye just dinnae seemfulfilled.”
The word was like a death knell in Maisie’s mind. She stopped walking, turning to face Lillian. She did not miss the slight quirk to her mouth, the fleeting smugness that passed across her face.
She knows. Lillian is aware that James and I have not consummated our marriage.How has she found out?
Maisie let her gaze turn cold and was gratified to see Lillian cower back. Despite the anger she currently felt, Maisie was not convinced that this sweet and demure girl had it in her to be so calculating.
Ever since she had met her she had seemed passive and submissive. It felt now as though Maisie were looking at a puppet and someone else was pulling the strings.
Maisie’s thoughts moved to Marcus—his thinly veiled hostility towards her. Maisie had put an end to any hopes he might have had that Lillian would become Lady MacLennan.Could he be so angry he meant to sabotage me?
She cleared her throat.
“What dae ye ken?” she asked.
Lillian shook her head, her eyes wide and baleful against. “It is hardly a secret that ye and James?—”
“Maisie.”
Maisie spun round to find none other than James approaching behind her. He was looking at them curiously but was far enough away that Maisie suspected he had not heard what Lillian had said.
Lillian was suddenly utterly still, watching James’s approach hungrily. Maisie pursed her lips, tempted to tell Lillian to leave before she struck her.
“Laird MacLennan”, Lillian said prettily. “It is good to see ye.”
To Maisie’s irritation, James smiled down at her warmly. “Good afternoon, Lillian, ye’re lookin’ well.”
Lillian bowed her head and Maisie watched the exchange with a growing feeling of concern.Is there something between them?
James turned to her.
“Ye requested that I spend time with ye, and here I am,” he said, the words light and clearly meant to be perfectly reasonable, but they made every muscle in Maisie’s body tense.
No bride would ask her husband, mere days after their wedding, to spend time with her if things were going well between them.
Lillian gave a hurried curtsy, shooting one final look at Maisie before she took her leave.
