“With Connor gone so much, you’ve really had no one but Rosalyn.” Cate couldn’t imagine not having her brothers with her all the time she was growing up. Just the thought was horrible. “Not that she isn’t lovely.”
“I could never repay Rosalyn for all she’s done for me. She’s been wonderful to me, more of a mother than an aunt. But there’s also my cousin Lyall. He’s been my friend and protector in Connor’s absence. He’s older—only a year or two younger than Connor—but he disna like Anabella any better than I do. He says she’s naught more to him than his father’s wife, and that he thinks Connor’s the luckiest man alive to hae escaped that one. He’s always there when I hae need of him. He disna approve of my being wedded to the MacPherson any more than Connor does.” Mairi picked up her wine, once again nodding wisely.
“So, Lyall is Blane’s brother. Are they at all alike?” If so, she’d want to try to avoid him, too. She remembered Rosalyn’s having pointed him out to her as he sat next to Connor. In fact, she would have noticed him anyway. He looked very much like Connor, though not quite as tall or muscular.
“No at all; perhaps because he’s the younger son. I think he’s more like Connor. Blane, now.” She shook her head in disgust. “Cut from the same arrogant cloth as his father, that one is. Does whatever his father tells him. And he drinks too much. It’s a fair shame he’ll be the next laird.”
It was quiet in the room as she took another sip from her cup.
“It’s Connor who should be laird, you ken? It fell to my brother Kenneth, but my uncle was acting for him until he turned eighteen. Then, when Kenneth died, Artair took it all.” She leaned toward Cate and continued in a whisper. “It’s why they hate Connor. They fear him, you ken? Each time he comes home, stronger and more valuable to the king, they fear he’ll take it all away from them.”
“Will he? I mean, once he’s settled down here, will he seek his rightful place?” Was that his real reason for wanting to be married?
Mairi shook her head sadly. “I hope yer no thinking to wed my brother to become the laird’s wife. It will no happen even though my uncle and cousin fear it. They’re such fools. They canna even see he disna want what they hae. He disna want the responsibility of all the people. He says he has his hands full just looking after me and Rosalyn. He will never challenge our uncle. That would mean war, and Connor says he’s seen too much of the death of battle to bring it to his own doorstep and those he loves. Och, my poor brother. He’s suffered such burdens.”
Cate’s heart ached for both the young woman sitting with her and for the man they discussed. She knew it made no sense, but she wanted to make sure that she didn’t add to those burdens he already carried.
When the idea hit, she thought it perfect.
“Mairi, do you ride well? Horses, I mean.”
“Of course I do.” She gave Cate a suspicious look. “Dinna you?”
“Not only do I not ride well, I don’t ride at all. Horses scare me to death.” She took a deep breath, pausing only for a moment so she wouldn’t lose her courage. “Do you think you could teach me? Before the riding-out thing, I mean? Could you teach me in secret, as a surprise for Connor? I wouldn’t want to shame him in front of all his people.”
“Mayhaps.” Mairi eyed her speculatively. “Does Connor know?”
“Of course he knows I can’t ride.”
“No, I dinna mean that. Does he know yer father dinna send you here? That you came because you love him?”
Cate stared at her, speechless. How could she possibly respond to that?
CHAPTER 10
Cate awoke thinking, not for the first time since she’d been here, that she would gladly hand over a thousand dollars for a cup of coffee. Or a chocolate bar. Or even a cup of good old Scottish breakfast tea. Trouble was, the Scottish wouldn’t have breakfast tea for a couple hundred years yet. Or any other form of caffeine that she could find.
She frowned. Caffeine headaches were the worst. Next time she was going to get stranded in the Middle Ages, she’d remember to bring along provisions. The instant she got home, she fully intended to head straight to her favorite corner Starbucks and indulge in a grande—no, a venti—coffee Frappuccino. With extra whipped cream. Calorie count be damned.
Stretching, she bumped her foot into her constant bed companion, Beast. He licked her toes, then turned over to go back to sleep. The dog had slept in her bed every night since she’d been here, and spent every day with her as well. On one of the rare occasions when Connor spoke to her, he grumbled that she’d already ruined the dog, softened him up so that he’d no longer be a fit companion for a warrior.
Anabella said much worse. Of course, Anabella’s dislike of the creature was only one of the reasons Cate let him sleep in her bed every night. There was something very comforting about having your own private guard dog that just happened to be the size of a small horse—a small horse with very large teeth.
As she dressed and started her day, she thought about her time here. The last two weeks had settled into a fairly predictable routine. Meals, such as they were, were taken in the great hall with the entire family, which Cate quickly learned included all the soldiers and workers who inhabited the castle as well as the actual family members.
She could count on what she now secretly thought of as Anabella’s Snipe of the Day being served up sometime during the midday meal, usually when the number of observers was largest. She always had something hateful to say. The woman seriously tried Cate’s patience.
Blane still made her uncomfortable. He hadn’t so much as spoken to her again, but she’d frequently feel a nagging little prickle on the back of her neck only to look up and find him watching her.
