Why were Niven and the seer there? It was much too dangerous of a situation. What if someone did indeed recognize the newcomer?
“Who is that man?” Fiona leaned forward, her hand on Dallis’ arm. “He is absolutely breathtaking.”
“The man with the scar?” Dallis pretended distaste.
Fiona’s eyes widened. “Are ye blind? He is the most alluring man I’ve ever seen. Oh, I do hope he dances.” Her friend headed toward the trio as the second song began. She’d not be deterred until she danced with the stranger. Of that Dallis had no doubt.
Before her friend was halfway across the room, she stopped by a guard who took her hand and pulled to the center where people danced. Temporarily distracted, Fiona’s lips curved into a delighted smile as she began to dance.
Although constantly scanning the room, the seer seemed at ease. His gaze moved to her and then down her body. The boldness of his gaze took Dallis by surprise. Why did he look at her in such a manner? Just the day before, he’d acted as if she were a bother.
Dallis ensured a flat look when he once again met her gaze. To her chagrin, the corners of his lips lifted just a bit.
“There ye are. Mau I ask for the pleasure of this dance?” Cuthbert Robertson took her elbow.
Of all the times for the toad to appear. Over his shoulder, Dallis noted her parents seemed to be holding their breath.
“Yes of course.” Dallis attempted a smile but was sure it looked more like a sneer.
Cuthbert was so self-absorbed, he assumed she was thrilled he’d taken notice of her. By the way he continued looking around the room, it was obvious he checked to see if there was a prettier and or willing lass about.
When they arrived at the dance floor, they circled along with the others. Thankfully the particular dance did not call for holding hands.
Upon partnering up again, Cuthbert leaned into her ear. “I was informed ye remain without marriage prospects.” The arrogant bloat of a man lifted an eyebrow. “Perhaps ye should consider that it is sometimes necessary to... let’s say extend an offering to entice a husband.”
Dallis pretended ignorance. “Do ye think so?”
“Yes. Men like to know what to expect.” Cuthbert leered down at her breasts. “A taste of what is to come.”
It took all her strength not to shudder in revulsion. Instead, she stepped on his foot and he grimaced. “I apologize. I am not the best of dancers.” She exclaimed and began dancing faster, her feet making quick beats with the music.
“I am learning to do better.” Dallis moved back just a bit and lifted her skirts as she jumped from one foot to the other. “Join me.”
Not to be outdone, Cuthbert began to dance like her and soon several others began to do so as well. The musicians continued with the lively tune as more dancers joined in.
The dancing continued and soon Cuthbert competed with another man to see who could kick the highest.
Dallis slipped away and headed toward the table where her brother and the other two sat. The table was empty. She whirled to find Fiona dancing with the seer who seemed to be enjoying himself. Unlike the others, they’d not joined the leaping dance, but along with other more sensible couples swayed side to side.
The man was graceful, his steps assured as he guided Fiona in circles. She didn’t think a man like him would have time to learn silly things like dancing and such.
Guiles came up beside her. “Niven says Alasdair got a bad feeling about tonight, so he sent messengers to call off the meeting. Being that many are here, it may prove useful that so is he.”
She snorted. “I don’t think it’s a good idea. Having him here is a risk. What if someone knows him?”
“I doubt it.” Guiles replied.
The tune ended and the seer made his way closer. The man, who she now knew to be Alasdair, joined them.
Guiles made introductions. “May I present my sister, Dallis Sinclair.” Guiles motioned to the seer. “Dallis, this is Alasdair.”
“What say ye? My sister is not comfortable with ye being here,” Guiles said in a light tone. Her brother’s lack of concern drove her mad.
Alasdair took her hand and bowed over it as was customary for introductions. It would also serve in case someone kept watch over them.
He straightened and met Guiles’ gaze. “I agree with yer sister.”
Although she enjoyed the warmth of his larger hand taking hers, Dallis pulled it away. “Ye agree with me?” she replied with eyebrows raised and nodded her head for effect. Those that watched would think they were speaking of non-consequential things. “Nice to meet ye Alasdair. What is yer surname?”
“Creag.”
Dallis turned to find Cuthbert headed straight toward her. She whirled and took Alasdair’s hand. “On second thought, I will accept yer request to dance,” she pronounced loudly and laughed. “They are playing one of my favorite songs.”
Falling into her play, Alasdair led her to the center of the room. They turned this way and that, each time touching hands. Dallis found she wished the song called for more than just a touch. Unfortunately, much like the other song she’d danced, very little touching was involved. The lively tune meant they had to move in circles with other dancers before coming face-to-face again.
“I must speak to ye in private,” Alasdair whispered in her ear when they came together. With palms together, they moved side to side. A jolt traveled up Dallis’ arms and she narrowed her eyes. “Don’t ye dare.”
Once again, his lips twitched just as he turned away. She found him attractive and if she was to be honest, desirable. It wasn’t as if it were the first time she’d desired a man, but this one was not a smart choice and Dallis wasn’t about to succumb.
If he was truly as strong a seer as was rumored, no doubt he sensed what she felt. Damn the man.
When at last the piece ended and Alasdair escorted her back to where they’d been speaking, Dallis thanked him and hurried away.
