Aunt Kyla set the other one up on the other end of the room, and before she could move to climb it, Dyna chased up the other ladder in her place. Derric handed the strand of evergreens up to them so both women could grab the ends and tie them to the hooks hanging from the ceiling. They left them in place each year for next year’s decorations. Thorn moved over to hold Dyna’s ladder.
Claray couldn’t help but get teary-eyed as she stepped forward to hand Dyna another clump of ribbons to attach to the strand. “Grandpapa said that Grandmama was the first one to ask for the hooks. He and Uncle Robbie designed them for her so it could easily be redone each year.”
And now they were all gone. Gone but not forgotten.
Aunt Kyla said, “And you can be sure that Grandmama is watching us from up above.” She made a quick point to the sky. “But she is happier this year because she has Papa with her now.”
Her comment was so similar to what Claray herself had been thinking, she felt a wave of comfort.
Aunt Gracie came down and joined Maryell and Merelda, who stood off to the side filling baskets with Chrissa. “I’m here to help with the candles. Everything must be perfect because Uncle Brodie and Aunt Celestina have promised to come with Braden and Cairstine this year. I cannot wait to see Roddy and Rose and all their bairns. I think they’ll make the journey with Braden. My guess is Daniel and Constance will be here, too. We must pray for good weather so they can all arrive safely.” Then she sighed. “Uncle Brodie reminds me of Papa. I hope they come.”
Aunt Kyla said, “I feel the same. He looks like Papa. Aunt Brenna looks like Aunt Jennie and Uncle Brodie looks like Papa. Uncle Robbie was a blend of all.”
Maeve came flying into the hall from the kitchens, her preferred location because she loved to bake sweet treats for the holidays. “Did I hear Daniel’s name?”
Claray held her giggle inside, then leaned over to explain to Thorn. “Maeve has always had a crush on Daniel.”
Thorn glanced back at her and asked, “Why? He’s married and so is she.”
Claray smiled. “No one knows, and honestly, no one cares. We always smile about it, even Constance. Even her husband thinks ’tis amusing because it started when she was so young.”
The group continued decorating the keep with bows, ribbons, and candles. Pine boughs and baskets decorated every table. They’d made good progress by the time Loki opened the door and poked his head in. “Connor, we finished fixing the stables. We’ve been working so long, I’m ready to quit, but we can do one more. If you want that cottage fixed, I have four men to help you.” He glanced at Thorn and lifted his brows. “If this one’s willing to leave.”
Thorn nodded, then glanced at Claray. “Sorry, lass, but I must leave.” Then he asked Loki, “What cottage?”
“Magnus and Ashlyn’s cottage. The roof is old and needs replacing. We need you and Nari to bundle the thatch and climb up to attach it. You two are the most skilled roofers, and I promised Magnus since he’s complained that it’s leaking too much. Fortunately, the moon is out so there’s plenty of light to see. We’ll start a fire, too.
“I’d better go help.”
Worry, never far from the surface, flooded her. What if he was killed in an accident like Cordell? “Please be careful, Thorn.”
“I will.” Thorn left with Loki, and as the door opened further, she thought she caught a glimpse of his friends from Castle Curanta. Nari, of course, and Kenzie and Gillie. He looked back at her once and smiled.
How she hoped he wouldn’t get hurt.
***
As soon as they’d all found their horses and started out the gates on their way to Magnus’s cottage, Loki let out a low whistle. “Guess what I just learned?”
“I think I know,” Kenzie said with a grin, “and ’tis mighty good news in my eyes.”
“What?” Gillie asked.
Could they possibly know about Claray? None of them had been in the great hall for their conversation, but gossip traveled fast.
Loki’s next words confirmed it. “Thorn and Claray are nearly betrothed.”
They all turned to stare at Thorn, hooting and hollering as they rode. He felt his cheeks flush, but his primary concern was for Nari. He would have preferred to tell him before everyone else.
As if he guessed Thorn’s thoughts, Nari said, “’Tis about time. You’ve been interested in her for a long time.”
