Page 19 of When a Highlander Weds a Hellion
Broch felt all eyes upon him. He jerked his wrist out of the Blackswell warrior’s hold and stepped forward. “Broch MacLeod, King David’s right hand. And this is my companion William MacLean, personal guard to King David.”
Blackswell descended the dais surprisingly fast for a man who looked to overindulge in mead and food on a regular basis. The clap of his boots against the stone floor resounded in the now-quiet great hall. Out of the corner of his eye, Broch noticed Brodee disentangle himself from the wench who had been draped over his side, dabbing at the few cuts the Blackswell offspring looked to have sustained in his fights today. As the two men came to stand in front of Broch, he immediately disliked Brodee. The man had an arrogant smile.
“So the king’s right hand wishes to fight me.” The man’s tone was as cocksure as his smile.
“Silence,” Blackswell commanded, to which Brodee stiffened.
Blackswell had assessing blue eyes that were taking Broch’s measure. The laird’s gaze travelled down to where the king’s ring was on Broch’s hand. The man gave a nod, as if confirming Broch’s words. “Why does the king send ye to us?”
“We were sent to find Katreine Kinntoch and ensure that the wedding between her and yer son go forth.”
“Weresent to find her?” Blackswell arched his dark eyebrows.
“Aye.” Broch surveyed both men as he spoke. “We already came across her in the woods near her home, close to the sea and the caves. She was defending herself against yer warriors who were attempting to ravish her. I—” William cleared his throat and gave Broch a pointed look, to which Broch had to swallow the urge to chuckle. “Weaided her, leaving one out of three of yer warriors alive.Wetook Katreine to her home, where I told her to remain until I appraise the situation.”
“Appraise—” Brodee started to growl, but Blackswell cut him off with a raised hand and a warning look.
“A wise choice,” Blackswell said. “I’d nae wish the lass to come to her soon-to-be home feeling threatened.” The man seemed genuine, though his son appeared greatly irritated. Maybe the laird was not the problem but the son was. Yet the son was to be Katreine’s husband so it was most definitely a problem and one Broch was not as unhappy to discover as he ought to be. And he knew why. The lass was affecting him despite his determination not to allow it.
“We did send warriors to find Katreine but only because we doubted her family was truly looking for her,” Blackswell said.
Broch appreciated the man’s honesty. “They are hesitant,” he said low, “to wed their daughter to yer son.” It wasn’t an outright lie, though it was a gentled version of the truth.
“I ken,” Blackswell said on a sigh. “I dunnae ken of how much ye are aware, but we can discuss the particulars after the banquet, in privacy.”
“A sound thought,” Broch agreed.
“In the meantime,” Blackswell said, waving at a guard to come forth. When the guard stood before the laird, the man ordered, “Bring Mungo to me.”
The guard departed with a nod, and Blackswell turned to Broch. “I will get a full and truthful accounting of what happened, but I can assure ye, neither I nor my son would ever permit one of our men to treat a lady with anything less than respect.”
Brodee nodded his agreement, though his mouth had thinned with displeasure. Broch wanted to allow his dislike to grow to a rapid hatred, but to be fair, he had to admit that the displeasure Brodee displayed could well be the result of learning one of his men had treated Katreine in a dishonorable manner.
Brodee inhaled sharply, curling his hands into fists. “My men were simply to find Katreine. I would nae ever order them to hurt her.”
The man sounded heartfelt, which was good and bad considering the pull Broch felt to Katreine. Broch nodded. “If ye dunnae mind,” he said, addressing Blackswell, “I’d like to question Mungo personally.” Again, William cleared his throat, but Broch gave the pup a stern look this time. Too many strangers confronting Mungo was not the way to get him to talk.
“Of course nae,” Blackswell said quickly. “I would do the same if I were ye. After the fight—if ye’re certain ye still wish to challenge my son—we will go to the solar and ye can question Mungo there.”
“I’m always ready for a good battle,” Broch said.
Blackswell chuckled. “I just need one word with my son. Fatherly advice, if ye will. I was once a great fighter, and I happen to ken that ye trained with the Dark Riders. I ken their ways, Broch MacLeod. I’ve seen them fight before. So I’ll take a father’s right to warn my son of yer talents.”
Broch inclined his head as the two men moved off to the right to speak for a moment.
“What am I to do while ye question Mungo?” William whispered.
“Look around the castle for anything strange. Mayhap use yer charm to question the lasses?”
William grinned at that. “I’ll be happy to.”
Out of the corner of his eye, Broch saw Blackswell showing Brodee moves he thought Broch would utilize. Broch turned his back to the men. The first thing the Dark Riders had taught him was to prepare his mind for battle.
“What sort of questions should I ask the lasses?” William inquired.
Broch sighed. William was well-meaning and eager, but his timing was terrible. “Whatever comes to mind that seems as if it will reveal things we wish to ken. Now off with ye.”
William gave a nod and then departed the great hall as Broch slowly stripped off his plaid so that he’d have no restrictions of his arms when he fought. He turned to see where to set it and his sword, and he found Blackswell staring at him, a look of astonishment on the man’s face.
