Page 12 of Bond of a Bewitched Highlander

"My maid could chaperone," Elsea suggested.

"Tilly is dependable," Lenora said.

Will frowned. "Or one of our brothers."

"Nay." Elsea wouldn't speak a word in front of her brothers. They would snicker behind her back. She had to think clearly and see what she could find out about the earl's plans.

***

RICHARD MACGILMONT, the Earl of Talnaroch, sat beside Lady Elsea at the high table, grinning slightly and sipping the barely tolerable spiced wine. He almost laughed at her family's debate over who would chaperone. Why the hell did they care? Did they not know the lady had been compromised long before he'd ever met her?

He hoped she had birthed no bastards, but he needed a fertile wife. Of course, he would have to wait a few months to see if she already carried some other man's bastard. He didn't relish that. 'Haps he would have his physician examine her and determine if she was already with child.

Once they wed, his annoying mother would get off his back. She acted like thirty summers was ancient and decrepit. He was in his prime, and right now, he was focusing on increasing his fortune. He didn't have extra time to put into finding the ideal wife. After observing his parents' marriage for the first twenty-five years of his life, he well knew what a thorn in the flesh his mother had been to his father.

He did not want a replay of that.

Talnaroch had decided Elsea would make an acceptable wife for a few reasons. One, with her blonde hair and perfect face, she was the most beautiful lady he had ever met. Two, though she was experienced, she was naïve and easy to deal with. Three, 'twas whispered she had a generous dowry. Four, her brother was a low-ranking rustic chief who would not be ordering him about.

He could install her at Dalthort Castle and get on with his business enterprises. She would never venture to his other four estates.

As for the beautiful selkie lasses, Talnaroch had happened upon them quite by accident. He had seen them from one of his galleys as he and his men were traveling in the area, searching for the best boat builders. Through his spyglass, he had observed the stunning, nearly naked women on the island's beach. One of his guards had informed him they were selkies, evil shapeshifters, and he had best give them a wide berth.

Evil shapeshifters? Ridiculous. Since they weren't human, only looked that way, a lucrative business idea sprang into his mind.

Aside from that, he might even keep two or three for his own entertainment.

He grinned and glanced at Elsea. She had a fine body, slender with curves in all the right places, but all he needed her for was to produce an heir. With her beauty, their children would be bonnie. People had been telling him he was handsome since he was a lad, and he believed them.

His and Elsea's tryst a year and a half ago was the least exciting time he'd spent in bed. She'd been so drunk she couldn't hold her eyes open. He would have to make sure she was fully aware next time.

Previously, she'd been betrothed to the MacCain chief, and the man had clearly seduced her during their engagement. At the time, Talnaroch had not wanted an experienced bride, and her brother would not have allowed Elsea to be his mistress. He'd sent her home and washed his hands of her, or so he'd thought. But when his mother had urged him to marry the penniless Earl of Logan's hideous daughter, he decided to get busy. His mother would choose a scheming, venomous lady, someone like herself who would try to keep him in line. Of course, he could refuse, but finding his own bride ahead of time would be less dramatic. He wanted no attention on his business dealings right now.

Chapter 3

Elsea preceded Talnaroch into the solar, then Tilly dragged her sister Helen, another maid, into the room. The two women sat in the far corner, doing needlework in the candlelight and whispering. Occasionally, they cast furtive, wide-eyed glances at the earl. Tilly hissed and popped her finger into her mouth. Had she stabbed it with the needle? She must have indeed been nervous.

Elsea slid her hand beneath her leg, squelching the urge to bite a fingernail. She did not want to be here so close to him, but she must study him and learn how to outsmart him.

Sitting beside her in a separate padded wooden chair, he turned his annoyed gaze from the maids to Elsea. His demeanor shifted to friendly charm. What a thespian. His acting skills might fool anyone who didn't know his true nature.

She forced a naïve expression as if enamored.

"The chief has said you are not opposed to my proposal," Talnaroch murmured.

Saints! He didn't waste any time, did he?

"What say you, Lady Elsea? Will you do me the honor of becoming my bride?"

Cold sweat trickled down her body. He had not even knelt to propose. Too proud, of course.

She swallowed hard and took a deep breath. "I have nay yet decided. I would like a month to think on it."

Displaying a faux half smile, he narrowed his eyes and studied her face. Was he trying to peer beneath the surface to see her true thoughts and feelings? Was he insulted that she didn't instantly accept and leap for joy?

"How about a fortnight?" he asked. "After the betrothal, we can marry in the summer."

She supposed that would be enough time to expose his crimes and free the selkies. If he found out she was behind thwarting him, he would not wish to marry her, anyway. In fact, he might try to kill her instead.