Page 13 of The Icy Highlander's Bride
It seemed Daniel's cruel tone had strengthened her resolve. She no longer seemed on the edge of tears. Instead, she was confident, her mind made up.
"And what will we do with the bairn?"
She looked confused for a moment, but she quickly schooled her features into a neutral expression, perhaps fearful of upsetting him.
"She is nay longer a bairn, Me Laird. She is a young girl who will need someone to teach her to be a woman."
The words had haunted Daniel long after the nanny left his castle. He had thought they were years away from teaching Skye to behave as a well-brought-up daughter of a prominent laird. But all at once, he realized that the child's education needed to start now. Just as he trained his colts, his daughter needed guidance he was ill-equipped to give.
And so Daniel had set about finding a new guardian for Skye. But with each young girl who arrived from the village and each chambermaid who volunteered for the job, he grew more certain that filling the position would be harder than he thought. These women could bathe the girl and teach her to hold a knife at the dinner table, but that wasn't enough.
Who would teach the girl how to comport herself in front of his councilmen? Who would teach her to curtsy and show respect to the other lairds who visited the castle? And who would prepare the girl for life as some laird's wife?
It was then that Daniel had decided. He needed someone who had been through this. He needed a lass for Skye to look up to and someone who could walk the girl through all the intricacies of being a highborn lady. And the only way to bring such a woman into his household was to find himself a wife.
Lana pressed her body against the wall as she peered around the corner to see the man dismounting his horse. Daniel was even taller than she remembered, and his dark hair was wet from the light rain that had begun to fall around them. She took the opportunity to stare at him, knowing she couldn't be seen. She saw the sharp angle of his clenched jaw, as if he were constantly clenching his teeth. And there was that eyepatch, a dark reminder of his past conquests in war.
She let her eyes drift down to his broad shoulders, which were barely hidden by his cloak. And those strong legs that strode with confidence toward the servant who stood by to receive his horse.
"I'm here to see Laird Gunn," Daniel announced, and his voice sent a surprising shiver up her spine. "Tell someone to announce me."
Ye're too late.
Lana wanted to catch Alexander before Daniel arrived. She wanted to plead her case and convince her brother that it wasn't the right time for her to marry. But she wouldn't have her chance to speak to him alone.
No, if Lana wanted to stop this wedding from happening, she would have to speak to both of them.
It wasn't just one laird she needed to appeal to. Now she would need to convince them both.
Daniel stood outside the doors to Alexander's main hall as the servant announced him to the room. As he strode inside, he was relieved to see that Alexander was alone, sitting at a long table littered with documents.
Alexander stood up when Daniel approached, and Daniel was pleased to see that Alexander nodded at him as he held out his hand in greeting.
"Welcome, Laird MacCrawford," Alexander said. "If I had kenned ye were coming, I would have saved some breakfast."
"Nay, I've eaten. It isnae food I've come for."
Alexander indicated a chair at the table. "A drink, then," he offered. "Or is it too early in the day for ye?"
Daniel saw the slight smile on Alexander's face that looked dangerously close to a challenge. He was used to the friendly competitions between young lairds of his age, and he was never one to turn down a competition.
"Never too early," he countered.
Alexander looked pleased as he went to the sideboard and poured two glasses of whiskey.
"And what is it ye have come to speak with me about?" he asked, placing a glass in front of Daniel as he resumed his seat. He tidied the papers in front of him before taking a long sip from his glass.
"I think ye ken," Daniel stated, taking in the calm and cool demeanor Alexander was clearly struggling to present to him.
From the man's expressions last evening, Daniel knew he was excited about this union. He also knew that Laird Gunn knew the value of keeping control of the situation. Alexander wouldn't give himself away too quickly.
"Could it have to do with me sister?" Alexander asked.
Daniel gave the man a sideways look, sizing him up. "Aye." He nodded. "I need a wife, and yer sister will suit me just fine."
"She is more than fine," Alexander said, his voice suddenly firm and forceful. "Any laird would be lucky to have her in his household."
"Aye, Laird Gunn. And I believe ye will find that MacCrawford Castle is an ideal home for such a woman. Plus, I believe ye agree that it is an advantageous union for yer clan."
