Page 43 of The Highlander's Twisted Deal
“Aye, I thought so.” Elsie remained at the window. “And whatever ye say, I think Laird McAdair is handsome. Such pretty green eyes.”
“He has blue eyes,” Ava corrected before she could stop herself.
Elsie smiled to herself. “Interesting that ye noticed.”
Ava tossed back her hair, trying to appear unconcerned. It did not seem to be working. “I notice the color of everyone’s eyes.”
“Really?” Elsie pursed her lips, mockingly surprised. “Then what color are Marin’s eyes?”
Ava tried in vain to conjure up a picture of Marin’s face. She’d known the boy since he could barely toddle. Ofcourse,she knew what he looked like. If she could just remember his face, his eyes…
“Brown,” Ava guessed desperately.
“Nice try, Ava.”
“What are ye trying to say, Elsie? Come on, out with it. Ye are clearly hinting at something, and I am in nay mood to play games.”
Elsie suppressed a smile. “Nothing, Ava, nothing at all. I’ll let ye work it out yerself. It doesnae matter, does it? We’re together again. Niamh hardly dared let herself believe that we’d be reunited with ye. I certainly didnae believe it, but now, we’re here. Let’s appreciate that, eh?”
Ava relaxed a little. “Of course, Elsie. I’m glad we’re safe. We willnae let ourselves be separated again, eh?”
Elsie beamed, taking her hand. “Agreed, agreed. Now, shall we look for some food? I’m starving.”
13
“No sudden moves, eh, Marin?” Callum said, keeping his voice low and soothing. “Ye didnae have much chance to learn about horses back home, then?”
Marin had his gaze fixed on the beautiful mare, enthralled. “Nay, Me Laird. We raised pigs, mostly. Very clever animals, pigs.”
“Aye, they sure are. Different from horses, though. How is yer training going?”
“Well, Me Laird, Lachlan is helping me.”
Callum nodded approvingly. Marin was settling in well, and he had the makings of a great warrior someday. A great warrior and a great man.
Callum ruffled his hair affectionately and earned himself a wide smile. “Have ye seen Duncan around?” he asked, but Marin shook his head. “Right, well, if ye see him, tell him to come to me study. I need to speak with him. It’s important.”
“I will, Me Laird.”
There was no further excuse to keep Callum in the stables, working hard to get away from his thoughts, so he left Marin to his chores and headed back inside the Keep.
Ava had made it clear she couldn’t wait to get away from him. Now that her mother and friend were here, no doubt they’d only see each other at mealtimes and possibly not even then.
What did ye expect?Ye told her that she meant nothing to ye. Ye cannae be upset when she believes ye.
Of course, it was easier to think such a thing than to make oneself believe it. Swallowing down his disappointment, Callum shut himself in his study. He had plenty of work to do, but somehow, the ledgers and paperwork he needed to pore over repelled him. Instead, he dropped heavily down into the chair by the fire and stared into the empty grate.
I should apologize.I need to keep her at arm’s length. I ken I must, but there was nay need to be so hurtful.
He closed his eyes, conjuring up an image of his parents. His father was tall and broad, like him, with a stern face and a headful of thick gray-and-black hair. He had the same ice-blue eyes as his son, sharp and insightful. The former Laird McAdair was known for his severity and sharp intelligence, just like Lady McAdair was known for her beauty and kindness.
A lump rose to Callum’s throat as he thought of his mother. She had soft brown hair, smoothed back, and large green-gray eyes. Her hair was streaked with gray, her face lined from years of smiling, but none of it diminished her beauty.
From a young age, Callum had known how much his parents loved each other. He saw the possessive way the former Laird McAdair held his wife’s hand at feasts and how he scowled whenever she danced with other men.
At the time, he thought it was sweet—proof of his father’s love for his mother.
Now, of course, he knew that jealous love was the worst kind.
