Heart of the Druid Laird

by Barbara Longley

  A knock interrupted his brooding. He rose to open the door. Donald, Lachlan and Niall eyed him warily. Lachlan stepped forward. He must’ve drawn the short straw.

  “Laird, is it true? Thomas called us and said you’ve found Mairéad. He said—”

  “I do no’ wish to discuss it now.”

  “Aye, but we’ve only nineteen days left. If it’s true, shouldn’t we—”

  “I said no’ now, Lachlan. Take the rest of the day for leisure.”

  “We could go to Mystic Lake,” Niall offered.

  Dermot rubbed his forehead. “There is such a place here?”

  “Och, it’s no’ what you’re thinking.” Lachlan glanced at his companions with a grin. “Mystic Lake is a casino. We saw the advertisement in one of the hotel’s brochures.”

  “They have a buffet,” Donald added in a wistful tone. “All you can eat.”

  “Fine. Go. We’ll talk later.” Dermot shut the door and turned back to his room to think his dark thoughts. Alone.

  Sidney checked herself in one of the many hand-painted decorative mirrors on the walls while butterflies ran rampant in her midsection. She glanced from her watch to the door and tried to swallow. Five minutes until noon.

  She had tossed and turned all night, half expecting Scary Faerie to make an encore appearance. One minute she wanted to heed the warning, the next she was determined find out what had brought the Scot here. Not even she knew what would happen when he showed up.

  “You look great,” Zoe told her in a tone hovering between exasperation and amusement.

  “Do I? It doesn’t matter one way or the other. I don’t think I’m going to have lunch with Dermot since Thomas returned for you on his own yesterday.”

  Zoe sighed. “He’s coming back for me again today.”

  “I’ll just tell MacKay I’m not going when he gets here, and that will be the end of it.”

  “You do that.” Zoe grinned.

  The bell above the front doors chimed. Sidney’s heart pin-balled to her throat, down to her belly button and back to its place in her chest. Dermot MacKay filled the doorway. As he searched the shop for her, she straightened, threw her shoulders back and tried to breathe.

  He spotted her and approached, his eyes traveling over her body from head to foot. Her pulse kicked up a few notches, and she couldn’t help noticing how fine he looked in his gray gabardine slacks. A black sweater and a leather bomber jacket made a striking contrast to the red in his hair. A shiver sluiced down her spine at the sight of him.

  Thomas trailed behind Dermot. His open smile and sparkling blue eyes gave her courage. Sidney nodded a greeting at Thomas and lifted her chin as she faced Dermot. “I won’t be able to go to lunch. I’m sorry you came all this way for nothing.”

  Dermot stared at her without a word. Her mouth went dry while the palms of her hands more than made up for the lack of moisture. He searched her face with a look she couldn’t interpret, took a large breath and turned to Thomas.

  “Come, Thomas.”

  “Nay. I’m staying.”

  Dermot’s gaze swept the store. “To do what?”

  “I’ve a lunch date with Zoe.”

  Sidney watched Dermot’s glance shoot from her best friend to his…employee? Man? What was their relationship?

  “Do you forget our common goal?” Dermot gritted out.

  “You presume much if you think we share a common goal, Druid.” Thomas snorted.

  Common goal? Druid? Sidney heard Zoe suck in her breath beside her.

  Dermot scowled. “Thomas—”

  “Do you think you were the only one who suffered a loss that day?”

  “Lower your voice. This is no’ the time or the place. We’ll return to the hotel where we can discuss this privately.”

  “Nay.” Thomas took Zoe’s hand. “I’m staying.”

  “You will return to the hotel and gather the men. Have you forgotten what’s at stake?” Dermot bellowed.

  Heat rose to her cheeks as his eyes settled on her. What the hell could possibly be at stake?

  “Go back to the hotel if you wish. Gather the men if you must. I know they’re eager to hear what you have to say.” Thomas’s chin jutted out. “I’m staying.”

