Chloe eyed the pile of material on the bed with apprehension. She wasn’t too keen on getting rid of her modern clothes. At least not yet.
“I’m good, thanks.” She backed away from the bed, edging closer to the fire.
“Och, it isna proper for a young lass such as yerself to be wearing…” She paused as she eyed Chloe’s blue jeans, her fuzzy sweater, and her sock feet. “Well, it’s no proper.”
It was clear to her Fiona didn’t understand her attire and that was fine by Chloe. She remained rooted in place. Evie used to tell her she was stubborn as the day was long and she was right. When Chloe made her mind up about something, she rarely changed it. That was why Bruce’s betrayal had come as such a shock. She’d made her mind up that he was the one. Turned out, he wasn’t.
“I do appreciate the offer,” she said, “but I’d rather not change, if it’s all the same to you.”
“But—”
“I think she’s dressed just fine.”
It was Malcolm’s voice coming from the doorway. Lady Fiona stepped aside and turned to look at him. He leaned against the door jamb on one shoulder with his arms crossed over his chest.
Seeing him there Chloe thought it was disarming how handsome he was as he gave her a faint smile behind that full beard. His long hair was plaited on either side of his head, the braids pushed back behind his ears. One stray lock fell over his forehead as he peered at her with amusement in those depthless sea-green eyes.
Question and confusion flickered over the lady’s face. “Ye said she needed proper clothing.”
“She doesna wish to change.”
He pushed off the door jamb and stepped into the room with a lazy sort of movement that sent shivers down Chloe’s spine.
“Mayhap merely a cloak for the journey back to Dundale,” he suggested, his gaze never leaving her face.
“As you say.” Lady Fiona motioned toward the pile on the bed. “I’m sure she will find something suitable there.”
Then she excused herself and left the room, leaving the door open. Malcolm made no other move to enter the room. They stood several feet apart, Chloe feeling awkward where she was by the hearth, the warmth of the fire radiating through her.
“I don’t mean to be a problem—” Chloe began.
“Och, dinnae worry, lass.” He waved away the thought as if it meant nothing. “But I need to return to Dundale.” He cut a glance to the pile of clothing on the bed. “There’s a chill to the wind. Ye’ll be wanting a cloak. I’ll wait for ye by the stable with the horses.”
He left. Chloe heaved a sigh, sure she had insulted Lady Fiona and that amused Malcolm.
She walked to the bed and rifled through the clothing until she found what appeared to be a fur-lined cloak with a hood. She pulled it on over her shoulders to test the size. It fell to the floor, dragging a bit behind her as if it were too long. That would have to do. She stuck her feet in her sneakers. Satisfied, she headed out the door to meet Malcolm.
CHAPTER 10
Chloe made her way outside the keep with the cloak tightly wrapped around her. She garnered a few strange looks as she walked across the yard looking for Malcolm at the stables. With no clue where he’d be, she paused to scan the area, trying to ignore the curious glances.
Then she spotted him. He stood with one hand on the reins of a horse speaking to the older Sinclair, Angus.
Duncan spotted her then and gave her a jaunty wave and a broad smile. He was younger than Malcolm, clean-shaven, with bright, intelligent eyes. He trotted over to greet her and was not at all bothered by her attire.
“Did ye sleep well?” he asked.
She nodded, though, truthfully, she was exhausted. Traveling through time had taken a lot out of her and she wasn’t certain she would ever recover. Duncan seemed pleased with her answer though and offered her his arm.
“I’ll escort ye to the stables.”
He seemed so eager to please, it was hard to turn him down. She placed her hand on his arm and off they went through the courtyard.
“It appears I’m not suitably dressed,” Chloe said as they walked and she continued to notice the surreptitious glances.
“Och, dinnae fash yerself about that, lass. They dinnae understand where ye came from.” He gave her a sheepish glance with a coy smile. “But I do and it doesna bother me one whit.”
She wasn’t certain why hearing him say that made her feel better, but it did. “I think I may have insulted your mother by not changing into her offered clothing. Please tell her thanks for trying.”
