Page 10 of The Trials of Neilina MacKai
“Are your negotiations complete?”
“Not quite, but I have agreement from the clan she will marry into that the marriage will take place.All that remains is to work out the details and sign the documents.”
“Ah, so you won’t name the clan until the documents are signed.Very wise.Much less risk of interference from other directions if no one knows who is involved.”
The sound of horses moving over stone drew their attention.Both men looked in the direction of the stables.
At that moment, Seona, mounted on a destrier, rounded the corner into the inner bailey.Behind her came two sturdy, heavily ladened pack horses followed by a stick thin woman riding a palfrey.
He resisted the urge to rush to the side of the beautiful woman who was his wife.When they’d first met, she’d been all gawky arms and legs with an abundance of unkempt black hair surrounding a face that showed promise of some attractive features once she grew into them.Her MacKai gray eyes had shown no interest in him, and her upturned nose had always been buried in some ledger or book.Two years had made a world of difference.Her hair was tamed.Her torso had intriguing curves.She’d learned to look a man in the face rather than hide in a book.That keen gray gaze intrigued him, yet she’d shown little sign of returning his interest.Did she still prefer ledgers to men?As concerned as he was for his mother and sister, learning more about Lady Seona might help to pass the time until he could rescue his family.
However, at the moment, Lady Seona was anything but intriguing.
“She can’t mean to bring a servant and those animals with her.They will slow our pace too much.”
“Sister, how do you fare this morning?”
“Very well, brother.Laird MacFearann, why aren’t you and your men mounted?I thought you were in a hurry?”
Rhuad’s face burned.How dare she imply he somehow caused the delay that was entirely her fault.
“I was saying my farewells to your brother and thanking him for his help.Men, as the lady suggests, mount up.Sir Dougal will get you started on your way to Castle MacFearann.I must have a word with my handfasted wife before we depart.We will join up with you soon.”
The men mounted and left in quick order.
Seona looked down on Rhuad from her mount.“You wish to converse with me, Laird MacFearann?Can we not do so as we ride?”
“Not when the topic of conversation is those pack animals.They must be returned to the stables immediately, and your servant must be dismissed from this journey.I will not have our be forced to crawl across Scotland by carrying unnecessary items with us simply to satisfy feminine vanity.”
Raeb coughed and whispered to Rhuad.“You’ve just made a serious mistake, my friend.”
“Laird MacFearann.”
The voice she used had Rhuad standing straighter and paying attention.’Twas the same sort of tone his nursemaids had used when he misbehaved as a small child.He suppressed a resentful frown.
“These animals carry supplies to ease our journey.There are food stuffs, medicaments, and gear for cooking as well as maintaining armor and weapons,” she continued.“That servant, as you call her, is Mistress Auchmuty, who has been trained by our own, Mistress Findlay.I believe no finer pair of cooks can be found in all of Scotland.Further, I’ve no wish to go hungry as we travel, and unless you imagine that I have need of bandages or pots and pans to satisfy my vanity, I would caution you about leaping to conclusions.”
“I appreciate your thoughtfulness, Lady Seona.”He spoke slowly, taking care to restrain his irritation.“However, these animals will slow our progress.As for fine cookery, we’ve no need for such.I planned to have the men hunt as we traveled to provide for our meals.They are all capable of heating meat over an open fire.”
“Now they won’t have to.They will arrive at Castle MacFearann well rested, well fed, and ready to perform the tasks needed to rescue your mother and sister.You, sir, will be able to use the time while we ride to plan your strategy for the rescue.Any reasonable person would see the greater benefit in traveling with supplies.”
Rhuad considered himself reasonable.How was it this imp of a woman could ignite his fury with such an argument?“Hmpfh.I will not slow our travel for your cook and pack animals.They must keep to the pace I set.”
Seona issued a single nod.“Of course, Laird MacFearann.”
He frowned.“I am your husband, Lady Seona, you may use my first name.”
She stared back smiling in response.
There was no reasoning with her.
Rhuad turned his back on his wife, mounted his steed, waved farewell to Raeb, and cantered out of Dungarob Keep.
***
“ISUGGEST YOU FINDa way to make peace with Rhuad, sister.Your task will be that much easier if you do.”
“Fare you well, brother.I’ll consider your advice carefully.”She gave her horse the office to leave.Cook and pack animals followed in her wake.Laird Rhuad MacFearann would do well to find a way to see the logic of her methods.That would be the key to an easier task.
