Page 12 of The Trials of Neilina MacKai
“Indeed.He suffered a wound from Lady Neilina’s sword.No one was aware that he was among the English.It turned out he wasn’t part of the army but had taken passage on one of their ships because he wanted to visit his sister and witness her marriage.”
“’Tis an interesting family.”
“That is to put it ...:
Suddenly Rhuad stood in his stirrups.“Do you smell that?”
Dougal sniffed the air.“Smoke?”
“Aye.If the reivers have attacked the camp in our absence, I’ll not forgive myself.”He urged his horse to a gallop with one hand on the reins.With the other he drew his sword and gave his battle cry “A Mhic Fhearainn.”
Alerting all in his group to follow and expect a fight.
Sixteen mounted men thundered into the camp.War cries boomed from their throats.Rhuad saw the cookfire before he could take in the entire scene.
Lady Seona and five of the six guards who had remained in the camp ran forward primed to attack.
“Stop!”Rhuad shouted at the same moment as Lady Seona.
He hauled on the reins to halt his destrier’s headlong rush before the horse could trample the lady.
She leapt backward, but her foot caught in the hem of her skirt.She fell to the ground.
“Seona!”Rhuad, jumped from his horse and had the lady in his arms before any of the other men could react.”
Her face was pale, and her gray eyes were shut.
“Are you hurt?”
Her eyes opened, and she shook her head.Then she swallowed before issuing a hoarse ”Nay.”
He dropped her as if she were hot coals.
She managed to gain her feet.
“What in the name of St.Andrew’s bones are you doing?”
“I beg your pardon, Laird MacFearann.Do you always accost your guards in such a manner?”
“You!Are not one of my guards.”
“As it happens, at the moment I am.I took the place of the man helping Mistress Auchmuty with preparations for our evening meal.”
“That man will rue the day he left his post.”
“I ordered him to do it.If you’ve a complaint direct it at me.”
“Oh, I will certainly do that.Dougal,” Rhuad didn’t take his eyes off of Seona.“Have that fire doused immediately.”
“Don’t do that Sir Dougal,” she countermanded.
“Lady Seona.I no longer serve Clan MacKai.Laird Rhuad is right to douse the fire.”Dougal turned away and called one of the men over, then gave him orders to put out the fire.
Around them all activity halted, save the dousing of the fire.The men, Dougal included, stood poised waiting to learn who would emerge victorious from this confrontation.
Seona turned her fury on her husband.“Mistress Auchmuty cannot provide a hot meal without a fire.”
“Then supper must be a cold meal.Did no one tell you there were reivers about?”
