She laughed again, and before he could stop himself, he rose to his feet and stormed towards them.
“Leave,” he ordered.
“Pardon me?” Talia sputtered, looking up at him with a frown.
Her green eyes were blazing with fury, even though her voice was perfectly even. She had every right to be upset at him, but he did not back down. He glared at Hayden, and he mentally patted himself on the back when the man released Talia’s hand.
“I asked Hayden to leave,” he clarified, turning to her. “Since he cannae help but put his hands on ye in such an improper manner, I must ask him to leave.”
“But he has done nothing wrong!” she protested, rising to her feet.
Darragh said nothing more. Instead, he turned back to Hayden, who was still sitting, albeit with a frantic look on his face. At Darragh’s scowl, he hastily rose to his feet.
“I apologize for leaving so quickly, Miss Collins,” he said with a quick bow. “But I just remembered that I am expected home early today. It was a pleasure to meet ye. I look forward to our next meeting.”
“Hayden, wait!”
But it was too late, as the man all but ran out of the hall.
“I cannae believe ye embarrassed him so.” Talia turned to Darragh with a frown. “He was by far the most interesting suitor ye’ve brought me, and ye chose to do this? Why?”
“He put his hand on ye in a most disrespectful manner,” he answered, turning away from her. “It was me duty as yer chaperone to ensure ye are treated respectfully, as befitting me ward.”
“Is that the only reason?” she asked, folding her arms.
“What other reason should there be?” He swallowed past the lump in his throat.
He would never admit to her, nor himself, that he hadn’t liked seeing Hayden’s hand on her because he wished it were he who had such freedom with her.
Talia sighed, sitting back down. “I didnae mind him holdin’ me hand. ‘Twas nae unpleasant, and I didnae mind it so much. If I did, I would have told him so.”
She didnae mind Hayden touching her?
“He was rather pleasant to talk to,” she added.
Darragh felt his ire at the man rise again, even though he had already left. Perhaps he should have warned him never to return.
“And he was rather hilarious as well,” Talia continued with a smile. “I particularly liked the stories of his childhood. I am tempted to visit his clan.”
Darragh gritted his teeth the more he heard her speak of Hayden.He didn’t like how her eyes lit up when she spoke of a man she had just met. Meanwhile, he had been with her all this time, and she never spoke of him with such glee or even laughed with him.
What was it that Hayden had that made her so comfortable with him?
Darragh frowned the more she spoke, and he realized that the only reason he was so incensed was that he was jealous.
He rose to his feet, drawing her eyes.
“Is somethin’ wrong?” she asked, concern lacing her voice.
“Me Laird, Alistair Fraser is here to see ye,” another footman announced.
“Good,” Darragh grunted. “Show him in.”
He turned to leave, but Talia stopped him with a hand on his. Heat traveled up his arm at the contact, and he stiffened. She pulled her hand away quickly and placed it in her lap.
“Where are ye going?” she asked. “Will ye nae chaperone me now?”
“I have work to finish in me study,” he grumbled, not meeting her eyes. “I will send me maither to chaperone ye.”
