Page 56 of Hunted By the Hard Highlander

“Laird Anderson,” a gruff voice belonging to none other than Sebastian. Laird MacGregor broke from the other lairds, O’Kingsley and MacRaeh not pulling away from their own conversation. “I was wonderin’ when ye would be joinin’ us.”

“Ye ken he isnae one for these crowds,” Laird MacKenzie said, walking over and slapping a hand on Hendry’s shoulder. “Do ye nae remember how difficult it was for him to accept attendin’ ceilidhs to find himself a wife?”

“Aye, I remember it well, Fergus,” Sebastian said. He looked over at O’Kingsley and MacRaeh. “And then our Laird found his bride in a curious way.”

“Yet ye still gave yer seal of approval to the Managers,” Hendry said dryly, though the corner of his mouth tugged upward at their teasing. “And I was correct in sayin’ that hostin’ gatherin’s wouldnae be a wise use of resources.”

“Aye, but it is difficult to plan for somethin’ so unexpected,” O’Kingsley said, turning away from MacRaeh at last. He met Hendry’s gaze, an understanding of the silent war of attrition he was fighting even as the castle prepared for a celebration. “Best ye have contingencies put in place for what ye can plan.”

“He makes an excellent point,” Sebastian replied, looking between Fergus and Hendry. “Now, before yer presence is noted by yer guests, why daenae we take ye to the solar? It seems as if ye could use a glass of whisky and a wee bit of conversation to ease ye into the day festivities of the day.”

“Aye,” Hendry agreed, finally shrugging Fergus’s hand away from his shoulder. “That may be the best idea that I have heard since the Scottish Managers issued their edict.”

Sebastian flashed him a grin that was all teeth, the man’s ease practiced. None of these men were fools. They knew the kind of risk a day like this presented to Hendry, regardless of whether they were aware of the finer details.

It was what made them such powerful allies.

As they stepped away, leaving the beginnings of the ceilidh, Hendry felt the eyes of several groups find him. He was thankful for Sebastian’s request. The suggestion, the refuge his solar offered, was welcome. He’d need to stay sharp, and however subtly, the men he had chosen to be his confidants in battle understood and adjusted.

“Ye must be lookin’ forward to this evenin’,” Fergus said as they stepped inside, a smirk on his lips.

If Hendry had to guess, the man had already indulged in a bit of liquor. He was still sharp, but he was loose enough to indulge in the celebratory mood. Hendry supposed that he would be happier if he followed the other man’s example.

“Aye, I cannae wait until me castle has returned to its regular functionin’,” Hendry replied, walking over to the decanter filled with honey-colored liquid. “Though I have nay intentions of stoppin’ me people from enjoyin’ the company. I may be a hermit by nature, but I amnae a monster.”

“I’m sure ye have enemies and those who have only heard whispers of yer name that would tell anyone differently,” Laird MacRaeh said, accepting a crystal glass when it was offered.

“And that is how I would like to keep it,” Hendry replied without inflection, serving the rest of his men before pouring a tall glass for himself. He looked at the four men that had gathered, all of them battle-hardened, three of them already wed themselves. “I am glad that all of ye were able to attend.”

“Daenae tell us that ye are gettin’ sentimental,” Sebastian said, walking over to the armchair nearest the hearth and settling in.

“Nay,” Hendry scoffed, though there was not as much heat in it as he would have liked. “It isnae sentimental to show me appreciation for me allies.”

“He is teasin’ ye, Laird Anderson,” Fergus said, taking his own seat by the fire. “We ken that ye may nae be in a celebratory mood, but that doesnae mean that we arenae.”

“I am well aware,” Hendry said. He took his post near the window, turned toward the other men in the room while keeping a visual on the situation just outside. “Ye should enjoy yer visit. I think we are all aware that gatherin’s like this one are for the guests, nae the host.”

“That doesnae mean the host cannae allow himself a bit of enjoyment,” O’Kingsley said, his voice low and measured. He brought his glass to his lips, taking a slow sip. “Yer allies are here. Ye ken that nae a single one of us will truly become swept up in the gallantry.”

Hendry sat with that, turning it over in his mind. Though it did nothing to loosen his attentiveness, something in him shifted. If there were to be an attack, he was not alone. He had with him the men that he would not hesitate to go into battle beside here with him.

“Aye. We are an unstoppable front,” Hendry agreed finally, downing the contents of his glass and focusing on the way it burned smoothly all the way down to his stomach. “That is our advantage.”

* * *

“Saints, I daenae think I have ever seen a gown so bonnie,” Isobel said when she stepped into the room. Alba and Margaret followed closely behind, their faces bright with excitement.

“I think the same,” Alba said, stepping around Isobel and heading straight for Aurora. Her fingers brushed against the emerald green sleeve. “The seamstress has truly created a work of art.” Her eyes met Aurora’s. “And ye are part of that piece.”

Aurora blushed, her tongue feeling too big in her mouth. The compliments were a bit overwhelming, the weight of their gazes heavier than they had any right to be. Still, she refused to let herself shy away. Being welcomed into their fold, earning their approval for something as simple as the gown she would be wed in, was a reward in itself.

“I thought the same,” Aurora said finally, smoothing a hand over the front of the dress. “I couldnae believe that somethin’ so fine was made just for me.”

“Ye deserve only the best,” Margaret said decisively. She did not walk over to Aurora, instead making her way to the table where Hilda had laid out the jewels. “And it seems as if yer maid agrees.”

“Aye,” Hilda said, seemingly unable to contain her pride and excitement. “I went through each and every piece of jewelry we had. Then I picked only the ones that would complement her dress and her complexion.”

“Ye have been workin’ on this much longer than ye told me, havenae ye?” Aurora asked, a light chuckle escaping her lips despite the nerves that were building.