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“Right away, ye’ll be the first,” the servant replied and walked down to the end of the corridor and took a seat there, watching the door.
Reuben nodded at him and turned to the door. For a moment, the sheer weight of being a Laird seemed to fall on his shoulders. Unlike his father, Reuben was not good at managing an estate. It was the reason his mother was his most valued member of his court. His father had been excellent at defending their home from invaders, so much so that he had made sure that everyone feared the McDonalds.
But at the same time, he was an effortless Laird. He was able to balance both parts of it. He could effortlessly offer advice and aid to the people, and they loved him for it. Reuben knew he could not do that. He was good with a sword and that was about it. That was all he was able to do. Yet he was supposed to measure up to his father and be better. As much as he wanted to, Reuben knew that he would not be able to get much done if not for the advice and guidance of his mother. It was why he had come down there, as it was what she would want, even if she hadn’t said it.
The Laird walked towards the door of the room where the ladies waited and knocked on it. He waited a few moments before knocking again, waiting for the sounds of scurrying feet to reach his ears. Once he was certain someone was coming, he held his hand and allowed the door to be opened in his face. He found himself face to face with her again, Katherine McGowan. She stared up at him for a moment, and just as he saw the recognition in her glance, her expression turned sour.
Even with a frown on her face, she was effortlessly beautiful. Reuben now understood why her uncle wanted such beauty beside him. He cleared his throat and raised a hand. “Sorry for coming at such a late hour.”
Katherine flashed a fake smile, and Reuben caught the water dripping from her hair to the hollow of her chest. Turning his eyes away at the last moment, he continued. “I believe ye and I have gotten off on the wrong foot, or at least, ye have the wrong impression of me. I was just tryin’ to protect my home.”
“And I was just tryin’ to protect my sisters. I hope that is something ye can understand too, aye?”
Reuben bit his lip, almost taken back by the snappy comment. “Well, I do, and that was why I came to apologize. I understand yer struggle, and at first, I did nae, and so I have come to make peace.”
“I would like to retire for the night, as we are not at war. My sisters and I have traveled for a long time, and we are quite exhausted and like some sleep to relieve us from our weary, so if ye would not mind,” said Kate.
“Katherine, is it nae?” Reuben asked.
“Kate, just call me Kate.” Kate quickly replied.
“Why nae Katherine? It is a beautiful na…”
“Kate, Laird McGowan. That is all I will take or respond to. Kate. Is there anything else ye would like to discuss?”
Reuben stared at her in shock. His shock, however, gave way to excitement as her beauty dazzled him once again. He shook his head, “I…no, ye have a good night, ye and yer sisters. If ye need anything, just head up to the halls and ask any of the servants, anything at all.”
“Thank ye, I doubt we will.”
“G’night,” said Reuben.
Kate smiled and began closing the door. Just before it locked, he put his hand out, stopping it.
“Is there a problem?” Kate snapped.
“I get the impression that ye daenae really like me, do ye?”
“What gave that away? Now please, can we go to bed? It is very late and my sisters are waitin’ on me.”
Reuben smiled and Kate shut the door with a resounding thud. He smiled as he realized that she must have heard stories about him, and the way he had come out against them had made her despise him even more. Hudson stepped into the corridor and grabbed the shoulder of his best friend as he walked away from the room.
“Ye ken, I doubt she’d be any trouble at all. Ye just focus on doing yer thing, and she’ll be out of here in no time.”
Reuben turned to his friend with a sinister smile on his face. He recognized the irony he heard in Hudson’s voice, and he knew they were going to have some fun. If Kate was going to despise him, Reuben would do everything he could to change her mind about him. He would show her that he was not what she had heard or thought him to be.
If he was going to learn to be a better Laird, one as good as his father, this would be a good place to start.
