Page 127 of Seduced By the Reckless Highlanders
“Hmm…You are right, Flora,” he agreed, smiling at her. “They are all very striking.”
“I always am, dear,” she said smugly.
“He attacked me!” Jamie protested, pointing at Gowan. “Take him to the dungeons!”
“He was protecting your sister!” Andrew yelled. “And if he had not done it, I would have! You are a disgrace to your family and this clan!”
Jamie’s eyes widened and he took a step back, then looked at the floor, the picture of shame.
Minna was secretly giggling inside, but she was perfectly calm when she asked.
“What happens now?”
“I will send a message to the chief in Dundee,” Andrew replied. “He has never been happy about the invasion of this castle and the way the estate has been treated. This is your rightful property, M’Laird.” He was looking at Gowan as he spoke.
“Now, you.” he grabbed Jamie by the elbow and steered him towards the bedrooms. “You may relax in your chamber while I have a discussion with your sister and Mr Hepburn.”
Jamie opened his mouth to object, but Andrew silenced him with a look, then watched him as he was escorted away.
“I should have put him in the dungeon,” he said grimly. “He deserves it. Oh, I am sorry, M’Laird, I am forgetting my place. Should I put him in the dungeon?”
Gowan looked a little startled at being addressed by his title, but smiled. “His chamber is fine,” he replied.
“Let me go and see that they do things properly,” Andrew said. “Some of these men may still be loyal to him.”
“Of course.” Gowan agreed. It felt strange to suddenly have his permission sought and his opinion valued. He watched as Andrew walked away then turned to Minna again.
“I don’t believe he would have killed me.” she said thoughtfully.
“Why not?” Gowan was puzzled. “You said you thought he poisoned your father.”
Minna shrugged. “Just a feeling. I might be wrong,” she admitted. She felt Gowan’s strong arm go around her waist and looked up at him adoringly. She had known him for only a few days - was that enough time to fall in love? She had no idea what falling in love really meant, so how could she tell? If it was a desire so strong it almost made her melt, a feeling of warmth and safety, and the knowledge that she would do anything for him, then she was in love. Then she reminded herself that even if she was in love, it could never last.
At that moment he looked down at her and smiled. “What is it?” he asked. “You are looking at me so strangely.”
“You have such lovely lips,” she murmured, gazing at them.
“So do you,” he answered, laughing. “Very kissable, but now is not the time.” He sighed. “I wish it were.” He looked down ather with such longing, and squeezed her tighter against his hard body, so that the now familiar throbbing began between her legs, and she felt herself growing moist. How she wished she could throw herself into his arms right now!
They walked on a little further and Minna led them into one of the smallest parlors, where she sat Gowan down and poured him a glass of wine. They sat sipping it for a few moments while they recovered their thoughts then Andrew Darroch came back.
“All is as it should be, M’Laird,” he said, bowing formally, “He is securely locked in, but comfortable.”
Gowan looked a little bemused. The fact that he was a Laird had just about sunk into his mind, but now he realized what came with it. He owned the estate. Moreover, it was not just any piece of property, but his home. He was home at last, so why did he feel so empty? Why did he long for his little cottage in the woods so much?
No doubt he would be sleeping in a soft feather bed and bathing in a tub of warm scented water that night. He had spent years sleeping on his thin homemade pallet longing for these trappings of luxury, so why did he feel as though he wanted to run back and hide in his hovel again? Suddenly he realized that Andrew was speaking once more.
“I am sorry for what my family has done to you,” Andrew went on. “And as a man of honor I am bound to right the wrong in some way. I cannot make up for everything of course, but the least I can do is try to make things a little better for you. What can I do first?”
“Feed the villagers,” Minna and Gowan said in unison, then they laughed at each other, and on impulse, they kissed and looked guiltily at Andrew, who was staring at them, astonished.
“Sorry, Elder Darroch, you were saying?” Minna asked the question casually, acting as though nothing had happened.
Darroch looked at them suspiciously. “Do you two have a relationship?” he asked pointedly.
Minna paused. “Yes, we do,” she said after a moment. “But don’t worry, Elder. We are merely friends, and before you ask, I am happy to leave here and find another place to live. I am sure someone will take me in. I will not stay here longer than I have to, and Cairndene castle can go back to the Hepburns.” Her voice was calm and composed, but inside her heart was breaking. A place would be found for her - she had no worry about that - but she would never see Gowan again.
Then another horrific thought occurred to her. She would be forced to marry, and it would be very unlikely she would have any say in the matter at all.
