Page 5 of In Bed with a Highland Brute

“I wasnae being a teacher. I was assisting ye.” She reached for her goblet of wine and lifted it to her lips, but evidently finding it empty she lowered it, her brow wrinkling as she stared into the cup.

“Then I didnae ask for assistance.”

“What is so wrong in that?” She looked up at him from the goblet. “I wouldnae mind if ye corrected me on how tae use a dagger.”

“That feeble thing.” He thrust a finger down at the dagger she always wore at her hip. He’d noticed it many times, wondering why a fine lady such as she felt the need to wear a dagger even in a room like this.

Nay one here would hurt her. Does she wear it out of habit?

“That doesnae even deserve the name dagger or dirk. It could be snapped in two.”

“Ye give yer opinion very decidedly.”

“Strange, I was just thinking the same about ye.” He held her gaze. Usually, he stayed quiet at events such as this. Ian, Elliot, Avery and Noah were the ones he talked to most, but Eloise seemed to have drawn something out of him tonight.

“Something is wrong with ye this evening,” she said, her cheeks blushing crimson red as she bent her head forward and reached for the pewter jug on the table. He reached for it at the same time, ready to top up his own goblet. Their hands collided on the jug, and she pulled back sharply.

“Aye, apparently there is something wrong with ye too. Worried me touch will burn ye, Eloise?” he asked, snatching up the jug to top up his wine. He topped up hers first, watching as her lips pursed together. “Let me guess. I am pouring the wine wrong now too.”

“I didnae say that.”

Murdoch looked away, replacing the jug on the table. He was hardly going to admit to Eloise that she was right, that something more was upsetting him.

I dinnae wish tae go home, though I ken I must.

He had no choice but to return home for Clyde’s wedding, even though he feared the consequences. If he returned, he didn’t doubt his father would demand it was time he married, something he could not contemplate.

I must avoid it. At any cost!

Murdoch realized that Eloise was staring at him. He jerked his head sharply toward her only to see her blushing and abruptly looking away.

“Ye think me rude fer correcting ye,” she whispered.

“And ye think me an idiot.” His sharp tongue had her staring at him again, wide eyed.

What is wrong with me tonight?

“Nay, are ye serious?” Ian laughed loudly about something, capturing Murdoch’s attention. He turned around, trying to shake himself free of Eloise’s arresting gaze. “What women are these?”

Murdoch sat forward, trying to understand the conversation he had mostly missed.

“I dinnae ken.” Noah laughed too, shaking his head. “I have it on good authority from the guards that there are such women in this clan. They offer their services as escorts tae men in need of company. They act as wives, sisters, ye name it. It helps men tae hide their secrets.”

“How exciting!” Elliot declared from the other side of the table, rubbing his hands together. “Where does one find such women?”

“Down, Elliot,” Laird Chattan said with a laugh. “We all ken what secrets ye have in mind when it comes tae women.”

As all around the table laughed, Murdoch sat back, an idea occurring to him. Perhaps there was a way to avoid being thrust into a marriage by his father. He had to appear as if he was already married.

Aye, where would a man find one of these women tae act out a part?

CHAPTER TWO

“One kiss, Eloise. Aye, just one.” The man thrust his face toward Eloise.

Her blood ran cold as her hand tightened around the goblet in her grasp, in danger of breaking off the spindle. The man repulsed her, with pock marks on his face and such pale eyes that they were sickly to stare at.

I’d rather die than kiss him!