Page 31 of The Highlander’s Dangerous Desire

“Of course. I’d be happy to.” Grace followed the young woman to another room, a room appointed as a laird’s study. A small table was set for four, and Ewan was standing nearby, accompanied by the two men she’d met briefly before.

“M’laird.” Anne curtseyed and left.

“Grace.” Ewan stepped forward. “I’d like ye tae meet me close friends and counselors - Devlin an’ Malcolm.” He paused, and Grace felt a small knot of tension settle in her stomach. “Devlin, Malcolm, I’d like ye tae meet Lady Grace Lancaster - the woman I hope will dae me the honor o’ becoming me wife.”

If lightning had struck, she couldn’t have been more startled. “I… you never…” She saw the sudden, hopeful, almost pleading look on Ewan’s face and swallowed down her first, vehement denial. “You did not tell me you’d be announcing it so soon.”

Or even that it was a consideration. I thought you agreed to discuss such things with me after the incident with the villager not a seven-day ago!

She was abruptly, coldly furious with Ewan MacDuff. She wanted to slap him. However, she also knew enough about Ewan to know that he wouldn’t have done such a thing without some reason. The man she’d gotten to know while crossing the Highlands had more sense and courtesy than to behave in such a manner.

Ewan’s eyes were apologetic as he moved closer. “I ken. I should have mentioned it tae ye. But I wanted tae introduce ye tae Devlin an’ Malcolm properly, afore we went to meet the Council.”

The Council?

Her uncle had always had the final say in matters of the Lancaster family, at least since her father’s death. However, she knew from listening to him grumble with other lords how a council for a ruler functioned. She could also guess that introducing her to the Council was tantamount to announcing their wedding to clan and country, even if he made the introduction as informal as he had a moment ago.

Slapping him didn’t seem to be quite the right response.

“You should have given me more warning,” she hissed as low as possible so that the only one who could hear her was Ewan. “Besides, you know full well that my only reason for accompanying you was to see my friend, Niamh MacDuff. And, in any case… have you even told your Council where I hail from?”

“I told them I was seeking tae secure an alliance with Niamh MacDuff née Cameron’s kinfolk, an’ that I might seek a wife.”

“And you do not think there will be… concerns?”

“I dinnae think it matters.”

“You dinnae think it matters?” How could it not matter - introducing her as his English bride to a room full of Highland Elders. “You…”

She hissed at him again, as discretely as she could. Ewan caught her arm. “Enough lass. I’ll nae be introducing ye tae the Council taenight. An’ there’s nae need tae indulge in a fit o’ temper about the matter.”

He took her arm and led her toward the table. “Mayhap ye will feel a little less flustered after a good meal.”

“And mayhap I will feel less flustered if I toss the wine in your face.”

Ewan smirked, making her want to kick him. “Och, I wouldnae waste the good wine with such an action lass.”

As if to underscore the point, her stomach chose that moment to grumble. Grace blushed as Ewan’s eyebrow rose. She swallowed her first reaction, and pulled herself free to sit with as much dignity as she could muster. “Very well. We shall, however, be discussing the matter further after supper when we’re alone.”

Ewan nodded, and accepted a tankard from one of the other men, before taking his own seat. “As ye will, Grace. After supper.”

The other two men joined them for dinner, and Grace turned her attention to the meal.

She might be too well-mannered to challenge Ewan in front of his men, but she was certainly going to let him know exactly how displeased she was.

Ewan grimaced as Devlin and Malcolm left the study after supper was over. He was certain Grace was angry. He wasn’t certain she would forgive him for his actions after he’d explained.

Grace, lady that she was, waited until the door had closed before she turned to him. “I thought you understood that I wished to be consulted before you made such announcements.”

“Aye. Ye told me, an’ I agreed. ‘Twas a…” Ewan paused, then sighed. He’d never been one to make excuses for himself. “I’m sorry I put ye in that position fer the second time.”

“I should like to know why you did so. This time is a lot worse than the last. How are ye going to get out of this?””

He might as well tell her the whole truth. “When I left tae find ye, I told the Council that I was leavin’ tae seek our own peace with yer friend Niamh’s kin-folk. An’ that I might bring back a possible lady tae be me betrothed. I didnae want tae risk that they’d protest me decision tae escort an Englishwoman through the Highlands fer nay benefit tae the clan I’m currently the overseer fer.”

The words did not appease her, but after a moment, she nodded. “I suppose I can understand that. But why did you not at least give me some warning?”

“Because I didnae originally plan fer ye tae come any closer tae MacTavish Keep than MacDuff Castle. I planned tae return alone, an’ tell the Council that I hadnae found anyone I was willin’ tae be betrothed tae. A day or two afore I met ye, however, Devlin sent me word that there was another contestant for the lairdship, Gael MacTavish. An’ then there were the fires… which may have been caused by bandits, or had possibly been lit by Gael’s men.”