The Scot's Quest (Highland Swords Book 4)

by Keira Montclair

  She whinnied and lifted her head, a gesture he chose to take as the horse’s assent. “You answered that question so quickly, I wish you’d answer the rest of the ones that haunt me.”

  He was being utterly ridiculous, but he wished he had someone to talk with about Dyna. She had a way of making him want to be better. He’d worked out with his sword just to build up his body like the Grant warriors, and he’d be lying if he said the main reason wasn’t to impress Dyna. She made him want to fight harder, run faster. She made him wish to be the kind of man Alexander Grant would want to marry his granddaughter.

  Dyna made him dream of sharing a life with her. Of approaching her parents and asking for her hand in marriage. Of fighting side by side and then returning to their own cottage. Of having a bairn together.

  And where would Senga fit into all of this? If not for the possibility that her lassie could be his daughter, she didn’t fit in at all.

  If his purpose had been to see if he and Dyna would suit, their time together on the hill had given him his answer. They were powerful together, even if he hadn’t known how to answer the challenge she’d thrown at him. There was no denying that when he was with Dyna Grant, magic happened, and he believed she felt the same way.

  He’d apologize to her later. He only hoped she could forgive him, because under no circumstances would he agree to take her maidenhead without marriage.

  After he finished brushing Misty down, he returned to the great hall, sighing with relief when he found it empty. He hadn’t wanted to see her cousins, true, but his greater fear was seeing the pain in Dyna’s eyes. How could he explain himself to her?

  Everything he’d said was true, but it didn’t explain the entirety of his feelings. He wasn’t worthy of a noblewoman. Her cousins didn’t want him in the clan, or so it had felt in the middle of the woods with an angry wild boar aimed at him.

  Dyna Grant tempted him more than any other woman. Her strength, her skills, her long legs. Her perfect arse. The way he could make her lose all sense. Making a lass like Dyna fall apart in his arms, moan with need, beg him for more…it was more than a man could ever wish for, was it not?

  But he could have a daughter somewhere with a camp woman. And part of him thought he shouldn’t commit himself to Dyna until he knew the truth of that.

  Joya and Els came in from the kitchens just then, so he bolted up out of his chair. Joya gave him a searching look and said, “Everything all right, Derric? You disappeared.”

  The last thing he wanted to do was open his heart to Els, who’d made it clear that he didn’t think much of him, so he just shrugged.

  To his surprise, Els gave Joya a kiss on her cheek and said, “I’m going to run out to the stables. I’ll be back in a few minutes.” He nodded to Derric before he left. The gesture was a surprisingly kind one, and there didn’t look to be any spite or judgment in his eyes.

  Turning to Joya, Derric said, “Sit with me awhile?”

  Joya sat down and tipped her head at him. “Something’s bothering you, I can tell.”

  He sighed. “Aye, many things. First, a general question for you. How would you describe a person who’s soft-hearted?” He hadn’t forgotten the fact that he had a quest to complete before Alex would consent to their marriage.

  She didn’t question why he was asking, which he was grateful for—she thought it through instead. “Emmalin is soft-hearted. She’s warm and loving and wonderful with the bairns. She’s verra good at sympathizing with anyone who has a problem. She gives warm hugs and good advice.”

  While she’d wished to help Coira, most of those characteristics didn’t fit Dyna. She didn’t play with the bairns much, though she wasn’t bad with them either. She didn’t spend much time talking to people she didn’t know well. In fact, she spent much of her time alone or with her cousins. That answer didn’t help his quest at all, so he thought of something else.

  “May I tell you something in confidence?” he whispered, still afraid he’d be overheard.

  “Aye, I’ll not tell anyone.”

  “King Robert told me one of the camp lasses I knew was searching for me. Apparently she now has a daughter. Robert said she was heading north. I intend to find her.”

  Joya’s brow arched at that comment, not that he blamed her. He wasn’t proud of the situation, but he wished to be honest. It was the only way she could help him.

