‘Congratulations, Angus,’ her father said. ‘Between breaking her fast the morn and tomorrow’s evening meal, Mairi will spend her hours with you.’
‘My thanks, Alastair,’ Angus said and, turning to Mairi, gave her a wide grin.
‘Angus, how do you intend to spend your day with Mairi?’
‘Gordon has a braw loch that begs to be explored,’ Angus said. ‘If Gordon has a good-sized boat, I’d like to take it out onto the loch where I can share my time and my fishing skills with Mairi.’ Angus smiled at Alastair.
Alastair nodded. ‘Douglas will prepare the boat and anything else you need. You’ve but to ask.’ Her father’s gaze touched on each of them and settled on her. ‘I suggest each of you use the time wisely and get to know one another.’
Mairi gave her father a nod, relieved to know exactly what was expected of her. Allowing her to have the final choice of who she wed was a gift most daughters never knew. She was blessed to have such a generous father and would do everything she could to make him proud of her.
She was also grateful her father’s plans aided her in her own plans to avoid dark-haired Duff for the majority of waking hours for the next three days. By then she hoped her unfamiliar fascination with the man had waned.
‘And to appease any imagined concerns that I or Mairi’s other potential husbands may have, Mairi’s personal guard will accompany each of you on your allotted days.’
Her gaze flew to Duff. She saw him straighten slightly where he sat at the end of the laird’s table, as if her father’s announcement might have surprised him too. She then looked at each of her suitors and witnessed only acceptance on their faces. Were they happy to have her personal guard hovering over them while they tried to get to know her?
How was she to concentrate on the three men she must choose from when Duff was within sight? And perhaps sound. And possibly touch.
‘Father,’ she leaned forward and whispered, ‘I do not think my suitors will appreciate my personal guard being present while they are trying to impress me.’
Curious blue eyes met hers as her father leaned closer. ‘Do you think they will worry that Duff will impress you more?’
Mairi’s initial reaction was to jerk upright to distance herself from her father’s words, but she quickly caught herself. She forced her shoulders to settle in a comfortable position and leaned closer. ‘Nae. Of course not.’ She licked her suddenly dry lips. ‘You chose these three men because you believe them worthy. Do you not trust them to spend a day alone with me?’
Her father’s blue eyes met hers. ‘Once you have made your choice, Daughter,’ he said softly, ‘I will trust the man you name to spend the rest of your life alone with you.’ He placed his hand over hers and squeezed. ‘Until then, Duff will protect you at all times.’
Chapter Eleven
Soon after Alastair Gordon informed them of each suitor’s opportunity to get to know his daughter, Duff had escorted Mairi to her room. She hadn’t acknowledged him at all, either on the way to her chamber or once she’d arrived. She’d simply opened her door, entered and closed it, without a word or a look.
Her message was clear. She wasn’t happy he was to play chaperone while she was in the company of her potential husbands, but he hadn’t made the decision. Her father had. And Duff had given his word to protect her.
After a restless sleep, Duff now stood on the landing outside her chamber, waiting to escort her down to break her fast. When she finally exited her room, she didn’t return his morning greeting. She didn’t spare him a glance. She sailed past him down the stairs and into the hall, where she smiled at the four men already sitting at the table.
Duff knew his position as her protector didn’t grant him any special treatment or favours. He also understood she was unhappy about their circumstances. Despite his reasoning, he couldn’t help thinking a response to his morning greeting wasn’t too much to ask for. A word or a glance would do.
The rules she was being governed by were her father’s, yet Duff was the one she blamed. An unexpected feeling of hurt swept through him.
Angus Hay stood and pulled out Mairi’s chair. Duff went straight to his.
Mairi’s sweetly spoken, ‘My thanks,’ didn’t improve Duff’s sudden and unusual sour mood. A state he’d suffered more than once since meeting Mairi Gordon. He should have listened to his gut and ridden for home.
You are her protector. Nothing more.
