Seducing the Highlander (15 page)

“Have you been waiting for me this whole time?” Meriel whispered, sending him a smile that even in the shadows glowed.

“Aye,” he answered, deciding not to divulge his doubts about her plan. Meriel was looking so happy, completely trusting and believing that he was going to help her capture her true love. “But did he believe you?”

Meriel inhaled and looked up to the right. “Enough,” she finally answered. And then added a confident nod.

Hamish, however, was not convinced. “What does that mean?”

“Just that he is not sure either way,” she said with a mischievous grin. “But a part of him
thinks
I could be falling in love with you.”

“So
a part of him
actually suspects the truth? That this is a ruse to make him jealous?” Hamish challenged, trying to keep his voice down.

“Of course,” Meriel said reassuringly. “I had to build Craig’s natural suspicion of being manipulated into our plan. In his mind, by helping me, he can work to dissuade me from falling for you or he can reveal the ‘truth.’ Either way, it is to our advantage. Remember, our goal is not to trick Craig and Wyenda into admitting they have feelings for us. It is to show them what life would be like if we actually were to find someone else. Give them a chance to think about things before it is too late.”

Hamish leaned back against the stone wall, crossed his arms, and shook his head in disbelief. “You women are scary.”

Meriel grinned and lightly elbowed him in the ribs. “Ah, now it’s you who is being jealous. You like the idea of a woman conniving to get a man. You just wish it was Wyenda scheming to get you. But don’t worry; I’m being devious enough for the both of us. This plan will work.”

“And if it doesn’t?”

“Then we will be able to move on without any regrets. We tried our best, but it was not meant to be.”

Hamish had to admit that Meriel’s confidence was infectious, and once again he was falling under her spell. He had intended to talk her out of everything, to let things be, or to at least leave him out of her plans. Instead, he found himself wanting to continue to support her crazy idea to capture the hearts of two very stubborn people. Worse, he was actually eager to get started. With Meriel, there was no telling what was about to happen.

This time, he would not be one of the ones watching the fun and excitement that seemed to gravitate to the McTiernays; he would be a participant. And maybe, just maybe, he might also triumph and actually land a lady’s heart.

Craig strolled out of the smithy and glanced around the busy courtyard. He was about to head toward the kitchens and risk Fiona’s wrath for a midmorning snack when he spied the two people responsible for robbing him of much-needed sleep. Hamish was standing outside the Lower Hall in what looked to be a deep conversation with Seamus, one of his fellow elite guardsmen. Meriel was leaving the North Tower arm in arm with Maegan. Both women paused as if to say good-bye, but instead kept talking. Craig’s eyes skimmed hungrily down Meriel’s graceful figure as she lifted a hand to push an errant tendril of golden-brown hair behind her ear.

She was wearing a pale yellow ankle-length chainse with a rich, gold-colored knee-length bliaut and a matching belt that accentuated her shapely frame. A band of royal blue needlework circled the long sleeves and the gown’s plunging neckline. Her thick hair hung in long graceful curves down her back, highlighting her slender white neck. She was exquisite.

Craig blinked and forced himself to look away. It was then he realized that he had not been the only one to spy her entry into the courtyard. Now that his gaze was no longer captivated by his view of Meriel, he could see that every male within eyesight was frequently glancing, if not outright staring, at Meriel, appreciating what he saw. Craig was half tempted to shout out a reminder of just who they were ogling—Laird Rae Schellden’s daughter. Instead, he decided to help them remember who her protector was and began waving his hand.

After catching her attention, he motioned for her to walk over to him. Meriel quickly hugged Maegan good-bye and began to stroll through the maze of carts, animals, and items yet to be moved into storage. Her expression was one of curiosity, and Craig rubbed his chin with concern. He knew she was going to ask him why he had called her to him. He had to have an answer ready, and unfortunately, only one topic came to mind.
Ideas on how she could spend time with Hamish.

He had avoided thinking about it, for the mental image of the two of them enjoying each other’s company was more than a little unsettling. That he had agreed to aid in the creation of such a happy situation was repugnant. He did not want to help Hamish spend time with Meriel doing anything, let alone something she might like. Suddenly the corners of Craig’s mouth raised a fraction of an inch. He was asking the wrong question.
What activity did Meriel enjoy doing that Hamish was sure to hate?

“Where’s Fallon?” Meriel teased as she met up with Craig outside the stables. Everyone knew how seriously the McTiernay steward took his many duties and responsibilities, but never more so than when one of Conor’s brothers was left in charge. Craig was beginning to believe the man actually searched for squabbles for him to mitigate.

“Hopefully far, far away,” Craig answered sardonically.

