Page 26 of Taken By the Highland Villain
“Other things?”
There was another flash of a too-knowing smile, and Valerie’s words stumbled to a stop. It was clear that Moira knew that more than just taking measurements had occurred, even if it hadn’t been intentional. And she wasn’t above teasing her.
I wonder if she dares to tease Laird MacFinn like that… I hope so.
Then, the maid’s gaze drifted to the curtains, and her sly mirth faded into concern. “Och, the Laird willnae like that.”
She hurried forward to close the curtains, but Valerie caught her arm before she could untie the sash. “Och, leave that alone. I need the light to be able to work. Besides, Laird MacFinn kens that I have the curtains open.”
Valerie looked at the page full of notations and the ink-marked cord she would use to fine-tune the measurements when she began making clothes.
She had everything she needed for making as many kilts, shirts, trews, and leggings as Jude could want—a whole new wardrobe if he so desired. Even so, there was another project she had in mind.
She took Moira’s shoulder. “Afore ye begin cleaning, there’s a question I need to ask ye. And if ye’re willing, there’s a project I have in mind that I could use yer help with…”
CHAPTER 12
“Careful, My Laird.”Craig sidestepped Jude’s blade, and Jude growled as he felt the light tap of the practice blade that indicated a potentially fatal hit if they’d been in a real battle. “Ye seem rather distracted.”
“Nae more than ye.” Jude managed to tangle his blade with Craig’s, then landed a blow that made him stumble back. “Another pretty lass gone and turned ye down?”
“Nothin’ of the sort. Ye ken I have a lass I’ve been seein’ for the past couple of months.” Craig shrugged his shoulders and responded with an attack that made Jude step back onto the defensive. “I havenae had a chance to see her in some time, but that doesnae matter. I’m willin’ to wait, and so is she.”
They exchanged another series of blows before Craig continued.
“Speakin’ of love life, I have some interesting information about the Blackwood lass.”
Jude frowned. “Aye?”
“Aye. Did ye ken she’s a widow?”
Jude nearly stumbled in his shock. It was only his reflexes and instinct that kept him from falling. “She’s a what?”
Craig shrugged as he blocked Jude’s next attack and stepped away to evade another. “If my information is correct—and it’s always correct—her faither was Magnus Blackwood, the notorious pirate.”
Jude grunted. That’s where he knew the name from.
Most Highland lairds had heard of the infamous pirate. He also knew the man had died many years ago.
“Aye?”
“Rumor has it that Magnus married his second daughter off to one of his right-hand men. Dinnae ken what happened, but the man was killed shortly after they were wed.” Craig shrugged. “Shortly after, the daughter took her dead husband’s place in her faither’s crew.”
“Explains her bargaining skills,” Jude huffed. “She must have learned to barter with whatever her faither chose to trade his spoils with, and of course, she’d have had to be cutthroat, bargaining on behalf of a clanless band of pirates.”
“Aye,” Craig agreed.
Jude focused on his attacks and defense for a moment, before taking a chance to lock the two of them into a stalemate once again. “And what of Nathan Cullen? How’s the lass associated with him?”
“If stories are to be believed, nae willingly. Apparently, Valerie helped her faither’s men sell some goods—artwork and the like—to Laird MacOlley years ago. Somehow, she caught the bastard’s eye. He’s been pursuing her like a bloodhound after a pheasant ever since. He had lost her for a while, but came back stronger when her sister married Laird MacKane. He has more to gain from the union now.”
Anger bubbled up, hot and bright like molten metal at the smith’s forge, shocking Jude with the intensity of it. He countered Craig’s next attack, then struck back. The blow was fiercer than he’d intended it to be, knocking Craig off balance.
Instinct and anger took over, and before he could quite understand what it was that had possessed him, Jude found himself standing over his disarmed second-in-command, his chest heaving as he fought to control the heated emotions spiraling through him.
He’d thought himself numb to such feelings after Kendra had been taken and his mother had died.
Why does Valerie Blackwood make me feel so protective? I scarcely ken aught about the lass—and I havenae kenned herfor more than a few days. There’s nay reason to feel so strongly about her.