Page 18 of Highland Jewel
“I am happy that the wars are behind us, but having you constantly slipping out of shadows…” Fiona turned. “Areyouhappy about it, Maisie?”
Blue eyes looked down into hers, and Maisie momentarily lost the power of speech, lost any recollection of the question. The intensity of his gaze caressing her face caused her breath to catch in her chest.
Fiona came to her rescue. “She’s not happy either. I can tell.” She shoved at her brother’s shoulder again, and he turned his attention back to her. “What are you doing here?”
“I dined with your daughters tonight. They miss you terribly. They kept staring out the window, weeping piteously, crying out for their mother.”
Fiona cocked one eyebrow at Maisie as if to sayI told youbefore glowering at her brother. “No one here believes that for a minute. I dine with them every night. One night a week away is healthy for all of us.”
“That’s not what Catriona says.”
“Catriona is five years old. She misses me if I go into the next room. What are you doing here, really?”
“Just wandering back to my rooms. And you? Are you two looking to instigate more trouble or have you finished for today?”
Maisie wondered if this might be an appropriate time for her to take her leave. The two of them had to have much to say to each other.
“We’re finished for the night, but I’ve been unsuccessful in finding a hackney cab to carry me back to my forlorn, neglected bairns.”
He raised his hand, and a cab appeared and swung in to the curb.
“That’s why you should be grateful I’m around, dear sister.” Niall gave the address to the driver and helped Fiona into the carriage. “And you, Miss Murray?”
Maisie took a step back. “You don’t need to worry about me. As you know, I live near enough. I’m walking home.”
“May I walk with you? Escort you home?”
“You be a nuisance to my friend, and you’ll answer to me.” Fiona leaned out and nodded sternly at her brother. “Good night, Maisie.”
Niall tapped the side of the vehicle, the driver flicked his reins, and the cab moved off up the street.
Maisie looked up as the sky lit momentarily in the distance and a low rumble of thunder rolled in around them. With it, the snow began to fall harder. Flakes danced and swirled and settled, cutting them off from the rest of the world. It was as if, for a moment, they were the only two people abroad in Edinburgh.
Niall broke the silence. “It’s a good thing for you that I came along, Miss Murray. Even in a blizzard, I have the instincts of a hound. I shall bring you to your door without incident.”
She held out her hand to the falling snow. “Hardly a blizzard, Lieutenant.”
He cast an appraising eye at the sky. “One never knows what this snow will become. You’re safer with me, and I’m certain your family will be forever grateful for my attentions.”
Archibald’s warning came back to Maisie. She’d made no mention of it to Fiona. Niall knew nothing about the objections raised by her brother-in-law. “I’ll not invite you in. You’ll have no opportunity to make me squirm before my sister like the last time.”
His smile was striking enough to be lethal. “I’ll not come in, not even if you beg me to do it.”
“I’ll not beg you. I shan’t even ask you.” She needed to make some excuse and walk home alone. But the right words wouldn’t escape her lips.
“Then it’s settled. I’ll only walk you to your door.” He gestured up the street. “Shall we?”
Maisie stood for a moment, looking into his face. Shedidn’t know how the little exchange had suddenly become an agreement.
“And since we’re becoming such good friends, my sister calls me Niall. I’d be honored if you would as well.”
They didn’t have far to go, she told herself, and Archibald didn’t need to know.
“Thank you, Lieut… Niall.” Maisie felt heat rising into her face and started walking.
The night was early enough that the street traffic grew busier and the snow continued to fall as they moved up toward South Bridge. Though the shops were closed at this hour, pubs and chophouses were still open and thriving, and patrons in various states of sobriety were staggering along the sidewalks or weaving their way across the street, struggling to negotiate the slick cobblestones.
Maisie moved at a good pace, but Niall was strolling along beside her. He broke the silence as the Tron Church came into view. “If we arrive at your house too quickly, then I might have to break my promise and allow your sister to invite me in for supper.”
