That is a good answer.
Darragh saw Talia nod from where she was hiding. He raised an eyebrow at her before turning back to the man.
“And how many children do ye hope to have?” he asked.
“Oh, I would love to have many children, but ultimately I ken the decision isnae up to me.” Hayden laughed. “I would be fine with as many as the Lord blesses us with.”
Darragh realized he didn’t like how well Hayden was answering his questions. He frowned when he saw Talia nodding and smiling brightly.
I thought she didnae want to marry?
“Have I said something wrong, me Laird?” Hayden asked.
Darragh turned back to him, but the frown hadn’t left his face. He didn’t think the frown would leave his face at all. If the man continued to answer the questions so well, then he might as well have found a husband for Talia.
That realization didn’t make him as happy as he had thought it would.
Shaking off the confusing twist of emotions, he schooled his features into a blank mask.
“What do ye do on days when ye’re overwhelmed with yer duties?” he asked. “Do ye go drinkin’ with yer mates?”
“I enjoy a night of revelry as much as any man,” Hayden answered. “But I love swimming, and as I’m nae inclined to die young, I daenae imbibe before I go swimming.”
Darragh didn’t bother looking at Talia again until he asked his last question. He wasn’t sure if he would be able to keep his blank expression if he saw her smiling as brightly as she had earlier.
“What is the current state of yer estate?” he asked. “How was the harvest last year?”
“We’ve been lucky to have had a good harvest. We want for naught. Our main concern is to tighten security in our border towns, but we arenae in debt.”
Darragh was almost jealous of the man, but he toned it down and finally looked at Talia, who gave a quick nod. He nodded back. He was almost disappointed when she rose to her feet and smoothed the creases in her skirt.
“Have I answered all yer questions, me Laird?” Hayden asked.
“Indeed, ye have,” Darragh replied, pushing past his disappointment.
Talia came closer now, and he noticed Hayden’s eyes widen in appreciation as she did. He also noticed, much to his dismay, that the man kept his eyes respectfully on her face as he rose to his feet.
Darragh rose as well and folded his hands behind his back.
“Hayden, might I introduce me ward, Miss Talia Collins?” he said. “Talia, this is Hayden McFarden, from Clan Macintosh.”
Talia curtsied beautifully and extended her hand in greeting. Hayden took it almost rapturously and placed a kiss on the back of it.
“‘Tis a pleasure to meet ye, Miss Collins,” he offered, gently releasing her hand. “Might I be so bold as to say that yer beauty puts the poet in me at a loss for words.”
Talia smiled sweetly. “I am charmed to meet ye as well.”
She gave Darragh a look. He frowned at her, but took it as his cue to leave them alone. Still, he remained in the hall at a safe distance, so he could watch for untoward behavior.
When they finally sat, it was almost torturous for him to notice what a striking pair the two of them were.
“Truly?” Talia asked, laughing at the story Hayden had just told her. “Ye were something of a rascal in yer childhood.”
He had been decidedly pleasant since they had started speaking, and while she had thought to shun any suitors Darragh may bring, he had answered the questions in a way that had her looking forward to meeting him.
He was handsome, with lovely blond hair and bright blue eyes like the sky on a lovely summer day, and he was quick to smile, a clear contrast to the brooding man who was watching them from the other end of the hall.
She stole a glance at him out of the corner of her eye and saw him frowning at the two of them.
