by Kara Griffin
The rain persisted to ruin the event, but she would wear her warmer cloak with the hood and attend. The garment lined with a thin layer of fur and kept the chill at bay. She stuck her feet into her warm boots and tied her cloak closed.
“I’ll meet you outside, My Lady, for I want to offer my help in the kitchens.”
“That’s kind of you, Gussy. I’ll see you later.” Violet left the chamber and set out to the outdoors. By the sound of the revelry, all the Sinclair clan gathered. She stopped at a table set up for refreshment and poured a small cup of mead. It was still warm and took the chill from her body.
She gazed about, and at the smiles and gaiety of the people. They seemed in better spirits than when she’d first come. The Sinclair’s were a rowdy bunch, and the women were as feisty as the men. Several ladies danced around a fire, and the men played a game nearby.
Their garments were similar in color and fabric. Ladies wore long skirts with tartans draped around their shoulders. Men wore tunics of varied colors but belted similarly colored tartans at their hips. None appeared to be affected by the chilly air. The men weren’t abashed to show the skin of their knees and lower thighs. The Sinclair men were handsome in a rugged sort of way, and the women winsome, but sturdy.
Violet walked around the fortification and delighted in the sights. She stepped over the puddles from the earlier heavy rain. A drizzle now speckled her cloak. The sun might show itself before dark, even if the wind was a little brisk. She pulled her cloak around her body when a gust of wind blew it open.
Strung along the paths, were hung colorful pennons. Fires set in makeshift pits, where people sat and drank ale, jested, and caught up on the latest news. The clan’s bard drew a crowd when he sang a tale of the Sinclair’s greatest battle, and of a great warrior who bested his foe. Violet stood by and enjoyed the story.
Near the gate, a group of men rode into the courtyard. She hadn’t paid attention to where she stepped and got caught watching a group of children who played in a puddle. They splashed each other and laughed gaily. Their sweet laughter lightened her. A horse whinnied and lifted its forelegs. She turned hastily and stepped back to get out of its way. Violet miss-stepped and twisted her ankle. She fell back and landed on her rear in a deep puddle. Muddy water splashed her and covered her with dirt. The children laughed and chortled.
She gasped and sputtered.
A man stood next to her. “Oh, I’m sorry…Mistress. Are you injured?”
Violet used her hands to wipe the dirty water from her face. When she peered up at the man, she lost her breath. He was sinfully attractive with golden locks of flowing hair, and he had the most alluring blue eyes. He waved his hand at her, and she took it. Gently, he pulled her to stand.
“I’m Keith Sutherland, Mistress. I apologize for knocking you into the puddle.” He continued to hold her hand and had a concerned gaze on his handsome face.
The music ceased, and all the clans’ people stared. Violet’s legs shook at being the object of their direct attention because she didn’t like to be viewed by all. She wavered and felt the mortification reach her cheeks. She stepped back and huffed at the pain in her ankle. With a small limp, she tried to step away. The man lifted her in his arms. He stared but smiled a heart-melting grin.
“You’ve hurt yourself, and your garments are soaked through. Come, we’ll get you inside. Where is your home?”
She held onto his sturdy shoulders, yet the man carried her as if she weighed nothing. His strong arms held her as if he enjoyed it. “I stay in the main keep.”
“We will be intimate friends. You shall call me Keith. And I shall call you…?”
She swallowed hard. “Violet.”
“What a beautiful name for a bonny lass. I haven’t seen you here before. Are you visiting the Sinclairs? Damn their good fortune.”
She nodded. “Yes, I’m a guest of Callum’s, ah, Laird Sinclair’s. You can put me down. Really, I’m not injured and can walk.”
“Nay, not yet. Let me enjoy the moment a wee bit longer. We’re almost there. You’re as pretty as heather in bloom. Are you certain you’re unharmed?”
“I am well. And I’m sorry I startled your horse. I should be the one apologizing. I hope your horse wasn’t injured,” she said and held onto his muscular shoulder when he took the steps to the castle.
“He didn’t appear to be so. But worry not, I’ll have him looked over.” He reached the hall but still didn’t set her on her feet.
