Chapter 2 #2
“Lady Darra has told me this.” She clasped her hands in front of her chest. “I thank ye for doing this, milady.” Then remembering that she needed to pay Venora, she reached into the purse that hung at her belt.
“Here, take these coins for payment,” she said.
Venora covered Adrina’s hand and gently folded it into a fist. “Keep your money, lass.”
Adrina opened her mouth to protest.
“Nay, you are in need.” The older woman shook her head.
“Thank ye,” she whispered. Even though she didn’t say it out loud, she knew that Venora sympathized with her plight. At least someone believed the seriousness of her dilemma, and didn’t think that she was mad.
Venora tilted her head to the side, and gazed at Adrina as if she was searching her soul. “There is something about you…” she said, her voice trailing off while her expression turned thoughtful.
“I must speak with Rory in the great hall,” Darra said, interrupting. “Will you be joining us, Mother?”
“Nay, you go ahead. There is much work to be done, and I must finish preparing this potion.”
***
By the time they walked toward the great hall, Adrina was exhausted and longed to return to her bedchamber and rest. By now everyone knew that she had arrived in her father’s place, and if she was to live up to her lie, she needed to represent her clan.
As soon as they stepped into the great hall, her eyes scanned the room, noting that there were more people converging into the large space.
This was to be expected since she recognized that the gathering of warriors was a serious affair.
These men would go to war, but how many would live to see their loved ones?
Very few. A ripple of dread coursed through her, and she tried in vain to shake away the awful feeling.
There was nothing she could do to prevent the coming battle, since it was unlikely that they would heed a woman’s warning about the perils of warfare.
Fighting had never helped their people or their country.
It left too many widows and orphans, but she also knew that many believed that there was no other choice but to enter into conflict with the English.
Not doing anything would allow them to fall easily into the hands of tyranny and even more bloodshed.
Adrina immediately saw Rory MacGregon conversing with two other men, who bore a striking resemblance to him.
Her gaze was just about to slide past the three large highlanders, but for some reason her eyes swung back to the slender dark-haired figure that stood to the right of Rory.
At the moment, the man’s back was turned to her, so she allowed her eyes to trace the outline of his fine physique.
Like Rory, he was over six feet tall and shared a similar massive build.
His shoulders were broad, and even through his shirt, she could tell that his back was a wall of muscle.
He wore a great kilt, the muted colors unique to his clan.
She had seen men in kilts all her life, but it was the lithe and powerful body beneath this plaid that made him impressive to behold.
In fact, it left no question about his virility or his magnificent masculinity.
The very way he held himself belied a languid, almost predatory grace that was asleep yet would no doubt be lethal when unleashed.
She felt a shiver run through her. The man was a relation to MacGregon; she was sure of it. The brothers were known to be braw, fierce, and charming. It was no wonder that women young and old swooned over them. And it was also obvious that they took after their sire.
As they walked, Darra continued with her descriptions of various herbs and plants, but Adrina could scarcely concentrate on her words.
When she drew closer still, she had a nagging suspicion that she had met this brawny stranger before.
While she couldn’t exactly place it, the air of danger, intrigue and dominance that clung to him seemed familiar somehow.
But how could she have known him? She had little interaction with men outside of her clan.
A light streamed from a window high above, the ray of light hitting the Highlander’s dark locks.
He must have felt her scrutiny because he turned in her direction.
Her gaze focused on his features, and for a split second, her breath seized in her lungs before involuntarily escaping in a rush.
She tried to set one foot in front of the other, although her legs suddenly felt unsteady.
It was him, the brawny Highlander from her dream.
If she had thought he was appealing in her imaginary world, he was even more attractive in person.
Somehow he was larger, stronger, and the energy he exuded screamed of his dangerous, virile nature.
All at once she felt flushed and excited at seeing him.
Her palms itched to run along the contours of his broad chest while her lips tingled with anticipation of his kiss.
But would he know who she was? Of course not, the logical side of her brain argued.
Even thinking of that possibility was ridiculous.
She had imagined many things in her sleep, and while some events came true, others were just a passing fancy.
But he was standing in front of her, another part of her mind argued.
Surely her eyesight wasn’t tricking her.
“Are you unwell, milady?” Darra halted her speech and glanced sharply at her.
“Nay,” Adrina said weakly. The concern in Darra’s voice forced her out of her stupor.
And when she focused on the other woman’s face, she felt her cheeks begin to flush with embarrassment.
She groped for the clasp at her shoulder, and when her fingers found it, she forced her voice to sound stronger.
“I’m fine. I thought I saw someone I knew. ”
Darra nodded as if she understood, but then her sunny disposition faded, and was replaced with a hint of sadness. “There are quite a few people here for the gathering. ‘Tis unfortunate ‘tis not a happy occasion.” She let out a small sigh. “I wish that our two countries would just get along.”
“Aye,” Adrina said, remembering that Darra and her mother had arrived from England not too long ago.
While it appeared that the MacGregons accepted them, there were some people who were still hostile toward Rory’s beautiful wife.
But she bravely ignored their dark looks, and Adrina admired her for her strength.
War and fighting were the affairs of men.
It was unfortunate that the women, children and elderly also became ensnared in it.
The trestle tables were all set, but the guests were only now entering into the hall.
Darra led her through the throng of people, and toward the head table where Rory was already seated.
