“I wasnae born into the position of power, so it was not an idea that I dwelled on much, but I have earned my power, which is more than I can say for some.”
“And what is that supposed to mean? Are ye saying that those like my brother doonae deserve their power?”
“Connor and Alec both make fine lairds, and they have earned their respect,” he said mildly. “There is no need to take up arms, Lady Grace. Yer family has a fine reputation, and there is none that will speak against them unless ‘tis with jealousy.”
She was quiet for the rest of the walk, and Hamish was relieved. The woman was inquisitive—too inquisitive—and she had a way of getting the truth out.
He would have to be more careful, especially while Theo was out and about.
He had no time for the likes of her. Not only was she mischievous by nature, but her brothers had set up a scenario where she would cause trouble just by entering a room. The last thing that he wanted was for the men to start issuing challenges over her. They didn’t even seem to care that she was stubborn and willful.
No, they only cared that she had a sweet face and even sweeter connections. Would any of them treasure the sharp mind behind those shrewd eyes or the fight beneath that smooth skin?
“Sweet God,” Hamish growled under his breath and looked away. He was not here to care about Grace Sinclair, and he had no business thinking about how silky she would feel when he touched her.
“Now what is wrong?” she snapped when she heard his frustration.
You! he wanted to say. You are what is wrong with me!
“I have better things to do than to be yer keeper,” he said shortly.
Rolling her eyes, she folded her arms and kept marching on.
When they reached the keep, she glanced up to her window, and he knew she was wondering just how she would get back in. “Keep yer cap low over yer face,” he advised. “I will get ye in.”
There were quite a few guards out from all the clans, and while most took a moment to stop and greet him, Grace was smart and remained a few steps behind so that his frame blocked her. When they arrived at her hall, he held up his hand to keep her around the corner.
“Ye there,” he called out. “Sinclair. I need a word with ye.”
The guard glanced around and moved dutifully toward him. “Ye are guarding Lady Grace, are ye now? I was just at the tavern, and I have heard word of a wager happening among the guards over who might catch her fancy.”
As he spoke, he moved slowly in a circle to keep the guard’s attention. Grace darted out from around them and snuck toward her door.
“A wager?” The guard frowned. “‘Tis not sporting to bid on a lass.”
“‘Tis harmless enough,” he said. “Besides, I already know who will win her favor.”
Grace paused at the door and turned to glower at him, but there was nothing she could do. “In any case, I suggest ye keep a close eye on things that none try to sneak up here. I will speak to her brothers in the morn. Perhaps I should move her to a more secure chamber.”
“Which one would be more secure?”
“The one next to mine.”
Her door slammed shut, and the guard turned and jumped, his hand on the butt of his sword. “What was that?”
“‘Twas probably the door around the corner. The sound carries, but I am pleased that ye are on alert.”
“Aye.” The guard shook his head. “I doonae like to speak ill of the lass, but she is tricky.”
“Aye, so I have heard.”
5
“Are ye bored already?” Alec teased the next day as he and Connor escorted Grace and their wives across the fields. It was just after noon, and Hamish had set up a round of games between the warriors. Grace had spent most of her breakfast fidgeting at the table and staring out the window, and nothing since then had caught her attention.
Mostly because Hamish had not been available. She told herself it was because she was looking for a verbal sparring partner and not because she wanted to see him again. Her night had been plagued by thoughts of him.
Unwelcome thoughts, or so she tried to tell herself. Just who did he think she would choose for her husband? The confidence in his voice grated into her.
And it didn’t sit well that her brothers had yet to tell her the true nature of being there. Well, since they were planning on deceiving her, then she would play their little games. She could smile and flirt and pretend that she was delighted to wed. And then, when their guard was down, she would let them know just what she thought of their little scheme.
It would be one story they would probably tell of the hellion Sinclair for years to come. She would be sure of it.
