Page 48 of Highlander’s Dangerous Gambler

"Och," she moaned, getting herself comfortable by the window seat. "Who does she think she is, my sister or my keeper?"

She shot a look at Mary's face, who looked as if she had an answer. Mary dropped her eyes as Aileen shook her head. She knew very well the answer to that was both and that Fiona was indeed her keeper—and more. Still, she was not going to give her the satisfaction of it.

Throwing her plaid over her shoulder, Aileen gazed out at the beautiful man alighting from the horseback. He walked over toward the castle, where Fiona stood in wait.

Aileen could not hear the words but watched as the dark-haired man bowed to Fiona. Then, she saw as he proffered the slight, limping mousy man toward her.

Aileen's jaw fell open. "Och," she murmured, crestfallen. "He's the laird's son?"

Mary gave an affirmative nod beside her. "Aye," she said, the pair of them watching the dark-blond man intently. He was very well dressed, Aileen had to admit, wearing his heavy Highland plaid with swagger. And certainly very assured of himself. His self-confidence belied his somewhat stooped stature and slender build. Despite herself, Aileen looked at him critically.

He was reasonably good-looking, she supposed, although on second inspection, his ears stuck out, his nose was a little twisted, and his hair needed a damned good wash.

All the same, she had seen worse, albeit usually in an almshouse bed dying of the pox. Never mind; at least he still had some of his teeth. It could be worse.

"Aileen!" Fiona hissed from behind her hand. A knock came on the door. The head housemaid had been sent to chivvy them along.

Sighing heavily, Aileen gathered up her skirts and hurried along the corridor.

"My lady, they said ye were bonny, but I didnae believe just how much until just noo!"

Brodie McLeod bowed before Aileen, kissing her hand. Behind them, Aileen heard giggling, her sisters and maids muffling their mouths and looking away.

Behind Brodie came McLeod, the laird. Aileen immediately stiffened when she saw him. Unable to shake the memory of his blackmail, it was hard for her to meet his eyes.

Of course, Laird McLeod was all smiles this morning, greeting Fiona with an ostentatious whirl.

"My lady," he said, gravely bowing to her.

Fiona, evidently impressed, showed him and their disposition within the castle as the midafternoon sun hung low in the sky. Just as they were entering, Brodie turned to Aileen.

"Aileen," he said, smiling directly at her. Aileen turned on her heel to look at him. Close up, he was not exactly an oil painting, but Aileen reminded herself that there was more to a man than his looks. He smiled pleasantly, revealing a stumpy set of teeth. But still, at least he had some. As Aileen well knew, many men, even his age, often did not.

Aileen stopped, every eye upon her expectantly. Seeing their concern, Brodie put his hand protectively over her and led her slightly away. Aileen, feeling unsure, looked around her.

There, Fiona, Lissie, and Mary were grinning amusedly. Lissie was pointing and hissing at something beneath her breath, whereas Fiona smiled very stiffly beneath her nose and cocked her head as if directing her in some way.

Aileen turned away. Goodness knows what she was saying; irritation rankled with her suddenly. Fiona was always telling her what to do! Determined to do her own thing, she turned to Brodie suddenly.

"Aye," she said curiously. He must have seen the look in her eyes. Perhaps she was too challenging because he seemed to back off a little.

"It...is alright to call ye Aileen, isnae it? My lady?" Brodie watched her anxiously, his light-blue eyes following her wanderingly. The giggle from the lasses behind grew louder, and Aileen bristled with irritation.

Perhaps she was foolish, but this was the first time a man had treated her with such attention, and she was flattered.

"Of course," said Aileen briskly. She was trying not to look too interested, but already, Brodie had made a good impression on her.

"Well, uh, my lady—Aileen—there isnae an awful lot o' light left in the day, an' I thought it braw to take a walk." Brodie's eyes twinkled, and then he looked around.

Automatically, Aileen followed his eyes. Perplexed, she wondered why he was staring so closely at his horse behind. It took a moment or two for Aileen to realize Brodie also had a lazy eye. Chiding herself for staring, she smiled back at him.

"Aye, aye, of course," said Aileen obligingly. Catching Fiona's eye, she glanced triumphantly at her. Glaring at her to back off, Aileen turned to Brodie and smiled. "I'd be glad to. Where would ye like to see?"

Brodie leaned closer. His breath did not smell great, an unholy mixture of whiskey, fish, and cheese. "Ach, I'll let ye decide, hen. Perhaps ye could show me around yer awful grand estate?"

Then he extended his hand toward her, leading her through the castle gates. Grinning, he glanced back at McLeod as the rest of the group stood watching.

Brodie came in close—much too close—and squeezed her hand tightly. "Well, isnae it bonny here? I do think I am gonnae enjoy it here!"