Chapter 7

Marcus sighed as he slouched into the great hall for supper, then took a deep breath and forced his expression into his usual calm and slightly cheerful mask.

The past three days had been difficult. Now that Erin had discovered the key to merging her normal behavior with the seduction techniques, and he had been teaching her, she was proving an adept student in the art of claiming, and holding, a man’s attention.

And that was the heart of his difficulty, because she seemed particularly good at ensnaring him in her innocent wiles. That first time she’d managed a truly seductive voice, out by the loch, he’d fallen in the lake on purpose to avoid embarrassing himself and her with an ill-timed and unwanted erection. He’d felt his manhood stiffening, and stepped back unto the wet stones, slipping deliberately into the ice-cold water. The chill had effectively banished the problem, but not the memories and feelings that had caused it.

Now, every time she mastered a new technique, or practiced with him, he found himself struggling to avoid the same problem. He’d become a master of thinking about unsavory things, in an effort to keep her from realizing just how much she was affecting him. The effort, however, was exhausting, and didn’t stop him from experiencing some rather embarrassing dreams.

The first time he’d woken from one of them, he’d considered seeking out a maid to relieve his frustration. However, in the end he’d taken care of the issue himself, too tired to seek out the charms of one of his favorite maids, and unwilling to ask for pleasure when he was uncertain he’d be able to offer any in return.

He knew it didn’t mean anything, for either of them. She was simply practicing in order to win Darren’s affections. He was simply reacting because she was a beautiful woman, and he was a man who appreciated such things. She was flirting with him, even if it was only as practice for her real intentions.

He shook his head to banish the thoughts, knowing he was a fool to think about them too much. Once he was certain of his control, he entered the hall, breathing a soft sigh of relief when he realized Erin had not arrived. Darren was there, and Marcus took his seat on his brother’s right. “Ye look tired.”

Darren grunted. “’Tis nae easy business tae run a clan and prepare for conflict in another clan’s territory. Warriors need tae be trained, alliances need tae be discussed, plans have tae be made fer different occurrences... ’tis a headache and a half.”

“Better ye than me, brother.” Marcus poured mead for them both. “Though I heard ye had some relaxation a few days ago. Erin MacDougall speaks very highly o’ yer skills in chess.”

“Erin MacDougall is a fair player in her own right, and she beat me handily.” Darren shrugged. “Though I cannae say the break was unwelcome.”

“I guessed as much. Ye ken, she’s a bonny lass, and a fair warrior tae boot. She seems like she might be the sort o’ lass who could be good company fer ye.”

Darren scowled at him. “I dinnae have any time fer that.”

“Ye ken the elders want ye tae make time fer it. Besides, the way the lass has been looking at ye the past few days, I dinnae think she’d be adverse tae the idea. And ye might find it pleasant, tae have a lass at yer side tae speak tae, if naething else.”

Darren grunted again. “If I wanted a lass fer a diversion, I’d seek one.”

“I didnae say fer a diversion. Ye can have conversation, and ye already seem tae be comfortable with Erin MacDougall. Helps that ye’ve kent her since we were all children. She’d be a good partner fer ye, fer a little conversation and sparring, mayhap, if ye’re nae in the mood fer aught else.”

“I said nay.” Darren glared. “I’ve had enough o’ matchmaking, with that fool contract tae the Stewarts, and fighting Keegan over his lady-love. I dinnae need any more such headaches.” His glare intensified as Marcus opened his mouth. “Another word about how I’d dae well tae keep company with Erin MacDougall, and I’ll have the guards take ye out and toss ye in the firth fer yer impertinence.”

Marcus didn’t think Darren was serious, but he wasn’t about to chance it, with the difficult mood his brother seemed to be in.

Moments later, the tension was broken by Laird Kaelin’s arrival at the table. The laird settled into his seat without any fanfare, and launched into speech. “Laird MacLean, I’ve heard from me youngest daughter, Lyla. Seems she’ll be here the day after taemorrow and asks if I could impose on yer courtesy fer a room tae be made ready fer her.”

“Aye. O’ course. The steward will see tae it.” Darren filled a cup for the laird. “Yer looking a bit harried, if ye dinnae mind me saying so. Is there aught on yer mind I can assist ye with?”

Laird Kaelin shook his head with an expression of exasperation. “Nae unless ye’ve a method for changing a stubborn maid’s mind.”

“I’ve nae such thing, unless ‘tis one o’ the servants being disrespectful tae ye.”