Artair ignored her completely. She figured that after the first night’s perusal of her unsuitability to be in his family, he didn’t consider her worth his notice again.
Connor, when he was around, was polite but distant. She assumed that quick kiss on the stairs had rattled him more than she’d planned. He seemed to work at keeping his distance, spending hours in the lists practicing his swordsmanship. In the long run, that made things easier for her. She couldn’t explain to herself why she felt so out of control around him, and she didn’t really want to try.
Cate spent her days with either Rosalyn or Mairi, the former keeping her out of trouble and the latter showing her new ways to get into it. Growing up without either a mother or a best girlfriend, she was enjoying their company immensely, in spite of the hardships they took for granted as everyday life.
Mairi had quickly become her favorite companion. One day they had wandered out to the forest under the pretense of gathering herbs, but had actually spent the time wading in a small stream running through it, playing like children. Cate had told Mairi how women where she came from frequently went without shoes, even decorating their toes with paint and jewelry. Mairi was so delighted with the idea that Cate had given her the birthstone ring she wore to try on her toe. It fit perfectly. They decided Mairi should keep it and wear it proudly. After all, Anabella would certainly notice and be appalled.
The most exciting times were those when she and Mairi had stolen into the trees behind the lists to watch Connor practice his swordsmanship. Good Lord, the man was amazing. None of those he worked out with could ever match him. And when he’d stripped off his shirt, tossing it aside, Cate was convinced her heart had actually stopped beating. Mairi had giggled so hard, Cate was terrified they’d be caught, but they’d managed to escape unnoticed.
Each day, when they were sure Connor was occupied in the lists, she and Mairi would sneak away for her riding lesson. She’d made great progress. Well, great progress for her at least. She could sit on the horse by herself now without freaking out, and yesterday had even managed a bit of forward motion.
Judging from the activity in the courtyard and the men moving toward the lists, she had just enough time to grab a bite from the kitchens before finding Mairi for today’s lesson.
“Come
on, boy.” She patted Beast as they headed through the great hall toward the kitchens. “I bet we’ll find something for you, too.”
“So now you converse with a beast.”
Just her luck. Anabella was in the room, seated at a table with several ladies.
“We canna really expect much more of her, you ken?” The woman spoke to those around her, but obviously intended that Cate hear.
Her audience watched eagerly for any reaction, some not bothering to hide their giggles.
“She comes from a land of filthy heathens and disna know any better. She even allows the vile creature to sleep with her, in her bed.”
“Better than what you sleep with,” Cate muttered to herself.
“What’s that?” Anabella questioned sharply.
“Only good morning. Sorry I can’t stay and visit. I’m just headed to the kitchen for a bite.” As if they had any interest at all in visiting with her.
“If you dinna laze in bed till such a late hour, you’d be able to take the morning bread with everyone.” Again the muffled laughter.
Cate had been down early before. Anabella was no where to be found. Mostly it was the men, preparing for their day in the lists or the fields. They hadn’t seemed particularly comfortable with her company, so she hadn’t seen a need to return.
“And you’ll no be taking that great dirty beast into my kitchen.”
“Very well.” Cate led Beast back into the entry and opened the door, waiting for him to go outside. “Just for bit, boy. I’ll bring you something good.” She ruffled his fur and reentered the great hall. She made it almost all the way to the back exit before Anabella spoke again.
“Disgusting creatures such as that do not belong in the kitchen . . . but at least the dog is staying out.” The laughter wasn’t muffled this time.
Cate continued through the doorway, her back stiff, her face red. She wouldn’t give Anabella the satisfaction of acknowledging she’d heard. But as she reached for one of the hard rolls from the basket, she realized she no longer had any appetite.
She headed out the back door of the kitchen. There was no way she was walking back through those women. She’d go find Mairi and face the horses instead. Even a horse was preferable to Anabella.
* * *
Her mind still on her latest embarrassment, Cate was intent on finding Mairi so they could begin today’s lesson. She came to an abrupt halt when she discovered Blane waiting in the stables instead of the girl she sought. Mairi, arriving just after her, didn’t seem any happier to see him than Cate felt.
“What are you doing here? Come to spy on us?” Mairi accused.
“Och, Mairi. Ever the hellion. Hae you taken to corrupting wee Caitlyn then?” He gave his cousin a disdainful look, taking a bite from the apple he held before tossing it away. “And here I came to help you, lassie.”
“And what kind of help would that be yer offering, Blane?” Mairi stood with her hands on her hips, a skeptical look on her face.
“Father’s sent Lyall on an errand. Before he left, he asked that I come in his place today so you wouldn’t be disappointed.” He spoke to Mairi, but his heated gaze was on Cate.
Mairi paused, caught for a moment in indecision. “Verra weel, Blane, but yer to tell no one. No a single soul. Do you promise?”
“I promise.” He favored them with a deep bow. “I am at yer service, fair maidens.”
Mairi sighed. “It was to be a surprise for you, Cate. I planned to have Lyall here to help us, but now we’ll hae to make do with him.” She gestured her head toward Blane, wrinkling her nose. “I thought we’d look for a meadow today. You can gain some comfort there with a long, slow walk.”
