“Ye growled,” he murmured, keeping his voice down.
“What?” Geordie asked with disbelief.
“Ye did,” Aulay assured him with amusement. “Ye growled at Uncle Acair like a dog whose bone is threatened. Are ye sure yedo no’ ken Lady Innes?”
Mouth tightening, Geordie stood up.
“Where are ye going?” Aulay asked with interest.
“I’m no’ hungry. I think I’ll take a walk about the bailey,” he muttered.
“Ye’re no’ going to get to know the women that way,” Aulay pointed out with exasperation. “Me wife brought them here for ye,the least ye can do is talk to one or two and see if ye’re the least bit interested.”
“I am getting to know them,” he assured him. “And I’ve already eliminated two. I would no’ even want the Lockhart and Kennedylasses in our family let alone me bed.”
“Really? They are that bad?” Aulay asked, glancing along the table to the two women in question.
“Aye,” Geordie assured him. “And if Rory or Alick pick them I’ll no’ be attending family occasions in future either.” On thatnote, he stepped over the bench and strode quickly away from the table. He didn’t slow until he was out of the keep and crossingthe bailey. But he couldn’t as easily escape the memory of his uncle making a fool of himself over Dwyn. The man was morethan twice her age, by God. Which, he supposed, wasn’t that unusual. Many an old man married much younger women. But Dwynwas a passionate little bundle and deserved a virile young man with a passion and energy to match her own. Someone more likehim.
Cursing under his breath, Geordie started to walk more quickly, and then stopped when he heard his name called in a soft femininevoice. Geordie didn’t question his disappointment when he saw that it was the maid Katie, but merely waited patiently forher to reach him.
“Lady Jetta suggested I pack ye some food fer yer walk in case ye get hungry,” the lass said a little breathlessly, holdingout a large sack to him. “I put some peaches, bread, cheese and meat in there fer ye.”
“Thank ye, lass. Ye’re a good girl,” Geordie said on a sigh as he accepted the bag.
Katie beamed at the compliment and slid a little closer, her hand coming up to brush his chest gently. “Would ye like me tocome with ye, m’laird? We could go to the loch fer a night swim.”
Geordie raised his eyebrows at that. “I thought ye were spending time with Simon?”
She shrugged slightly, her hand gliding down his chest to his stomach and continuing lower. “I do on occasion, but I’m no’right now.”
Geordie caught her hand just as it dropped below his waist. “Thank ye fer the kind offer, lass. But I think I’d just liketo be alone with me thoughts right now.”
Katie made a moue of disappointment, but released him and stepped back. “As ye wish, m’laird.”
“Thank ye fer bringing me the food, lass,” Geordie murmured, and then watched her make her way back to the keep doors beforeturning away. He paused then, unsure where he should go. He usually enjoyed a swim in the loch of an evening, but anotherswim didn’t really appeal to him just now. He didn’t feel like riding his horse either. Or seeking out one of the female servantsor village lasses to pass time with.
Geordie glanced down at the sack of food in his hand, and then turned to walk around the keep toward the gardens in the back.He’d eat and then roll himself up in his plaid and make an early night of it. That seemed a good plan. He hadn’t really gota lot of sleep last night before Dwyn and her pursuers had woken him shortly after dawn. He also hadn’t had anything to eatthat day. He’d avoided the nooning meal and spent the afternoon practicing at battle with the men in hopes of avoiding thewomen overrunning his home, only to find that they’d tracked him down there and were watching him cross swords with man afterman.
Dwyn, he’d noticed, was the only female at the keep who hadn’t been among them. For some reason that had disappointed Geordieand he’d soon grown tired of sparring. Sheathing his sword, he’d avoided the women again and collected his horse to ride outto the loch to wash away the dirt and sweat he’d accumulated from his efforts. He’d then dressed and returned for the eveningmeal, but hadn’t had even a bite of the food circulating before irritation had sent him from the table.
His uncle was acting like an ass around Dwyn, Geordie thought irritably, but then pushed the thought away. It was like togive him indigestion. Best just to push any thoughts about his uncle, Dwyn and any of the other women from his mind and concentrateon relaxing so he could sleep after he ate.
“Here now, lass. Eat. Ye’ve hardly touched yer food. A bird eats more than ye have.”
Dwyn tore her gaze away from the keep doors Geordie had disappeared through several minutes ago and forced a smile for thekind man at her side. She was sure Acair Buchanan was just paying attention to her to make her feel good, and while she appreciatedthe thought, she really disliked being made the focus of attention. Unfortunately, the way he was hovering over her and givingher loud compliments seemed to be gaining the interest of everyone else in the keep. The other women here to meet the singleBuchanans were whispering and giggling among themselves while watching her with condescending smiles, and her father was lookingconcerned. As for everyone else . . . Well, she’d noted the strange looks the people of Buchanan were sending toward her andAcair Buchanan, and got the feeling that they either didn’t like, or didn’t approve of, the attention he was giving her.
“So, what do ye think o’ our Geordie?”
Dwyn glanced to the older man with surprise at that question, and felt herself flush. “Oh. I— Well, I’ve only spoken to himonce.”
“Did ye now?” he asked with interest. “And when was that?”
“This morning,” she admitted, ducking