  “Are you saying ’tis possible the babe is yours?”

  “Possible? Aye. ‘’Tis not likely, but the only way I’ll know for certain is to ask Senga. See the child for myself.”

  “And if she says you’re the sire?” She kept her hands folded in her lap, something he knew Joya did to keep from announcing her emotions. She’d told him once that it was something she’d learned as a spy.

  “I should probably marry her.” He glanced at her to see her reaction, but she held steady. “I’m sure ’tis what Papa would say if he were here.”

  “I’m not sure what to say. You haven’t really asked me anything, and you haven’t told me if the prospect of fatherhood pleases you nor how you feel about this lass. You also haven’t told me about the most important thing happening to you at present.”

  He scratched his head, standing up to pace in front of the hearth. “I’ve always wanted bairns, but…” He took a swig of ale and set the goblet down, nearly knocking it over. “Where would we settle down? We don’t have a clan and Senga mustn’t have one either.”

  “Derric, you would always be welcome here. Alasdair and Emmalin are trying hard to build their own clan on MacLintock land. I love it here. ’Tis my home. You’d be asked to fight as a guard or some other contribution, but they’d be happy for you to stay.” She smiled at him, her emotions finally bleeding through into her expression. “I’d love to have you in my life again.”

  “You would? And you think they’d agree?” Another thought occurred to him, and he stopped his pacing in front of her. “I must return to something else. What were you speaking of earlier when you mentioned the most important thing happening to me now?”

  “You just asked me three questions,” she said with a small smile. “Of course I would like you in my life. You are my only remaining family and I love you. And you would be welcome here. And as for your last question, I’m going to pry as any good sister should. Do you not have strong feelings for Dyna? I notice you cannot take your gaze from her, wherever we are.”

  “I do,” he said, taking up his pacing again. “Verra much, but I don’t know if I can ask anything of her until I find out the truth about Senga’s daughter. ’Struth, I was hoping Dyna might be willing to go north with me after seeing Alex to Cameron land. We need another archer in King Robert’s camp right now, and I think we’d both like to spend time with each other without her clan around. But how do I ask her to come with me if I’m looking for another woman at the same time?”

  “And if you discover that Senga’s daughter is your bairn? How will Dyna feel if you end up offering for someone else?”

  He closed his eyes because that was exactly his fear. But he’d come here anyway—because he’d wished to see Joya too, but also because he’d needed to see Dyna. In his heart, he hoped the bairn wasn’t his, that he might have a life with Dyna, but…

  “Sister, I’m not of noble blood. She is. I doubt her sire or her grandsire would welcome me as a suitor. Your husband and his cousin have not been warm to me, and Alex himself pulled me aside and warned me to guard her soft heart. Said he would send me away if I did not. I doubt any of them would be pleased to see the two of us together.”

  “Derric, your blood is the same as mine. No one questioned me or made me feel unwelcome, and look what my past was like. They’re an open-minded clan and I think you’d suit Dyna verra well. You’re more alike than you may realize. Please don’t dismiss the possibility of a relationship with her. She’s interested in you. That is clear to see.”

  “Did Alex Grant welcome you to the clan?”

  “Aye, he’s verra
kind to me.” She gave him a pointed look. “You need to pay more attention to all that takes place here. Have you had a serious interest in any other lass? Have you felt stronger feelings for anyone besides Dyna? Even Senga?”

  “Nay.” He knew that one word spoke more about what he should do than any other. Dyna was the one for him. If he just hadn’t had this complication arise, the threat from her cousins, even the conversation with her grandsire nearly made him question everything.

  “You need no other answer, brother. ’Tis the truth of it there.”

  He stopped his pacing and said, “You are right, and I know it.” Earning the respect of Alex Grant would be his first quest, and he had to hope that if he did, the cousins would follow. He ran his hand down his face then looked directly into his sister’s eyes. He had one more important issue that continued to niggle at him. The only way to settle it was to know the truth. “I have another question for you. Do you hate me for leaving you behind?” He started pacing again because he feared seeing the truth in her eyes.

