Page 39 of Bride of the Merciless Laird
“Now,” he said, a quick grin quirking his mouth. “Was that preferable tae stuffing yer mouth wi’ a dried-out bannock.”
She laughed, placing a finger under her chin, appearing to give this serious thought.
“Mayhap. Just about.”
“Somehow I doubt a bannock would have caused ye tae smile so charmingly.”
Her cheeks were burning. “Are ye flirting wi’ me, Laird Ewan.”
“Am I nae permitted tae flirt wi’ me future wife? Is it nae what a courting lad is meant fer?”
“Are ye courting me?” Her tone grew serious. His eyes darkened again and once more she experienced the thrill of lightning, the streak of white-heat rushing through her.
He held out his hand. “Would ye care tae join me in the parlor and be me partner in the weddingcèilidh?”
She took his hand. It was callused, warm, dry, enveloping hers, taking hold of her.
“I would be honored, Laird Ewan.” She smiled up into his midnight gaze, her heart thundering against her rib cage as if attempting to escape.
He led her out of her seat and across the room to the half-open door to the parlor. As soon as they entered the other room, a cheer went up among the assembled guests and the dancing came to a standstill.
An older man wearing a great kilt in the Mackenzie plaid, stepped over. He bowed from the waist.
“Welcome milaird. We are honored tae have ye here as a guest at the wedding of me daughter Janet tae young Alistair MacRae of Kintail.”
The young couple stepped forward. The bride, who was clad in a soft, rose-pink colored wool gown, her dark-brown locks cascading over her shoulders and down her back, smiled shyly and curtsied. The groom, bowed to them both.
She glanced at Ewan. It was clear he was acquainted with both the couple and the bride’s father. And, she had no doubt would ken every one of the Mackenzies at the gathering and a good smattering of the MacRaes also.
He was greeted with smiles all round and raised cups.
“I thank ye all.” He looked around. “But ‘tis time tae return tae yer dancing. I’d be most pleased if me guest and me braither and sister are able tae join wi’ ye?”
There was a shuffling to make room for them on the floor as the fiddle, the bodhran, and the piper began their next tune.
Ewan seized Tyra’s hand and whirled her into the teeming melee of bodies flying in all directions. There was nothing sedate about thiscèilidh. He danced her up and down and twirled her in circles to the skirl of the bagpipes and the energetic drumbeat, diving headlong into a series of boisterous reels and barn dances, amid excited shouts and yells and a great deal of noisy hooching. She held his hands, as they swung their bodies together and skipped in lines side by side, spinning in dizzying circles that had them falling against each other, their chests heaving with gleeful laughter.
Finally, breathless, they found a seat together against the wall, followed by Isla and Duncan, who plopped down on the adjacent bench.
Isla yawned. “That was so much fun, but it’s quite worn me out. Will ye excuse me? I am succumbing tae sleep.”
Tyra chuckled. “Me legs can scarcely hold me up, but it was right bonnie dancing.” She glanced at Ewan. He was smiling, conversing with one of the other guests. Her body still thrummed from the energetic closeness they’d shared and the way the merriment of the dancing had washed away all the worries and troubles that had been stalking her for so long.
Ewan signaled to the innkeeper who bustled over.
“I believe the ladies are ready fer their rooms.”
Duncan bowed briefly. “Aye. The rooms are ready fer the lasses.” He frowned. “But as ye ken, we’ve only three rooms here. I’ve taken the liberty of seeing tae the room fer ye tae share wi’ yer braither.”
Ewan shrugged. “’Tis fer only one night.” He glanced at Duncan slouched at the end of the nearby bench. “I believe we can share a room fer one night.”
Malcolm turned to Tyra. “May I escort ye and the Lady Isla tae yer rooms?”
She got to her feet as Isla rose, and they followed Malcolm to the stairs where he lit two candles to light their way up the steps.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Once the two lasses had disappeared from view, Ewan turned to one of the lads waiting to speak with him. He was one of the gamekeepers from the estate and Ewan was keen to question him as to whether there had been any disturbances among the wildlife recently that might indicate there were intruders about.