“Well done, Thorn,” Loki added. “You picked a nice woman. We love to taunt, but I’m happy for you.” Then he laughed and chided him. “Don’t think you can be outside and not have everyone at the stables know what you’re about. Someone overheard Connor’s conversation with you.”
They made their way to Magnus’s, not surprised to see a few more men had come to help, one of them being Jamie, the other laird of Clan Grant. They were carrying loads of grass and piling what they could in one area. The clan always kept some in storage.
“I’ll supervise my men,” Loki said. “Let the young lads do the hard work.”
“Wise man,” Jamie said. “Glad you brought a few more. We need them if we wish to finish soon.”
Thorn and Nari were more nimble than others, so they ended up on the roof, tying the fresh thatches down to the frame. They couldn’t be heard by the others, who were busy fortifying the foundation with rocks, something Magnus had requested.
Nari asked, “So you asked Connor? I didn’t think you’d ever have the courage.”
Magnus called up to them. “Make it thick and tight. I don’t want any rain or snow dripping on my lasses this winter.” He tossed up another couple of bundles of thatch.
“We’ll give you our best work, Magnus,” Nari said. Thorn and Nari already had a reputation as expert roofers, so Magnus trusted them or they wouldn’t be up there. They had made many thatched roofs at Castle Curanta because their clan had grown so. Once he left, Nari whispered, “Why do you look like you swallowed a frog?”
Thorn couldn’t help but smile. “Well, I kissed the lass outside, so I thought I needed to be formal about it. Fortunately, Connor took a stroll and nearly caught us. Made it easy for me to ask him.”
“You mean forced you, do you not?”
“I kissed her, and she didn’t push me away. I’d have asked for her hand regardless.”
“She’s hardly a lassie anymore, Thorn,” Nari said with a grin.
“She’ll always be a lassie to me. We met her when she was three.”
Nari sighed after contemplating his comment for a moment. “Aye, she was a bonny lass then and she still is. But my question is, why did you wait so long?”
“You know why,” Thorn whispered. Nari was his closest friend and confidante. Sometimes Nari knew his thoughts before he did. “First she was betrothed to Cordell. And then I was involved with Darby. You know how well that went.”
“Just because the lass left Castle Curanta without telling anyone doesn’t mean she did it because of you.”
“True. I didn’t expect to be accepted so readily by Laird Grant. Even though you didn’t believe it, I always feared he wouldn’t accept me. Foolish probably.”
“We all told you he’d be pleased. Even Magnus told you he would accept you. He told you that a year ago, Thorn. Finally, you see the right of it.” Nari took the next bundle of grass and tied it to the frame, using a double knot before tying it around one more time to make sure it wouldn’t slip from its spot.
“This judgment coming from the man who’s never told any lass he’s interested in her. What are you waiting for?” He couldn’t read Nari’s mind, and the man knew how to keep things to himself. If he were to guess, he had his eye on someone, only Thorn had no idea who.
“I haven’t found the right lass.” Nari turned away from him quickly, and Thorn knew why. Aye, he admired someone, but he wasn’t willing to say who, and he didn’t wish to lie to Thorn’s face. Next his friend would change the subject, as he always did when they discussed the possibility of marriage for him. “I wonder what they’re h
aving at supper this eve? Aunt Kyla seasons the best venison stew ever. I heard they caught a nice stag earlier this week.”
Thorn snorted.
“What?”
“You changed the subject like you always do.”
“I did not.”
“Aye, you change the subject whenever we talk about a subject that’s distasteful to you. Marriage. Our sires.”
Nari sighed, a sound deep from his toes, so sad that Thorn regretted asking his question. “Never mind, Nari.”
“I do change the subject whenever someone brings up our sires. But you know why. We’ve said the same over and over again. Why discuss it again? I miss my da. Aye, I wish I knew where he was or what had ever happened to him, but we looked for them when we were younger, when the trail was fresh. Loki knew where to look and what to ask, yet we found nothing. ’Tis time to accept both our sires are dead. ’Twas too many years ago.”
