The Scot's Quest (Highland Swords Book 4)

by Keira Montclair

  Emmalin gave a bark of laughter and stomped her foot on the floor in glee. “Did you finish?”

  “Hell, nay. I told him to put it away,” Joya said, her brow furrowed. “The big snout on the boar finished it for me. It was so ugly.”

  “John heard us one night and ran into our chamber. He asked Alasdair why he was hugging me so hard and shouting,” Emmalin said, her eyes wide.

  The two started laughed hysterically, and it went on for so long that Dyna eventually couldn’t help but join them.

  She didn’t know what to make of their revelations, except she had a sudden desire to understand exactly what they meant. Which meant she needed a man. Taking advantage of their situation, she posed one more question. “My mama told me a woman’s maidenhead is naught more than a piece of skin covering an opening. Why are lasses forced to wait to do the act when men aren’t expected to do the same?”

  The laughter stopped immediately, and Joya stared at Emmalin. “I don’t know.”

  Emmalin concurred. “I don’t know either. I think a man wants a woman who has never been touched by another.”

  “Then can’t a woman want a man who’s never been touched?”

  Emmalin blurted out, “If that were the case, no one would know how to do it. A husband teaches a wife. Imagine trying to figure it out on your own on your wedding night.” That caused Joya and Emmalin to burst into a fresh round of laughter, but the door opened and the men returned, putting an end to their antics.

  ***

  The feast began early once Alexander Grant announced he had decided to leave for Cameron land on the morrow. At first everyone was somber at the news, but Emmalin found a couple of minstrels to attend and the festivities became lively and joyful.

  Derric sat at a trestle table with Joya and Els, a few Grant guards he didn’t know, and Dyna. He hadn’t had the chance to speak with her much since his arrival, but his desire for her hadn’t abated one bit.

  Even if it did make him wonder if he was going to get strung up by the bollocks or attacked by a wild boar.

  The pressure was on him to make a decision. He either had to approach Dyna about her feelings or leave her behind and go on his way.

  He certainly didn’t intend to just leave, yet he didn’t know how to pursue her with all of her male kin watching his every move. He’d never been in a situation like this before.

  Alex sat at the dais with Emmalin, Alasdair, and the wee ones, John sitting next to Seanair. Four other long tables bustled with other clan members.

  The hall had a joyous atmosphere, just as it had on Derric’s other visits to MacLintock land, and he felt a pit of emptiness inside of him. He’d been constantly on the move ever since his parents had been killed. It was a hard life, but one he liked. Or so he’d always told himself. But now, sitting with this clan, experiencing their warmth for one another—even if the men currently didn’t have much warmth for him—made him question everything he’d thought he knew.

  King Robert had asked him once what he wanted out of his life. He wanted to arrive at the gates of heaven and have his parents greet him with smiles on their faces instead of what he knew would happen: his mother would be crying and his father would be comforting her. They’d be grief-stricken for all Joya had experienced. For the way Derric had left her alone.

  He hadn’t attempted to explain this to Robert, instead telling him he wished to see Scotland free. It was the only answer he could think of that drew him away from the guilt that riddled him every day. The decision to leave had been easier when he’d thought he was doing what was best for Joya, when he hadn’t known it had almost killed her.

  He glanced over at her, Joya’s happiness showing in her face, her voice, her laughter. One would think his guilt would have eased now that she’d found such happiness with her husband, but it hadn’t.

  Probably because he’d only just learned about the reivers who had attacked and raped her years before. He couldn’t stop thinking about it. He couldn’t stop stewing in the guilt.

  How he wished they’d had the childhood of a Grant instead of losing their parents so young.

  He tried to shake the dark thoughts away, wanting to enjoy the food, the company, and the revelry. This would be a night to remember, he was sure of it.

  The group hadn’t been seated long when the serving lasses brought out platters of food. The smell of roasted pheasant caught Derric first. None of them he traveled with could shoot a pheasant down. His diet consisted mostly of rabbit and duck, though he caught an occasional fish or two to roast and enjoy. Alasdair had cut a huge piece of the wild pig so they could savor some at the feast tonight. The rest would be roasted overnight on the spit.

