She knew far more than she was willing to tell at the moment. “I know his name and I know he’s a man of honor,” she snapped. “’Tis all I need tae know and it is all ye need tae know as well.”
Ewan wasn’t satisfied. He sat back in his chair, eyeing Cam, who was staring at him in return. It wasn’t a challenging stare, but it wasn’t one of welcome, either. Ewan sighed sharply.
“Then I’ll ask ye nicely,” he said. “Would ye tell us of yerself?”
Cam thought about refusing but if his plans against the Keith were to know fruition, he would have to make some effort in gaining their trust. He couldn’t do that if he was silent and sullen. Soon enough, they would figure out that something was wrong and he didn’t want that. Therefore, he forced himself to answer the brash young Highlander.
“I was a smithy,” he said. “My grandfather was a smithy, also.”
Ewan was interested, but only because he was nosy, not because he was politely curious. “Were ye there when Netherton was burned?”
That wasn’t the direction Cam expected the conversation to go and he struggled not to stiffen. Wendell had said that he was good at holding his temper and he was.
It was oh so difficult.
“Nay,” he said evenly. “I was at a smelter in Brechin, purchasing ingots of iron for my trade. I was returning home when I saw the flames and smelled the smoke.”
“Ye had family in Netherton, did ye?”
Cam stopped short of telling him that it was none of his affair. Mercifully, Isadora interrupted.
“Ye dunna ask a man such questions,” she said, exasperated. “Ask him about the weather, or his trade, but ye dunna ask him a question like that.”
Thank God the woman had such sense. Cam wasn’t sure he could have even uttered a word in answer to that question. He glanced at her only to see that she was looking at him, and when their eyes met, she smiled timidly.
A flicker of a smile crossed his lips before he looked away.
The serving wench made her way to their table at that point and Niall ordered supper and drink for everyone. Cam got up from the table to stand next to the hearth, pretending to warm his hands and dry out when he really did it to get away from Ewan and his questions. He didn’t want the man asking him something more about a family because he was going to have to throttle him.
The food came quickly and Cam rejoined the table, hoping the bread and drink would keep Ewan’s mouth too full to speak. There was chicken stew with herbs and grain, fresh bread and butter, and stewed apples with cinnamon and honey. Isadora quietly and efficiently made sure all of the men were servedbefore accepting a portion for herself. She ensured that Cam had enough bread and stewed apples, and they all ate in relative silence.
Cam welcomed it, but as the seconds ticked away, he began to think that Ewan had a point. They knew nothing about him and he knew he was going to have to remedy that. Perhaps if he told them just a little about himself, it would ease their curiosity. Perhaps it would even begin the process of establishing that important trust. For the man who didn’t make friends easily, it was an effort for him to speak up.
“If I seem quiet, ’tis only my nature,” he said, watching four pairs of eyes look at him. “But ye should know that the last time I was in the Highlands, it was tae see my village burned. This is a strange journey for me, but I swear tae ye that I will not fail ye, in whatever ye would have me do.”
That was as much as he had said the entire trip and Niall seemed surprised by it. “I have no doubt in yer abilities,” he said. “I saw ye fight The Beast. I know what ye’re capable of. As tae returning tae the Highlands, ye have my sympathy. ’Tis a strange and desperate journey for us as well.”
“Why?”
Niall sighed faintly, looking to his warmed wine and collecting the cup. “That’s something tae discuss when we reach Auchnacree,” he said quietly, taking a drink of his wine. “’Tis a long story, and not one tae be spoken of in this place.”
His answer had Cam’s curiosity. From Isadora, all Cam knew was that her father was in need of a good warrior, but she’d never really said why. Now, he was starting to realize there was a reason behind his acquisition. It wasn’t simply because they wanted to spend all of their money to buy a good warrior—there was areasonthey wanted to.
“Ye dunna have tae tell me,” he said. “I serve ye, m’laird. I do what ye tell me tae do and ye dunna need tae explain yer reasons.”
Niall had a mouth full of chicken stew. “’Tis yer right, lad. If ye’re tae wield a sword for the Keith, then ye should know why.”
Cam’s curiosity was growing as, across the table, Ewan spoke up again.
“Have ye ever been tae battle?” he asked.
Cam hesitated. “I’ve not fought on a field with a thousand men around me,” he said. “But I have little doubt that I can do what is needed tae be done in battle.”
Ewan regarded him as he shoveled more stew into his mouth. “’Tis not often ye meet a Highlander who hasna seen battle. I—” He suddenly yelped, shoving at Isadora. “Stop pinching, Issie! I’m only speaking civilly tae the man!”
Cam looked at Isadora, who smiled wanly. “He has little diplomacy,” she said.
As Cam fought off a grin, Ewan made a face at his sister and rubbed at his leg under the table where she’d pinched him. “I’ve got no diplomacy and she’s got strong fingers,” he said, his focus returning to Cam. “I’m not trying tae be ill-mannered. I’m just trying tae ask questions so we can come tae know ye. If we’re tae put our lives in yer hands, then I want tae know about ye.”