Thorn caught the next bundle of grass tossed up to him by Osbern, one of the nosiest warriors in Clan Grant. If he was nearby, he’d overhear your entire conversation and share it with someone else, changing it just enough to make you look like a fool.
“What was that about your sires? Died in the dungeons after getting caught stealing?”
“You heard wrong, Osbern,” Thorn said. “Keep your ears on conversations directed at you and away from ours.”
“You think I heard wrong, do you? Well, I know you were worried that Connor Grant would refuse your suit of his daughter Claray. The only reason he’s allowing an orphan to get near her is because she’s not of his blood.” Osbern spat into his hands before he tied the next bundle.
Nari mumbled, “He’s disgusting.”
“What’d you say, orphan?” Osbern tossed a stone at Nari that he easily dodged.
“Mind your own conversation, not ours.”
Magnus bellowed, “Osbern, meet me over by the big oak tree.”
Thorn almost laughed. Magnus, one of the main leaders in the lists because he had been second to Jake, the lairds’ brother who had died, didn’t tolerate sass or shite.
Osbern cursed under his breath, then dropped his bundle and left. But not before tossing another rude comment over his shoulder. “Make any mistakes around Connor Grant, and he’ll get rid of you quickly. He doesn’t accept anything but the best in the lists.” Eyes gleaming with malice, he added, “He’s even more exacting for his daughters. Take it from one who’s lived here all his life, the laird has no tolerance for mistakes.”
“Your life is about to be cut short if you don’t move your arse over here faster than you’re moving your mouth, Osbern.” Magnus’s bellow had all of them flinching.
A few minutes later, Osbern jumped on his horse and left.
He never looked back, but Nari said, “Ignore him, Thorn. You know Connor is not like that.”
He did know that, but leave it to Osbern to stir his insecurities. He wanted to make Connor proud, to conduct himself in such a way that the great man welcomed his marriage to Claray. But as much as he wanted that to happen, the thought filled him with doubt and worry. When he was young, he’d dreamed of being a warrior just like Connor Grant—tall, strong warrior, handsome, kind.
He was only sure he had the one quality of kindness.
Would that be enough for Claray and her father?
Chapter Five
Claray woke up with a smile on her face the next day. She hadn’t seen much of Thorn the eve before, just at the evening meal. He had departed quickly with the comment that Magnus had many jobs for them. “I promise to see you in the morn, lass.” He’d leaned over and kissed her cheek, then left.
Claray had missed him, but she admired him for doing what was asked of him. “He’s a good man,” her sire had said. “He always seeks to help others. We have other roofs that need repair before winter settles. ’Tis one of the few things we can do at night once the bundles are tied and ready to go. Thorn and Nari are very skilled at what they do.”
So she went to bed dreaming of a man with dark hair and sweet lips. She still had to pinch herself every time she thought of their kiss.
She hurried through her ablutions because she hoped to see him this morn. They could be returning to Castle Curanta on the morrow or the next day. They’d come to help with the decorations and repairs, and now their part was nearly done, but they would be back for Yule in a fortnight.
She couldn’t wait. In a hurry, she’d gone up to Dyna’s chamber to see if she needed help with the wee ones, but her sister had waved her away.
Running down the staircase, she nearly tripped but caught herself on the railing. To her surprise, Thorn rushed up to catch her, and she couldn’t stop the wide smile from stretching across her face as soon as she saw him. “Thorn, where did you come from so quickly?”
“I was at the table when I saw you descend. I came over to greet you, but I wasn’t expecting you to trip.”
She waved her hand at him. “I’m fine. I was in a hurry.”
“Why?” His brown eyes had golden flecks in them that mesmerized her, now that she was allowed to look into them. She couldn’t help but stare at him because he was quite handsome, his long hair neatly combed and his cheeks freshly shaven. How she loved the way he looked at her.
As if he adored her.
“I didn’t want to miss you. Papa will probably keep you busy this morn.”
“Aye,” he said, stepping back down the staircase before he held his hand out to her, helping her down safely. Then he led her to the table where he and Nari sat. “We have much to do.”
