“In that case,” Isla said briskly, “I suppose I’d better have a look at him myself, eh? Just tae make sure he’s worthy of ye,” she added with a laugh. “Lead the way!”
Moira took her out onto the grounds a short distance outside the castle ramparts. Sure enough, Bryan Black was putting the men through their paces—they were sparring hand-to-hand, grunting and heaving and sweating like demons under the hot sun.
“Which one is Lachlan?” Isla asked. She was glad she’d chosen to get out and have a bit of fun after all. Watching these fellows grapple with each other was a far better use of her time than confining herself to her chamber and worrying.
Moira pointed at a strapping lad with dark eyes, soft features, and hair so blonde it was nearly white. He stood on the sidelines watching the two men struggle against each other, and from the way he kept shifting his weight from one leg to the other, he appeared anxious to have his turn.
“Ye have excellent taste, clearly!” Isla tittered. “He’s quite the handsome one! Have ye known him long?”
Moira shook her head. “He only arrived last year, seekin’ work as a guardsman. He was raised on a farm out past the border of our lands. Then his home caught fire and his family died, and so he wandered for a while before settlin’ here. He’s a strong man, tae be sure… but och, there are times when he seems like a lost little boy, and I’d give anythin’ tae take him in my arms.”
“Mayhap ye’ll get yer chance someday,” Isla replied.
Moira sighed wistfully. “I hope so.”
They watched as the current fighters rolled around on the grass until one managed to successfully pin down the other.
“Well done, well done!” Isla called out merrily as the victor helped his comrade back up onto his feet. “But we demand more! We have come to witness a thrillin’ fracas, and we shall not be denied!”
Bryan saw her there, smiled, and offered a small bow. “We live tae serve, my lady! Who would ye see battle next?”
“What is the name of the winner?” Isla inquired.
The victor, a man with shaggy chestnut hair and bright blue eyes, bowed deeply. “Callum, if it pleases ye, my lady.”
“Tell me, Callum,” Isla teased, pointing at Lachlan, “how do ye believe ye might fare against him?”
Callum glanced at Lachlan. “He’s a fair fighter, my lady, but I’ll brawl like a lion if it will give ye and yer companion a few moments’ entertainment.”
“Like a lion, ye say? Why, that sounds positively thrillin’!” She turned to Moira. “Would ye like to see that?”
Moira nodded, her face a deep shade of crimson.
“Then let the great battle commence!” Isla announced loudly.
There was a ripple of good-natured laughter among the men, and Lachlan stepped forward, stretching his limbs and cracking his knuckles.
“Begin!” Bryan ordered.
The two leaped at each other without hesitation.
Lachlan struggled to get a solid grip on Callum, who proved too quick and wily for him. Callum, in turn, swept his right leg out in an attempt to trip Lachlan, who pivoted expertly at just the right moment, retaining his balance. While Callum’s leg was still over-extended, preventing him from steadying himself properly, Lachlan pounced with the smooth swiftness of a wild cat. He nearly pushed Callum to the ground, but Callum recovered at the last second and remained standing.
“Terribly excitin’, is it nae?” Isla commented.
“Aye, my lady!” Moira answered breathlessly. “Thank ye ever so much!”
“Think nothin’ of it! We shall have to make it a regular occurrence.”
Meanwhile, Lachlan had managed to catch Callum by the arm, and was twisting it behind the man’s back to force him to submit. It seemed, however, that Callum was too stubborn to let that be the end of it. Rather, he kicked out behind him and struck Lachlan’s leg, destabilizing him just enough to break free.
Callum spun, but Lachlan was already on top of him, shoving him to the ground face-first and keeping him there with a knee at the base of his spine.
“I give!” Callum wheezed, chuckling. “I give!”
Lachlan stood proudly, and bowed in the direction of the two women once more. They both applauded, and he strode over to them with a slight swagger in his step.
“Ye looked wonderful, Lachlan!” Moira gushed.
