there was some creature hiding in the nearby bushes.
A snort alerted them to the presence of wild pigs not far ahead of them. They moved their horses apart, waiting for one to come into their view.
Derric whispered, “Don’t they travel in a herd? Are you not worried they’ll attack us?” He’d seen them in the wild many times, and he’d always stayed away. Many Scots had been gored by the beasts’ tusks, their weight such that they were easily able to overpower a man. He preferred lamb or beef.
“Nay,” Els said. “They’ll run the other way most of the time. Only if they feel threatened will they retaliate.”
Just then, a squealing boar came out of the bushes, not far from Alasdair, and gave him his broad side. Els and Alasdair both fired, striking the wild animal twice in its flank. It squealed and started to run clumsily around the area.
Alasdair glanced at Els and said, “We have to finish it.”
The two dismounted and raced after the injured animal. Els motioned to Derric and said, “Follow us. We may need your help.”
Although he couldn’t think why they’d need three men to take down a boar, they were more experienced hunters, so he jumped off his horse and followed.
They managed to herd the animal in a clearing, its movements slowing from the injuries.
Alasdair shouted over his shoulder, “Derric, you want to finish him?”
Derric arched his brow at the suggestion. “Your kill. You have the honors. I can’t believe you caught one this fast.”
Els spoke quietly to Alasdair, then they moved in on the boar, coming at it from opposite sides. One made a signal, and then they both raced at the beast, catching it and tossing it down on its side.
It took two of them to hold the beast down. Alasdair had to speak in intervals from the exertion of holding the fighting animal in place, but his message was clear. “Shall we let it go and send it your way, Corbett?”
Derric backed up. “Hell, nay. I’ve never caught a boar before. You have him. Why send him to me?” He’d always been good with animals, but the animals he dealt with were tamed beasts. Horses. Dogs. He had no experience with wild pigs. Nor did he want any.
“You look a wee bit green, Corbett.” Els tipped his head and smirked. “Remember this moment, because if you mistreat Dyna, we’ll find another animal just like this and send it after you.”
Alasdair added, “We all know you have a special talent with horses. Shall we see if it extends to wild pigs? If we let him loose, will he come over for a sweet nuzzle?” His expression was dead serious.
“What?” Derric couldn’t believe what he’d just heard. Dyna’s cousins had just threatened him with bodily harm because he was interested in her.
Alasdair gave the beast a quick death, then brought his serious gaze back to Derric, giving him a look that would make a lusty whore run in the other direction. “Do anything to Dyna that we deem unacceptable or she doesn’t like, and we will make certain you suffer for it. Understand?”
Derric gulped, his voice coming out barely audible. “Aye.”
“I couldn’t hear you.”
“Aye, I’ll not hurt your cousin. Not intentionally.”
“What the hell does that mean?” Alasdair left the dead animal and stalked across the clearing toward Derric. “Are you challenging me?”
Derric didn’t know how to deflate this situation, but he knew better than to anger Dyna’s powerful cousins when he had no friends to assist him. “I meant no disrespect. It would never be my intention for her to get hurt. Emotionally or physically.”
They both nodded, apparently accepting his response. The boar was a large animal, which hopefully meant they’d be heading back to the castle soon. He wasn’t sure how much more “hunting” he could take.
The distant sound of hoofbeats met his ears, becoming louder, and Alex rode into the clearing on his horse and drew up close to Derric. “Join me in a canter while they clean up our dinner?”
With a sigh of relief and a nod, he tried not to move too quickly toward his horse. He would be grateful for some distance from Dyna’s cousins just now. It hadn’t been a pleasant conversation.
They rode quietly for several minutes before Alex slowed his mount and Derric did the same.
“They love their cousin,” Alex said, “but don’t expect their disapproval to be as harsh as they suggest. If the two of you don’t suit, then you move on, but only