Page 7 of Once Upon a Haunted Horn and Hoof

“Faither, I’m sure my betrothed would like to show me to the room where I am to stay until the weddin’ takes place. I am tired from the trip, and would like to rest.”

“Yer room,” repeated Keithen, his gaze roaming over to Callum who nodded slightly. “We happen to have a few rooms vacant upstairs, but perhaps ye’d be more comfortable stayin’ elsewhere.”

“Elsewhere? Like where?” asked Lorna. “Do ye have a castle nearby that I can stay in?” She knew full well the answer, but was just trying to get the man to talk so she could get to know him. After all, he would soon be her husband, and he’d barely said much to her at all. She actually preferred the silent type, since her father was so boisterous that it was a nice change. Still, her husband should be strong, able to stand up for and protect her. Keithen didn’t look like the rest of the Highland warriors, and he wasn’t even wearing any weapons other than a small dagger.

“Nay, the MacKeefes only have a camp in the Highlands,” Keithen informed her.

“Hermitage Castle is ours, but it’s too far for ye to journey there before the weddin’,” said Callum. “I’ve made plans for the ceremony to happen right here at the Horn and Hoof in three days’ time.”

“Three days?” Both Keithen and Lorna said together.

“That soon?” gasped Keithen, sounding as if he wasn’t fond of the idea. Actually, she wasn’t sure she liked it either.

“We havena even posted weddin’ banns yet,” Lorna pointed out. “And Keithen and I dinna ken each other.”

“No need for postin’ banns. And ye’ll get to ken each other once ye’re married,” Callum told them. “Now, the marriage should happen right away. Our clans have been enemies for too long, and it is time for an alliance. Chieftain MacNeil, come to the drink board with yer men. I’ll pour ye some Mountain Magic. No charge.” He extended his skinny arm, showing the way.

“I have heard good things about yer whisky, though I’ve never tasted it for myself,” said the chieftain.

“Nay? Why no’?” asked Keithen with a chuckle. “I thought everyone in Scotland has had it at one time or another.”

“My faither died over that whisky,” said Bhaltair through clenched teeth. “On second thought, I dinna think I want any at all. Mayhap this whole alliance was a mistake.”

“Nay! Nay, it’s no’ a mistake. I have to marry yer daughter,” said Keithen, sounding a bit desperate for some reason.

“Ye have to?” questioned Bhaltair.

“Want to. He meant that he wants to marry her,” said Callum, throwing Keithen a look that could kill.

Lorna didn’t want trouble between the clans. She just wanted to be married, and who better to wed than one of the strong MacKeefes? “Please, Da. Just have a drink. To celebrate my betrothal.”

While her father was a hardened, headstrong man, Lorna was usually able to get him to bend to her will. Since she was his only daughter, her father favored her, and sometimes Lorna took advantage of that.

“Well, mayhap just one drink.” Her father and the other men of the traveling party headed over to the drink board with Callum, leaving Lorna alone with Keithen.

“Well, will ye show me to my room now?” asked Lorna. She walked over to the stairs with Keithen, looking up to see a man watching them from the upper floor. As soon as she noticed him, the man ducked down the corridor and disappeared. “Who is that man above stairs who seems to be watchin’ us?”

Keithen stopped so fast that she went crashing right into the back of him. He turned and caught her, keeping her from falling. His arms felt strong around her. She looked up into his oaken eyes, noticing the scent of woodsmoke and whisky on him. A heat engulfed her from just being touched by this handsome man.

“Mayhap I’ll show ye the kitchen first, since I’m sure ye’re hungry from the journey,” he suggested.

“Nay.” She reluctantly pushed out of his arms, knowing if she stayed with him another minute, she’d want to kiss him to see how it felt. That wouldn’t bode well with her father watching. “I’d prefer to go to my room for now.” She looked up the stairs again, and once more she saw the flash of a man hiding at the top landing. He was dressed all in white, and looked very pale. “That man up there is actin’ odd. Is it safe for me to stay here?”

“What man?” growled her father from the drink board.

She was about to tell her father what she’d seen when Keithen interrupted.

“No one, Chieftain. There is no man, nor anyone else up there, and no need to worry,” Keithen blurted out. “Come, Lorna, let me escort ye to the kitchen.” He put his hand on the small of her back and led her away.

It felt good to be touched by him, and Lorna quickly forgot about the strange man upstairs lurking in the shadows. Since it made her feel uncomfortable, she decided to stay with Keithen for now. After all, the only thing that really mattered at the moment was getting to know the man, since she would be his wife in just a few short days.