MacKinnons’ guest and you shall act accordingly. If I receive word that you are out of line in any way, I will send you to the closest nunnery and you will not see our family again. Is that understood?”
I could not think of a worse fate than being sent to a nunnery. I respected those individuals who so willingly gave their lives to God, but it was not a life for me. I would spend my days yearning for more. I knew that and so as always, I would do as my father said. “Yes, sir.”
I smoothed out the skirts of my floral gown—one of several new dresses my parents had given me, no doubt to impress the man that they wished for me to marry.
My dad exited the carriage first and I could hear him share pleasantries with the MacKinnons.
I forced a smile as I stepped from the carriage.
A middle-aged man with dark hair and blue eyes approached. “Miss Murray. We are so very pleased to have you with us. It has been far too long. How lovely you are.”
Lady MacKinnon was strikingly beautiful—her skin like porcelain, her dark hair worn up. She had such fine features and amazing eyes—brilliant blue eyes that radiated warmth and kindness. “May I call you Margot?” she asked, and I nodded, knowing already that we would get on well.
Two girls ran out, one about my age, the other slightly younger, their smiles welcoming.
“My sons are out hunting now, and you will meet them at dinner.”
I opened my mouth to respond, but my father beat me to it. “She is looking forward to meeting them.”
“Please, come in,” Laird MacKinnon said as two servants rushed past us and picked up my trunk.
Laird MacKinnon lifted a brow at my father. “Will you not be staying, Marcus?”
My father shook his head. “Nay, I must return home immediately…though I do have time for a brandy.”
Of course he had time for a brandy. He always had time to drink.
The youngest MacKinnon daughter had given up her room during her visit, telling me that she was happy to share with her sister, and I was grateful for her generosity.
As I settled into my room, I heard my father’s booming voice as he talked about himself. What did I expect? After all, he was his own favorite subject.
I watched him leave an hour later. He had not even bothered to say goodbye.
I stood at the window and watched as the carriage took him away, back home. It was strange how much relief I felt at seeing the carriage diminish into a spot on the horizon. I lay my hands against my tightly corseted waist and released the breath I’d been unconsciously holding.
I nearly stepped away from the window when I saw two riders approach. They waved as they passed the carriage, and I watched with anticipation the closer they came. Both men carried bows and arrows, and had some kind of small animal hanging from the saddle. They were young men—both with dark hair, one wearing his tresses longer, rakishly.
I smiled.
Ian and Duncan. The beautiful MacKinnon brothers.
Duncan glanced up at the window and my breath caught in my throat. I knew I should step away, but I didn’t. He lifted his hand and waved. Instinctively, I waved back. Following his gaze, Ian looked up at the window.
He didn’t wave, but instead gave a curt nod…and flashed a smile that made my heart skip a beat.
I could feel heat race up my neck to my cheeks.
Anticipation rushing through me, I stepped away from the window and went to the wardrobe. Lady MacKinnon had said that supper would be at five o’clock. A servant had already come in and unloaded my things, putting my dresses in a wardrobe.
I nearly wore the same gown I’d arrived in, but it was so crumpled that I changed, wearing a simple, yet stylish, light green dress.
Ian’s youngest sister came to get me, and we walked into the dining room.
Ian stood at the fireplace, talking to his brother.
Dressed in charcoal breeches, knee-high black boots and a navy shirt, Ian looked the epitome of the son of the Scottish laird that he was. “Miss Murray,
I could not think of a worse fate than being sent to a nunnery. I respected those individuals who so willingly gave their lives to God, but it was not a life for me. I would spend my days yearning for more. I knew that and so as always, I would do as my father said. “Yes, sir.”
I smoothed out the skirts of my floral gown—one of several new dresses my parents had given me, no doubt to impress the man that they wished for me to marry.
My dad exited the carriage first and I could hear him share pleasantries with the MacKinnons.
I forced a smile as I stepped from the carriage.
A middle-aged man with dark hair and blue eyes approached. “Miss Murray. We are so very pleased to have you with us. It has been far too long. How lovely you are.”
Lady MacKinnon was strikingly beautiful—her skin like porcelain, her dark hair worn up. She had such fine features and amazing eyes—brilliant blue eyes that radiated warmth and kindness. “May I call you Margot?” she asked, and I nodded, knowing already that we would get on well.
Two girls ran out, one about my age, the other slightly younger, their smiles welcoming.
“My sons are out hunting now, and you will meet them at dinner.”
I opened my mouth to respond, but my father beat me to it. “She is looking forward to meeting them.”
“Please, come in,” Laird MacKinnon said as two servants rushed past us and picked up my trunk.
Laird MacKinnon lifted a brow at my father. “Will you not be staying, Marcus?”
My father shook his head. “Nay, I must return home immediately…though I do have time for a brandy.”
Of course he had time for a brandy. He always had time to drink.
The youngest MacKinnon daughter had given up her room during her visit, telling me that she was happy to share with her sister, and I was grateful for her generosity.
As I settled into my room, I heard my father’s booming voice as he talked about himself. What did I expect? After all, he was his own favorite subject.
I watched him leave an hour later. He had not even bothered to say goodbye.
I stood at the window and watched as the carriage took him away, back home. It was strange how much relief I felt at seeing the carriage diminish into a spot on the horizon. I lay my hands against my tightly corseted waist and released the breath I’d been unconsciously holding.
I nearly stepped away from the window when I saw two riders approach. They waved as they passed the carriage, and I watched with anticipation the closer they came. Both men carried bows and arrows, and had some kind of small animal hanging from the saddle. They were young men—both with dark hair, one wearing his tresses longer, rakishly.
I smiled.
Ian and Duncan. The beautiful MacKinnon brothers.
Duncan glanced up at the window and my breath caught in my throat. I knew I should step away, but I didn’t. He lifted his hand and waved. Instinctively, I waved back. Following his gaze, Ian looked up at the window.
He didn’t wave, but instead gave a curt nod…and flashed a smile that made my heart skip a beat.
I could feel heat race up my neck to my cheeks.
Anticipation rushing through me, I stepped away from the window and went to the wardrobe. Lady MacKinnon had said that supper would be at five o’clock. A servant had already come in and unloaded my things, putting my dresses in a wardrobe.
I nearly wore the same gown I’d arrived in, but it was so crumpled that I changed, wearing a simple, yet stylish, light green dress.
Ian’s youngest sister came to get me, and we walked into the dining room.
Ian stood at the fireplace, talking to his brother.
Dressed in charcoal breeches, knee-high black boots and a navy shirt, Ian looked the epitome of the son of the Scottish laird that he was. “Miss Murray,
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