“We have met before,” Deirdre was unwilling to concede more.
“Then you can formally introduce us,” Isabella angled herself closer to Magnus.
“I, too, have known Lord Magnus for several years,” intervened Elizabeth. “The Sinclairs live in the most northern part of the Highlands upon the coast of the North Sea.”
Magnus nodded but did not look away from Deirdre even though she would no longer meet his eye.
“You seem to know about the Sinclairs, but you have spent most of your life at court, Lady Elizabeth,” Arabella observed.
“I have not always lived here. Remember, I, too, was born and raised in the Highlands. Besides, Lady Deirdre told me of her times at the gatherings and royal hunts. They took place throughout the Highlands. That is how she and Lord Magnus met.”
Deirdre looked at her cousin and gave her head a minute shake, but Elizabeth was not looking at her.
“Lady Deirdre has been at court for seven summers now. How could she know Lord Magnus that well?” Mary pressed on, “Lady Deirdre, were you and Lord Magnus childhood sweethearts? He seems rather protective of you. When was the last time you saw each other?”
The world pressed in on Deirdre and black dots bounced before her eyes. She forced herself to breathe before answering.
“It has been seven summers since I saw Lord Magnus. We have not seen one another since just before I came to court.”
“Him!” Lord Archibald had been silent throughout the questioning but now roared. “He’s the bastard you gave yourself to? Seven years ago is when your parents said you committed your indiscretion. Your father has not paid me nearly enough to make up for it being some bloody Highlander you gave your maidenhead too. Had I known you’d whored yourself to a heathen, I never would have agreed to wed you.”
Hay leaned into Deirdre so even Magnus could not hear what he whispered.
“You will pay for this. I hope you know what to do with that mouth of yours. A whore you were and a whore you will be.”
Deirdre once again saw black dots dance at the corner of her eyes, and she felt the blood drain from her face. Magnus stepped forward, afraid that she would collapse, but her look stopped him. Archibald leered at her, and Magnus wanted to leave marks on his neck, except they would be evidence of him strangling Hay.
“Do not think this is over, Highlander. You have yet to resolve all your claims here at court. Tread carefully or you could see your clan impoverished and your arse in the dungeon.”
Hay stepped around Magnus and stalked off, leaving Deirdre and Magnus staring at each other while the other ladies rushed to spread all that had come to light. Magnus caught Deirdre as she slumped against him, and Elizabeth’s repeated apologies filled the background.
Chapter Eight
The Great Hall was filled to the brim with people as more families arrived for the royal hunt that would begin in the morning. Magnus entered the gathering hall and stifled a groan as he saw that most of the tables were already full. He scanned the crowd and found Deirdre sitting at the end of a table with her cousin beside her. The atmosphere around the table was visible even from the entrance. The other ladies-in-waiting were casting glances in Deirdre’s direction but whispering among themselves. Deirdre sat mutely while Elizabeth talked to her. Magnus started towards the ladies’ table but spotted Laird Fraser making his way to his daughter. Magnus circled around and approached from behind. He would give Deirdre her privacy and not make another scene, but he would be close enough to hear if her father threatened her too. Laird Fraser almost reached his daughter, but a courtier waylaid who led him to a group of other men.
Magnus looked around again and was about to take a seat at a table near the breeze coming through the windows, but he, too, was waylaid. This time a page came to him and stood before him.
“Aye, lad?”
“His Majesty has instructed me to inform you that your seat awaits you at the high table just below the dais. If you will please follow me, my lord.”
At the appointed table sat some of the most well-known courtiers present. It was the table just below the salt, and so many of the wealthiest lords routinely sat there. This included Archibald Hay.
Magnus looked at the man, and his heartbeat jumped. He longed for the security and familiarity of having his broadsword strapped to his back, but once again, he faced the viper pit with his claymore locked in his chamber. His fingers itched to touch the hilt of one of his many dirks, but that would only draw more attention. There was only one seat left, and luckily for Magnus, it was on the opposite end and the same side as where Hay sat. He would not have to look at the man for the entire meal.