“So I see.” Meriel’s genial mouth curved into a luscious smile and her eyes sparkled at him, almost as if she suspected the truth, that he had no real reason for waving her over. “Normally, Fallon or Laurel has you so busy that we never get a chance to talk during the day. Why am I so lucky this morning?”

“Umm, I just wanted to let you know that I have an idea of how you can spend
valid
time with Hamish.”

Meriel’s eyes grew large for several seconds as she tried to discern if he was being serious. Deciding that he was, she clapped her hands together. “Truly?”

Her honest joy at the prospect of seeing Hamish momentarily rattled Craig. “Aye,” he answered after a long pause. Then on a much more confident note, he inquired, “What can you do better than anyone else?”

Skepticism invaded Meriel’s expression. “Make tapestries,” she said slowly.

Craig closed his eyes, wondering if Meriel was intentionally working at being exasperating. “You
sew
,” he groaned.

Meriel furrowed her brow and crossed her arms. “Actually there is much more than just sewing when working on a tapestry. There is knitting, felting, plaiting, lace making . . . not to mention understanding how to do the various types of weaves and stitches. There is also the design aspect to consider, having to determine the size of the piece as well as where to place—”

Craig threw up a hand to stop her from going any further. She had once lectured him on the intricacies of weaving a tapestry, and he had done his best to forget everything she had said. The one thing he could still remember on the topic was that it made his head hurt. “I’m not talking about tapestries. I’m talking about
clothes
.”

“Clothes?” she repeated, her brows remaining scrunched. “A lot of women sew clothes. How is making a new dress going to help me win Hamish?”

“Not for you!” Craig yelled in frustration, catching the brief attention of those nearby. Then, bringing his voice back down, he flung his hand toward Hamish, who thankfully was still talking with Seamus outside the Lower Hall. “For him!” Craig huffed. “Remember when you offered to make me a new shirt, but I did not have the time to stand around while you did whatever you do?”

“
That’s
the reason you refused?”

Craig shrugged his shoulders upon hearing the incredulity in her voice. “Why else? Anyway, Hamish could use some new clothes by the looks of it. Why not offer to make him a kilt and a leine? You’ve been sewing things for everyone else around here. The request should not seem out of the ordinary.”

A flicker of apprehension flashed on Meriel’s face and she bit her bottom lip. “What if he refuses?”

Craig rolled his eyes. “I’m not going to do everything, Meriel. You wanted help with ideas and I gave you one.” He again pointed to Hamish, who had just clapped Seamus on the back, a clear sign their conversation was done. “There he is. Now go over there and convince him that getting a new outfit will be fun.”

“Fun?
Now?
” she asked, clearly uncomfortable with the idea.

“Aye, now,” Craig affirmed, eager to see Hamish’s rejection. “Best do it when people are around. This way he’ll be inclined to accept just to keep from offending you in front of everyone.”

Meriel crossed her arms and narrowed her gaze in an effort to mask her true thoughts. “You really don’t know Hamish very well. He is like you. If he does not want to do something, he is not going to do it, whether people can hear his rejection or not.” Taking a deep, unsteady breath, she stepped back and before turning away said, “But since I asked for your advice, I will at least try.”

Craig watched as Meriel ambled across the courtyard, briefly saying something to Seamus as he headed in the opposite direction. Whatever it was, it caused the seasoned soldier to break out into a lofty grin, reigniting Craig’s earlier feelings of possessiveness. Then without warning something hard collided into his back.

“Mo creach!”
Craig hissed as the stable master opened the door to grab some leather straps hanging on a hook outside the stables. He gave Craig a strange look and turned his head to see what was of so much interest. Craig, realizing that he had just been caught staring at Meriel, grimaced fiercely at the old man, who wisely retreated back into the stables without a word. Craig then stepped into the shadows and returned his attention to Meriel.

He felt his jaw clench. She was standing directly in front of Hamish, who was looking down at her far too attentively as she spoke. Craig waited for Hamish’s reaction, knowing that the idea was going to fill his friend with the same nausea he had experienced. Too many times had Craig inadvertently witnessed women gathered together working on some garment, jabbering on as someone tried to pin a piece of fabric into place. The thought of standing there for hours as someone poked at him, draping materials over his shoulders and arms, was the least appealing way Craig could imagine for a man and woman to spend time together.

At last, Meriel stopped speaking and Hamish began to talk, no doubt trying to be kind and as charming as possible as he turned her down. But after he had spoken just a few words, Meriel started to talk again, this time more animatedly. Obviously, she had not mentioned the idea yet. Craig was beginning to wonder if she would, when he finally saw Hamish’s eyes widen before looking down at his clothes.

Any moment now
, Craig hummed to himself quietly. Should he go in at the first sign of horror, or wait until Hamish fully unleashed his disgust at the idea? Craig was still wrestling with whether he should help persuade his friend to accept Meriel’s offer when she glanced over her shoulder and winked at him before returning her attention back to Hamish.

