Page 2 of The Highlander’s Kilted Affair

Yvaine burst into laughter. “And I will tell him it was yers.”

The two sisters giggled at each other, and feeling a little more relaxed, they began to mingle with the other guests. Evelyn discovered that people had travelled from across the country to attend the wedding. Laird Mackay was a good man with a fine reputation. Unlike many other lairds, he was neither bloodthirsty nor power mad, which, she supposed, was one of the reasons her father had allied with him many years before.

Evelyn and Yvaine had just left from conversing with a young lass, when Yvaine found herself grabbed by a hand. Evelyn watched as a tall and handsome man jerked his head toward the middle of the room.

“Come and dance with me?” he yelled over the music and boisterous noise of the gathering.

The question was asked while he pulled Yvaine along with him, and thus, she hardly had a chance to refuse. But she was laughing as she went, and watching her go, Evelyn smiled widely at her sister having such fun.

Feeling a little out of place, given she was now left to stand by herself, Evelyn carefully threaded through the crowd and made her way to the back corner of the room. Picking her spot, she stood and watched the guests having fun with laughter and rowdy conversation. But even as she was surrounded by such gaiety, a sadness slowly washed over her as thoughts of her future arose in her mind. Her father had arranged her marriage for the betterment of the clan. They needed this alliance, she knew that, and that had been the reason that she had not argued or fought his decision.

Self-sacrificing as always, Evelyn knew she had to put the clan before her needs and desires. Her mother’s murder had been a punishment. A dreadful circumstance that Evelyn did not want repeated. Marrying Laird Ardor Gunn would ensure that, and thus, what choice did she really have?

“What’s a pretty young lass like yersel’ doing standing alone in the corner?”

Evelyn had been too lost in her thoughts to see anyone approach, but at the sound of that question, she turned her head and lifted her eyes. A handsome man stood there smiling down at her. A little taken aback at his forwardness, Evelyn did not know what to say in reply, and thus, stood there gawping at him.

“Cat got yer tongue?” he drawled, his mouth forming a lob-sided grin.

“I, er, nay. It’s just…” Evelyn floundered.

“Ye’ve never spoken tae a man ‘afore?” he joked, taking a step toward her.

Still not certain of her words, and feeling caught off guard, she nodded and shook her head at the same time.

This elicited a deep chuckle from the man’s throat. “Is that an aye or a nae? I cannae tell with yer head bobbling about like it’s nae attached tae yer neck.”

“O’ course, I’ve spoken tae a man ‘afore,” she said when she finally found her voice.

“Just nae such a handsome one.” He grinned widely.

She couldn’t tell if he was joking or just arrogant, but this interaction did not feel particularly pleasant, so she deduced the latter. Not wanting to be rude, her mind scrambled to find a way out of her circumstances.

“So here ye are, a beautiful lass, and here I am, a handsome man, both alone at the ball. I declare that such a circumstance is a tragedy.”

“I’m sure there are plenty o’ lasses here who would be delighted tae have the pleasure o’ yer company,” Evelyn replied carefully, hoping the man would take the hint to find another lass to pursue.

The man took another step closer, his arm leaning on the wall beside her as he towered above her. “And what about ye?” he growled huskily. “Would ye nae like the pleasure o’ me company?”

“That’s nae what I meant,” she said quickly. “It’s just, ye ken, there are many lasses here.”

“Indeed, there are,” he growled again. “But I’m nae talking tae any o’ them. I’m talking tae ye. Dae ye nae find me handsome?”

Evelyn nodded just to placate the man, but her heart was thumping with fear and anger at the same time. “Ye are, indeed, a very handsome man.” Her words sounded shaky, and she felt her hands tremble with ire. Who daes he think he is tae speak tae a woman like this?

He chuckled again. “Ye’re a nervous wee thing. But very beautiful. I’ll bet those lips are as soft as heather.”

Unconsciously, Evelyn gasped. Could this man be any more rude?

By his raised eyebrows as he waited for her answer, he clearly did not think his behavior rude at all, which was concerning. Perhaps if she just answered him, he would be on his way. If he thought she lacked experience and was not as flirtatious as other lasses he had, no doubt, harassed, he might just leave her alone.

She huffed. “I’ve never been tempted tae kiss a man who isnae me husband.”

His eyes widened at that remark, and clearly surprised, he seemed lost for words. And yet, he still did not leave. Her plan had not worked as she hoped it might, and now stumped, Evelyn could not think of another way to be rid of him. Maybe she was going to have to be as rude as he, and simply walk away.

The man grinned mischievously down at her. “Maybe I could⁠—”

“I dinnae think the lass is interested,” a deep voice came from somewhere behind the leering man’s shoulders.