“A brilliant idea, brother. Mariota? Would that please ye— and Valkyrie?”
“Aye! Of course, it would.”
Her enthusiasm was unmistakable. Perhaps he had imagined her pale countenance, or it was a trick of the light in the mews.
“Brìghde, would ye join us?”
Stellan watched with interest as Brìghde fought for a polite reply. He was certain riding was one of her least favorite activities. And Anders knew it.
“I fear… I have other… things… to take care of,” she said, forming the words as though speaking them would choke her.
“Another time, then,” Anders said, letting her off the hook. “Perhaps we could escort ye toward the keep while Mariota readies Valkyrie for her outing? ’Tis on the way to the stable.”
That brought a smile back to her face. “I would be grateful, of course.”
With a smile for Mariota and a smirk to his brother, Anders offered his arm, and all three left Mariota to ready her hawk.
“What do ye think of our guest?” Stellan asked after they were far enough from the mews to be out of earshot. He saw Mariota as courageous but impulsive. He was curious how another lass, with a woman’s particular understanding, might perceive her.
“She’s lovely, a bit quiet, but appreciative of the hospitality she has received here,” Brìghde told him. “She seems quite… comfortable… with ye two.”
Anders nodded. “She’s met Nan, too, but we’ve spent the most time with her.”
“I appreciate ye taking an interest in her,” Stellan said. How much had Mariota told her about the danger she’d been in at home? He didn’t want to make an issue of it with Brìghde if Mariota hadn’t shared any more of her personal life than the clan already knew.
“I am always happy to be of service to ye both,” Brìghde answered.
Stellan noted her choice of words, Anders’ grin in response, and wondered just what sort of service she’d offered his twin— or was hinting at to him. Were they more than friends? Would she be hurt by their father’s intention to betroth Mariota to him? He dared not ask her, but Anders would answer him. Later.
CHAPTER 6
Stellan and Anders rode out of Dunrobin flanking Mariota, with six guards following them. They headed first along the firth to let her enjoy the views and the breeze off the water. “This is beautiful,” she told them. “Do ye ken how to sail?”
“Of course,” Stellan told her. “The fastest way to almost anywhere is by water.”
“No’ to MacKay,” she said. “Or is it, from here? I’ve never considered that.”
“’Twould depend on the weather and the seas rounding the north between Caithness and the Orkney islands,” Anders said. “’Tis farther, but if the seas are calm and the winds favorable, ’twill be faster.”
“Than a fast horse? I dinna think so,” Stellan objected.
Anders shrugged. “Perhaps one day, we’ll have to test it. Will ye sail or ride?”
“I’ll decide when the time comes,” Stellan prevaricated, taking note of Mariota’s interest in their byplay. Her gaze danced from one brother to another, depending on who was speaking, though occasionally it remained with him, as if she wished to see how he reacted to Anders’ provocation. She didn’t swoonover them together as most Sutherland lasses did. He found that refreshing. He didn’t have to be on his guard around her. Not in the same way, at least. She seemed straightforward and direct in her questions and comments, without the innuendo he was used to.
“Surely someone has done both by now,” she interjected. “Or several people, on different occasions.”
“Perhaps. I’ll ask our guards if they ken,” Anders said and turned his horse to drop back to their followers.
Stellan knew what he was up to, giving him and Mariota time to be as alone as they could, without either twin ever being entirely alone with her. Most of the clan would think nothing of the twins entertaining the visiting MacKay heir, but neither of them could afford to be accused of ruining her, or doing anything else that would further their father’s plans for the betrothal, not until they were ready. Nor could she.
“How is Valkyrie over water?” His question was not meant simply to engage her in conversation. He was curious, never having heard of a hawk hunting in the sea.
“Let’s find out, shall we?” Mariota removed Valkyrie’s hood and jesses and after a moment to let her get her bearings, flung her into the air. Valkyrie climbed and soared overhead, circling above her mistress, partly over water and partly over land.
“She seems unruffled,” Stellan observed as the hawk’s flight drifted on the breeze more inland toward the meadowland at the foot of Dunrobin’s cliff and structures, then along the tree line of the forest to the north.
“She’s hunting, and happy to be a-wing,” Mariota said. “I envy her freedom when she flies. But I canna envy her when she is confined to a perch.”
