The Scot's Quest - Keira Montclair Page 0,24

had worried he might be gone, that her offer—and his refusal—would drive him away. Mayhap he still intended to leave.

“Corbett, I am headed to Cameron land later today,” Grandsire said. “I promised my sister a visit, and I intend to keep my word. Will you join us? Dyna will travel to Grant land after that, and I’d like to ask you to escort her. There will be a number of guards along, of course. But I’d like someone she trusts to go with her.” Three bowls of porridge were set on the table, along with a small bowl of honey to enhance the flavor and some fresh bread. “Where were you planning to go after your visit with Joya?”

“North. I’m going to join King Robert’s forces. He’s expecting me back within a sennight.”

“Will you travel with us?” the old man asked, fussing with his food instead of looking at him.

Dyna hadn’t expected that proposal at all. Would Derric accept? He’d said that he wished for her to travel north with him, yet they’d both parted unhappy with each other the previous night. Truthfully, Dyna wanted him to come along. If he didn’t, she feared she might never see him again.

He surprised her by being direct. “Dyna, what say you?”

“You are welcome to join us,” she said. “I may spend a night on Cameron land before moving on. You need not follow me to Grant land.”

Grandsire gave her that look that told her he wouldn’t accept any other option. “I’m asking him to follow you to Grant land. There have been enough attacks on members of my family lately that I would prefer to know you are safe. If he’s willing, I ask you to accept it quietly, Dyna.”

Dyna’s jaw tensed. Her grandfather rarely spoke to her that way. Most of the time he asked her about her preferences rather than ordering her about. She opened her mouth to argue, but her grandfather gave her another of his looks.

“Corbett?” Grandsire prompted.

“Of course. I’d be honored and pleased to travel with you.”

“Good, ’tis settled. Now, do you wish to explain what has happened between you two to cause this rift?”

Dyna nearly fell off her bench. Hellfire, why did the wily old man have to be so astute all the time? She was supposed to be the one with seer abilities, but those abilities sure had been failing her when it came to Derric Corbett. Perhaps she’d lost them.

Grandsire gave her a kindly look. “It doesn’t take a seer to figure out that you two are having an issue, Dyna.”

Dammit, but he could even read her mind. Her mind!

Corralling her senses to come up with a good answer, she hid her hands in her lap. “I don’t know of what you speak, Grandsire. There’s no trouble between us. Do you not agree, Derric?”

Derric coughed, but he didn’t disagree. “Aye. Dyna’s a fine friend.”

The sound of the wee ones echoed through the hall as John and Coira came down the staircase, Emmalin and Ailith behind them.

Grandfather stood up and said, “I’m taking my porridge to the hearth. I’ll eat with the bairns, enjoy their company before we leave.” He gathered his things, then looked from one to the other. “Mend whatever has gone wrong between you. You’ll get along and work together when we’re on the road. You won’t want my prying or my interference.”

As Grandsire moved toward the hearth, his meal in hand, John shouted out, “Seanair. You have porridge? Shall I find some for Coira, too?”

“Aye, laddie. There’s enough in this bowl for both you and Coira. And here’s some bread for each of you, too. The lasses will bring your goat’s milk.”

“Seanair, I be big and strong like Papa.”

“You will if you drink your milk and eat your porridge,” Grandsire said with a smile.

John picked up his sword and swung it three times in front of the hearth while he waited for his milk. “See, Coira. I warrey already.”

Dyna couldn’t help but smirk over John’s attempt to say “warrior.” She glanced over at Derric to see if he’d noticed. His gaze was locked on the trio by the hearth, as were the others in the hall. John and Seanair were truly a favorite. Grandsire would be missed when he left.

John let out his best attempt at the Grant war whoop followed by a wee growl. That sent her grandsire into a deep chuckle.

Then she recalled what the man had said to the two of them. A rift. He’d known something had