A Time & Place for Every Laird by Angeline Fortin (ebook reader TXT) 📕

tookthe girl’s hand and kissed it gallantly. “My thanks, Jessica, foryer kind assistance.”

The hostess giggled with another blush.“Just let me know if I can get you anything else.”

Claire could almost see the hostess’s kneeswobble as she walked unsteadily away. “Well, you proved me wrong,didn’t you? You really can do whatever you like. And your powers offlirtation are truly unparalleled. Are you always such a charmerwith the ladies?”

The grin turned from roguish to amused, hiseyes lighting with real humor. “It is a skill required at court,and if it gets me what I want, why shouldn’t I employ my many giftswhere they benefit me the most?”

“Those gifts being good looks andcharm?”

“’Tis mycurse.”

“My, you are cocky.”

“But another burden tae bear.”

Claire had to laugh out loud at that androlled her eyes yet again as the waitress eagerly approached,bearing a wooden cutting board with a loaf of bread on it. “Hi, I’mBecky. I’ll be your server this afternoon. Can I get you somethingto drink?”

The waitress was of similar age to thehostess, Jessica, and like her co-worker, directed all of this toHugh with an alluring smile and even batting eyelashes. It was soincredibly amusing—and insulting to her gender—that Claire wastempted to wave a hand in front of the girl’s eyes to force herattention away.

“I’ll have a pint of Sam’s,” Claire saidloudly in an attempt to draw her attention. “And he’ll have thedarkest, thickest, nastiest thing you have on tap. The liter.”

“We have a Black Butte Porter,” the waitresssuggested, eagerly. “Looks like mud.”

“Perfect,” Claire said, expecting thewaitress to wander off, but Becky lingered, gazing at Hugh withadoration. With a long-suffering sigh, Claire motioned for her toleave. “Incredible,” she said to Hugh as she buttered a piece ofthe bread. “I would bet that she’s back with those drinks in recordtime.”

“Jealous?”

“Hardly,” Claire denied quickly. “If your‘many gifts’ benefit me as well, employ away.”

Hugh drew in his breath to respond, but asClaire had predicted, Becky was back with the beers and a smile ina matter of moments. The flirting ensued, as the waitress bentfarther over the table than was necessary to put Hugh’s huge mug ofporter down in front of him. Naturally Huge flashed his dimples,spoke husky compliments, and generally made the girl feel as if shewere the most amazing person on the face of the planet.

It was a gift, Claire decided as shewatched the show. She’d never seen anyone who could so easily makeeveryone like him as Hugh did. Well, the fairer sex, anyway … andmen like his hairstylist. How would normal, heterosexual menrespond to Hugh, she wondered? Would they be like some women whogrew nasty in the company of women prettier than they were, orwould they fall as quickly under his spell?

No, they would love him, too, she decided.Hugh was a ladies’ man but he was also a man’s man. He’d probablynever met a stranger in his life and was the epitome of jovialgrace.

Claire studied him as he spoke to thewaitress. His big body lounged back in the wooden chair, his armhooked over the back, drawing his sweater tight to show off hismuscular physique and washboard abs. The blue knit brought his eyesout vividly, framed by his dark lashes. His dazzling smile flashedagain as he ran a hand through his hair, and Claire thought Beckymight pool right there at his feet.

And she wasn’t the only one. Hugh simplybeing Hugh was like a magnet to the room at large. Most of thediners and staff were watching him, either covertly or openly. Didit come naturally to him or was it ingrained as part of his ducaltraining? Could that kind of charisma be taught?

If it could, Hugh had a great teacher,because he was fascinating.

Even to her. How could she deny it whenthere was so very much to like about him that none of these peoplecould see? What was it about her that drew him, she wondered?

Becky paused to take a breath and Claireleapt at the opportunity to place their order, asking for “ThePacific Clambake” from the Seafeast menu. This item was ordered bythe person, so Claire requested a bucket for three, then changed itto four, knowing Hugh’s appetite was often insatiable.

Lifting her mug to her lips, Claireconsidered Hugh over the top as the waitress finally left them oncemore. Hugh drank as well, smacking his lips in appreciation as hedowned half the liter in one swallow. “Fairly satisfying.”

“High praise,” Claire said as they shared agrin. “Maybe you should forgo becoming a professional golfer andopen a brewery in your new life.” She was biting her lip before thelast word was complete, regretting the reference to that mysterioussomething that awaited him in the months and years to come. Clairecould only imagine how the uncertainty of the unknown rubbed himraw and was sorry to have brought up the painful subject again.“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that.”

“Ye needn’t watch yer tongue wi’ me, lass,”Hugh said softly, but there was a new, firm resolve in his eyesthat hadn’t been there before. “’Tis nothing I hae nae alreadyconsidered. I hae determined that I need tae accept my fate such asit is wi’out mourning for the past. For now, my goal is tae securemy freedom and yer safety. When those things are assured, I willconsider how tae best pass the remainder of my years.”

All of that without a trace of self-pity.Hugh could certainly teach Claire a thing or two about how to moveforward from tragedy.

Stretching across the table, she covered hishand with hers and gave it a squeeze. Hugh turned his over andclasped her hand in his, tracing his thumb over the back of herhand. “You are an amazing man, Hugh,” she said sincerely, but Hughjust shrugged off the compliment.

“Nothing I hae done as yet would make myancestors proud,” he said. “I intend tae remedy that. But until Ido, I am going tae apply myself tae yer uncle’s library and try taefind out everything that has happened in the world between my timeand yers.”

“That could take awhile.”

“Dinnae worry, lass,” he said with a wink.“I am equally resolved tae begin enjoying life here as well and Iwill certainly