Page 54

“Christ Almighty, maybe it would be better to say we have the plague,” Aidan grumbled.

Gavin almost nodded in agreement. He pictured the long line of soldiers being turned away at the gates, the McKenna lass with them. Now that would be a sight to bring a smile to his lips.

“Keep our men on the wall,” Gavin ordered. “Best to be prepared without need than to be caught unawares.”

He left the trio on the ramparts and walked to the bailey, deciding he would stand at the entrance to the great hall to greet his uninvited guests. However, his attention was diverted when Fiona came through the door and stood at his side.

“I heard the alarm and saw the approaching men. Will there be trouble?”

“Not if I can prevent it.”

She nodded, her face visibly relaxing. The sight of her trusting eyes hit him like a punch in the gullet. Her faith in him was humbling and uncomfortable, for it was something he didn’t fully deserve.

Guilt, swift and sure, stabbed Gavin’s conscience. That trust would undoubtedly be crushed from Fiona’s eyes when she discovered he was taking a new bride. The one small comfort was knowing that wasn’t going to happen today.

“’Tis the McKennas, just as we thought,” Duncan shouted from the wall, his deep voice booming through the bailey.

“Are they your enemies?” Fiona raised her hand to her mouth and began to nibble on a fingernail, a sure sign of nerves.

“Nay.”And I hope to keep it that way.Gavin rested his hands on his hips and bowed his head. At all costs, he needed to remember his first priority was to secure support for Robert’s cause. And that meant that Fiona must not be standing here when their unexpected guests arrived. As much for her protection as Gavin’s convenience.

Laird McKenna was already going to be disappointed when he learned that Gavin had no intention of making an offer of marriage to the man’s sister. ’Twould be a double insult to do it with his English mistress by his side.

“The McKennas are Highlanders, a breed with an unmatched Scottish pride,” Gavin said.

Fiona recovered her poise, hastily lowering her hand from her mouth. “I take it they do not care for the English?”

“More than most.”

“Shall I retire to my chamber?”

“Nay, lass, go wait in my chamber. In my bed.” He winked and she blushed. He wondered if she could feel him undressing her with his eyes. It had been six days since he had made love to her and the simmering passion inside him was starting to boil. “These uninvited guests shouldn’t stay more than a few hours.”

Fiona’s back straightened. Then to his utter surprise, she took hold of his face between her palms and kissed him. “I shall await your pleasure,” she whispered breathlessly.

Now standing alone on the steps of the entrance to the great hall, Gavin composed his features into impassivity. He could hear the shouts from the wall as the McKennas asked for admittance, the creak of the metal chains as the drawbridge was lowered.

The ground reverberated, the dust flew and swirled in the still air as the McKenna party filled the bailey. Gavin forced a tight smile on his lips and waited for the laird to dismount.

Brian McKenna was a bear of a man, very tall and broad-shouldered, with brawny arms and an expansive chest. His face was young, yet lined with the worry and strain of a man responsible for the fate and well-being of many.

Perhaps because of that responsibility, he was armed to the eyeteeth, carrying two swords, a battle-ax, and a long, thin-bladed dirk that sported a single red jewel in the handle. The sight of all those weapons gave Gavin pause, and he wondered if McKenna was indeed the ruthless brute many claimed him to be.

“I bid ye welcome and offer ye the hospitality of our clan,” Gavin said formally.

“I thank ye fer receiving us,” Laird Brian McKenna replied, his voice thundering through the bailey.

Several of the servants working in the area halted their chores to glance at them. Mayhap it was the wild winds and rolling hills of the Highlands that called for such a loud, booming voice. Or perhaps the laird just liked to bellow. Gavin widened his grin to assure his servants there was no cause for alarm, then motioned for them to resume their work.

“I’ve instructed my servants to prepare a respite for all of ye,” Gavin said.

“’Tis a most gracious welcome,” the laird replied. “We’ve been traveling since dawn and the dust of the road has left us parched. ’Twould be a great relief if my sister could rest fer a few hours before we continue our journey home to the Highlands. She’s a delicate lass, unused to the discomforts of travel.”

Gavin’s eyes narrowed. There was an almost playful arrogance about the man that might cause one to underestimate his intelligence. But Gavin was not so easily misled. McKenna had made a point of mentioning his sister within moments of their arrival. Clearly a calculated move, since it forced Gavin to now follow polite custom and escort the lady inside himself.

He had no wish to insult McKenna, especially since the man would be leaving without securing a betrothal arrangement.

Gavin waited for the young woman to dismount from her palfrey and then extended his hand to her.