Page 69 of Secrets of a Kilted Seduction

“Always a pleasure tae see ye, Alana,” the Laird Stewart replied, bowing and kissing Alana’s hand gallantly.

“Well, this is fortuitous indeed,” Blaine suddenly declared, beaming at Alana and Tadhg in a way that set alarm bells ringing inside Tadhg’s head. “Now ye’re both here, it saves me the trouble of comin’ tae find ye.”

“And why would ye want tae find us?” Tadhg asked, catching Alana’s hand in his and squeezing it as he pulled her gently to his side. He wanted there to be no confusion in their host’s mind about who she was with.

“I’ve just called an emergency council meetin’, and ye’re the guests of honor,” Blaine replied.

“So, that’s where ye’ve all been hidin’,” Knox exclaimed.

“Aye, the council is already assembled in the chamber,” Blaine supplied, turning to him. “I dinnae think it will be a long meetin’, Laird Stewart. Make yersel’ at home in the meantime, and we’ll talk afterwards, eh?” He gave Knox’s arm a friendly slap.

Tadhg thought he saw Knox’s smile falter a little, but he decided he could have imagined it. In any case, Knox did not return the comradely gesture. Instead, he said, “Aye, all right. I’ll go fer a stroll outside. See ye all a wee bit later.” Bowing again to Alana and with a friendly nod to Tadhg, he left them and disappeared outside.

Blaine looked questioningly at Alana and Tadhg. “Well, are ye comin’? The council is waitin’ fer us,” he said.

“Is it necessary fer us tae be there?” Tadhg asked, having the distinct feeling Blaine had something up his sleeve.

“Och, aye, I have important news I think ye’ll both want tae hear,” Blaine said, nodding vigorously.

Alana looked up at Tadhg. “It could be about me faither,” she whispered. Then, without waiting for Tadhg to respond, she nodded at their host and told him, “Aye, we’re comin.’” Slipping her arm through Tadhg’s, she added, “Lead the way, Blaine.”

The profound hush that fell in the council chamber when the trio entered made Tadhg feel very uneasy. Something was in the air; he could sense it. And the many eyes he sensed upon him did not feel particularly friendly.

“Good day tae ye all, gentlemen, thank ye fer answering me call so promptly,” Blaine said to his advisors by way of introduction when the three of them were seated. “Ye may have heard that a messenger arrived last night, and I can now confirm that he brought some very interestin’ news with him.”

Tadhg looked around the council table. Blaine had his audience rapt. The councilmen were all looking at their temporary leader expectantly. He wanted to tell Blaine to get on with it. When he exchanged a glance with Alana, she rolled her eyes, and he knew she was thinking the same.

Blaine seemed to be relishing the moment. He calmly took a paper from his coat pocket and unfolded it before turning to fix his eyes on Tadgh first, and then Alana. “I have finally obtained proof of what we all suspected. It seems that Lady Alana here and her husband,” he put a sarcastic emphasis on the word that made Tadhg’s hackles rise,“Tadhg MacTavish are nae actually married.”