The Scot's Pursuit - Keira Montclair Page 0,9

ago.”

Dyna gave him a satisfied smile, then leaned against the tree. “I’m in no hurry.”

“All right,” Broc said with a groan. “My apologies. I’ll not insult you again.”

Dyna pointed to Alick. “Get him down and get him out of here.”

Helping his brother required enough of his attention that he didn’t notice her for a long time. When he did, he almost dropped Broc.

Branwen was headed their way, walking down the main path from the courtyard. She stopped as soon as her gaze settled on Dyna. Determination firing in her eyes, she strode right up to him. “Is this the lass who is the fine archer?” she whispered. “One of the cousins you spoke of?”

Surprised to see her there, especially with such a fierce expression on her face, he stood up straight and gave her his full attention. “Aye. ’Tis Dyna.”

“I need to ask a favor of her. Do you mind?” she said in an undertone, crossing her arms in front of her.

“Why? What’s wrong?” Alick had a bad feeling after seeing the expression in her eyes. This was a different Branwen than he’d seen earlier. She looked scared and upset, and he suspected it was about something more serious than her sire catching her dancing.

Dyna moved over to wedge herself between the two. She stood at least a head taller than Branwen. “I’ll assist you, but who are you?”

Alick froze, waiting to see what Branwen would say.

“I’m Branwen Denton. I would like to learn how to use a bow and arrow. And a dagger, if you would be so inclined.” Her hands were folded in front of her, and she whispered, “I don’t have much time. I must return to the hall quickly, but I could meet you early in the morn. Or in the middle of the night, if you’d prefer.”

“Why do you want to learn these skills?” Dyna asked.

“Because I must learn to defend myself, and I need to hurry.”

Chapter Four

Branwen climbed out of bed an hour before dawn, her heart beating so hard inside her chest she feared she’d be heard slipping out in the early morn. She slept in the chamber reserved for visiting lasses, pallets arranged around the outside of the floor with a larger bed in the middle. It suited her wonderfully. Neither her sire nor her brother would dare step inside the large chamber to call for her.

It had given her a small taste of freedom.

She put on her boots. The bottoms had worn thin, but her father hadn’t ordered anything new for her since her mother had passed away. How she missed her dear mama.

Edine Denton had fallen from a horse two years ago, and her loss had forever transformed the lives of Branwen and her brothers. For her, the changes had all been bad. Her father’s former indifference had turned to near hatred. At first she’d thought grief had driven him mad, but now she doubted he had a heart capable of grief.

Creeping down the staircase to the great hall, she was pleased to see no one was up and about, the fire in the massive hearth mere embers sputtering occasionally. She opened the door, wrapping her mantle around her body to brace herself for the cool night air, and started to cautiously make her way across the cobblestones, not wanting her footsteps to ring out in the quiet.

The gate was still open, though there were guards about. One nodded to her and pointed to Dyna, surrounded by four guards. Several horses were tied to the nearby trees, and guards stood around the periphery.

Her breath came out in a whoosh because she was so relieved to see the other lass. How she’d feared her heartfelt request would be ignored. She wasn’t allowed friends anymore, although they had a maid named Fia whom her father occasionally allowed to tend her needs. If she were to call anyone a friend, it would be Fia. They talked as often as they could, but they had to do so in whispers because her sire didn’t believe nobility should speak with the help. Even though they held no title, her father considered himself nobility by marriage.

Given they had few visitors, she’d have no one to speak to but her father or brothers if she followed that command, but perhaps that was his preference. It surely was not hers.

Dyna smiled and said, “Follow me.” A set of footsteps came flying toward them as they neared the horses, and she spun around, afraid it was her brother, but