Page 53 of The Highlander's Auctioned Virgin
CHAPTER 14
Elinor remained standing before them,her hands still clasped behind her back.
“When did ye get out here?” Ciaran asked, his tone soft but laced with surprise.
He had only seen Jackson sneak out of the castle. He hadn’t seen her. That could only mean two things. She’d gone outside before them, or she was incredibly stealthy. He was leaning towards the former.
“I have an upcoming wedding to a man of great importance and a castle to manage after me first husband died. What, ye just thought I would be able to get some sleep simply because I’m a woman?”
“Nay, that isnae what I– ”
“Aye!” Jackson declared at the same time.
Ciaran turned to him.
“Ciaran, meet me braither, Jackson Lane. I am certain ye have absolutely nothing in common. How did ye manage a conversation with him?”
“It was a job for two people, Sister. I did all the talking, and he just sat there and listened, like a rock that can breathe.”
Ciaran chuckled.
“Did I mention that humor is his charm?” Elinor continued.
“I can see that,” Ciaran answered.
“’Tis fine, Elinor. It wasnae like we were talking about ye or anything. Just issues a man should discuss with another man. Like the best blade to shave me beard, how to go longer than twenty minutes at once, and—oh, right, me favorite kill.”
“I was listening to both of ye from the beginning,” Elinor muttered, her dull tone indicating that she wasn’t impressed enough to care in the first place.
Ciaran grinned. So he was right. She had been outside the whole time. She had not sneaked out after him.
Part of him wondered how deeply all of this bothered her if she thought of seeking refuge under the stars earlier than he did.
“Oh,” Jackson murmured in a mock-defeated voice. He turned to Ciaran, his hands raised in surrender. “I tried everything I could, Braither.”
“Go to yer room, Jackson,” Elinor huffed.
Jackson nodded. “Ye daenae have to worry about me. A man can always tell when he is nay longer wanted.”
He retreated, and Ciaran watched him make his way back to the castle.
“He is quite sharp,” he remarked.
Elinor could tell that he could not keep that compliment to himself for much longer.
“And just as annoying,” she added. “Ye cannae sleep, can ye?”
He shrugged in response.
“Come with me,” Elinor said and turned around, also heading back to the castle.
Ciaran was rooted to the spot, his brow furrowed, wondering where she was going.
Was she heading to her bedroom? No, that was too early. Based on what he knew about her so far, she would not want to sleepwith him anytime soon. Not even after the wedding. And he was fine with that.
At least as much as a man could be fine with it.
Elinor looked over her shoulder at him. “Do ye want me to roll out a special mat for ye?”
