Page 26 of Claimed Highland Brides

COMPLICATIONS

Daividh’s legs were eating up the distance separating him from Fiona even as he told himself that it was none of his business how she and her betrothed chose to act around each other. The problem was that the way Fiona held herself when the laird called out to her said to him that she was afraid. He was as incapable of ignoring that as he was of making himself stop breathing.

He followed them as the laird dragged her away from the field and towards the inner courtyard of the castle where his fellow soldiers were sparring; the loud clashing of steel and shouts of disparagement preventing them from noticing the couple’s progress.

It also covered the loud sound of his own angry footsteps as he chased after them. They both disappeared beneath the awning and into the archway that led to the back corridor on the ground floor of the castle. He was about to follow them when a hand stopped him cold. He looked down at the arm circling his waist and then up into the face of his friend.

“Simon, what are ye doing?”

“What are ye doing? That girl doesnae belong tae ye even if’n ye think she should.”

Daividh opened his mouth to protest and then closed it when he realized there was nothing to say.

Simon watched his face and nodded when he saw the truth of his situation dawn. “Aye. Ye mun’ go canny mo charaid.”

Daividh nodded ruefully. “I ken tha’. I just saw red when he grabbed her. He twisted her arm. But ye cannae⁠—”

“Nae.” Simon shook his head. “There’s nought to say ‘but’ aboot.”

Daividh sighed with frustration, looking towards the awning where Fiona and Laird Hunter had disappeared. “I cannae just…”

“Aye, but go canny.” Daividh met Simon’s eyes and nodded and his friend nodded back before removing his detaining hand from Daividh’s waist. The warrior strode down the corridor, his eyes searching for Fiona. He turned the corner and stopped short, having come face to face with Laird Hunter.

“Ye’re the sellsword who went tae pick up my bride,” Hunter said.

Daividh inclined his head in agreement.

“Why are ye following us?”

“Ye’re mistaken. I havenae been following anyone.”

“Dinnae think I dinnae see ye across the field, watching my bride. Again I ask ye, what d’ye want wi’ her?”

“I dinnae ken what ye want frae me, sir. I havenae been watching yer bride nor have I been following ye.” Daividh turned and walked back the way he had come, feeling some relief that Fiona was no longer with Hunter. He decided to head to the kitchens and find her maid. She would be able to keep a better eye on Fiona than Daividh could.

* * *

Hunter burst into the laird’s study, his face like thunder. “What are ye doing?” he demanded, looming over McCormick.

The other laird furrowed his brow. “What are ye on aboot now?”

“That lad who follows my betrothed around like a bee after honey. Did ye put him up tae it?” His eyes were bulging out of his reddened face as he stared daggers at McCormick.

The laird shook his head, “I havenae sent anyone after Fiona. Why should I?”

“Ye might want tae betray me, dinnae deny it!”

“Ye’re demented. Why would I do tha’? I have as much tae lose as ye. Perhaps more.”

“Aye, ye do. And dinnae ye forget tha’.”

“How can I when ye haud it ower my head at every point?”

“I wouldnae have tae do that if’n ye didnae try to thwart me at every turn!”

“That’s because ye’re capernoitie. I havenae gone behind yer back at any time or attempted tae thwart ye in any way.”

“So ye say, but then every time I turn around, there’s the sellsword hovering ower my bride, making cow eyes at her. If’n ye’re truly not tae blame for it, ye better do something aboot it.”