Ceann watched Ethan and Colin walk away toward the keep, exchanging bawdy remarks and laughing. His blood boiled in his veins. The thought of Colin with Ella… of him seducing her with practiced ease… of her beautiful body sullied by his touch…
He turned and went to her; the stallion raised his head and snorted a greeting, and she looked up. As he saw the profile of her face, lit from behind by the warm glow of the sun, her small hand still resting on the stallion’s nose beside her cheek, everything seemed to slow, almost stop for a moment. And for that moment, he thought he must haveseen her like this before, so familiar was the image. It tugged at a corner of his mind, but he could not remember.
“We go to the gathering at Briding, four days hence.You will be coming with us.”
Ella watched him turn and walk away. For a moment she had almost been disappointed that she would be taken away from the castle, before she remembered that that part of her quest was over. She had found the treasure; or rather the treasure had found her. It was a bad-tempered and stubborn treasure to be sure, but one that she wanted with all her heart. His kiss had left her aching and empty. She wished she could run after him and throw herself into his arms again and finish what burned between them. She turned back to the horse again.
“He still doesn’t trust me, Fallon. And right he shouldn’t. He has to put his people first; their lives are in his hands.” She paused. “But you know all this, don’t you? I have to be patient, earn his trust, gentle him to me like he has done to you.” The horse perked his ears and seemed to be listening, so she went on.“I know there must have been a reason that I was sent to Ceann. The way I feel when he’s near, I can’t even describe it. I want to be closer, then closer still, but it will never be close enough.” She smiled ruefully. “Honestly, Fallon, I don’t want to make a fool of myself. Never mind, of course, that I am telling my problems to a horse.”
Chapter 10
Ethan followed Ceann into the study, sitting in his favorite chair there and propping his boots on the table. Ceann turned to look at him. “Och, Ethan, you’re everywhere I go lately. Why must you follow me about like a pup?”
Ethan raised an eyebrow at him. “Perhaps you need such a pup, to look after you.Ceann, you’ll drive yourself mad.”
“What?”
“The lass.You want her.”
“Ethan, I don’t…”
“Och, Ceann, stop this! I canseehow much you want her. You’re laird, you could have her.You know you could.Mustyou deny yourself a woman to warm your bed, and your happiness too?”
Ceann sighed and pushed his hands through his hair. “I don’t need happiness to do my duty, Ethan. And the lass… I’m no closer to knowing anything at all about her.”
“Perhaps she doesn’t keep silent againstyou”, said Ethan thoughtfully. “Perhaps it’s her own problems she’s running from. Did you not consider that? Maybe she’s hiding from something, or someone, andshedoesn’t trustyouto keep her secrets.”
Ceann shook his head and folded his arms across his chest. “It doesn’t matter. I don’t trust women. Lying, deceitful creatures, all of them!”
Ethan regarded him with a look of exaggerated patience. “It’s only one woman you don’t trust, and she was never worth your time anyway. Brigid was only out for what wealth and power she could gain. She cared naught for any man.”
Ceann sulked at him. “I don’t want to talk about her!” He knew he sounded like a petulant child and took a deep breath. “I’m sorry Ethan, I don’t know what’s wrong with me lately.”
Brigid had been his first love. She was beautiful, with dark hair and red lips, proud, aye and a bit cold, now that he thought about it. But still he had wanted to marry her, and when she found out about the blasted curse, she left him. Without a word. She wanted sons to secure her wealth and position. She had married a baron, and probably had all she wanted and more. Probably had ten sons by now. He had been heart-broken… and angry, so very angry.Not long after she left, he had occupied himself with one woman after the next, each bed colder than the last. Now he was twenty-eight summers, and had made his fortune ten times over; yet still he was alone. He was determined to stay that way, and not leave himself open to that kind of pain ever again.