  “Nay. I was much too young to go with you, Derric. And I needed to deal with losing our parents. Besides, Auntie wouldn’t have welcomed you. I heard her tell someone else she was glad you moved on.”

  He shrugged. “I knew she didn’t want me there. Still, I should have stayed for your sake.” He sat on the arm of a chair, his shoulders drooping. There, he’d finally said it. “It was wrong of me to leave you, whatever the circumstances.”

  To his surprise, Joya went to him and wrapped her arms around him, setting her head on his shoulder. “Derric, nay. I wish Mama and Papa had lived, but since they did not, what happened was for the best. You would not have been happy living with us. That much I know. You were too mature, too set in your ways.”

  “Joya, I’m deeply sorry if I hurt you. I really did miss you.”

  She waved her hand at him as she moved back to her chair. “’Tis in the past. I don’t wish to look backward. I want to see you happily married and with someone who doesn’t live far away. To my mind, Dyna would be perfect for you.”

  Derric stood, set his hands on his hips, and said, “I don’t wish to hurt Dyna. Believe me. I know ’tis a risk to travel with her, not knowing what I’ll learn about the bairn. But if I leave on a long journey and don’t return until spring, I fear I’ll find her wed to some noble fop unworthy of her. I’d want to put a fist in his foppy face.”

  Joya smirked and waggled her brow at her brother. “’Tis the most telling statement you’ve made yet. Who would be worthy of Dyna? I think you just answered your own question. There’s only one person she belongs with, is there not?”

  He pursed his lips with a renewed vigor. “Aye. Me.”

  ***

  Dyna sat next to her grandsire at the trestle table the next morn, long before Joya typically woke up. Emmalin was still abovestairs with the bairns. Alasdair and Els were in the lists and servants meandered about, cleaning the hall and preparing it for the day ahead. Derric entered from outside, and Alex’s sharp eyes instantly flew to him. “Join us, Corbett. I’ll have the serving lass bring porridge and bread for us.”

  Dyna wondered what her grandsire was about, but she didn’t comment. Rather, she conveyed her grandsire’s wishes to a nearby serving lass. Derric sat down and nodded to her. “Good morn to you, lass.”

  It was the first she’d seen him since their discussion on the hill. Part of her had worried he might be gone, that her offer—and his refusal—would drive him away. Mayhap he still intended to leave.

  “Corbett, I am headed to Cameron land later today,” Grandsire said. “I promised my sister a visit, and I intend to keep my word. Will you join us? Dyna will travel to Grant land after that, and I’d like to ask you to escort her. There will be a number of guards along, of course. But I’d like someone she trusts to go with her.” Three bowls of porridge were set on the table, along with a small bowl of honey to enhance the flavor and some fresh bread. “Where were you planning to go after your visit with Joya?”

  “North. I’m going to join King Robert’s forces. He’s expecting me back within a sennight.”

  “Will you travel with us?” the old man asked, fussing with his food instead of looking at him.

  Dyna hadn’t expected that proposal at all. Would Derric accept? He’d said that he wished for her to travel north with him, yet they’d both parted unhappy with each other the previous night. Truthfully, Dyna wanted him to come along. If he didn’t, she feared she might never see him again.

  He surprised her by being direct. “Dyna, what say you?”

  “You are welcome to join us,” she said. “I may spend a night on Cameron land before moving on. You need not follow me to Grant land.”

  Grandsire gave her that look that told her he wouldn’t accept any other option. “I’m asking him to follow you to Grant land. There have been enough attacks on members of my family lately that I would prefer to know you are safe. If he’s willing, I ask you to accept it quietly, Dyna.”

  Dyna’s jaw tensed. Her grandfather rarely spoke to her that way. Most of the time he asked her about her preferences rather than ordering her about. She opened her mouth to argue, but her grandfather gave her another of his looks.

  “Corbett?” Grandsire prompted.

  “Of course. I’d be honored and pleased to travel with you.”

