“Could have been better,” she responded tautly. Nowhewas the one fighting back a smile.
CHAPTER 2
Nora’s heartpounded as if it was trying to leap out of her chest. She couldfeeleach beat fluttering against her ribs.
This was a terrible idea,she thought frantically, resisting the urge to turn tail and flee, plunging into the crowd. With her nondescript green healer’s cloak, she could probably melt away.
Would anyone come after me?
The answer presented itself at once. Laird Bryden would. He’d come barging after her, furious and panicked. It was too late to back out now. If either of them changed their mind, that was it. No more treaty. No more peace.
The chance to change her mind had come and gone.
She glanced at the man across from her, trying again to find her bearings.
He didn’t makesense. That thought in itself didn’t make sense.
Up close, he was just as tall and imposing as she’d expected. More, even. He hadn’t bothered to dress up, not like most of the other people at the festival. He wore a loose, almost translucent shirt, which she was trying not to look at.
If she looked too hard, she might see the pinkish tinge of his skin beneath. And then there was a kilt and a pair of well-worn boots. No sword at his hip, of course, but she could easily imagine him with one. He watched her with the intent stare of a wolf watching its next meal, and she felt the urge to shrink back like the frightened sheep he’d said that shewasn’t.
He wore a wooden mask, probably padded on the inside with felt or wool to make it comfortable. It was a simple piece, tied at the back with ribbon. Beneath it, dark eyes flashed out, so dark she thought they might be completely black.
As if amused at her scrutiny, his mouth curved into a slow half-smile.
“Making a study of me, eh, lass?”
“I’m lookin’ at ye, if that’s what ye mean,” she shot back. “Would ye prefer I didnae? Giving me orders already—nowthatwould be a bad start.”
Stop it,she screamed at herself in her head.Ye have to impress him. If he calls this whole thing off, nae only will the peacetreaty never happen, but ye will never have the chance to search for Margaret. Take nay risks. Swallow yer pride, fool, if only for a little while.
He only chuckled, shaking his head. “Ye ken, it’s nae wise to speak so sharply to a laird, lassie. Some men might take offence.”
“Are ye the kind of man who takes offence at the thoughtless words of a simple lass?” Nora responded at once, wincing at her own description of herself as asimple lass. Judging by the way he pursed his lips, the comment didn’t sit well with him.
“Nay, I am nae,” he answered brusquely. “But ye daenae ken that, do ye? Have a care, Nora Lane. Me keep is nae like the home ye are used to. There are dangers there which ye have nae yet imagined. I would tread lightly, if I were ye.”
She could not repress a shiver at his words and glanced sideways to see if Laird Bryden had heard.
He hadn’t, apparently, on account of being deep in conversation with the woman Laird MacColl had provided. Her name was Skye, Nora recalled with an effort. Perhaps they might have been friends in another situation.
Or perhaps nae,she thought, when Skye’s gaze skipped over her, her expression inward-looking.
“I hope we willnae leave before we’ve enjoyed the festivities,” she said, smiling up at Laird Bryden. “Do ye care to dance? I love dancin’.”
“I daenae love it,” Evander responded. “But I can dance, if ye would like it?” he added through gritted teeth.
Skye beamed. “Aye, I’d like that very much.”
It was all show, of course, Nora guessed that. But who knew, perhaps Skye and Evanderwouldbecome friends.
“I daenae care to dance,” Laird MacColl said heavily. “In fact, I would like to return now, if ye agree.”
Nora swallowed thickly, turning to face him. He was watching her carefully.
“I am ready,” she heard herself say. “I’ll leave when ye are ready to go.”
“Good,” he answered briskly, turning away. “I’ll bid goodbye to yer laird, and if the fates allow, we’ll meet here this time next year. Did ye bring yer things?”
