Page 17 of In Bed with a Highland Brute

“Ye and Clyde…”

“Nae now,” Murdoch murmured back. He looked away from her, clearly not keen to open up with her in any way. Her hand felt abruptly cold grasped in his own.

“Please, please, calm yerself for a minute.” Fergus’s voice boomed across the room. The pipers halted and people turned, raising goblets as they clearly knew what was about to happen. “I am so pleased ye have all gathered here fer the celebration of me son’s betrothal tae Harper. We have many events over the next couple of weeks, but first, allow me tae begin things tonight by toasting their happiness. Please, join me, in raising your cups tae them.” Fergus lifted his cup toward Clyde and Harper.

“Kiss!” a shout called up from the room. Laughter followed before others joined in.

“Aye, let us see the happy couple kiss.”

Eloise craned her neck to look around at the others. She saw Clyde smile and Harper lower her gaze shyly. He leaned toward his betrothed, kissing her swiftly.

Applause followed before Fergus gestured toward Murdoch.

“Yet I have news fer ye all, for there is another we must celebrate.”

“Nay. What is he doing?” Murdoch hissed.

Eloise stiffened beside him, already sensing what Fergus’ next words were going to be.

CHAPTER SIX

Murdoch stared at his father, slack jawed, wary of what was to follow.

“I have great news indeed. My eldest son, Murdoch, has returned with his own betrothed, Eloise MacLaren.” He gestured toward the pair of them.

Murdoch’s eyes darted to the crowds, noting the way they whispered and marveled, all eagerly craning their necks to look toward her. Ladies pointed at Eloise and gentlemen’s eyes wandered. When Murdoch caught sight of his father’s guard, MacArthur, staring at her a little too eagerly again, Murdoch stood taller, moving an inch in front of her though she did not appear to notice.

“Let us toast their happiness as well,” Fergus said, holding his goblet in the air. “Tae Murdoch and Eloise.”

There was general cheer and applause. Murdoch bowed his head in acknowledgement and Eloise curtsied, but the focus on them was not yet over.

“Kiss!” the crowd shouted, just as before.

“Aye, aye. Let them kiss!”

Och, this wasnae supposed tae happen.

Murdoch glanced at Eloise at his side. She’d blushed that pleasant shade of pink again that was so distracting, and in that dress, the allure was complete. Murdoch had resolved to try and look at her little tonight, for she was so captivating in that gown with much of her delicate neck and collarbone on show. It had his mind filling with images of playfully nipping her skin there, listening to her gasp.

Murdoch placed a hand to her hip and drew her toward him, not hesitating in placing his lips to hers. The kiss was sudden, though he kept it chaste, merely a press of lips together. The applause grew greater, and he could have pulled back, but then something happened.

Eloise’s lips were soft beneath his own. She knew how to kiss and with her hand curling around his arm further, anchoring the two of them together, he had no wish to pull away at all.

“Ha! Well, well, looks like they’ll be rushing tae the wedding night soon enough.” Fergus’ words echoed, making many people laugh, as he clapped Murdoch on the back, urging him to break the kiss.

Murdoch pulled back from Eloise, seeing that her cheeks were even redder than before.

“Ye were right,” she whispered. “Ye are a good player after all.”

He didn’t manage any words as he released her and faced the room again.

I wasnae expecting a kiss such as that.

“Now, let us have some dancing, eh? Let us celebrate,” Fergus declared warmly. The pipers’ music struck up again and servers entered the room carrying trenchers and trays of more food, which was spread across the tables.

Murdoch sat down heavily in his seat, his eyes tracing Eloise beside him. She refused to look at him now and stared forward, reaching for the jug of wine. Murdoch reached it at the same time, and they had a repeat of the moment when they had pulled back from one another that night at the Chattan Castle.

“And here I thought ye werenae going tae jump in me presence anymore,” Murdoch whispered, leaning on the chair arm as he poured out wine for the two of them.