Kaelin grimaced. “Naething so easy tae manage.” He emptied his cup and reached for a refill. “’Tis me daughters. Me Rowan was a good lass, if a bit stubborn, may she rest in peace, but her sisters are determined tae drive me mad.” He sighed. “Truth is, with nae sons, ‘tis passed time me daughters were married tae good men who can give them happy marriages, grant me clan strong alliances and provide me with some choice o’ who will inherit the title and lands o’ Clan MacDougall when I’m gone. I’ve been trying tae arrange something, but both lasses are bound and determined tae defy me, and I cannae force the matter, fer I love them tae much.”

Darren scowled at Marcus, obviously suspicious of how closely Laird Kaelin’s exasperated lament matched the Marcus’s own recent attempt at coaxing. Marcus stared back, trying to convey that he’d nothing to do with Laird Kaelin’s comments. After a moment, Darren gave it up. “Marcus was just mentioning yer daughter Erin.”

Marcus winced as Laird Kaelin turned to look at him. The laird’s expression was contemplative, and not altogether approving. “Has he? Then the rumors are true?”

Marcus tried not to look too startled. “What rumors?”

“There’s been rumors among me guards that ye’ve been keeping company with me daughter. Ye’ve been seen spending time with her.”

“We’ve some things in common, and we’ve had some time tae talk, being the closest things tae heirs that ye or me brother have.” Marcus shrugged. “We’ve had some polite conversation on a few topics of interest, and some friendly sparring matches. Nae more.”

“Mayhap nae more tae ye, but where there’s rumors, ‘tis likely someone will be getting the wrong idea.” Kaelin’s voice had an edge to it.

“Whatever ideas folk have, ‘tis their business. And it is nae o’ their concern, but if ye must ken, Erin and I have been friends fer years. Nae more and nae less than that.”

He saw the look Kaelin and Darren exchanged, and felt his heart sink. He knew that look. They weren’t sure if they believed him. Then Kaelin nodded. “’Tis possible yer innocent o’ more than friendship and courtesy tae me daughter, and I’m well pleased if that’s the case. However, if ye’re truly her friend, then ye’ll act in her best interest, and avoid situations where yer reputation might damage hers.”

Marcus stiffened and fought down a surge of anger. “I dinnae take yer meaning.”

“’Tis simple. If ye’re truly her friend, ye’ll stop meeting with her alone, and placing her in positions others might find compromising.”

“I willnae stop being courteous tae her fer the sake o’ rumors.”

“I didnae suggest it. By all means, continue tae be a good friend tae me daughter. I respect ye enough tae want her tae have someone like ye in her life. However, in the future, I would much prefer if such conversations werenae in private, but properly watched over, as is right fer the daughter o’ a laird.”

Properly chaperoned, he means. And nae because he’s worried about what Erin might dae. Nae, ‘tis me reputation, me honor, that he’s questioning. Doubtless, if Erin were ‘keeping company’ with Darren, he’d nae say a word. Both because he trusts Darren, and because he’d be all tae happy if Darren was caught in a compromising position with the lass. Then he’d have his alliance marriage, and be able tae salve his conscience with the idea that she must have desired the match anyway, so he’s nae taking the choice from her.

An angry retort was on the tip of his tongue, but the doors opened just then and Erin hurried into the hall. She was dressed once more in the modified dress, and her cheeks colored as she spotted Darren. She curtsied, eyes downcast as she reached the table. “Good evening, Faither. Me laird. Marcus.”

Her voice was breathy, still a shade off from sounding seductive. Though she was getting more and more comfortable with the way he’d suggested she walk and talk, she still couldn’t seem to avoid looking bashful and clumsy around his brother. It was amusing, but also slightly exasperating.

She didn’t have any problem playing the temptress around him. Was it because she had no interest and no fear of him pursuing her? The thought made his stomach churn with something that felt uncomfortably like the jealousy he’d sometimes felt as a boy, when Darren got something that he wasn’t permitted to have, like his first sword, or the choice of a horse for himself.

He squashed the thought. There was no reason for him to feel jealous. It wasn’t as if he wanted to form a romantic relationship, anyway, and certainly not with Erin MacDougall.

The meal progressed in quiet conversation and Marcus ate steadily, pausing now and then to stifle his laughter as Erin hesitantly and unsuccessfully attempted to practice her growing feminine wiles on his stoically polite and seemingly oblivious brother.

It was going well until the dessert was served, when Erin turned to him. “Marcus... ye didnae tell me where and when we’re meeting taemorrow.”

Both Laird Kaelin and Darren visibly stiffened. Marcus winced. “I hadnae thought o’ it. ‘Tis nae something we really need tae arrange, is it?”