Nari stood and said, “Good morn to you, my lady.”
“Good morn, Nari. You and Thorn will be busy today?” The hall was bustling with people who sat around the trestle tables, breaking their fast before they headed out to their respective chores.
“Aye, we have two more roofs to finish, then we are to go hunting, hoping for a plump boar or a nice stag. The festival of food is nearly upon us and there is much preparing that needs to be done.”
“Aye, I think Mama will have us searching for more apples by midday. I cannot wait for the festivities to begin. One more sennight until the holiday begins.” She took a seat on the bench and reached for a piece of bread. “I’m grateful we keep to the Norse tradition and celebrate for nearly a whole moon.”
“And we’ll be back,” Thorn promised. “Not the first day, but before the second sennight begins.”
They ate and chattered with the others who joined them: Dyna and Derric, Alick and Branwen, Chrissa and Drostan, Broc, Paden, Aunt Kyla and Uncle Finlay, and Aunt Elizabeth and her husband. They feasted on porridge with cinnamon and honey, then the men started to take their leave, along with the first group of hunters: the lasses. Dyna, Chrissa, and Branwen were all talented archers, and they were heading out early to look for pheasants and ducks.
Loki came inside and let out a whistle.
“’Tis our time to go. I hope to see you later, lass,” Thorn said, making a small bow before he left.
That left Claray alone with her mother, Aunt Elizabeth, and Aunt Kyla in the once bustling hall.
Claray had been facing away from the door, but she hurried around the table to take a seat on the other side, something that would allow her to see those who entered. Straightening her skirts after she switched seats, she glanced up at the strand of pine boughs they’d hung just yesterday.
A gasp escaped her. The big red velvet bow at the middle had already fallen from its perch, barely hanging on.
It looked ridiculous. As soon as her mother and father arrived, she’d let them know it needed to be fixed.
There was no need. Her mother came from the kitchens, stopping as soon as she stepped inside, planting her hands on her hips.
“Bloody hell. What happened to the bow?”
“You noticed, Mama? I did, too. When Papa gets here, he’ll have to climb the ladder and fix it.” One of the ladders had been left out, leaning against the wall, because her father expected to h
ang a few more decorations before he put it away.
Her mother said, “I can do much of what your sire does.” She marched over to the ladder at the same time as Aunt Kyla.
Aunt Elizabeth warned, “Please be careful. You should not climb a ladder without some strong men to keep it steady.”
“I’ll help you. We don’t need men to do everything for us. Take a lesson in that, Claray,” Aunt Kyla grumbled as she moved over to one side of the ladder. The two women adjusted it to the exact spot they wanted. Aunt Kyla said, “You or me?” She glanced to her sister. “Or you, Elizabeth?”
“I’m not climbing anything, but I can try to hold the ladder,” she said. “You know I don’t like heights.”
“I’ll do it,” Mama said. “I have no fear of heights.” So she climbed up to the top of the ladder and leaned in to fix the bow. It was slightly out of reach, and she leaned in closer, the sight making Claray’s heart start racing.
“Be careful, Mama. Don’t fall.”
Aunt Kyla said, “And hurry. I’m holding the ladder as best I can, but anyone could come flying through the door and jiggle it. Claray, come hold the other side. Elizabeth, go to the door.”
She got up to help her mother, hurrying over to hold the other side while Aunt Elizabeth headed to the door. What happened next did not take long, only a few brief moments, but it unfolded strangely, as if in slow motion, and she knew she would repeat the moment over and over in her head. When she reached the ladder, a pine bough fell from the strand, landing on her arm. She distinctly felt the brush of an insect on her arm and she couldn’t stop her reaction in time.
Claray let out a wail. “Spider!”
Her mother wobbled.
Aunt Kyla yelled, “Claray, hold the ladder.”
The door flew open before Aunt Elizabeth could stop it, so quickly it banged the ladder. Thorn yelled, “Claray? Are you hurt?”
His quick entrance had knocked the side of the ladder completely out of Aunt Kyla’s hands.
The Scot's Angel Page 3
