Chapter 2 #3
Sure, he would. But she had nothing to show him, anyway, for she was terrible at needlework. For a certainty, she wasn't going to tell him about knife-fighting practice or archery lessons. She preferred that he see her as weak, na?ve, and trusting, for he would underestimate her.
They ate in tense silence for a few minutes. The caramelized root vegetables were delicious, but after a few bites, they sat heavily in her stomach.
She sipped wine and tried to figure out how to get Talnaroch to reveal things. "And you?" she asked. "What is your favorite pastime?"
"Oh, the usual pursuits—running my estates, horse trading, riding, swordplay practice."
He had left out selkie abduction.
"I've traveled to my aunt's a few times, farther south," she added, hoping to bore him to tears.
"Indeed?" He pretended interest. "Where?"
"Near Loch Lomond. Do you travel much?"
"I visit other lairds and chiefs throughout the Highlands. And I must check on my other properties every month or two. I have five estates, you ken." Pride permeated his tone.
He loved to brag, did he not?
"Indeed? Where are they?" she asked.
"All over Scotland. You know about Dalthort... because you've been there." He winked.
She scowled at the horse's arse, but he didn't appear to notice.
He kept naming his properties. "Duncragle, Inverfeld, Glenhaish and Dunrhyne."
She ran the place names through her mind, trying to commit them to memory.
"How fortunate you are." She tried to hide her revulsion.
How could he own so many properties and still be greedy enough to abduct selkies and covet her dowry?
Her father had saved for many years so that she might have something to offer a husband upon her marriage.
It made her ill to imagine this evil knave getting it.
"I'm especially fortunate to be sitting by the loveliest young lady in Scotland tonight," he said.
She rolled her eyes heavenward. Did he think he was charming? His words combined with the scents of onions and fish turned her stomach.
He leaned closer and murmured, "With your stunning beauty, m'lady, I'm surprised you are nay yet married."
His soggy breath on her neck made her cringe, and she drew away. "I have nay inkling why it's surprising."
"You were waiting for me, I think." He sat back, a smug smile tightening his lips.
She frowned. Was he daft enough to believe that? She hated this sort of ridiculous conversation.
"Aye?" He lifted a brow.
Near overcome with disgust, she was unsure whether she could go through with her plan of growing closer to him to learn more about the abductions. Mayhap she should come up with another plan. But what? She could think of no other way.
"Believe what you wish," she said.
Because of her queasy stomach, she refused the brambleberry tarts, unusual for her, for they were her favorite.
When the meal ended, the musicians played a reel on a fiddle, clarsach, and flute. She loved music, but Talnaroch prevented all enjoyment this night. The clansmen pushed the lower tables against the wall, and several couples moved into position.
"Would you honor me with a dance, m'lady?" Talnaroch asked.
She yawned. "I thank you, but nay. I'm exhausted."
He looked skeptical. "And what have you done that's worn you out?"
"I went for a ride."
"Och. You have a hard life, do you not?" He winked again.
She was sick of his loathsome winks and snide comments. Let him think she was a weak, sniveling, useless lass. 'Twould make it easier to accomplish her goal.
"'Haps we could talk in the solar, if your brother will permit it." He glanced to Will on her other side, knowing he'd heard.
"With a chaperone, aye." Will tugged at his wife's sleeve.
Lenora leaned forward and forced a tight smile, easily able to see Elsea was highly uncomfortable, and she did not want the job Will was assigning her.
"My maid could chaperone," Elsea suggested.
"Tilly is dependable," Lenora said.
Will frowned. "Or one of our brothers."
"Nay." Elsea wouldn't speak a word in front of her brothers. They would snicker behind her back. She had to think clearly and see what she could find out about the earl's plans.
***
RICHARD MACGILMONT, the Earl of Talnaroch, sat beside Lady Elsea at the high table, grinning slightly and sipping the barely tolerable spiced wine.
He almost laughed at her family's debate over who would chaperone.
Why the hell did they care? Did they not know the lady had been compromised long before he'd ever met her?
He hoped she had birthed no bastards, but he needed a fertile wife. Of course, he would have to wait a few months to see if she already carried some other man's bastard. He didn't relish that. 'Haps he would have his physician examine her and determine if she was already with child.
Once they wed, his annoying mother would get off his back.
She acted like thirty summers was ancient and decrepit.
He was in his prime, and right now, he was focusing on increasing his fortune.
He didn't have extra time to put into finding the ideal wife.
After observing his parents' marriage for the first twenty-five years of his life, he well knew what a thorn in the flesh his mother had been to his father.
He did not want a replay of that.
Talnaroch had decided Elsea would make an acceptable wife for a few reasons.
One, with her blonde hair and perfect face, she was the most beautiful lady he had ever met.
Two, though she was experienced, she was na?ve and easy to deal with.
Three, 'twas whispered she had a generous dowry.
Four, her brother was a low-ranking rustic chief who would not be ordering him about.
He could install her at Dalthort Castle and get on with his business enterprises. She would never venture to his other four estates.
As for the beautiful selkie lasses, Talnaroch had happened upon them quite by accident.
He had seen them from one of his galleys as he and his men were traveling in the area, searching for the best boat builders.
Through his spyglass, he had observed the stunning, nearly naked women on the island's beach.
One of his guards had informed him they were selkies, evil shapeshifters, and he had best give them a wide berth.
Evil shapeshifters? Ridiculous. Since they weren't human, only looked that way, a lucrative business idea sprang into his mind.
Aside from that, he might even keep two or three for his own entertainment.
He grinned and glanced at Elsea. She had a fine body, slender with curves in all the right places, but all he needed her for was to produce an heir. With her beauty, their children would be bonnie. People had been telling him he was handsome since he was a lad, and he believed them.
His and Elsea's tryst a year and a half ago was the least exciting time he'd spent in bed. She'd been so drunk she couldn't hold her eyes open. He would have to make sure she was fully aware next time.
Previously, she'd been betrothed to the MacCain chief, and the man had clearly seduced her during their engagement.
At the time, Talnaroch had not wanted an experienced bride, and her brother would not have allowed Elsea to be his mistress.
He'd sent her home and washed his hands of her, or so he'd thought.
But when his mother had urged him to marry the penniless Earl of Logan's hideous daughter, he decided to get busy.
His mother would choose a scheming, venomous lady, someone like herself who would try to keep him in line.
Of course, he could refuse, but finding his own bride ahead of time would be less dramatic.
He wanted no attention on his business dealings right now.