The Scot's Secret - Cecelia Mecca Page 0,1

and Clara couldn’t help but long for the same sweet relief. To remove the cap that hid her woman’s locks and cool her face with the cold water. . .

“You were scared of something.”

“Aye, my lord.”

He ran his hands through his hair, clearly exasperated with her short responses. But Clara had learned to be short with words. Once, after Gilbert was killed, she’d attempted to play the mute. In the end, it had been too difficult to obtain employment without speaking, so she’d reverted back to speaking only when necessary.

“We need to discuss your position at Brockburg.”

He glanced at the others and smiled at the beautiful woman who stood at the center of the men. Clara was truly happy for the chief. She’d witnessed the beginnings of their courtship at the tournament. In all likelihood, she’d recognized he was in love before he himself had known.

And it was Lady Juliette who’d first discovered Clara’s secret.

“Alfred,” the chief said now, “when we return to Brockburg, we would like for you to stay with us. Serve Clan Kerr.”

She whipped her head up to look at the battle-hardened Scot.

“Nay, my lord—”

“Before you refuse, as I suspected you might, think on it. I don’t know your story or why you are so afraid to reveal yourself.”

“I—”

“Nor do I care.”

Clara exhaled. Was he really not going to ask?

“You served me well at the tournament, and my initial offer stands. When you disappeared . . .” He shrugged. “’Tis your right to keep your own counsel. We will not reveal you, and both Juliette and I will forever be grateful for what you’ve done for us.”

She’d hardly done anything at all. Mayhap a push in the right direction. She’d seen their love for each other and had given them counsel.

“But I offered you training when I thought you a lad. My brother is unrelenting. The men, well, you hardly belong among such brutes. We would be happy to have you among us as a lady . . . mayhap as a lady in waiting to my wife.”

Clara did not require any time to consider her options. She would not reveal herself.

“If that is a condition of my retention—”

The chief didn’t allow her to finish. “It is not. The original offer still stands.” The idea clearly made him uncomfortable, but she knew him to be a man of his word.

“Then I shall serve you and your brother well.”

Clara meant it with all her heart and soul. She would do anything not to worry about her next meal. Or wonder if she would be discovered by someone unscrupulous.

Toren Kerr nodded, but his expression remained skeptical. “I must at least tell my brother the truth.”

“Nay!” she shouted, and all eyes turned toward them. “My apologies. I should not have—”

“Alex will know soon enough.”

So he did not want her apologies. Clara had seen noblemen give servants black eyes for speaking thusly. The Scot was truly the man she thought him to be.

“He will not know,” Clara rushed to explain. “Your wife is perceptive. I’ve learned to stay away from women.” She belatedly realized how that sounded. “I mean no disrespect. That is to say—”

His laugh forced a smile from her. He was not insulted but merely amused.

“Then your secret shall remain safe.” His gaze shifted from her to Lady Juliette, who was now making her way toward them. “Alex and his men care little for anything other than training and battle. But if you’re intent on remaining a squire, I shall do my best to protect your secret.”

As Lady Juliette approached the bank of the fast-moving river, her husband moved protectively toward her. “You will not consider becoming my lady in waiting, Alfred? Or. . . what shall I call you?”

“Alfred, my lady. Your offer is very kind, but I must respectfully decline.”

She could say much more—and part of her longed to—but Clara had long since trained herself not to reveal more than necessary. She knew Lady Juliette was trying to protect her from the men. The gesture was appreciated, but she would be at a much greater risk if her secret was exposed, even in part.

“Then we will do more than try to keep your secret safe.” Lady Juliette bent down by the river and thrust her hands into the water. Clara watched longingly as the cool water splashed her cheeks. The chief was all but standing atop of her now—prepared to catch her should she tumble into the river.

Lady Juliette’s hands stilled suddenly as the chief leaned in