Free Highland Bachelor 02 - This Laird of Mine by Gerri Russell

those birds, did you?”
    “I cannot be the judge of my own cooking.” She would not meet his curious gaze.
    “You burned everything.”
    She lifted her chin. “I did my best. The cooking was difficult, but not as hard as preparing the birds to cook,” she said, turning her gaze to his. “I had never done that before. And from this moment forward, I will be far more grateful to those whose task it is to pluck and clean our fowl.” Sincerity shone in the depths of her golden eyes, and for a second time that night he found himself drawn to her against his will by some strange magnetism she seemed to radiate.
    Standing by her side, even now he felt angered and exhilarated at the same moment. Part of him felt compelled to win her approval, while another part rejoiced at the difficulty she admitted with her cooking efforts. The thought had a sobering effect on him as they continued toward the terrace and the table and chairs that had been sent up from the village only this morning.
    After he had paid for all the new furnishings and restocked the larder, there was precious little money left from the sale of the carpets. And other than a few more places to sit, and a bit of food in their bellies, he was no better off than he had been five days past.
    Yet even as the thoughts materialized, he knew they were untrue. He was much better off, even in his impoverished state, than he was this time last year. As a free man, even a poor one, he had so many more options than he’d had wasting away in gaol. He had to remember that, always.
    Nothing would ever be as bad as that ever again. He would find a way to turn his fate, but he would do so alone. Self-preservation demanded nothing less.
    He realized, looking across the table at Jane and her slightly rounded belly, that it wasn’t the fact that he could not have her for his own that made him so determined to remain alone for the remainder of his days. It was that he felt he did not deserve such happiness as that which he saw in his friend’s eyes.
    He was unlovable.
    Had not his own father proven that to him time and again over the years with his neglect, with his avoidance when Jules had caused trouble merely to get attention, and by not freeing him from gaol?
    His gaze shifted back to Claire. It was better this way, for her to leave before she could discover his true nature. After tonight, he would return to his lonely and isolated state.
    One last supper. He allowed himself a small smile at his unintended pun.
    This would be their last meal together. In the morning Grayson should arrive. He would prove Claire’s claims about their marriage untrue, and the woman before him would be on her way back to the mist from which she had come.
    Perhaps then he would tell his friends the truth about creating a bride. Surely, if he would go so far as to make up a wife to get them off his back, they would stand down for at least a little while in their plans to see him happily wed. Wouldn’t they?
    Beneath the fading light of the day, the meal was served. The meat was dry, the vegetables burned to a crisp, except for the carrots, which were almost as crunchy as the pheasant. Despite Claire’s disaster of a meal, the evening had not gone badly.
    The soft sounds of the night filled the air, as did the lush fragrance of the wild lilies and roses. The golden flames from several torches danced in the lightest of breezes, and as the sun set, the brightness transformed the terrace from the ruin that it had become into a magical retreat.
    After they had finished eating, Jules leaned back and observed the woman who, despite his efforts to stay focused on Jane, had stolen his attention all night.
    The woman before him was not the skittish young woman he’d met yesterday. No, this Claire was seductive, alluring, confident, and, if he were honest with himself, hard to resist. Tonight her golden eyes lit up with a mixture of laughter and intelligence as those gathered had discussed the foundation of