Chapter Twelve #3
“Your home was as grand as any and now you have to live in a shack in the woods. You are a courageous woman, my lady.” Donald turned then, when one of the men called to him.
Eva’s chest tightened at Donald’s judgment.
For some reason, shame and its sorrowful mien overtook her.
She pressed her hands on her cheeks and shook her head, though she had nothing to be shameful about.
The Buchanans didn’t need a grand manor home.
They were content with what they had—which was next to nothing in the way of possessions or luxurious homes.
Breckin had said they lived a simpler life and he wasn’t mistaken about that.
The men departed and headed for the bridge. Eva followed in their wake, hopeful that she would cross paths with Breckin on the way. At the bridge, Aymer whistled at them to stop.
“Aymer, is Breckin here?”
The man nodded. “He is probably training with the men.”
“Fetch him for me, please.” Eva folded her arms across her chest, sweeping the vines that she still held across her face, and glared. The curt tone of her voice sent the man running.
It did not take long for Breckin to arrive. When he did, he appeared flummoxed to see her ireful expression. Eva couldn’t hold back her anger at the treatment of her father’s soldiers. She walked to stand away from everyone so no one could overhear them. “Breckin—”
“Are ye pleased? Your da sent your belongings. Where are they?”
“I had them taken to the longhouse. We should discuss—”
“The longhouse? I would have thought ye would want to keep your belongings with ye.” Breckin thumbed the strap of his sword’s sheath that crossed his chest, looking so handsome but she couldn’t let that detract from her intent to reproach him.
“There is no room for my belongings at Clare’s. Now, I want to talk about—”
“I have no time for this, lass. My men await and we have much to do before darkness comes.” Breckin shifted his eyes toward her father’s soldiers and his men standing beyond them.
Eva stepped in front of him to block his view and to keep him from leaving. “A moment, Breckin, of your valuable time. I understand that you took my father’s men’s arms and that you told them they were permitted on Buchanan land but that you might not allow them to leave. Is this true?”
Breckin scrunched his eyes and he appeared taken aback by her question. “It might be.”
“Did you or did you not take their swords?”
He nodded and said, “Aye.”
“Did you threaten to disallow them from leaving? And what, pray tell, were you going to do to them? Do not, if you considered harming them, speak of it.”
“Then I shall not,” he said low.
“Those men traveled all the way here to bring me my things. The least we can do is to return their weapons so they can protect themselves on their journey home, which they should be graciously afforded to do.” Eva hadn’t raised her voice but the pitch of her tone was well noted by her gruff and now ornery husband.
“Damnation, I suppose we shall have to let them go then.”
“Yes, you must,” she said with determination. Behind her, a rush of laughter ensued from the Buchanan soldiers, effectively telling her that all had heard their discussion. Her face heated with embarrassment.
“We only meant to intimidate them, lass, and I was going to let them leave but without their weapons.” Breckin bowed his head to Aymer who shouted out orders to return the men’s arms.
“Tell your sentry to escort them to Buchanan’s border.
And if one man is injured with even a thistle prickle, I shall be more wrathful than any woman you have ever seen.
” She hastened past him and marched with vigor toward Willa’s cottage, crossing the bridge and down the lane.
By the time she reached it, her anger had lessened considerably.
Willa was exiting her cottage and smiled. “Oh, you have returned, Eva. The lads are about to have their supper if ye wish to join them.”
“I shall. My thanks, Willa. Where are you off to?”
“I need to take a remedy to Gideon’s wife, for she ails and cannot keep anything down. ’Tis the truth, I think I know what troubles her but neither my son or daughter-in-law wish to accept that she is with child again.”
“I will stay here with the lads then until you return.” Eva watched the healer start down the path before she entered her dwelling and closed the door.
The cottage was warm and the lads were quiet. She was grateful for the peace because she was certain that once Breckin caught up to her, she’d hear his rebuke. At least she could enjoy the solitude for now. “There you two are. How are you feeling, Connor?”
“Ye should have seen it, Milady… Willa had to cut my leg open and all this pus oozed out. It was a relief, though,” Connor said with pride.
“Aye, it was gross,” Caden said with shining eyes.
Eva chuckled. The strangest things fascinated lads. “I wanted to tell you that I have thought of a game. I shall use these vines to make rings and we will toss them onto something, a target. Maybe you can help me think of something to use for the target.”
“That will help, Milady, and keep me from thinking about my injury,” Connor said.
“And since I have your attention, I was hoping…” Eva wanted to win the lads’ friendship. She smiled and then continued, “Have you trained at all in arms?”
Caden nodded. “Aye, but the soldiers say we are troublesome and we are only allowed on the training field when Gideon or Breckin is there to observe us. But we already surpassed many of our friends in our skills so it matters not.”
“Good. I want you to teach me how to fight.”
Caden bellowed with laughter. “Ye, Milady, a lass…fight?”
“Aye, me, a lass. I want to learn how to defend myself too.”
“Why would ye want to, Milady?” Caden asked with widened eyes.
“Because, Caden, I never had to defend myself, but if ever I need to, I want to be prepared. Just because I am a woman does not mean that I am incapable. I will learn what I can from you.”
“That is admirable, Milady,” Connor said.
“I trust you to keep this quiet and between us.” Eva hid her smile.
In getting them to teach her defensive tactics, she’d keep them busy and out of trouble.
There was also the benefit that she might learn something valuable.
Being a Buchanan now, she surmised that she should know how to protect herself.