Page 11 of Bride of the Wicked Laird (Sparks and Tartans: The MacKinnon Clan’s Romance #11)

CHAPTER ELEVEN

A s Davina looked up, he caught a flash of fear in her eyes. He was quick to reassure her.

“I merely wish tae continue the conversation we began earlier today. D’ye recall mentioning the problems the MacNeils have been having with the Laird Alexander MacDougall?”

She nodded and he took note of something like a shadow flickering across her eyes at the sound of the man’s name. Was it possible that there was some connection to the part of her life she’d no recollection of at all?

“Dinnae fash, Davina. I’ve nay wish tae cause ye harm or force ye tae recall painful memories. I’m merely concerned tae talk wi’ ye about these recent events and me visit tae the Isle of Canna.”

Thinking of it, it had been unwise of them to discuss such difficult matters in front of the lass. She was burdened already with far too many concerns and he’d no wish to cause her any further distress.

Still, the matter of Hugo’s mission and its successful achievement was dependent on secrecy. It was of the utmost importance that Davina be aware of how much was riding on his mission for not only the MacNeils of Barra, but for the MacAlpins and the other inhabitants of the Isle of Canna.

“Ye may have noticed that me friend Hugo MacRae has nae accompanied me on me return tae Barra.

“Aye, now that ye mention it. I thought mayhap he was staying with yer braither and Aileen.”

“His absence concerns the very thing ye mentioned tae me this morning. The privateers and their ongoing assaults on the French ships bearing MacDougall’s trade.”

She nodded, Everard noting the slight tightening of her lips, a wincing, as the name was mentioned. “So, I’m guessing that Hugo is carrying out a risky task on yer behalf.”

“Aye, lass. Ye’re right.” He was somewhat taken aback by the acuity of her comment. All the more reason to take her into his confidence.

“Hugo is travelling tae France tae gain knowledge of which ships are used tae transport MacDougall’s cargo.”

“Ah. I see.” She nodded slowly. “If the privateers ken which ships carry his goods, they can let them through unscathed.”

Again, he was surprised by the quickness of her wit in understanding the details of their plan. And when MacDougall suffers nay losses, the risk of an assault on Barra and Canna will be alleviated.”

A wide smile spread across his face. “Why lass, ye’ve figured it out well. ‘Tis our plan, but as ye’d ken, it depends on secrecy.”

“Thank ye fer including me in yer confidence, me laird.” She looked up at him, her amber eyes alight and he could see at once her pride at being included in the plan. “I shall speak of this tae nay one. I understand that if the word leaks out, Hugo could be in grave danger and, should the plan fall apart, things could fare badly on the islands.”

As she spoke, a knock came at the door.

“Come,” he said.

Mildred walked in bearing a tray of honeyed nuts and strawberries. She laid it on the table beside them, along with a flask of warm mead.

“Will that be all, me laird?”

“Thank ye Mildred. I shall ring if I need anything further.”

Mildred turned to go, her eyes falling on Davina’s skirt. Everard followed her gaze, noting a large, brown, mud-stain on the striped linen kirtle.

As the door closed, he whispered conspiratorially to Davina. “Mayhap the mud has migrated from yer pretty little nose tae the hem of yer gown.”

Davina straightened her spine and lifted her chin. “Me apologies if it meets wi’ yer displeasure, me laird.”

He laughed, watching the flash of fire in her eyes. It appeared that teasing this bonny lass was a newfound pleasure.

Her eyes turned longingly to the sweets and he held out the platter. “Please. Help yerself.”

Without hesitation she reached out and picked up a candied walnut between a delicate thumb and first finger. She took a deep breath in and licked her lips before taking a bite. He smiled, watching her delight in the small pleasure.

“Mmm,” she closed her eyes.

He was suddenly tempted to lean over and plant a kiss on those sweet lips. Instead, he cleared his throat and tickled Feather under her chin.

“Have ye been over the bay tae the village yet?” He cursed himself for forgetting her terror of water. Of course, she wouldn’t have crossed the bay.

She shook her head, eyeing the strawberries. Grinning, he held up the platter again.

She bit into the strawberry and a drop of juice trickled down her chin. He took a deep breath, imagining his tongue licking the juice and exactly where that might lead.

God’s hooks . He needed to control his half-crazed imagination. The lass would be shocked if she knew the wild thoughts rushing through his head. He stood and warmed his hands at the fire, but the images did not leave his head. He had to leave. Now, or he would make a fool himself in front of Davina.

