Free THE GIFT: A Highland Novella by Margaret Mallory Page B

the Isle of Islay. Instead, he appeared to be proclaiming to his kin that she was something more to him. He glared at the men who stared at them, as if in warning. Why was he sending them the message that she belonged to him? Was it simply to protect her?
    Once they were settled near the end of the high table, Lily glanced around at the elaborate dishes and delicacies. She did not know what half of them were. The one with the pig ’ s head was obviously pork, and she recognized the oysters, beef, lamb, honeyed nuts, and cheeses, but none of those were within reach.
    The platter closest to her had some sort of roasted meat decorated with a splay of feathers in dazzling colors.
    “ What is that? ” she whispered to Roderick.
    “ You ’ ve never eaten peacock? ” he asked with a wink, and dished a large helping onto the trencher they shared. “’ Tis verra tasty. ”
    As she stuffed herself with one new delicious dish after another and shared a cup with Roderick, she surreptitiously examined the wicked-looking weapons on the walls and her dinner companions at the table. These Highlanders were not primitive heathens, as she had heard back in London. And yet there was a wildness about them, to be sure. Roderick looked as intimidating as any of them, but she had grown accustomed to him.
    And seen him naked. She blushed and took another gulp of wine to hide her smile. Luckily, Roderick had been drawn into conversation — in Gaelic — with some of the other men at the table.
    When the man on her other side cleared his throat, she turned and gave him a polite smile. He had a touch of gray in his hair, flashing dark eyes, and he wore the most beautifully made tunic she had ever seen. It even had tiny jewels sewn onto it.
    “ Parlez-vous Fran ç ais? ” he asked. “ Or English, perhaps? ”
    “ I do! ” she said. “ I ’ m a Londoner. ”
    She was relieved to have someone she could speak with at the table. When she found out he was a merchant who had come to Islay in his own ship, her heart beat fast. Perhaps she would not have to wait here through the long winter after all.
    “ I should have sailed home to Spain already, ” he said, and sipped his wine. “ The winter here is beastly. I intend to set sail on the morrow. ”
    “ How far is Spain from London? ”
    “ A very long way, my dear, ” he said, his eyes sparkling with amusement. “ But I ’ m stopping in London on my way. I have business in that dreary city before I return home to Spain. ”
    By the time his ship reached London, it should be safe for her to return. She looked at Roderick, who was in deep discussion with his clansmen. If she left tomorrow, she would miss a day or two with him before his own departure. But it would be nothing like when they traveled alone. Roderick was an important man here and would have little time for her.
    “ What about the winter storms? ” she asked.
    “ I have a large, sturdy ship, ” he said. “ I ’ ve made the trip with her many a time. ”
    “ Could you take me with you? ” she asked. “ I have coin to pay my way. ”
    “ I don ’ t need your coin, but I ’ d be delighted to have your company. ” He raised his eyebrows and nodded toward Roderick. “ Provided your Highlander has no objection …”
    “ He ’ s not my Highlander, ” she said. “ And he ’ s leaving here soon himself. ”
    “ All the same, I suspect he wouldn ’ t take it well, ” he said with another glance at Roderick. Then he waggled his eyebrows and added, “ But if you wish to come, I sail at daybreak. ”

CHAPTER 9
     
    Where was his grandmother? As clan seer, she held a revered position and would be seated at the high table if she were in the hall. Most likely she had simply retired early, but Roderick was anxious about her. Fortunately, his twin cousins, Angus and Ian, who were tasked with bringing her to Islay, were seated next to him.
    “ Who ’ s the bonny Sassenach? ” Angus asked as he leaned forward and tried