“I did not know they were giving away spare seats to just anyone.” Hay’s voice floated down to Magnus just as he lowered himself to the bench.
So much for nae having to deal with him. He is just looking for an excuse to insult me and humiliate me if he can. I willna be baited for Deir’s sake. I canna do aught more to draw attention to her, or me for that matter. Nae until I conclude matters with the king.
Magnus picked up the tankard of ale and took a long draw before placing it back on the table. The men surrounding him continued their conversation with no interest or intention of including him. This suited Magnus as he held no desire to speak with these men who spent their time talking about war and defenses but rarely engaged in the dangerous business of battle.
“Tell us, Lord Sinclair, is there such a shortage of attractive women in the Highlands that you must come all the way to court to search for a beddable woman? I can only imagine how you men keep yourselves warm then?” The other men snickered at Archibald’s implied insults.
Magnus took another drink of ale and broke off a piece of bread.
“Laird Sinclair is ma father.”
He turned his attention to the serving boy who placed a trencher in front of him. The bishop blessed the meal as Magnus walked in, so he pulled out his eating knife and took his first bite of meat. However, Hay had no intention of being ignored.
“Magnus isn’t it? Yes, Magnus, your mother’s lessons in manners did not prepare you for court, or perhaps Highlanders do not care for manners. It is not polite to meddle in other’s business. Such behavior tends to be poor for one’s health.”
Magnus let out a hearty laugh and leaned on one elbow, so he could see past the other men to Hay. He flexed his arm and chest which made his leine strain even more.
“Other than ma elbow on the table, ma mother would be proud to ken I have the manners to protect those who canna protect themselves. She always taught ma brothers and me that size doesnae make a mon strong or honorable. A mon who uses his size and strength to threaten those who canna defend themselves is naught more than a coward. He is either nae smart enough,” he tapped his head and then his heart, “or brave enough to find a better way to overcome a challenge. A mon who must take by force does so because nay one offers him aught by choice.”
The entire table sat silently. Some were shocked by how much Magnus said since most underestimated his intelligence. The others found their mouth agog when they digested what he said.
“By the by, I’m healthier than a bull and just as stubborn.” Magnus dropped a piece of meat into his mouth and looked straight ahead while he chewed.
“A pity that not everyone we know has a healthy constitution. After all, a woman’s constitution is so much frailer than a man’s. They come to harm so much more easily, especially the thin ones like Lady Deirdre.”
Magnus looked back at Hay as he spoke, and when Hay uttered Deirdre’s name, Magnus pulled a dirk from his belt and laid it on the table.
“Using women to fight a mon’s battle.” Magnus tsked and wrapped his hand around the dirk, lifting it, he jammed its point into the table and let go. Everyone watched as the blade vibrated and the table shook. “Is a dishonorable strategy.”
Magnus stood from the table and looked around. The men at the table watched him nod to several other Highlanders who caught
his eye.
“Nay Highlander tolerates dishonorable men. Tread carefully. It seems there is something in our water or mayhap it’s the fresh air, but ye may notice there isnae a wee mon here who wears plaid.”
Magnus pulled the dirk from the table but did not resheath it. He stared at Hay until one of them would have to look away. Magnus refused to be that man. When Hay blinked, Magnus stepped away from the bench and prepared to leave the Great Hall if he could pull Deirdre away. He looked at her and saw misery written across her face as the other women cast conspicuous glances at her before laughing into their hands. Magnus’s heart broke for her. He never intended for their choices to become common knowledge.
I speak of protecting those who canna protect themselves, yet I havenae done well protecting the one lass I’ve sworn to spend ma life defending. Would that I could whisk her away from here, but that would only draw more attention. Let there be a better scandal soon, so those vultures move on.
“Lord Magnus,” boomed a loud voice that had many staring between him and the king. “Approach. I would speak to you of the hunt tomorrow.”
Magnus walked to stand before the dais and bowed low.
