A Hellion at the Highland Court (The Highland Ladies #9) - Celeste Barclay Page 0,74
the animals rest.” Brodie broke into her musings as the group neared an inn. They’d traveled along the foothills to the Trossachs. She’d seen the peak of Ben Vorlich an hour earlier as they passed through a glen. The route had been rocky and uneven, so she was glad to let Teine rest before they carried on. She also looked forward to stretching her legs and giving her backside a reprieve after the jarring ride.
“Thank you. I’m quite hungry.”
“I ken. Your belly signaled it was time to eat nearly a half hour ago.” Brodie’s grin made Laurel scowl, but it was in jest. He helped her from the saddle and grasped her upper arms as she steadied herself. “Let’s feed you.”
“Yes, please.” The couple moved toward the door of the inn, but movement to their left made Laurel peer behind Brodie. She thought she’d seen Stephen MacBain, but she reminded herself that was impossible since the man was likely still at Stirling Castle. And even if he headed home, he wouldn’t be on the same route as the Campbells, and Laurel reasoned he couldn’t have arrived ahead of them unless he’d ridden through the night and for two days straight. She pushed aside the notion and entered the inn with Brodie.
She took a seat on a bench between Brodie and Graham, who she’d immediately liked when she met him. He reminded her of Donnan, and he’d put her at ease. She didn’t doubt that he wondered why his laird married Laurel, but he’d been polite every time she encountered him. She hadn’t determined where Michael disappeared to the day Brodie returned. She was certain he hadn’t been in the bailey when she went to the kirk, nor was he there while she waited. But she recalled finding him with the other Campbell men when she went to thank them. She supposed he’d sought rest while he could. All the men appeared to be on their last leg by the end of the ceremony. There was something about Michael that put her on edge, so she avoided him when she could.
“Rest for a while, Laurie.” Brodie kissed her forehead when they finished eating. “I’m going to check the horses and add to our provisions. I fear we may encounter foul weather as we climb higher. If we’re delayed, I would prefer more food with us in case there isn’t much to hunt.”
Laurel was eager to arrive at Kilchurn, but she wasn’t in a rush to get back onto Teine. She loved her steed, and she loved riding, but she could admit—at least to herself—that the journey was not the same as a jaunt across a meadow. She watched as Brody and Graham left the tavern. Two men remained, and one was Michael. She pretended to be interested in her mug of ale to avoid having to make conversation with the man who made her uneasy.
“Too high and mighty for the likes of us.” Laurel heard Michael, even though he kept his voice low. She wished she didn’t have better-than-average hearing. It meant she caught conversations not intended for her. “Can’t even bother to look in our direction.”
Laurel wanted to prove she didn’t consider herself superior to either of the men, but to look in their direction now meant admitting she heard them. She opted for another tack. Grabbing her mug, she moved toward the counter but stopped before the men. “Would you like another pint?”
Both men narrowed their eyes at her as if they could determine an ulterior motive. Michael nodded. Laurel took that as progress. She moved toward the counter where the tavern keeper stood. The inn was more crowded than she’d expected, but the crowd was respectful. She didn’t fear moving around, and Brodie hadn’t warned against it.
“May I have another pint of watered ale for me, and two pints of ale for my husband’s men?” The barkeep nodded, but he didn’t refill Laurel’s mug before Michael stepped next to her.
“The laird is ready to leave, ma lady.” Laurel looked back at the door, but Brodie wasn’t there. “He sent Danny to fetch us.” Laurel looked again, but the man Brodie introduced as his best rider wasn’t in sight. “He went back to the horses. The laird took several to the farrier to have their shoes checked. We’re to meet him there.”
Laurel paused for a long moment before she agreed. She followed Michael, and the guard whose name she couldn’t remember followed her. When they left the dim tavern,