With a nod of farewell, his brother walked off, leaving James to ponder his final remarks and wonder what sort of female he would want for a wife. Pretty and eager to please seemed a fine combination to James. How characteristic that Malcolm did not appreciate the good fortune that so easily found its way to him.

Only two years apart in age, they had been inseparable as lads, but their close friendship had eased through the years while the competition between them had risen. Malcolm was the heir, his father’s favorite and James hadn’t openly regretted it, but at times he could not help but be envious of it.

Laird Armstrong’s sharp tone drew everyone’s attention as he called for his men to make ready to leave. After a quick good-bye to his father and uncle, James obediently hurried toward his horse. The ground was wet. Fat, heavy drops had fallen as the king’s funeral service began, slowing to a trickle when it ended. James glanced skyward, mindful of the gray clouds forming on the horizon. ’Twould be a miracle if they remained dry before they either reached a dwelling to shelter them or made camp for the night.

James mounted his horse with ease, turning the animal into position. As he did, he caught a glimpse of the three women riding in the contingent, each carefully placed in the center of the column for maximum protection. The older female was obviously Lady Armstrong and the two younger women had to be her daughters, though their coloring was as different as night and day.

One daughter was a small brown wren and the other a glowing blond swan. They were both slender and well formed, but his eyes were immediately drawn to the golden splendor of the young woman sitting so tall and straight on her horse. Her face was heart-shaped, her cheekbones high and well defined, her mouth wide, with soft generous lips. She was a rare beauty who had the power to capture the attention of every male orbiting in her sphere.

Well aware of the attention she was receiving, the blonde tossed her head, causing her blond braid to shimmer, even on this cloudy day. Then she smiled, at no one in particular, a calculating affectation that lacked warmth and honesty.

His interest immediately began to cool. James recognized that knowing look—a woman flaunting her beauty, spinning a web in which to trap any male who was foolish enough to be drawn to her.

He pressed his knees against his horse’s flanks and the animal obediently turned. They splashed along the muddy grass as James took his place near the head of the column. The Armstrong men gave him a courteous nod, but kept to themselves. James understood. He was an outsider. He would be tolerated but not accepted unless he proved himself.

A light drizzle began as they made their way out of the churchyard. James hunched over his mount and plodded onward, easily keeping pace. They rode at a fast clip on the flatter ground, then made a slow and careful climb along the rocky face of a steep hill. Once they reached the other side, the signal was given to make camp.

Deciding to see to the needs of his horse before his own, James followed the sound of water through a small patch of forest. Finding the source, he let the animal drink its fill. As he turned to leave, he noticed a woman walking purposefully toward the stream, a wooden bucket in each hand.

Recognizing her cloak, he realized it was one of the laird’s daughters. The hood was drawn over her head, but he suspected it was not the blonde goddess, but rather the little brown wren. His suspicions were confirmed when she knelt by the water’s edge. She slowly dragged one of the buckets through the stream. Her hood slipped back and he saw the dark hue of her hair.

“Ye should have asked one of the men to fetch the water fer ye,” he said, stepping forward.

She let out a small shriek of surprise and dropped the buckets. One caught on the current and floated downstream. James bent down and plucked it from the water, then moved forward and scooped up the other. He filled them, then set each on the ground, just within her reach. Yet she made no move to retrieve them, instead staying crouched at the water’s edge.

“Ye startled me,” she declared, wrinkling her brow as she studied him cautiously.

“I beg yer pardon,” he replied, squirming slightly under her accusing gaze. “I dinnae expect to find a lady hauling water like a servant. One of the men should have seen to yer needs.”

Her eyes widened and she dipped her chin. James thought he saw the hint of a smile, but could not be certain.

“The men are busy setting up camp and attending to other matters,” she replied. “I dinnae want to be a bother. Besides, my aunt prefers that I make myself useful. She and my cousin will need fresh water to wash the dirt from their hands and face and since we brought no maids with us, I was charged with the task.”

“Cousin? The other young woman is not yer sister?” he asked.

“Goodness no,” she replied with a quick shake of her head. “Joan is my cousin. Our fathers were brothers, mine being the younger of the two.”

“Was?”

“Aye. He died five years ago; my mother, too.” Her voice trembled slightly at the words and a trace of sadness gathered in her eyes.

“Yet the wound is still fresh,” he said sympathetically.

“There are times that I feel the loss more keenly than others. I suppose attending the king’s funeral was a stark reminder of the finality of death and in turn I’ve felt the pain of the loss anew.” She curled her bottom lip between her teeth. “Ye must forgive me fer being so emotional. My cousin Joan often reminds me how annoying that can be and says that five years is more than enough time to heal the wounds of loss.”

He disliked hearing the defeat in her voice. How could her kin be so cold and unfeeling to her pain?

“A true heart suffers more than a false one,” he said kindly.

She lifted her chin a notch and James felt a rush of admiration. She was so determined to appear strong. His eyes met hers, and suddenly he could not pull away. The warmth and emotion shining forth from those sweet brown orbs seemed to reach inside his chest and wrap tightly around his heart.

God’s bones, she was pretty. She did not have the mesmerizing golden beauty of her cousin, but her features were delicate and refined and wholly pleasing. An oval face with a generous mouth and smooth skin the color of fresh cream.

Her dark hair was neatly tied in a braid that cascaded down her back, ending in the middle of her shapely backside. It glistened in the dull light that filtered through the branches and leaves. There was a clean, fresh fragrance emanating from it that drew him closer. With effort, he suppressed the urge to reach out and touch it, knowing it was both rude and inappropriate.

Instead, he squatted down to his haunches, commanding her attention with his eyes. They were a glimmering shade of golden brown, fringed by long lashes and framed by finely arched brows, but it was the open honesty reflected in their depth that pleased him more than he could say.

“We have shared a confidence and yet I dinnae know yer name, milady,” he said gently.