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He wasn’t smiling, but something about his expression said that he very well could, if it suited him.

Calum snorted as he walked away, waving a hand. He muttered over his shoulder, “Just havin’ a jest, Archer.”

Archer! Archer Fleming! The Laird of Clan MacLennan himself. The one Reid went after.

Calum stumbled off, and Archer turned his gaze back to her. Slowly, his eyes swept down her frame, then back up to her face. Not lewd, but calculating.

“Ye all right?” he asked, his voice steady and low.

Eileen took a moment to compose herself.

“Aye, Me Laird,” she replied. “It’s been a long journey, and all I want is a mug of ale afore I retire for the night. I’m thankful for yer assistance and bumpin’ into ye like this. Ye see, I’m lookin’ for one of the men from me castle. Reid Kilmartin. The last I heard, he was on his way to see ye.”

“Then he didnae make it,” Archer replied.

He motioned for the barkeep to pour more ale, not only for Eileen but for himself, too.

Eileen swallowed as the lump in her throat grew. A part of her wanted to ask if he was mistaken about Reid not making it and perhaps something had happened after he got to Castle MacLennan, but she was walking a fine line with her disguise as it was, and would rather the Laird let her be.

When the barkeep set a tankard before her, she took a swig to drown the feelings rising inside her and stop herself from saying something she might regret.

She didn’t have long before the cruel Laird O’Gunn would come for her hand, but Laird MacLennan was no angel either. If Reid had done something to disrespect Laird MacLennan, then he might be locked up in the dungeons.

Eileen turned from the bar and took the ale in her shaking hand to one of the free tables. When she sat and looked up, she realized the Laird had followed her.

“Do ye mind if I join ye?” Archer asked. “I’m interested to hear if ye ran into any trouble on the road. Where was it ye said ye came from?”

Eileen knew she couldn’t object to the Laird joining her at the table, but she didn’t get a chance, as he sat before she could answer.

“McFair Castle,” she replied. “And the roads were fine, Me Laird.” Her voice cracked a little as she spoke, and she focused on keeping it as deep as possible.

“Aye, there’s been talk of bandits on the road recently. Maybe that’s what happened to yer pal. It’s gettin’ more and more dangerous to travel. I expect ye can handle herself. I dinnae like the thought of lassies travelin’ these roads, especially alone.”

Eileen gulped and quickly took another swig of ale

Does he ken that I’m nae who I claim to be?

She reminded herself that if she were a man, she wouldn’t be so meek. She was in a tavern full of men, and while there were not many in the building, they were making some noise. The only one who wasn’t was Archer, and he had a right to do whatever he wanted.

“Aye, I would’ve loved to run into some bandits on the road on me way here. I havenae stuck anyone with a sword in a long time.”

“Aye, I bet ye havenae. Where is yer sword, if ye dinnae mind me askin’?”

“I had me maid take it to the inn and polish it for me,” Eileen replied.

Archer smiled and took a large gulp of ale, draining half his tankard. Eileen tried not to rub her fingers together too much.

“Yer maid?” he asked. “I dinnae often hear of a man travelin’ with a maid.”

The tavern fell silent for a moment, as if everyone was listening to their conversation, but it was only a lull in the noise, and Calum started a drunken song as he propped himself up against the bar.

“Aye, well, if I cannae have fun with me sword, then I can have some fun with—” Eileen almost winced, as she almost said ‘sword’ twice. She quickly pivoted. “With me young maid.”

“Aye, I thought ye had that look about ye when ye came in. I could see something in yer eyes. If ye’re lookin’ for somethin’ like that, I can point ye in the right direction.”

Eileen tried to keep her cool, wondering how quickly she could remove herself from the situation.

“That’s kind of ye, Me Laird, but I dinnae need any extra fun tonight.”

Please drop the subject. If ye start boastin’ about the fun you have had with yer conquests, I willnae be able to bear it.

Archer leaned in, close enough that his breath fanned her ear.

Eileen felt a chill run down her spine, and she shivered at the warmth of a man so close. She kept still, trying to show the strength expected of a man. She could not let her disguise slip.

“A young man such as yerself ought to be more careful in a place like this,” he murmured.

Eileen’s blood ran cold.

He kens.

She almost fell from her chair, her gaze flicking to the door, panic shooting up her spine.

“Relax,” he said, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth as he leaned back in his chair.

“I have nay interest in callin’ ye out. Just thought ye should ken that ye arenae as invisible as ye think.

I hope yer maid kens about this. And I wouldnae let Calum ken, or he’ll be on ye like a dog in heat. ”

Her cheeks burned.

Damn this man. Smug. Arse.

She squared her shoulders, her voice low but defiant. “I can fend for meself.”

Archer chuckled, deep and soft. “Clearly. But it’s a dangerous game ye’re playin’. Brave, but foolish too. Do ye want to share why ye dressed like this? I was curious when you stepped into this place, and I’m more curious now, with how ye’ve played the part.”

Eileen lifted her chin, her eyes narrowing. “Och, it’s nothin’. I already told ye; I’m lookin’ for someone.”

“Aye, Reid Kilmartin,” Archer said dryly, but his gaze lingered, sharper now. He looked almost entertained. “Judgin’ from the look ye gave me when I told ye he hadnae made it to me castle, ye think I had somethin’ to do with it.”

“Nay, I didnae mean to suggest that, Me Laird,” Eileen said.

She’d been caught out, and she didn’t know what the Laird would do next. She’d offended him, that much was clear.

Their eyes locked, something like amusement flickering in his. His presence was intoxicating, unsettling. She hated how handsome he was—and how aware she was of the way he was looking at her… even in breeches. She could feel him trace her shape through her clothes.

She got up before she looked down at his chest or said something she might regret, her heart pounding against her ribs, her ears burning. As a final act of defiance, she picked up her tankard and drained it. Then, she left the table. As she reached the door, she glanced back.

Archer was staring at a table in the corner where two giggling women sat, batting their eyelashes at him. Eileen shook her head, annoyed. His smile was lazy and charming like he had the world in his pocket.

But his eyes… they found her one last time. She froze by the door, returning his gaze with defiance.

What a rake!

She felt a flare of irritation—and something else she refused to name.

Eileen shoved open the tavern door, stepping back into the night air like she was surfacing from underwater. Her heart was pounding faster than it ever had before.