Page 10 of Bond of a Bewitched Highlander

"You're nay arguing, so does that mean you agree?" Will asked.

"I want to talk with him before I decide."

"Very well. I'll have the steward draw up the betrothal contract this eve, and you can sign when you're ready."

She winced. Sign her life away. She could not fail in her objective.

***

WILL ESCORTED ELSEA into the crowded, noisy great hall where the clan and some of Talnaroch's men were gathering for supper. Her stomach tightened, and the sour, sharp scent of ale in the air didn't help. She clenched her jittery hand into a fist at her brother's elbow.

Where was the kidnapping brute? She glanced around briefly until she spotted the Earl of Talnaroch, wearing Lowland breeches and standing near the enormous fireplace with Quinn, her second eldest brother. Talnaroch's calculating, lustful gaze fastened upon her.

Elsea's queasiness increased. Bastard. She would like naught better than to slap that smug grin off his face.

Forcing in a deep breath and pretending calmness, she glanced aside as he drew closer. She could've avoided his unnerving gaze at such close range if she'd lowered hers submissively, but 'twas not her habit. She wouldn't give him the satisfaction, nor would she be cowed by him.

His grin widened. "Lady Elsea, I'm delighted to see you again." He bowed.

She curtsied. "Laird Talnaroch."

"You look stunning, m'lady." He grabbed her free hand and kissed the back of it.

She cringed but tried to hide it behind a tight smile. "I thank you." She refused to return the compliment, even though most people considered him handsome, with his short, blondish hair styled to perfection, his classic bone structure, and square jaw sporting a hint of gold stubble. The murky depths of his steely gray eyes affirmed that his ugliness burrowed soul deep.

"Would you do me the honor of sitting beside me at supper?" he asked.

She wanted to yell nay and return upstairs, but that was not an option. "Aye," she forced herself to say. Will released her, and Talnaroch led her to the high table on the dais.

As she sat down beside him, her silent clansmen stared. Catching her eye, they glanced away and took their seats. One of her great-uncles said grace, and the servants strolled out with pitchers of wine and baskets of bread.

Elsea focused on keeping her sweating hands steady and fisted in her lap. Considering how her stomach churned, she was unsure whether she could eat a bite.

"It has been a long time," Talnaroch said, pasting a faux smile on his chiseled lips.

"Indeed." Though not long enough.

The next dishes were fish and roasted vegetables.

"How have you been keeping yourself busy?" He sipped from his pewter goblet.

She almost snorted but controlled the urge just in time. "I'm sure 'twould be of nay interest to you." She buttered a bite of bread and ate it.

"You'd be surprised." His indulgent smile was a mockery. "I'm interested in a great many things."

They had naught to talk about. She certainly couldn't say riding like a hellion across the moor was her favorite pastime. Giving in, she said the blandest thing she could think of. "Needlework and embroidery."

"I would love to see it sometime." He took a bite of the fish.

Sure, he would. But she had nothing to show him, anyway, for she was terrible at needlework. For a certainty, she wasn't going to tell him about knife-fighting practice or archery lessons. She preferred that he see her as weak, naïve, and trusting, for he would underestimate her.

They ate in tense silence for a few minutes. The caramelized root vegetables were delicious, but after a few bites, they sat heavily in her stomach.

She sipped wine and tried to figure out how to get Talnaroch to reveal things. "And you?" she asked. "What is your favorite pastime?"

"Oh, the usual pursuits—running my estates, horse trading, riding, swordplay practice."

He had left out selkie abduction.