spoke and looked at her as well. Heat suffused her cheeks, and she looked back to Mae. “I noticed when I spoke to the Laird of Ross that his teeth are red. Why is that?”
The woman laughed, causing those close by to look at her with interest. “They’re not normally so, I would think he’s been partaking in too many Rowan berries. There are a few trees scattered around the castle. Surely you’ve seen them on your travels.”
“I must admit I have not.” Abby paused. “Are you looking forward to the games?”
“Aye, I am. Because the sooner they start the sooner they’ll be finished. I didna want to come here, but my brother, future Laird to Clan Scot, insisted.” The woman’s brow creased as her attention snapped to her brother, who had now joined Aedan and Black Ben.
“You can tell me to stop being nosy, but why didn’t you wish to come here?” For a woman of her age and living in this time, not to be interested in this type of entertainment and socializing was odd.
Mae cleared her throat. “My brother wants me to marry a man that I do not love when my heart has already been given to someone else. I will not be forced into marriage—by him, or anyone. I have promised myself to a good, kind, honorable man. I will not be swayed.”
Sympathy for the girl consumed Abby. The poor woman, living in a time where the men in her life could dictate to her, make her marry someone she neither knew nor cared for. She shook her head. Thank God times had changed for women in the twenty-first century. “I hope you can marry the man you love. If there is any way I could possibly help you, please let me know. I, too, would hate to have an arranged marriage.”
“Thank you,” Mae said, clearly astonished and relieved Abby had said what she did. “I will not forget your kindness.”
“You don’t owe me anything, truly. And I really don’t mean to be nosy, I don’t know anyone other than Gwen and Aedan, but I’m curious, who does your brother wish you to marry?” Maybe it was Aedan, and by at least knowing that she wasn’t interested in him she could advise him, in case he was looking at her for a potential wife.
“He’s from Clan Kirk. They’re not here, but we’re to travel home past their lands. My brother will break our journey for a day or two at their castle.” She shook her head. “He’s the worst of men. There are rumors the woman he was betrothed to disappeared. An English woman that no one past the border would care for, so easy to be rid of.”
“That’s terrible. Do you think he murdered her?”
“I don’t know, but I certainly don’t want to marry him and find out for myself how dangerous he is. I can’t believe my brother is even considering the alliance.”
“Maybe Aedan could speak to your brother and help sway him to see that such a marriage is not wise.”
Mae clasped her hand, squeezing it. “Would you do that for me? I would be eternally grateful. From the few times I’ve met the Laird Kirk, I’ve been left with a revulsion that has stuck with me for days. I do not like him, and I certainly couldn’t marry the man.”
“I will do whatever I can. I promise.”
At that time, Gwen joined them, letting them know luncheon was served up at the castle. Abby walked with Gwen and Mae and watched as Aedan and his friend Black Ben walked in front of them, their muscular thighs hers to look at.
She shouldn’t ogle Aedan. He wasn’t someone she should be looking at in any way. This wasn’t her time, nor were these the people she’d grown up with, hung around, or called friends. And although they were friendly, Gwen especially, and had tried to make her experience here as smooth as possible, it didn’t change the fact that she was in way over her head.
Aedan might be kind, a good laird, but medieval Scotland wasn’t for her. There was a reason why society had evolved over time, people lived longer and were increasingly intelligent. Who wanted to live with no access to medicine or die from trifling illnesses like colds? Social media, technology, and electricity were non-existent. Everything she knew, her entire way of life, was foreign here.
The thought of never having ice cream again, watching a chick flick on TV, or going