“Aye,” Robley said. “My brother, Lady True and I will provide the music.”
“I look forward to it.” Cecil rubbed his hands together. “I have heard Lady True is quite gifted when it comes to the harp.”
“She is, and my foster uncles are every bit as good with bodhran and pipes,” Hunter boasted.
Cecil glanced over his shoulder at Hunter. “Where did you say your foster mother hails from?”
Tension arced through him, and he focused upon Cecil. Curiosity, yes, but also suspicion and cunning motivated the man’s query. “I have said naught on the subject, since this is the first you’ve asked of it.” Erin placed her hand upon Hunter’s shoulder.
Robley grunted. “My lady wife and True are from a land unfamiliar to most, though the Norse oft travel to their shores for trade. ’Tis a vast land lying due west across the Atlantic Ocean.”
“Och, aye?” Cecil’s eyes widened, and speculation ran rampant from him. “How did you come here, my lady?”
“My husband has an insatiable thirst for adventure and knowledge,” Erin answered in an easy tone, though Hunter sensed her unease. “He traveled to my land. We met by chance at a fair, and he persuaded me to become his wife. I made the journey home with him.”
“And Lady True?” Cecil asked. “Did Malcolm also make the journey to your land?”
“Nay. My foster mother is descended from royalty,” Hunter told him. “Her father and mother were murdered, and her kin thought it best to send her abroad for her safety. They intended to sail to France, but their ship got caught in a storm and the captain was forced to change course. Lady True’s party took shelter in Port Leith and decided to travel cross-country to London instead of continuing on to France.”
How easily the story his foster family had concocted to explain True’s origins fell from his lips. “They were waylaid by brigands who thought to hold her for ransom. Malcolm and his men happened upon them whilst traveling home from the earl of Douglas’s holding. My foster father rescued Lady True and brought her to Loch Moigh. They too fell in love and wed, and she has remained here ever since.”
“Ah, I see.” Speculation and doubt pulsed from Cecil. “A land across the Atlantic, you say?”
“Aye, ’tis called America,” Robley added, catching Hunter’s eye with a wink. “If you wish, I can share with you the route I took. Mayhap you’ll want to make the journey for yourself.”
“Nay.” Cecil shook his head. “I’ve no wish to leave Scotia, as I have just recently returned.”
They reached the great hall, and Cecil’s attention shifted. “If you’ll excuse me, I wish to pay my respects to Lady Meghan.”
Hunter’s gut roiled as the man’s lascivious attention fixed upon her. In fact, she drew every man’s eye. How could she not? She radiated innate grace and confidence, and her beauty was beyond compare. He stifled the rising growl and forced his attention elsewhere. If anyone was to win Meghan’s hand, he hoped ’twould be Tieren. At least then she’d remain close to Robley and Erin, and that eased his mind.
He sought Sky in the throng of family and clan milling about. He found her near the hearth, chatting with her cousins. His palms sweating, he strode toward her. Her eyes met his, and a welcoming warmth filled her expression.
“You look lovely this eve, Lady Sky.” He bowed before her. Her burgundy gown of velvet set off the chestnut of her lustrous hair and made her eyes look more brown.
“Hunter,” she said, holding out her hands to clasp his, “’tis good to see you. Angus has kept you from us these few days past, has he no’?”
“He has. There is much to learn before command falls solely to me.” He greeted the cousins surrounding her, and asked her, “Might I have a word with you in private?”
“Of course.” A slight frown caused a wrinkle to form between her eyebrows. “Is aught amiss?”
“Nay,” he said, offering her his arm. “Let us take a stroll in the inner bailey before we sup.” The doors to the keep had been set open, letting in the fresh air whilst the hall was filled with so many of their clan. “If it pleases you, my lady.”
Her brow rose, and she concentrated, sending her senses to read him. “My lady? Why so formal, Sir Hunter? Am I no’ still kin to you?”
“Come,” he said, leading her toward the door. “I wish to speak to you of a matter close to my heart.”