‘Are you looking forward to your day, Daughter?’ Alastair asked during the meal.
‘I am,’ Mairi said, smiling at her father.
‘Douglas has kindly prepared a basket containing supplies for the noon meal,’ Angus said, grinning at Mairi.
Duff watched Mairi’s smile grow by a whisker.
The moment the meal was done, Alastair and the other suitors escorted Mairi, Angus and Duff to the loch’s jetty where Douglas and a medium-sized rowboat awaited their arrival.
Duff studied the vessel and the square of cloth overhead at the rear, assuming it was there to protect Mairi from the sun.
‘There are fishing poles, nets and bait at the rear of the boat, as requested,’ Douglas said to Angus. ‘The basket containing food and beverages for your convenience is at the back beneath the last plank seat, Lady Mairi.’
‘Thank you, Douglas,’ Mairi said.
‘Aye, you have my thanks, Douglas,’ Angus said absently, as he inspected the boat with an experienced eye.
Duff met Alastair’s searching gaze and, by gripping the hilt of his dirk at his waist, assured the older man he’d keep his daughter safe.
‘Are you ready, Lady Mairi?’ Angus said.
‘Aye,’ she said with a half smile.
‘Good. Let’s away.’
With a nod to his host, Angus stepped from the dock into the boat and extended his hand to Mairi. Duff also moved to her side and offered his hand to steady her. Without a look in his direction, she slipped her fingers into his and Duff closed his hand about them. The urge to rub the chill from her flesh was great, but Duff knew it was safer to ignore such a want. She stepped down into the rear of the rocking vessel, and he released her the moment she found her balance and then sat on the cushion Angus placed on the last wooden plank seat for her.
The instant she settled, Duff joined the pair in the boat and headed for the oars in the centre, as if the task had been discussed and awarded to him. He was here to protect Mairi, but rowing the boat would give him something to do while he guarded her. While Angus courted her.
Duff sat on the bare timber board and wrapped his fingers around the smooth round wooden oars.
‘Where on the loch would you like me to take you, Angus Hay?’
The man stopped fussing over Mairi and looked at Duff. ‘Toward the middle will be a fine place to start, Duff,’ Angus said with one of his smiles.
Duff nodded and peered over his should to judge how far he’d have to row to reach midway. Loch Gordon was a good-sized loch, but it wouldn’t take long to reach the middle.
Pity.
He nodded at Douglas, who freed the boat from its mooring before tossing the looped rope into the front section of the vessel. With a final glance at Alastair Gordon and his remaining two guests, Duff angled the oars deep to catch the water and drew them back toward him. The boat surged away from the pier.
The physical activity felt good but did little to distract Duff from the couple sharing the boat. Four arm-lengths separated him from where they sat together near the boat’s stern, but the distance wasn’t great enough to impede his view. While he rowed across the loch, he was forced to face in their direction.
He looked beyond to where the castle rose behind them, but like a moth to a flame his treacherous gaze always returned to Mairi. It was a beautiful day and the midmorning sun shining down on her golden hair appeared like sunlight itself.
It was going to be a very long day.
In the short time it took Duff to row them to the middle of the loch, Angus had alre
ady explained to Mairi how to secure the bait onto the metal hook hanging on the end of the line. Duff reversed the angle of the oars in the water and drew the boat to a standstill in time for Angus to show Mairi where to hold the fishing pole and how to dangle the baited hook down into the water.
‘Have you caught a fish before?’ Angus asked.
‘Nae. I’ve never fished before today.’
‘Ah! Then we must ensure today is a success,’ Angus grinned.
Heads bent close, Angus placed his large hand over the top of Mairi’s. ‘You must hold the pole firmly, so as not to release it when the fish latch onto the bait and try and swim away with it.’
‘Very well,’ Mairi said, with a nod and a serious expression.
‘When the fish is caught on the hook, I’ll place the net underwater and scoop the fish up into the pail in the boat.’