Craig was stunned. The small part of his brain still functioning was quite relieved that he was leaning on the stable wall, for otherwise he most likely would have fallen. Meriel had
winked
at him. What the hell did that mean? Refusing to speculate, Craig shoved himself upright and marched right over to where she and Hamish were talking.

“
Dia dhuit
.”

Hamish stopped in midsentence and grinned, unruffled by the interruption. “Hello to you.”

With pursed lips, Craig turned to Meriel, who was beaming with delight. “You seem pretty excited about something,” he grumbled.

Meriel nodded, but it was Hamish who responded to the implied question. “Seems our mutual friend here thinks I need some new clothes and that she should be the person to make them for me. I must admit to being surprised by the idea.”

Craig scratched his chin in an effort to hide his thoughts. Perhaps Meriel needed his help after all. “You
could
use them, my friend,” he said, pointing at the tattered end of one of Hamish’s sleeves. “What’s wrong? Scared of a woman with a needle?”

Hamish, with a significant lifting of his right brow, gave Craig a puzzled look and said, “Hardly. We were discussing when she could start.”

A momentary flare of annoyance shot through Craig. No man in his right mind would agree to such a request. Hamish was many things, but he was not foolish enough to subjugate himself to a male’s version of purgatory unless there was a greater purpose behind his acceptance. Only one thing made sense. Hamish had somehow been persuaded to be part of Meriel’s scheme.

“You are a better man than I,” Craig commented coolly. “I couldn’t imagine standing there as women twittered around me, acting as if I was their new toy.”

“
First of all
,” Meriel snapped, “there will be no
women
; just me. And I dare you to search your memory and find a single time I have ever
twittered
.”

Hamish let go a deep belly laugh that caught the attention of those walking close by. “I’d advise you to beg forgiveness now, Craig. One thing I have learned is that Meriel is one incredibly feisty lady when riled.”

Meriel? Feisty?
Craig repeated to himself. Hamish was right, but Craig had not thought his friend had spent enough time with Meriel to recognize that quality in her. Worse, it was a particular characteristic that Hamish happened to appreciate in women. “Believe me, I am fully aware of the more spirited side of Meriel’s personality,” Craig muttered, further annoyed that his tone had betrayed his emotional state. In an effort to change the subject and put Hamish on the defensive, Craig added, “I am just very surprised you so quickly agreed to participate in something so unpleasant.”

Meriel shifted her stance so that her glower could be seen only by Craig.
What are you trying to do? Convince Hamish to refuse? This is your idea
, she mouthed through silent lips before returning to her previous position.

“Ahh, but that is because you were never trying to impress a lady who held very high standards,” Hamish countered.

“You mean Wyenda? Because unless your new clothes come with a title, she is not going to consider you, my friend. It’s a waste of time,” Craig declared before he could stop himself.

This time Meriel held nothing back in her threatening glare. Unwilling to take a chance that Craig might actually convince Hamish against her making him some new clothes, she grabbed Hamish’s arm and started to lead him away. “We could begin tomorrow afternoon, if you can make yourself available.”

Hamish shrugged. “Aye, that would be agreeable. And just where is all this fun going to take place?”

“Since we want to keep this a surprise from Wyenda, we best meet in secret. How about . . . the North Tower?”

Craig made a choking sound and stomped up to join them once again. “In your bedchamber?” he barked in a low, menacing tone. “I think not!”

“I am not a fool, Craig!” Meriel hissed, coming to a stop. “I was thinking of Conan’s workroom. He’s gone, and no one would think to look there for either of us.”

Silence followed as Craig gaped at her in shock. Meriel was staring back, waiting for him to get truly riled and shout out another objection. Instead, Craig snapped his jaw shut. His lips stretched into a thin smile. Oh, the woman was fiendishly clever, but not enough to outwit him. Meriel had
known
he could still hear their conversation and had anticipated his reaction. If she thought to trick him and then claim that his anger was the display of a jealous lover, she was going to be disappointed. He refused to be manipulated by anyone—but especially her.

“As long as you are comfortable with that decision,” Craig finally taunted under his breath.

“Oh, I am,” Meriel replied through gritted teeth, anger snapping in her green eyes. Then she turned back to Hamish and pulled him aside to discuss what garments he needed the most.

This time Craig did not follow. Mostly because he suspected she wanted him to, but the woman was playing a game that she was going to lose. But the fact that Hamish had appeared so damned earnest about needing and wanting a new outfit rankled. Craig knew it was ridiculous. No doubt Hamish was under strict orders to willingly participate in any idea put forward. Still, the man did not need to look so happy at the prospect of being tortured.