Page 35 of The Highlander's Auctioned Wife
“Does he need help?” Gordon bristled at the insult that anyone would dare to attack one of his kin, while swallowing down a prickle of guilt.
It was his fault that Beathan spent so much time at Castle Lyall instead of guarding his own territory and, with an absent Laird, brigands and opportunists inevitably grew bolder.
Matthew chuckled. “Ye cannae go ridin’ off when ye’ve just brought yer bride back. He’ll be fine.”
“Aye,” the m an-at-a rms, David, agreed with a grin and a discreet nod to all those watching. “It wouldnae look so good to them. They’ve been waitin’ a long while for this, and ye’d best believe that they’re goin’ to be followin’ the two of ye around all doe-eyed and gossipin’, swoonin’ over their Laird and Lady.”
Gordon was about to inform his man and family that the wedding wasn’t a certainty just yet, when the carriage door opened, and the crowd held their collective breath. Eager to see what manner of bride their Laird had brought home.
“Got tired of waitin’ for someone to open it for me,” came Anna’s cheery voice, pitched a note too high as if she were compensating for her nerves.
Gordon’s eye twitched. “I was preparin’ everyone.”
“For what?” Anna stepped down, forcing Gordon to rush to take her by the hand, so his own people wouldn’t think he had no manners at all. “I’m just a lass. I daenae have gills and scales, I daenae have a body covered in fur.” She paused, flashing a smile at him. “I daenae have horns and a tail. See, just an ordinary lass.”
“Ordinary?” Sophia interrupted, clapping her hands together excitedly. “M’Lady, there’s nothin’ ordinary about ye! Ye dinnae say she was such a beauty, Gordon.”
Hurrying forward, Sophia batted Gordon in the arm, while offering her other hand out to the newcomer.
“I dinnae ken,” he replied quietly, his throat tight.
If Anna heard, she didn’t show it.
“If ye can call me beautiful after all those hours of travelin’, ye must have terrible eyesight,” Anna said, chuckling. “I think a family of birds have made a home of me hair, and I’m certain anyone would think I’d been punched if they saw the darkness under me eyes.”
Sophia beamed, observing Anna as if she were a rare creature spotted in the gardens. “Ye dinnae say she was amusin’, either.”
“I dinnae ken,” Gordon repeated.
After all, she wasn’t at all as David had described her, when he’d informed Gordon about her.
Sophia’s enthusiasm seemed to loosen the leash on the other residents who’d gathered to see the new arrival. Bodies jostled, words of welcome rose up across the courtyard, hands reached out to touch Anna, to greet her, to make sure she was real.
Wide-eyed, Anna took a half step backward, an expression of panic tightening her features. Even in the low light, Gordon could see she’d gone very pale.
“Enough!” he roared, putting himself between his betrothed and his clan. “The hour is late and me bride is weary. She’ll rest now and meet ye properly tomorrow. So, go on—to yer beds.”
It took a certain type of man to be able to send an entire castle full of people to their beds with one command. They didn’t hesitate, backing away from the overwhelmed newcomer, filingoff to return to their chambers, whispering excitedly to one another as they did.
“What a gentleman he is,” someone said with a cheery sigh.
“She’ll be the most protected lass in Scotland,” said another, in an envious tone.
“So pretty,” a third remarked. “The bairns will be beautiful, ye can tell.”
Gordon saw Anna’s eyes narrow at that last comment, but as he approached to take her arm, she raised her gaze to him with a smile, the annoyed expression gone.
“Thank ye, Gordon,” she said, expelling a strained breath. “I wasnae ready to face so many, so soon.”
Gordon began to lead her toward the castle. “That’s why ye should’ve stayed in the carriage.” He paused. “Ye’re nae at Castle MacTorrach now, lass. Ye cannae do as ye please.”
And I willnae have ye marryin’ me under false pretenses. Ye wanted to get to ken me—well, lass, here I am.It was better to lower her expectations now, rather than give her hope that he was anything other than he was: a devil, not a gentleman.
Her smile vanished, her grip on his arm slackening. “Aye,” she mumbled, “I’m definitely nae at home anymore.”
Once they were inside the entrance hall, where two maids waited eagerly for instruction, Anna pulled away from him altogether.
“I’m sure one of these fine lasses will show me to me chambers,” she said coolly, the merry shine gone from her beautiful green eyes. “Ye need nae trouble yerself over me again tonight.”
