Page 36 of Under the Laird’s Promise

Footsteps echoed in the corridor outside. They sprang apart just as a servant passed by the door, her shadow visible through the gap beneath.

Maighread cleared her throat. "Right. Where were we?"

"Seating arrangements. Nae eating before ye dae." He grinned. "See? I was listening."

Some of the tension had left her shoulders. "Now. Speech protocol. If someone asks ye a direct question about clan matters, what dae ye say?"

"That I'm still learning MacEwan customs and defer tae me betrothed's superior knowledge?"

"Exactly. And if they press?"

"I smile and change the subject."

"Good. And if Keir shows up?"

Tavish's jaw tightened. "We havenae discussed that possibility."

"We should. He's been suspiciously quiet since he left." She worried her bottom lip. "If he appears at the gathering, we need tae handle it carefully."

"I can handle Keir."

"Nae by fighting him. That's exactly what he'd want." She moved closer again, urgency in her voice. "Promise me ye'll stay calm. That ye'll let me take the lead if he approaches."

"I dinnae like that plan."

"It's nae about what we like. It's about survival." Her hand found his arm, gripping tight. "Please, Tavish. Just this once, let me manage him."

The ‘please’ did him in. "Fine. But if he touches ye⁠—"

"He willnae. Nae in public with witnesses." She released him, though her fingers seemed reluctant to let go. "Now. One more thing. When we're seated, I may need tae touch yer hand or arm tae signal ye. Dinnae flinch or pull away. Act like it's natural."

"Act like me betrothed touching me is natural?" Heat crawled up his spine. "I think I can manage that."

"Can ye?" Challenge glinted in her eyes. "Because ye've been keeping yer distance since we set those rules."

"Ye set those rules."

"We both agreed tae them."

"Aye. We did." He stepped closer, testing boundaries. "But ye're the one who just brought up renegotiating."

Pink bloomed across her cheekbones. "This is about appearances."

"Is it?" His voice dropped lower. "Or is it about something else entirely?"

She opened her mouth, closed it, opened it again. "We should finish the lesson."

"Should we?" He was close enough now to see the rapid pulse at her throat. "Or should we discuss what's actually happening here?"

"Naething's happening here. We're preparing fer a gathering."

"Liar."

"Tavish—"

"Ye're terrified," he said softly. "Nae of the gathering. Nae of Keir. Of this. Of us. Of whatever's building between us that we keep pretending isnae real."

"That's nae⁠—"