The Scot's Pursuit - Keira Montclair Page 0,32

the windows, going to the gates, trying to make decisions without the information necessary to do so.

“Where are they?” Alasdair asked, chewing on a shaft of wild grass outside the gates.

“North of here, I tell you. You’re looking south and west. They’re not coming from that direction.”

Alick had a bad feeling, although not necessarily about the attack. He’d woken up in the middle of the night after having that same nightmare about his mother.

“Why are you so unsettled? Another nightmare?” Alasdair asked.

“Aye,” he answered quickly, turning away to pace. He didn’t want to tell his cousin about Branwen moments before they rode into battle. It wouldn’t be right. But he deeply regretted leaving his bride behind. Why hadn’t he just brought her with him? Worry about riding in the dark, aye, but he’d also hoped he could talk Branwen’s father around. Or that the Earl of Thane would intervene on their behalf. Now, he was full of doubt, worried something had gone wrong back at Thane Castle.

“I don’t think they’re being sneaky.” Alasdair said, climbing up to the top of the curtain wall again. “They’re English,” he called down. “Too daft to be sneaky.”

Grandsire came though the courtyard and said, “Ready your men. The English can be seen from the back of the wall. You and your cousins should fight near the gates and stay together, just in case.”

“And where do you want Dyna?” Alick asked as she strolled out to join them. Els joined them from the kitchens.

“She can shoot from the top of the wall,” Grandsire said. “Prepare as you must while I speak with Alick alone.” He waved the others on, and they moved along even though they clearly would have preferred to stay and listen.

Alick looked at his grandfather, wondering what this was about. “What is it, Grandsire?”

“Why were you delayed, and why were you traveling alone? Something you’ve been warned against doing multiple times since hostilities have increased with the English. You could have easily been attacked by a group of drunken reivers or English.”

He’d expected his grandsire would catch on eventually. “I went after Branwen Denton.”

“I don’t know the name.”

“She’s niece to William, the Earl of Thane. They live with him at present.”

“And why did you have a pressing need to see her?”

The old man would not let up, that much he knew. “We met at the Grant festival. Her sire treats her cruelly, and I requested permission to court her.”

“And?”

“I was denied.” He noticed the small tic in his grandfather’s jaw at that comment. He’d never show his anger, but Alick knew the signs. “Grandpapa, I truly care about her.”

“Why were you denied? Did the man give you a reason?”

“He said she was already betrothed to Osbert Ware.” He tapped his foot, wishing this inquisition were over.

“The old Osbert who lost his wife not long ago?”

“The same.”

“And yet you went to see her on Thane land. Can you explain?”

“I wished to speak to her uncle, the Earl of Thane. My hope was that he would support my suit and convince her sire to agree to the match. You’ve always gotten along with the earl, have you not?”

“Aye, in past years, but he doesn’t support Bruce.”

“I know that, but they’re not enemies, correct? You’ve never feuded with him, have you?”

“Nay, we have not. I assume you did get to speak with the man as you arrived here in a timely manner. What was his response to your request?”

“He said he would consider my proposal.” He scratched his neck, suddenly worried how his grandfather would react to this next part. “But we found a priest near the loch, and he agreed to marry us. I made Branwen my wife because I wasn’t willing to leave it up to chance. I planned to tell you after the battle.”

His grandfather waved to Dyna to join them.

Once she made her way over, Grandsire said, “You are correct, Dyna. The two married. Congratulate your cousin.”

“If only I’d put a wager on it,” she said, smiling, and clapped Alick on the shoulder.

The first sounds of the English cavalry carried to them. Alasdair, who’d been yelling instructions up to his men on the wall, turned to them. “Alick, we need you,” he called out. “Grandsire, you will head inside with John?”

“Aye,” Grandsire said, turning to leave, but he stopped to say, “Godspeed. All of you.” Then he glanced at Alick and winked. “I know someone that has an important reason to survive this battle.”

He knew what the old man was thinking.

It