The Scot's Quest - Keira Montclair Page 0,20

good in the world. I don’t know how better to explain it than that. If you feel that way with Derric, then think hard about sending him away. And as for his reaction to you, you do know that your cousins cornered him and threatened him with a wild boar, do you not?”

“What?” Dyna barked. He’d told her they’d warned him off, but they’d done it with a boar? Why couldn’t they trust her to take care of her own business, to see to her own welfare?

“And your grandsire took him aside after that, though your cousins don’t know what was said between them. Joya said her brother looked a wee bit green in the face after he returned.”

Emmalin stood up, patted Dyna’s shoulder, and said, “Don’t take Derric’s answer to heart. He was worried about keeping his bollocks, if I were to guess. And don’t do something you may regret later.”

No matter how much she wished to argue with Emmalin’s points, she found she couldn’t. Her friend was right. “My thanks for your honesty.” Emmalin’s descriptions of the butterflies perfectly matched the way Dyna felt whenever Derric was near. It had never happened with another man.

Was she falling in love with Derric Corbett?

Emmalin made her way to the door, then stopped and turned to look at her again, leaning on the door frame. “Are you going to send him away?”

“Nay,” Dyna said. “He’s brash and he doesn’t know how to keep quiet, but I don’t wish for him to leave. If he stays, ’twill be easier for me to discover the truth of my feelings. But I’ll not ask him to take my maidenhead again. I can see ’twas too forward of me.”

“Good. Don’t rush it. Enjoy your time with him.” Emmalin smiled and left.

How she wished her seer’s abilities would come to the rescue now. Was Derric the one for her or not?

Unfortunately, she received no answer.

Chapter Seven

Derric was so shaken by Dyna’s question that he wasn’t prepared to go back inside and face her cousins. He found his way to the stables, marching down to the end of the row until he saw a stable lad. “Have you any animals that are unsettled this eve? Any that are tough to put a saddle on or ornery in any way?” He liked a challenge, and working with horses calmed him. He needed that right now.

“Just Misty at the end. She prefers Lady Dyna, and whenever Dyna is upset, she gets upset,” the lad said, pointing to the last stall. “I wouldn’t go inside or she’ll kick you, mayhap even try to bite you.”

“Was Dyna here?”

“Nay, but Misty senses her mood. ’Tis uncanny the way it happens, but I’ve seen it many times. She needs a good brushing, but no one will go near her.” Then he held out a brush, a hopeful expression on his face.

“I’ll see what I can do, lad.”

The lad smiled and ran off in the opposite direction, clearly less than confident in Derric’s abilities. Derric searched for a barrel of treats and found an apple for the beast before heading down to the mare’s stall. Once he got there, her ears moved back and she showed her teeth to him. It definitely didn’t look like a smile. Opening the gate, she quickly came over and gave him a push, as if to tell him to leave her alone, but he started rubbing her withers, surprised that she allowed it so quickly. She took the proffered treat and chomped down on the apple, chewing slowly.

Derric continued, talking to her in a quiet voice, watching her teeth for that bite he’d been warned about, but she was too occupied by the apple to attempt it. Her movements were restless, even inside the stall. The stallion across the way gave a nicker, watching them.

“So that’s why you’re uncomfortable, aye?” Derric asked. He wants your attention and you aren’t interested in him? Mayhap you sensed the same in your lady. She was upset with me, but not that upset. We had a lovely time together.” He stopped rubbing her for a moment and she nudged him to continue.

Her movements slowly calmed, and she leaned into him, inviting him to pet her muzzle. He stroked it and brought the brush up to her neck. “Why, mayhap you’re just exhausted. Has your mistress pushed you too hard? Or perhaps you like working hard. Are you ready to take her for another ride?” Misty nickered, as if to say aye, and