There were two possible reasons for Mortimer’s affability toward Leah. Either he was trying to ingratiate himself with the person he viewed as the future Lady MacWatt, or he was personally interested in her.
Neither possibility helped to quell Magnus’s rage, and he grunted.
“I wish to speak to you when this meeting is over,” Leah said, her eyes flicking to his as she crossed her arms over her chest.
She dares to command me?She, who is a guest in this castle?
He looked around the table of men. They were all watching him, waiting to see how he would react to her imperious tone. He knew he could either bark an order at her, and cause even more unrest between them, or cater to her whims and be made to look weak.
Why did I agree to take her in? She is nothing but trouble.
Thankfully, however, she appeared to realize that she had no place in this room, and without another word, she retreated the way she had come, closing the doors quietly behind her.
Magnus looked down at the table so that he did not have to meet the eyes of his councilmen and scratched the three-day-old stubble on his jaw. Eventually, he shook his head as though to dismiss her very existence.
“Pay her nay mind, gentlemen,” he stated firmly. “She is here as a guest as a favor to Laird MacIrvin, and it will strengthen our alliance to have her present. She doesnae ken the ways of this castle and will be gone in a matter of days.”
The men before him exchanged several meaningful looks, each making him more uneasy than the last.
Dinnae go after her, ye weak simpleton. Stay here and be the Laird they expect ye to be.
Despite knowing that that course of action was the right one, his mind appeared to have made his choice for him. He had no more agency now than when she begged for his help in the carriage.
With a frustrated growl, he put out a hand to indicate to Kenneth that he should remain behind and, against all his better judgment, went to find the lass.
He did not have to look for long. As soon as he left the council chambers, he found her waiting in the corridor, pretending to be examining a piece of stained glass in the tiny window above her.
He grabbed her by the arm and forcibly backed her up against the wall, noting her shocked gasp even as her pupils dilated with desire.
“Ye are tellin’ me what to do in front of me own council now? Ye dinnae disrespect me in me own castle!”
Her breaths were coming fast, as were his, and her eyes flicked down to his lips.
“What is it that is so important that ye must interrupt me duties as Laird?” he asked, forcing himself to release her arm, even though the feel of her warm skin was as addictive as that kiss had been.
He should, by rights, take a step back from her, but his body wouldn’t move.
“Three things,” she said, looking up at him defiantly. “Have you ever fought a wolf?”
Magnus hesitated, staring down at her, utterly perplexed. “What? Is this Betty gettin’ into yer head? There are nay wolves in Scotland.”
“Alright, a bear then,” she said. “I’ll note that down.”
“What the hell are ye talkin’ about?”
“Our deal!” she exclaimed, the same light flashing in her eyes. “I am going to write a book about you. I’ll make you out to be the most powerful laird in the Highlands, and everyone will know your name once I’m through with you.”
She looked very pleased with herself.
“I’ll need more details of your past,” she continued, “some events to show your strength, perhaps.”
As she met his gaze, her cheeks grew pink around the edges. She looked momentarily irritated, bringing her hands up to her face as though surprised to find herself blushing.
She cleared her throat a couple of times and swallowed.
“And I’ll need your word that you won’t collect any other sort of debt from me. This will be my payment for you agreeing to let me remain here.”
“I have already apologized for the kiss?—”