“Making friends again, are you?” The king whispered over his chalice.
“Ye could say something of the sort, Yer Grace.”
“Hmm, I think you would do well with something or somewhere to spend your energy. Join us on the hunt tomorrow.”
Magnus did not miss the command. He bowed again before answering.
“As ye wish, Yer Majesty.”
“There will be many fine horsemen and even a few fine horsewomen joining us on the hunt. I am sure you will recognize some.” When Magnus looked up at the king, he knew to whom the king referred as the royal was looking at Deirdre.
“You’ve always been the best tracker of all the brothers. Only Mairghread comes close,” the king chuckled as he remembered the five Sinclair siblings as children, especially the only sister who had been wilder than any of her brothers. “I would not put it past you to find the mark or bag the prey you choose.”
Magnus did not miss the double meaning, but he was not sure if he was being granted permission to do away with Hay or abscond with Deirdre.
“Be in the yard at sunrise. We leave promptly.” The king turned to the man sitting to his right, and Magnus knew he was dismissed. He backed away before moving to the side of the large Great Hall. He looked at Deirdre once more and decided that he would not abandon her simply to seek his own reprieve from the crowds. He found a wall to lean against in the back where he could see all the doors but was not as obvious to everyone else.
I will finally be able to wear ma sword again. Aboot ruddy time, too. And I am glad I brought ma bow. I wasna planning to be here long enough to stay for the hunt, but it looks like I dinna have much choice. I wonder if Deirdre still shoots as well as she did the first time we rode together on the hunt.
~~~
The air was crisp as everyone gathered in the Menzies’s bailey. Horses snorted and stomped in the autumn air. Their saddles jangled as the stable boys attempted to wrangle the enormous warhorses and geldings that the sturdy Highland warriors favored. In among the crowd was an entirely black mare whose rider was arguing with her father about riding astride instead of sidesaddle.
“Father, we will ride far too fast and far too close for me to ride sidesaddle. I need to be able to use both knees to control Freya if I am to use my bow.”
“If ye canna ride properly and appropriately, then ye dinna ride at all.”
“But Father—”
“Nay more! I have given ye ma answer. Choose.”
Deirdre slid from her horse and walked to the stables. She brought Freya inside and rushed to unsaddle her. She struggled to lift the large saddle from her horse, so she was unprepared for the weight to suddenly disappear from her hands. She knew immediately who stood behind her.
“Thank ye,” she whispered.
“Deir, I dinna agree with yer father. I dinna like ye riding sidesaddle in the midst of such a large hunting party. The men arenae going to be paying attention to how unstable sidesaddle will be for ye. Dinna ride far from me. I will bring ye straight back here and turn ye over ma lap if ye drift.” Magnus whispered as he quickly resaddled Freya with a sidesaddle. He grunted as he double checked the girth. He hated sidesaddles after his sister was thrown as a young girl. After that, their father banned his daughter from ever riding one again. He insisted that she only ride astride. Now that he was helping Deirdre mount, he wished he could insist upon her riding astride too.
“Deir, I am throwing that ruddy sidesaddle out when we marry. Dinna even bother bringing it with ye. I dinna want to see ye on it again,” he growled quietly as he brought her out of the stables.
Deirdre knew the story of Mairghread’s fall from when they spoke about their love for horses and riding during one of their earliest meetings. She knew he spoke out of fear, and while she knew he most likely would never spank her, a small part of her enjoyed knowing he was that protective of her.
“Magnus, dinna fash. I will stay close. Sidesaddle or nae.” She flashed him a smile before maneuvering Freya closer to the Fraser party until they left the keep. She looked over her shoulder and winked. Magnus returned her grin as the hunting party moved through the portcullis.
The riders crowded together as they made their way to the woods. As they entered the treeline, they fanned out. The Frasers and Sinclairs rode together. Deirdre scanned the underbrush and caught sight of an unsettled leaf pile and a small bush close by that appeared to wiggle. She drew an arrow and shot. She was rewarded with red blooming through the leaves.
