Page 41

SOBERING, GREER STRAIGHTENED up and glanced over her shoulder at where a muscular dark-haired man wearing a leather apron stood, leaning up against a haycart. Brawny arms folded across his chest, Brodie watched them, his handsome face inscrutable.

Greer’s heart stuttered at the sight of the blacksmith.

With all the excitement, she’d forgotten the forge lay just a few yards away. How long had he been there, watching their japery?

The riding lesson wasn’t going as she’d planned, and embarrassment crept over her once more. Maybe it would have been better to lead Crabapple out of the broch and down into the village. There, they could find a spot where she and Rose could make fools out of themselves without an audience.

Rose huffed a sigh, her gaze also traveling to Brodie. Her cheeks were still pink, yet annoyance flashed in her eyes. “Or ye could stop pointing out the obvious and give me a leg up.”

“I could,” he replied, “but how would ye learn?” Pushing himself off the wagon, he picked up a wooden crate from inside the cart. He then walked across to them, handing it to Greer. “Here.”

Rose shot her brother-by-marriage an exasperated look before turning back to Crabapple.

“Go on, wife … don’t let anyone put ye off.”

Greer glanced up to see Kerr Mackay standing on the walls above. He too had noticed the noise the two women were making and had descended from a guard tower to investigate. He flashed his wife an encouraging smile.

Rose managed a grimace in return. She then muttered something under her breath and stepped onto the box Greer had just set down. A moment later, she swung up onto the garron’s back.

Cheers erupted in the barmkin, and Rose's face went as red as a stoked ember.

Greer’s cheeks started to burn too. She didn’t realize men could be so merciless with her ribbing. Their behavior now was almost cruel.

However, Kerr Mackay didn’t look amused. “That’s enough!” His voice cut through the amusement like a deftly thrown pike. “Keep mocking my wife and the lot of ye will find yerselves in the stocks for a week.”

The cheering and laughter abruptly cut off. Sheepish looks followed. The stable lads and warriors quickly sloped away, returning to work.

Greer cast another glance in the blacksmith’s direction.

Brodie had returned to his former position, leaning against the wagon.

His expression was still shuttered, although she caught the glint in his eyes as he met her gaze.

Yet it wasn’t amusement she saw there but …

a challenge of sorts. “Ye should take Rose outside for the rest of her lesson,” he suggested casually.

“Ye are attracting too much attention in here.”

Greer nodded. She couldn’t agree more. She’d set out to help Rose feel more at home within the broch but had only succeeded in making both of them look foolish. She’d be more cautious in the future.

“I shall join ye, Lady Greer.” A broad-shouldered man with wavy dark hair, clad in a quilted gambeson and chamois braies, stepped out from the shadow of the armory.

Errol Forbes strode toward the women. The man wore a deep scowl and a formidable expression.

“Ye shouldn’t venture from the broch unescorted. ”

His attention then shifted to Inghinn, his gaze narrowing further. There was censure in his stare, almost as if he blamed Greer’s maid for leading her mistress astray. However, Inghinn didn’t quail under his withering look. Her brow furrowed, and her chin lifted in a silent dare.

Greer stifled a sigh. Of course, Errol would insist on joining them when she rode out with Bonnie, Davina, and Rose the following day too.

The captain took his role seriously. Her father had chosen him specifically for his stubborn, dogged loyalty.

Wherever Greer went beyond the walls of the broch during the summer, he would follow like a persistent shadow.

Greer was tempted to try and dissuade him—for the captain could be overprotective at times—yet the glint in his walnut-brown eyes, when he moved his glare from Inghinn to her, warned it would be pointless.

Instead, she nodded and turned to Rose. “I’m sorry about that,” she murmured.

“I didn’t think we’d provide entertainment for everyone. ”

“It’s not yer fault,” Rose muttered back. “But Brodie’s right. Let’s continue this elsewhere.” She halted then, looking helplessly at Crabapple’s furry ears. “How do I get him to move?”

“It’s easy,” Greer replied, relieved to be able to focus on the lesson once more.

Her back prickled then, and she sensed that the blacksmith was still looking on.

This time, however, she didn’t glance his way.

She couldn’t let herself get distracted.

“Just gather the reins … like this” —she reached up and wrapped the leather reins through Rose’s fingers— “and then give him a gentle nudge with yer heels.”

Rose complied, and Crabapple moved off.

Brodie watched Rose ride out of the barmkin, Greer walking at her side. Greer’s maid, Inghinn, also observed their departure, while Errol Forbes strode after the women, the dirk he wore at his hip swinging as he walked.

Pushing himself off the wagon, Brodie gave his head a rueful shake.

What a show those two had put on. Greer Forbes wasn’t likely a good influence on Rose.

The last thing his sister-by-marriage needed—especially after what had happened in the spring—was to draw the mockery of those living within the broch.

Surely, Lady Greer realized that Rose was still finding her feet here?

Brodie glanced up then, spying Kerr still standing on the walls above.

His brother watched Rose and Greer go, his brow furrowed.

He didn’t doubt Kerr. If any here ill-treated his wife, he’d deal with them harshly.

Thanks to the meddling priest and a handful of bigots in the village, Rose had nearly died at the hands of a vicious mob.

The troublemakers had all been dealt with—and they were still awaiting a replacement priest, for Father Gregor had been run off Mackay lands—but the incident had left a stain upon Dun Ugadale.

