“True enough,” he replied with a jolly twinkle in his eye.
As they dismounted and allowed the horses to explore the meadow, it struck Bryan how easily she had been able to persuade him to stop after he’d mentioned that they shouldn’t.
The power she had over him… Perhaps it was better that she had decided not to remain after all.
They found an agreeable spot near the stream and sat, and Bryan produced the food that he had taken from the castle’s larder that morning: A loaf of brown bread; a pot of butter, rosy with fragrant herbs; several pieces of cold chicken; a pair of shiny apples; and, to Katherine’s amusement, a bottle of wine and a pair of goblets.
“We cannae indulge overmuch,” he told her. “We must keep our wits about us, in case danger should present itself. Even so, I thought ye might appreciate the chance tae make a bit merry before returning tae the dour company of yer father.”
“That was exceedingly thoughtful of ye. Thank ye. ‘Tis an awful shame, though; that part about us needing tae keep our wits about us, I mean.”
Bryan could see the desire burning in her eyes like coals. The way she leaned toward him, the incline of her head, it seemed that every part of her except her mouth was pleading for him to kiss her.
It was not just her, either. The muggy song of the crickets filled the drowsy afternoon air, combining with the steady gush of the stream and the sound of Bryan’s pulse throbbing in his temples. It was as though they were in some enchanted glade together, far away from the concerns of McGregors and Oliphants.
A place where anything could happen, and no one need ever know.
Bryan blinked and shook his head, trying to clear it. He realized that he had begun to lean forward toward her as well, and he stiffened, distributing the food between them. “At any rate,” he said in a voice that sounded strangely breathless. “I hope these victuals shall prove adequate to yer appetite, my lady.”
“I’m sure that they will, and that the company shall be even more nourishing.” She straightened her back as well, but her eyes still glittered mischievously as they moved over his face and body.
She took a small bite from the apple, then asked, “Why did ye choose tae become a warrior?”
“I dinnae think of myself as a warrior,” he answered. “I am the Captain of the Guard. I protect my laird from any who would do him harm.”
“But there are times when those duties lead ye tae the field of battle,” she pointed out.
“Aye,” he affirmed, “but then I consider myself a soldier, not a warrior.” He gave her a lopsided smile. “Sounds like a distinction only a madman would make, eh?”
“I suppose it does nae make much sense tae me, at that,” she agreed.
“‘Tis been my experience,” he began, “that those men who call themselves warriors tend tae go looking for wars. They define themselves by their willingness and ability tae do violence.”
“Are all who lift sword and shield ‘neath the Oliphant banner like ye in that regard?” she inquired, mystified. “Are there any warriors in all of yer clan?”
“Och, aye, there are a great many!” he laughed good-naturedly. “Indeed, I’d say most of the guards under my command would call themselves by that name, and certainly a great number of the soldiers who go tae war tae preserve and defend our lands. They are good men, and good at what they do. I consider them tae be my boon kinsmen, and I am grateful every day to have such a preponderance of them in our clan. But for myself, I dinnae need bloodshed and the threat of death tae feel alive. I long for peace above all else. My laird most of all, but for myself as well.”
“Then why did ye choose a path which might lead ye tae cross swords with others?” she asked, sounding genuinely curious.
“I told ye where I came from,” he reminded her. “I had stealth, and I was gifted with a blade, and with my hands as well. With the particular set of knowledge and skills I had tae offer, this seemed the only honorable choice for me tae leave my life of thievery for good and all.”
Katherine leaned closer again and looked at him with narrowed eyes, nibbling on a piece of chicken. After a few moments, she shook her head decisively. “No, I dinnae believethat is the full truth of it at all. ‘Tis a fine enough reason, but I see another behind yer eyes.”
He gave her a wry grin. “Ye are clever, and nay, I’m nae a bit surprised by it. Ye are correct.”
He fell silent for a few moments, making Katherine believe that he did not intend to elaborate. Finally, though, he spoke again.
“Some of the things my father forced me tae do tae others in the name of survival remain with me tae this day,” he said slowly. “This may sound daft, but there were times when I felt like I was a butcher, carving off slabs of my own soul to sell. I felt that it wouldnae be enough for me tae simply escape from that life. I knew that if I ever did, I owed it tae the world tae use what that monster had taught me tae balance it out. In the service of something larger than myself, something that truly mattered. And I have,” he added simply. “I’m fortunate tae have the chance tae continue tae do that, every day that I awake beneath the Oliphant banner.”
Katherine considered this for a few moments, then gave him a shrewd and impish sidelong look. “Even so, Captain, if ye had been able tae pursue a wholly different path, what might ye have chosen?”
The question caught him off guard, and he chuckled. “Hmm. Not a merchant, that much is certain. My father and I plagued more than our fair share of merchants as they transported their goods from place tae place, and I wouldnae shoulder the burden of protecting those caravans from bandits for all the world. Too many things can go wrong. One crafty band of fellows sets their mind tae stealing from ye, perhaps they even persuade one of yer own guardsmen tae assist them in robbing ye. Before ye can blink, ye’ve gone from a rich man tae a pauper.”
“Aye, so not a merchant, then,” she replied impatiently. “That leaves every other occupation in the bloody world tae choose from!”
“I suppose I might have learned how tae sew dresses and other pretty things,” he teased. “If only a noblewoman such as yerself had chosen tae spend her free hours instructing me. Ah, what fine garments I might have created out of mere scraps!”
“Here now,” she giggled. “I’m trying tae be serious! I really want tae know. Where else might yer heart have led ye, if ye hadn’t walked the path which led ye into the service of the Oliphants?”