But as Adrina got closer, she couldn’t contain her curiosity any longer.
Turning to Darra, she said, “That man beside your husband, the dark-haired one, who is he?”
She angled her head to look at where Adrina indicated. “Why ‘tis Duncan, one of Rory’s brothers,” she said.
Adrina could feel her heart thudding even louder in her chest, blocking out all other noise.
Yet while the man watched her approach, there was no recognition in his expression.
Compared to her dream impression, he seemed even more solid and definitely more fascinating in real life.
And though a distance still existed between them, she was drawn to his masculinity like a moth to a candle flame.
It was unlikely that he would look at her with anything akin to desire.
Yet her lips tingled as if they already knew the scorching pleasure of his kiss.
Darra raised her hand to wave at him, flagging his attention. And when a smile broke over Duncan’s handsome countenance, Adrina’s mouth went dry. It was absolutely sinful that a man could appear so deadly one moment and then full of charm the next.
Turning to Adrina, she said, “Come, let me introduce you to Duncan and Griogair.”
Duncan watched as his sister-in-law arrived with an unknown female at her side. At their approach, he noticed a beam of light glancing off the ornate brooch that was pinned at the woman’s shoulder. The heavy gold jewel contained a series of small gemstones that was encircled by a larger one.
But the beauty of the clasp was nothing compared to the compelling lass who wore it.
She possessed a shiny mass of chestnut-brown tresses, which fell over her shoulders like a cascade of water.
As she came near enough for him to make out her features, he saw the graceful arching eyebrows that framed almond-shaped eyes.
Her oval visage was pretty and contained a small refined nose and high cheekbones.
While those delicate characteristics gave her an exotic appeal, it was her generous lips that drew his notice.
And for some reason he longed to explore them thoroughly.
She was petite, he noticed. However the unconscious grace of her movements, and the curves on her luscious body demonstrated that she wasn’t a bairn but a full-grown woman.
Her breasts, while not large, would fit nicely into the palms of his hands.
And her slender waist and rounded hips were formed perfectly for his touch.
Yet for all the sweet attributes she possessed, there was also an air of wildness and defiance about her.
“Who is the bonny lass with Darra?” he asked.
Rory turned his head to look at his wife and her companion. “’Tis Adrina, daughter of Tavon MacGill.”
“MacGill,” he repeated thoughtfully. “Is it nae odd that the daughter is present while her father isnae? Where is the chieftain?”
“I dinnae ken,” Rory said shortly. “She didnae get into detail about why her sire isnae here. She says that she’s come tae obtain help for her people. According tae the lass, her clansmen are under some form of enchantment.”
He leveled his gaze at his brother, one brow cocked. “And ye believe her?”
Rory shrugged. “I allowed Darra and her mother tae see tae the lass’ request. Whether or nae I believe in her story of enchantment is irrelevant. I have bigger concerns on my mind. And besides, her request will keep my wife and her mother occupied for a time.”
Duncan nodded, understanding his brother’s unspoken concern.
Even though Darra was now married to a powerful chief, there were still some people in the sept who disapproved of the union.
Admittedly, Duncan wasn’t thrilled with the sassenach when he first met her, but the lass had a way of stealing one’s heart.
She was now a part of Clan MacGregon, and he hated to see her condemned by those who never bothered to become acquainted with her.
“Adrina does not have anyone to accompany her home,” Darra announced as soon as they were within earshot.
Everyone at the table turned to gaze at her, and she threw her hands up in the air in frustration.
“Do you not see the significance of this? As you know, a woman cannot wander out in the wilderness on her own,” she said tightly.
Her fingers twisted in her sleeves, and she looked imploringly at her husband.
“Could you not spare a man to ensure that she arrives home safely?”
“’Tis fine, really,” the lass interjected, her voice a soft lilt while her lips stretched into a tight smile. “I had nay trouble getting here, and I anticipate that I willnae have any trouble returning tae my home.”
“Issac can take her,” Rory said.
“But Issac is elderly and blind,” Darra said. “He would not be able to guide her home. ‘Twould be best served if he stayed here rather than have them both become lost in the mountains.”
Rory let out a tired sigh. “Duncan can escort her then.”
“Nay, I willnae do it,” Duncan said, crossing his arms over his chest. No matter how attracted he was to the lass, no matter how aware he was of her lush curves, he wasn’t willing to travel with her across the country, especially when there was more important work to be done.
They needed every spare fighting man to converge at Bracken Ridge.
Failure to do so would give the hated English a foothold into Scotland.
And that of all things, could not be allowed to happen.
The lass looked from Rory to Duncan, her face collapsing and devoid of color. But Duncan averted his gaze, unwilling to allow a mere lass to manipulate his emotions or his decision.
“I’ll take her,” Griogair said, stepping forward.
“Your strength is needed at Bracken Ridge,” Duncan growled.
His younger brother shrugged, and he sent the lass a smile. “’Twould be nay hardship tae see the lass home. When I’m done, I can easily make my way tae the Ridge.”
“Thank ye,” she said, smiling warmly at his younger brother. Duncan didn’t know why the exchange irritated him, but it did.
“Good, now ‘tis settled,” Darra said, relief in her voice. She turned to Adrina and placed a hand on her sleeve. “The meeting is about to commence. Come, I’ll return you to your bedchamber until supper is ready.”