He took a seat next to Lauren as Deidre, Phillip and Drew wandered in from the other room. Taking a chance, before they sat, he leaned close to Lauren to whisper, as Julia had done. “And ye… Ye look…” He couldnae find the words to describe how captivating he found her. How could a woman be so soft, so delicate, and yet so alive? He inhaled the hint of something similar to the spring-flower scent he’d enjoyed last night. Just enough to make him want to lean closer to discover just where the scent lay. “Ye look very…refreshed.”
Surprise widened her eyes, seconds before she laughed. “Well, I certainly hope so. I was quite relieved to wash the last of the sticks and leaves from my hair. Along with all that dirt from my clumsy tumble down that embankment.” She glanced down at her attire. “Clean clothes don’t hurt, either.”
She wore jeans, much like his own, and though her shirt was no’ tight, like his, it’s soft fabric caressed her curves in a most tantalizing way. He swallowed, searching for something to say wi’out revealing his true thoughts.
“Aye. Refreshing, indeed.”
He groaned, inwardly.Refreshing?Och! What a lard-head. Could he no’ even manage a simple compliment? ’Twould seem those centuries haunting the moor had left far more than just his sword-arm out of practice.
“I see you’ve finally chosen to join us.” Deidre stood in front of a chair and waited for Phillip to seat her. While Drew did the same for Phoebe, Reginald jumped up, red faced, to assist Julia, regretting he hadnae thought to do so for Lauren. By now, she must think him a complete bumbling fool. And she’d be right. What did he know of manners and polite society? The 79 had no’ exactly been sticklers for the proprieties.
He dipped his head in an abbreviated bow. “My apologies for keeping ye waiting.”
“My goodness,” Deidre drawled. “It appears our hero is a gentleman, to boot.”
Though ’twas delicately done, ’twas a snort nonetheless, that Deidre used to punctuate her remark, drawing a surprised, but satisfied look from Phillip.
“The look suits you,” Drew interjected, tipping his head to indicate Reginald’s clothing.
“Oh. Most definitely.” Deidre’s smile was slow and calculated.
Reginald shifted. This time the look in her eyes matched the one she’d had in his room. He looked away, fairly certain he liked it better when she acted the shrew. At least he kenned what to expect. He should have asked Phoebe for something larger to wear. Or no’ given up his kilt in the first place.
“Soup?” Aunt Phoebe interjected, one hand on the ladle, as she extended the other for his bowl.
“Aye. Thank ye.” His anticipation for the soup had waned significantly. It was painfully clear he had no place at this table, traditional or no’. Mayhap no’ even in this time. Certainly no’ wi’ these people. The centuries had clearly passed him by. He wondered if Soni would have made such a tragic sacrifice if she’d kenned what an ill fit he’d be.
“Lauren tells me you have ties to our little valley,” Aunt Phoebe stated as she ladled the chowder into his bowl, returned it, and gestured for Lauren’s.
Hurriedly sitting the soup down, he tucked his hands in his lap before he rattled the china, revealing his discomfort. “Aye. ’Tis what I’ve been told, at least. As a legend, ye ken.”
He nodded his thanks to Julia as she held out the basket of aromatic bread. His fingers trembled as he took a slice and slid it onto his plate, swallowing a memory of his mither doing the same.
“That’s interesting. What kind of ties?” Drew asked, taking a slice of his own. “If I’m not being too forward?”
“No’ at all,” Reginald replied, blinking away his mither’s image. He reached for his glass of water, but unable to trust this throat just yet, didn’t drink.
Tread careful, McColl.Dinnae trip over yer rusty tongue.
Reginald glanced around the table. All eyes were on him. “ ’Tis only family lore, mind ye, but I’ve been told my ancestors once lived here. Centuries past,” he added. “So ’tis of no real consequence.”
“But a fascinating coincidence, all the same.” Drew passed his bowl to Phoebe. “My family’s holdings are nearby and go back many generations. Centuries, I’ve been told. Both my parents are avid genealogy buffs. Perhaps they’ll remember some mention of your ancestors in their research.”
“That’s wonderful, Reggie,” Lauren said, touching his arm. “You wanted to find out what happened to your ancestors. Maybe Drew’s parents could locate some information for you.”
Reginald searched Drew’s face for the condescension so prevalent on Phillips, but found nothing more than curiosity in his expression. He appeared to genuinely want to help. Reginald felt a twinge of guilt for possibly misjudging him.
“Mayhap.”
“McColl… McColl…” Drew mused. “That does have a ring, but…well, you couldn’t be referring to the infamous Fergus McColl from way back in the Jacobite days? Wasn’t he supposed to have been from around here, somewhere?”
Reginald felt the color drain from his face.
“Infamous how? Sounds intriguing,” Deidre leaned forward slightly. “Do go on, Drew. I hope you’re going to reveal a delicious scandal, or something equally fascinating.”
“Deidre!” Julia whispered. “Mr. McColl is our guest. Mind your manners.”
Deidre waved her hand dismissively before slouching back in her chair. “Pfffft. How can a story about old dead people from centuries ago, hurt? It’s just conversation to break up the boredom.”
