Page 66 of How to Be a Scottish Mistress

“Did ye hear anything of interest?” Ewan asked.

“Aye. They’ll be sending a cart full of grain to the abbey on Friday next,” William answered before taking another bite. “’Twill have an escort, but there shouldn’t be too many soldiers.”

“We can handle them. A full grain cart is too ripe an opportunity to let pass.” Ewan poked at the flame with the long end of a stick. “What other news?”

“Well, ye already know about the fair they held last week.”

“Aye.” Ewan sighed. A fair was no small matter, something that brought excitement and pleasure. Several of his men had wanted to attend, but Ewan had forbidden it, fearing they might be recognized and captured. There was grumbling and annoyance, but as far as Ewan knew, he had been obeyed.

“There was still a lot of talk about the day the McKennas rode through, led by their laird,” William reported. “They only stayed fer a few hours, but the earl provided a feast fer them. The cooks were complaining about the food they had to prepare at the last minute since all the McKenna guardsmen were invited into the great hall to partake.”

Och, now that must have cost the earl dearly. Hospitality was one thing, a large feast another. The earl obviously wanted to impress the McKennas. Why?

“What else?” Ewan asked.

“The earl’s got himself a leman.” William tossed the rabbit bones, now picked clean, onto a small pile and rubbed his stomach. “Her name is Lady Fiona.”

“Is she blond?” Ewan asked, wanting to confirm the identity of the woman he had seen at the loch a few weeks ago.

“I dinnae see her. The men say she is a golden beauty, but the women, fie, the women said ’tis disgraceful. She’s an English noblewoman. A widow with a son.”

“English? Are ye certain ye heard that right?”

“I did indeed.” William slapped at the bug that had settled on his arm. “Heard it from nearly everyone who mentioned her.”

Ewan stroked his chin thoughtfully. Now that was an interesting tidbit. It had to be a passing fancy, keeping an Englishwoman inside the castle, not a situation that would continue for very long. And when the earl was finished with her . . .

Ewan rubbed his neck. The power of a woman scorned could never be underestimated. All he need do was look to his own mother to see the effects. The hatred she carried was twisted deep inside her soul.

Would this Lady Fiona feel the same way once she and the earl parted?

If so, she could become an ally. Who knew what secrets she had uncovered while living inside the castle, sleeping in the earl’s bed? The information that she could provide would be invaluable, making Ewan’s goal to cause trouble for his half brother easier and much more effective.

The fire hissed as the dripping rabbit juices fell. William looked toward the spit with longing. Without asking, Ewan pulled off the remaining section of one of the hares and passed it over to the lad. He had more than earned his meal this day.

While William ate, Ewan pondered, his mind again returning to the earl’s mistress. He was convinced this mysterious woman was the key to striking at the heart of the earl’s holdings. All he need do was figure out how to cross paths with her.

“Have ye made yer decision?” Duncan asked.

Gavin felt a hitch in his chest and the biting pull of invisible chains around his entire body at the question. His duty to his king and his clan could not be ignored or stalled any longer. He needed to make an offer to one of the women Robert had suggested and take a wife.

To that end, he had sent Duncan on a mission to the Sinclair clan three days ago. He had returned with a favorable report of the clan, and Lady Aileen, leaving Gavin with no legitimate excuses or reasons to delay.

He stomped down the corridor and Duncan followed. Gavin was distracted, tired, and ornery and in no mood for this conversation.

“I’ve taken into account what ye learned on yer visit and have decided to offer fer Sinclair’s daughter. Along with his lands and wealth, he’s got the best-trained, most disciplined soldiers. That makes marrying her the best choice.”

“She’s fair to look at, with a lively spirit and a fine figure,” Duncan added. “I was surprised to see she has red hair, yet I’m certain ’tis not the mark of the devil.”

“She’s a girl,” Gavin said harshly, the reality of it striking at him with a jolt of clarity.

“She turned eighteen last month,” Duncan protested.

“I’m nearly twice her age.”

“If yer displeased with the lass, then ye should consider one of the others,” Duncan exclaimed, obviously puzzled by Gavin’s sour mood.

“I have a duty,” Gavin retorted.

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