“‘Tis because, as I told Connor, there is no interest for me here,” Grace muttered. She’d just managed to escape an excruciating session with the other two ladies that had joined them. Lady Jillian MacSeaver, the widow of Laird MacSeaver’s son, was a quiet and seemingly nervous woman. Grace still remembered when Laird MacSeaver’s son died three years past, just months after marrying. There were so many conflicting rumors about his death. Poor Lady Beth was wed to Fletcher MacSeaver. She probably had no idea that her husband left the tavern last night with not one but two women, young enough to be his daughters—nay, his granddaughters—on his arm.
“I could be working on my archery skills, but no, I had to spend the morning with a group of women who complained about their cooks. As if I give a damn about their latest recipes. ‘Twas as if I was spending the day with English milksops. No offense, Cora.”
“Offense taken,” she chuckled. “I may have married a Scot, but I was raised English, and I am no milksop. Still, I have to agree that the morning discussion was boring. Lady Jillian and Lady Beth really ought to be home. Jillian barely speaks now that her husband is gone, and Beth is under so much stress now that MacSeaver wants a natural heir.”
“Even if she conceives, the boy will be a child when MacSeaver passes,” Cora said in wonder.
“‘Tis not uncommon for someone to guide him ‘til he is old enough. Probably Graeme, although Graeme could petition King Edward to stay in power. ‘Tis not a certainty either way,” Grace explained.
Suddenly, Alec slowed his pace and jammed his elbow into Connor’s side and nodded his head. Connor gripped her elbow and pulled her forward as a warrior joined them. “MacDougal!” Connor greeted heartily and clapped him on the shoulder. “Have ye met my wife and sister?”
Moira rolled her eyes but executed a small curtsy. “Theo and I are acquainted from when we were children, but it has been many years.”
“Lady Moira, ‘tis wonderful to see ye again,” he said gallantly as he nodded, but his eyes were trained on Grace. Irritated, she executed a curtsy as well. She recognized him from the tavern last night and had thought he would keep Hamish entertained while she tried to slip away, but the plan was for naught. She still blamed him for last night’s failure.
As far as men went, he was pleasing to look at. His dark hair swept over his shoulders and framed a rugged face with piercing green eyes. There was something familiar about that stare, but she couldn’t quite put her finger on it.
“Laird MacDougal, is it?” she greeted politely.
“Aye, for the interim.” He took her hand and brought it to his lips. “I have heard quite a bit about ye, Lady Grace, and am pleased to finally make yer acquaintance.”
It was all she could do not to roll her eyes. Alec dutifully introduced Cora as well, and she hid a grin when Theo’s greeting was far less heartfelt. It was clear that he knew why her brothers had dragged her here, and he intended to attempt to win her hand.
A shadow fell over them, and her heart caught in her throat. Even without turning around, she knew who was standing behind her. “Sinclair, MacKay, MacDougal. Ladies,” Hamish greeted smoothly. “I hope that ye are on yer way to the games.”
“Aye. My men have been talking about naught else on the way over here. They are determined to claim the glory for the Sincla
irs,” Connor said proudly.
“‘Twill never happen,” Alec and Theo said almost simultaneously.
“We shall see. I regret that I couldnae join ye for the morning meal, but setting up the games took up most of my time. I trust that everyone slept well.”
There was a hint of laughter in his voice, and Grace forced herself to turn and face him. “As it happens, I find my chambers far too chilly. Perhaps something on the second floor would suit,” she said innocently.
“No,” Connor and Alec said immediately, and Hamish smirked.
“It appears yer brothers like ye right where ye are, Lady Grace. I do have a chamber available on the second floor, so if ye find yerself uncomfortable, I will be happy to speak to them.”
Because she’d been eavesdropping last night, she knew just what chamber he was talking about, but there was no way she’d find herself in his mistress’s quarters. Not a chance.
“No trouble, Laird Hamilton. I am most certain that I can find a way to make things work for me,” she said sweetly.
“Lady Grace,” Theo interjected, “with yer brother’s permission, I would like to escort ye to the games.”
