Page 40 of Highland Sword
“If you reach for your boot,” he said, “I’m going to dash for the door.”
“You knew all about Barn Hill.”
“I did.”
“And you mentioned nothing of it before we arrived here,” she said, her voice thin and icy.
“I didn’t.” He smiled at her. “There was no point of mentioning it and spoiling the surprise.”
When she was angry, her cheeks bloomed with a bonny shade of red. He noted the rose color in them now.
“Are you entertained by seeing me riled, sir?”
He was, actually, but Aidan knew better than to say so. “Give me some credit, Miss Drummond. Once you get to know me, you’ll find Idohave a lighter side.”
She opened her mouth to speak but closed it instantly. The hint of a smile touched the corners of her lips. The blush spread across her skin. Her eyes lifted to his, and the two of them were suddenly treading on an untried terrain. She was beautiful enough to take his breath away. And her toughness and independence pleased him beyond his wildest imagination.
Aidan cleared his throat and looked away at the windows. He was not a romantic by nature, but he always knew that he’d need to marry someday. With that idea came thoughts of how he could make an advantageous match, to help advance his career. Perhaps a politician’s daughter, or a young woman with family connections to the courts. He didn’t need his wife to have a large dowry, but it was greatly helpful to marry a person who could maneuver the rough waters of the social world.
Morrigan Drummond didn’t meet that criteria at all. He was no cad, however. He wouldn’t pursue her without honorable intentions. All this he knew, and yet he still couldn’t quiet the eager kicks of his heart.
Mrs. Goddard’s arrival was a relief. She bustled through the door with a servant carrying a tray.
“I want to thank you for your hospitality, Mrs. Goddard,” Aidan told their host before tea was poured. “But I’m afraid I can’t stay. I have clients I must speak with at the jail. I was hoping that I might leave Miss Drummond here with you. She has a question or two that you might be able to answer.”
“I am disappointed you’re going, but I certainly understand,” Mrs. Goddard told him. She immediately reached over and took Morrigan’s hand, giving her a conspiratorial smile. “We’ll have a nice visit, and you can ask anything you want. I’ve known Aidan Grant from the time he was a wee lad in skirts, chasing after his two older brothers.”
There was no point trying to clarify the purpose of this visit. Morrigan’s smile at their hostess made it clear she had everything in hand.
CHAPTER13
MORRIGAN
Morrigan realized that, almost in spite of herself, she was enjoying Mrs. Goddard’s company.
In Edinburgh, she’d had no bosom friend. Invitations to dinner parties were nonexistent. She and Maisie were never asked to attend a ball or concert or soirée. Part of the reason for it stemmed from the fact that her father and Isabella led an existence that excluded them, for the most part, from social events. Morrigan always had a sense that suspicions about Archibald’s support of radical reform kept them off invitation lists compiled by the more conservative members of the ton.
Though Morrigan was determined to learn what she could from Mrs. Goddard, she was surprised at the pleasure she was finding at this moment sitting and conversing with the old woman. The mistress of Barn Hill was interesting and well-read. Her opinions on matters were remarkably thoughtful. She also had a great many stories about Aidan’s family.
“After the lads’ mother died, Mr. Grant—the elder, I mean—had enough on his hands. An aunt of theirs came tohelp raise the four sons. She was an old friend of mine, so I visited Carrie House many times when they were young.”
Morrigan thought back on her own life after her mother died. Archibald Drummond’s life was consumed by his medical career and his covert politics. He had no idea how to bring up a daughter, and he was not alone in thinking that a girl needed more than servants to raise her. But he was wrong to think his daughter would be better off in Perth with his wife’s family than with him in Edinburgh.
She shook off her dark thoughts and focused on Mrs. Goddard’s words.
“I recall those days so well,” the older woman continued. “The lads slashing away at one another mercilessly with their wooden swords. Arguing for no other reason than just being boys. Aidan was always the leader. It mattered naught that he was younger than Thomas and Noah and smaller in size than Sebastian; they always hearkened to him. He could settle any row, that Aidan. Where he is today is no surprise to anyone watching him through the years.”
People did trust him. Morrigan knew Searc was not one to place his trust in someone lightly. Isabella said that Cinaed was eager to meet him. He did have a sharp mind and a quick wit. She thought of what he had done today. The devil had bested her. She had absolutely no idea he had a relationship with Barn Hill.
“The Grants of Carrie House are a very honorable family. And now Aidan is master there, with a fine career in the law ahead of him. Quite the eligible bachelor too, I’d say.” Mrs. Goddard patted Morrigan on the knee and smiled. “So, do the two of you have an understanding?”
It took a moment for Morrigan to catch her breath. She’d somehow missed the direction their conversation was heading. But it was easy to see how a misunderstanding could come about. In his introductions, there’d beenno mention of Dalmigavie or the Mackintosh clan. There was no word said about how the two of them knew each other. She was lucky the older woman didn’t think worse of the nature of their connection.
“I apologize I didn’t clarify things sooner. But I’m a family relation of the Mackintoshes, which is how Mr. Grant and I came to visit you here today.”
“Kin to Searc Mackintosh?You, miss?” she asked, her eyes sparkling with amusement. “I must say I’m surprised.”
Everyone in Inverness knew Searc, it seemed. Though he was an irascible sort, the man was also well liked.