  A platter of sliced pig meat was set on their table, and his mouth watered at the sight of it. The dishes kept coming: two crusty loaves of dark bread; a bowl of baked apples and pears dotted with cinnamon; mutton meat pies; bowls of cabbage; and a mix of carrots, parsnips, and peas.

  Joya said, “Brother, close your mouth before the drool shows.”

  Els laughed. “The poor lad is starving. He’s been eating camp food mostly. Who can blame him? Other than an occasional pigeon and lots of rabbit, he gets no meat to eat.”

  “Laugh as you will, but I’ve been able to catch a few fish of late. But this all looks delicious. I will indeed enjoy it. Especially the pheasant.” He winked at Dyna.

  She just shot him a look and reached for the bowl of vegetables. He cast a few furtive glances at her as he served himself—seeing her take a hunk of bread and then try her first bite of the apple and pear concoction. She closed her eyes and licked her lips, sighing deeply.

  Derric dropped his utensil on the table at the sweet sound coming from the lass.

  Joya elbowed Els, but Derric never said anything, instead returning to his food. Still entranced with all the offerings, the only thing that had interrupted his thoughts had been Dyna’s nearly carnal moaning.

  Joya asked, “So have you decided where you’re going next, brother dear?”

  In between chews and a quick sip of mead, Derric mumbled, “North.”

  She didn’t ask any more, instead turning to Dyna. “And what about you?”

  “I’ll travel with Grandsire, make sure he arrives at Cameron land without any mishaps. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t worried about another fool coming out of the woods and capturing him. I won’t rest until he arrives there safely. After that, I’ll head to Grant land, see my parents and my sisters and brothers.”

  “How has Claray been through all of the trouble with Grandsire?” Els wrapped his arm around his wife, squeezing her shoulders while he waited for Dyna’s reply.

  “Not the best. I need to see her. She’s always calmer when I’m around. Sometimes I feel guilty about leaving.”

  Joya chewed on a meat pie, staring up at the beams in the ceiling thoughtfully. “Do I know Claray? I’ve not heard of her.”

  “Aye, I think I told you about her when we were in Glasgow or Ayr, though I probably did not give you her name. She’s my half-sister. She was three when my parents married. My father found my mother in an awful situation where some bad men were forcing her to do their bidding by holding wee Claray captive. It had a long-lasting effect on both of them. They still suffer nightmares.” She glanced at Derric before looking back at Joya. “In fact, Claray is still so troubled that I feel guilty every time I leave home. The nightmares are relentless, and she depends on me to rescue her from the evil she senses around her.”

  “Evil?” Joya asked.

  “Spiders, mostly,” Els blurted that out and then gave Dyna an apologetic look.

  “Spiders?” Derric had heard of odd nightmares, but this was unusual.

  Why would they dream of spiders?

  Dyna gave him a look that told him not to ask, so he closed his mouth. “You can explain it to me some other time.”

  “Thank you,” Dyna said. “Claray is four years older than I am, but she’s still child-like in many ways.”

/>   “’Tis quite sad, Dyna,” Joya said. “Forgive me for prying.”

  “You’ll meet her someday, Joya. ’Tis good to know ahead of time.” Dyna stood up from the table, finished with her meal. “I think I’ll go for a stroll. I love the night sky and ’tis especially clear this eve.”

  “May I join you?” Derric asked quickly, clearly surprising everyone. Els cast a hard look his way. Were he not in the MacLintock great hall, he would have shouted at him that he wasn’t about to attack his cousin. Instead, he kept his silence, waiting for her response.

  Dyna nodded, so he left his place and headed out the door with her.

  His only question was, how did one go about asking a woman if she was interested in a relationship?

  If only he was as good with women as he was with horses.

  Chapter Five

  Dyna did her best to calm the fluttering in her belly. She hadn’t expected Derric to volunteer to come along, especially after watching him down so much food. “I’m surprised you can move at all after the amount you ate.”

