She was not the sort of woman who strove for male attention. She rarely fussed with her appearance and had long ago given up on any idea of a romantic marriage. She owned precisely one fine gown that she seldom wore, save for formal occasions, which, given the current state of affairs, were few.
Now she had two men giving her notice. To both of whom she was attracted, if in vastly differing ways.
She gazed at Reagan. Since the arrival of the Gallowglass, the young women of the clan had been looking after them, and especially after their commander. A whole lot of man was he. And she had heard lasses sighing after Finlay also.
Finlay.
She ached for another glance at him. Instead she gazed into Reagan’s eyes.
“I am willing to continue the training, if ye be.”
“Aye, so.” Something stirred in his eyes. “With what objective, if I may ask? Have your thoughts about going to war changed?”
“They have not.”
He disliked that. His expression settled into a frown.
She added blithely, “When I am ready, I shall speak to my father mysel’.”
That made his lips quirk between the wings of his mustache. “And who shall deem ye ready?”
“I shall, to be certain. Do I no’ mak’ all my own decisions?”
He shook his head. Before he could reply, however, the harper stepped up to them.
“Mistress Katrin, Master O’Hanlon.”
Katrin’s entire body sprang to life. She could explain it no other way. She became aware of everything about Finlay—his height, his warmth, his presence. Even the scent of him. All her senses leaped.
“Master harper.” She could do naught but look at him then.Remember the feel of his lips pressing kisses into her palms.
Her fingers involuntarily curled into fists as if trying to keep those kisses in.
But it was to Reagan he turned, not to her.
“Master O’Hanlon, I wished to let ye know I ha’ fashioned the march ye requested.”
“Have ye?” Reagan’s gaze took light.
“Aye, I would play it for the first time tonight, that ye might hear.”
“That will be grand.”
What was this, then? The harper making tunes for the Gallowglass? She’d known naught of it.
“A march, ye say?” she asked.
Reagan smiled at her. “So struck was I with Master Finlay’s playing, I petitioned it. I daresay, Master Finlay, ye have never before had a patron who is also a Gallowglass.”
“That is so, Master O’Hanlon, though many and many ha’ my patrons been.”
“I can believe it.” Reagan raised a hand to Finlay’s shoulder. “I shall look forward much to hearing.”
Finlay bowed and stepped away.
Reagan gave Katrin a searching look. Before he could speak, she did. “That was an unusual request—a tune from the harper.”
“A march,” he emphasized, “as befits a company such as we. Fierce and indestructible, we are, and hard to kill.”
