Page 147 of Claimed Highland Brides

Aileen laughed out loud in surprise but stopped as the Spaniard raised his eyebrows at her reaction. “I dinnae think so.” She could not wipe the grin from her face. “Why d’ye ask?”

Diego ignored her question. “What do you mean you do not think so? Do you not know?”

“I mean that as far as I know, she is available. I dinnae ken if she has any secret pacts, however. Ye would have to ask Fenella tha’.” Aileen grinned, enjoying his discomfiture.

“Do you make a lot of secret marriage pacts here?” Diego’s frown was quite deep, and he looked disturbed.

Aileen put her fingers on the bunched flesh of his forearm and squeezed lightly in reassurance. “No, ’tis nothing but gammon.”

Diego nodded. “Ah. I see.” He smiled, seemingly relieved. To Aileen’s disappointment, they had arrived at the dining hall and so she could not pursue the curious line of questioning that was on her lips. She turned back to smile at Barclay and found that he was glaring at her.

She quirked her eyebrows in surprise but then followed his gaze and found that she was still clutching at Diego’s forearm. She snatched her hand away, cheeks flaming, and went to find her seat, her mind churning at the anger she’d seen in his eyes.

What does it mean?

Diego took a seat to her right, and Barclay took the one to her left. She offered him a tentative smile before focusing on her parritch.

They ate quietly for a while, with only Fenella and Maisie whispering amongst themselves. For everyone else, it was too early to be so animated.

Diego kept casting glances at them, his brow furrowed. Aileen bit back a smile as she watched him. She’d seen many a man be enamored of the twins’ magnetism. They tended either not to notice or took it for granted. Aileen was never sure which it was.

Finally, Diego leaned towards her. “What would you suggest I do? How do I attract her attention?”

Aileen tried to think about that. She had no clue what would pique the twins’ interest in a man. They hardly spoke about such things to anyone. She turned helplessly to Diego. “I dinnae ken.”

Diego’s shoulders slumped in disappointment before he straightened up, mouth pursed determinedly. “I suppose I shall just have to find out. But first, we help Barclay reclaim his birthright.”

Aileen nodded slowly in agreement. “Ye’re a good and loyal friend, Mr. Guerero.”

“Ach!” He waved his hand dramatically. “My name is Diego. None of these formalities, please.”

“Fair enough. I am Aileen.”

“Si, I know. Barclay has spoken well of you.”

Aileen felt her cheeks warm. “He has spoken of me?”

“Si. You are the la niña who comforted him when he lost his parents.”

Aileen’s face fell. For a moment, she had thought that perhaps Barclay had expressed a wish to marry her to his cousins. “Oh.”

Diego watched her with eyes that were all too knowing. “He regards you quite highly.”

Aileen nodded, looking away from him, her eyes fluttering with embarrassment. It was clear that Diego was simply trying to placate her, now that he could see how she felt for Barclay. It was mortifying. “That is good to know.”

Barclay cleared his throat, and she turned to him, surprised to find him looking displeased. “Is anything the matter?”

“No. I had no idea you held any interest in Diego.”

Aileen could not help the burst of laughter that escaped her. “Interest in Diego? What makes ye say tha’?”

He stared at her, unblinking, his lips pursed as if it was she that was being ridiculous. Then he turned away from her to address Fiona. “Yer husband gave me a message before he left this morning.”

Fiona nodded. “Aboot the solicitor?”

Barclay lifted his head. “Aye.”

“And ye want to go soon?”