“Actually, Theo, I have already asked Grace to be my escort,” Hamish said. “And she has accepted, although only if Connor approves.”
Grace was about to remind him that he’d asked her no such thing until she saw the warning in his eyes and stiffened. If he told anyone about her escape last night, Connor would lock her in her room for the rest of their time here.
Although, that would be far more preferable than being paraded around and fought over like a broodmare. Surely there was no way that Hamish would actually be interested in her as a bride, not when he already knew that she would not suit?
An idea formed in her head. If she showed interest in Hamish while her brothers were around, they were far more likely to relax their shenanigans.
“Aye,” she said smoothly. “Connor, do ye mind?”
He looked surprised and pleased even while Moira eyed her suspiciously from behind him. “I think that will be fine.”
“Then perhaps Lady Grace will allow me to escort her to dinner tonight,” Theo said quickly.
He seemed pushy, but Hamish didn’t jump to her rescue for a second time.
Connor accepted the dinner invitation before she could say anything, and she gnashed her teeth together. Where did he get the nerve?
“Perhaps we should be on our way. We do not want to miss anything,” Cora said pragmatically as she stepped up to Grace and squeezed her hand.
Hamish grinned. “Aye. Follow me.”
The Hamilton training fields had been walled off with boulders and tree trunks and turned into a small arena. A crowd had already gathered, and the warriors, dressed in their clan colors, were all gathered at the end. Their loud boasts could be heard throughout the crowd although no one paid any attention to the fraught and colorful language. Today was supposed to be all in fun.
The end of the arena had been roped off for the lairds and clan representatives and their wives. Chairs had been placed on a temporary platform so all could watch their men with pride.
Although Grace would have loved to compete, she saw the games for what they really were: a chance to use brute strength and violence to find glory.
“We arenae the English,” she muttered sourly. “Our soldiers doonae train in combat just to put on a show.”
“‘Tis true, we have a visceral need for our soldiers, but there is also a need to release tension. Five clans gathering amasses tension. This is how we relieve it to keep from too much bloodshedding,” Hamish told her quietly. “‘Tis not just for entertainment, Grace. The men need something to do.”
Mollified, she sat down. Hamish greeted the crowd and called for the first game to begin, a show of brute strength in boulder tossing. Grace wasn’t impressed enough to watch the games, but she was very aware of the large man seated next to her. Her brothers were directly behind her, but between the roar of the crowd, she knew they couldn’t hear her.
“If ye tell my brothers about last night, I will make life vera difficult for ye,” she warned quietly.
“Perhaps ye should have thought of that before ye jumped out of a third-story window. I think ye’ll find that yer dead body will cause more problems for me than any mischief ye can come up with.”
Before she could answer, two men sidled up to her. The sun was shining brightly behind them, and she shaded her eyes. Glints of gold told her one was Creighton Armstrong, which would make the other Brodie.
She fixed her attention on Brodie, the one who was so outrageously confident that he could control her. “Good morn,” she said politely.
“Lady Grace.” Brodie immediately grabbed her hand and brought it to his lips. “We havenae been formally introduced. This morn ye were surrounded by others, and I can certainly see why. Yer beauty is unlike any other. Yer hair must have been weaved by the angels.”
It was all she could do not to roll her eyes. “Really? A passing priest once said my hair was obviously the work of Satan himself.”
Next to her, Hamish snorted.
Creighton took his chance and bowed. “Forgive my brother. For all the experience he has of wooing women, one would think that he would know they require more than flower words. I have heard that ye have a talent with the sword. I wonder if ye might give a demonstration?”
That got her attention. A man who didn’t mind that she enjoyed a duel or two.
“I am afraid that lady Grace has a full schedule for the day,” Hamish quickly intervened. “If ye two will find yer seats, the games are about to begin.”
Brodie nodded. “Aye. I appreciate the games, and I trust that ye will not be offended when the Armstrongs win with a sweeping victory.”
