Hearts of Highland Fire

Chapter 7

7

“And that over there is the eldest of seven children. He’s going tae be one of mah warriors, perhaps even mah second in command one day.”

Gretna barely glanced at the tall Scot laughing with another at the nearby table, wondering how much James expected her to remember about their conversation. She knew that he was attempting to familiarize herself with his clan and her future, but she was finding it hard to keep up with everything. Or, actually, listen at all.

It wasn’t that she didn’t like his voice. Nay, his voice was strong and soothing, light and teasing when need be, and matching the expression in his eyes. He was clearly passionate about the going-ons of his clan, stopping more than once to converse with his da, making sure that he was telling Gretna the appropriate parts of his stories.

But despite his words and compliments, Gretna found her eyes wandering about the cavernous great hall for a familiar face. True to his word, Remy was seated a few tables away with his men, a tankard in his hand and his eyes seemingly always on Gretna. More than once, their gazes had met and he had arched a brow questioningly as if to ask if she needed him.

Each time she had blushed and turned her attention back to her suitor, but it didn’t stop Gretna from feeling the heated gaze on her even when she wasn’t looking. What was happening to her? Remy was not a suitable husband for her, nor should she even be entertaining the notion! He was her brother’s closest friend, a mere captain of the guard. He couldn’t give her a fine keep such as this one, or a title that would be befitting of all the hard work that Gretna had done all her life.

He couldn’t possibly be the person she would fall desperately in love with. After all, she had plenty of time to do so in the past and Remy wasn’t the type of man to settle on one lass. Gretna had watched his prowlings repeatedly over the years.

“Gretna?”

Realizing her mind had wandered yet again, she gave a beaming smile to James. “I’m verra sorry. I was thinking aboot how lovely this all is. Ye shouldna have gone tae such lengths for mah.”

James reached for her hand that had been resting on the table and brought it up to his lips. “Ye deserve this and more, Gretna. I can only hope in mah humbling heart that ye see that.”

He was saying all the right things to her, yet Gretna didn’t feel the spark she had hoped to find. Instead, she felt, well, irritation that it wasn’t there. Could she give up the one thing she had wanted most in her life? Could she forgo love for this sort of marriage?

James didn’t release her hand, instead rubbing his thumb over her knuckles and Gretna suddenly remembered the way that Remy’s touch had felt and how her body had reacted to it.

Nay! She had to stop! He wasn’t her future, the Scot before her was.

“More wine?”

Gretna looked up to find the maid from earlier standing over them, a bottle in her hand. Hastily she pulled her hand away from James’ and picked up her cup, holding it aloft. “Please.”

The maid tipped the bottle, but instead of hitting Gretna’s cup, the red liquid splashed onto her bodice instead, staining the white cloth immediately. “Oh!”

“Trista!” James thundered, causing the maid to flinch. “Whatever are ye doing?” He shoved his chair back and reached for his cloth napkin, nearly starting to dab at the liquid before Gretna moved out of his way, her cheeks reddening. Not only had James just called the maid by her first name but she was soaked with red wine and he wished to help clean her bosom! “I must clean mahself,” Gretna forced out, pushing to her feet.

James frowned, pausing with his napkin. “Allow mah tae help ye.”

“I will help her.”

Gretna’s knees went weak with relief as Remy appeared at her elbow, taking it in his capable hand. “I will escort her tae her chamber,” he was telling James, his fingers barely pressing into her skin. “Tae change.”

James’ gaze narrowed. “I can do that.”

Remy gave him a tight smile. “It wouldna be proper of course. I have been charged tae watch over her.”

Gretna tried not to grimace at the feel of the cold wine starting to seep into her skin, the smell overpowering. “Tis alright, James. I will return shortly. I swear it.”

James’ jaw didn’t unclench, but he did step back and allow Gretna to pass, Remy steering her through the crowd of people. There were stares and whispers, but Remy kept Gretna moving. “Donna let them see yer weakness,” he said softly. “Show them wot sort of Wallace ye are, lass.”

He was right. Gretna lifted her chin and didn’t allow them to see how upset she was at a ruined dress. When they finally reached her chamber, Remy pushed open the door and they both stepped inside. “Ye donna have tae go back,” he said, releasing her elbow. “I can make yer regrets.”

Gretna shook her head, looking down at her sodden bodice. “Nay. Tis in mah honor. I must go back.” She had to show that maid, who was starting to seem as if she was vindictive toward Gretna, and the entire room that she wasn’t going to let this make her cower and hide. “I just need tae change.”

Remy didn’t look at all pleased by her announcement, but he didn’t object when Gretna pointed at the door. “I will be right outside.”

When Gretna was certain the door was shut, she quickly stripped off her ruined gown and wiped the remainder of wine from her chest, choosing to slip on another stunning gown that would match the ribbons in her hair. When she paused by the mirror, Gretna noted the color on her cheeks, how her eyes were wide and sighed. Hopefully James wouldn’t see this as a setback in her character. After all, she could have railed at the maid and demanded help, but she hadn’t. She had taken it as gracefully as someone who had wine poured on them could.

Now it was time to put this past her and move forward.

Gretna opened the door and Remy pushed off the wall across from it, giving her a critical look.

“I think I like this one better.”

His words. It was ridiculous how her heart galloped just a bit faster at his praise. “Well, this canna happen often. I will run out of gowns.”

Remy gave her a slow smile and Gretna’s lungs tightened. It was that smile that had weakened the knees of many lasses in their clan, just as it was happening to her right now. “I would hate for ye tae have tae walk around in yer underthings then. The Scot wouldna be able tae keep his eyes or his hands tae himself.”

Gretna’s lips parted at the mere thought of Remy’s calloused hands on her scantily clad body instead and not that of James’ overly smooth ones. If he was the ladies’ man that everyone made him out to be, he would know exactly what to do with his hands.

Nay! This was ridiculous! This was Remy, not her suitor!

“I should return before someone comes looking for mah.”

The light went out of Remy’s eyes and he held out his arm. “Then let’s get back tae the feast.”

This time, Gretna didn’t say a word as they made their way back to the great hall, but when they arrived, dancing had started and they could not see the high table amongst all the dancers crowding the area.

Not only that, it was a song she was familiar with, one that she dearly loved as a young bairn. It was the song she had expected to one day dance with her suitor to and fall madly in love. A couple nearly bumped into them and Gretna had to move closer to Remy, who immediately placed his hand at her lower back, his touch burning her through several layers of clothing.

They would never get anywhere right now. Turning to him, she tugged on his tunic.

“Dance with mah.”

Perhaps if they were part of the fray, then she could get close to the high table once more and find James, repair something from this horrid night so far.

Remy’s eyes widened. “Wot?”

“Dance with mah,” she repeated, arching a brow. “Unless ye donna know how.”

His lips quickened to a grin and he swept her in his arms, earning a squeal from Gretna as he did so.

“Lass, ye dinna know wot ye have started.”

Gretna rested her hand on his shoulder, feeling her heart start to race with excitement.

“Show mah then, Remy Wallace.”