He halted. “I believe the only matter we may agree upon is we yearn to stay a great distance from one another?”
No.“Aye.”
For a moment did he look sad or was it dawn’s shadows with the first glint from sunlight peeking through the trees?
“I find this want shall have to keep. We must strike an accord.”
She narrowed her eyes. “Terms?”
“You hold the ability to establish who this leader is, I am tasked by our lord king to see the abbot to safety. However, my men-at arms who were sent to seek out the raiders are traveling northward.”
Oh, no.“The tavern is directly east from here. They shall never encounter them.”
“Aye, my proposal is to have my two royal knights safely escort the abbot and clergy to Perth.” He spread his arms wide at the ruined vista then ground the words out. “While we, with Sir Brayden, journey together till we discover the raiders at thistavern and save our kingdom’s future. What say you upon such an accord, Lady Fawnella?”
He made spending time with her sound the same as chore. “Aye,” she murmured.
“Pardon?” he challenged.
Insufferable arrogant Scotsman!“Aye!” she snapped back at him, then re-closed the distance between them when a fresh spark by anger lit her strong as the flames earlier. “I shall do all I may for King Alexander. However, you… you arrogant wretch of a Highlander, stay your distance from me once this is complete. What say you to that, Sir Callum?”
“Aye,” he growled as his eyes stayed toward her lips.
Oh, no you don’t, Sir Callum Cur.“Take a strong hard look,” she said before thinking, “for these lips shallneverbe yours once more.” Was that sadness again glimmering in his gaze? A blink – it was gone.
Chapter 4
Where the sun should have been high after a bright dawn only gray appeared with a chilly mist seeping her bones off and on. Perfect! Nella looked up. Perfect accompaniment for their dire journey.If only she could have gone with the abbot and those from the abbey, now traveling with the two knights in a wagon spared from the barn. Perth would mean Sir Sean. No, this was not possible unless seeking a heaping bowl of awkward was yearned for.
Inwardly she began fidgeting. Where would she go now the abbey was gone? Perhaps another would take pity on her as they had. Or maybe once Abbot or Abbess were settled at a fresh abbey, she could seek them out.
She squirmed on the bay stallion’s withers. Way. There had to be a way to break the stern silence which had reigned for hours!
Rubbing her fingers over the long thick mane, which was wiry as a broom, she remarked, “A lovely charger.” The beast who was on a long reign to rest, while walking after a heavy gallop, looked back at her calf as if saying,Thank you. “What name have you favored him with?”
The only parts she had been unable to keep from touching Callum, her thighs, seemed to be hitting a board when he turned tense as one. A wee sparrow gave a chirpy tweet breaking the fresh strained silence.
“It would be so much simpler if you spoke, Sir Callum, or have we used all the syllables in your grasp?”
A grind sounded behind her. His teeth. “The stallion’s name is Luss.”
Her thighs turned into granite. “Luss?” she asked with care. “The place where we met on the western side of Loch Lomond.” Did he carry some hidden fondness for her still?
“The Gaelic term also means ‘herb’.”
“Aye,” Nella replied, “as the charger most assuredly appears to be part oregano leaf.”
A muffled chuck sounded beside them. She looked over, finding Sir Brayden appearing to suppress a grin. That one was so sweet with tiny crinkles about his eyes calling to many smiles in his past.
Callum had noted it as well, questioning, “You wish to speak Sir Brayden?”
“For certain.” The jovial knight edged his steed closer. “The lady bears wit, a talent you sorely lack, my friend, so perhaps a wee bit of jest will lift the corners of your mouth into a smile at least once in my presence.” Brayden chucked the last words. “Other than eating one would never know you harbor teeth.”
Hold it just a darn moment!Callum never smiled? He always used to smile when they were together.
Her consideration met the breeze billowing their faces. “Callum, a smile was always present in the past.”
He met her gaze. “’Twas alongtime past.”
