“Lady Fenella, I would have you meet my friend Eoin Gordon. Eoin, this is my sister Lady Fenella.”
Fenella extended her hand to Eoin, who barely touched it enough to bring it towards his lips, which he kept well away from her.
“It is a pleasure to meet you, my lady. Your sister spoke fondly of you while we traveled.”
“My sister has spoken fo—kindly aboot you,” Fenella blushed as she caught herself before admitting Cairstine’s feelings. Fenella suspected how Cairstine felt about Eoin, but Cairstine never discussed her sentiments for him. However, it had been obvious to Fenella from the start. “Welcome to Freuchie.”
“Thank you, my lady.” Eoin smiled, but his eyes were on Cairstine. He couldn’t shift his gaze from her, drinking in her beauty and the radiant smile he’d missed. For the umpteenth time, he wished they had a future together, but he pushed those thoughts from his mind.
“I will speak with you after the evening meal, Eoin.” Edward intervened. “You can join me in the lists.”
Sparring after being on a horse for a day and a half didn’t appeal to him, but he couldn’t refuse the invitation without insulting the man whose daughter he hoped to pretend he would marry. He nodded, but Cairstine stepped forward.
“Father, I’m certain Eoin has been on his horse all day. Perhaps we could offer him a repast before challenging him to spar,” Cairstine hoped she sounded practical rather than eager.
“Right you are, Cairstine. You and your sister were on your way to the storerooms,” Edward pointed to their baskets. “I will escort Eoin to the Great Hall.”
“Yes, Father,” Cairstine averted her gaze, lest her father see her irritation. Her father was toying with Eoin and her, and they all knew it.
“Then you may join us while your sister helps your mother in the buttery,” Edward extended his hand in the keep's direction, expecting Eoin to follow when he stepped away from his daughters. Neither man spoke until after they were seated on the dais and a servant placed bread, cheese, and cold chicken before Eoin. Both men grasped their mugs of ale. “You made your intentions clear to everyone,” Edward noted. “You didn’t need to stake your claim quite so visibly.”
“You have my sincere apologies for the impropriety. I failed to hide my genuine happiness at seeing Lady Cairstine again. I admit I have missed her company, but I didn’t realize how much until I saw her.”
“And how have you missed my daughter?” Edward lifted his chin, looking down his nose at Eoin, daring him to admit what Cairstine and he shared.
“I’ve missed her smile. I’ve missed her sense of humor. I’ve missed her appreciation for nature and the world around her. I’ve missed—her a great deal.” Eoin nearly admitted he missed the way Cairstine’s eyes crinkled at the corners and her nose twitched when she tried to keep from laughing at Eoin’s humor. How he missed teasing her until she laughed.
“That is very admirable. It seems you grew close while you traveled.” Edward’s implied question about how close the couple grew hung silently in the air.
“We became friends, and I realized she would be a wonderful wife who I can trust and respect. Our time apart made me appreciate that even more.”
“It appears there is already affection between you two,” Edward pressed.
“I hadn’t anticipated my happiness at seeing her again. I can only say that the moment carried me away. I pray that the same is true for your daughter and that she welcomes my suit.”
“You both left little doubt that you’re here to court her.”
“To be betrothed to her,” Eoin corrected. He hadn’t planned to court Cairstine. Not because he wouldn’t enjoy it, but because it would delay them, and Eoin understood Cairstine’s sense of urgency.
“Thatmightcome in time. I would see for myself how things are between you. I would give Cairstine the opportunity to be certain.”
“Did you intend that with the men you sent inquiries to?”
“And how do you know aboot that?”
“Cairstine told me on the journey here that you were searching for suitors.”
Edward nodded, but Eoin could tell the laird hadn’t received the answer he fished for. Edward would continue to bait Eoin until he could trip him up. “My letters expressed my expectation that the prospective groom and my daughter have time to see if they suit. I may insist that she marry, but I don’t intend to make my daughter miserable for the rest of her life. I must be convinced that her husband will always have her best interest at heart and that she will be well-cared for in all ways.” Edward’s last words made Eoin wonder if he suspected the reason for Cairstine’s aversion to marriage.
“Then I welcome the time with Cairstine, and the opportunity to get to know your family and your clan better.” Eoin took the last bite of his bread before finishing his mug of ale.
“Lady Grant will ensure you have a chamber, and I will meet with you after the evening meal to discuss the terms of the contract. There is little point in you courting Cairstine if we can’t agree on the terms of her dowry. Does your father know your intentions?”
“He does. He encouraged me to come before I lost my opportunity.”
“Wise mon.” Edward stood from the table as an older woman with raven hair and green eyes approached the dais. Eoin rose from the table and bowed before making his way down the stairs. He brought Davina’s hand a little closer to his lips than he did Fenella’s, but it was still further away than was customary. He would do nothing to cause rumors about where his interests lay.
“Lady Grant, it’s a pleasure to see you once again.”