“I’m a neighbor and friend of Callum’s. He didn’t mention your visit, and now I know why. He means to keep you all to himself. Aye, he’s a selfish lout. Are you here to marry him?” Keith’s eyes implored her as if he hoped she’d say no.
Violet snorted a laugh. “I wish, but he doesn’t notice me.”
Keith chuckled. “Ah, so you want to be noticed by him? But this cannot be true, bonny Violet. Even if he was half-blind, he couldn’t help but notice you.”
“What the hell are you doing?”
Keith whirled around with her in his arms and met Callum’s daunted gaze. “Violet had a mishap.” He set her on her feet. “I’d ask you to introduce us, but alas, we’ve met by unfortunate circumstances.”
She stood between the two handsome men, one smiling and one cross.
“Dare you call her by her name? She is Lady Danvers to you. I’ll warn you now, Sutherland, keep away from her.” Callum shoved his chest, and before Keith retorted, he yanked her hand and drew her away.
Keith’s laughter followed.
They stood at the bottom of the stairs, but neither spoke until she got the courage to voice what happened. Violet needed to allay him because he was irked. Yet she didn’t know what to do to ease him or what caused his frown. “I startled his horse and fell into a puddle. I must look disheveled.”
“You could never appear disheveled. In fact, lass, you look lovely.”
She laughed. “That is kind of you to say, Laird Sinclair, but you speak an untruth. I should change my garments and wash.” Violet was about to take the steps when he took her hand and kept her from moving away.
“Wait. I wanted to ask… What were you doing in my bedchamber last night?” His dreamy eyes held hers, and his face didn’t show disapproval.
Dare she hope he wanted her there? Violet felt her cheeks burn at the humiliation. He’d seen her in his chamber? “I, ah… I hadn’t seen you all day, and wanted to ask…”
He drew her closer and kept hold of her hand. His warm skin heated her palm. “Ask what?”
“I want to tend your garden, the one by the wall where I fell.”
Callum raised his dark manly brow. “You waited in my bedchamber to ask if you could tend to my garden? I swore you were there for a different purpose.”
Violet would’ve laughed at how daft it sounded, her wanting to tend his garden. Then something came to her. Perhaps if she showed disinterest, it might keep him from hiding from her. The only thing that troubled her, was such a ploy wasn’t part of the rules of enticement. She had to do something and thought to pull a ruse to get him to regard her. “Yes, why else would I be there? What other reason do you speak of?”
He raised his manly brow again and smiled. When he didn’t own to another reason, she pulled her hand free from his and grinned. “I couldn’t find you all day and after supper, you met with the men. I didn’t want to interrupt, and I suppose I fell asleep while I waited for you. I’m sorry if you had to sleep elsewhere.”
His jaw tightened for a second before he answered, “If you want to tend my garden, I wouldn’t object to it.”
Violet, in her excitement, threw herself in his arms. “Oh, thank you. It makes me happy, and since I’ll be here a while, and the weather will soon warm…”
Callum pressed her waist with his hands and chuckled. “I’m glad you’re pleased.”
“And you must tell me about your friend Keith. He’s handsome and so gallant to save me from the puddle and his horse. Why I could have been trampled. I’
m happy he came along when he did.”
“Stay away from him,” his tone bespoke his demand as if she shouldn’t question him.
But Violet wasn’t a coward, and her disinterest in him was perhaps working a little. “But why? He’s kind and I liked―”
“You should like nothing about him.”
Violet stepped back, and he released her waist from his hold. “Is this concern, or is there another reason for your absurdity? The man saved me from being crushed by his horse. I would like to thank him properly.”
He glared and set his fisted hands on his hips. “He doesn’t need to be thanked, properly, or otherwise. And, Violet, I am not absurd.”
“No? I shall speak to whomever I wish, Laird Sinclair.” She almost giggled when she added, “You’re not my father to tell me who I should or shouldn’t speak to.” Violet turned to take the steps when he pulled her back with a hand on her shoulder.
