“The king might marry an Englishwoman?”The idea soured his stomach.
“Not the king.He’s not quitethatfoolish.All his lairds would revolt.”
Hew hoped so.Scotland had fought hard for its sovereignty.For Malcolm to reverse the gains of his forefathers was like a gauntlet blow to the face of Scotland.
“Who then?”he asked.
She didn’t have to answer him.Her smoldering green eyes said everything.
“His most loyal vassals,” he guessed.Then his already cracked heart plunged to the bottom of his belly.“Not me?”
“Not yet.But Rivenloch will doubtless be foremost in his sights.Deirdre is already planning to send your cousin away.”
“Gellir?”
She nodded.“’Tis the curse of all his fame and fortune on the tournament circuit.Gellir’s winning all his battles.Earning prizes.Gaining glory.He might as well carry a banner that says ‘Most Eligible Knight.’If the king does indeed begin to marry off his vassals, Gellir will be the first one to catch his eye.”
That was likely.Gellir was not only an illustrious tournament champion.He was the first son of one of the most powerful lairds in Scotland.And he was of marriageable age.
But Hew was the same age as Gellir.How long would it be before the king sought an English bride forhim?He shuddered at the thought.
“Where will Gellir go?”he asked.
“To Darragh, I think.’Tis remote enough that your cousin Feiyan can keep him out from under the king’s nose.”
“So what’s this to do with me?”
“I think we’d be wise to follow Deirdre’s counsel.Sooner rather than later.”
“You think I should join him at Darragh.”
Hew was fine with that.Now that he’d lost his ladylove, there was nothing to stay for anyway.
Besides, the west of Scotland was wild and beautiful.Darragh was an enchanting castle perched on a cliff overlooking the firth.
It would be refreshing to wake up to the sound of waves lapping on the shore and gulls screeing through the air.To breathe in the crisp scent of the sea.To see the sun set upon the gentle waves, gilding the crests with golden light.Or to watch from the parapet as a storm raged like a dark beast, lashing the rocks below with untamed force.
It would be good to see his cousins.He owed Feiyan a visit.And it would be fun to challenge Gellir the Tournament Champion to a skirmish or two.
Indeed, the more he thought about it, the more he looked forward to it.
Nothing was quite as invigorating as change.And after the heartache he’d endured in the last several months, Hew could use a change of scenery.
Perhaps he wouldn’t have to consider chastity after all.Darragh would undoubtedly offer him a whole new array of eligible ladies.Ladies who wouldn’t scoff at his sentimentality, laugh at his passion, or crush his heart.
Aye, Darragh could be the answer he sought.
“Nay, not Darragh,” his mother said.
His enthusiasm sputtered out like a spent candle.He frowned.Not Darragh?
“Where then?”he asked.
“West of here.I’ve had a request for a warrior.”
“Right.”A good fight would keep his mind off of his broken heart.
“Someone very good with a weapon.”
