Page 18 of Taken By the Highland Villain
Some of the tension left her shoulders, and her heart was light as she turned to bargain with the cloth merchant for her purchases.
It took almost every silver left in the pouch Jude had given her, but she was able to acquire everything she had set aside, alongwith the bolt of water-colored silk. By the time she had finished bargaining, two men wearing MacFinn tartan had arrived from the castle, directed by Jude to assist with their purchases.
Valerie and the merchant loaded her purchases on the horses they’d brought, and one of the men nodded respectfully to her before he left. “My Laird said he would be in the tavern, waitin’ for ye when ye’re done.”
“Thank ye.” Valerie smiled and made her way to the tavern.
She found Jude sitting inside, at a table near the window. His seat was shrouded in shadow, but his position gave him an excellent view of the street. Two plates of bread, mutton, and hard cheese sat in front of him, along with two mugs of what turned out to be fruit cordial.
The moment he spotted her, he waved her to the seat. “I had them make a plate for ye.”
“Thank ye.” Valerie took a long sip of the cordial, glad to drink something after having talked her throat dry. “I…”
“Eat.” Jude gestured to the plate.
Valerie took several bites, and the rest of the ache in her gut eased. Once she felt sated and her throat was no longer sore, she slowed her pace and looked up at her tablemate. “Thank ye for the fabric.”
“It wasnae much.” Jude shrugged his shoulders again, looking away.
“It matters, even so. Besides, I also wanted to thank ye for dealin’ with that man earlier.” Heat rose in her cheeks, a blush born of equal parts embarrassment and uncertainty, but she forced herself not to look away. “It is the first time I’ve ever seen him worried or scared.”
Jude snorted. “His sort dinnae have any courage for a confrontation with someone of their strength or greater. I assume that ye never saw him face down a beast.”
Valerie laughed, surprised by the dry quip. “I admit, yer beard is wild enough that it does make ye look fierce.”
“Does it?” Jude frowned.
But any response she might have given was cut off by the appearance of the barmaid. Jude drained his tankard and set it down, then handed over some coppers.
Once the barmaid had left again, he turned his attention back to Valerie, his brow furrowed. “I confess I was surprised to hear that ye’re gettin’ married, particularly to a man like that. Ye dinnae seem to care for him that much, especially given how much ye appreciated seein’ him set back on his heels.”
Valerie flushed. “’Tis nae what ye think. He may talk about being my future husband, but there’s nay real agreement—just hisinsistence that things be ashewants them to be, regardless of what anyone else wants.”
Jude’s expression didn’t change. “Then why nae send him packing? Ye’re stubborn enough—tell him ye’ve nay interest, instead of flattering him and making excuses and dancing around him like ye think he’ll bite. He’s a bastard, nae a rabid dog.”
Valerie’s lips curled into a bitter smile. “Are ye sure about that? I’m nae.” Then, she shook her head, dispelling her thoughts. “I appreciate that ye came to my aid and defended me from him today, but even so…”
“Why can ye nae tell him to get lost and take his attentions elsewhere?” Jude’s eyes glinted with what she thought might be humor. “And if ye think he’s a rabid dog, why nae put him out of his misery?”
“I have my reasons.” She saw him open his mouth and shook her head. “Come now, My Laird, ye cannae demand answers if ye’re nae willing to give any in return. I might tell ye more about what’s between me and Laird MacOlley if ye tell me where and how ye were injured.”
Jude scowled. “’Tis nae of any importance. Nae a story to tell every seamstress who comes wanderin’ into my castle.” Valerie raised a pointed eyebrow at him, and after a moment, he relented with a huff. “Yer point is made.”
They lapsed into silence, and Valerie took the opportunity to concentrate on her food. Jude seemed content for her to take her time while he sat and watched the patrons of the inn and the folk in the square with a casually attentive gaze.
He waited for her to finish her meal, then rose. “’Tis time to go back. Yer purchases should be waiting for ye when we arrive.”
Valerie nodded and followed him, her heart lighter than it had been since her first encounter with Nathan Cullen months ago.
Nathan Cullen, the Laird of Clan MacOlley, watched with a scowl on his handsome features as Valerie Blackwood and Jude Reid, the Laird of Clan MacFinn, ate together.
He saw the way Valerie smiled at her companion, and anger boiled within him.
Valerie. She washisValerie. The masterpiece that would perfect his collection of priceless artwork. She was beautiful as the painting that hung in his study, perfection embodied, and hewouldhave her.
Laird MacFinn…
Nathan snorted. The man was a brute, a beast. He had no right to even look at such an exquisite being as Valerie Blackwood,much less talk to her or touch her. And he certainly had no right to try and claim her attentions or take her away.