He dropped the wood to his lap, giving up all pretense of work to immerse himself entirely in the memory.
The woman was amazing. Fearless. Adventurous in more ways than ever he could have guessed. He’d no doubt she could teach the strumpets of Edinburgh a trick or two. Hell, he’d no doubt but that she could teach the strumpets of London a thing or two. She’d certainly managed to satisfy his lusty appetite.
With a sigh, he returned to the piece of wood in his lap that was already taking shape. He would carve for her a fork, a small one, exactly like the one she’d asked for all those days ago.
He concentrated on the wood in his hands, trying to imagine her pleasure when he returned to her, bearing this gift.
Out beyond the light of the fire, a dry twig snapped, ending Malcolm’s pleasant reverie. Though he was instantly alert, he didn’t move at all. No sense in alerting whatever, whoever, watched that he was aware.
Animal? Possible. But man was equally possible, especially considering the tingle around the mark on his chest.
He sensed no imminent danger. This was different. Simply a watcher, and not of the forest animal variety.
His position was strong enough. The rowan and stream at his back, a mound of rocks to his left. By instinct he’d considered defense when he’d made camp. It was a place he could well defend if the necessity presented itself.
With the situation fully assessed, he rose to his feet, drawing his sword as he did, making no attempt to disguise its distinctive metallic ring.
“I ken yer out there. Come in to the fire and show yerself.”
Whoever it was, he’d prefer to confront them now rather than wait until they could become a threat.
A short silence was followed by a general crunch of undergrowth, his mystery watcher no longer making any effort to conceal himself as he and, from the sound of it, his horse approached.
It should have been more of a surprise when Dermid stepped into the circle of light.
“And what is it you think yer doing here?” And after he’d made it perfectly clear the lad was not to come with him.
“I followed you.”
“Alone?”
From the moment Dermid had arrived at Castle MacGahan, he hadn’t taken two steps outside the shadow of his guardsman Rauf.
“Aye. I was sleeping it off in the stable and I awoke to find you readying yerself and yer horse. I waited until you left and then I followed. I’d no time to tell anyone I was going.” Dermid ducked his head sheepishly, casting a glance to the fire. “I dinna suppose you’ve an extra morsel? I’ve no had anything to eat since last night.” His stomach growled loudly as if to corroborate his story.
Malcolm resheathed his sword and squatted next to his pack. In short order he’d pulled out a sampling of the food he carried to hand over to his brother.
“I thought I made it clear you were to stay behind.”
Dermid nodded, eagerly stuffing a chunk of bread into his mouth. “Aye, that you did, Colm. But that was when I thought you planned to lead an army against Torquil. Since you go alone, I’m thinking you’ve decided to take him his silver after all?”
Malcolm tossed a skin of ale to the lad, fearing he might choke on the dry food he stuffed into his face.
“I carry no silver.”
Hand midway to his mouth, Dermid paused. “Then what do you think to do? Surely yer no about stealing Christiana from under his very nose? You ken the enormity of such a task, aye?”
More or less, that was exactly his plan, if a plan it could be called.
“I go to counsel with our brother. Torquil’s an intelligent man. I’ve faith he’ll see the reason to my argument.”
Dermid snorted his disbelief. “You canna expect me to believe what you say. We all ken there’s no love lost between you and Torquil. It’s a good thing I followed you. I can help you.”
Malcolm should have realized his brother wouldn’t be so easily dissuaded. “I spent as many years at Tordenet Castle as you have, lad. I’ve no a need for you to guide me about the passageways.”
“Mayhap.” Dermid shrugged. “But I’ve been there more recently than you. I ken the habits and the practices of our brother. I can show you the weaknesses in his underbelly. You need me, Colm, even as I need to go with you.”
Malcolm studied his youngest brother. Maybe the lad was right. Maybe he did need to go along. To prove something of his manhood to himself. So be it, so long as he stayed out of harm’s way.