***
In two days they would leave for the gathering, and the excitement was palpable. Briding was twenty miles away, and it was uncommon for most villagers to travel that far, at least not very often. It was a rare opportunity to leave everyday work behind for a short time, and to meet up with old friends and scattered family. And of course for the men to try to best each other and prove that their clan had the strongest and most able warriors. Everyone was making one preparation or another, and Ella tried to help wherever she could. She had never been to a clan gathering before, and the growing excitement of everyone around her made her feel giddy with anticipation. When she saw small and dainty Fiona coming through the gate with her arms laden with packages and her little son hanging from her skirts, she ran to help. They managed to get everything into the keep, and Fiona started going through it all.
“You’re bringing all this?”
Fiona nodded, her green eyes sparkling, and her cheeks nearly that same flame-color as her hair. “Oh, aye. The women always trade for things we need or don’t have here. It’s almost as much fun as watching the men at their games.” She was putting things into piles, herbs, soap,trinkets… then she paused and frowned. “Oh, I’ve forgotten! Maggie asked me to fetch an extra pouch of willow bark from Mable. I’ll have to go back.”
Ella brightened. “I’ll go! I’ve had nothing important to do all day, and you’re busy.”
“Thank you, but… the laird said you’re not to leave the castle gates unguarded”, she said in hushed tones. “He would be very angry if you went.”
Ella bit her lip. In the excitement she had almost forgotten that she was in effect a prisoner still. Someone cleared their throat just behind them. It was Colin, who had apparently been eavesdropping on their conversation. “I’ll take you to the village, lass, if you want to go. Mable’s place is a rather far walk, but I know from personal experience that the extra willow bark will be much needed after the men finish knocking each other about.”
Ella smiled. “Thank you, Colin.You’re very kind to bring me. I’ll be back in no time, Fiona!” She was grateful for a chance to leave the castle, if only for a short while, and in truth the small errand was done all too quickly. Colin had been quite courteous, regaling her with polite conversation. Mairi was right about her brother. He could surely charm even the most reluctant lass, but she found herself wishing she was walking with Ceann instead.Ceann, who was anything but charming, but had managed to capture her heart all the same. Colin left her just inside the gates, and she went to find Maggie and give her the willow bark to pack in the trunk with the other simples.
Ceann finished the accounts he was working on and slammed the book shut on the desk. Keeping accounts was his least favorite job as laird, but he wanted to have everything in order before they left for the gathering. He stood up, stretching, and went to the window, watching the hum of activity in the bailey below, his eyes automatically searching for Ella. Then he caught sight of her. She was just coming through the gate, and with her was… Colin.Though he couldn’t see his face from the study, he knew that swagger. Where had they been together? Hesaw him take her hand and kiss it… saw her smile, saw Colin lean in toward her… And then all Ceann saw red. A buzzing sound filled his ears, and his vision narrowed until all he could see was the two of them, together at the gate, until a rage came over him that blocked out even that. He could have no way of knowing that what he felt the mindless fury of a man who watched his mate with another.
Ella, finding nothing else to do for the moment, decided to go to her chamber and pack the few things she would need to bring with her. Not that she had much. Though she had arrived at Tulloch with naught but the clothes she wore, she had been lent more clothing, and a comb and brush for her hair, and she would need to bring things for washing, of course… She hummed softly to herself as she climbed the winding stone steps. It would be so exciting to get away for a few days! And to a gathering! At the top, she saw that the door to her chamber was open.Was someone in her room? She crept closer and peered around the door frame, still wary after her experience with the henchman Ross had sent after her, even though the guard had been more than doubled since then, and the secret passage sealed to the outside. Her heart nearly flipped in her chest when she saw it was Ceann.
He was clearly agitated, and he shoved his hands through his hair as he paced rapidly back and forth across the room.Had he found out about her? Had he finally decided to send her away? Her stomach dropped to the floor.No!I can’t go now.I don’t want to go now. She slipped into the room, and she could feel the tension surrounding him like a living thing.
“Ceann?”
