Page 8 of The Highlander's Auctioned Bride
His angry stare was being noticed by those about them now, and Mrs. Guthrie cleared her throat loudly.
“Indeed, the Highlands have so many beauties, and we are blessed to live in one of the bonniest valleys in all the land, I’d wager.”
“Och, yes,” Lillian piped up. “It is quite perfect; I have always said so.”
Slowly, MacLennan’s furious look subsided, and he glanced away, not paying any mind to Lillian, his jaw clenched, his hands held behind his back. His shoulders were so tense it looked as though they might shatter in the breeze.
Maisie hid a smile. He would not be choosing any bride who criticized his clan. She glanced at her father who seemed deeply displeased. Joy leaped in her belly—she might still get out of this unscathed.
Nevertheless, she was drawn to MacLennan as he stood before them. Her skin felt too hot in his presence. He was looking outward now at the sharp peaks of the hills beyond. She took in his profile, the wind lightly buffeting the dark locks of his hair. He loved his clan; that much was clear. He looked like a warrior atop a hill surveying the world he owned.
What a lonely life,she thought suddenly.Why does that image make me feel so sad?
“I cannae wait to see who ye choose tonight,” Lillian said loudly with a pretty smile.
“I’m sure ye cannae,” James said, flatly. Maisie frowned at them. She could not understand why he was not drawn in by Lillian’s charms.
“I wonder what ye might be lookin’ for,” Maisie blurted out, the words dancing in the air between them like a warning.
MacLennan’s mouth twitched ever so slightly. “Already wantin’ to catch the attention of amonster?”
Maisie sucked in a breath, but it seemed his words had not had the impact she expected. In fact, Lillian tittered slightly as though it were a joke.
“A monster, m’laird?” she asked innocently. “Och, ye are too harsh on yerself to be sure. I ken nothin’ about ye, but I am sure ye have many redeemin’ qualities.” She let her gaze wander over him slowly, taking in the thick muscles and breadth of his chest. “How can I best represent meself if I dinnae ken what ye want?”
Lillian laughed too loudly. “I already know what kind of lass the laird likes,” she said, sounding like an eight-year-old girl vying for a parent’s approval as she flicked her hair over her shoulders.
The slight curve of MacLennan’s lips fell back into a straight line. “Aye?” his voice could have shattered granite. “And what is that?”
Lillian perked up, putting her finger on her lips as she considered the question. There were a few women around them now, and it was almost comical how artless they were being in their attempts to eavesdrop.
“I think,” Lillian began, her voice lilting and drawn out as though to build the suspense, “ye like lasses that have a bonnie form, wear the finest dresses, and are good at takin’ care of yer house and children.”
Maisie sighed inwardly. She almost felt sorry for Lillian. If the girl had a thought in her head that had not been planted there by someone else she would be surprised.
Isn’t that what any laird wants, an emptyheaded lass who does his bidding?
She considered the glowering eyes and brooding gaze she had encountered in the gardens, the weight of command in every gesture the man made.What might a man like that need in his life?
“Thank ye, Lillian,” MacLennan said, and Maisie tried not to roll her eyes. “What dae ye think, Miss Brown?”
Maisie startled, looking up at him, surprised to see him watching her with interest. She felt a shudder ripple through her and swallowed convulsively.
“Excuse me?”
“What kind of lass dae ye think I fancy?” he repeated, the smirk back on his face.
Did Miss Guthrie not just outline the perfect woman for ye? Meek and accommodatin’?
“Is that nae what I askedye?” Maisie said, simply to be contrary. Mrs. Guthrie was going rather pink opposite her.
James cocked an eyebrow, waiting for her response. Once again, she felt compelled to fill the silence. She did not like the idea that he thought her simple, or that he expected her to answer in the same manner as Lillian.
I dinnae even ken this man, why dae I care what he thinks?
Maisie took a deep breath, searching her mind for the best way to respond.
“Well, while I think a woman should be capable of runnin’ a home and takin’ care of children, I think she is more than that.”
