She tried to gauge the seriousness of his words.James was taller than his brothers and very different in his looks.The second son’s coloring was fairer than the other two. Even atthis distance, Tess could see that he took after their mother. Hislong dark red hair, loosely tied, tumbled over his shoulders anddown his back. His gray, piercing eyes sparkled with intelligenceand wit.
“And how is it that you know so much about me when Ihave just arrived this moment? Or perhaps I should askwhyit is that you should bother yourself.”
“Alexander sent word ahead.”
“Of course.”
“And we learned that Colin was, unfortunately, stillalive.”
Tess stared at him.
“Aye. And though it might be too soon to tell youthis—having just met—I fear I am duty bound to tell you what amistake you made on the Isle of May in saving that pup’s life.”
She withdrew her hand from the man’s arm and lookedhard at him.
“I wanted to know more about you. I wished to knowyour motivation for fishing him out of the sea. Now, from the weebits and pieces that I was able to learn, I surmised that you areselfless and have great courage. I myself judge these to be heroicqualities, and that brings us to your mistake in not allowing Colinto drown. You see, Tess, if heroic is what you were after, then youshould have tried to save something worthwhile…a motherless sealpup, or a seabird with a broken wing. Instead, you have succeededin ruining our delicately laid plans.”
“Your plans?” she managed to get out.
He crossed his arms over his broad chest and gaveher a curt nod. “Don’t you realize that Alexander actually hadColinthrownoverboard? And what a disappointment ‘twas forall of us…”
Tess stifled her gasp and jumped back as a bodysuddenly struck James in the shoulder. The huge man only movedaside a couple of steps, though, and Tess was shocked to see Colinstanding where his brother had been, taking her hand and scowlingover his shoulder at the grinning James.
“My sincerest apologies for having left you alonewith this chattering ape, Tess.” He tucked her hand into the crookof his arm. “I hope he hasn’t troubled you with his flappingtongue.”
“Your timing, brother, is as bad as ever.” Jamesappeared on her other side and managed to tuck her free hand intohisarm. “Tess and I were just discussing the merits ofdrowning you versus throwing you from the tower.”
Colin ignored his brother and spoke directly toTess. “The problem with the jug head beside you is that he cannever forgive me for being so much younger…and yet so much smarterand better looking.”
“My problem with you is that…”
“Will you two villains release this poor lass so shemight be properly introduced to our parents?”
They all turned to Alexander, who wasscowling fiercely at his two younger brothers. Tess instantlybecame aware of the watchful eyes and curious glances of the circleof people around them. She freed her hands from both men’sarms.
“Iwill make theintroduction,” Colin asserted possessively, taking her handagain.
As the two walked side by side, Tess felt a weightdrag her down with every step. She wanted so badly to make a goodimpression on Colin’s parents. But all of her insecurities bubbledto the surface at once. She had already learned that Lady FionaMacpherson was half sister to the late king himself. In her entirelife, Tess would not meet anyone with nobler blood flowing in herveins. And she had already learned that the father, AlecMacpherson, was one of the most powerful of the great Highlandlairds.
Tess’s blood ran cold at the thought of howlacking she was in sophistication and charm. And how horrible shemust look in the worn leather cloak that old Garth had left to her!She was just a plain and simple crofter who had lived most of herlife on an isolated rock in the middle of the sea.
By the time they had reached the stairway, Tess’sinsides were as taut as knotted rawhide. Colin’s mother wasstanding quietly beside her husband, the long red hair looselybraided and cascading down her back in glorious waves. Her grayeyes had the same shade as her second son’s. The Macpherson lairdwas an older and more distinguished version of Alexander and Colin,but taller even than James.
“Welcome to Benmore Castle, Tess.”
The laird’s voice was deep and resonant. Sheextracted her arm from Colin’s and curtsied politely.
“Thank you for having me here,m’lord…m’lady,” she whispered softly, her head bowed. “I amdreadfully sorry to inconvenience you all in this way.”
Lady Fiona reached out and took hold ofTess’s chin, gently raising her face and smiling cordially.
“There is no need to apologize, child,” shesaid softly. “We are delighted to have you here. We were so eagerto meet you.”
Far or near, Lady Fiona was the moststriking woman Tess had ever laid eyes on. And then, looking intoher face, she saw the warmth in those gray eyes and knew that allwould be well between them.
“At last!” the laird said, drawing Tess’sattention. “Finally I get a chance to thank this water faerieproperly for saving our son’s life!”
“I did no such thing, m’lord. I mean, ’tisnot like that Ididn’tintend to save his life, but he wasfine…well, without me. I just don’t deserve any gratitude….”
