Page 13 of The Highlander’s Kilted Affair

CHAPTER FIVE

Their father was already in the family dining room when Evelyn and Yvaine arrived. The rectangular table, laden with bread, meat and fruits, was far smaller than the huge table in the great hall, but it gave the room an intimate feel.

“Good morning, Faither,” Yvaine said, sitting down beside him.

Evelyn sat opposite her sister on the other side of the table, and offered the same greeting.

Laird Sinclair returned their greeting, and began asking how they slept when the dining room door opened, and Audor and Killian walked in.

“Me laird,” Killian was saying to Audor, “please remember ye have a meeting with one o’ the villagers tomorrow.”

Audor and Killian shared a look, before Audor nodded, and settled himself at the head of the table. Evelyn could not help but think their interaction unusual. Apart from the fact that such a thing ought not to be discussed in front of them, Audor had given Killian the strangest look, as though there was some hidden meaning behind it.

“Good morning,” Audor said to all at the table.

He then cast his eyes to Evelyn. There was something in his gaze that irked her. Had Benedict told him what had happened? Had he broken his promise? And where was Benedict, anyway?

“Good morning, me laird,” her father said, acknowledging Audor’s greeting. “I hope ye dinnae mind, but I rose early this morning and wandered around yer castle. I must admit, ye have the most comprehensive library I have ever seen.”

“Thank ye, Donald. Aye,” Audor smirked a little and flashed a glance at Evelyn. “I enjoy the most wonderful adventures in the library.”

Evelyn tried not to gasp, for in that very second, a shocking realization came to her. He isnae Audor. The smirk, the flash of delight in those piercing green eyes, coupled with his comment, gave her no doubt at all that it was Benedict sitting at the head of the table, and not the laird at all.

“Did ye all rest well?” Benedict asked.

“We did, Audor,” her father replied. “Yer hospitality kens nae bounds. I have been waited on hand and foot since we have arrived.”

“I am glad tae hear it,” Benedict said. He began buttering a slice of bread, and then looked at Evelyn. “I have arranged a horse ride fer us. It will give us some time tae get tae ken each other. Dae ye ride?”

“I dae, me laird,” Evelyn said, emphasizing his title. But Benedict neither flinched nor appeared perturbed by her tone. The same could not be said of Yvaine, who frowned and gave her sister a reprimanding look across the table.

“I must apologize fer the absence o’ me brother,” he continued. “Benedict had tae leave us on some clan business.”

“Where is he away tae?” Evelyn asked pointedly.

But before Benedict had a chance to answer, Killian, who sat beside her, said, “Clearly, yer sister thinks that is a very inappropriate question as she is kicking me under the table as we speak.”

Evelyn looked at Yvaine with wide eyes of surprise. Her sister was now a deep shade of scarlet, but her embarrassment did not stop her scowling at Killian.

“That is quite enough,” Donald growled, clearly displeased at both of his daughters. “Ye are guests. Act as such.” He then turned his attention to the man he thought was the laird. “I wonder if I can have a missive sent back tae me clan, me laird. They will be eager tae ken we arrived safely.”

“O’ course. I will arrange that fer ye after breakfast.”

Evelyn arrived at the stables sometime later. Benedict was already there, waiting upon her and standing beside two horses.

“Lady Sinclair,” he said, as way of a greeting.

“I thought we agreed last night that we were going to use our Christian names,” Evelyn said.

She watched Benedict falter for a second, and then he smiled. “O’ course, we did. Please forgive me oversight.”

Oversight, indeed. He cannae remember the conversation because it wasnae him who had it. Is he really going tae pretend he’s Audor fer the whole time we’re together?

“Evelyn,” Benedict said, clearly wanting to start again, “let me help ye ontae yer horse.”

When they were both mounted, Benedict led the horses out of the castle gates, and onto the track beyond. As they continued, Evelyn had an idea. Turning to him, she said, “We should make a wager. We will race until we reach the edge of the woods,” she nodded to a dense group of trees a small distance away, “and whoever wins gets tae ask a question the other has tae answer.”

By his smug smile, it was obvious that Benedict felt this was no contest. But Evelyn had always been a great rider. From a child, she had been besotted by horses, and had learned to ride nearly before she could walk. As she had gained confidence, the guards had challenged her to races, and by her teens, she was outrunning them every time.