Page 45 of The Highlander's Alluring Spy
Nathair rolled his eyes. “Have ye nae got a wife and bairns to get back to, Commander?”
“Aye, that I dae,” William said brightly, getting to his feet. “Good evenin’ to ye both. Dinnae dae anythin’ I wouldnae.”
“That doesnae leave much,” Nathair called after him as he left.
Magnolia stood too. It wasn’t a good idea to be alone with him right now, not without any preparation. “I…should I go and let Betty and Eliza know of our plans?”
Nathair nodded, his eyes suddenly focused elsewhere. “Aye. Aye.” She nodded and turned to go.
“Magnolia?”
She turned back. “Yes?”
“Thank ye,” he said simply. “Thank ye for bein’ someone I can trust.”
She nodded, but as she turned to go, the sudden guilt threatened to pull her straight down to the ground.
13
The Lady Taylor
Anthony Gall, Laird of Clan Taylor, was trying his absolute hardest to come across as a powerful chieftain. He wore the traditional tartan of his clan, though the sash and kilt hung oddly from his skinny body. His chin had approximately three hairs that he proudly referred to as a beard, and his coloring was so fair that even those could hardly be seen.
His pale blue eyes were wide and continuously darting about, never at rest. The sword he wore on his back was beautiful but clearly ceremonial; Magnolia doubted that it had ever seen battle.
He spoke in a rich, over-exaggerated voice. He also tempered his own accent as much as possible, as if aiming to mimic the patterns of the Lowland Scottish and English nobles.
Part of Magnolia wanted to laugh every time he spoke. In contrast, the mothering side of her wanted to tuck the boy into bed with a cup of warm milk and a bedtime story.
Eighteen, Commander Candlish said, but I’ve seen boys of twelve with more candor and pluck.
Magnolia curtsied to him nonetheless, staying silent while Nathair made the introductions. Ridiculous child or not, Anthony was a Laird, and she must treat him as such.
It won’t be too hard. We have our fair share of trumped-up nobles in England, also.
Nathair finished speaking, and Anthony nodded gravely. “Well. The Taylor Clan is greatly honored to have ye among its visitors, Laird MacFoihl,” he said. “And ye as well, Maid Elaine.”
“Thank ye,” Elaine said seriously. “Ye’re very kind to have us here.”
Nathair beamed at his daughter, putting a proud hand on her shoulder while Anthony turned to Magnolia.
As Anthony did so, his forced ‘plain’ accent came out more clearly. “And a pleasure to meet you, Miss Leighmoore. I do hope that Scotland is proving to be quite to your tastes.”
From the corner of her eye, Magnolia saw Elaine bite her lip to hold in a giggle at the pompous speech. Magnolia thought about it for a second, then said, “Aye, you ken it is nae usual for me, but I am settling in fair well.”
Anthony blinked rapidly at her, and she could feel Nathair and Elaine both staring. She turned and winked at Elaine, who had to hide her face in her father’s side to stop herself from entering a fit of laughter. “I see. I was not expecting you to speak in this way, Miss.”
“And nor I, you, My Laird,” Magnolia replied courteously. “Do not concern yourself. I simply find myself slipping into the vernacular on occasion. I must say, you are the first person I have heard up here with such a…familiar accent.”
Anthony beamed. The poor boy obviously didn’t sense her irony and took it as praise. “Why, thank you. I thought it would make you more comfortable if I adapted to the way your countrymen speak.”
Magnolia dipped her head to hide her own smirk. “Very kind of you, My Laird,” she agreed.
Nathair cleared his throat. “Dae ye mind showin’ us somewhere we can rest? The bairn is awfie tired after such a lon’ journey. I was hopin’ we could discuss our business tonight over dinner, Laird Taylor?”
The boy turned to look at him. Seeing them next to each other was quite startling. Nathair must have had an entire foot on him in height! Anthony looked like he’d be squashed underfoot if Nathair so much as accidentally breathed in his direction.
“Yes, quite so,” Anthony said, still in that exaggerated accent. “Yes. My girl will show you to the guest rooms. Please, take some time to refresh yourself, and do join me for a meal this evening.”
