Royden intended to make sure about that. He wouldn’t see his only sister in a marriage that would bring her nothing but grief.
“I want to wed someone who will look at me the way you two look at each other,” Raven said when they reached the top of the stairs and smiled at how easily Oria drifted into her brother’s arms and how instinctively their arms went around each other to hug tight.
Raven wanted that kind of love, strong and undeniable.
“If you hold that tongue of yours you might find such a love, otherwise you’re doomed,” Arran said with a laugh.
Raven turned and punched her brother in the arm. “And with that wandering eye of yours, no woman will want you.”
“Then I’m blessed, for I want no wife to answer to or who will forever nag at me,” Arran said with a generous smile. “And don’t tell me I need to wed and produce heirs. Royden and Oria will see nicely to that and no doubt will have a whole gaggle of bairns for me to spoil.”
“I can’t wait to be an aunt,” Raven said with glee.
Arran leaned his head toward his sister’s. “Don’t be surprised if that comes not too long after they wed.”
“Enough,” Royden ordered, though Oria smiled and it forced Royden to do the same, since the thought of making lots of bairns with her filled his heart with joy and stirred his loins. “Oria’s father and ours are waiting in his solar for me and Arran to join them.”
“Go,” Raven said, shoving them off. “Oria and I have things to do.”
“Do not get into any trouble,” Royden ordered with a stern eye to his sister.
“That’s like asking the day not to dawn,” Arran said, laughing and hurried away from Raven so she couldn’t punch him again.
Royden didn’t laugh, but he smiled as he walked off with Arran.
Oria reached out and hooked her arm around Raven’s. “I, for one, admire your courageous nature.”
Raven’s eyes turned wide. “Courageous? You think me courageous?”
“You would have to be with Royden and Arran for brothers,” Oria said with a laugh as they entered the Great Hall. “I truly admire the way you speak up to them and even to your da. I may say my piece at times, but it’s usually ignored. I’m so grateful my da is pleased with Royden as a husband for me. I love him so much. I have ever since that day when I was young and a young lad pushed me and I fell. Royden picked me up and told me not to cry that he’d protect me, then he went and with one punch knocked the lad down, splitting his lip. I lost my heart to him that day. He was my hero and always will be.”
“I probably would have punched the lad myself,” Raven said.
Oria smiled. “That’s why your courageous and I’m not.”
“It’s grown quiet and that worries me,” William said and took a sip of wine from the goblet Parlan had handed him. “There should be more talk of what happened to Thurbane.”
“Fear keeps tongues tied,” Arran said. “Thurbane spoke up and look what happened to him, that’s what people are going to think.”
“All the more reason to find out what truly is going on,” Royden said, sitting in the last unoccupied chair that circled a round table in his father’s solar.
He had thought the room small when he’d been young, though he realized as he grew that it was more the size of the men who visited and talked here that made it seem that way. It was a sizeable room, the round table and six chairs set in the center of the room with a pitcher of either wine or ale or both always atop in the center and enough goblets or tankards for all present. A large, stone fireplace took up most of one wall and tapestries depicting battles hung from two other walls. It was a place for men to talk, debate, and plan, and decide on what needed to be done.
“That may be difficult when no one is talking,” Parlan said.
“We’re talking,” William said, raising his goblet.
Royden liked William, Oria’s da and Chieftain of the Clan MacGlennen. He was a strong leader and not afraid to speak his mind or take up arms when necessary. He expected obedience from those who served him and from his daughter, though he’d always been fair to her, and Oria never complained about him. He was a bit older than Royden’s da, not as tall, and thick in the waist, though solid. He wore his gray hair short since he seemed to be losing most of it, and he had sharp brown eyes that Royden thought saw through everything when he’d been young. Now Royden realized that William was observant, catching all that went on around him.
“But we’ve made no mention of it to others,” Parlan said.
“I did ask Thurbane to join us, but he declined and warned me to be careful,” William said.
Royden caught the way his da’s brow wrinkled for a mere second.
“That might not have been wise,” William,” Parlan said.
“I only said we were getting together as we’ve done before,” William argued in defense of his action.
“Most of those times we met were when problems needed to be sorted out,” Parlan reminded. “And sorted them we did. It helped settle disputes among clans without going to battle and helped gather clans together when battle was necessary.”
“Thurbane is a loyal friend. He wouldn’t betray us, besides, there’s nothing to betray. We meet and talk,” William argued.
“You forget he is among the enemy now,” Arran reminded. “When with the enemy, there is no telling what one will do to survive or get free.”
“If he does betray his friends and neighbors, he’ll suffer the consequences for it,” William said. “But right now, we need to do whatever must be done to protect our clans and land.” He looked to Royden. “You must marry my daughter right away. I won’t see her forced to wed a stranger.”
“I won’t let that happen. Oria will wed no one but me,” Royden assured him determined to see it done.”
“Has anyone heard anything from Chieftain Burnell of the Clan Learmonth?” Arran asked.
