Page 68 of The Highlander's Auctioned Bride
“Aye, I’d like that.”
James nodded and stepped back.
“Will ye be all right gettin’ back to yer room? Ye should rest until the evenin’. I ken ye are a stubborn woman, but that leg cannae get infected. I’ll send the healer up.”
“Thank ye, it is painin’ me a bit.”
And just like that the anger that had left his face was back, and he nodded with determination, stalking away, his massive shoulders swinging as he walked.
She headed back to her room, feeling a sense of trepidation for the night ahead.
God help whoever he found to be the culprit.
James stood beside Harris at the edges of the room watching the crowds gather.
“Ye need to change yer expression, man,” Harris said softly. “Ye look like ye’re about to kill them all.”
“I’m thinkin’ about it,” James muttered darkly.
“Ye have yer suspicions I take it?”
“Aye. I just hope I’m wrong.”
“What dae ye need me to dae?”
“Keep a watchful eye, dinnae let anyone slip past the guards if things escalate.”
“Aye, m’laird.”
“And watch me bride like a hawk.”
Harris nodded giving him a knowing smile and James simply rolled his eyes, but as he did so the opposite door swung open, and Maisie entered.
James was unable to breathe.
She looked spectacular. He felt a jolt deep in his gut at the dress she was wearing. It was the gray and silver gown he had bought for her that she had refused to accept as an apology for his absence.
Perhaps I am forgiven.
The elation was so great that it nearly overcame him, and he wanted to rush through the room, pick her up, and kiss her in front of everyone.
James kept his eyes on Maisie as she walked through the room. She had pearls tied into her hair and a sparking necklace.
He had never seen a more beautiful woman in all his life.
“She certainly looks like the lady she is, m’laird,” Harris said sincerely. James looked back at his man-at-arms. “I have this,” Harris said. “Go to her, I can tell ye’re itchin’ to.”
“I should observe the crowds.”
Harris’s hand gripped his arm. “Ye are doin’ thisforher, m’laird. Ye can observe just as well from the high table. Better in fact.”
James set his jaw but did as he said.
His feelings for Maisie were becoming increasingly confusing. He didn’t want her to be a distraction, yet whenever she was in the room, he couldn’t keep his eyes off her. Her presence contrasted violently with his engrained sense of duty.
As he reached her, she recoiled a little, probably at his black look. He tried to smooth out his features again, bending down togive her a brief kiss on the cheek. When he stood back, she was smiling.
“Ye look beautiful,” he said and enjoyed watching her blush. “Dae ye like the dress then?”
