Page 5 of How to Woo a Highlander

“Miss Jane Baxendale. The pleasure is mine, Mister Darrow,” she responded.

He beamed, obviously happy with her response as he moved to stand beside her and stare into the crowd.

“Allow me to welcome ye to the Mackenzie feast, and ye look stunnin’, if I say so meself,” Lain said, getting two glasses of wine and handing her one.

She politely smiled as she received the glass, taking only a small sip having already downed one glass.

“Thank you, Mister Darrow. You look quite fetching yourself,” she complimented.

His eyes lit up, and he took a mock bow, smoothing his hair back and giving her a flirty look, making her brows raise

“Oh, ye think so?” he preened.

Caught off guard, she laughed in surprise, needing to hold her palm to her lips to compose herself. For the first time since she arrived, she felt somewhat relaxed. Although he had taken her by surprise with how laid back he was, Lain Darrow seemed very friendly and open. His eyes were kind, and he gave her a sincere smile as she tried to pull herself together.

“You’re quite the charmer, Mister Darrow,” she said, still chuckling as she took a sip of wine.

He smiled, leaning back against the wall.

“Aye, I am, ye have nay idea how many ladies are missin’ me company now,” he joked.

She laughed softly and looked at the crowd around them. It was true; she found many glares directed at her from the women. Her brows raised, and she brought the glass to her lips again

“A lot, it seems,” she said, and Lain nodded. “Why then did you come over to me?”

He glanced down at her, his expression more serious, although he was still smiling.

“Ye were lookin’ uncomfortable,” he admitted, downing the rest of his wine in one go. “I felt ye needed a friendly face.”

A tentative smile lifted her lips, and she took another sip of wine. If what he said was true, then he might be the first friend she would make in the Highlands. She eyed him silently, wondering if she should genuinely let her guard down around him since he was still a stranger and might be against her, although he did not look to be villainous.

“Thank you.”

Lain was still looking out into the crowd, and his smile fell suddenly.

“Dinnae thank me yet; I think I may have brought ye trouble,” he said, making her frown in confusion.

She followed his gaze and found a pretty woman heading for them. She glanced at Lain, wondering why he was so apprehensive, and he gave her a nervous look. The woman reached them and immediately sidled up to Lain, grabbing one of his arms and hugging it to her chest.

“Lain! Ye look dashin’ as always,” she said, looking up and giving him a dazzling smile. He laughed nervously.

“As dae ye, Suisan,” he answered, looking slightly uncomfortable as the woman turned her gaze to Jane.

“Who is this?” Suisan asked, glaring at Jane so dirtily that she flinched. Lain let out another nervous laugh, putting himself between the two women. Jane raised her brows, her jaw twitching with irritation. Was the woman rude because she thought she was interested in Lain? She was trying to reconcile herself with the fact that she needed to marry the Laird. If it came to Lain, she was not contesting. She raised her jaw to glare haughtily at Suisan regardless.

“How about I dae the introductions,” Lain said hurriedly, “Miss Baxendale, meet Miss Suisan Ivanglow.”

Suisan chuckled, placing her hand on Lain’s chest and eyeing Jane with poison in her gaze.

“An English one? Well, this is surprisin’, Lain. When did yer tastes drop this low? To think ye’d invite an English lass here,” she spat.

Lain looked like he wanted to escape the situation as quickly as he could. Jane’s blood began to boil at the insult. It seemed a lot of Highlanders did not particularly like English people. She had never heard the term English used like something to be ashamed of before, but in just one day, she had met two people who seemed to hate her just for that fact.

The image of the rude stranger with the wild hair staring defiantly at her came to her mind again, causing her belly to clench. She cleared her throat quietly and swallowed, feeling as though he could see her reaction even though he was some distance away.

“I didnae invite Miss Baxendale, Suisan. I only met her here. That was very rude of ye!” Lain scolded, removing himself from Suisan with a frown on his face. His words brought Jane back to the present, and she glanced at Suisan. The woman did not look remorseful in the least and continued to glare haughtily at Jane.

“Oh, if ye are nae one of his conquests, what are ye doin’ here?” she asked, crossing her arms over her chest. Jane frowned, aware that not every highlander would welcome her with open arms.