"Well done, Deirdre," her father boomed.
She smiled and dismounted to retrieve her rabbit. She pulled the arrow from it, wiped the tip, and brought the rabbit to the leather satchel attached to her saddle. Remounting, she looked over at Magnus, and her heart raced to see his look of pride. He grinned as she nudged her horse forward.
The morning carried on with Magnus and Deirdre taking turns bagging their prey. Magnus slid quiet compliments to her while she marveled at his strength to bring down several fowl within the trees.
Just after the morning, the Sinclairs broke off from the Frasers. Magnus tried to convince his father to remain with the other clan, but the king called them to join his group. Magnus rode at the back of the pack and slowed to a trot then a walk. When his family and the king were far enough ahead, he turned his horse and raced back to find Deirdre. He disliked the idea of her riding side saddle and refused to break his promise to be by her side.
As he approached, he saw her to the left of her clan members and father. She was aiming for a stag and did not see the boar emerging from the undergrowth. Magnus spurred his horse as he shot one arrow after another and finally threw a dirk at the beast.
The boar's movement and squeals of pain spooked Deirdre's horse. Magnus pulled alongside her horse and reached for the bridle as it reared. Despite his strength, he was no match atop his own horse to keep Deirdre's from rearing twice more and throwing her when she could not use both legs or free herself from the stirrup. For one terrifying moment, Magnus thought Freya might drag her, but Deirdre twisted her foot free just before her head and shoulders hit the ground. Magnus stood in his stirrups and pulled on the bridle with all his strength, guiding Freya forward and away from Deirdre's unmoving body.
Magnus leaped from his horse and ran to Deirdre's side. He slid into the ground next to her and ran his fingers over her head finding a large knot on the left side. He ran his hands over her arms and legs without hesitation before running them over her front then sliding them underneath her to check her backbone.
"Sinclair, what the devil do ye think ye're doing touching ma daughter?"
Magnus did not spare him a glance as he continued to examine Deirdre.
"I'm making sure ye didna kill yer daughter by making her use that bluidy sidesaddle. Ye did this as much as the boar."
&n
bsp; He did not wait for a response or the opportunity for the Fraser to check his daughter. Magnus scooped her into his arms as carefully as he could and lifted her to his saddle. Using the power of his legs alone, he mounted his horse. Cradling her and wrapping his body around her to protect her from the jarring of his horse's gallop, he raced back to the keep.
While the keep was not that great a distance, the ride back reminded Magnus of trying to walk through a bog. He could not reach the keep quickly enough as time seemed to slow. He kept looking down at Deirdre but except to unconsciously burrow closer to him, she had not moved nor had her eyelashes even fluttered.
Magnus was in a near panic as he rode into the bailey.
"I need the healer! Lady Deirdre has been injured. Someone find Lady Fraser."
Magnus dismounted as a stable boy took his reins. He lifted Deirdre down and strode to the keep's massive doors. One guardsman in the bailey rushed behind him and reached to open the door. Magnus barely nodded to him.
It took his eyes a moment to adjust to the light, but he saw Lady Fraser moving towards him. He snarled softly when he saw the lack of concern, instead almost disinterest, on Deirdre's mother's face.
"She was thrown while hunting."
"I told her she shouldn't go out gallivanting with men. Not proper at all."
Magnus stared at her agog for a moment before stepping around her and heading to the stairwell.
"On which floor is her chamber?"
"Ye can't go up there!"
"Can ye carry her? Nay? I didna think so. She's a nasty knot on the back of her head and needs the healer. I imagine she's badly bruised, but I didna feel any broken bones."
Magnus finished calling over his shoulder and he started up the stairs.
"That ye felt? How dare ye!"
Magnus paused midway up the stairs.
"Lady Fraser, ye can scold me later, but ye should tend to yer daughter. Ye're right lucky she didna break her neck."
His Highland Pledge (The Clan Sinclair Book 4) Page 10