The memory was still raw, and Kerr clearly worried about his wife.

Brodie then shifted his attention back to where Rose and Greer were just disappearing under the portcullis.

His mouth thinned. He shared his brother’s concern. The circle of people Brodie deeply cared for was small, yet he was fond of all three of his sisters-by-marriage. He’d even found himself growing protective of them of late.

Lady Greer was more than a little careless. He regretted agreeing to make the annoying woman a dirk, and he hoped she wouldn’t lead Bonnie, Davina, or Rose, into trouble.

“That’s it.” Greer flashed an encouraging smile up at Rose. “Ye are doing well.”

Rose’s mouth curved. “Aye, we had a rocky start … but this is easier.”

They were walking into the village now, down a dirt road flanked by squat stone bothies with thatch roofs.

There were few folk about, as supper approached and the cottars had returned from the fields.

The odor of pottage and roasting meat wafted out from doorways.

Bairns played with sticks in the dirt while women brought in washing from their gardens.

Rose and Greer drew a lot of glances, yet Greer kept her focus upon her companion.

After the embarrassing scene in the barmkin, she worried that Kerr Mackay would be cross with her.

In her eagerness to assist Rose and to throw herself into new experiences, she’d embarrassed her new friend and drawn the servants and guards away from their work.

She could still be useful here, and enjoy her newfound freedom, but in the future, she’d use a little more caution.

“Can we drop by the alewife’s bothy?” Rose asked then. “I need to let Eara know I won’t be working with her tomorrow.”

“Of course,” Greer replied. She then shot her companion a searching look. “It’s a curious arrangement ye have.”

Rose smiled. “Aye … but it suits me well.”

“And Kerr doesn’t mind?”

“Not at all … he knows how important my friendship with Eara is.”

Greer gave a wistful sigh then as thoughts of what awaited her in the autumn resurfaced. “I hope to find myself a husband as understanding as yers,” she murmured. “Although I fear it’s rare.”

Rose’s expression grew thoughtful. “I am fortunate in Kerr,” she admitted, her lovely features softening as she spoke of her husband. “We understand each other well.”

Greer returned her smile, even as her ribs tightened. She couldn’t help it—she was a little envious of Rose.

Pushing aside the discomforting sensation, she glanced over her shoulder.

Aye, her shadow was still there. Errol walked silently around four yards behind the women.

Presently, they stopped before a gate. A sign depicting a broomstick hung there, the mark of an alewife, while a high wattle fence wrapped around the bothy and garden.

Errol pushed open the gate, holding it wide enough for Rose to ride through. She did so and then drew up Crabapple.

“I can help ye dismount, Rose,” Errol offered gruffly, stepping forward. Of course, he always lifted Greer from her palfrey so that she dismounted in an elegant fashion.

However, Rose waved him away. “That’s no good to me, Captain. I need to know how to get off unassisted.”

“Aye, well, release yer right foot from the stirrup and push yerself up on yer left,” Errol instructed. “Now swing yer leg over the garron’s back … so that yer right foot is level with the left.” He paused. “Aye, that’s good … release yer left foot and drop to the ground.”

Rose managed it with far less trouble than she had with mounting. Dusting off her skirts, she grinned at her companions. “I enjoyed that!”

“What’s all this?”

A slender woman with flaxen hair emerged from the bothy, wiping her hands on a damp cloth.

The pungent odor of simmering ale drifted out into the mild late afternoon air.

A fat black cat followed her outside. The feline watched the newcomers with a disdainful golden gaze before wrapping itself sinuously around the alewife’s ankles.

“Eara Mackay.” Still smiling, Rose turned to her friend. “Let me introduce Lady Greer Forbes … and Captain Errol Forbes.”

Eara’s grey eyes snapped wide. Clearly, she was shocked that Rose had brought Bonnie’s guests here, yet Greer was eager to put her at ease.

She wished to make as many friends as possible during her stay at Dun Ugadale.

Back in Druminnor, she wouldn’t have been allowed to converse with the local alewife.

There was a thrill in doing something her parents would frown upon.

“It’s a pleasure to meet ye, Eara,” she said earnestly.

Eara nodded, although her expression was still a little startled.

“I’ve been invited to go riding tomorrow morning,” Rose announced then, her brow furrowing. “So, I won’t be able to join ye as we’d planned … sorry.”

The alewife shrugged. “Don’t look so worried, Rose.” Her mouth curved, her eyes twinkling. “I can manage.”

The two women shared an affectionate look before Rose glanced over at Greer and Errol. “Eara brews the best ale on the peninsula.”

The alewife snorted, yet Rose nodded. “It’s the truth,” she insisted.

“Aye, well … on that recommendation, I should buy some for me and the lads,” Errol replied, his lips lifting at the corners.

“I too would like to try it,” Greer added.

Impulsively, she dug into the purse at her waist and produced a silver half-penny.

She was enjoying this outing and wanted to prolong it.

What an adventure she was having. She’d only been here a day, and already her life felt so much more exciting than back in Druminnor, so much more expansive.

“Will this cover a tankard for each of us?”

Eara waved her attempt at payment away. Smiling, the alewife motioned to the semi-circle of wooden stools that sat nearby, set out for customers who stopped by to try her ale. “Make yerselves comfortable, and I shall serve ye.”