Page 63 of Sinful Scottish Laird

Surprised, Ellis looked up at Daisy.

“I told her,” Catriona Mackenzie said. “I’ve seen it with my very own eyes, have I no’?”

“I am rather good,” Ellis unabashedly agreed.

“Perhaps you might like to have a look at some of Egan’s toys?” the pregnant Mrs. Mackenzie asked and put her hand on her son’s shoulder. “I think he possesses a toy caber.”

“Aye,” the young boy said.

Ellis glanced uncertainly at Daisy. “May I?”

“Yes, of course!” Daisy said, thrilled and stunned that he wanted to go, that he was not clinging to her and begging to stay at her side.

“I’ll go along and watch after him,” Belinda offered.

Belinda and Ellis followed Lady Mackenzie’s daughters and grandchildren from the room. Lady Mackenzie smiled at Daisy and Alfonso...but still did not look at Robert. “You must forgive the dreadful decor. My husband clings to tradition as if it were the air he breathes,” she said laughingly. “This room has remained virtually unchanged for centuries.”

“The architecture is quite impressive. I guess it to be twelfth century?” Uncle Alfonso asked.

“Thirteenth, I believe,” Lady Mackenzie said. “At least this room. Various parts of the castle have been added on over the centuries. Would you like a tour, Mr. Kimberly?”

Uncle Alfonso’s face lit with delight. “If it is not a bother, I should very much like to have a look about.”

“Not a bother in the least!” She walked to a bellpull and gave it a hearty tug. Moments later an elderly man, stooped in the shoulders, appeared. “Seamus, our guest Mr. Kimberly would like a tour of this old pile of stones. Would you be so kind?”

“Aye, mu’um,” he said.

“Perhaps you should accompany him, Captain,” she said and glanced at Robert for the first time, her gaze gone cool.

“Thank you, but I prefer to stay with Lady Chatwick—”

“Oh, I’m afraid that won’t be possible. She’ll be in good hands.” Her smile was thin.

Robert was clearly taken aback. “Ah...” He nodded curtly, his expression inscrutable, and followed behind Uncle Alfonso and his escort, who were already engaged in a discussion of architecture.

Lady Mackenzie’s warm smile returned. “We’ve put you in a suite of rooms, and your guest will have accommodations as well, but perhaps in a different part of the castle.”

“Thank you.”

“Let’s go to the study, shall we? It’s much more inviting than this hall.” She looped her arm through Daisy’s and led her out of the hall. “Vivienne is expecting her fourth child at any moment,” she said. “I shouldn’t be the least surprised if the child comes during thefeill.I myself was at a wedding when Vivienne decided to make her appearance. Lord Chatwick is your only child?”

“Yes.”

“You were widowed at such a young age,” she said sympathetically.

“Yes,” Daisy agreed.

“Tell me, how do you find the Highlands? I will confess I was quite intimidated when I first arrived. The landscape was so stark and lonely.”

“Oh, I wasn’t intimidated in the least by the landscape,” Daisy said. “I found it quite beautiful. I wish I didn’t have to leave it.”

Lady Mackenzie paused. “Mustyou leave it?” she asked pointedly and watched Daisy closely for her answer.

Goodness, she’d said too much. The lady no doubt had heard much about the Chatwick purse. She said vaguely, “Eventually.”

Lady Mackenzie smiled and resumed their walk. “Have you ever attended afeill?” she asked, politely changing the subject.

Daisy laughed. “No, never.”