She gave him a blank look. "Are there any cities or towns inDurness?"
Rebbie almost choked on a bite of venison, then carefully swallowed. "Nay.'Tisbut a wee village."
"Oh." She twisted her mouth sideways. "I dislike villages."
Humph.Of course, she would. "I grew fond of the place," he said. "Nice and peaceful. Beautiful country."
"Sounds dull."
Rebbie shrugged, finding this conversation to be the dullest thing he'd yet encountered. He turned to Lachlan. "Dirk sends his best wishes for you and Angelique."
"How is he? I miss the lad."
"Excellent. He's chief of theMacKaysnow and happily married."
Lachlan's eyes widened. "Och! In truth, he is married?"
"Indeed, with abairnon the way."
Lachlan shook his head. "Never thought I'd see the day. Did he choose his bride, or was he forced into the marriage?"
"They chose each other.'Tisindeed a love match." Rebbie chuckled. "He stole another chief's intended bride."
"Dirk did?" Lachlan's brows quirked. "I cannot imagine that. He's always been so… quiet."
"Aye, but 'tis the quiet ones you must watch out for." Rebbie took a sip of ale. "You are the one no one expected to marry."
Lachlan gave a grin and nodded. "I can see why people would've thought that before I met Angelique. But she is the best thing that ever happened to me."
"I agree. And I'm glad you two are happy."
A mischievous glint entering his amber eyes, Lachlan lowered his voice. "It appears you will soon be happily married, too, aye?"
Rebbie glared aside at him. "Not likely," he said through clenched teeth.
Lachlan shrugged dramatically. "The contract has been signed."
Rebbie frowned and motioned slightly with his head, trying to tell Lachlan wordlessly to cease this discussion with Lady Elena so near. Lachlan merely smiled. Damn the man. Of course he was repaying all the needling Rebbie had tortured him with when he and Angelique had first met. He supposed he deserved it. But he didn't like it.
Somehow, he had to escape this trap his father had dragged him into.
***
After everyone was off to supper in the great hall, Calla knocked at Angelique's sitting room door. She didn't know whether her friend was in her rooms or if she'd joined the others for supper. The maid opened the door.
"Is the lady asleep or in the great hall?" she asked quietly.
"Nay. She was nursing the babe. Come in. I'll tell her you're here."
"I but wish to see her for a moment." Calla had remembered the secret passageways Angelique had told her about the day before. When they'd first married, Angelique and Lachlan had problems with clan traitors using the passageway and laird's lug, or laird's ears—a way for the laird to listen in on scheming guests. Calla decided a visit to the passages might be the best way to know what was going on in the great hall without actually being there.
The maid entered the bedchamber and returned a moment later. "She will see you now, m'lady."
"I thank you." Calla entered the bedchamber, which Lady Angelique used as a nursery. "Are you well?" Calla asked.
Angelique laid the babe in the cradle. "Oui, of course. Just a bit tired. Wee Hannah was fussy last night and kept me awake for hours. I think she had a stomachache, but she's feeling much better now."
"I'm glad." Calla couldn't help but smile every time she saw the babe. "She is so precious," Calla whispered, remembering when Jamie was that age.'Twasthe happiest time of her life, for she had a son and her vile husband finally left her alone.