When Cate started to shake her head, Mairi held up a hand to stop her. “You’ll no ever learn to ride inside this stable. We need to get you into the open. Blane can lead the horses down and we’ll meet him there. Yer running out of time. If you truly want to do this, we hae to do it now.”
“Fine, we’ll do it your way.” Cate sighed.
Mairi was right. Just managing to climb onto the back of the horse and sit there wasn’t going to be enough. She just wished she didn’t have to do this with Blane around.
* * *
The sound of metal on metal rang loud in Connor’s ears; the feel of the steel reverberated in his hand as he deflected his opponent’s parry. This he understood; this he was comfortable with; this required no real thought, only the physical response that was second nature to him.
He glanced behind him, toward the trees, wondering if he’d catch a glimpse of the woman who hid there each day to watch him at practice.
It had surprised him the first time he’d noticed his sister and Cate sneaking about the edge of the lists, but now he’d come to expect the daily surreptitious visits. Though he chose to keep his distance from the woman until they were wed and he could send her safely home, even he would admit it was no blow to his pride to know that she admired him at practice each day. What warrior wouldn’t appreciate that?
He dodged a strike from his opponent, the blow just missing his arm. That was sloppy of him. His concentration wasn’t what it should be today, some little detail nagging at his senses. He narrowed his attention back to the work at hand for the next few thrusts. The men here weren’t of the caliber he was used to for practice, and soon his attention wandered again.
Where were the girls? Their absence today struck him as odd. Either Mairi and Cate were getting much better at hiding, which he very much doubted, or they simply weren’t coming.
As he finished off the last of the men who’d waited to practice today, he noticed Beast standing by the entrance to the lists. Another oddity. The creature hadn’t left Cate’s side for days.
He leaned down and grabbed the shirt he’d tossed to the ground earlier, using it to wipe the sweat from his face before heading into the shed to clean his weapon.
“Connor!” Duncan jogged toward him.
Not a good sign. His old friend rarely moved faster than necessary, and certainly didn’t run anymore, unless in battle.
“I’m thinking we hae a wee problem.” Duncan, his hands on his hips, huffed a bit to catch his breath.
Connor knew without asking the problem would be Cate.
* * *
An hour after they’d left the stable, they met at the spot Blane had suggested. It had been a long walk through the forest, farther than she’d been since her arrival, but even Cate had to admit it was the perfect place. They were in a lovely rolling meadow that looked to stretch forever. It was surrounded on three sides by forest, and certainly far enough from the castle that no one would know where they were or what they were doing.
Almost immediately Cate realized she had a problem. “I can’t do this here.”
The other two stared at her blankly from the backs of their horses.
“I can’t get on the horse here. I’ve got nothing to climb on.” She wouldn’t have to ride today, she thought, and it wouldn’t even be her fault.
Laughing, Blane dismounted and strode toward her. Reaching her side, he easily lifted her to the horse’s back, allowing his hands to linger at her waist even after she’d gained her seat. He then remounted, placing his horse on one side of her while Mairi took a position on the other side.
They silently followed the stream that meandered through the meadow for miles, often with Blane leading the way. Though they’d gone slowly, Cate was exhausted. The muscles in her legs trembled from gripping so tightly to the horse. Her fingers were cramping from the death grip she’d held on the reins for the past few hours.
She was, however, proud of herself. She’d actually ridden all alone, and quite a distance at that. Maybe she would be able to do this after all.
“That’s far enough, dinna you think, Mairi?” Blane broke the silence, pulling up his horse. “She’s looking a bit worn, and we still hae to go back.”
“Yer right. Come on, Cate, let’s turn back now. We’ve been out for a good long while. You’
ve done just lovely today.”
“Perhaps it’d be best if we let the horses and the riders rest for a wee bit, ladies. Here.” Blane took Cate’s reins from her hands and led her horse closer to the trees, while Mairi followed. “There’s shade here. It will be more comfortable for you.”
Mairi dismounted and walked her horse back over to the stream. Scooping water with her hands, she splashed it over her face.
Cate flinched at the touch of Blane’s hand on her leg. “Would you like me to lift you down, Caitlyn?”
She jerked her leg to move it out from under his touch. “No. I think I’ll just stay where I am.” She forced herself to make eye contact with him. “Thanks anyway.”
He stood looking at her for a moment. “Yer choice.” He lowered his voice so only she could hear. “It seems yer ever the one to be making poor choices.” With a shake of his head, he stalked off toward the stream.
The chill of the evening coming on hadn’t been so noticeable before Cate moved out of the fading sunlight. She flexed her fingers. When she finally did come down off this horse, she was going to be in a world of hurt. Already she felt cold and achy all over. The only thing she wanted less than to be sitting on this stupid horse was to have that man’s hands on her again.
Cate was still trying to decide exactly what it was about him she disliked so very much, there being so many options to choose from, when she heard a thudding noise in the trees beside her. As she turned to investigate the noise, she felt a sharp stinging blow just below her right shoulder blade.
“Ouch,” she yelped. “What was . . . ?”
Thirty Nights With a Highland Husband Page 9
