Page 9 of The Veiled Wish of a Highland Bride

The man speaking with him was yet another Laird who had been invited to the ball. Archie had caught sight of him waltzing away the night before. He had looked ridiculous then, trying much too hard, but with whisky dulling Archie’s good sense the man didn't seem so hard to stomach anymore.

Archibald indulged the Laird, giving him a snigger that was echoed by the other men at their table. The other tables in the tavern hosted equally inebriated cads, who threw their heads back from time to time, cackling at jokes and jibes.

Crass talk and laughter were all around, and the air stank of sweaty men and spirits—not that it bothered the retinue, who sat around patiently waiting for their Lairds. They were enjoying their own share of ale and beautiful women.

“Ach, I need me another dram,” Archie said, raising his goblet to the alluring woman who had been sashaying between the tables, all too eager to fill up the men’s cups. She had been told to ensure the men drank as much as they liked. The tipsier they got, the more money they would throw at the tavern.

As she tilted the narrow mouth of the jug to refill his ale, he gave her buttocks a discreet squeeze over the linen cloth of her skirt. She was one of the ladies with whom he had spent at least a night or two upon other visits to the Murray keep. He remembered leaving herespeciallysatisfied, panting for breath.

Archie jutted his leg out from under the table, his dirk loosely dangling across his left thigh, over his kilt. Lennox had been sitting wordlessly across from him, patiently waiting for his Laird to drink himself into a stupor so he could help him home. Archie was certain Lennox enjoyed the tavern as much as he did. His silence and sobriety were just ways to punish him.

“Ach, Lennox!” Archie cried when he could take no more of the man’s brooding. “Tonight is the night that I find ye a woman to call yer own,” he said, feeling his speech slur a little. “How do ye like yer lassies? Tall or short? Demure or with some bite? Perhaps there is a Highlander lass back home that ye like? How come I’ve never asked yethat?”

As expected, Lennox said nothing but instead sipped at his ale, indulging Archibald with a wide smile and pandering nod.

Leaping over the bench, Archibald hopped to Lennox's side and slapped him on the back. “Aye, look at that fair lassie over there!” He pointed to the door. “Is she nae yer type of—"

Archibald started as he realized who the woman was. She was disguised in men's clothing, with her britches almost hanging off her hips. The neckcloth and shirt she wore beneath a huge black cloak did not do much to hide her feminine figure—not from him, at least. Her golden locks were hidden beneath the hood of the cloak, but her face still stood out to him. The sight of her sobered him right up.

He stood still as she approached him, his eyes not leaving her face. He would recognize her beauty anywhere.

“If it is nae my favorite eavesdropper,” he quipped as she reached him. The other men at the table evidently had no idea who she was, as they ignored her and chatted amongst themselves. “To what does this wee tavern owe the pleasure, I wonder.”

“I need to speak to ye,” Mia replied flatly. She looked around and added, “In private.”

“Ach, humor me first, my lady.”

“Please,” Mia stressed, obviously uncomfortable.

Archie cocked his head to one side, studying her as he wondered what she could so desperately need to say. Eyeing her suspiciously at first, he eventually nodded. He could never refuse a woman anything. He followed her out the back door of the tavern where she had suggested they speak, darkness enveloping them as they stepped out.

* * *

Mia hurriedly led Archibald out of the tavern. They stepped into an alleyway, and she held her cloak more tightly around her. She wanted to get back to the keep as soon as possible. She would hardly be missed, but she chose not to take any chances.

At this time of the night, there weren't many people around. Still Mia could see young couples holding each other earnestly, smiling as they travelled back to their homes for the evening. In other corners, men and women were entertaining each other inlessthan earnest ways.

Mia knew she should not have come. Quickly, she thought that she should turn back and pretend nothing had ever happened. After all, she hadn't said a word to Laird Macnab about why she was there. No damage had been done. Yet, she was angry at herself for what she had decided to do, and she was ashamed that she had to stoop so low to get Bram to desire her. In the end, her desperation won.

She eyed Archie scrupulously as he stood in front of her, wondering how best to approach the subject. He was a handsome man all right, precisely what she needed. She imagined he would be more than willing to oblige her demands, but she chose to begin with pleasantries to put herself at ease.

“Laird Macnab,” she said, dipping into a curtsy. She felt awkward in her male clothing. She had hoped it would help disguise her in the village. Mia had often worn shirts and britches back in Dunkeld, but they felt wrong against her body now.

“Lassie, spare me the courtesy of a greeting. Ye are nae here as a lady tonight, are ye? We have nae need for such formalities,” said Archie coolly, leaning against the stone wall behind him.

“How did ye recognize me so quickly?” She couldn’t hold the question in anymore. However, she regretted it the moment Archie opened his mouth to speak.

“I think I could recognize those cold eyes of yers anywhere, my lady.” His words sent a chill down her spine, a chill shewishedher husband was directing instead. Mia decided that he was right: they did not need pleasantries. She straightened her posture and looked anywhere but his eyes.

Mia had enjoyed a decent ride on her way to the tavern. There was nothing more soothing to her than fresh night air against her face as she rode her mare, Buck. Her horse had been the only thing her father had allowed her to take from home when he had sold her off to Murray. Mia had stabled Buck outside the tavern, and she did not want to leave her alone for too long.

“I need yer help,” she finally said to Archie, still avoiding his gaze. “I need ye to teach me how to be…” Mia paused, her eyes flitting around, unable to say what must be said

She had piqued Archie’s interest. He pressed himself from the wall and moved closer to her. “Go on, lass. I have nae got all night. Speak yer mind to me and dinnae be afraid. Tell me what Lady Murray requires of me, and I shall heed her and give her counsel.”

Laird Macnab had a sarcastic glint in his eye—the same glint that had vexed her so much the night before. He was playing with her, but she could hardly bring herself to care, not anymore. She had come too far, and things with Bram were only getting worse. Laird Macnab was her last hope.

Sucking in a deep breath, she went on. “I need ye to teach me how to be a woman. Alady… in all the ways that matter most.”

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