Page 19 of His to Keep
“Yes, and I saw how much that pained you.” She grabs my hands and tries to tug me to my feet. She isn’t strong enough to pull me up, but I oblige her by standing. “If the food’s really bad, we can drown out the flavor with a drink or two.”
“Sounds good,” I say, even though I’m doubtful about the quality of the food. “I’ve never been on a date.”
“Me neither,” Eilidh says, “but for a very different reason, I guess.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, I haven’t had the opportunity to date, what with the captivity and all, and you’re the type of man who picks up a girl at a club, bangs her in the bathroom, and doesn’t even ask her name.”
Fuck, that stings. Although her assessment is accurate, hearing it makes me wince. I don’t want Eilidh to see me as some sort of man whore. Treating women as disposable is one of my past crimes, but it’s something the man I want to leave behind would do. Besides Eilidh, I haven’t fucked a single woman since I came to Scotland and it’s not because of lack of opportunity.
“That’s not me anymore, kitten. When we’re married, I won’t even glance at another woman.” My resolute tone doesn’t convince Eilidh. A skeptical expression forms on her face, but I won’t try to persuade her I’ll be faithful. That’s something I intend to prove to her through my actions. “Now, didn’t you say you’d buy me dinner?”
“Yes, I did.”
Eilidh stumbles into me as the train suddenly lurches forward. I steady her and then let my hand trail down her back before releasing her. She said she was hungry, and this room really isn’t set up for sexual shenanigans, so I put all thoughts of ravishing her to one side.
“Can we lock the door?” I look around for a key.
Eilidh spots the keycard before I do, in a metal holder beside the door, and grabs it.
“All set.” She puts it in her pocket along with the credit card and steps out into the corridor. I guess by holding onto the key and our only viable payment method, she’s trying to maintain some control.
Since she seems to have a good idea where she’s going, I follow her down the narrow corridor. It takes me a minute to get used to the rhythm of the train as it sways from side to side.
We pass through several carriages before finally reaching the club car. It’s busy, with all but one table occupied. I quickly scan the room. Nobody presents a threat. There are family groups occupying three of the booths. A few couples sit at other tables while several young men have taken the bar-style stools along the left side of the carriage. They appear to be together on some sort of work trip, judging by the fact they’re all wearing similar polo shirts and khakis. Everyone is minding their business. Eilidh and I get a few polite nods as we make our way to the vacant table, but that’s the extent of the interactions.
Eilidh drops onto one of the padded leather seats and I take the seat opposite her. It’s a squeeze, but the dining car is much less cramped than the cabin we’d been given. I’d hoped for a double, which would have been more spacious, but Niamh’s people did the best they could on short notice.
“What looks good?” I ask as Eilidh creases her brow.
“Everything.” Her tone is tinged with frustration. “How am I meant to pick?”
It’s the same issue she had with the magazines, I realize. She’s not used to making her own choices anymore. Her last four years have been spent as a prisoner and this sudden freedom must be overwhelming. In her life with me, she’ll still face many restrictions, but only where her health and safety are concerned. It’s essential I have enough control to ensure my family’s enemies, or hers, can’t get close. Beyond that, I want her to make her own decisions. She can choose how to occupy her time, what to wear, and what to eat.
“Narrow it down to a couple of choices,” I advise, as I signal to the approaching server that we need a few more minutes.
Eilidh focuses on the menu once more. “I’m thinking either the harissa chicken or the mac and cheese.”
“You could have both.”
“Hmm.” She contemplates it for a moment, then shakes her head. “I’m not that hungry, and I want to save room for dessert.”
“Okay, then how about I get the mac and cheese, and you get the chicken, and we can share?”
“But you haven’t looked at the menu. What if there’s something else you want?”
“I’m fine with sharing those two dishes.”
Eilidh sends me a look of mock disapproval. “Sharing meals on a first date? Aren’t you forward?”
“You’re so beautiful I can’t help myself, kitten.”
Eilidh blushes and gives her full attention to the menu once more. I don’t imagine she’s heard a lot of compliments lately. I only spoke to Jason Henry and his sister for a few minutes when I arranged to attend their gathering at the Beauly House Hotel, but I realized very quickly they both had a cruel streak. They probably didn’t utter a single kind word to Eilidh the whole time she was in their hands.
“I think I’ll have a glass of wine,” Eilidh says as she passes me the menu.
“Have you had wine before?”
