Page 44 of The Dark Wolf's Deliverance

‘So, rumour has it that you are our guest, for the time being. What part of the Highlands do you hail from, Kenna. What clan are you from?’

‘The Moncurs of Blackfead. You won’t have heard of us, I am sure.’

‘No, the name is not familiar to me.’

‘We are a very small clan, not rich and grand like the Campbells.’

‘I’ll let you in on a secret. No one is as grand as the Campbells, in their minds at least.’ He laughed in an irreverent way. ‘I’ll try to get you back in time for supper, or else they will send out a search party.’

Kenna nodded in relief.

‘Come on,’ he said, with a jerk of his head, ‘it’s this way.’

They negotiated a number of winding corridors and steep staircases in silence before they spoke again. Kenna stole a glance at him. ‘Are you related to the Campbells, Meyrick?’

‘Not in a way they would acknowledge,’ he said, and there was bitterness in his voice.

‘What do you mean?’

‘Nothing, it’s just I’m no close relation that’s what I meant, but I have lived here at Dunslair all my life.’

‘So you know Conall well.’

‘Aye, we grew up together.’

‘I’ll tell him about you helping me. It is very kind of you.’

‘Oh, don’t do that. We are not the best of friends, you see. We have what you might call a troubled past, the two of us.’

‘Forgive me for saying anything. I did not mean to offend you.’

‘Nothing to forgive, for you don’t know us or Dunslair, do you?’ He was silent for a moment. ‘What is your opinion of Conall?’

‘A very high one because he saved my life, and if it weren’t for him, well, something truly terrible would have happened to me.’

‘So you admire him?’

‘Of course, I do. He is brave and kind. How could I not?’

‘Ah yes, I suppose he is different away from Dunslair and his family. And what could you know of us, a stranger and, by the look of you, a very frightened one?’

‘I’m not frightened.’

‘Of course, you are, thrust suddenly amongst the Campbells with no kin of your own to care for you.’

‘How would you know that?’

‘There’s talk swirling around the castle about the mysterious stranger in our midst. You are the subject of much gossip, I can tell you that. Am I going too fast?’

‘A little, yes.’

He stopped walking, and Kenna was thankful, for she could not keep up with his broad stride or this strange conversation. Why did he speak of his clan as if he were separate from them, not one of them? Meyrick was staring at her now, his eyes travelling all over her face, almost rudely. Sounds of banging and muffled voices came from close by, and with it, a delicious, meaty smell.

‘You look so different from when I first saw you, Kenna.’

‘Clean, you mean.’

‘Aye, there’s that, but…God, you’re so bonnie.’ He stepped back a little and looked her up and down. ‘Who would have known that under all that muck and wild hair would be such a treasure. No wonder Conall was keen to bring you along. He’s never been able to resist a pretty face.’

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