  Dermot’s face turned crimson. His jaw muscles twitched, and tension pulsed off his body in waves. He looked ready to explode. Their lunch-hour shoppers were making for the doors like ants on a sugar trail. She had to do something before he snapped right in the middle of her store and drove all their business away. “Come on, MacKay. I’ve changed my mind.” Again. “Take me to lunch.”

  She grabbed his arm and tugged him toward the door. They were on her turf, and she knew all the shop owners up and down Grand Avenue. She’d be safe enough. At least it would get him out of her store, and maybe she’d get some answers.

  The moment he was outside, Dermot took a deep breath. His head throbbed. He’d spent last night trying to formulate a new plan to no avail. Things had been out of his control from the moment he’d clapped eyes on Sidney St. George, and he didn’t like the feeling. Women were an unfathomable puzzle to him and Mairéad had been the greatest mystery of all. Even after living with her for nigh on a full year, he’d still walked on eggshells around her.

  “How’s Thai food sound?” Sidney glanced at him. “There’s a place just down the street.”

  Dermot watched as she ran her hands up and down her arms against the chill November air. She wore a copper-colored sweater that fit her like a caress. The color brought out the dark brown of her eyes and the warm tones of her skin.

  He slipped out of his leather jacket. “Thai food?” The thought of Asian food didn’t sit well.

  “Well, what do you feel like eating?”

  “Red meat and black coffee.”

  The blonde—was it Zoe LeBlanc?—burst out of the store with a coat and purse in her arms just as he placed his jacket around Sidney’s shoulders. She shrugged it off and handed it back.

  “I thought you might want these, Sid.” Zoe handed her the coat and purse and shot him a speculative look before disappearing back into the store.

  “I’m parked half a block down the road.” He indicated the direction with a wave of his hand and slipped back into his jacket.

  “Let’s walk. There’s a great place a few blocks down Grand Avenue.” She started down the sidewalk with her hands tucked deep into her pockets. “I didn’t know Druids ate meat.”

  “Och, we used to sacrifice humans upon stone altars to appease the gods, lass. I eat meat without compunction.”

  Sidney snorted. “It’s a good thing you don’t do that anymore. Sacrifice humans, that is.”

  “I’m thinking of taking it up again.”

  “Really. Is that what brought you to Panache? Am I on some kind of short list of possible sacrificial lambs?”

  Her teasing tone couldn’t hide the fact that she edged a bit farther away from him. He turned his head to hide his smile. “Nay. That would be Thomas.”

  The sound of her laughter caused an odd warmth and fluttering sensation in his chest. He rubbed the spot where the unfamiliar feeling manifested.

  “Are you all right?”

  “Aye. Just an itch.” He wanted to move closer, maybe put his hand at the small of her back. Instead, he shoved his hands deep into his pockets and thought of ways he could entice her to Scotland without revealing too much. Gods, he wanted this over with.

  “Sid!” a young man called from across the street.

  He didn’t like the way her face lit up for this young man. She waved and stopped to wait for him to cross. The lad put his arm around her shoulders and gave her hug. Dermot fought the urge to forcibly separate them. It must be a residual reaction. After all, she had belonged to him in another life.

  “David, this is Dermot MacKay. We’re going to lunch. Why don’t you join us?”

  Dermot couldn’t miss the pleading tone in Sidney’s voice, or the look of desperation. Did he make her so uncomfortab
le? How involved was she with this David fellow? He offered his hand, and an unspoken question. “David…?”

  “David St. George.” David studied him as he shook his hand. “I’ve already had lunch with Mom, Sid. She’s not too happy with you.”

  Relief washed through Dermot. Her brother, not her lover. “Another time, perhaps.”

  “You’re not from around here.” David smiled.

  “I’m from Gairloch, Scotland. It’s on the west coast in the Highlands.”

  “How do you know my sister?”

  He felt Sidney’s scrutiny as she awaited his reply. “I’m a businessman looking to expand my market.”

  Her brother nodded. “Speaking of business, I’ve got an errand to run before my shift. I’d better get going.” He gave Sidney another brief hug and let her go. “I have class tonight, so I won’t be home until later.”

