Page 28 of The Highlander's Virgin Widow
“M’Lady—”
“Dinnae stop me. Please.”
“Are ye just going to leave without saying anything?” Evander asked, throwing his hands up in the air.
“There’s nothing to say,” Keira muttered, her eyes scanning the untidy tables.
“Is that it? Ye plan to take the easy way out?”
She shook her head. “There is nay easy way out.”
Her hands began to sort through the items on the table of their own accord. A teapot there, a gourd there. She lifted every dry herb and looked into every box.
She could feel the despair in Evander’s gaze as he continued to stare at her.
“Oh, but there is. And that is what ye’re doing right now.”
“What would ye rather have me do? I am the widow of the former Laird. Ye attacked this castle and took it by force?—”
“By force?”
“Ye ken what I mean.”
“Nay, I dinnae. Perhaps ye would like to explain further?—”
Keira walked to the giant cupboard tucked against the wall and pulled the doors open. Just as she had scanned the tables, she looked inside the cupboard as well.
Again, she could feel the heat of Evander’s gaze intensify because the back of her neck burned as her hands worked.
“Is that how ye have handled yer men so far? Sweep things under the rug when it is time to talk?”
“I’ve never had to sweep things under the rug.”
“Well, for someone who has never done that before, ye seem to be an expert at it. Ye’re doing it perfectly now.”
“That is nae what I’m doing.”
“Are ye certain? Because that is exactly what it looks like to me—and what the devil are ye even looking for in that cupboard? Am I really such a bore that ye dinnae want to talk to me?” Evander pressed, raking a hand through his hair.
“I dinnae find ye a bore. I am looking for something.”
“Is what ye’re looking for a way out of this conversation? I can easily provide that for ye.”
“Again, I am looking for something.”
Evander crossed his arms over his chest and continued to watch her rifle through the items in the cupboard. Time seemed to pass so slowly as she worked, nothing occupying her mind except for the kiss they had just shared.
Where would she even start if she wanted to discuss something like that? Would she have to talk to him about it later? Would that be necessary? Was this just something that happened once and was never bound to happen again?
No, she couldn’t think to that extent. He had promised to help her find a husband, and she was certain he would deliver on his promise as long as she made it clear that she wouldn’t remain in the castle longer than necessary.
“Ye havenae found what ye’re looking for yet?” he asked.
She could tell from the tone of his voice that he was growing more exasperated. It was only a matter of time before it turned into annoyance, and she wasn’t sure what he would do when he was annoyed. She was not particularly keen on finding out, either.
“Just give me a few more seconds,” she pleaded, kneeling before the cupboard and looking through the lower shelves. “I am certain it is here somewhere.”
“What is?” Evander asked.
