“—but I’ve seen my share of skirmishes,” he continued. “It’s nae a small thing, to take a man’s life, even when ye hadn’t aught other choice.”
She nodded. The worry was still in her expression, though she also sent a bit of appreciation in his direction. It warmed him, as did the realization that, for all her changes, he could still read her.
It reminded him that she was still the same Ailsa who had dogged his heels as a child while Ewan and Ailsa’s late brother,Graham, had protested that little girls could not possibly keep up with their rough and tumble boyhood playing. The memory brought with it the bittersweet pang of loss that came from recalling a lost companion. It hadn’t mattered, back then, that Ailsa had been closer in age to Graham than Graham to Ewan. They’d been lads, and therefore clearly uninterested in consorting with little lasses.
Except then, they’d gotten older, he’d found a new appreciation for Ailsa’s boldness and determination. It had not been a romance, though he’d nae been disappointed when he’d learned her his betrothed, but it had been a friendship.
And perhaps it could be again. Many a marriage had been built on worse, no?
“She’s very fierce,” Ailsa said, eyes still on her sister. “But she has a softer side, too, just one that she hides very well.”
Ewan didn’t comment. He could think of another Donaghey sister who fit that description as well.
He turned back to Vaila instead, seeking safer conversational ground. The lass was regarding the men as they rode in formation, a hand propped on her hip and a distinct look of disapproval on her face. James’ back was to them, but his posture suggested that he was not happy in the least.
“How did yer sister become a warrioress, then?” he asked. “It’s nae a common vocation for a lass, let alone a laird’s daughter.”
This was the right thing to ask; Ailsa smiled.
“Graham,” she said with a laugh. “By the time Vaila was old enough to lift a sword, it was evident to Graham that he wasnae getting a little brother, and sisters would have to do.”
Ewan cracked his own smile. “So he took his pick?”
This time, her laugh was a little more genuine. “Nay, not at all.Iwas his choice, as the eldest of the girls. He spent perhaps a month or so rousing me at dawn every day, draggingme down to train,” she went on wryly, cutting him a sly glance that practically took him back in time, “I was nae a terribly fine student.”
“But Vaila was?”
“Oh, aye. Every morn, she’d traipse down after me, all energy and excitement, while I was half asleep on my feet. After a bit, Graham gave up on me and turned his attentions to Vaila. Everyone was happy.” She paused. “I was asleep and happy.”
This startled a laugh from him. He’d forgotten her wit. How had he forgotten that?
Before he could respond, her tone grew somber.
“T’was hard on Vaila, losing Graham. T’was hard on us all.”
There was nothing to say to that that wasn’t insufficient. Ewan missed Graham, too, but he knew the loss of a friend was naught compared to the loss of a brother. If something ever happened to Mairi, he feared he’d try to tear down the world in vengeance.
His mind flashed to those men chasing the Donaghey sisters the day prior, and he felt the same hot, churning desire to teach them the error of their ways.
He was torn from these thoughts by James’ approach, Vaila trailing behind him. James looked like it was only the reminder of his dignity as Captain of the Guard that kept him from stomping.
Vaila looked like the cat that had got the cream.
“All right, then?” Ewan called out to his captain.
James’ smile looked brittle as slate. “Miss Vaila here was jus’ telling me how our men are poor horsemen. She hasvolunteered,” the word sounded like it hurt him, “to show us some of her techniques.”
“Vaila!” Ailsa scolded. “Can ye no’ be polite? We are guests here.”
“For now,” Vaila pointed out. “Soon, ye will be wed and we shall be kin. Should kin tell lies to one another?”
Ailsa let out a slow breath.
Ewan decided that he really liked Vaila.
“She has a point,” he said to James, just for the pleasure of watching his best friend squirm. “The Donaghey Clan is legendary for their horsemanship.”
James shot him a look of utter betrayal, but Vaila beamed.