“Please. Partake of whatever sweetmeats yer heart desires, Mistress Davina. I’m afraid I must leave ye. I have matters tae see tae.”

She scrambled to her feet. “Apologies, me laird. I am keeping ye from yer tasks. I beg yer pardon.”

Before she finished her sentence, he was already out of the hall and, with long strides, took himself down to the slipway, half hoping he might see his brother and Aileen sailing in the bay.

Ranald Dunbar hurried over. “Good day, me laird. I was hoping tae speak wi’ ye.”

Welcoming the distraction from the forbidden desire plaguing him, he joined Dunbar and together they strolled down to the crew’s barracks. The building was set apart from the castle walls on a rocky spit. They found a place to sit in the sunshine, now that the mist had faded. Dunbar took out a piece of wood and his whittling knife and set to modelling a tiny figure.

“Ye wished tae speak wi’ me?”

Dunbar nodded, his attention still on the little carving he was creating.

“’Tis the lass, Mistress Davina.”

“Oh. What is it?” He had been hoping the talk would be a distraction, but it seemed he was not to escape more thoughts of the lass.

“Some of the crew have been asking. They were present when she all but drowned, and most of them were aware of the two ruffians asking questions. They’re wanting tae ken who she is and where she’s from. There’s concern there could be trouble. I’ve nay been able tae set their minds at ease fer I dinnae ken the lass meself.”

Everard scratched his head. “I understand. I’m sorry I havenae said more tae ye and the men. Truth is, I cannae say a great deal. I ken little about Mistress Davina meself. I have offered her sanctuary at Kiessimul and I wish tae give her time tae recover. She has little memory of herself and spent most of her childhood at the priory on the Isle of Iona.”

Dunbar nodded slowly. “Thank ye, me laird. However, I fear yer story willnae set the men’s fears tae rest.”

“Och, lad.” He puzzled over this. “Please request forbearance from the men. In time I will have more information. Meanwhile, ask them tae say nothing should anyone ask, and if there should be any sightings of strangers about, they should tell ye at once.”

Dunbar brushed away some wood shavings and got to his feet. Everard scrambled up beside him.

“I dinnae think there’s aught of concern, but ‘tis always best tae be alert.”

They strolled back to the slipway where Everard spent most of the afternoon inspecting his ships. Dunbar pointed out where repairs were being carried out on the hull of one of the smaller birlinns and another was on the slipway being stripped of barnacles. They thoroughly inspected the timbers for any sign of rot, while most of his crew members were busy stitching repairs in the patchwork sails.

Nearer dusk, as he was preparing to return to the keep, Dunbar raised a cry. “I believe that’s yer braither Maxwell’s ship heading intae the bay.”

Everard peered through the fading light at what was hardly more than a speck in the distance. Yet, sure enough, there was a flash of yellow and white flying from the mast that told him it was, indeed, his brother’s birlinn.

He headed back toward the kitchen with quickened steps to alert Ailis and her scullery maids that there would be another two for supper. Mildred was there overseeing the larder and comprising a list of what would be required at the following day’s market.

His spirits lifted as a thought crossed his mind. “Mayhap ye could ask Mistress Davina if she cares tae join us fer supper in the hall. I dae believe she missed her noon meal today as I requested her presence in the solar.”

Mildred bobbed a quick curtsy. “Indeed me laird, I shall dae so at once.”

Maxwell rose greet Aileen and Maxwell as they entered the hall. After landing, they’d taken time to wash and freshen their clothing. Everard was looking forward to hearing their news.

“I daresay ye’re looking tae hear our news from Canna.” Maxwell said as they slid into their seats at the table.

Everard nodded. “Mistress Davina will be joining us fer supper this evening.”

Aileen smiled. “I will enjoy seeing her again.”

“Ye may feel free tae discuss Hugo MacRae’s mission in front of the lass.”

Maxwell arched an eyebrow. “Ye’ve told her about our plan and Hugo’s mission tae France?”

“Aye. I made the decision tae tell her once she asked about Hugo’s absence and how our meeting went. She kent our problem, as she was present when we discussed it over supper.”

“Ah, yes.” Aileen nodded. “We may have been indiscreet. Yet somehow, I didnae sense anything amiss in speaking in front of Davina. Mayhap it was an error tae burden her wi’ the problems we’re facing wi’ MacDougall.”

Everard shook his head. “Nay. She well understood and, if anything, seemed pleased tae consider we had hit upon a worthy solution.”

It was at that moment the subject of their conversation appeared in the doorway. The sight of her in her new blue kirtle as she entered the hall momentarily robbed Everard of his breath.