It was best to find Fiona. If anyone could distract her from all that happened, it was her flirty friend. A tingle of laughter rang out. Fiona danced with Guiles.
Dallis grunted. Didn’t the musicians need a break?
Many in the room wore wide grins as they followed Fiona’s movements. Her friend had everyone under her spell. The sooner the song ended the better because Dallis needed Fiona to cast her web in a different direction.
Alasdair took her arm and led her to a narrow hallway. “We must speak.”
“Whatever ye sensed, do not trust it. I find ye bothersome.”
His eyebrows lifted. “What are ye speaking of?” He cocked his head to the side, inspecting her.
“Speak, what is it?” Dallis said impatiently. She had to get away from him.
“I suspect someone here is yer spy. Ye will not like the revelation.”
Alasdair pulled her forward just as one of the guards headed in their direction.
Dallis gasped. “We cannot be found here together talking.”
Just as the guard approached Dallis found herself with her back to the wall, Alasdair pressed against her and his mouth over hers. While he took of her lips, his hands slid down her back to cup her bottom. In the recesses of her mind, Dallis knew she ought to push him away to be mortified at his familiarity, but it felt so very perfect.
Instead of pushing him back, she softened beneath him. Arousal flooded every part of her, rivers of heat shooting down her body.
His hardness pressed against the most sensitive part of her and she inhaled his woodsy scent.
Dallis wrapped her arms around his waist, bringing him closer as she allowed him to ravage her mouth in the most wonderful way.
Through the fog of passion, Dallis considered she should put a stop to it immediately. As anyone could come upon them.
His mouth traveled to her ear as she dug her fingernails into his shoulders and lifted on tiptoes to rub her now tender nipples against his chest.
They continued kissing until the world seemed to spi
n and Dallis shoved him to the opposite wall and clung to him to keep from toppling sideways while she took his mouth.
“We must stop,” he whispered. “The guard is gone. I sense yer father and brother would not like to find us with yer hands under my tunic.”
Dallis’ eyes flew open and she shoved him away so hard, he took two steps backward. “What just happened?”
There was a deep chuckle. Niven stood in the opening, blocking them from view. Thankfully he was turned away. “I hoped ye’d stop ravaging the man before someone saw what happened and informed yer brother.”
“Ye should have done something.” Dallis shoved past Niven. “My goodness.” She darted away, barely able to keep from stumbling since her knees were so weak.
Chapter 5
Alasdair tried his best to regain composure, but even after several breaths and imagining rotting meat, he remained hard as a log. “I need to go outside.”
There was understanding in Niven’s expression as he extended an arm. “After ye.”
Once in a small courtyard to the side of the keep, Alasdair hesitated. If he sensed right, someone followed them. Guiles appeared, his face flushed and hair disheveled. “That Fiona is a joy,” he told them with a lopsided grin. “A few more moments and I would’ve asked Da to marry us tonight.” He chuckled at his own joke.
“Ye will marry her,” Alasdair told him, enjoying his stricken look.
Guiles’ words were measured, a pause between them. “How long do I have?”
With a snort, Niven laughed until he clutched his stomach.
“Ye won’t be long single either,” Alasdair said and the man instantly sobered.
“Impossible,” Niven said making a slashing motion with his right hand. “I am not the type to settle.”
This time is was Guiles who laughed. “I doubt he is wrong.” He then turned to Alasdair. “Well? How long?”
“We are here to learn if the seer has any news. Not to gossip like young lassies,” Niven snapped.
Alasdair met their gazes. He’d seen into both of their futures. The pair were good men and fearsome warriors. The type of men he admired. However, they were about to learn something neither wanted to hear. “The spy who’s been informing about yer meetings is inside this keep.” He met Guiles’ gaze. “There are two. The brothers.”
It was as if he’d thrust his fist into the men’s stomachs. Both let out a huff of air in shock.
“Ye’re wrong. It can’t be true.” Guiles raked his hands through his hair and then clenched his fists as he stalked in a circle. “I can’t believe it. The Tavish brothers have lived here since babes.”
Niven on the other hand remained frozen in place. “I wondered where those two went off to so often. I thought it strange they often claimed to visit a relative in the south. Several times, I saw them ride off in the opposite direction.”
“Why would they do this?” Guiles asked no one in particular.
Alasdair cocked his head to the side in an attempt to gather his next words so that they would make sense. “The brothers think that by stopping ye, they are saving yer lives. They are afraid everyone they know will be killed if the resistance goes after the Macpherson.”
“That is not their call to make,” Niven growled. “The imbeciles are the ones who will bring wrath down upon us.”
“As far as I can sense, they are only disclosing information, but have refused to identify who is involved. Ye must stop them. When I touched one of them, I foresaw a trap.”
Guiles tried his best not to lose his temper and hit something with his fist as he stalked across the soft dirt flooring. It was rare he went down to the dungeon beneath the keep. His father rarely sentenced anyone to be jailed and when he did, it wasn’t for long.
It was dark, but not overly dirty. The servants did a good job of keeping the cells clean and the area aired out. The dank smell of earth remained and from the corner of his eyes, he caught movement as a rat scurried past. Torch in hand, he lit several others along with lamps placed on a table at the end of the cavern.
