Page 114 of Moon Craving

circular stone tower centered on the flattened top of the hill. The tower soared well over

thirty feet into the air, competing with the fierce soldiers for Abigail's curious attention.

Talorc dismounted and greeted the warrior that looked to be Niall's twin with a fist

to his heart. The other man copied his laird's movement, adding a nod toward Talorc that

was almost a bow but not quite.

Abigail smiled at Niall. "That is your brother, Barr, is it not?"

"Aye."

"He's almost as handsome as you, but he lacks the mark of strength you carry on

your face."

Tipping his head back, Niall laughed out loud, making Abigail grin. She liked to see

joy on her new friend's face.

The warriors around them stopped greeting their laird and stared. So did the

clanspeople, looking at Niall as if he'd sprouted Medusa snakes on his head.

Niall's mirth transformed to a fierce glare, causing all but a red-haired man

standing near Talorc to affect immediate interest in something else. The red-haired man

was smiling and staring at Niall with what could only be described as a love-struck

expression. Not that Niall seemed to notice, he was too busy trying to intimidate his

friends.

Abigail shook her head, giving up on trying to keep track of the conversations

around her. She could only see a few people's lips, and she didn't have enough

experience watching them speak yet to accurately read more than every other word. She

could not see her husband's mouth at all. However, when everyone, including the

clanspeople that had followed them from the lower bailey fixed their attention on Abigail,

she surmised he'd said something in regard to her.

Panicked, she looked at Niall. "What did he say? I was not paying attention."

Niall gave her a strange look but didn't hesitate to reply. "Our laird introduced you

as his wife. The soldiers and clan are now at liberty to speak to you."

"You mean they weren't before?"

"You dinna notice none of the soldiers spoke to you on our trip north?"

"I thought they might be shy." Or that they hadn't liked her because she was