“It wasn’t necessary. My brother will be arriving at court in a couple of weeks to present himself to the Privy Council,” he explained, biting back his resentment at another of the king’s onerous requirements to keep his Highland subjects in line—forcing the chiefs to present themselves in Edinburgh each year to account for their “good” behavior like naughty little children.
“Hmm,” she said, but it was clear she did not believe him.
Alex feared his denial was merely whetting Meg Mackinnon’s appetite for more. “Very well, you’ve found me out, it was me.”
Her eyes narrowed, studying him. “You’re just saying that.”
He shrugged. “Does it matter? You are convinced you are correct, and I have just admitted as much. Isn’t that what you wanted?”
Her brows furrowed. “No. Yes.”
He smiled. “You can’t have both.”
She looked so frustrated, for a moment he considered admitting the truth. Though he barely knew her, he sensed he could trust her. But he could not risk it; he must stick to the plan. For now.
“How long have you been gone?” she asked.
“For some time.” Before she could ask any more questions, he asked, “And what of you, Mistress Mackinnon? What brings you to court?”
He expected her to blush and murmur some excuse. But her wide green eyes met his without artifice. The color really was extraordinary. Soft moss green with tiny flecks of gold. He’d never seen their like. Nor could he recall ever paying so much attention to a woman’s eye color before. It wasn’t usually the first thing he noticed.
She considered him for a long moment. “May I be frank?”
He nearly chuckled. Could she be anything else? “Aye, of course,” he murmured, hiding his amusement.
“What brings most young women to court?”
Alex stared at her, not bothering to hide his bemused admiration. Such candor was refreshing. He’d known the truth, though he hadn’t expected her to admit it. Jamie Campbell had been only too eager to inform Alex of her purpose for being at court, presumably in an effort to discourage Alex from any interest he might have in the lass. Jamie had made her situation quite clear. She’d been sent to court to find a husband to help support her brother. A situation made imperative by the recent illness of her father. While at Dunvegan, Alex had been informed of the Mackinnon chief’s recent illness, but Alex had forgotten that Meg’s brother was said to be simple. He remembered how quickly she’d jumped to Lizzie’s defense, and he suspected it was something she did quite often.
According to Jamie, Meg had been groomed to run the clan’s lands. An enormous undertaking for one so young, Alex realized; no wonder the lass looked so weary. She pushed herself too hard. At some point, it was going to be too much. And now she must find her own husband? For a father to allow his daughter such a say in her choice of husband certainly spoke well of her good sense. But Alex suspected it also had contributed to the level of anxiety he read in her manner.
Despite his political differences with Jamie Campbell, Alex admitted that she could do much worse.
Meg Mackinnon, though tempting, was not for him. He’d do best to remember it.
“So it is time to find a husband?”
She was watching his reaction intently. “I’m afraid so.”
“Why are you telling me this? It’s not something young ladies usually admit.”
A wry smile turned her mouth. “It’s not exactly a secret. There is no point in hiding what is common knowledge.” She lowered her voice conspiratorially. “I find it helps weed out the unsuitable candidates.”
I’d imagine so.“A practical approach.”
She beamed. “Exactly!”
Meg was nothing like the coy, jaded ladies who inhabited court. She was a breath of fresh air, like the warm, salty sea breeze that blew across Dunvegan. “And have you found anyone who is suitable?” he asked, more interested in her response than he wanted to admit.
The tiny lines appeared between her brows again. “’Tis more complicated a decision than I anticipated.”
She looked so discouraged, Alex found himself wanting to ease her worry. He wanted to make her laugh. He couldn’t recall having that feeling in a long time.
Bending down, he whispered in her ear, “Ah, but you have one thing on your side that assures your success.”
“What’s that?”
“With your mother helping, I don’t think you have anything to worry about.”
