Page 6 of Secrets of a Kilted Seduction

When they entered the Great Hall, to Alana’s surprise, it appeared that everyone was waiting for her to arrive. They joined the delegation of strangers waiting near the laird’s table. Odhrán greeted her and Tadgh while Maddison took her place at his side.

“Alana, these gentlemen represent the MacIver clan. They’ve been sent here by Laird John MacIver, especially tae speak tae ye.” He gestured to the man at the head of the trio of delegates. He was a thin, ascetic looking fellow in Highland dress.

“Good day tae ye, miss.” He bowed to Alana gravely. “I’m Roger Huston, Laird John MacIver’s chef advisor. We come on a matter of great importance on his behalf. We beg tae speak with ye at once.”

Alana curtseyed, more perplexed than before as to what they wanted with her. “Good day tae ye, Sir. I’m mystified as tae why ye should come here and wish tae talk tae me. I’ve nae connection tae yer clan that I ken of. But if I may be of service tae ye, I’ll dae me best tae help,” she replied politely.

“I’d like tae ask ye a few questions, if ye dinnae mind,” Huston replied.

“I’ll answer them if I can,” Alana said.

“Is it right that yer maither passed away two years ago?” Huston asked.

Alana nodded. “Aye, she did.”

“I see,” Huston said, his high forehead crinkling. Then he asked, “May we have a word in private, Miss Alana?”

Alana glanced around her. She shook her head. “That’s nae necessary. The Laird and Lady Lennox are me trusted friends. Ye can say yer piece in front of them,” she told him, deliberately not mentioning Tadhg, who was standing mere feet away, listening. She met his eyes for a second and saw him roll his eyes at her omission.

“Very well,” Huston agreed. “Ye’ve been summoned tae an audience with the Laird MacIver’s right-hand, Blaine MacIver. Ye see, Laird John MacIver has been abducted, and Blaine has good reason tae believe that ye’re their only hope of finding a good alliance that’ll save him.”

“What? I ken naethin’ of any of this,” Alana exclaimed. “I dinnae understand at all. Why am I the only hope fer savin’ him?”

“Accordin’ tae old clan records, ye’re the only living child of Laird MacIver, never mind that ye’re illegitimate.”

Alana felt as though she had been punched, the shock was so great. “But surely, it cannae be true!” She stared at Huston in disbelief.

“I can assure ye, ’tis true,” the advisor said, scrutinizing her face as he spoke. “Even without the records or the midwife’s word that she delivered ye, there can be nae mistake. Ye’re a copy of yer faither.”

On hearing that, for she had never known her father, Alana thought it was possible that she could have a connection with Laird MacIver. At least, she could not rule it out. She turned to Maddison and Odhrán.

“Dae ye ken anythin’ about this?” she asked, even though she could see they looked as surprised as she felt.

They both shook their heads. “Nay, this is the first I’ve heard of it,” Odhrán said. “What d’ye want tae dae, Alana? Ye dinnae have tae go with them if ye dinnae want tae,” he added, reassuring her. She thought it over, conscious that everyone was waiting for her to speak.

“Well, this is certainly a bolt from the blue. I hardly ken what tae think. But I have tae admit, I’m curious tae learn more about the situation and tae try tae understand it. Maybe I should go with them and meet this Blaine.” She paused, shooting a swift glance at Tadhg. His face was a cold mask. For some reason, the sight helped her take make her mind up. “All right. I’ll come with ye. But as tae Laird MacIver bein’ abducted, I cannae promise tae be of any help.”

“Very well. I understand,” Huston told her with a slight nod of agreement.

“Are ye sure about this, Alana? Like Odhrán says, ye’re nae obligated tae go if ye dinnae wish tae,” Maddison piped up, looking dubious.

“Nay, ’tis all right, Maddy. I’d like tae go and see if what they say is true. If Odhrán will give his permission that is,” Alana said decisively, having made up her mind.

“Of course, ye have me permission,” he assured her.

“I’ll arrange for one of the village healers tae stand in fer me while I’m gone,” she said. “Hopefully, the trip will nae take too long. I’d just like tae speak tae this Blaine and find out what all this madness is really about.”

“Well, I’m happy fer ye tae go if that’s what ye want,” Odhrán interjected. “But I’m nae sure it would be safe fer ye tae travel alone with the delegation. They’re strangers. We cannae just simply trust they’re who they say they are.” He flicked a glance at Huston, adding. “Nay offence.”

“None taken, me Laird. We share yer concerns fer the lady’s safety,” the advisor replied graciously. “Perhaps she would like tae follow us and travel under yer protection instead.”

“Aye, I would,” Alana said, secretly relieved at the suggestion. She did not fancy traveling with a party of strangers, however innocent their intentions might appear. She had no guarantee that what Huston had told her was true, and as Odhrán had pointed out, there was no reason to trust them. She secretly hoped he would arrange for somebody trustworthy to accompany her on the journey.

She was taken aback when Tadhg suddenly stepped up. “She’ll nae be alone. She’ll be travelin’ with me,” he declared boldly, with an air of finality. Taken completely by surprise, Alana could only stare at him.

Huston looked at him curiously. “And who might ye be?” he asked.

Tadhg did not hesitate. “I’m her husband,” he said.