Several quick nods showed Mairi understood and to Duff she appeared to give the task her undivided attention.
Just for a moment, Duff wished he were an expert fisherman. But he quickly remembered why he was here and the foolish wish was gone.
‘How many fish have you caught?’ Mairi asked Angus.
‘Ah, too many to count, Lady Mairi.’ He grinned. ‘But living by the sea means I started fishing as a young lad. It’s an enjoyable activity and a necessary one. The Hay clan relies on our fishing success to feed our people and to sell our catch at the Aberdeen markets and to trade for other goods.’
‘Who taught you to fish?’
Duff stared at Mairi. With her head tilted slightly to one side, he could see her curiosity was genuine. He wasn’t surprised. She was a curious woman and doing her duty for her father came as naturally to her as spring followed winter. Choosing a husband was serious business.
‘My father taught me how to fish.’
It was then that Duff wished the space between them and him was great enough to muffle their words. He was stuck with his thoughts on Mairi doing her father proud, but he didn’t want to hear Angus Hay share boyhood memories of him and his father. It only made him more aware of what he’d never had and what he never would.
***
When the sun sat more than halfway across a cloudless sky, with four fish to her name, the basket they’d brought with them now empty and a pressing need she’d delayed too long, Mairi was ready to gain dry land.
She’d enjoyed the day much more than she’d expected to and decided she liked Angus Hay. He was kind and attentive, patient and respectful and his ever-present smile made her want to smile, too. And while there was fish in Loch Gordon, her clan would not go hungry.
But not once during their outing had she forgotten Duff was with them.
She accepted Angus’ help to alight from the boat and silently acknowledged how well she had done.
‘Thank you for a delightful day, Angus.’
‘The delight is all mine, Lady Mairi,’ Angus said, lifting the fingers he still held and placing a kiss on the back of her hand. ‘And unless I’m mistaken,’ he straightened and peered up at the sky, ‘our time is not yet up.’
Mairi felt flattered that he wanted to spend more time with her and smiled. ‘You are not mistaken.’
‘Good.’ His smiling eyes met hers. ‘I’ll meet you by the well when you’re ready.’
Mairi nodded and lifting her skirts marched along the pier and toward the castle entrance. Not for a moment did she forget Duff walked with her. But she didn’t speak and thankfully, neither did he. She quickened her steps. It was better this way.
She reached her room and disappeared inside without a backward glance. She couldn’t chance looking at him yet. He’d be there waiting to escort her to the well when she was ready. Maybe even then would be too soon.
With a sigh, she freshened up and returned to the chamber’s entrance. She stared at the dark timber, inhaled deeply and opened the door.
Duff stood to one side of her doorway, precisely where she’d imagined, feet braced apart, hands by his sides, eyes focussed forward. He appeared prepared for battle. He looked far too handsome.
She ducked her head at the unwanted thought, walked passed Duff and felt him immediately fall in behind her. Descending the stairs and on through the hall seemed a blur. The afternoon breeze that washed over her face aided her in bringing her concentration and her thoughts back to where they should be.
She peered across the bailey at the small group hovering about the well. As Mairi approached she heard Angus praising her efforts to all who would listen, and the gentle wind wasn’t refreshing enough to cool the warmth in her cheeks.
‘Ah, here is the lady I speak of now.’ Mairi smiled and stopped beside Angus. ‘You have done well, Lady Mairi, but being a skilled fisherman or woman,’ he paused to smile at her, ‘isn’t only about catching the fish. You have to know how to prepare them for cooking.
‘Here are the fish you caught,’ Angus said indicating the four fish on the timber board in front of them with a sweep of his hand. ‘And here is a knife you will need to clean them.’
Sunlight glinted off the shiny steel blade. Mairi’s stomach turned and the world suddenly felt as if it were tilting.
A strong hand pressed into the centre of her back. Quiet words filled her ear.
‘Lady Mairi. Breathe.’
She blinked and blocked out the knife momentarily. ‘I …’ Dear God, she couldn’t faint or appear weak in front of Angus or her people.