Color filled her cheeks, and the frown returned. He forced himself to be calm, lest she sense the turmoil churning his insides to pulp. The sunlight tarried later and later each day as summer grew nearer, and this was an exceptionally fine evening. He guided her farther away from any who might overhear. Sky seemed lost in her own thoughts beside him. He placed his hand over hers where it rested upon his forearm. “I spoke with your father recently.”
“Our father.”
“Nay, lass. I am but a fosterling. You and I share no bloodline of kinship. We are no’ related.” She stopped walking, and he sensed her confusion. “You ken the vow I made the day you were born, aye?”
“How could I no’?” She chuckled, but the sound held more nervousness than humor. “The tale has been told oft enough all the years we were growing up. Dinna feel you are bound by such a—”
“I want to be bound to you, Sky.” He turned to face her. “I have asked Malcolm’s permission to court you. I wish for your hand in marriage.”
She gasped and studied the ground. “Let us walk in the direction of the keep.”
“If that is what you wish.” His heart plummeted. “What are your thoughts, my lady? Is the thought of a life with me as your husband so distasteful to you? Do you care naught for me?”
“Of course I care for you,” she exclaimed. “You are my beloved elder brother. We played together as bairns, and ’twas you who always took my side in scraps with other children. ’Twas you who always protected me from hurt. Hunter, you hold a special place in my heart and always will, but—”
“Can you no’ turn that love for me into that of a wife for her husband?” He searched his mind for some way to convince her of the rightness of their troth. “Think on it, Sky. ’Tis all I ask. We would remain here, and you would stay close to your parents. That would please you, aye?” They reached the broad stairs leading into the great hall, and desperation set its claws deep into his chest. “Will you consider the matter at least?”
“Hunter . . .” She twisted her hands together and gazed toward the great hall as if she wished she were within rather than strolling the bailey with him.
“Is it my lack of a title and land that troubles you?”
“Nay. You ken it is no’.” Anger sparked her tone. “You are my brother. I . . . I am no’ certain I could ever see you as aught else.”
An angry shout arose behind them, and Hunter sought its source. Two men shoved each other, whilst others attempted to separate the two combatants. The altercation was over almost as soon as it began. He turned back to Sky, only to find her gone. Damnation.
He’d handled things poorly, been too blunt, and now he’d frightened her off. Words of love, flattery and wooing were what was needed, and he had no experience with such nonsense. His jaw clenched, and he kicked at the ground beneath his boot.
“What’s the matter, Hunter?” Meghan’s voice sent his heart racing. “Did you have a fight with your girlfriend?”
“Girl friend?” He whipped around. “I dinna ken what you mean. Indeed, where you are concerned, there is much I dinna understand.”
“Don’t mind me,” she huffed. “I just came outside for a breath of Cecil-free air. He’s suddenly developed a case of static-clinginess where I’m concerned. I don’t like it at all.”
“Humph.” Her nearness weakened his knees and stole his breath. He did not like the feeling at all.
“So, did you?”
“Did I what?” He scowled at her.
“Did
you and your betrothed have a fight?”
“Sky Elizabeth is no’ my betrothed.” Not yet, but he hadn’t given up hope. He’d have to go about it differently, but she had admitted she cared for him. That was a start. “And nay. We did no’ have a fight. Unlike you, she does no’ train in the lists with a claymore and war club.”
“She’s not your fiancée?” She canted her head and crossed her arms in front of her. “The day Sky and the twins arrived, Tieren told me you two were pledged. I assumed—”
“Tieren told you, eh?” he said with a snarl, frustration twisting his innards.
“Do you want to talk about whatever it is that has your boxers in a twist?”
“I dinna suppose you could at least try to speak in a manner that I might understand.” Despite his foul mood, a grin tugged at the corners of his mouth. “Do I want to ken what boxers might be?”
“Probably not.” She rolled her eyes at him. “Have you the need to unburden your sorry self of whatever it is that ails you this eve, Sir Hunter?”
A laugh broke free, and he could no longer hold on to his scowl. “’Tis naught.”
“Hmm.” She scrutinized him. “Methinks it is aught.”
