“This is no’ the time, Sir Jamie.”
He frowned. “Why not?”
“I dinna think my answer is…what you’re wanting to hear.”
He stared at her hard, and she watched a muscle tighten along his jaw. Then his chest expanded as hetook one deep breath. In the awful silence, she heard her heart drumming. Her own chest tightened, for she was holding her breath.
He’s going to kill me, she thought wildly. For refusing him!
“You were right, Sheena,” he said at last. “This is no’ the time.”
“What?”
Her surprise made him feel a little better. “We spoke of trust today, but you’re no’ ready yet to trust me, so I’ll be giving you more time. I’ll wait.”
“But—”
“I’ll wait, Sheena.”
The subject was closed. He took her arm and led her into the hall. The arrogance of him! So he would wait, would he? Let him wait until the stars fell from the sky!
“Sir William, may I present Sheena MacEwen, late of Aberdeen.”
“I am—” William Jameson turned his gaze on Sheena and caught his breath. “Delighted.”
Sheena managed a nod before Jamie sat her down in the chair next to his and took his own, placing himself between her and the agreeable-looking stranger. She leaned forward to see the man who dared rile the laird of the MacKinnions, but Jamie leaned forward, as well, blocking her view. She surveyed the hall, meeting eyes wherever hers wandered, finally looking back at their table, uncomfortable under so many questioning gazes.
Food was served immediately. It was grousestuffed with buttered wild cranberries, roasted venison, boiled carrots, and sugar rolls and scones to dip in sweet heather honey. But Sheena could not do justice to the food, not with so many eyes turned her way. What must these people think of her, sitting in the place where Jessie Martin had been only the day before? Had it really been only two days since she’d met Jamie MacKinnion?
“It seems like a lifetime.”
“Did you say something, hinny?”
Lydia MacKinnion was sitting beside her, on her left. “I didna see you,” Sheena said apologetically,
“I only just came in. I understand you had a pleasant ride today.”
Sheena’s cheeks stained. “And who was it told you that?”
“Why, Jamie. He said you enjoyed yourself immensely, and ’tis glad I am. Sheena, the lad’s taken with you. It does my heart good to see he’s finally ready to stop philandering and settle on one lass.”
Sheena nearly choked. “ButI’mno’ ready—I assure you.”
Lydia patted her hand. “I understand your reluctance, hinny. Jamie is a formidable man, like his father. Robbie could be a terror—but never with those he loved. He, too, found a woman who was right for him, and he loved her till the day she died—longer, perhaps.”
“Loved her? But Colen says his mother and father fought all the time. Why, the tower where I sleep was where she went to escape him.”
“Aye, they did fight.” Lydia smiled with fond remembrance. “But how they loved. It seems to be the way with true love.”
Sheena was aghast. “I must disagree, m’lady. There is peace in true love, and sharing, and—”
“You know a great deal about it, do you?” the older woman said with a smile.
“Well, ’tis how it should be, surely.”
Lydia chuckled. “And I’m sure it is with lovers of mellow temperaments. But when two strong-willed people love each other, they canna help but clash wills sometimes.”
“I suppose.”