‘Tell Angus you’d prefer to watch.’ Duff’s voice quiet. ‘Tell him.’ Insistent words.
‘I would prefer to watch for the first time, Angus.’
‘As you wish, Lady Mairi.’ The palm supporting her slid away.
She absently watched Angus scale and clean the fish they’d caught without looking at the blade he used, all the while knowing the commanding presence behind her was there if she needed him.
***
‘An extra treat for the laird’s table tonight, with compliments from Lady Mairi and I,’ Angus said, beaming.
Duff watched the colour slowly return to Mairi’s face as Angus finished his demonstration. She’d done well to remain upright.
‘My thanks again for a delightful day, Angus.’
‘Are you well, Lady Mairi?’ Angus asked, looking concerned.
‘I’m fine. Just a little too much sun,’ she smiled. ‘If you will excuse me, I will take a short rest before joining you for the evening meal.’
‘Of course,’ Angus said with a bow.
Duff followed her every step closely as she crossed the bailey and then the hall. He clung even closer as she ascended the stairs. When they reached the landing to her chamber, he knew she planned to disappear into her room with no word or explanation. He had to know.
‘Your fear of blades runs deep.’
She stopped, head held high. ‘I fear nothing.’
Duff slipped around to the front so he could see her face and she his. ‘There’s naught wrong with being afraid.’
Blue eyes stared into his. He relaxed his stance, hoping she would relax her guard and share the reason for her fear.
‘I spent too long in the sun.’ She looked away.
‘I have sworn to protect you. For me that means more than preserving your life. It also means protecting you from your fears.’
She met his gaze once more. Held it, searched it. ‘If I develop any fears I will let you know. Now, if you will excuse—’
‘Then prove it.’
She stilled. ‘Prove what?’
‘Prove you are not afraid of blades. Let me teach you how to defend yourself with a dagger.’
‘I don’t have time—’
‘It won’t take long. I’ll come to your chamber an hour before the evening meal.’
Mairi stared at him and raised her chin. ‘I’ll come to yours.’
Duff stepped aside and Mairi disappeared into her room.
Chapter Twelve
Mairi raised her hand to knock on her protector’s door and stopped. What
was she doing? Why hadn’t she simply admitted her fear of blades and that would have been the end of the matter?
Because I’d look weak and that would never do.
But to have her personal guard teach her to defend herself, alone in his chamber, when she already struggled to ignore his masculine presence, was too much. She couldn’t do it. She quickly looked to the staircase on her left to ensure no one witnessed her standing before Duff’s room and dropped her hand. She didn’t want anyone to see her lurking there and then witness her sneaking back to the security of her own chamber. She half turned just as the door in front of her opened.
‘Ready, My Lady?’
His velvety voice slipped about her on the landing. Her skin tingled. Mairi lifted the skirts of the gown she’d changed into for the evening meal and shook them out. She swallowed and released the fabric and turned to look at the man, she could only admit to herself, she was frightened to be alone with.
His dark eyes roamed her face the instant she fully turned toward him. Searching. Assessing. As she knew he would. And she’d learned he was good at assessing her. But by knowing, she already had her blank expression in place before she’d turned. ‘Aye.’
Almost black, his hair was damp around the edges of his handsome face. She blinked and lowered her gaze to his leather vest as he stepped back, and with a hand gesture and a ‘please’, ushered her into his chamber.
If she wanted to appear strong and capable, she had no choice but to enter.
She stepped into the room. He closed the door. She inhaled refreshing pine and gazed at the two small candles casting little light in the room. She knew he had more candles. She’d brought them herself when she’d prepared his room. A room that suddenly seemed so much smaller in size than she remembered.
‘I have important things to see to. Let’s have this done.’ Mairi hoped to sound bored, but even to her own ears she sounded nervous. She squeezed her eyes shut tight for a moment, then opened them. She could do better.
The Protector Page 11