He arched an eyebrow at her, but he couldn’t prevent another grin from breaking free. “Tieren told you a half-truth, and he did so to serve himself.”
“Oh?” Her brow creased, and the teasing tone disappeared. “How so?”
“The day Sky Elizabeth was born, I vowed to wed her. There is no contract or betrothal between us, and her father wishes her to marry the grandson of an earl—her equal in rank.” His jaw tightened. “Malcolm said the choice is hers, and he willna stand in the way of her happiness. This is the first I have spoken to her of my wishes.”
“How old were you when you made this vow?”
“It matters no’ how old I was.” He scowled. “I meant it then, and I mean it now.”
“OK. Just asking.” She shrugged. “I take it your discussion with Sky didn’t go so well.”
He shot her a wry look. “Nay, it did no’ go well at all.”
“What now?”
“I must learn how to woo the lass.” Was that disappointment he glimpsed in her eyes before she averted her gaze? Or hurt? His heart wrenched at the sight.
“Well.” Meghan turned and set her foot upon the stairs to the great hall. “Good luck with that.”
He couldn’t prevent himself from watching the way her hips swayed as she climbed the steps. What an arse he was. He hadn’t even bothered to ask how she fared. He hadn’t looked after her welfare in days, and what had she said about Cecil? He’d best be about his duty toward her. At least he could keep Cecil at bay.
In the meantime, he’d plot ways to win Sky. Such a thing could not be any more difficult than planning battle strategy, and he’d never suffered defeat in battle. He was not about to be defeated now.
CHAPTER EIGHT
Her heart aching, Meghan strode back into the great hall. Damn this stupid attraction to Hunter. Her ultimate goal was to get home. But man, his answer to her what now question about Sky really stung.
Hunter must be blind not to notice she cared about him. After all, she’d been the one to kiss him, not the other way around. Or maybe he was just incredibly insensitive, and telling her he intended to find a way to woo Sky was his way of letting her know she was barking up the wrong Scottish pine.
“My lady.” David, the oldest of True’s twins, came to her side. “May I escort you to the dais?” He held out his arm for her. “’Tis near time to take our seats.”
“Yes, thank you.” She hooked her arm through his, grateful for the distraction. “Did Robley put you up to this?”
“Nay, my da.” Color rose to his cheeks. “He says I must practice my courtly manners as oft as possible.” He steered her around a man who backed up without looking first. “Owain and I shall be called upon to make an appearance at court soon. We are to be knighted by autumn next.”
“Are you looking forward to going to court?”
“No’ in the least,” he huffed. “’Tis a nest of vipers, I’m told. I’m heir to an earldom though, and I canna shirk my responsibilities.” He threw back his shoulders a bit at that statement. “I’m to share a trencher with you this eve, my lady. Owain will take the chair to your right.” He shot her a sheepish look. “That request did come from Robley. He’s quite protective of you.”
She laughed. “That’s putting it mildly.”
“He means well.” He helped her up to the raised platform where the earl’s table stood. “We are to sit here,” he said, pulling out the chair at the corner for her. His attention went to the stairs. “Ah, here comes my grandsire now.” Affection and amusement filled his tone. “Grandda likes to make an entrance, you ken.”
William and his wife descended the stairs in a regal manner, trailed by Lady Rosemary and Sky. A pang of jealousy squeezed Meghan’s heart at the sight of Malcolm’s oldest daughter. She did her best to ignore it, focusing instead on the milling crowd as they began to move as one. Everyone scrambled to find a place at the plank-and-barrel tables filling the hall. Tieren caught her eye and winked. She smiled in return. Even though she’d only known him for a short while, she’d already come to rely on his support and friendship.
Tieren took a spot in front of the dais where the other knights sat, and the earl’s family began taking their places at the high table. Owain, all gangly limbs and affable nature, made his way to her end.
David’s stomach growled. “Och, I’m so hungry,” he grumbled. “My pardon, Lady Meghan.”
“No need to apologize. I’m hungry too.”
“My lady.” Owain bowed to her before taking his place. “’Tis an honor to be your table companion this eve.”
