Page 63 of Secrets of a Kilted Seduction

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

Alana started when the door suddenly opened, even though she was expecting Blaine to come. He strode in with a big smile on his face and went right up to her.

“Alana, I’m glad tae see ye outside the council chamber. Mayhap we can have a proper conversation away from pryin’ ears, eh?”

She was shocked when he bent down and lightly kissed her cheek. The nerve of the man! Praying Tadhg was not about to come charging in challenging him to a duel to defend her honor again—mercifully, he did not—she literally had to turn the other cheek and plaster on a false smile of greeting.

“Blaine, thank ye so much fer comin’. I hope I’m nae keepin’ ye from yer work,” she said.

“Nay, nae at all. Actually, I was delighted tae get yer invitation. I’ve wanted tae talk tae ye alone fer a while. We’ve nae been able tae have a heart-tae-heart yet, have we?”

“Erm, nay, I suppose we havenae.” She stood smiling stupidly at him, wondering what to say next.

“Ach, I’m parched. How about I get us both a drink, eh?” he suggested.

“Aye, that would be nice.”

“Wine? Whisky? English brandy? ’Tis imported all the way from London. I’m very partial tae it, but ye cannae beat a dram of good Scottish whisky, of course.”

“I’ll have some wine, please,” she answered, not wishing to seem churlish by refusing yet reminding herself to be careful not to drink too much.

“Wine it is. I think I’ll treat mesel’ to a wee snifter of the brandy.” He soon returned from pouring the drinks and handed her a goblet of wine.

“Thank ye,” she said taking it from him, feeling very uncomfortable when his fingers brushed hers, though she could not have sworn it was anything more than an accident.

“Shall we sit down?” he asked, gesturing to a large settle nearby.

“Aye.” She sat at the far end. She expected him to choose another seat, but he came and sat just a few feet from her on the settle. He turned his body towards her, crossed his legs, and rested his arm along the cushions at the back. A short move would have had him with his arm practically around her.

Alana could not help but shrink back a little, though she tried to disguise it. As he beamed at her, she started to wonder if her plan was as sensible as she had originally thought was.

Ye’re here fer a reason, she told herself sternly. So, get on with it.

“So, how are ye bearin’ up after yer ordeal?” Blaine asked, his eyes full of concern over the rim of his brandy glass as he sipped at the contents.

“Och, nae too bad. I was more shaken than hurt,” she explained. “It was a terrible experience. Naethin’ like that has ever happened tae me before.”

“And I pray it never will again,” he said, all sincerity. “It was very unfortunate. I feel responsible, as yer host.” He suddenly leaned towards her, and she narrowly avoided spilling wine on her dress. “As a man, I feel awful fer failin’ tae protect ye.”

“Och, ye cannae be blamed,” she lied brightly. “After all, ye came tae the rescue.” She sipped her wine, feeling awkward.

“I’m glad ye feel that way. I would nae like ye tae think ill of me.”

“Of course, I dinnae think ill of ye!” she assured him, lying through her teeth again. “Ye’ve been naethin’ but kind and hospitable since we arrived.”

“’Tis good tae hear ye say so. Now, what is it ye invited me here fer? Did ye wish tae speak about something specific?”

“Well, one of the things I’m most curious about is what ye and the council were thinking when ye asked me tae come here. ’Tis obvious ye didnae expect me tae be a married woman. Did ye have plans fer me?”

He seemed taken aback by her question but quickly covered it with his usual smiling façade. He gave a small laugh. “Well, if ye want the truth, we certainly didnae expect ye tae be with a husband. We were hopin’ ye were still unwed.”

“And why was that exactly?” she asked.

“We didnae have plans set in stone as such, rather ideas of how ye could help the clan. Ye see, if ye were single, as Lady Alana MacIver, we sort of hoped we might be able tae arrange a match fer ye with one of the local lairds. He’s a powerful man, with many connections we currently lack.” He paused to sip his brandy, his dark eyes never leaving her face.

“The idea was that if ye had considered wedding him, the alliance of our two clans would have ensured his help in getting the laird back. Of course, none of this would happen without yer agreement. We wouldnae have tried tae force ye.”

“I’m sure ye wouldnae,” she said, certain the opposite was true. “I suppose if I’d been brought up as the laird’s daughter, I would have met a similar fate. Being used as a gaming piece in a political alliance, I mean.”