Page 11 of In Bed with a Highland Brute

“Father.” A happiness swelled inside of Murdoch, despite his fear of this moment. He embraced his father, the warmth in his arms comforting.

“Too long, me boy. Too long indeed,” Fergus whispered in his ear, so only he could hear.

“Aye, it is.” Murdoch stepped back as Fergus took his hand next, shaking.

“Ye are broader still.” Fergus laughed and clapped his shoulder. “Nae doubt yer fighting has made ye this way.”

A horse neighed and the two of them turned to look at Eloise. She struggled to control the beast for a second, who seemed eager to make their presence noticeable. Murdoch saw the fear in Eloise’s blue eyes as she looked toward them.

Ah… what happens now?

“A lass?” Fergus instantly laughed. “Well, well, Murdoch, ye have been keeping secrets.” He clapped Murdoch on the shoulder one more time and moved toward Eloise on the loch bank, reaching up toward her. He tenderly offered to take her hand and she gave him her gloved palm. “It is a pleasure tae meet ye. I was planning on introducing Murdoch tae many lasses during his stay. It is high time he was wed, but perhaps I am too late.”

Murdoch felt sick. Bile rose in his throat, and he swallowed it down. Even talking of marriage felt wrong when he knew what had happened to the last woman he was to wed. The idea of meeting women over these next few days made that nausea worse. He cleared his throat, praying to be rid of that sensation.

“Ah, well, it is nae as ye quite think.” Eloise hurried to speak, offering another one of those typically demure smiles that Murdoch so associated with her. He tried not to groan at that look.

Wait. If she stays, then at least I can avoid marriage for a little longer.

“Oh? What is it I should ken, Murdoch?” Fergus said, turning his head.

“There is something ye should ken.” Murdoch crossed the distance. He took Eloise’s hand from his father and tried to urge her off the saddle. Her eyes widened questioningly, but he was much stronger than her, thus she had no choice but to slide off the saddle. She conveniently landed on his foot, and he covered up the pain, wondering if she had done it on purpose. “Allow me tae introduce me betrothed, Father. This is Eloise McLaren.”

“Betrothed? Ah! This is wonderful news, wonderful indeed!” Fergus declared, his voice booming and echoing off the loch bank as Eloise stood woodenly beside him. She let Fergus take her hand again as he kissed the gloved back and she forced a smile. As Fergus looked down at her hand, she turned an accusing glare on Murdoch, with so much hatred there, he actually felt quelled by it.

Och, she will despise me fer this now. What on earth was I thinking?

CHAPTER FOUR

What did he say?

Eloise could not believe the turn of events. Murdoch raised a solitary brow at her, as if daring her to deny him now in this moment.

I cannae. I need the money, then I am free of this job fer good.

Yet everything would be much more difficult now. Not only was she supposed to be the betrothed of a man who clearly disliked her, but he was someone who knew her family well. It made the chance of discovery all the more likely. What was worse, he was the son of a laird! There would be much attention over the next few days and a lot of people in that castle.

“Well, I am delighted indeed.” Laird Gordon continued on as he released her hand. Forced to play her part, Eloise smiled up at him, yet she was speechless, unable to say a single word. “When did this happen? Murdoch, ye have said nothing in yer letters.”

“We have been keeping it quiet for a while,” Murdoch said with quiet ease. She glanced toward him, rather startled by his acting skills as he placed an arm around her waist.

Her stomach clenched, but hardly in a bad way. It was as if moths darted about in it at that touch.

“Have we nae, mo ghràdh?” His Gaelic made her whip her head toward him.

Me love… what is he playing at?

When she said nothing and just continued to stare at him, that arm around her waist tightened. She fell to his side as he managed to elbow her.

“Oomph,” she tried to cover up the sound as she felt winded. He already looked strong, but that simple movement displayed just how strong he was. “Aye, we have,” she forced herself to say.

“Ha! Wonderful, wonderful,” Laird Gordon said again. “Andrews, McArthur. Come and meet me new daughter-in-law tae be.” He hurried off, beckoning the guards closer. The brief respite from his company gave Eloise the chance to whisper harshly to Murdoch.

“Ye trying tae wind me of all the breath in my body?” she muttered.

“I thought that was what ye did. Act yer part well, Eloise.”

“Ye said ye didnae want tae dae this.” She turned an accusatory glare at him. As Laird Gordon was returning with the guards, Murdoch bent down toward her. He moved his lips near her ear, so close that she shivered.