Chapter 2

2

" L aird McLaren, at last, indeed," Scarlett returned smoothly, trying to counter her traitorous blush.

Laird McLaren's eyes darkened, and Scarlett watched as he straightened up, but her eyes never left his.

He lowered his head in a tight bow, released her hand, and then stepped aside. "Me sister, Lady Niamh Williams."

"A pleasure to meet ye, Lady Niamh," Scarlett said, and the two women nodded to each other.

"Me braither and I spoke just this morn' about visiting the O'Neill lands," Niamh mentioned and looked back at her brooding brother.

"Aye, we did. Solid location ye have, Mack. Crucial for our win over Clan McEwan," Laird McLaren commented.

Laird O'Neill clumsily nodded his head in gratitude. Scarlett looked between her father and Laird McLaren skeptically.

Faither is really laying it on thick tonight…

"I thought about discussing just that with ye this week," Laird McLaren added, which excited her father.

Unfortunately for Scarlett, her father changed position in such a way that he and their host were facing the room, leaving the women out of the discussion.

"Business, how odious," Niamh huffed.

Sienna laughed politely. Scarlett, too, laughed and took a step closer to try and hear more of her father's conversation. Laird McLaren mentioned something about his clan setting up new trade routes and establishing themselves once again as a prominent household. Her father spoke so reverently that it reminded Scarlett of how he spoke about his commanding officer.

Since when has he ever spoken to anyone that way?

Her mother was just about to respond when Mack turned around abruptly and beckoned her over. "Sienna, come. Ye have to tell Laird McLaren how they use the fresh water from Loch Niall to chill the dyes…"

Scarlett scoffed.

Niamh chuckled. "So, ye enjoy discussing matters of business?"

"Well, I enjoy hearing about it anyway. Me faither wanted boys, but I won out," Scarlett quipped and sipped from her chalice.

" Brava , Scarlett. I do believe we are to be fast friends," Niamh said and gave her a wink.

"What do ye enjoy, Niamh?"

"I enjoy helping me braither with clan matters, but when it's a feast, I mostly enjoy the dancing and music?—"

Before Niamh could finish her thought, young Buchan clumsily pushed his way through the group, reminding Scarlett of her unfortunate predicament.

"Well, now, Missus, uh—little Scarlett, ye certainly have… grown since I last saw ye." He sucked in air through his teeth sharply, and his eyes focused on her breasts.

Scarlett's shoulders turned inwardly, trying to hide from his prying eyes, and she looked around the room, trying to divert her attention.

Suddenly, Niamh cleared her throat and shifted slightly. Her brother came into their circle, glaring darkly at Reuben.

"Now, that'll just be enough, young Buchan. Ye're interrupting a matter between Clan O'Neill and Clan McLaren. Now, ye'll be on yer way," he commanded condescendingly.

But Reuben lingered.

"Before I summon yer faither, lad," Laird McLaren threatened and placed another large, foreboding hand on Reuben's shoulder.

Reuben scoffed and mumbled something incomprehensible, before skulking off into the crowd. Though Laird O'Neill's reaction was not lost on Scarlett when the young Laird said those words.

Och, Faither is intimidated by this man… But why?

The talks of trade and alliances started back up quickly after Reuben's departure. Niamh and Sienna were no longer paying attention as they turned to watch the couples dancing behind them, but Scarlett was now much closer to the men, so she could listen in on their conversation.

It was clear that Laird McLaren was eager to discuss his clan's business but was also playing coy. As she finished the Rhenish wine in her cup, she thought about how he kept bringing up words like ‘prudence' and ‘consideration,' which struck her strangely.

I wonder if he's got financial issues…

"Scarlett Paton!" her father spat sharply, and the reprimand knocked the wind out of her as her eyes met her father's and then her mother's.

Shite, did I just say that out loud?

Her mother's wide eyes were enough of an answer. Scarlett's eyes darted around and found the striking gaze of Niamh Williams, who had one perfectly cocked eyebrow and a quick, nearly imperceptible grin on her face.

Then she slowly looked up at Laird McLaren's darkening face, and her skin felt like it was on fire. Her face reddened further as he looked directly at Laird O'Neill, and her father took a large step back. Sienna and Niamh also followed suit and gave them a wide berth.

"I-I…" Scarlett fumbled to address her major misstep.

Laird McLaren stood there, silently watching her struggle under his harsh gaze. She looked down, fumbling for the right words to say.

"The response isnae down there, Lady Scarlett," he said curtly.

Scarlett found his piercing amber eyes once again. She glimpsed just a hint of turmoil behind the fire in his eyes. It was a subtle shift in his eyebrows, and the lines on his face softened slightly. Scarlett knew she had struck a nerve.

"I'm sorry, Laird McLaren. There is nay excuse," she mumbled, hanging her head in remorse. When he remained silent, she straightened and continued, "I didnae intend for me thoughts to leave me mind."

What more does he need from me?

His chest rose and fell. His voice was even, but a storm brewed in his eyes. "It doesnae matter what ye intended. What matters is that it happened, aye?"

"Indeed!" her father exclaimed over the Laird's shoulder.

Laird McLaren lifted his hand, and Mack moved back once more to leave them alone. Scarlett kept her eyes on his as the rest of their group turned away slightly.

"Aye, it was wrong, but I willnae beg," she stated and lifted her head slightly, starting to feel her anger simmer.

"Nay, I willnae have ye beg, Lady Scarlett—" he practically growled.

"Then what will ye have, Laird McLaren?" Scarlett asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

His darkened face inched closer to hers, and her lips parted almost imperceptibly. His menacing mouth twitched, and then he whispered, "Yet."

"What?"

"Ye shouldnae let yer words outrun yer thoughts, lass." He glanced over his shoulders, and then his glare turned into a sneer. "Enjoy yer evening, Lady Scarlett."

In the blink of an eye, he was gone.

Did he just say ‘yet?'

Niamh, with a wide smile on her face, lifted her now-empty glass. "Lady Scarlett," she intoned and then made her escape, leaving Scarlett with her parents.

"I cannae believe ye said that! What has gotten into ye?" Lady O'Neill hissed, and Lord O'Neill rubbed his temples.

Mortified, Scarlett excused herself and nearly sprinted out of the hall.