“You must be practicing your courtly manners too.” She snorted. “Robley ordered you to sit with me, didn’t he?”
“Aye, for certes,” he said with a grin. “But I would gladly have done so even without his command. I have questions about our training.”
Hunter strode toward the dais, and her breath caught. Lord, she loved the way he moved. He exuded dominance, confidence and masculine prowess to the extreme. Tonight he wore his golden-brown hair tied back, and it made his strong features even more prominent. His sexy gray eyes met hers, and one side of his mouth quirked up as he took in the twins sitting on either side of her. She bit her lip and tried to squelch the flutter-fest going on inside her.
The chair beside David remained empty. Would Hunter take it? She hoped so. No, don’t think like that. He didn’t want her; he wanted Sky, and it didn’t do her any good to spend any more time with him than necessary. In fact, she’d been avoiding him since their last conversation.
Glancing down the length of the table, she noticed Sky had taken the spot between Lady Rosemary and True. Hmm. Had she done that on purpose? Was Sky avoiding Hunter too? What difference did it make? It would only strengthen his determination to learn how to woo the lass. Gag.
Cecil had his eye on the empty chair beside David as he made his way toward the dais. Oh yay. Pages began filling goblets with wine or ale, and servants carried platters of steaming food into the hall from the kitchen. She kept her attention fixed on the twins. “What are your questions about martial arts, Owain?” Do not look at the empty chair. Do not make eye contact with Cecil.
“How long did it take you to master your skills in the mixed martial arts?” Owain’s voice rang with enthusiasm.
“Years. I started taking karate when I was seven or eight, and I switched to mixed martial arts once I turned fifteen.”
“Och, that long?”
“You’re doing really well.” Meghan gave his shoulder a playful punch. “Be patient.”
“Aye, but who will continue the training once you return home?” He frowned. “I find I quite enjoy the martial arts. I dinna wish
to cease the training.”
“Take advantage of what Meghan has to offer for as long as she’s with us, lad.” Hunter slid into the empty place next to David. “But dinna neglect the rest of your training.”
His deep voice rumbled, sending pleasurable shock waves through her. “He’s right. I kept up with improving my skills with the sword and quintain while I learned martial arts.” A healthy dose of relief flooded through her. At least she didn’t have to try and make nice with Cecil. Risking a peek the visiting knight’s way, she caught his disgruntled look as he took the seat at the opposite end of the table.
The earl stood and pounded the handle of his dagger on the table. Voices stilled, and all eyes turned toward him. “Our good Father Paul has been called away to Castle Rait, and so it falls to me to lead us in giving thanks for the bounty before us this eve.
“’Tis true we have much to be thankful for”—William’s voice reverberated through the hall—“kin and clan, good health and food to fill our bellies. We are gathered together to celebrate . . . and to remember those who have gone on before us. I ken well we are all gladdened by Hunter’s safe return and heartened by his appointment as commander of our garrison, aye?” William raised his goblet and nodded toward Hunter. Cheers erupted, and the earl waited until the sound subsided before continuing. “Let us no’ forget his predecessor. We are deeply grateful to Angus for his many years of loyal service to our clan. We have been most fortunate indeed to have one so skilled and canny to lead our warriors in keeping our clan safe.” He nodded to Angus as another swell of cheers rose, and the warriors pounded their fists on the table.
William held up his hand, and the noise stopped. “’Tis good to have the twins and Sky Elizabeth home as well, though our hearts are heavy with grief for the loss of my dear brother, Robert. May he rest in peace.”
The earl bowed his head, clasped his wife’s hand on his right side and his son Malcolm’s to his left. He paused, waiting as the clan did likewise. Owain and David took her hands, and a lump formed in her throat. Her family held hands and said grace during their family dinners after church. Her mom and dad had always insisted the entire family gather on Sundays no matter what. Sometimes they’d go to her grandparents’ farm, and other times her grandparents would join them in town. Making an effort to gather together at least once a week had kept them close, and she remembered how hard it had been on all of them when her brothers were away at college. What was her family doing right now?
The Highlander's Folly (The Novels of Loch Moigh Book 3) Page 15