Page 54 of Love Beyond Words
“Not to worry about that, lass. I’ve laid out four of Freya’s gowns for ye. They may be a wee bit short on ye, but no one shall notice that, I assure ye. I’ve also prepared a bath for ye in Marcus’ room.”
While I knew Freya had no real use for her dresses anymore, it still seemed rather intrusive for me to wear one of them.
“Is it okay for me to wear one of Freya’s dresses? Do you think she would mind?”
He smiled and shook his head.
“No, lass. I asked her. With Nicol gone, I spent some time with her just as soon as the sun went down. I know she will be lonely without him. ’Twas she who suggested it.”
What a strange life I was living—to be offered up dresses by a ghost.
“Okay, then. I’ll um…I’ll meet you downstairs when I’m ready.”
I stood and walked toward the hallway when I heard him call after me.
“I canna wait, lass. I hope ye know how to dance. The people of this village havena seen me in years. I suspect they’ll throw quite the party in the tavern for me.”
I didn’t—like, at all. I was far too excited to care.
Chapter 32
Raudrich hadn’t lied. While the tavern was nearly empty upon our arrival, it didn’t take long for word to spread that Laird Peyton, as he was known here—I still didn’t know why—was back. Before long, everyone in the village arrived. Raudrich was met with more greetings and hugs than I could count. Within a few minutes, he was pulled away from me.
I didn’t mind. The people of the village were more than accommodating and I wasn’t alone for a moment. As the hours went by, I danced, talked, and drank with nearly everyone in the village. By the time Raudrich came to collect me, I was dizzy from dancing, stuffed full of food, and had just enough ale in me to make my cheeks rosy and my tongue a little looser than normal. I was in a better humor than I’d been in ages.
I wished Marcus and Kate were here to see it. I wasn’t sure either of them would recognize this version of me.
“There ye are. I promise ye ’twas not my intention to abandon ye here on yer own. I knew my arrival would be a festive occasion, but I dinna know just how many people would wish to speak with me. I am verra sorry, Laurel.”
He stood next to me but leaned in close as he spoke.
I reached out and gave his arm a gentle squeeze as I smiled at him.
“It’s okay. Really, it is. I had a great time.”
He smiled back and surprised me by placing a protective hand on the lower part of my back.
“I can see that, lass, but do ye mind if we leave now? ’Twas ye I wished to spend my time with, and I havena seen ye at all.”
“I don’t mind at all. I don’t think my feet could take anymore dancing anyway.”
He smiled and slowly laced his hand with mine. The gesture surprised me. I wouldn’t have expected him to want to do anything that gave the impression that I was with him, not when Raudrich and I, while undeniably attracted to one another, were still no more than friendly acquaintances. What surprised me even more was that no one in the tavern seemed surprised in the least.
“Not even with me, lass? I spent the whole night watching ye, and I envied every man that held ye in his arms.”
The admission sent an anticipatory thrill down my spine, but I waited until we stepped out into the cool Scottish air to answer him.
“I might have one more dance in me, but if you were watching, you know how bad I am at it. Everyone was so nice, but I know I stepped on every single one of my partners’ toes.”
The biggest full moon I’d ever seen hung in the sky, making it easy for us to see our way back to Raudrich’s horse.
He helped me up first then deftly mounted the beast behind me. I was settled into him even more closely than I’d been on the way down to the village, and I didn’t miss how easily he rested his hands on my thighs.
“Raudrich?”
“Hmm?” He leaned his chest into my back as he reached for the reins. His face was pressed against my own, and I thought I felt his lips brush against my cheek for the briefest moment, but I couldn’t say for sure.
“Why do they call you Laird Peyton?”