“Bah!” MacSeaver said from behind him. “Sit down, lad. Ye talk too much and clearly doonae have the brawn to back it up.”
With their attention on the older man, they abandoned Grace and turned their squabbling to the MacSeavers. Grace, who hadn’t forgotten the conversation before they were interrupted, turned to Hamish with a steely glare. “So do ye plan on ratting me out to my brothers?”
“If I planned on telling them, then they would already know. I feel as though ye have learned yer lesson last night and will not make the same folly.” He paused. “I will warn ye to stay away from Theo MacDougal.”
Warn her? Grace turned her head sharply to glare at him. Just who does he think he is? She had enough brothers telling her what to do. “Ye willnae dictate who I spend time with. After all, I am supposed to be choosing a husband, and he is unwed and handsome.”
“Doonae be deceived, Grace. The devil himself had the face of an angel.”
Abruptly, he turned back to the games as a cheer went up through the crowd. Alec rose and roared with satisfaction as if it was his contender who won the boulder throwing.
Grace crossed her arms and pursed her lips. If Hamish thinks I will allow another man to control me, he has another thing coming.
It turned out that the Armstrongs did have something to boast about. Their soldiers won the majority of the games, and Brodie Armstrong was not shy about reminding people of that at dinner. Theo sat next to her on one side and Connor on the other. At the head of the table, Hamish watched them with a mulish expression.
Knowing full well that Connor was paying close attention to her, she gently touched Theo’s arm and watched as Cora, who was seated across from her, widened her eyes in surprise. If Connor wanted her to flirt and make herself available, then she was happy to do so. “Laird MacDougal,” she said in what she hoped was a flirty tone, “tell us how things have been since ye have taken over for yer father. I imagine that ‘tis not easy to step into power.”
“Nay, but like most of the men at the table, I was raised for this exact moment.”
It didn’t sound like a barb, but Grace could not help sneaking a glance in Hamish’s direction. He didn’t seem offended at all.
; “Must be a blessing to have yer father still be alive to guide ye,” she said softly as she touched his arm again. At this point, Cora was nearly choking on her wine, and even Connor was giving her a strange look. “I found it admirable that ye are here, making such powerful choices so early in yer reign.”
She batted her eyes lashes, and underneath the table, Cora lightly kicked her. Grace ignored her and nearly grinned with satisfaction when she had Theo’s full attention.
“Aye. I believe that some of us might fall to folly by changing too much early on, but I have been planning certain changes for years, and I am eager to implement them. A peace treaty with our neighbors is high on my list of priorities, and I am pleased for this opportunity. With the purchase of Loch Moran, the Hamiltons and I will be direct neighbors.”
Silence fell at the table, and Connor and Alec both looked up sharply and turned to MacSeaver. “Ye sold MacDougal Loch Moran?” Connor demanded, and Grace tried not to wince. It was no secret that the riverside strip of land had an excellent seaport and nurturing rich lands. It was also no secret that MacSeaver was too busy with his hand up some woman’s skirt to really pay attention to defending it. It had been invaded three times in the past five years, and MacSeaver had just barely managed to hold it.
Grace was surprised. MacSeaver might not care about defending it, but he would care about losing part of his clan. That was just highland laird pride.
“My lands are vast, and my numbers are dwindling, especially those of eligible lads to join the guard,” MacSeaver flustered. “I will not lose my number though. The king is giving my people a chance to move back across the border to my lands.”
Connor turned his anger toward Theo. “Why was it not known that Loch Moran was up for purchase?”
“Because it wasnae,” Theo said calmly. “I made a private bid for it, and King Edward accepted it.”
For a moment, Grace thought Connor, Alec, and the Armstrongs were going to explode. Only Hamish seemed calm. Wanting to defuse the situation, Grace sought to change the subject.
Highlander's Hellion Bride: A Scottish Medieval Historical Romance (Highlander's Deceptive Lovers Book 3) Page 4