Page 18 of A Virgin for the Highland Beast
“’Tis nae their fault,” Hunter said.
“I’m just wonderin’ if anyone else kens where they are? Or if anyone suspects they are here,” Archie said, a hint of concern lacing his tone.
Hunter understood all too well the implications of anyone finding the girls within his castle walls. Emma wasn’t joking when she said it would bring war.
“I’ve considered that, Archie. However, they will be here for only a week. By the time trouble decides to pay a visit, they’ll be long gone,” Hunter reasoned, his voice steady and calm. “Or one will be married and under me protection.”
“So, ye’ll ken in a week what they plan to do?”
“Aye. Or maybe sooner. But if they have it in their heads that I’m a killer, there’s nay tellin’ if they’ll stay at all, and I’ll be back to square one wit’ the council.” Hunter nodded his head as hope sprang up within him. “Maybe if I help them get to the bottom of who actually killed their braither and prove I’m nae the person they think I am, I’ll be able to win over their affections. Then, marriage willnae be such an outlandish idea.”
“That’s nae a bad idea,” Archie agreed.
“I have me moments,” Hunter said, a smug smile plastered on his face.
The sound of the bell chiming caused Hunter’s ears to perk up. He shot Archie a knowing look and stood up from his seat.
“Archie,” he said, turning towards his friend. The nervousness he felt moments prior drifted away like smoke on the breeze as he found a new resolution for keeping the girls under his roof. “Inform our guests that dinner is served.”
As Archie left the room, Hunter poured himself a stiff glass of whiskey, gulping it down in one swift motion to steady his nerves.
He didn’t know how he was going to breach the subject with Emma, but he knew that out of all the girls, she would be the easiest to talk to.
Resolute, he made his way to the dining hall.
The moment he entered, his eyes landed on Emma and found her deep in conversation with her sisters. She glanced over her shoulder, their eyes meeting in a fleeting moment before she quickly turned her attention back to her siblings.
Hunter found himself captivated by her grace, a characteristic that distinctly set her apart from her sisters.
“This looks wonderful,” Violet cooed as she rushed over to him and pulled him towards the table.
“Go join the others,” Hunter said, releasing his arm from her grip.
Violet nodded her head and practically skipped over to the table. “Evenin’,” she said as she extended her hand to Emma. “I’m Violet, the Laird’s sister, and this is our maither, Lady MacRoss.”
Hunter couldn’t help but watch as Emma gracefully bowed to his family, giving them the respect they deserved despite her hidden reservations about being there.
“Yer home is lovely,” Emma said, her voice pitched just a bit as she spoke.
A pang jabbed Hunter’s chest, and he knew instantly what Emma said was false.
“Ye dinnae have to lie,” Katie answered, much to Hunter’s surprise. “We’re aware of how barren the castle is. But it’s how our Laird likes it.”
“Why is that? The place looks as if it could be a dungeon,” Isobel chimed in as Hunter made his way to his seat, passing the girls in the process. The only one who turned and looked at him was Emma, and it stunned him.
“Isobel, hold yer tongue,” Emma chided. “We are guests, and if ye insist on bein’ rude, I’m sure the Laird will have a place prepared for ye in the stables.”
Emma turned towards Katie and Violet, her cheeks a rosy color as the flush of embarrassment came over her. The sight of it enchanted Hunter.
He’d seen Emma scared, angry, and now blushing from embarrassment, and he couldn’t help but wonder what other tells she’d show him by the time dinner was over.
“Ye all must be famished. Please, join us,” Katie said.
Hunter found himself rather grateful that his mother wasn’t as obnoxious as Isobel. He stalked them with his eyes as they moved to their places around the table.
As Violet guided Emma to a seat directly across from him, he found himself drawn to Emma, his gaze fixed on only her as everyone took their places at the table.
The aroma of food filled the room, making Hunter’s stomach growl in anticipation of the feast. But as delightful as the smells that swirled around him were, his attention was on Emma.
