The Scot's Angel - Keira Montclair Page 0,11
seen much of Thorn the eve before, just at the evening meal. He had departed quickly with the comment that Magnus had many jobs for them. “I promise to see you in the morn, lass.” He’d leaned over and kissed her cheek, then left.
Claray had missed him, but she admired him for doing what was asked of him. “He’s a good man,” her sire had said. “He always seeks to help others. We have other roofs that need repair before winter settles. ’Tis one of the few things we can do at night once the bundles are tied and ready to go. Thorn and Nari are very skilled at what they do.”
So she went to bed dreaming of a man with dark hair and sweet lips. She still had to pinch herself every time she thought of their kiss.
She hurried through her ablutions because she hoped to see him this morn. They could be returning to Castle Curanta on the morrow or the next day. They’d come to help with the decorations and repairs, and now their part was nearly done, but they would be back for Yule in a fortnight.
She couldn’t wait. In a hurry, she’d gone up to Dyna’s chamber to see if she needed help with the wee ones, but her sister had waved her away.
Running down the staircase, she nearly tripped but caught herself on the railing. To her surprise, Thorn rushed up to catch her, and she couldn’t stop the wide smile from stretching across her face as soon as she saw him. “Thorn, where did you come from so quickly?”
“I was at the table when I saw you descend. I came over to greet you, but I wasn’t expecting you to trip.”
She waved her hand at him. “I’m fine. I was in a hurry.”
“Why?” His brown eyes had golden flecks in them that mesmerized her, now that she was allowed to look into them. She couldn’t help but stare at him because he was quite handsome, his long hair neatly combed and his cheeks freshly shaven. How she loved the way he looked at her.
As if he adored her.
“I didn’t want to miss you. Papa will probably keep you busy this morn.”
“Aye,” he said, stepping back down the staircase before he held his hand out to her, helping her down safely. Then he led her to the table where he and Nari sat. “We have much to do.”
Nari stood and said, “Good morn to you, my lady.”
“Good morn, Nari. You and Thorn will be busy today?” The hall was bustling with people who sat around the trestle tables, breaking their fast before they headed out to their respective chores.
“Aye, we have two more roofs to finish, then we are to go hunting, hoping for a plump boar or a nice stag. The festival of food is nearly upon us and there is much preparing that needs to be done.”
“Aye, I think Mama will have us searching for more apples by midday. I cannot wait for the festivities to begin. One more sennight until the holiday begins.” She took a seat on the bench and reached for a piece of bread. “I’m grateful we keep to the Norse tradition and celebrate for nearly a whole moon.”
“And we’ll be back,” Thorn promised. “Not the first day, but before the second sennight begins.”
They ate and chattered with the others who joined them: Dyna and Derric, Alick and Branwen, Chrissa and Drostan, Broc, Paden, Aunt Kyla and Uncle Finlay, and Aunt Elizabeth and her husband. They feasted on porridge with cinnamon and honey, then the men started to take their leave, along with the first group of hunters: the lasses. Dyna, Chrissa, and Branwen were all talented archers, and they were heading out early to look for pheasants and ducks.
Loki came inside and let out a whistle.
“’Tis our time to go. I hope to see you later, lass,” Thorn said, making a small bow before he left.
That left Claray alone with her mother, Aunt Elizabeth, and Aunt Kyla in the once bustling hall.
Claray had been facing away from the door, but she hurried around the table to take a seat on the other side, something that would allow her to see those who entered. Straightening her skirts after she switched seats, she glanced up at the strand of pine boughs they’d hung just yesterday.
A gasp escaped her. The big red velvet bow at the middle had already fallen from its perch, barely hanging on.
It looked ridiculous. As soon