The two men rose to their feet as she entered, Everard aware of a broad smile spreading across his face. By the saints, the lass was a joy to look on. She’d fashioned her hair into tiny braids around her face, with the rest tumbling in curls almost to her waist. Her thickly lashed eyes were shining bright and her plush lips smiled invitingly.

It dawned on him that he could very well make a complete fool of himself with this lass he knew naught about. But, oh my, foolish or nay, he found her irresistible.

Ailis had done them proud given that she’d had so little time to prepare. They dined on oyster soup, roast duck flavored with thyme, honeyed carrots, leeks and parsnip. Ale to wash it down and, finally, stewed apple with a crumbly topping to be served with cream.

Everard watched Davina carefully as she wound her uneven way through the many servings of the meal. Once or twice, she looked up with a puzzled frown before taking a bite. Especially when she started with the oyster soup. She took eagerly to the honeyed carrots but was a tad hesitant with regard to the parsnips. He guessed these were delicacies she’d never contemplated before today.

As he watched, he wondered how it was that she seemed such a lady. She ate with delicacy and her manner was refined. Wherever she came from before the nuns took her in, must have been a nobleman’s castle, for she was quite at home and not in the least intimidated seated in the hall with the others.

Those thoughts coalesced into something that worried him and had the potential to keep him from sleeping easily in the night. If she was the daughter of a noble, surely, he or his family would be seeking her know she’d bolted from the convent.

His plan to find a tinker who could seek more information from Iona slowly returned to his thoughts. In fact, when he visited the village the following day, he would make it is business to look for one of the travelers and seek their assistance.

“I am pleased tae see ye looking so well, Davina,” Aileen said. “The roses are in yer cheeks and yer eyes are sparkling.”

For a moment Davina looked flustered. Her cheeks turned even pinker and she looked down at her platter as if unsure how to respond to Aileen’s remark. He could see that compliments were not something the lass was used to. And yet, she was such a rare and special beauty that compliments should have been poured on her like torrents of rain.

“Thank ye, Aileen. Ye’re very kind.”

Maxwell turned to Everard. “I daresay ye’re keen tae catch up with the news from Canna.”

Everard huffed. “I was wondering when ye’d finally get around tae it. Did Hugo sail on the tide, as Séamus said he must.”

“Aye. He departed fer the Isle of Man soon after ye sailed. If he was able tae find onward passage once he landed, he could be well on the way tae France by now.”

“And will the islanders stick tae their agreement tae spare the French vessels until a month has passed?”

Aileen chimed in. “There was much grumbling from the sailors who depend on the French bounty. But me faither is a very persuasive man and he smoothed the troubled waters fer the meantime.”

Maxwell snorted a laugh. “Aye. But only because he promised each of them an additional share once they were apprised of which ships didnae carry MacDougall’s cargo.”

Everard caught Davina’s subtle indrawn breath. Whenever the name MacDougall was mentioned, that fleeting shadow crossed her face.

Once the meal was finished, they walked back to the solar fer a dram of whisky before bedtime. Maxwell was yawning and decided it was time to end their talk.

“We’ll sail across the bay in the morning after we break our fast,” he muttered between yawns. “There’s much work yet tae be attended tae and I am looking forward tae a night in me own bed again.”

“Ye must visit wi’ us, Davina. I ken ye will love the herbs and flowers that grow free in the machair. And tomorrow there is the market in the village.”

Davina smiled at that, looking a little wistful. “I’d love that, Aileen, but I dinnae ken if I am ready tae take tae the water again.”

“I understand. Mayhap one day soon ye’ll find the courage tae set off across the water.”

They quaffed their drams and rose to take their leave. As they strolled across to the door, Everard put up a hand and they all paused, their eyes fixed on him.

He spoke to Davina. “If I were tae offer tae take ye across in me small boat, would ye trust me enough tae accompany me?”

Davina looked up, regarding him with eyes that seemed to bore into his very soul. He held his breath, waiting for her answer. Finally, the solemn expression changed and, as her lips widened into a beaming smile, he released the breath he’d been holding.

“I believe I dae trust ye, Laird MacNeil, fer ye saved me life from the waters once already. I will sail the bay tae the village wi’ ye.”

Aileen clapped her hands gleefully. “’Tis a good thing ye dae, Everard. I look forward tae seeing ye both when ye come tae our home.”

“There is one thing…” Davina’s expression changed from delight to anguish.

“Aye?” Everard’s heart plummeted. Mayhap she’d found she didn’t trust him after all.