“Ye misunderstand me, m’lady.” Either seductiveness or admiration flashed in his eyes. Maybe both. “I have no doubt ye have the wit and wisdom to puzzle out anything ye wish. But, as ye already know for yerself, ’tis a cruel world at times, filled with many an unsavory character. I wouldna insult ye nor wish to upset ye by speaking of such sordid details that would make yer blood run cold.” He gently took her hand and brushed the lightest of kisses across her knuckles. “I respect ye too much for that.”
The brothers tumbled into the table, making every dish and glass rattle.
Teague gave a long-suffering roll of his eyes and bellowed, “Enough!”
The scuffle immediately halted. Both men bowed their apologies while backing away. Arms draped around each other’s shoulders, they returned to their seats.
Mila swallowed hard, thankful once again for a well-timed interruption. Teague was a skilled charmer. Better than any she had dated in the twenty-first century. None held a candle to him.
She pulled in a deep breath and eased it out. She needed to be on her guard. If she caved and allowed him to get too close, her and Robbie’s secrets might be discovered. That could be disastrous.
She tried to catch Robbie’s eye and signal him they should go to their rooms. The boy ignored her, refusing to glance her way. But the longer she glared at him to get his attention, the more she realized he wasn’t ignoring her on purpose. The lad was intent on teaching his new friend sign language. Or she assumed it was sign language. It looked very much like what she had seen interpreters use. What touched her most was Auley’s father as he watched the boys. Even though he smiled at them, the man appeared ready to weep.
“What is he doing over there? With young Auley?” Teague leaned forward, studying the lads.
“Teaching him another way of communicating.” She couldn’t stop a proud, loving smile. “Robbie knows what it’s like to be bullied. If Auley canna overcome his speech difficulty for whatever reason, he can always fall back on this.” She huffed a frustrated groan as Robbie showed Auley an unmistakable hand signal from the future. Both the boys laughed loudly. “And it appears Auley will also be fluent in obscenities.”
Teague gave an amused snort. “Ah, well—every lad needs to have a coarse term or two ready. Comes in handy at times, ye ken?”
“Dinna encourage him. He already looks up to ye.”
“Does he now?”
The man’s pleased-with-himself air made her scold herself again for not better minding her words.
“I am glad to hear it,” he said. Then all levity and smugness left him. He jumped to his feet, his focus locked on an arched doorway at the far end of the large room. “Excuse me, m’lady. I must beg yer leave.” Before she could respond, he charged away, maneuvering around tables and people as if a beast chased after him.
Grissa appeared at her side as if she had waited in the shadows. “Be ye ready to retire, mistress?” The girl kept glancing in the direction Teague had gone.
“What just happened?” Curiosity piqued, Mila found herself not nearly as tired as before. Whatever made Teague rush off could be something she needed to know in order to save him.
The maid cast a hateful scowl down the tables to the right, pinning Lizzie with a glare that threatened to incinerate her. “’Tis best we speak of it once we reach the privacy of yer chambers.”
“I understand.” Mila slowly rose, spared Lizzie a dismissive glance, then motioned for Robbie.
At first, he shook his head, then hurried to her side. “What happened? Yer face looks like thunder.”
“I am not sure yet.” She turned them around so their backs were to those still at the tables. “I am going upstairs. If ye wish to stay down here, ye can, but stay away from that lass with the blonde hair that’s almost white. She’s at the table on the right in the light blue. Her name is Lizzie. I’ll find out more about her once Grissa and I have a word.” He started to turn to see the girl, but she stopped him. “Dinna be Mr. Obvious, ye ken?” After a quick hug that made him growl, she smiled. “Ye will never be too grown for my hugs, ye rascal.”
He rolled his eyes, but she could tell he was pleased. As he started to walk away, she caught his arm again and locked eyes with him.
“Be careful, aye? We have not yet properly sorted friends from foes here.”
“I’ll be watchful and let ye know if I hear anything else.” He winked as he backed away. “On wi’ ye now, Mi. At yer age, ye need an early bedtime.”
She shooed him away with a threatening shake of her finger.
“Should I fetch ye a stick, mistress?” Grissa glared after the lad. “And if that doesna thrash the disrespect out of his wee arse, I’ll get one of himself’s belts.”
Mila laughed as they hurried to the stairwell. “He loves to tease. Always has. Dinna pay it any mind.” As she climbed the steps, she tossed a glance back. “Now, what did Lizzie have to do with Teague rushing out of the room? Tell me everything ye know.”
“I caught her whispering to Bethia.”
“Who is Bethia?”
“Bethia looks aftertheLady MacDonald.” Grissa motioned for her to climb the stairs faster. “I daren’t say anything more till we are in yer rooms. These stairwells carry whispers something fierce.”
Mila caught up her skirts and scurried faster, dying to know more about the mysterious Lady MacDonald. She rushed into her sitting room and whirled about, waving for Grissa to hurry and close the door. “Who is the Lady MacDonald?”
