“Ye have made Clan Campbell proud!” he shouted. “Welcome.” The man repeated the move on Duncan. Bestowing him with hefty claps on the back. He was shorter than both, so they had to bend to his level. “Clan Campbell will forever be grateful fer Clan Hay’s help. We will repay tenfold. Fergus, how dae ye want it?”
Duncan laugh was full, “Nae.”
“I am proud, son,” Laird Fergus told his son, Duncan.
Duncan was the heir of Clan Hay! Duncan… who she’d fallen for and almost slept with. Duncan. Her father’s killer.
“Emily,” the rotund man called, waving at the icy girl. “Come an’ welcome Duncan.”
Grace swooned, catching herself in time by falling against the wall. Her legs, where thesgian dubhwas secured, were wobbly. Her head ached, a piecing throb that was different from the pain from the wound. She was swallowed twice, but could not rid herself of the lump lodged there.
How could this be?
How the hell was it possible that the first clan she’d come upon was the very one that had murdered her father, and were celebrating it, by the looks of it.It was a war.A tiny voice that’d been growing stronger reminded her. With a swat of her hand, Grace rejected the notion. Away from the full view of the court, Grace allowed her eyes to close. She gulped quick breaths and her chest burned.
“Jo? Jo! ‘Tis overwhelmin’, I ken. Me maither wants tae meet ye, and then ye can rest.”
Grace stared blearily at the man that’d appeared before her. Her condition worsened. It could not just be. He grinned at her, turning her belly to mush. He grabbed her right hand and brought her forward. Grace’s thumping chest hardly allowed her to take in what was in front of her.
Grace could not muster a word.
“Maybe she’s deaf,” Emily said, scorn lacing her words.
Her voice buzzed like an insect in Grace’s head.
Grace shot her a look, cleared her throat and anxiously grabbed on to reality with both hands. “I am Jo. Jo Willard. Me parents were murdered by the English and I have nae place to go. Kindly accept me presence at yer court, me laird,” she inserted a curtsy here. “I will prove tae be useful tae the family.”
“Williard,” the laird drawled and coughed twice. “I am afraid, yer name has nae face. Where were ye born?”
Grace avoided the question by stating that she lived with her father, in a small hamlet in the Highlands. They were many, the laird could not possibly know them all. Heart in her throat, Grace awaited the verdict.
The man’s eyes shifted away from hers to his wife, “Fiona, assign some chores tae her. We will provide a room fer ye.”
Grace smiled, and curtsied low, again. “Thank ye, me laird.”
As she raised her head, she saw Emily whisper something to Fiona. Her face twisted in distaste, like she’d swallowed a frog. It was a shame for a beautiful woman to wear that expression. The laird’s wife nodded once at whatever Emily whispered. But before she could do as her husband asked, Duncan came to stand before Grace.
“I will accompany her tae a bedchamber and retire me self, in preparation for the feast.”
His mother’s eyes flared and her gaze dramatically ran from Duncan to Grace and back again. Her expression, like Emily’s, also soured. Duncan smiled into her eyes, “come.” He took her hand, and told Craig something she couldn’t catch.
The men separated and she was led inside. A lamb to a slaughter was better off than her, she was a walking corpse.
After he ensured that Jo was settled, Duncan headed to his quarters. Since Jaime’s death, he had been given his rooms. At first, it was hard to occupy his brother’s space but now, he allowed his things to be a source of comfort.
A knock sounded at his door, just as he began to undress. About time. He needed to soak in a bath for at least an hour.
When he sat next to Jo, he had to look his best. She was used to seeing him almost tattered, and he was excited to appear better. He strolled to the door.
“Duncan,” she greeted with a demure smile. Her right hand was still lifted, about to knock.
“Emily, what are ye doin’ ‘ere? Does Bryce need somethin’?”
“Nae. He is takin’ a bath tae prepare fer the feast. Dae ye want one? I can ask the maid tae prepare one.”
Duncan shook his head, “nae, dinnae trouble yerself. They’ll be here soon, me lady.”
She looked beyond him, like she expected him to step aside for her to enter.
