about,' she insisted. 'I could tell you stories that would turn your hair gray. Why, I've known women who have burst into tears just because Laird Buchanan glanced in their direction.'
Gillian laughed. 'That's absurd.'
'It's true,' Bridgid continued. 'I was in the hall speaking to my laird, and he was there.'
'And did he make you cry?'
'No, of course not. I'm not a weakling like some of the women here. But I'll tell you this. I couldn't look him in the eye.'
'I promise you, he isn't so fierce.'
Bridgid patted Gillian's arm and gave her a look that suggested she thought she was terribly naive. Then she glanced at the top of the hill again. 'Oh, dear, he isn't leaving. I think he's waiting for us.'
Gillian latched onto Bridgid's arm and pulled her along, forgetting for the moment that she still held her shoe in her other hand. 'I promise you that you'll like Dylan.'
Bridgid snorted. 'I doubt that. Gillian, do listen to me. Since you're going to be my friend, I must advise you to stay clear of all the Buchanans, especially their laird. He won't hurt you, but he'll scare you half to death.'
'I don't scare easily.'
'I don't either,' she said. 'You just don't understand. Take my advice and stay away from him.'
'That's going to be difficult.'
'Why?'
'I'm betrothed to the man.'
Bridgid stumbled and would have fallen down if Gillian hadn't held tight to her arm. Bridgid gasped, then burst into laughter. 'For a minute there, I thought you were serious. Do all the people in England have your wicked sense of humor?'
'It's the truth,' Gillian insisted. 'And I'll prove it to you.'
'How?'
'I'll put the question to Dylan, Brodick's commander. He'll tell you.'
'You're daft.'
'You want to know something else positively shocking?'
'Of course I do.'
'I love Brodick.'
Bridgid's eyes widened. 'You love Laird Buchanan. Are you sure you don't have him mixed up with someone else? All the women love Ramsey. They don't love Brodick,' she explained authoritatively.
'I don't love Ramsey. I like him,' she replied. 'But Brodick-'
Bridgid interrupted her. 'You cannot possibly know what you're-'
'Getting into?' Gillian supplied when Bridgid didn't finish her thought. 'Odd, but those were Father Laggan's very words to me. I do know what I'm doing, though. If I'm able to accomplish a… task… in England and come back here, I will marry Brodick.'
Bridgid kept laughing. She absolutely refused to believe Gillian was serious, so outrageous was the notion that any sane woman would willingly pledge herself to such a man.
They argued all the way up the hill. Bridgid wanted to take a wide path around Dylan, but Gillian wouldn't let her. She made her face the commander.
Dylan did look a little fearsome, she supposed, with his legs braced apart and his arms folded across his chest. He towered over the two of them and appeared to be angry, but Gillian knew it was all bluster.
'Good day, Dylan,' she said. 'I'd like you to meet my friend, Bridgid. Bridgid, this impressive soldier is Dylan, and he's commander over all the Buchanan soldiers.'
Bridgid paled. Bowing her head, she said, 'It's a pleasure to meet you, sir.'
Dylan didn't say a word, but he did incline his head ever so slightly. Gillian found his arrogance delightful.
'Lady Gillian, what happened to you?'
'You didn't see the men-'
Bridgid shoved an elbow into her side. Dylan's frown intensified. 'What men?' he demanded.
She turned to Bridgid. Her friend promptly stepped forward to answer. 'The men in the fields. We saw them.'
'Didn't you?' Gillian asked.
'Didn't I what, milady?'
'See the men… the men in the fields,' she stammered, trying desperately to maintain a straight face.
'Of course I saw them,' he replied, clearly exasperated. 'I see them now. I'm asking you-'
'But that's what we were doing,' Bridgid volunteered.
'Yes,' Gillian agreed, nodding vigorously. A dried leaf floated down from her hair in front of her face, and she giggled. 'We were watching the soldiers.'
'You aren't going to tell me what happened, are you?' he asked.
A dimple appeared in her cheek, and Dylan tried not to notice how attractive it was. She was his laird's woman, and he shouldn't be thinking about anything but protecting her. Still, it was a point of pride that Brodick had managed to capture such a beautiful woman.
'No, I'm not going to tell you.'
'But you will tell Brodick, won't you?'
'No, I don't believe I will.'
'I'll wager you will.'
'Ladies don't make wagers,' she replied before turning the subject. 'Dylan, I have a request to make.'
'I'll do whatever you ask of me,' he replied, his tone once again formal.
'I told Bridgid that I was betrothed to Brodick, but she doesn't believe me. Would you please confirm it for her? Why are you looking so surprised?'
'You think you're betrothed to…'
'Brodick,' she supplied, worried now because of his poor attempt to cover his amusement.
'I knew you made it up,' Bridgid said, nudging Gillian again. 'She has a wicked sense of humor,' she told Dylan.
'I didn't make it up. Dylan, tell her.'
'To my knowledge, milady, you are not betrothed to Laird Buchanan.'
'I'm not?' she whispered.
'No, you're not,' he confirmed.
Her face turned scarlet. 'But I thought… the priest was there… I saw him bless…'
Realizing she had just made a complete fool of herself, she stammered, 'Then I was wrong. I would appreciate it if you didn't mention this to Brodick,' she hastily added. 'I don't want him to think I'm an… idiot. It was just all a misunderstanding, and I thank you for clearing the matter up.'
'But, milady-'
She put her hand up. 'I really don't want to talk about this any longer.'
'As you wish.'
Gillian had trouble getting past her embarrassment but tried to pretend that she hadn't thoroughly humiliated herself in front of the commander. Noticing her sleeve was back down at her elbow, she tugged it up to her shoulder and let out a sigh.
'Brodick would like to speak to you,' Dylan said, finally remembering why he'd come after Gillian.
Realizing she still held her shoe in her hand, she took hold of Dylan's arm to balance herself as she bent down to put her slipper back on.
'Where is he?'
'In the courtyard with Ramsey.'
'Bridgid and I are going to the lake. I really would like to change into clean clothes before I see him.'
'Brodick doesn't like to wait, and I'd like for him to see you in your present condition,' he admitted with a grin.
'Very well,' she agreed.
Bridgid kept silent until Dylan had bowed and taken his leave. 'Count yourself blessed,' she said.
