The Highlander's Destiny (Highland Rogues #2) - Mary Wine Page 0,79
mistress now is all. She might just be tolerating me while plotting on how to replace me with one of her own kin now that ye are approved of by the clan.”
“I will not allow that to happen.”
Brynna flashed her a grin. “Ye are a true person. I know fake smiles and words when I see them. I would not have wasted me time if I thought otherwise.”
Brynna suddenly sounded much older than her young years, but she stared straight at Cora, waiting to see what she would make of her bold statement.
“Eat with me.”
Brynna lifted an eyebrow in surprise.
Cora patted the tabletop next to her. “There is plenty, and ye are me companion, not me servant. I have no taste for enforcing a code of behavior that has no purpose save stroking me ego. When we eat behind closed doors, we shall be companions.”
Brynna’s face brightened as she moved and sat down. Cora lifted the little pottery plate with the slices of cheese and placed it between them.
“Now.” Cora looked around the solar again. “What can we do to preserve our sanity while we are in here?”
*
Lirkin Grant was in a foul humor.
The storm had driven him into a tavern for two days. Now, as the weather cleared, he watched his men try to coax their horses back out into the chill. The animals sensed the approach of winter. They screamed and fought against being ridden away from their home.
But he had to press on.
His men were not much happier than the horses they rode. However, Lirkin had selected the Retainers at his back, down to the very last man. Every one of them was devoted to him. They’d pull their plaids up and suffer the bite of the wind without knowing what it was he had them riding toward.
He’d reward them.
A good leader never forgot to share the spoils with his troops.
At least not a leader who was good enough to stay in power.
And Lirkin was good at maintaining power. In fact, it was his finest trait. Let the pious mutter about how he wasn’t fit for Heaven. He didn’t care. Because his days were still long and, in the end, he’d part with enough of his gold to get those who were righteous to pray for him and shorten his time in purgatory.
God wouldn’t send him to hell.
Lirkin was certain of that, and the reason was simple. God had placed him in a position to grab power. Some might say Faolan had been put in the same position. The son of a second woman. The difference was Lirkin’s mother had been a wife, and Faolan’s dam had simply been a favored bitch.
“Let us ride men!” he cried out. “Ride for Grant honor!”
“Grant honor!”
The horses were pressed into obedience as the Grant Retainers leaned forward in their saddles.
*
Being put out was a shame.
Bayrd squared his shoulders and set his jaw.
Better to be gone from the stronghold if there was a witch in residence.
He’d seen her the night before. Walking so proudly through the rain as though it wasn’t near to snowing.
Unnatural.
He knew what he’d seen. If the other McKay were so foolish as to be swayed by Faolan’s words, well, they’d be the ones suffering.
At least he’d be gone.
The sheep wintered out on the moors. A few men watched them to keep the wolves from growing fat during the winter. There were stone fences that needed to be maintained for shelter from the wind for the animals.
Bayrd wasn’t in a hurry, though. He stopped in a tavern, settling down to enjoy some fine whiskey before he began the trek up to the moors.
Chapter Ten
Ye are waiting for him…
As the light began to fade, Cora felt her anticipation warming her insides.
He locked ye in a solar…
She should be quite upset with him.
That will see ye sleeping alone…
Cora wanted her inner voice to be silent.
Yet she was still restless. Brynna was reading, but Cora had lost interest in the story. Instead, she looked toward the window, gauging the light level.
True to his nature, Cora didn’t hear Faolan’s steps. Her first warning of his arrival was the door opening. He peered in, his expression brightening as he set eyes on her. Cora propped her hands on her hips.
“Thank ye, Brynna, for seeing to me lady,” Faolan spoke softly.
Brynna reverenced before she headed out of the door.
“Ye may be angry with me all ye like, but ye will stay in the solar until ye have shoes, Cora,” Faolan informed her.