Emily strolled around to the side of the cottage to where a rough wooden bench had been placed in the shade. After she’d sat there for the better part of an hour, her skin prickled with goose bumps. She jerked her gaze around the clearing trying to see beyond the open space and into the shadowy realm of the trees. Was she being watched?
A flash of white darted through the trees. The rustling of branches followed. Was someone there?
She leapt from the bench and ran for the door of the cottage. Gregor had left behind his sword. She had the leather-bound knives. Certainly, she could use them for protection if there was a threat.
Before she made it through the door, an arm shot out and grabbed her. She shrieked.
“Easy, lass. I did not mean to frighten you.”
“Gregor! You scared the shit out of me.”
He wrapped his arms around her. “Your heart is racing, sweetling. Are you unwell?”
“I glimpsed a white flash in the woods.”
“Aye. I saw deer tracks. I imagine the white stag is in the area. The one I was aiming at when the pixie startled my shot and my arrow grazed you.”
“I thought someone was spying on me.” She shrugged a shoulder. “Foolish. I know.”
“Nae. You need to be aware of your surroundings.”
“Did you see any other tracks? Maybe there is another hunter in the woods.”
Gregor rubbed his chin and frowned. “’Tis possible someone else tracks the beast.”
“You seem disappointed.”
“Ach, well.” He dragged a hand through his hair. “Come. Sit with me and I will explain.”
“What is it?” She grasped his hand after they sat together on the outside bench. “Is something wrong?”
“When I fostered at Castle Lachlan in my youth I acted as a reckless lad. Always in trouble. My chief and my father fretted I would never learn the discipline required to take my father’s place when he relinquishes the keepership of Dunadd.”
“Are you the oldest child?”
“Nae. I have two older sisters. But I am the only son. Therefore, my father’s heir.”
“I see.”
“You sound like you disapprove.”
“Things are different in the place from where I come. A female can inherit, same as a male.”
“There have been occurrences within the realm where a woman was placed into leadership, but ’tis uncommon.” Gregor smiled, but sounded skeptical of the merit. “I had hoped this time, during my tenure at Castle Lachlan, I would prove myself worthy to the clan, to my chief, to my father.”
“And to yourself?”
“Aye.”
“You thought to prove your worth by bringing in the white stag.”
He gave an abrupt nod.
“Instead you brought me to their door—a problem.”
“I dinnae regret it.” He squeezed her hand. “I dinnae regret it at all.”
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
