Page 29 of Claimed Highland Brides

7

CROSSROADS

J amesina honestly did not know what to make of the Englishman that had enjoined himself into their party. He rode behind the wagon, answering all of Daividh’s questions with a studied openness. Yet there was something about him…Jamesina could not quite put her finger on what it was. His demeanor, or maybe just something in his eyes. He wanted this too much.

“What are ye gawkin’ at?” ùna blinked curiously at Jamesina, making her blush at being caught out.

“Nothing. I am gawking at nothing and nobody,” Jamesina said with as much dignity as she could manage on short notice.

ùna giggled. “Ye’re a terrible liar.”

Jamesina pinched her nose. “Haud yer whist! What do ye ken aboot lying?”

“Enough to ken how tae do it wi’out being caught out.” ùna grinned mischievously at Jamesina.

“Who’s lying?” Fenella called from her seat atop the sack of beans in the wagon.

Jamesina snorted. “Ye’re such a busybody. Keep yer nose oot o’ other people’s business.”

Instead of complying, Fenella got to her feet and wobbled over to their side of the wagon. She plopped down next to ùna, crossing her legs and smiling. “Tell me.”

ùna immediately obliged. “Jamesina was staring at the Sassenach but she wilnae admit it.”

Fenella immediately grinned, brown eyes dancing with mischief. “Oho, ye like him?”

“I dinnae like him. I’m just curious as to why he wanted a job wi’ Daividh sae badly. ’Tis a bit suspicious do ye no think?”

Fenella frowned, tossing a lock of chestnut hair back from her face. “Why would he no want a job wi’ Daividh? He will be well compensated and have a roof over his head. If he didnae have those two things before, then o’ course he wants the job.”

Jamesina sighed. Her sisters just didn’t understand.

* * *

Delwyn knew he had to be careful. In spite of the fact that he’d brought him along for the journey home, he knew the laird of Braenaird Keep did not trust him.

Rightly so .

He sighed, arranging his face in as pleasant an expression as he could manage as he answered the laird’s questions. He could feel the girl’s eyes on him, the one who reminded him of nothing so much as a doe, with the freckles all across her nose and her wide brown eyes. Admittedly, her mane of hair was quite a bit fierier than any doe he’d seen but still, the image remained.

He wanted to turn his head and look at her, but he dared not. He did not need his knowledge of the mines to know that this laird was protective of his sisters-in-law. It was clear in how stiffly ready he sat, ready to fend off any threat.

It was clear in how suspiciously he watched Delwyn, as if daring him to so much as glance at one of them. He had the feeling that he would find himself abandoned at the roadside without further ado should he be so foolish.

So he set out to be pleasant to Laird Campbell and convince him that Delwyn was going to be the most trustworthy steward he’d ever had.

“But how did ye come tae be in Scotland? Did ye no have any prospects in England?”

Delwyn looked away from the laird, feigning embarrassment. “I didn’t want to stay somewhere where they all knew me. I would be the talk of the town were I to take a steward position for an Englishman.”

“Aye but why Scotland? Ye lot prefer France do ye no? Or Spain?”

Delwyn swallowed. “Yes, that’s true. And indeed, I was on my way to France when in Dover. Unfortunately, I encountered brigands who robbed me of my remaining purse. I had a friend who offered free boarding on a ship to Scotland so I took the chance.”

“And ye decided tae brave the countryside rather than stay in Edinburgh?”

Delwyn shrugged noncommittally. “I did try to find a position but…well, I didn’t manage. One of the serving girls at the inn where I was staying thought I might have better luck offering my services to a laird when she saw me reading a French novel.”

“Ah. I see. Weel, I suppose France’s loss is our gain!”

“I do hope so. I am very much enjoying your countryside. Very bleak views but filled with haunting beauty and mystery.” Delwyn was glad to be able to speak truthfully.

For the first time, the laird smiled. “Ye’re a poet I see.”

“Not so much a poet, but a reader of poets. I must also say that aside from all the suspicion I have encountered due to my English heritage, the people are very friendly and welcoming. I feel quite fortunate to have been stranded here.”

Laird Campbell barked a laugh but his shoulders relaxed and he said no more about it nor questioned Delwyn further. The Englishman heaved a sigh of relief, glad to have convinced the laird that he was not a hostile threat. He knew full well that he was not out of the woods yet. He still would be called upon to prove himself time and again. His mother had warned him of that. He could not relax his vigilance. Not until he had obtained what he needed—either his sister, safe and well, or else the gold to buy her. Whatever it took, he was ready.

* * *

They arrived at Braenaird Keep just before sunset. Both Fiona and Aileen stood waiting at the front door, together with the twins.

“Da!” the twins shouted as soon as Daividh came into sight. Jamesina could not help but smile at their joy. They struggled against their mother’s restraining hold, trying to get to their father. He jumped off his horse, even as his groom reached for it and ran to his children, enveloping them in his arms.

“It’s only been three days,” Fenella pointed out.

“A lifetime at that age,” a voice said from behind them. Jamesina refrained from turning around, not wanting to look the Englishman in the eye.