“I am not bloody old enough to be your damned father, Lady Violet, but I am the laird here, and while you’re here, you’ll do as I say. You will keep away from Sutherland.”
She flashed a smile. “Not old enough? Then cease directing me like a father, and I shall speak to whoever I want.” Violet didn’t give him a chance to retort and stomped up the steps.
Once inside her chamber, she leaned against the door and disbelieved she’d chastised him. She wanted to attract him, not make him angry. What a terrible seducer she turned out to be. She hoped to instill a little jealousy in him when she’d asked about Keith. He was far from jealous but seemed angry that his friend paid attention to her.
Perhaps he was only concerned for her as his guest. That disheartened her further. But a smile came when she remembered he’d called her Violet. It was only when he was angry that he desisted to call her Lady Danvers.
Violet changed her gown and put on her soft shoes. Her boots were as soaked as her garments. She washed her face and fixed her hair, and when she was presentable, she returned to the celebration. In the hallway, she found Dela crying and slunk by the wall. Hawisa, the horrid woman, wasn’t about.
“Why are you weeping, Dela?” Violet knelt beside her.
She sniffled. “Hawisa says I have to go to bed, but I want to stay outside.”
“It’s getting late and it will be dark soon. One as young as you should be abed by now. Would you like me to sit with you for a bit?” She took the girl’s hand and allowed her to lead her to the bedchamber. Violet pulled back the covers. “Up you go.”
Dela crawled on to the bed.
She caressed the girl’s mane of unruly curls and pressed her cheek. “Shall I get you a nightdress?”
“This is my nightdress.”
“Oh.” Violet pulled the covers to the girl’s chest and tucked her in. “Sleep well.”
“Will you stay with me until I fall asleep? My mama never did, and Hawisa doesn’t either. I get scared and hear noises, frightfully awful sounds…”
Violet pressed a hand on her chest at her woebegone tone. “Of course I will.” She sat next to her and clasped her hand. “When my daughter went to bed, I’d sit with her and tell her stories. Sometimes, we’d laugh, and she had a hard time falling to sleep.”
“You have a daughter? Tell me about her.” Dela lay back, but wouldn’t release her hand.
“She’s about your age. Maybe a year or so younger. She has almost the same shade of hair as you too, a little lighter, but she has lovely brown eyes, and not your pretty blue ones.” Violet squeezed her hand and was saddened to speak of Cora. How she missed her and prayed she was safe.
“What’s her name?”
“Cora. She’s as sweet as you too.” She touched the tip of her finger on her nose. “I miss her.”
“Where is she?”
“I don’t know. One day, I hope to be reunited with her.”
“Cora is a good name,” Dela said and closed her eyes. She fell to sleep within seconds with a small smile on her lips.
Violet waited for a few minutes before she retreated from the chamber. On the way past the great hall, she noticed the older woman who dozed in a chair by the fire. She hadn’t met her yet, but Gussy told her the woman was Callum’s grandmother. Violet didn’t want to disturb her, and she hurried outside.
Darkness came, and fires lit around the tents. She filled a trencher with food and searched for a place to sit. Callum sat with his uncles, Clive, and the horrid Hawisa. If only he sat alone, she’d sit with him, and make up for her earlier perfidy. His eyes followed her, and his face held a serious mien. The discussion at his table must be of import because the men’s voices were low and their faces stern.
She glanced around the tent and toward the back, she saw Keith with another man. As she approached, they stood and bowed to her. “May I join you?”
“Aye, of course, lass. This is my comrade, Grady Mackay. We’re neighbors of the Sinclairs and our lands border theirs. Grady, this is Lady Violet Danvers, a guest of Callum’s.”
She smiled politely at Keith’s friend. Grady was a handsome man as well with long dark hair and eyes. His face was striking even with the light beard that covered most of his cheeks. “I’m pleased to meet you, Grady. And I’m sorry, Laird Sutherland, about the earlier scuffle.”
“Keith, lass,” he said with a bemused smile. “I’m not the laird of my clan yet. And there’s no need to apologize, Milady. It was my mishap that caused you to fall. I hope you’re uninjured.”
She nodded.
