Page 5 of The Highlander’s Tempting Touch

“Then ye’re looking in the wrong direction, fer there’s many a fairer lass at this festival, and plenty o’ them with more wit and grace than meself.”

“So ye say, mlady, but I prefer tae judge fer meself. One man’s dross is another man’s gold, and I think ye gleam bright indeed.”

Niamh felt herself blushing under the compliment. “Then yer eyes or yer wits are addled. Or else, ‘tis a joke ye intend to tell.”

“Nay jest. And nay addled wits, nor too much mead and ale, if that’s what yer thinkin’, me bonny lass.” Alistair tipped his head. “But if ye think I jest, then perhaps a wager? Spend the day attending the festival with me, and if I havenae indeed convinced ye by sunset o’ me sincerity, then claim a forfeit if ye like. But if I have, then ye’ll give me leave tae call on ye again.”

It was an intriguing offer, but Niamh shook her head. “Nay. I cannae. I told ye afore, I’m meeting a friend, and I promised tae walk the festival with her.”

“A friend’s a bonny chaperone, since ye think me a rogue.” Alistair stepped closer. “Walk the fair with me, lass. I can promise ye a day ye’ll enjoy, and one ye’ll remember fer many Autumn’s tae come.”

Niamh had no doubt he spoke the truth. But she also feared what his sincerity might mean for her own resolve. She opened her mouth to refuse him.

At that moment, a group of men, some half-dozen at the least, came staggering out of the nearby tavern, cursing and stumbling. The last was shoved from the building by an irate looking man that Niamh recognized as Seamus, the tavern keeper. “Dae yer brawlin’ and boastin’ elsewhere! I’ll nae have broken tables and chairs here, nor knife holes and flyin’ blades in me tavern, making the sensible folk afeared! If ye cannae act like proper clansmen, then dinnae come back until ye’ve regained yer wits!”

“Ye’ll regret losing our coin!” One of the drunken men was a bit more belligerent than his fellows.

“I’ll nae, fer I’ll save more than I’ll lose in nae havin’ tae replace me crockery and furnishins.” Seamus retorted. The tavern door closed firmly in the faces of the drunkards.

One of the men muttered something to a nearby clansman wearing the tartan of a different clan. Niamh was too far to hear what was said, but the effect was immediate. The second man let out a snarl and made a drunken swipe at the speaker, and the festival lane was soon embroiled in a brawl.

She’d scarcely registered the chaos heading her way when Alistair swept her up and behind him, putting himself between her and the tangled knot of flying fists and barely intelligible insults. Niamh scowled at his back. “What are ye daeing?”

“I couldnae leave so fair a lass in danger o’ bein’ harmed by these louts.”

“There’s guards at the festival. They’ll have heard the ruckus.” Her father’s guards were quick and strong, and she was confident they’d arrive to handle the matter before it got too out of hand.

“Aye. But until they arrive, permit me the honor o’ protecting ye.”

Niamh grimaced. She couldn’t say she disliked having Alistair’s protection, nor could she deny the tiny shiver of delight that passed through her at the knowledge that he was willing to stand between her and a gaggle of rowdy drunkards.

However, none of that changed the fact that time was passing, and she was surely late to meet Grace. That was vexing enough to cancel any enjoyment she might have felt in being watched over by such a handsome clansman. “If ye’d only left me well enough alone, I’d be far from here and in nay need o’ protecting.”

Alistair turned. “Are ye so sure o’ that? There’s more than one place taeday selling food and drink, and I’ll wager this isnae the only brawl the festival will see - or has seen already, if the time the guards are taking tae arrive is any indication.”

He might have been right, but Niamh wasn’t going to concede the point to him so readily. “Be that as it may, I’d nae be at risk o’ bein involved in this one if ye hadnae delayed me.”

“Mayhap, but ye’d also nae have anyone tae help keep ye safe.” He smirked at her.

Niamh glared back. “I never said I was in need o’ any such thing!”

As Alistair was about to respond, one of the men staggered out of the melee and slammed into him. Before Niamh could quite understand what was happening, she was backed up against the wall, Alistair’s hands planted against the stone on either side of her face. It was only when he shifted his weight to plant a boot against the drunkard’s gut and shove him back toward his fellows that she realized how close she’d come to being knocked down, perhaps even trampled.

Alistair gave her another of his crooked half-smiles. “Are ye so sure o’ that, lass? If I hadnae been between ye, the fool might have done ye harm. ‘Twould be a shame tae damage such a bonny face.”

Niamh’s cheeks felt hot as coals, her face flushed by her embarrassment and by the sensation of having a man so close to her. Alistair hadn’t made any move to straighten, and she could feel the warmth of his breath ghosting across her face, smell the scent of spiced meat and mulled cider he’d consumed earlier in the day. “I…”

Her words trailed off as her eyes met his. Deep, glittering eyes that held a sheen like the emerald she’d seen in one of her mother’s rings, many years ago. They were mesmerizing, and Niamh looked away.

Looking down, she noticed a sturdy leather cord about his neck, from which hung a simple ring bearing a tri-corner eternity knot. The ring itself was far too small to fit a hand such as Alistair’s. Daes he have another lass he’s interested in?

The idea that he might be a rake, and simply toying with her stung more than it should. She raised her head to confront him about it, only to pause as he bent to murmur in her ear. “Ye say ye dinnae want protection, and ye’re angered that I’ve apparently delayed yer meeting with yer friend. But can ye really say ye object tae me company?”

“I cannae say I asked fer it, nor that I welcome it overmuch, yer current protection o’ me notwithstanding.” Her voice was quieter than she meant it to be.

“Why nae let me accompany ye? I dinnae mind having yer friend walk with us. And I’m sure ye’ll nae find me company lacking.” His smile deepened. “Besides, there’s our wager tae be concluded.”

“I’ve said it afore, I never agreed tae any wager.” Niamh hissed the words.