Bracing herself, she lifted her gaze to his. His eyes widened for an instant, then he quirked his brows.Blast!He had recognized her. She wished she could vanish like mist touched by the sun.
Trapped by the intensity of his midnight gaze, she found herself unable to look away.
He searched her face, then bowed. "A pleasure to meet you, m'lady."
Holding her breath, she prayed he would not reveal their past association.
To Calla, all was a fog as they were seated at the high table. She found herself sitting between Elena and Angelique, which Calla was glad for. She did not wish to be near Laird Rebbinglen at all. Well, not because he wasn't attractive, because he certainly was. But who knew what he would say to her?
***
What the devil had just happened? Rebbie glanced over Lady Elena's head at Lady Stanbury. Her curled, honey-blond hair, pulled back in a stylish knot, gleamed in the morning light streaming in the narrow window. He remembered her from several years ago. Though he'd had many trysts with ladies over the years, she was one he remembered well. How long had it been? Four years? Five years? All he knew for certain was he'd spent one unforgettable night with her inStirlingat an inn.
He darted another glance her way. Damnation, but she was lovely, her skin like cream and her cheeks rosy.
"What's wrong?" Lachlan asked beside him, taking a bite out of a bannock.
"Naught. Why do you ask?"
"You're not eating. You're silent for the first time in your life, and you look like you've seen a ghost."
Humph.Well, 'twas almost like seeing a ghost from his past. A woman he thought he'd never see again—but how he'd wanted to. One night of passionatebedsportand he'd been addicted to her. In fact, he'd searched for her.
Rebbie shook his head. "Just a bit tired." What a lie. He'd never felt more wound-up in his life. Or was he tense? Whatever it was, he was not accustomed to it and he sure as hell didn't like it.
"You won't feel like going out for a ride with us later, then?" Lachlan asked.
"Aye, I will." He was ready to ride across the moor like a madman, as fast as Devil's long legs would carry him.
"We're going to have a grandcéilidhtonight."
Rebbie glared at him. It better not be because of his sham of a betrothal to Elena. For it did not truly exist. "Why?"
Lachlan shrugged. "'TisAngelique's idea. She's had the servants working at it all week. And we do have several esteemed guests at the moment.'Twillbe our pleasure to entertain all of you."
Rebbie hoped that's all it was. He would have to make certain neither his father nor Barclay made any announcements about nonexistent nuptials.
Mayhap he should go ahead and tell her fathernayand take his leave. 'Twouldbe best to make a clean break. But… he darted a glance toward Lady Stanbury… what was her first name? They had not exchanged names all those years ago; she'd insisted on that. And no one here had told him. He couldn't leave until he learned that much, at least. Was she married? A widow?'Twasbizarre to realize he knew naught about her and yet… they had shared a most intimate and scorching experience.
***
After breakfast, Calla and Elena headed back to their chamber and Calla was glad. The meal had been a tense affair as she'd tried not to glance past Elena toward Rebbie. The girl had tried to start up a couple of conversations with him but they'd gone nowhere. With her stomach so queasy, Calla had hardly gotten a few bites down.
"Calla," someone called in a loud whisper behind her. She turned to find Angelique in the corridor holding herbairn. She motioned toward her sitting room.
Calla smiled, glad she had a new friend she'd grown close to so quickly. Elena might be her cousin, but she couldn't say they were friends exactly.
Once Calla was inside, Angelique closed the sitting room door. "Have a seat. I just wanted to talk for a minute while Lachlan and the men are out at the stables."
Calla nodded, lowering herself to one of the padded chairs.
"You met Rebbie. What do you think of him?"
A flush of heat overcame her. She averted her face and hoped her friend wouldn't notice. "Oh… well… he is a handsome man, of course."
"Oui. I hope you were not overly upset by what happened in the secret passage. One time, Lachlan almost caught me in there, spying on him, so I know how unsettling it can be." But contrary to her words, she smiled in a whimsical way as if a fond memory had taken over her mind.
"I was worried they'd find out 'twas me," Calla said. "How mortifying that would be."
