A Very Highland Holiday - Kathryn Le Veque Page 0,124

plenty, however—he looked like a man caught in a lie. One who was sorry for it, which, on its own, did nothing to soothe her ire. No, she wasn’t angry. She was hurt. And she shouldn’t be. They were hardly more than acquaintances. Furthermore, he’d already demonstrated his penchant for half-truths or outright deception.

“Would ye like to sit with us?” Mr. Kerr asked. “I’ll tell ye what I was just saying to Mr. MacLean.” He flicked a glance toward Tavish, who nodded slightly. Was he asking Tavish for permission?

Elspeth wanted to know what was going on here. She also wanted to hear about the sword. “Yes, thank you.”

It appeared Mr. Kerr and Tavish had been seated across from each other, which meant she had to take one of the other sides of the square table and sit next to Tavish.

Pursing her lips, Elspeth moved to one of the chairs. Tavish rushed to hold it for her. “It’s a pleasure to see you, Miss Marshall.”

“Ye ken each other?” Mr. Kerr asked, sounding relieved.

“We met briefly at the inn,” Elspeth said tightly.

“She is someone you can trust,” Tavish said, and finally Elspeth understood Mr. Kerr’s anxiety as well as the unspoken communication between the two men. “Like me.” It appeared Tavish had already persuaded Mr. Kerr he was trustworthy. Well, Elspeth wasn’t convinced.

Mr. Kerr nodded at Tavish, then offered to take her cloak. After undoing the clasp, Elspeth handed the garment to him, and he went to hang it on a hook near the door.

While he was completing the task, Tavish bent his head toward hers. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you I was coming here.”

“Later,” she whispered before giving him a dark stare. “And you will tell me everything.”

He held her chair as she sat. Her back brushed against his fingers, and she bristled.

Tavish withdrew his hands and retook his chair. He did not look in her direction. He did, however, take a drink of ale, his body completely relaxed as if nothing was amiss. Why did he have to look so calm and collected? His dark hair was pulled back today in a neat queue, and he wore a burgundy waistcoat that made the brown of his coat far less drab. In fact, she almost thought it was a different garment altogether.

She jerked her gaze away lest he catch her studying him.

Mr. Kerr returned to the table. “Would ye care for ale, Miss Marshall?”

“Yes, thank you.”

Their host went to the small kitchen area and, a moment later, returned with a small cup of ale. “I get it from Balthazar at the inn, so ye may recognize it.” He took his chair and glanced between them. “It’s a bit odd that ye both came here today.”

“Your story is a bit odd,” Elspeth said. “I would be more surprised if no one questioned you further about what was said yesterday regarding your brother.” She took a sip of the ale.

Kerr ran a hand through his dark hair, tousling the strands atop his head. His face creased with worry. “Ye really just want to know about the sword?” Mr. Kerr asked her, his tone dubious.

“Yes, nothing more. I only want to hear the story as your brother told it to you—if that’s acceptable to you. If not, I will take my leave and understand completely.” She tipped her head toward Tavish. “Mr. MacLean desires other information?”

“I wish to help his brother,” Tavish said. He had said he helped other soldiers from Culloden. Was that actually true?

Mr. Kerr angled himself to face Elspeth. “I was just explaining to Mr. MacLean that my brother, Neil, came home from Culloden and told me the story about seeing the flaming sword. He said those that saw it stopped fighting. The man who was wielding it fell, and the flame stopped.”

“Was the man killed?” Elspeth asked.

“I asked Neil the same thing, but he didna ken. He was wounded a few minutes later and barely dragged himself from the battlefield. Someone cared for him afterward, and he managed to find his way here a few weeks later.”

“Where is he now?” Tavish asked.

“Right, that is what we were getting to when Miss Marshall arrived.” Mr. Kerr sent a quick glance in her direction. His brow was still furrowed. Elspeth could sense his agitation.

“You can trust me, Mr. Kerr. I am not going to share your brother’s location with anyone.” Tavish put his hand on the table, his palm flat. “As I said earlier, that is not my intent either. I’d