  He chuckled. “’Twas hard to walk away, but ’tis for the best. I haven’t eaten a meal like that in a long time. The cinnamon flavoring in the apples is quite unique. I’ve never tried it before.” He paused for a moment, his expression turning serious. “I’m sorry about your sister, but I’d like to meet her sometime.”

  “She’d be hesitant to meet you. It takes her a long time to trust people. Especially men.”

  “How do you remember all your aunts, uncles, and cousins? You have so many.”

  “They’re each special in their own way.” Whenever she thought about them all, she couldn’t help but smile. She knew she’d been blessed many times over by being born a Grant. “There are so many older relatives who’ve watched over and guided me that I can’t imagine how it was for you and Joya after you lost your parents.”

  Derric chewed on his lip and nodded. “Aye. When I look back on it, I can’t believe I was so hasty to leave Joya with our aunt. I think I was in shock.” They meandered through the courtyard, taking their time, something unlike both of them. The sky was surprisingly bright, no clouds in sight.

  She glanced over at him, surprised to see such a vulnerable side of him. “With both of your parents dead, where else could you have left her? You did the best thing you could have done. Your aunt may not have been warm toward her, but she didn’t harm her. The marauders who hurt her found her long after you had left. That had naught to do with you.” It had become clear to her that he blamed himself for what had happened, and that the weight of it wore on him. “You did what you had to do to survive—and to see that she did too.”

  “Mayhap you are right. Unfortunately, our auntie was not as loving as many of yours seem to be. Do you have a favorite? Nay, I think I can guess. Your aunt who is the skilled archer.”

  “Aunt Gwyneth is not truly my aunt, but she and two of her daughters are the renowned archers in the family. The only way I’m related to the Ramsays is because my aunt married the old laird. But we’ve been so close to the Ramsays that I call them all aunts and uncles.” She smiled, warmed by the thought of her family. “So I have many aunts and uncles, all special in their way. But I also have many great aunts and uncles, though I’ve lost some. We lost Uncle Jake and Aunt Aline several years ago, and it’s been difficult for Alasdair, especially since he has no siblings. Uncle Jamie and Aunt Gracie are kind and strong, and such good listeners. They always help me when I’m troubled. Aunt Kyla and Uncle Finlay are much more outgoing and they always speak their minds. Aunt Kyla loves to plan festivals and will do anything for Grandsire. Aunt Maeve is sweet as can be.

  “My great aunt and uncles are much more colorful because they live in so many different places. I love traveling to visit with each of them, and we’re always welcome. Aunt Avelina is a seer, and a couple of cousins also have the same ability. Aunt Diana is the laird of the Drummond clan. She spoils all of her nieces because she only has boys. Aunt Celestina and Uncle Brodie adopted an orphan.” She pointed to a bench in the garden where they could sit.

  “How did that come to be?”

  “Uncle Brodie found Loki living behind a tavern. He used a crate to protect himself in bad weather. They say he was a cheeky lad, cunning and bold. Once he grew, he was a fine fighter, almost better with a sword than Grandsire and Papa. Then there’s Uncle Robbie and Aunt Caralyn, who taught us how to swim and fish, though they’ve both passed on. I have so many special family members. I wish you could meet them all.”

  “It must be a challenge to remember them all. ’Twould be a treat for me to have even a couple to visit, especially the strongest warriors. So you have no favorites?”

  “Aye, I suppose I do,” she said with a smile. “I think my favorites would have to be Aunt Jennie and Uncle Aedan, even though I don’t see them nearly enough. I’m glad that Grandsire wants to go to Cameron land, truly. It’ll be wonderful to see them again.”

  “What makes them so special?”

  She pointed at the night sky. “They know the stars.” She grabbed his hand, his eyes glimmering at her touch, and tugged him. “Here, I’ll show you. ’Tis a perfect night.” They went out through the gates, waving to one of the guards, which meant they were to watch over her. “Just to the hill,” she said, pointing. Then she whispered to Derric, “If I go far, I must take five guards with me. If they can see me, they’ll let us go alone.”