He tried to signal for her to stop talking, but she either didn’t catch the hint, or didn’t care. “But surely, ye cannae expect me tae simply wait around in some random location fer ye?”

“I’m sure we’ll encounter each other at some point. I’ve some duties tae attend tae, of course, but ye ken I’ll be free at some point. If ye wish tae take a turn around the gardens or the courtyard, or the library, I’m fair certain I’ll find ye when I’m done, if ye like.”

She frowned.

He shook his head and kicked her under the table. “Dinnae think o’ it. If ye absolutely must have an answer, I can send a messenger tae ye when I’m done with me duties. But there’s nae more that needs tae be said about the matter.”

She finally subsided, but still looked exasperated, and both her father and his brother were giving them speculative looks. Marcus grimaced.

He finished his mead, then rose. “If ye’ll pardon me, I’m for some air, afore I tend tae me evening rounds and turn in.”

He went straight to his room and scribbled a short note.

Stables. After morning meal. Dinnae speak tae anyone about it.

It was an easy matter to sneak into her room and place it somewhere she would find it as soon as she entered. Then he left, praying to every force in existence that she’d heed his words, and that he could manage the meeting without getting caught by her father.

Erin studied the note in her hand once more as she finished dressing, then balled it up and tossed it in the fire. She was fairly certain it was from Marcus, but she wasn’t sure why he’d been so secretive. Last night, he’d acted as if she were someone he barely spoke with in passing, and his odd demeanor had been confusing.

Erin straightened her shoulders and raised her chin, determined to get an explanation from him at some point during their excursion. Whether it was before or after they’d completed this little training plan of his, she wasn’t sure, but they would discuss it.

When she arrived at the stables, Marcus was already waiting with her horse, and another that she assumed was his. He waved for her to mount, but shook his head when she tried to greet him. “Nae until we’re past the walls.”

She followed his lead as he made his way to a small side gate and slipped it open. Once they were outside the keep, he closed the door, then swung up into his saddle and led her on a circular path around the walls toward the road.

Once they were on the main road, he finally relaxed. “Apologies, I didnae mean tae be so abrupt, but I didnae want yer faither or me brother catching us leaving. There would surely be more questions than either o’ us cares tae answer.”

She blinked. “Why should there be questions?”

Marcus gave her a sideways look. “Yer faither is o’ the opinion that I’m after seducing ye intae me bed. I was warned last night afore ye arrived at the meal that ‘twould be best if I made sure tae only speak tae ye where others could witness, fer the sake o’ yer reputation, if naught else.”

She stared at him, flustered. “Me faither thinks ye’re after seducing me?”

“Aye.”

“And he thinks I’d be daft enough tae fall fer such thing? I dinnae even like ye all that much, and I’d nae spend half a candle-mark with ye, if it werenae that yer helping me learn how tae act around a man!” Her response was so automatic that she didn’t even consider the lack of tact in it before it escaped her.

She saw a flash of hurt in his eyes before he countered. “Ye sound fair certain, fer someone who was laughing with me just recently. Can ye really say we dinnae have some decent conversations, and that ye dinnae enjoy me company at least a wee bit?”

She felt her cheeks heat, for some reason she couldn’t quite name, and felt bad for what she said because it was not exactly true. She did enjoy their time together and he was good company, even though she’d never tell him that. “I appreciate that ye’re aiding me, and that ye’re so good humored about it, o’ course. Doesnae mean I like yer company especially.”

He raised an eyebrow. “Doesnae mean ye dinnae. And that’s nay answer, and ye ken it well, Erin MacDougall.”

She hesitated. “Ye’re tolerable when ye’re teaching me, mayhap, but I ken ye’re mocking me whenever I start tae try and talk tae yer brother.”

“That’s because ye act as if he’s going tae rip yer head off or try tae ravish ye every time ye approach him.” He smirked. “A problem ye dinnae have with me.”

“I’m nae trying tae entice, seduce, or court ye!” She felt herself flushing redder. “And when we’re practicing, I dinnae have tae worry about interruptions by others, or having me faither watching me!”

“That’s as may be, but if ye’re comfortable enough with me tae ask me tae help ye in yer plans, surely that means we can be friends at least, if nae else?”

She paused. There was a part of her that agreed with him. On the other hand, she’d seen far too many maids in her home who were ‘friends’ with the men who became their lovers. Even Rowan had succumbed to that trap. Agreeing that they were friends sounded like a dangerous admittance, especially given his reputation.

How many maids had he seduced, who had started as friends, or friendly company?

She was still trying to find a tactful and safe answer when a shrill, high-pitched scream split the air, and wiped the concern from her mind entirely.