Page 46 of The Dragon Laird’s Obsession

His jaw tightened when he caught himself about to smile again. Gordon could not deny that he enjoyed watching Ailis, but he also could not let himself simply do that.

Nae when she will end up leavin’.

Jane laughed from beside them, her sleeves rolled to her elbows as she sorted herbs. Beth stood farther down the table, pretending not to listen while a smile tugged at her mouth.

Gordon watched it all like he could not help himself.

I am merely checkin’ on the household. That is all.

It had nothing to do with the fact that Ailis somehow had managed to blend into his household and bring warmth and laughter. It had only been two weeks, and yet his people were accustomed to her.

He kept watching as Ailis lifted her knife and began cutting again. Her movements improved with each cut, and Mairi nodded grudgingly.

“That is better.”

“Better?” Ailis demanded, feigning hurt. “I am wounded.”

They both laughed again, and Gordon’s felt his chest flutter as he took in the softening of her features.

A heady rush of energy surged through him, a reminder that he needed to be cautious around her. He turned to walk away, but her gaze found him with uncanny ease, as though she had sensed him standing there from the start. Her eyes traveled over him, lingering briefly before lifting to his face.

Their gazes met, and her smile changed.

It was no longer the open smile she gave Mairi. This one was smaller, and Gordon’s jaw tightened.

He looked away immediately as heat burned the back of his neck with embarrassment. He needed to find a way to get her out of his thoughts.

Because it is dangerous to enjoy her like this.

And even more dangerous if he let himself forget what was most important.

Me people… me land… nae a woman who deserves better than me.

Gordon had barely taken three steps outside of the keep when the sound of pounding hooves shook through the grounds.

He stopped as he saw the rider approach, unable to make out who it was. Behind that rider, two more rode fast. One nearly fell from his saddle before catching himself. Blood marked the sleeve of his tunic, and when they reached him, Gordon sensed the desperate terror even before they spoke.

“Me Laird,” one blurted, bowing his head.

“What happened?”

“There has been some ruckus in the village,” the man answered in a trembling voice, his eyes wide as he panted.

“A raid?”

“Aye, Me Laird. A man was killed and a girl taken. A message was left for ye.”

The man handed Gordon a folded parchment, and he quickly opened it, his eyes scanning the cursive writing in ink. His grip stayed tight on the parchment as he read the words out loud.

“I want what was rightfully mine. A debt is to be paid, Laird, and I shall collect.”

Gordon crushed the parchment in his hand as he glanced up at the guard watching him with wide eyes. Just then, Malcolm walked out of the keep behind him, oblivious to what was happening.

“Me Laird?” he asked as Gordon slowly turned to him. “What has happened?”

“Ready the men,” Gordon answered without hesitating. “Our village has been attacked. We must find out who did this.”

He marched away from Malcolm with that, every part of him tight and set into a rigid line. Gordon had vowed to protect his land and people when he became laird. It was all he knew how to do.