The lass was pretty, with big brown eyes, but she didn't smile. Instead, she blanched and looked at him in the way many women did, as if she feared him.
'Haps he wore the wrong expression. He forced a smile and tried to appear friendly. 'Twas simply that this meeting was of utmost importance to him and he took it all very seriously.
"Lady Lily, 'tis my great honor to finally meet you." Cyrus bowed over her hand and kissed it.
Her face shifted from pale to blushing pink in a matter of seconds. He approved of her shy glance, which proclaimed her naïve. Not coy in the least, thank the saints. But her smile appeared as strained as his felt.
Lady Lily curtsied. "My laird, I'm pleased to meet you."
"Please call me Cyrus—all of you."
"If you will excuse us, I'm going to offer my friends a wee dram before supper." Rebbie bowed, as did Cyrus and his brothers.
Again, Cyrus glanced over the ladies and wanted to skewer himself when his eyes lingered longest on Lady Grey. Hellfire, what was wrong with him? She was most likely wed to a baron… either that or she was a widow. What difference did it make? He forced himself to turn away and follow his brothers. Regardless of her marital status, she was not the daughter of the marquess, and he must put her from his mind.
∞∞∞
Stunned, Elspeth watched the MacKenzie men stride away, their matching plaids swinging above their muscular calves, and their wide leather belts cinched above narrow hips.
"Good heavens, such broad shoulders." Rose fluttered a fan before her flushed face. "Too many fine-looking men to meet all at once."
The men disappeared through a door to the side of the great hall. Cyrus MacKenzie's rumbling voice and northern Highland burr still echoed in her head. Why had his presence staggered her? He was a man like any other… or 'haps a manunlikeany other was a better description.
Certainly, he was devilishly handsome with his long midnight hair, neatly trimmed beard and dark brown eyes. A powerful man such as she wanted to avoid at all costs, and yet he had caused a startling flush of heat to cover her, head to toe, and her heart to pound within her throat. What in all that was holy had happened to her? Was she coming down with an ague? She inhaled a deep breath, attempting to curb her strange responses.
"That was tantalizing," Rose murmured. "Three gorgeous Highland warriors in their belted plaids. Lily, what do you think of Laird Stornmor?"
The girl, still appearing pallid, hesitated. "Um… I'm still a wee bit speechless."
Rose chuckled. "As am I. But I must say… if you don't want him, I'll take him."
Lily sent her a curious glance. "I didn't ken you were searching for a husband."
"I'm not." Rose grinned wickedly.
Lily's mouth dropped open and she blushed. "You're scandalous!"
Rose snickered. "I'm only teasing you, cousin. I wouldn't dream of stealing him away. But if you should cast him aside, as you have all your other suitors…" Rose shrugged suggestively.
Elspeth again observed the doorway the men had gone through. Personally, she'd found the Earl of Stornmor highly disturbing. He was tall and brawny… good heavens, now that she thought of it, he was 'haps the tallest, brawniest man she'd ever laid eyes on. She had never seen shoulders so broad. When his potent dark gaze had met hers earlier, he'd seemed reluctant to look away, as… bizarrely… she had been. Why on earth would she wish to lock eyes with such a virile and fearsome man? He had a powerful, commanding presence that few men possessed. 'Twas no wonder the king had rewarded him with an earldom. In truth, her instincts warned her that he spelled danger on many levels.
"What do you think of him, Elspeth?" Lily's question startled her.
"Oh. Um… he seems… formidable."
Lily nodded. "I agree. He's a wee bit… intimidating."
Rose chuckled. "He's powerful. I find that a wonderful and… seductive quality. What did you think of his two younger brothers?"
"They're indeed charming." Lily's expression brightened.
"Aha, I see." Rose lifted a brow. "Angling for a man closer to your own age, are you?"
Lily shrugged, looking chagrinned. "I ken I'm supposed to choose a wealthy, titled husband, but sometimes I'm drawn to subtler qualities, like kindness, charm and a sense of humor."
"I cannot see your father allowing you to marry someone who's untitled."
"You're right." Lily's gaze darted across the great hall, and she lowered her voice. "Shh. His sister is coming this way with Calla."