Voices sounded as the Tavish brothers along with Niven, Alasdair and two trusted guardsmen neared.
Despite knowing what he was about to say, his stomach pitched, and he second-guessed what exactly to do. This was not something he’d been prepared for. To be betrayed by childhood friends not only hurt but made him wonder if others had similar thoughts to theirs.
The men appeared. Four guards flanked the brothers, who were blissfully unaware of what exactly happened. As everyone waited for Guiles to speak he looked to the guards who’d been informed to flank the brothers for a moment, allowing the men to fortify themselves.
“Lock them up.”
Two men grabbed each of the startled brothers and shoved them into a cell, closing the door before either had an opportunity to speak.
The first to recover, Beathan, the eldest brother, growled. “What are ye doing? I demand to know what happens?”
The younger of the brothers, Kiernan, seemed to know. He sank to the floor bowing his head in defeat.
Nevin looked from one brother to the other. “Will ye not admit it freely?”
The brothers were silent, did not look to one another instead Kiernan continued keeping his head down, while Beathan glared.
“Ye’ve betrayed us. Put our lives in danger for gain. For that, I will leave ye here to rot down.” Guiles met Beathan’s gaze. “I won’t ask the reason because it matters not.”
“Then ye are a fool,” Beathan replied. “We can never win against such a strong army. They outnumber us one hundred to one. The information we gave was not to help the Macpherson, but to keep them from attacking us.”
Guiles neared until their faces almost touched through the bars. “Ye are a traitor. No matter how ye attempt to spin it.”
“He is not. And neither am I,” Kiernan said. “It’s true, they were to mount an attack a few days back. We kept it from happening by promising to disband the resistance.”
“How do ye know who ye speak to is not giving false information to get ye to talk?” Alasdair asked the younger brother. “The tall red-haired man ye’ve been meeting with, is not truthful.”
Kiernan’s eyes widened, but he remained silent.
“What should we do next?” Nevin asked Guiles as they walked back to the great room where the festivities continued. “How long are ye going to leave them down there?”
In truth, he wasn’t sure what to do. The entire time they’d planned to resist based on wiles not strength. They’d considered recruiting proven warriors to fight in exchange for coin. Now he wavered. What Beathan said was true. Even if they found over a hundred men willing to fight, they couldn’t win.
“If we fail in overthrowing the Macpherson, he will seek revenge against our father.” He let out a frustrated breath. “Perhaps we should join with the lairds and let them know of Alasdair’s strong powers. Together we can come to an agreement of the best course of action.”
“Aye. I agree,” Niven said. “However, we do not know how many of the lairds are doing what they can to keep from losing ground. It could be some will be on the Macpherson’s side.”
They walked into the great room just as his father came to his side. By his glower, he was not happy. “I needed ye present for the discussion earlier. It was impossible to wait. An agreement has been made. Ye will now find out with the others.”
Laird Sinclair returned to the high board and when he slammed his empty tankard onto the table, the room went silent.
“Tonight we welcome The Robertson and The Gordon,” his father began in a loud voice.
“The three of us have come to an agreement that will impact the future of our clan.”
Everyone began to murmur, looking around the room to the visiting laird’s people. It was a long moment before they quieted.
Guiles went to his father’s side. “What happens?”
Instead of a reply, his father motioned for the other two lairds to stand.
/> “The three clans will join and become a strong force of one. From this day forward, we will all claim the Robertson colors as our own.”
Audible gasps sounded. Guiles looked around the room, his eyes wide. “Father, what have ye done?”
Although there continued to be murmurs, for the most part everyone was stunned silent. His father’s voice shook.
“Our clan will continue as Clan Sinclair, however, we will take the Robertson colors as our own. In these uncertain times, small clans must join in an effort to keep everyone from harm. As our three lands borders touch, we will be better able to survive if we join as one larger brotherhood.”
This time everyone began speaking at once until The Robertson stood and once again the room went silent.
“It is with humble pride that I will assume guardianship of the new clan Robertson. It is also with great pride in accepting the challenge of being Laird to all of be. Yer lairds will continue to be yer overseer to ensure all continues as it has.”
Guiles couldn't believe his father had not informed him of the decision. How had they come to this arrangement in such short a time. When their gazes locked, there was challenge in his father’s eyes.
It dawned on him.
This was not something new. It had been kept secret all this time and... now everything had changed. It sunk in, the truth of why his father had called the lairds there.
“He knew of our part in the resistance,” Dallis said as she came to stand beside him. “That is why he called the lairds and agreed to give up leadership.”
Alasdair neared and stood to Guiles’ left. Although taller than most, the seer somehow blended and those around him ignored his presence. Of course, given the announcement, it was understandable at the moment.
The Gordon stood to speak to his people, explaining he’d agreed to it in an effort to keep them safe and to protect the borders. And then once again his father spoke.
“From now forward, I will remain laird of the Sinclair. However, the ultimate authority goes to Laird Robertson. Together the three clans are a formidable force, even larger than the Macpherson’s.”
The Seer Page 4