Page 9 of A Merry MacNaughton
“Now, my dear, ye are just at the end of the hall. Again, Colleen will take care of anything ye need.”
The young girl hurried toward her mistress and gave a quick curtsy. “I just brought up a pitcher of water. Will ye be needing any help dressing, miss?”
Peigi shook her head. “No, I thank ye. I’m used to taking care of myself.”
“Weel, then. Colleen please fetch our guests in an hour and show them to the dining room.” Ailish smiled, her brown eyes a dark cognac in the dim hall. “I look forward to getting better acquainted.”
She watched the older lady retreat down the steps, thinking of her father’s reason for bringing her here. After meeting the lady, Peigi decided she wanted to make a good impression regardless of her uncle’s orders. She felt comfortable with the chieftain’s wife and was thankful for that small comfort. But when her mind strayed to Calum MacNaughton, the fluttering in her belly began again.
Stepping inside the room, she gasped. The furnishings were rich and tasteful and nicer than any room of her own home. And this was just for sleeping. A large, dark, four-poster bed with a forest green and gold brocade bed cover took the far corner. Heavy, deep green curtains were drawn on two sides. Looking down at her dirty boots, she pulled them off and placed them on a stool. Then she said a quick prayer to her mother, hoping for the ability to speak to the man without stuttering or turning the shade of a ripe raspberry. Sweet Mary, if Lord Fulton had the stomach-tumbling braw looks of Calum, Peigi might have given in with pleasure.
*
Calum hadn’t expectedMalachi to bring his daughter, nor had he expected her to be so lovely. When she pushed back her hood, thick auburn hair fell down her back in waves, the firelight highlighting browns and golds and reds. Unruly curls framed her face where the snow had dampened the tendrils. He couldn’t see her figure from beneath the cloak, but when she’d chewed on that full bottom lip and stared at the floor, his body had responded with alacrity. Then she’d peeked up at him with those big, green eyes, and he’d been unable to look away.
Some of Malachi’s description came back to him.A bit overbearing.He hadn’t noticed but then she’d barely spoken. What else had he said?
She can charm the crankiest of men if they only sit down to our table.Ah, yes, but he had a suspicion there was more to her allure than cooking. A grin spread across his face. This visit just got much more interesting.
Why had Malachi brought her? Did he intend to put her forward as a wife for one of his brothers? A flicker of irritation stabbed at his chest as he thought of Finley or Hamish kissing that delicious mouth.
“Calum!” Angus poked at his chest. “Have ye heard a word I’ve said?”
“Och, my mind was wandering, Da.” He grinned. “She’s a bonnie little thing, isna she?”
His brothers walked through the door. “Who?” asked Fin. “What did I miss?”
“The Craiggs have sent an envoy to end the feud. Seems that now they are starving, they want to be our friend and ally.” Angus snorted and poured some Scotch whisky into a crystal glass and held it out, waiting for one of his boys to take it.
Finley stepped up to take it. “So who is the bonnie little thing?”
“Calum seems to have a taken a fancy to the envoy’s daughter.”
“Dinna put words in my mouth. It was only an observation.” Calum hated the indignant tone in his own voice. “Where’s our little brother?”
“Here, plotting how to steal yer woman from ye. What does she look like?” Hamish entered the study with a smirk. “Soft and willing? I like a female I can dig my fingers into without a shriek.”
“Nay, this one would be too skinny for ye,” countered Angus. “She’s a tiny thing but does have a look about her. Pretty red-brown waves and clear, green eyes.”
“I prefer thin and willowy,” offered Finley. “Will they be staying for supper?”
Calum tamped down the unexplainable anger that poked his gut as his brothers spoke of a woman they’d never met. “Ye’ll both keep a civil tongue in yer head if ye ken what’s good for ye. Malachi is here on business and to settle a debt.”
“Ah, the infamous Malachi of the Loch, is it? How will he pay up, I wonder?” Fin gave a low whistle. “He has no money, no lands or livestock to give away. Perhaps an old family heirloom? A jewel-encrusted, silver broadsword, perhaps?”
“What is a man’s life worth?” asked Ham. “Maybe a coveted ring or belt buckle from generations past.”
“Anything coveted by the Craiggs wouldna be of any value to us,” mused Angus. “Ye both have me curious now.”
“It doesna matter what it is, ye blethering oafs,” scolded Calum. “Whatever it is, trinket or treasure, I shall accept it with grace and no’ embarrass the man. And none of ye will either.”
His brothers chuckled and nodded in mock gravity, but Angus seemed thoughtful. “Are ye sure about that, Son? Ye’ll accept with grace?”
“Certain as a saint standing before heaven’s gate.”
Chapter Four
Heartache and Hunger