“The old fool is safe enough from this mess. No one would want his useless land,” William said dismissively.
“Maybe, but strategically he sits well. You can see the whole surrounding area, which would work well for anyone wanting to plan attacks on local clans,” Arran said.
“I’m sure the old fool does well,” William said, his glance going to Royden, Arran, and finally coming to rest on Parlan. “The question is, what do we do now?”
“I want to send a discreet missive to a friend in Edinburgh who is often at the King’s castle and see what he can tell me,” Parlan said.
“That will take time, Parlan, and we may not have time,” William said.
“True enough, but we know nothing of our enemy, not who it is or the size of the foe we fight. Right now it is only your clan and mine and we don’t know if that is enough to defeat our unknown enemy,” Parlan said.
“I suppose then we know what we must do first,” William said.
“Find out the identity of our enemy,” Arran said.
“Don’t you ever get the desire to pick up a sword and see how it must feel to fight an opponent?” Raven asked and hurried over to the stack of wooden practice swords near the empty practice field and scooped one up.
Oria laughed. “Actually, when I was young I thought about it, and I foolishly tried to wield my da’s sword one day. I cut my foot, leaving me with a small scar I barely think about. However, I do think about the thrashing my da gave me which convinced me never to pick up a sword again.”
“That was your da’s sword, this is a wooden one. It can’t hurt you.” Raven scooped up another wooden sword and handed it to Oria. “Come on it will be fun and your da won’t find out.”
Oria couldn’t resist, especially with Raven’s encouragement. She envied Raven’s bravery. She wished she had the courage to speak up to her da on occasion. He decided everything for her, except Royden, he had been her choice. Though, it made it easier that Royden had fit in with what her da had planned for her, to wed into a clan that would benefit him. A marriage to Royden would give him ju
st that.
She hoped Raven continued to remain brave as she got older, not that they were that far apart in age, Oria being three years older than Raven. She wondered, sometimes hoped, that by having Raven as a sister once she wed Royden, that she would gain some of the young lass’s courage.
“Let’s battle,” Raven challenged and swung at Oria.
Oria instinctively raised her sword to defend herself.
Wooden swords clashed and laughter rang in the air.
Oria found the duel exhilarating and marveled at the way it came so naturally to her. It was as if she had been born with a sword in her hand.
“You’ve done this before,” Raven all but accused as she swung the wooden sword, Oria deflecting every blow.
Oria laughed. “I haven’t but it feels good.”
Raven laughed and let out a roar and charged at Oria.
Oria’s instincts took over and she lashed out at Raven, the blows sending her toppling and rolling down the small incline.
“What are you doing?”
Oria turned at her da’s reprimanding yell, her face turning white.
“Raven!” her father cried out once she rolled to a stop and got to her feet. “What have you done now?”
Raven laughed and called out, “Oria is talented with a sword.”
“You will take yourself to your horse, Oria, and we will discuss your improper manner when we get home,” William ordered.
Raven ran to face William. “It wasn’t her fault. I made her spar with me, since no one else would.”
“That’s no excuse. Oria knows better than to behave like a hoyden,” William accused.
“Hold up there, William,” Parlan said, stepping forward. “I’ll not have you calling my daughter a hoyden. Oria is older and wiser than Raven and she should have stopped such nonsense.”
William grunted and shook his head. “You’re right. Oria is the older and wiser of the two. She should have kept her in tow.”
“Stop, the both of you,” Royden said, stepping past his da and William to take Oria’s hand. “Oria nor Raven did anything wrong. They had some fun and that was it. If anything, Oria probably stopped Raven from picking up a real sword.”
“That she did,” Raven spoke up.
Oria looked to her and shook her ahead about to speak up, but Raven spoke in a rush.
“She will be a good sister to me and teach me well, and stop me from doing foolish things, yet engage me in play.”
Royden smiled at his sister and gave a brief nod, pleased she defended the woman he loved and proud of her for doing so.
“Now can we have those sweets that Cook has been making all day?” Raven asked with a grin.
“I do love your cook’s sweet bread,” William said.
“Then let’s go and enjoy,” Parlan said and led the way, William keeping at his side.
Oria grabbed Raven’s arm as she went to walk by her and Royden. “You didn’t have to do that.”
“Aye, I did. This was my fault and my blame to take and besides, there’ll be plenty of times you need to defend me once you join this family.” Raven laughed and ran off.
“She’s a good and brave sister,” Oria said, looking at Royden.
“That she is and I’m proud of her. Raven may get herself into trouble from time to time, but she always does what’s right and what’s necessary.”
Oria smiled and wrapped her arms around him, not that they fit, but she did her best. “I cannot wait for us to be husband and wife.”
Royden lowered his lips to hers and kissed her gently. “It cannot be soon enough for me.”
Oria tried to hide her frown, but Royden’s tender hand to her chin forced her to face him.
“What’s wrong?” he asked. “My kiss did not please you?”
“Your kisses always please me, though I find myself wanting more,” she whispered.
“There’s nothing wrong with that. It’s only natural. We love each other.”
