Page 59 of Outlaw Ever After

Peigi’s brow firmed, but she froze. “Of course nay.”

Joslyn tsked at her, refastening the frog at her throat holding her cloak closed. “Ye’ve a long day ahead of ye, what with the ladies’ games this afternoon and the ceremonial bread giving this eve and then tonight’s feast and music. Nay worry about the man. He seems resourceful.”

“Music? Pegs, will ye be playing for us? Oh, such would be a treat!” Elizabeth cheered, then teased, “As if yer suitors need another reason to adore ye.”

The nine men before her grinned, rumbling their compliments.

She waved off her sister-in-law as she fiddled with the wool encasing her, her face heating at the attention.

A ram’s horn resonated across the pitch. “All contestants, present yerselves to the pitch!” called Aulay Comyn, a serving man.

Wind and snow flurries, like flecks of cotton, ruffled Peigi’s cloak.

“I shall go in search of Aileana and seek Seamus as weel.” Elizabeth left.

Joslyn, too, busied herself nearby. Anxiously, Peigi bit her lip as the contestants filed away and the crowd’s attention followed. Backs blessedly turned, giving her a moment’s reprieve; up ahead, she saw Seamus in the distance descending the steps of the courtyard with Aileana.

Her heart thumped. Would Alex soon follow? Patchouli teased her senses as if she could smell the man’s delicious soap. Where was Alex if Seamus had finally left him alone—

“Ye repaired my coat,” a deep voice tickled against her ear.

She whirled around. Bright emerald eyes shimmered down at her from a wall of muscle, his hair neatly knotted and fresh-faced for the day.

“How did ye… I thought Seamus…”

Alex’s mouth kicked up into his signature grin, revealing his teeth and split on his lip. His face battered, his eye black and purple… Sakes, that beating by a half score of guards. For some reason, the damage only intensified his wild beauty.

Peigi glanced back at Seamus. How had he gotten ahead of her brother?

“I’m resourceful.” He shrugged, echoing Joslyn’s sentiment. A hand carefully slipped beneath her cloak onto her waist, jostling her gently, as he leaned down to her ear. “And ye washed it.”

“Washed w-what?”

“Me coat.” He nudged his shoulder out where the stitching she’d sewn the night before rested, repaired from the knifing. “Ye didna have to.”

“It was wrong of my brother to cause ye harm,” she breathed at his closeness. “’Twas a matter of principle, nothing more.”

She felt his next words hesitate against her lobe. Felt his freshly woven braid brush gently against her ear, and a shiver racked through her. His hand on her waist steadied her. And then his touch slipped away. Patchouli vanished. Her eyes fluttered…open? Had they fallen shut?

“Peigi!” Her name was called.

She glanced around for Alex, but he was gone .

“Peigi!” called Aileana again, unhooking her arm from their brother’s and dashing down the lane like she were still the fairy-kissed sprite she’d always been.

Peigi spotted Alex circumventing the pitch like a thief sneaking. How had he done that? Her attention darted to Seamus who also seemed to have spotted Alex, his brow tightening. Was he wondering the same thing? How Alex could have gotten ahead of him without passing him on the stairs or through the great hall?

“Ah, all is weel,” Elizabeth said, hurrying back to her, too, out of breath, pointing. “The man Alexander has arrived. See?”

The kirk bell began to toll Prime prayers. The crowd cheered, drowning out the vendors hawking their wares along the pathway.

“It’s starting!” squealed Elizabeth.

“Try to have fun.” Aileana squeezed her hand. “How many ladies can say ten men were so enamored that they competed for her hand?”

The knot in Peigi’s belly tightened. “They want my dower lands, Aileana. Freuchie Castle is the real crown jewel of this tourney. I’m just a figurehead.”

A hush fell over the spectators.