The Highlander's Temptation by Eliza Knight

Laird Jamie Montgomery on his way, and every thought she’d had of him since their encounter would be moot.

Chapter Five

     
    After being welcomed by the Sutherland clan, Toby and Donald were pointed in the direction of the barracks while Jamie was given a small guest room to wash up in before meeting the laird in his library.
    A guard standing outside of Jamie’s door, nodded. “This way, my laird,” he said.
    The man was silent as he led him down a flight of stairs and through a darkened corridor. They stopped at a wooden door and the guard rapped twice with his knuckles. On the other side, a voice bade them to enter.
    The guard gave a curt nod to Jamie and opened the door, indicating he should enter first. Jamie took the lead, entering into a spacious library that much resembled his own. Large, imposing, but utterly masculine. A wide oak desk, tall wooden back chairs, a long high table, a grand hearth, shuttered windows, fur rugs, and shelves upon shelves of books and rolled scrolls. As the windows did not give off enough light, several sconces were lit upon the walls.
    “Laird Montgomery, ” Laird Sutherland said, coming around the desk to stand a foot away. Jamie reached forward, grasping the man’s arm in greeting.
    A strong grip, for a moment they both competed for strength, before Sutherland broke away with a short laugh.
    “I trust ye found ye’re accommodations suitable.”
    Jamie grinned. “More than agreeable, Laird Sutherland. I’d not expected as much.”
    “Call me Magnus. No need for formalities. I didna forget what ye and your da did for my family all those years ago. I’ve never been able to find a way to repay ye, and I do hope ye call on me whenever ye’ve need of me.”
    A good opening as to the reason Jamie was currently at Dunrobin. “Any man would have done the same.”
    Magnus shook his head, his face growing grim. “Sadly, I dinna believe that.”
    And he was right. Many were of the mind that every man had to fend for himself. “Did ye ever find out who did it?”
    Magnus’ frown deepened. “Nay.”
    “I’m sorry to hear it.”
    “Aye, me, too. But that is not what ye came all this way for. As I’ve heard it , ye have a seat on the Bruce’s council, a place within Wallace’s own army.”
    “Indeed, and ’tis part of the reason I’ve come.”
    “Sit.” Magnus backed away, shadows crossing over his features that made Jamie wonder if he’d be receptive to joining the cause. “Whisky?”
    Jamie pulled back one of the wooden chairs from the desk and sat. “None, thank ye.”
    “None?” Magnus jerked back and winged a brow.
    Not accepting a drink was considered rude. Highland hospitality bade Magnus offer, but it also required Jamie to accept. He ground his teeth. “I’ve had a long journey, my laird, and if ye dinna find it too offensive, I shall pass on the dram until I’ve had more time to rest.”
    He’d not tell him the real reason. The fact that he’d never liked the stuff other than for medic inal purposes. Because ’twas no secret in Montgomery country that when Jamie’s father picked up a mug his fist usually landed on their mother. He’d respected his father. But he’d hated him for that.
    Jamie had no interest in becoming a monster, and so he stuck to watered ale and wine, and left the whisky to others.
    Magnus grunted. “Then I shall also refrain.” He walked around the table and sat down opposite Jamie. “Let us speak plainly about why ye’ve come. Has it to do with my sister?”
    Jamie held back his splutter, heels digging into the wooden planks of the floor. “Nay.”
    The man sat back in his chair and crossed his arms over his chest, a skeptical look upon his face. “Nay?”
    Trying to offset the man’s obvious doubt, Jamie leaned forward his elbows on the table. “I assure ye, my journey here had naught to with your sister.”
    “Huh. I’d assumed it did.”
    “Why?” Jamie frowned. Aye, the lass was intriguing, and a spit-fire, but