  “Good, ’tis settled. Now, do you wish to explain what has happened between you two to cause this rift?”

  Dyna nearly fell off her bench. Hellfire, why did the wily old man have to be so astute all the time? She was supposed to be the one with seer abilities, but those abilities sure had been failing her when it came to Derric Corbett. Perhaps she’d lost them.

  Grandsire gave her a kindly look. “It doesn’t take a seer to figure out that you two are having an issue, Dyna.”

  Dammit, but he could even read her mind. Her mind!

  Corralling her senses to come up with a good answer, she hid her hands in her lap. “I don’t know of what you speak, Grandsire. There’s no trouble between us. Do you not agree, Derric?”

  Derric coughed, but he didn’t disagree. “Aye. Dyna’s a fine friend.”

  The sound of the wee ones echoed through the hall as John and Coira came down the staircase, Emmalin and Ailith behind them.

  Grandfather stood up and said, “I’m taking my porridge to the hearth. I’ll eat with the bairns, enjoy their company before we leave.” He gathered his things, then looked from one to the other. “Mend whatever has gone wrong between you. You’ll get along and work together when we’re on the road. You won’t want my prying or my interference.”

  As Grandsire moved toward the hearth, his meal in hand, John shouted out, “Seanair. You have porridge? Shall I find some for Coira, too?”

  “Aye, laddie. There’s enough in this bowl for both you and Coira. And here’s some bread for each of you, too. The lasses will bring your goat’s milk.”

  “Seanair, I be big and strong like Papa.”

  “You will if you drink your milk and eat your porridge,” Grandsire said with a smile.

  John picked up his sword and swung it three times in front of the hearth while he waited for his milk. “See, Coira. I warrey already.”

  Dyna couldn’t help but smirk over John’s attempt to say “warrior.” She glanced over at Derric to see if he’d noticed. His gaze was locked on the trio by the hearth, as were the others in the hall. John and Seanair were truly a favorite. Grandsire would be missed when he left.

  John let out his best attempt at the Grant war whoop followed by a wee growl. That sent her grandsire into a deep chuckle.

  Then she recalled what the man had said to the two of them. A rift. He’d known something had gone awry. How she prayed he had no true inkling of what she’d done. Dyna swallowed and stared at Derric, wondering how he would react to Grandsire’s bold statement.

  Handsome bastard. Being this close to Derric sent her heart aflutter. Traitorous heart. She hadn’t yet adjusted to his
closeness, his scent inspiring her to remember exactly how it felt to have his lips and hands roaming all over her body.

  “You could have denied him if my presence upsets you,” Derric said softly.

  “Deny Grandsire?” she snorted. “That does not happen.” She stared at her hands in her lap under the table. “Derric, forgive me for being so forward. I probably shouldn’t have said what I did.”

  “You did surprise me, but ’struth is I was humbled and flattered by your request. I think you know that there’s nothing I’d like better than to do as you asked, but…”

  He had an expression on his face she’d never seen before. His usual arrogance was gone, replaced by a vulnerability that she found oddly appealing. “But?”

  “But my sire taught me about honor and responsibility. While I haven’t seen him in many years, he did impress many things on me, thick as my head might be. At times, I wish I could forget his lessons, but they rear up when I least expect it. I believe in heaven, and my goal is to get there someday so I can see my parents again. So I can make them proud. Your cousins and your grandsire reminded me of my parents and their teachings. Which is why I cannot do as you asked. I’d also like to earn the respect of your clan someday. If I did that, I never would.”

  “So you’ll forgive my crudeness?” She couldn’t hide her smirk.

  He gave her a crooked smile and said, “Aye, even if you’ve made it even harder not to touch you. I would like to get along with you, Dyna.”

  “I’d like that, too. I admit I watched you in the lists with Alasdair this morn. Your sword skills are improving, and I would be pleased to have you along to help me protect Grandsire.”

  Because she wanted to protect Grandsire as much as he wanted to protect her.