  She tugged on his hand and ran to the hill, letting go when they started climbing. They exchanged a look and started hurtling up as fast as they could, racing, their laughter echoing across the meadow. Derric was ahead of her for a time, but he’d started too fast and finished slow. Dyna shook her head as she pushed past him and reached the summit, a flat area in the middle with no trees and soft grass. “Too slow. Keep eating all that food.”

  She stood there for a moment, soaking in the view, then turned to him. “Lie down next to me.” Without waiting to see if he’d join her, she lay on her back and stared up at the sky. The clear night was full of sparkling stars, twinkling in all their glory.

  “Like hell,” he said, his hands on his hips. “The guards can see us, and I’ve been warned and threatened by both your grandsire and your overprotective cousins.”

  “Pay them no mind. Look up,” she said, although she wasn’t surprised to see her family had been blustering. They couldn’t seem to understand that she could take care of herself. “See what you’re missing. We’ll not even touch, if that pleases you.” She knew he’d be surprised by the view. Even though the men who traveled with the Bruce slept under the stars, it was often under cover of pines in case it rained, and the sky was rarely this clear. Scotland was often cloudy.

  And it was a glorious sight to see this eve.

  He didn’t rush to join her, glancing back at the guards.

  She arched a brow at him. “My cousins scared you?”

  “Nay,” he said, quickly settling himself on his back next to her and looking up at the stars.

  They lay like that for a long time, side by side, staring up at the sky, then he finally broke the silence with a whistle. “I’ve seen stars at night, but none this bright. Why?”

  “’Tis a clear night. No clouds. Uncle Aedan and Aunt Jennie invited us to sleep outside with them one night at the top of their large flat hill. I’ll show you what they taught me.” She pointed to one area of the sky. “The stars are arranged the same every night and ’tis fun to pick out their shapes.”

  “Where?”

  “I’ll help you get started. Do you not see the shape like a ladle over there?” She pointed off to the side.

  “I do. And there’s a smaller one like it nearby, is there not?”

  “Aye! Good. You found it quickly.”

  They continued on, pointing out what they saw, laughing and enjoying each other’s company. They found various shapes and animals in addition to what Aunt Jennie had shown Dyna. At one point, she turned her head and found Derric staring at her. “
What’s wrong?”

  “Naught. I’m enjoying watching you. I’ve not seen you laugh like this before.”

  She blushed, accepting that what he said was probably true. She carried much worry in her life, not for herself, but for her sister, her mother, and her grandsire. What was more, she’d learned long ago that men rarely took a smiling woman seriously. They were too busy looking for a soft mound of hay to lay her against. She’d crafted her serious look over a matter of months, testing and learning which one kept men away the most. Her mother had helped her with it because she’d experienced the same thing. Sela Seton had become so adept at keeping men at a distance she’d earned herself the title of “Ice Queen.”

  “’Tis a cover, Derric. It keeps me safe from men I don’t want near me.”

  “And will you allow this one closer?”

  “Aye,” she whispered, turning toward him.

  He leaned toward her, cupped her cheek, and settled his lips on hers in a softer kiss than she’d expected. His tongue pressed at the seam of her lips and she parted for him, allowing him inside. He tasted of apples and cinnamon. She leaned into him, wanting more, as his mouth angled over hers in a gentle exploration, teasing and taunting her with the touch of his tongue.

  The more he kissed her, the more she wanted. Her nipples peaked, begging to be let out of the confinement of her tunic. The swell of her breasts from just the touch of his lips made her wonder exactly what she was missing.

  Derric leaned closer, rolling her onto her back and pressing his upper body against hers. “Dyna, you are so beautiful.” He kissed a trail down her neck, pausing to nibble on her ear lobe, the sensation sending shock waves through her body that all seemed to land in the same spot. His hands cupped her breasts through the rough wool of her tunic, and even that caused her body to respond in ways she didn’t comprehend. Derric Corbett had a rare ability to put every part of her body into a super-sensitive state that left her wanting more.