X Marks the Scot

X Marks the Scot by Victoria Roberts Read Free Book Online

Book: X Marks the Scot by Victoria Roberts Read Free Book Online
Authors: Victoria Roberts
at her and gave her a roguish grin. “Looking like that, lass, I bet the packs are fighting over ye. Ye look beautiful.”
    She smiled at the compliment. “So do ye.”
    He raised a brow. “I donna think ye are to say those words to a man, lass. Ye are to consider me handsome or the like. Nae beautiful.”
    She waved him off. “I know exactly what I said, MacGregor. Ye are handsome and ye know it. In fact, ye are more bonny than most women.” She giggled. “It should be a sin for a man to be so bonny.”
    As she leaned in close, her lavender scent teased his senses. “Think ye, aye? I only know one thing for certain. I am nae as beautiful as ye look this eve, healer.” Her flush deepened to crimson. Declan took her hand and brushed a kiss on the top of it, looking into her emerald eyes. She was stunning.
    “There you are, Liadain. I was searching for you.” Viscountess Cranborne approached with a wide smile. “I wanted to thank you. The herbs that you brewed made me feel remarkably better.”
    Releasing the healer’s hand promptly, Declan smiled in greeting. “Viscountess Cranborne. A pleasure to see ye again. Ye look well.”
    “Thanks to Liadain. I must apologize for my earlier—”
    “Please, there is nay need for apologies. Ye are a woman with child. I am joyful I was able to assist ye. Ye look much improved.”
    Instinctively, the viscountess raised her hand to her face. “I do feel somewhat better. I would never forgive myself if I missed Robert’s celebration. His Majesty certainly spared no expense,” she said, glancing around the hall. Looking back to Liadain, Robert’s wife leaned closer. “So tell me. You said that you knew Robert when he visited with the Earl of Argyll. That was when? Four or five years ago?”
    “Three,” the healer said.
    “What was he like then? You must tell me. Robert doesn’t like to speak about his past. Sometimes I think he doesn’t want me to hear that he took to the drink or the women.”
    Declan moved in an instinctive gesture of comfort, placing his hand again at the small of the healer’s back. Her body screamed with unreleased tension.
    His fingers gently rubbed her.
    She squared her shoulders. “There isnae much to say to that. I was young and he would visit Archie upon occasion.”
    Suddenly, cheers erupted through the hall as the king in his long, flowing robes entered with Cranborne. His Majesty smiled in greeting as they walked to the dais, his hand on Cranborne’s shoulder. The king’s actions certainly erased any doubts Declan had about Cranborne’s relationship to the realm.
    The entire hall was silenced as the king raised his hands. “It is with great pleasure that we gather to honor Viscount Cranborne. His efforts assisted us in signing the peace treaty with Spain.” King James spoke in a tone filled with respect. Reaching down, he grabbed his gold cup, lifting it high, and added, “To Viscount Cranborne.”
    Raising their own cups in response, men and women cheered—well, everyone but the healer. Declan did not blame her. He was surprised she held together as well as she did. As the viscountess joined her husband on the dais, Declan snatched the healer’s wrist and pulled her toward a table, spotting Percy, Catesby, and Fawkes. The men stood immediately upon their approach.
    “My lady, how wonderful to see you,” said Catesby, giving the healer a slight bow. “Pray allow me to introduce Mr. Thomas Percy and Mr. Guy Fawkes.”
    She nodded politely. “Mr. Percy. Mr. Fawkes.”
    ***
    MacGregor pulled out her chair and she gave him a puzzled smile. The rogue was obviously trying to behave as a gentleman, and for once, Liadain welcomed the kind gesture. She did not think her nerves could withstand much more.
    “I was just speaking of your prowess with the bow, MacGregor,” said Catesby, taking a drink of ale and studying Declan with a glazed expression.
    She raised her brow and cast a glance at MacGregor, regarding him with curiosity.

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