speech and laughter, the clan gathering for the meal. Aedan had given her cell back and now it sat snugly in between her breasts, hidden by the fabric that she wore. What she wouldn’t do to take a selfie right now.
Abby looked around the room, watched the dogs weave in and out of the diners’ legs, looking for food. Groups of people ate the stew and bread with vigor. Some cast inquisitive looks her way, but most kept their own company and savored the nightly meal. Abby would enjoy it more if they actually had cutlery and didn’t have to use a spoon or their fingers for everything.
“Did you enjoy the rest of yer day, Abigail?”
She swallowed her mouthful of mead and nodded. “I did. I found some parts of it a little trying, but overall it was good.” She met Aedan’s gaze. He seemed pleased with her answer and oddly, she was glad of it. No use bickering at each other all the time.
“Gwen tells me you’re very good at archery.”
She choked on her spoonful of broth and threw a surprised look at Gwen who grinned. “Good wouldn’t be a word I’d associate with my archery.”
“What, then? Competent?”
Abby grabbed a bread roll and pulled it apart. “I would probably term it as crap. Your sister has grossly over-exaggerated my talents.” Aedan sipped his mead, and her attention snapped to his lips and his throat as he swallowed.
“I don’t believe it. She said you did very well.”
“I didn’t. Trust me.” At that moment, a man came up to the table. He was dressed in a kilt and tartan the same colour of Aedan’s. They spoke quickly and to the side. The man’s accent was thick and hard to follow.
“The men on lookout have sent word they’ve seen the banners of Clan Grant travelling through The Red Hills. They should be here within the hour.”
Aedan ran a hand over his jaw. “Send word to Mrs. Turner and tell her to prepare the bedchambers in the eastern castle quarters. They’ll be tired after their long journey.”
“They’re early, Aedan. They weren’t due to arrive until two days hence.”
Abby cast an inquisitive look to Gwen at the vehemence she heard in the woman’s voice. It was the first time she sounded less than pleased with the Highland Games, or the guests who were taking part in it.
“Plans change.” Aedan continued on with his meal and didn’t try to converse with her again. Abby sat between a scowling sister and silent brother and wondered when she would be able to excuse herself to go upstairs.
Just when she was going to make her exit, the hall doors opened with a bang, and a rotund elderly man walked in. He had a long white beard and, instantly, Abby thought of Santa Claus. A younger man, one she assumed to be his son, entered behind him. He was tall and built well, like Aedan. But where Aedan’s features had been softened by the luck of good genetics, this man’s hadn’t. He looked as hard and as rugged as his muscled arm.
The large man waddled forward, his arms out in welcome. “MacLeod. ’Tis good to see ye, lad.”
Aedan stood, came around the table, and hugged the man. Abby took a calming breath. This man, for all his jolly appearance, was as housetrained as a lion, but something about him gave her pause.
“I’m very happy to see you again. I hope your travels were not wearying.”
“Aye, they were, but I’m hoping the journey was not for naught.”
A young woman entered the hall, and Abby felt her eyes widen. She was tall and yet still petite. Her long auburn locks were held back in a delicate type of knot. Gwen stiffened beside her, and Abby turned to see her glaring at the woman.
The young lady gave a small curtsy before Aedan. Surprisingly, he took her hand and pulled her in against his side. They spoke for a little time, the meeting between her and her family like a well sought after reunion, but if the seductive looks the woman was throwing at the laird were any indication, the girl had the hots for Aedan.
“Who are they?” she asked Gwen.
“Clan Grant from the Highlands. The old man with the beard is the laird, his son Evan, and daughter, Aline accompany him.”
“You say her name like it’s poison on your tongue.”
Gwen took a sip of her mead and shrugged. “It is. They travelled through here last summer. Her father declared her too young