Page 59 of The Highlander's Auctioned Virgin
“Thank ye all for coming,” she started, her voice low but steady. “As ye all ken, Laird MacTraigh was declared winner of the auction yesterday. This means I’m marrying him, as promised. The wedding shall take place here in the castle a week from now.”
Murmurs rippled through the table. Ciaran ignored them and focused only on her.
“The purpose of the delay is to give Laird MacTraigh’s people time to join us for the event. A missive was sent to them this morning, right before breakfast. As for the lairds who have decided to stay, I would like to thank ye for yer patience. If ye attend the wedding, it will only strengthen our clans’ alliance. Ye will take priority over others.”
Silence ensued this time around.
“Does anyone have any questions? And by anyone, I daenae mean ye, Jack.”
Mild laughter swept across the table while Jack looked around, his hands raised in mock innocence.
Ciaran watched Elinor stifle a smile before clasping her hands together.
“Now, if ye’ll all excuse me, I have something I need to attend to.”
She stepped back from the table and turned to make her way out of her dining hall. He followed almost immediately.
He was about to gently tap her on the back when he felt someone’s hand curl around his arm. He turned around and came face to face with her red-headed sister. She slowly lowered her hand to her side and rested the other on her belly.
“Greetings. I am afraid we havenae been properly introduced,” she started. “I am Anna.”
Ciaran swallowed. “Ye must be Elinor’s sister.”
“That I am. And ye daenae have to introduce yerself. I would have to be living on the other side of the world if I didnae ken the Hound.”
“It’s Laird MacTraigh. Or Ciaran, if ye want.”
He turned around, hoping Elinor had been stopped by someone else and was still somewhere in the corridor. But no. She was gone.
Maybe he could still catch her before she returned to her quarters or left the castle.
“Ye have to come with me to get yer portrait done,” Anna said, snapping him back to the present.
“Now?”
“Aye, now.”
“I am certain we have time for that.”
“Nay, we daenae . The quicker we get that man’s portrait off the wall, the better for all of us,” Anna insisted, her voice firm.
Ciaran cocked his head. “Ye daenae look like ye’re going to take nay for an answer.”
“Nae even a little bit,” she confirmed, folding her arms over her chest and giving him a stern look.
Ciaran threw his head back. What was it about Elinor’s siblings not being intimidated by him? Almost every other person was afraid of confronting him, except for them.
“Alright. Alright,” he relented. “I’ll do the damn portrait.”
“Good. Now, come with me, please.”
Anna grabbed his hand and pulled him towards the door that led directly to the gallery. He would have to catch up with Elinor later, then.
