The Scot's Quest - Keira Montclair Page 0,40
“For a moment, I did think ’twas Senga. Seeing her brought on a host of memories, and I feel I can tell you something now without any hesitation.”
She took a step closer, her expression still wary, not that he blamed her. “What?”
He moved close enough that he could cup her face with one hand. “I cannot marry Senga.”
“But if you have a daughter?”
“I’ll offer Senga support, even invite them to live near me. Senga has no clan to my knowledge, so if she has a child, she’s probably ready to give up following the camps. Mayhap I could convince her to settle in the same clan I join.”
“And which clan will that be?”
“Diamond, if you don’t know this by now, I’ll be direct. I go wherever you go.” He ran a thumb across her bottom lip. “Our time will come, lass.”
A guard yelled to him, “Corbett, mind your hands. You’re not to be touching the laird’s daughter.”
“Shut your mouth and mind your own business, Ewan.” Dyna stepped around Derrick and pulled out her dagger.
Derric took her hand and pulled her back. “Diamond,” he said with a wink when she finally looked at him. “He’s doing his job.” They moved back to their horses. He tossed her up onto her saddle and barked, “One hour north and we’ll be at our destination.”
They arrived before dusk, and King Robert himself greeted them, as was his custom. Once his guards cleared the new arrivals, he preferred to speak to them himself. “I’d heard of a Grant group not far away. Tell me if all is well.”
“No problems yet, King Robert.” Derric introduced Dyna to him.
“My lady,” King Robert said. “I recall another time you aided our cause, and I’ll thank you for it. Any Grant is welcome here.”
“Do you have word of an attack yet?” Dyna asked. “We witnessed a cavalry of Englishmen headed north several days ago.”
“Nay, we’ve heard naught, just that there are many after me. My intention is to send a message to Thane and Ross. And after William’s treachery in turning my wife over to Edward, his day of reckoning is nigh. ’Tis time for him to pay for his betrayal. Poor Elizabeth has yet to be freed. Perhaps if we overtake Ross, Edward will get the message that we’ll not go away anytime soon.”
“When will you attack Thane?” she asked. Her interest was likely personal—her cousin Alick’s wife was the niece of the clan chieftain.
“Not until I discover exactly where the English garrison is, though I suspect ’twill get cold enough for the English to retreat. They’ll run from the cold weather. You’ll see I’m right.” He had a gleam in his eyes as he said it. They all enjoyed taunting the English, who lacked the constitution for winter in the Highlands.
Dyna nodded, then headed off into the woods to see to her needs, giving Derric the chance to question the king. “Senga, have you seen her?”
Robert’s entire demeanor changed. “Lad, I fear I gave you poor information. Word reached me as soon as we arrived that Senga died over a moon ago from the fever. When I inquired about the bairn, I was told the lassie is with her sire, so apparently ’tis not you. I should never have said anything to you, but Senga is gone.”
The news wrenched something inside of him. She’d been so young, so hale, and she’d left behind a wee babe. While he hadn’t wished to marry her, he’d never wished for her to meet such a fate. He saw death all the time—it was a fact of war, of life—but this felt different. It felt wrong. He rubbed his whiskers, trying to tamp down the confusing surge of emotion. “The wee lass’s father? She was certain ’twas his?”
“So she said. I was told the bairn’s sire is Guinne. Earvin Guinne. The lass is with him, so best let it be.”
“Where will I find Guinne?” He trusted Robert, but he couldn’t rest easy about the situation until he saw the babe with his own eyes. He wondered if Dyna would go with him, though he wouldn’t question her if she refused.
“He’s headed west.” He deliberately changed the subject rather than give Derric more specific directions. “Though I could use your talents here. I’ve arrived at a truce with Macdougall, and now I’m off toward Ross land. I know not what we’ll face, especially if they’ve brought other Lowlanders in to fight, but I’ll not shy from the challenge.” He paused, studying Derric.