Page 39 of Claimed Highland Brides

She searched each face but Daividh wasn’t there.

“’E doesnae usually hang aboot here unless there’s trainin’ or such like,” a deep baritone said from behind her. She turned to see a tall sandy-haired man smiling wryly at her.

“I beg yer pardon?”

“Yer lookin’ fer Campbell are ye no?”

Fiona hesitated before nodding. “Aye.”

“Och weel, he isnae here.”

“Could ye tell him…” She shook her head. “Never mind.”

Walking off, she thought quickly as to whom she could try to befriend. If random soldiers had noticed that she had a particular relationship with Daividh, it was time to pull back.

Perhaps I could write him a note.

But no, someone might intercept it.

Sighing deeply, she knew she must leave it to chance. It was the only way to ensure everyone's safety.

* * *

Daividh was in the fields, checking on his two pigs. The sow was with child and he was looking forward to the money he would make when he took the piglets to market. The sound of trudging footsteps had him turning his head to see who was approaching. He turned back when he realized it was just Simon Campbell, his friend.

“What brings ye all this way?”

Simon grunted. “Weel, I thought I’d do ye the favor of letting ye ken tha’ the princess is looking for ye.”

Daividh turned his head to lift an eyebrow at Simon. “Princess?”

Simon waved a hand dismissively. “Ye ken who I mean.”

“How do ye ken she was looking for me?”

Simon shrugged. “She came doon to the courtyard, started examining all the fighters’ faces. I thought I’d tell her wha’ she needed to ken before someone less friendly noticed.”

Daividh narrowed his eyes as he kept staring at the pigs. "Did she tell ye why she was looking for me?"

Simon snorted. "She doesnae ken me from Adam. Why would she?"

Daividh sighed, shaking his head as he continued eyeing his pigs. "Did she at least listen to ye?"

Simon threw back his head and guffawed. "She dinnae look like th' type tae listen if'n ye ask me."

Daividh wanted to retort that nobody had asked him but he knew that Daividh himself had asked. So he just turned away with another huff. He would just have to go and find her himself.

* * *

Skulking about the courtyard looking for an opportunity to speak with Lady Douglass was not as simple as it sounded. Laird Hunter seemed to be everywhere he turned, his eye on everything. It was as if he sensed Daividh’s intentions and was doing everything he could to thwart him. A steady procession of tradesmen came in and out of the castle walls, bringing food and drink, and other items apparently all in preparation for the wedding. Preparations seemed to be going well. The evidence of that did nothing for Daividh’s anxiety. If he could not get to Fiona, then he would find her uncle and make him stop the ceremony.