“But I don’t know how to please you,” she murmured.
“And glad I am for it, since it means you’ve known no man and to speak the truth, I have known no woman, since I’ve wanted only you, so we will learn together.”
“What if we make a mistake?”
Royden laughed. “Then we will flounder about together until we get it right.”
Oria looked around to make sure no one was close. “You could ask your brother Arran. I hear he has known many women.”
“I don’t need his guidance. I can manage for us both,” he assured her.
“I don’t want you to be disappointed.”
He kissed her gently again. “Never would I be disappointed in you.”
“My heart aches with how much I love you, Royden,” Oria said and pressed her lips to his, having ached to feel them and the sensation that would rush through her body every time their lips touched or when his hand rested at her waist or the time his hand drifted down along her hip, slowly and intimately.
She couldn’t wait to make love with this man who she loved with all her heart.
“I love you, Oria. We will have a good life together.”
“Promise,” she whispered.
“Aye, my love, I promise,” he said and sealed it with a kiss.
Chapter 3
Arran caught the movement out of the corner of his eye as he adjusted his plaid. He reached down and stretched his hand out to Flora. She finished tucking her ample bosom—that only moments ago he had enjoyed feasting on—back in her shift and took his hand. Once on her feet, he took her in his arms.
“Beautiful as always and enjoyable as always,” he said and kissed her cheek.
Flora, a buxom lass with bright red hair, pale skin, and lovely features, blushed. “Go on with you now, Arran. You say that to all the lasses you poke.”
He kissed her cheek again and whispered in her ear, “Not a one, only you Flora. I enjoy you the most.”
Flora laughed. “I’m not one to be believing your tall tales, but I’ll enjoy them anyway.”
Arran laughed and hugged her tight. “That’s why I favor you the most. You know me well.”
“That I do and I favor you myself. Now I have to get back to the kitchen before Cook comes looking for me,” Flora said, stepping out of his arms.
“Later?” Arran asked with a wink.
“You’re a hungry one,” Flora said with a laugh. “But then so am I. Until later.”
It wasn’t until Flora had left the stable that he said, “You can come out now.”
Dead silence greeted his words.
“If you make me come get you, I promise you’ll be sorry,” Arran threatened.
There was a rustling noise, then a young lass, her garments too large for her petite size and her head bent, stepped from around the pile of hay in the corner of the barn.
“Purity?” he asked as though he wasn’t sure it was her. She appeared thinner than usual. “What are you doing here and how long have you been here?”
He was patient while the young lass found her voice. She was a shy one, barely speaking to anyone, afraid of most everything and plain as could be. Not a memorable or striking feature to call her attractive. He watched her tuck a strand of her brown, limp hair behind her ear. It was long, nearly to her waist and as straight as could be. To make matters worse she was born missing her thumb and pinky finger, leaving her left hand to resemble a claw. It would take a hefty dowry to get any man to agree to wed her. A fact that had proven true since she was already ten and eight years with still no prospects of a husband.
Her father Galvin, Chieftain of the Clan Macara, had approached Arran’s father about a possible marriage between Purity and Arran. It wasn’t that he cared about his daughter, he had even told Arran’s da that Arran need only bed Purity to get her with child, then he was free to enjoy the pleasures of other women. Galvin felt it was a good union, beneficial to two powerful clans. Arran’s da had thought otherwise, though he had presented the proposition to Arran, which he
had quickly rejected. He had no interest in taking Purity as a wife. His father had graciously declined Galvin’s offer, though it hadn’t stopped the man from continuing to be persistent about it.
Arran grew impatient waiting for her to find her courage to speak and was about to hurry an answer from her when she finally spoke.
“I came to see the cat. Raven told me she had birthed a litter of kittens,” Purity said her voice as soft as a whisper.
“And how long have you been here?” he asked, wondering what she had witnessed.
“I didn’t watch. I kept my head turned away,” she said, keeping her eyes focused on the ground.
He felt bad for her. Most lasses her age were wed and with bairns by now. He doubted she’d ever been kissed and he found himself asking her that very question.
“Have you ever been kissed, Purity?”
Red blotches blossomed all over her face, giving him his answer.
“Would you like to know what it is like to be kissed?” he asked, thinking a kiss might be kind for her right now.
She flashed angry green eyes on him. “I don’t need your pity, Arran MacKinnon.” She scooped up the kitten at her feet, the tip of his tail white and white stockings on his two front paws, while the rest of him was pitch black. She hugged him to her and ran from the stable.
He shook his head, feeling sorry she was doomed to a lonely life spent more with animals than with humans. Raven had told him how easily animals responded to Purity and bairns as well. It was a shame, since she would probably never have bairns of her own.
He walked out of the stables to storm clouds hovering overhead and Raven in the not far distance waving him toward her.
“What is so important that you wave wildly at me?” he asked when he reached her.
“Da and Royden wait for you in his solar along with Chieftain Galvin and his son, Bayne,” she said, scrunching her nose as if distasteful of the name.
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