Chapter 40
Bex was more than surprised when, after the small but poignant ‘Selkirk Grace’, the pipe music resumed and people rose to their feet and began clapping.
‘What’s happening?’ she hissed to Yohan.
‘They’re Piping in the Haggis,’ he replied.
The haggis? Bex craned her head to see where the music was coming from, and it was only when the piper came into view that Bex realised he wasn’t alone. He was indeed followed by a small woman, who was carrying a silver platter on which sat several large haggises.
A round of applause filled the room, gradually turning into louder rhythmic clapping, which only ceased when a loud cheer erupted as the haggises were ceremoniously placed on the table.
‘Now, I shall read “Address to a Haggis”,’ Kieron announced.
‘He’s going to read a poem to a haggis?’ The journalist beside Bex gawped.
‘Yes,’ Bex said curtly, ignoring the fact that she, too, had been more than a little surprised by this.
It was hard to take her eyes off Kieron as he spoke.
He really was magnificent in the role of laird, and as he recited the Robert Burns poem, with his voice commanding and full of expression, a wide grin filled his face.
The type of grin she’d rarely seen him share in the castle.
Perhaps things had changed after she’d kissed him, not that she wanted to think too deeply about that.
This smile reminded her far more of the man she had met at the airport.
When he finished, a hearty round of applause followed, and more toasts were raised. This time to the haggis itself.
Bex doubted she’d ever toast food again after this day, and yet the moment felt phenomenal.
The mood was celebratory, almost wedding-like, and the food was delicious.
So much so that somewhere during the meal, she forgot that she hadn’t wanted to talk to the journalist, and happily listened to her prattle on about the vibe of various other places she’d visited.
They started with cock-a-leekie soup, followed by haggis, neeps and tatties.
For dessert, there was a tipsy laird, which Bex learned was a trifle drenched in alcohol.
By the time the meal ended, Bex was feeling more than a little merry after all the wine she’d consumed, but whether it was because of the atmosphere, or because she’d only had one proper walk in days, she found herself desperate to keep going.
To soak up every moment of the magnificent night.
She had just reached over to fill her glass when Kieron once again rose. There was no doubt he liked this part of the lairdship. The role of the host suited him. Maybe he didn’t know much about the village or the land, but that could come with time. If he made enough of an effort.
‘I hope you’ve enjoyed my food and hospitality,’ he said, his cheeks slightly flushed with a hue of drink. ‘But the evening isn’t over yet. Please, dance, sing and have fun!’
Bex didn’t need to be told twice and as she turned about in her chair, she saw Lorna already grabbing Eilidh and pulling her into the ballroom to dance. Ready to join them, she stood up, only to find her path blocked.
‘Rebecca.’ Kieron’s eyes were practically sparkling as he looked at her. ‘I hope you didn’t mind my little toast earlier. I realised when I saw just how embarrassed you were that I probably should have checked you didn’t mind me doing it first.’
‘It was fine,’ Bex said. ‘Unexpected but fine.’
From the way Kieron’s lips twisted, he clearly didn’t believe her.
‘Well, I promise not to do it again, without warning, but I do believe we agreed to a dance,’ he said, offering his hand.
Her eyes moved across the room. If she was honest with herself, she knew exactly who she was looking for, but she was holding out no hope of seeing him.
Still, it didn’t matter. Duncan had made it clear how he felt about her, and tomorrow, when she was clear-headed, she would tell him the truth.
She felt the same. She wanted to be with him.
Whatever it took. Then they would sit down like adults and work out how they were going to make it work.
After stripping each other naked, obviously.
But for now, the least she could do was dance with Kieron.
After all, he was the person who had scooped her up out of the snow and carried her back here.
And she liked him as a person. She would use the dance to friend-zone him in the nicest possible way, she decided.
Explaining that the kiss had been, like he said, down to trauma and nothing more.
He was a grown man. A gentleman even. He would understand.
As he took her hand, Bex felt the infectious energy of the room sparking through her. The room, and her new beginning. Perhaps she wouldn’t even wait till tomorrow to talk to Duncan. She would have a few dances and go find him. Yes, that was exactly what she’d do.
‘One dance would be lovely,’ she said and followed Kieron through to the ballroom.