Page 34 of The Highlander's Alluring Spy
“Ye must be the famous Miss Leighmoore,” the man said. “I feel like we’ve been acquainted half me life already, the way Elaine and Nathair go on and on about ye. May I call ye by yer first name?”
Magnolia blinked, staring. He was very handsome, in a decidedly different way from Nathair. A little shorter, a little more refined, and with a general coloring that made her think of the Scottish seasides which she’d passed on the way here.
“Perhaps, sir, but not until we are properly acquainted,” she said. She may be playing a nanny now, but that did not mean that this man could take liberties. “You know me?”
“After a fashion. An’ dae ye ken me?” He waggled his eyebrows, his grey eyes shining, an easy grin on his face.
Despite herself, Magnolia felt the corners of her own lips quirking up. This man was simply…friendly. No mystery, no intrigue.
No forbidden attraction. No deep longing which I can barely comprehend.
He was handsome without being a threat, and she suddenly was glad she had run into him. He seemed like he would be pleasant to speak with, even if she was fairly certain from the context how careful she would have to be with her words.
“Am I to assume by your mention of My Laird and Elaine that you are Commander Candlish, sir?” Magnolia asked.
“Me friends call me William,” the Commander said with a bright smile. “And the lassies call me Will.” He winked, then laughed. “Dinnae tell my wife I said that, or I’ll be in for a skelpin’.”
“A…what?” Magnolia asked, her amusement building at his japery.
“A skelpin’! Ye ken, what dae ye call it, a right smack about the place. She’ll box me ears for even suggestin’ such a thing, even though I wouldnae dream o’ even glancin’ at another woman when me Abbie waits at home.” He donned a pious expression that looked ridiculous on his face.
Magnolia could not help but chuckle. “I am sure Mrs. Candlish would never doubt the integrity of your church vows, sir.”
“Och, aye. I’m a man o’ God, well and true.” He snorted. “At least on a Sunday, or when the bairns ask about it. Are ye on yer way to see Nathair, Miss Magnolia?”
Why would he thinkthat?She felt a cold flush overcome her, and she couldn’t tell if it was fear, embarrassment, or something else altogether. “Whatever do you mean?”
William tilted his head, appearing innocent. “Why, the lateness o’ the hour, it’s awfie strange that ye should be walkin’ alon’ this corridor if ye dinnae intend to see him. His study is just three doors hence.”
Magnolia shivered. “And why would I be going to visit His Lairdship so late at night? I’m not sure I enjoy what you imply.”
William held up his hands. “Ye misunderstand me greatly. All I meant was that I assumed ye had some business wi’ our Nathair. I ken ye cannae get a minute to yerself. I assume ye’ve come to talk about yer salary or suchlike?”
She felt herself cringe internally. Of course, that’s what he’d meant!
As if he would be implying…good God, Magnolia! Get a grip on yourself!
Magnolia managed to keep the embarrassment out of her face as she replied, though. “Actually, I am just on the way back to my quarters. I spent some time in the library tonight. I had not realized quite how late it has grown until just now.”
She could feel William watching her. She wasn’t sure why, but she had the oddest feeling that she was undergoing some form of examination as his storm-cloud eyes swept over her in consideration.
“Aye,” William said. He still sounded casual, but there was a layer to his tone that Magnolia didn’t understand. “Aye, that makes sense. Nathair did say ye like to spend a lot o’ time in the library. He’s quite the wee bookworm himself, too.”
Do you know what happened between us? Did he tell you?
“Mayhaps someday ye’ll both end up in there alone together. I dinnae imagine that’d be a problem, though, for a fine lady such as yerself.” He gave her a mysterious grin.
“I—"
“I’ll perhaps see ye in the mornin’. Have a fair evenin’.” William started to walk away, then paused. “I think ye should maybe check in on Me Laird before ye go to sleep,” he added.
Magnolia was about to ask why, but by the time she’d gathered her mind, he’d already wandered away.
Why on Earth would I do that?!
But even as she thought it, she was moving three doors hence and knocking her knuckles against the painted wood.
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