  They continued on in silence. Dermot struggled to come up with some plausible reason for his presence and answers to the inevitable questions he’d soon face. Sidney tugged on his sleeve. She’d stopped in front of a restaurant, The Lexington.

  “Red meat, black coffee.” She smiled at him.

  Dermot rubbed his chest.

  “Are you sure you’re okay?”

  “Aye, of course.” Nay, not in the least. He opened the door for her, and placed his hand at the small of her back to guide her in. Stepping close, he detected the faint, sweet smell of honey—his favorite scent.

  The host led them to a table located in a dim corner. Dermot helped Sidney out of her coat and draped it over a spare chair. He pulled out another for her to sit.

  “You’re a throwback, MacKay.”

  “Is that a bad thing?” Their waitress came bearing menus. Dermot ordered his black coffee, and Sidney ordered a soda.

  “Why are you here?”

  “Let’s order food before your interrogation, lass. I’ll need the sustenance, I fear.”

  “Mmmph.” Sidney opened the menu and hid herself behind it.

  Their server returned with their drinks and a basket of bread. Dermot handed her his menu. “I’ll have the prime rib, medium rare, a baked potato and a house salad.” He paused as she wrote it down. “The lady will have the petite filet, medium rare, a baked potato and the house salad.”

  Sidney’s menu came down with a whoosh. “Hi, Angie,” she greeted their server. “How’s your mom?”

  “She’s much better. Thanks so much for the flowers.” She grinned at Sidney.

  “I’ll have the chicken special with a Caesar salad.”

  “Sure, Sid. What shall I do with the lady’s petite filet?”

  “I have a few suggestions…” Sidney glared at him. Angie giggled as she walked away.

  “My only thought was to be a good host. I beg your pardon.” Mairéad had always deferred to him in all things. Sidney’s very different appearance and personality had him off balance. Simultaneous recognition and unfamiliarity made for an unsettling mix.

  She lifted her chin. “I want to know why you’re here.”

  He shrugged. “I’m an apiarist. I’m looking for a retail outlet in the States for my products, and I like your store.”

  “We don’t sell anything edible.”

  “Bees produce more than honey, lass. Beeswax candles, health and beauty products, scents. My products would fit in well in your shop. I operate on a small scale. It’s a cottage industry mostly, something I do in my spare time.”

  “Thank you, but no. All of our inventory is locally produced, and we plan to keep it that way.” She studied him for a moment. “I don’t believe bees brought you here. Do you have lots of enemies? Are you part of some kind of Scottish Mafia looking to launder money through my store?”

  Dermot frowned. “What would make you think such a thing?”

  “Why else would you surround yourself with muscle?” She stared him down. “What are you afraid of?”

  “It’s habit is all.” He chuckled at her outlandish notions. “I’m a laird and titled in my country. The men who travel with me are members of my clan. They work for me, nothing more.” He leaned across the table toward her. “I fear nothing.”

  Her brow furrowed. “Still, why does Thomas call you Druid? Zoe’s always going on about Druids and Celts. She told me they didn’t leave any written record of their religion. People who claim to be Druids today are mostly head-cases or New-Agers.”

  “Which am I, do you think?”

  She studied him. “I’m leaning toward head-case.”

  He chuckled. “My father gave me to Druid priests a few days after my birth.” The familiar hollow ache settled inside him. “He already had two sons and had no use for me.”

  “Oh, Dermot.” Her large brown eyes softened. “How could such a thing happen in this day and age?” She played with the napkin on her lap. “That’s the worst thing I’ve ever heard. I’m not sure I believe it.”

  “Nevertheless, it’s why Thomas calls me Druid. Druid Laird, to be precise, and it all happened a long time ago.” Gods, how he wished for a man to bargain with and an infant unable to ask questions.

  “A long time ago? You can’t be more than thirty-one or thirty-two. What is a Druid Laird?”

