Kilts and Daggers Read Online Free Page A

stand, but one corner of his mouth turned upward as he tossed a piece of biscuit into his mouth. When his eyes met hers, he gave her a brief nod, and her lips puckered with annoyance. The beastly man had no manners whatsoever, but she was trying to overlook his poor behavior, especially after his kind actions with Kat last evening.
    â€œGood morning, Uncle Walter, Daniel.” Grace was about to address Ravenna, but her sister and her husband were too busy exchanging wooing looks with each other. Daniel pulled out Grace’s chair, and she sat between Daniel and Elizabeth and across from her uncle. She refused to glance toward the unrefined folk at the other end of the table. “Stop it, Grace,” she said under her breath.
    â€œStop what?” asked Daniel.
    She waved him off. “Oh, nothing. Please forgive me. I’m merely talking to myself.”
    â€œThere is nothing to forgive. Did you sleep well?”
    â€œYes, thank you. And you?”
    â€œI will certainly sleep much better when I’m back under my own roof. Are you certain you don’t want to return with us?”
    â€œI’m certain.” She took a bite of oatmeal.
    â€œI’ll make sure the manor house is ready upon your return,” said Uncle Walter.
    â€œThank you. I only intend to remain in the Highlands for about a month at the most.” She lowered her voice. “I think that is all I’m able to bear.”
    Uncle Walter chuckled, and Daniel leaned in close, whispering in her ear. “I admire your courage and determination, my dear. If you change your mind and want to come home sooner, I can always send a carriage for you.”
    Grace pulled back and smiled. “Thank you, but I don’t think that will be necessary. I’ll be fine.”
    â€œKat, stop! Thalla dachaigh! ” Torquil bellowed.
    As the boy ran behind Grace, she turned on the chair and held out her arm to stay her sister. “Kat, you know better than to give chase to Torquil. Your behavior is not very ladylike. Now I want you to stop.”
    â€œTorquil, thig an seo ,” ordered Fagan in a steely tone. He grabbed the boy by the tunic and pulled him close. Grace didn’t know what Fagan said, but he and Torquil continued to speak in hushed tones at the other end of the table.
    â€œLady Katherine, why don’t you come with me to the courtyard while the horses are readied?” asked Daniel, standing. “Lady Elizabeth, would you care to come along?”
    â€œYes, thank you.”
    â€œI think I’ll join you,” said Uncle Walter. He walked around the table and placed his hand on Grace’s shoulder. “We’ll leave you to eat in peace.”
    Grace gazed around the table, realizing she was the only one left of the group. “I hope it’s not my company.”
    â€œOf course not. Take your time. There is no need to hurry.”
    â€œThank you.” Grace turned to Kat and gave her sister a stern look. “I want you to listen to Uncle Walter and Daniel. Do you understand?”
    Kat let out a heavy sigh. “All right.”
    While the men escorted Kat and Elizabeth out of the great hall, Torquil dashed off in the other direction. Once Grace had a chance to talk privately with Ravenna, the two of them would need to make certain that rules were in place for Kat in regards to the laird’s son. The thought barely crossed Grace’s mind before another followed. Unsuccessfully, she tried to suppress a sudden giggle. She knew men often chased skirts, but this was the first time she’d ever encountered a female chasing them.
    â€œWhat do ye find so amusing?”
    She lifted her eyes to find Ruairi’s captain across from her. “Mister Murray…” She didn’t remember extending an invitation for the man to sit, but this was another example of his total lack of comportment. Shaking her head with displeasure, she gestured to the chair on which he already