“Aye weel, since the rest of us do not have open arms tae fill, let us empty the wagons,” Jamesina said.

“Go on wi’ ye,” Mrs. Fitz, the housekeeper, said, waving them into the house. “I shall supervise the emptyin’. There’s soup and bread awaiting ye in yer chambers along wi’ some hot water if’n ye want tae clean up.”

“Ye’re a godsend, Mrs. Fitz!” Jamesina jumped down from the carriage and reached back for ùna’s hand. Fenella and Maisie followed behind, bickering about who would have the first bath. Jamesina stopped by Fiona, accepting the hug her sister gave her.

“Did ye have a good time?” Fiona asked anxiously.

Jamesina rolled her eyes. “If ye’re asking did I manage tae see the wise-woman, the answer is no. There was a bit o’ a stramash. I’m sure Daividh will tell ye all aboot it.”

Fiona immediately frowned. “Ye were no hurt were ye?” She began to search ùna as well. “None o’ ye?”

“We’re fine. Simon and his men shielded us plenty.”

Just then Fiona caught sight of the Englishman. “And who is yon man?”

“A Sassenach,” ùna piped up before Jamesina could explain. “He asked Daividh for work and he said aye.”

Fiona met Jamesina’s eyes, asking for confirmation. Jamesina shrugged. No doubt Daividh would tell her all about it later. “I should take this girl tae her chambers and turn her over to her maid. We’ll talk later, alright?”

Fiona nodded, still looking concerned. Jamesina did not envy Daividh his task of explaining it all to her.

* * *

The laird and his wife sat together on the same side of the table in the library, flanking the large bay window. With the setting sun in his face, Delwyn could not really see their expressions well.

“Read this, would ye?” Laird Campbell tossed him a folded piece of paper. He reached for it and unfolded it, finding that it was a letter written in French. He could feel their eyes on him even as he started to read. Being quite fluent in French, it was not difficult for him to rattle off the contents of the letter in no time.

He saw the couple exchange glances.

“Very well done. Ye are clearly well-read in French...and English?” Daividh said.

“And Latin too,” Delwyn added just to be boastful.

Daividh nodded. “We do have a fair bit o’ trade going on wi’ the French. My wife can read and write in the language but she is often busy wi’ the running of the keep and the bairns.”

Delwyn inclined his head. “I should be glad to take that burden away from her. I am good with numbers and translation too. I had some education.”

Delwyn saw the confusion in Daividh’s eyes so he explained.

“My family used to be wealthy when I was young so I was able to get some education.”

“Aye. Well...ye will be working wi’ me wife to begin wi’. Just until she’s satisfied that she kens wha’ ye’re aboot.”

“That sounds fair enough.”

Daividh nodded at him. “Very well then. Someone will take ye tae yer new quarters. We eat dinner at seven.”

“I shall be there.”

* * *

They all converged for the evening meal in the great hall. Now that the laird was back, there was to be music and storytelling following the meal. Jamesina was looking forward to it. Her mind had been in utter turmoil since the Englishman had joined their ranks. She could have done with some distraction.

To her annoyance, Daividh brought the Sassenach to the dinner table, introducing him to the family as his new steward. Aileen blinked a few times, staring at him with interest while Fiona looked noncommittal and ùna smiled wide, pleased that her new friend would be staying a while. Jamesina looked up to find that the Sassenach lord was staring at her. She met his gaze, expecting him to look away, but he did not.

She was the one to look away first, much to her irritation. In fact, were it not to excite much comment, she might have gotten to her feet and raced from the room. Her heart beat erratically, beset with anxiety, and her hands shook. She did not know what it was about the Englishman that scared her so, but she did not want him there.

As soon as dinner was done, she made to leave but Fiona stopped her.

“Will ye no listen tae the bard? He informed me that he has some new songs tae perform for us.”

Jamesina opened her mouth to say she was tired but her eyes slid to the side, where the Lord was still looking at her with judgment in his eyes. “O’ course. I just meant tae refresh mysel’ before the singing starts.”

“Oh. Go on then. I shall save ye a seat.”

Jamesina smiled, knowing that her sister was concerned for her and probably anxious that she might be holding a grudge. They had not really had a chance to speak after she and Daividh had made the declaration about her need to be married. For Jamesina, her ill feelings were already forgotten. Her sister was right. As long as there was a possibility of obtaining her dowry, now that she was of age, she would be in danger. After the attack at the festival, she had seen it for herself. Those men who had attacked were not after cattle or sheep. They were after one of them.

She walked slowly down the darkened corridor, deep in thought. Most of the castle was gathered in the great hall to hear the bard and so nothing stirred around her. She stopped at the end of the corridor and leaned against the cold stone of the wall, eyes closed, breathing slowly in and out.

“What is it about me that troubles you so?” The deep baritone right at her ear made her eyes fly open as she jumped in shock, with a startled cry.

“Forgive me. I didn’t mean to scare you. I thought you heard me following along behind you.” His hands were held out placatingly but all she could hear was the rapid pitter-patter of her heartbeat.