  “Druids are…were…the intermediaries between the gods and men—mystics responsible for the spiritual wellbeing of their people. They did no’ own land.” He shrugged. “A laird is a landowner and oft times a chieftain to his clan. It’s a laird’s responsibility to see to the physical welfare of those under his protection. The two roles are diametrically opposed, though each necessary in their own way. I am both.” He studied her reaction. “Do you believe in reincarnation?”

  Chapter Three

  Thomas watched Zoe LeBlanc stomp back into the store, and his insides melted. Dermot had told him many times over the centuries that love at first sight was nothing more than one soul’s recognition of another soul from a previous life. Now he believed it. One look into Zoe’s blue eyes, and he had no doubts—his own sweet love had returned to him, as well. “Come here and tell me why you look so vexed.”

  “How long have you worked for that man?” She stood toe-to-toe with him, straining her neck to look into his eyes. “He’s so pushy.”

  “Do no’ think or speak ill of Dermot MacKay, leannan. A finer man you’ll never meet. He’s my cousin and my laird.” He reached out to tuck a curl behind her ear. “I only defy him as I do to remind him he’s human. No one else dares. It’s the privilege of being family.”

  “What does Dermot want with Sidney?” Her lovely eyes were filled with concern. “She’s more fragile than she looks. If she gets hurt, all of you are going to answer to me.”

  Thomas grinned. She looked like a wee mama bear protecting her cub. “Och, lass. It’s too long a tale for now. Have dinner with me tonight, and I promise to tell you everything.” He spoke the truth. For the first time in his long life he meant to tell someone the whole story—and about the curse. She had the right to know what she was getting into.

  “I don’t know. This is all very strange, your turning up here all of a sudden like you did. I look at you, and it’s almost like I recognize your face, but that’s not possible. I’d remember if we’d met before.”

  Zoe’s face tilted up toward his presented a temptation he could no more resist than he could prevent the sun from rising. He leaned down to taste her sweetness with a brief kiss.

  She pushed away from him. “I have to get back to work. This is our busy time.”

  “Work? What is there to do, love? There’s no’ a single customer in the store.” He watched in amusement as she looked around in confusion.

  “I don’t understand it. We usually get a lunch-hour rush.”

  “Did you no’ see them all leave before Sidney pulled Dermot out the door? He used some of his Druidy hocus-pocus to drive them all away.” He shrugged. “He canna tolerate making a scene in public.”

  “I felt it,” Zoe gasped. “I just didn’t know what it was. For real, he can
do that?”

  “Aye, he’s no’ very good at it though. He gets a terrible headache whenever he uses magic.”

  “I hope it gave him a freakin’ migraine,” she huffed. “Sidney’s gonna blow a gasket when she finds out.”

  “Have dinner with me tonight, Zoe. I’ll explain everything. You have my word.”

  “Man, it’s a good thing for you I’m so open-minded.”

  “Is that a yes?”

  “It’s a yes, but I get to choose the restaurant.”

  “Fair enough.”

  “Reincarnation?” Sidney frowned at the man across the table from her. “I haven’t really given it much thought. Why do you ask?” Dermot MacKay made her head spin. She didn’t know any more about what brought him here now than when they’d first met.

  “Ah…just making conversation.”

  “Ah…just changing the subject, you mean.” She snorted. “Do you really keep bees? It’s hard to visualize.” Sidney watched his whole body relax at the mention of bees. The boyish grin he gave her stirred up the butterflies in her stomach, and her heart skipped a beat. Lord, don’t let me drool. As attractive as he was, being around him made her feel like something terrible lurked right around the corner. How irrational was that? He hadn’t done or said anything to cause her to fear him.

  “Aye, I do. Would you care to visit my home in Scotland to see for yourself? I also have orchards, extensive gardens and a renovated castle.” One side of his mouth quirked up in a lopsided grin. “Though it’s small as far as castles go.”

  “Um, no. I’ll take your word.” Her cheeks grew hot. Why would he invite her to his home? They’d just met. “You haven’t told me why you’re here, MacKay.”

  “I have told you. I’d like to do business with you.”

  “How did you hear about Panache? We don’t advertise overseas, and it’s unlikely you’ve visited our website.”

  “By word of mouth.”