Page 64 of The Highlander's Auctioned Virgin
“She played most of the pranks on him. I remember the day he woke up with daisies on his forehead. He was so upset that Elinor had to hide out in the shed for the rest of that morning.”
“I-I didnae– ”
“I am asking ye these questions because Elinor has always had a strong sense of self. She kens who she is, or did before Murdock anyway. Sometimes, that can be a little overwhelming. The Lord kens there were days the whole castle laughed or sighed at how mischievous she was. She taught me everything I ken, and I must admit I take after her in that way, but evenIwanted to strangle her sometimes. Now, ye actually could. Nay offense.”
“I’m nae going to kill me wife, if that is what ye’re insinuating.”
Anna shrugged. “Nay one admits it in the beginning.”
Ciaran relaxed into his seat once again. It suddenly dawned on him just how little he knew about the woman he was about to marry. How incredibly fun she could be. And yet she had never been anything but serious with him.
“She needs someone who will let that part of her shine again as she grows. If ye cannae do that, then ye’re nae the one for her. The right one, that is.”
“I daenae intend to keep any part of her from shining,” Ciaran stated, his voice clear.
Silence fell over the room, and several thoughts flooded his mind.
He needed to do more. To do better. He needed to make an effort. To show Elinor that he would be there for her no matterwhat. That he would be the complete opposite of her first husband.
“Did she really dye her faither’s horse?” he asked, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips.
As Anna opened her mouth to respond, the door to the gallery swung open and Elinor walked in.
“Anna, what in God’s name have ye been saying to him?”
“Nothing. I was just asking him some questions.”
“ I ken what ye’re capable of, Anna,” Elinor grunted, before turning to Ciaran, who remained seated. “She has been harassing ye with hypothetical questions, has she nae?”
Anna turned to him, too.
His lips curled into a full smile. “I didnae mind it.”
Anna turned back to Elinor. “See? He said he didnae mind it.”
“Anna, ye’re interrogating him so ye can chase him away. ‘Tis nae yer first time doing this. Also, I thoughtyewanted to do the painting?”
Anna laughed. “I’m too heavy to stand for so long now that yer little niece or nephew is growing more and more by the day. Can ye believe they will pop out in just a few months?”
“This hasnae stopped ye before.” Elinor eyed her suspiciously.
“Well, maybe I was also a bit too angry at yer husband-to-be to do justice to his face.”
“I think ye need to get some rest,” Elinor muttered.
Anna moved closer to her and placed her hands on her shoulders. “Ye ken I want nothing but the best for ye, right?”
“I am well aware, aye,” Elinor responded.
Ciaran and the painter watched the exchange, amused looks on their faces.
“I just want ye to have a happy life after everything ye have been through,” Anna continued, her voice dropping to a shaky whisper. “Ye deserve that and more, Sister. Ye ken that.”
The mirth on Ciaran’s face faded into confusion.
Anna broke down into tears right in front of them. His eyes shifted to Elinor, whose eyes had widened in surprise, rather than confusion. She wrapped her sister in a hug immediately.
“Look. Yer husband is here. That is what I came to tell ye. I think ye should go downstairs and greet him. He has asked for ye.”