Grady bowed. “I’m sure I’ll see you again, Lady Violet. I should like more of this ale.” He inclined his head and took his leave.
That left her alone with Keith. She picked at the food on her trencher and regarded the man next to her. As she did so, she noticed several ladies who also gazed at him. But Keith didn’t seem to know how sinfully attractive he was. Still, he wasn’t as fair to look upon as Callum was.
“How long have you known Callum?”
“Since we were lads. We trained together for a good number of years, and we traveled for a few years across the channel. He’s one of my closest comrades.”
“You must know him well then.” She finished the bread she’d taken a bite of before she asked, “Did you know his wife?”
“I did. She was a terrible wife to Callum and cuckolded him. She died in childbirth, apparently carrying another man’s child. He didn’t deserve her wretchedness.”
“No, he didn’t deserve that. How horrible for him. Was he angry with her? Does he mourn her loss even though she was unfaithful?” Violet’s heart tightened to learn what happened to Callum’s wife. Perhaps the unpleasantness of their relationship caused the woe she’d seen in his eyes?
Keith poured her a cup of mead and handed it to her and continued, “He didn’t find out until he returned from war. But she’d already perished, and her bairn died with her. I suspect he mourned her because it was expected of him. He might’ve cared more for her than she for him. If it was me, I wouldn’t have wasted my time mourning.”
Violet didn’t like the discontent that came over her. Callum must have been distraught when he returned and was told of her death. “I am uncertain of what to say.”
“From his anger earlier, I suspect, he wasn’t pleased with the attention I paid you. I’m gladdened because that means he’s interested. He deserves a bonny woman like you. I am a good judge of people, and see the kindness in your eyes.”
She sighed and hoped that was true. “You’re kind to say so, Keith. I have tried to gain his affection, but he acts uninterested.”
“You’re tenderhearted and not at all dishonest, are you?”
“I try not to be, and perhaps I care more than I should about people.”
Keith chortled. “I’d say my comrade is quite enamored. I saw the way he looked at you, and how he looks at you now. He’s scowling at us.”
She glanced at Callum, and he turned his gaze away.
“His tone certainly implied he didn’t want me near you. I’d say he was jealo
us. Give him time, lass, and be patient. He’ll come around. If not, I’ll knock some sense into him.”
“I sense despair in him, and hope to lighten him.” She clasped his hand. “Thank you for telling me this. He was hurt by his wife, and probably doesn’t trust women.”
“Callum doesn’t trust anyone. You must be persistent though.”
“I don’t give up easily. You’re easy to talk to.”
Keith bellowed a laugh. “Aye? That’s the first time any lass ever said that to me. Most lasses avoid me and barely speak a word to me.”
“That cannot be true. You must jest. Surely the women find you as endearing as I do. I noticed their gazes earlier.” Violet laughed and was delighted by their conversation. “Are you married? Has a woman caught you?”
He laughed louder. “I’m not the marrying sort. Perhaps one day I will marry if a woman can catch me.” Keith winked at her and gave a sideways glance at Callum.
“Sutherland, I told you, you’re not to bother my guest.”
Keith whispered to her, with his back to Callum. “He’s full of wrath. You cannot tell me that’s not a sign of interest. I mean to get him to accept… Don’t fear. I don’t intend to hurt him.” He rose and turned to face Callum, and pulled his sword free. “Aye, Callum? No one tells a Sutherland what to do.”
Violet gasped when Callum pulled his sword from its scabbard, the beautiful ornate weapon she’d seen on his wall. He glared at her, and then at Keith. She didn’t want them to fight, not over her. But she wasn’t about to get between them, with their sharp swords held in an intimidated manner.
“I won’t let you rile me to a challenge.” Callum tossed his sword on the table. “But I will ask you to leave.”
Keith sheathed his sword and crossed his arms over his chest. “You don’t mean that. We have yet to discuss our treaty.”
“There’s no reason for the discussion now because I have decided from this moment you are my enemy.”
“Don’t be ridiculous, Callum. I’ll always be your ally, regardless of how much an arse you’re being.” Keith maintained his position and baited him.