Eva was excited and could not wait to unpack her possessions. Now that she had a place to put them, she would make good use of whatever her father had sent her. She followed the carts to the longhouse and as they untethered the horses, the men pushed the carts into the sheltered area.
One of her father’s men approached. “My Lady Eva, ’tis good to see you.”
“And you, Donald.”
“Are you well? I am sure your father will ask after you if we can return.”
Eva surmised his tone was somewhat fearful. “What do you mean…if?”
“The Buchanan sentry, My Lady… they took our weapons and forced us by the points of their blades as we traveled here. They found us at the blackened trees and threatened to do away with us until we professed that we belonged to you.”
She was dismayed by his explanation. “I apologize, Donald, for the horrid treatment by the Buchanan soldiers. You have my thanks for being so brave. I shall speak to their laird about their behavior and ensure your safety whilst you are here.”
Donald scoffed. “Their laird was there. It was he who told his men to take our weapons. They even searched us for daggers and short swords. The Buchanans said they would allow our entry upon their land but they would decide if they’d allow us to leave.”
Eva drew in a shocked gasp. “Breckin took your weapons? I will make sure he returns them, Donald, before you leave. And I promise that you shall be free to leave and return home. I appreciate you coming all this way.” How she would enact such an achievement, Eva wasn’t sure, but she would use every wile in her armory to ensure Breckin treated her father’s soldiers with more reverence.
“Do you want to go with us, my lady? If you do, maybe we can sneak away. It would have to be in darkness, though…and there could be danger.” His gaze shifted about as if he feared he’d been overheard.
“I cannot leave, Donald. No, I am destined to remain here with my husband.” How dreadful that sounded to her own ears. A little bit of homesickness entered her heart and she pressed her hand against her chest in sorrow.
He eyed the longhouse. “Is this where you live?” Donald sounded aghast at the thought of her living there.
“This will be my home, once the men make repairs. Worry not for me. I am now married, Donald, and must make the most of it.” She tried to sound enthusiastic but failed miserably.
“Your home was as grand as any and now you have to live in a shack in the woods. You are a courageous woman, my lady.” Donald turned then, when one of the men called to him.
Eva’s chest tightened at Donald’s judgment. For some reason, shame and its sorrowful mien overtook her. She pressed her hands on her cheeks and shook her head, though she had nothing to be shameful about. The Buchanans didn’t need a grand manor home. They were content with what they had—which was next to nothing in the way of possessions or luxurious homes. Breckin had said they lived a simpler life and he wasn’t mistaken about that.
The men departed and headed for the bridge. Eva followed in their wake, hopeful that she would cross paths with Breckin on the way. At the bridge, Aymer whistled at them to stop.
“Aymer, is Breckin here?”
The man nodded. “He is probably training with the men.”
“Fetch him for me, please.” Eva folded her arms across her chest, sweeping the vines that she still held across her face, and glared. The curt tone of her voice sent the man running.
It did not take long for Breckin to arrive. When he did, he appeared flummoxed to see her ireful expression. Eva couldn’t hold back her anger at the treatment of her father’s soldiers. She walked to stand away from everyone so no one could overhear them. “Breckin—”
“Are ye pleased? Your da sent your belongings. Where are they?”
“I had them taken to the longhouse. We should discuss—”
“The longhouse? I would have thought ye would want to keep your belongings with ye.” Breckin thumbed the strap of his sword’s sheath that crossed his chest, looking so handsome but she couldn’t let that detract from her intent to reproach him.
“There is no room for my belongings at Clare’s. Now, I want to talk about—”
“I have no time for this, lass. My men await and we have much to do before darkness comes.” Breckin shifted his eyes toward her father’s soldiers and his men standing beyond them.
Eva stepped in front of him to block his view and to keep him from leaving. “A moment, Breckin, of your valuable time. I understand that you took my father’s men’s arms and that you told them they were permitted on Buchanan land but that you might not allow them to leave. Is this true?”
Breckin scrunched his eyes and he appeared taken aback by her question. “It might be.”
“Did you or did you not take their swords?”
He nodded and said, “Aye.”
“Did you threaten to disallow them from leaving? And what, pray tell, were you going to do to them? Do not, if you considered harming them, speak of it.”
