Page 50 of Highlander’s Forbidden Fruit

“Yer a charming one,” he chortled. “There’s nae denying that. Come in. It’s cold out, and Evanna has prepared a feast in yer honor.” He offered Evanna his arm. Evanna took it gratefully and let him lead her inside, John walking beside them, smiling from ear to ear.

She had been nervous about having John, an element of her brief life in England, be a part of her home life, but as the feast progressed, she saw how John not only charmed Laird MacLeod further but danced with every lady at the high table.

If people had been talking about the Englishman for the past few days, it was nothing compared to what they were doing now. Everywhere Evanna turned, everyone she danced with, they all talked of how handsome John was, how cultured, how charming. Evanna was congratulated on her choice by everyone. The only one who was still a little reluctant to give his full approval was Laird MacLeod.

“I get the feeling I haven’t won your old man over,” John said as they danced. Vano was playing a jolly ditty. It was hard to hold a conversation while dancing, but they had little choice. They couldn’t spend the evening conversing with each other, not at a feast, where everyone wanted to have some time with the guest of honor.

“Nae ye have not,” Evanna nodded. “He is stubborn but nae heartless.”

“Your accent is quite marked,” John commented, a wry smile playing on his lips. “I never noticed it in England.”

Evanna was a little taken aback by the change in topic and suddenly self-conscious. Aleck had remarked on her losing her accent when they had been in England, and now John was pointing out how strong it was. A part of her was angry that she was either not Scottish enough or too much depending on who you asked.

“Yer in Scotland now, Mr. Winchester.” She smiled instead. “Best get used to it.”

The song ended, and John was borrowed by Eliza Gordon, Lady Gordon’s youngest daughter. Evanna gave him up gratefully. Though she enjoyed dancing, she had hosting duties to see to. The cups were running empty and that would not do for a feast at the Laird’s castle.

She was on the stairs to the kitchens when she heard them - Aleck and Isla were having a row.

“Nae a single ribbon left in the county,” Isla complained. “Yer mistress cleaned all the haberdasheries up. Selfish to the core, ye see.”

“I have told ye before, I will nae tell ye again; ye dinnae speak to me of Lady Evanna with resentment.” Aleck was stern. “Now get out of the way, lass. Men need their ale.”

Evanna was rooted to the spot. She willed her feet to move, but they refused. Aleck came up the stairs, both hands carrying flagons of ale. He stopped, shocked to see her.

“Did ye need something?” he asked.

“Aye, just the ale and wine,” Evanna said, her voice a little breathless.

“Ale is on the way.” He lifted his hands to show her the flagons. “Royce and Joseph are bringing more. I’ll ask Cook to send up more wine as soon as I’ve set this on the high table.”

“Thank ye.” Evanna nodded and immediately turned to leave.

He was close behind her, both climbing into the light of the hall. Evanna was lightheaded. She clutched at her abdomen thinking it might be her stays. She must have bound them too tight. But it was not the stays and her heart of hearts knew this.

Aleck had defended her. Aleck had spoken to Isla sternly because of Evanna. What could this mean? He wasn’t in love with Isla, that much he had assured her; yet he wasn’t in love with Evanna either. Why would he care if Isla disrespected or spoke ill of Evanna? Didn’t he think her much the same - selfish, thoughtless, and conceited?

She knew she should put the incident out of her head. It was a small snippet, a portion of a longer conversation. It couldn’t possibly mean anything. But his tone of voice? It had been so irritated with Isla, and yet a moment later it was smooth as butter and soft as silk with Evanna.

“Are ye alright, my dear?” Laird MacLeod asked as she took her seat at the table beside him. “Ye look perplexed.”

Evanna smiled brightly and shook her head. “Nae, I was just a little dazed from the dancing.”

“He’s nimble on his feet.” Laird MacLeod nodded at John who was still dancing. “Ye’d think they’d naught seen an Englishman before. They’re treating him like a curio.”

Evanna laughed. “They’ve certainly nae seen as handsome an Englishman.”

“Henry’s handsome enough,” he grunted.

“Lord Ashby is very handsome, indeed,” Evanna laughed. “Come, dance with me.”

Laird MacLeod considered her. Evanna tried to decipher the meaning of his gaze, but he smiled. “I suppose I should till I nae longer can.”

“I didnae mean that.” Evanna touched his arm.

“Aye, I ken, daughter. I also ken that I have little time, and I want to see ye settled with someone who’ll care for ye after I’m gone.”

“Please, dinnae talk of such things. Ye’ll live long enough yet. I’ll see to it. Ye’ll teach my bairns to hunt, and swim. Speaking of hunting, we’re going to hunt for that wild boar that’s been rooting up the spuds on the farms along the woods. Join us. It’ll do ye good.”