Seated on his great black gelding, his back straight as a spear, the lord of Dunkeathe looked every inch the overlord he was, even though he was wearing a plain brown leather tunic, dark woolen breeches and scuffed boots. Nobody who saw him could doubt that he was a formidable man, and that the sword at his side had been used many times.
Nobody who saw him now would probably guess he could sound so seductive, or kiss with such—
“The hunt must be over,” Eleanor said, a hint of panic in her voice.
“Maybe,” Riona said uncertainly. “I wonder where the others are?”
“I don’t know, but Percival’s probably not far behind,” Eleanor said as she gathered up her skirts.
That was likely true; Percival stuck to Sir Nicholas like a burr, as did most of the other noblemen, except Audric.
“I’d best return to the castle,” Eleanor said anxiously. “Percival might be angry if he knows I came to the village.”
“You go on,” Riona said. “I’ll wait for my uncle.”
If she went back to the castle now, Uncle Fergus would surely wonder why she hadn’t waited for them.
As Eleanor walked swiftly away, Riona inwardly girded her loins and prepared to ignore the dark lord of Dunkeathe as much as possible.
It soon became apparent that no one else was with them or coming close behind. The other noblemen and the servants accompanying them must still be at the hunt.
When they reached Riona, Sir Nicholas swung easily down from his saddle. She supposed he was used to doing that wearing chain mail and armor; his tunic and breeches must seem like a mere second skin to him. They fit him like a second skin.
Uncle Fergus had a bit more of a struggle to dismount, but soon enough, both were on the ground, holding the reins of their horses.
“Greetings, my lady,” Sir Nicholas said evenly. “I see the sun has lured you from my castle.”
“Good day, Sir Nicholas,” she replied just as politely.
“Riona, my beauty, how good to meet you here!” Uncle Fergus cried, and oh, how she wanted to cringe when he used those words to describe her in front of their host.
“Hello, Uncle. Was the hunt not successful? Where are the others?”
“Hunt?” Uncle Fergus said, as if he’d forgotten about it completely.
“It went well. I left the rest of them to it after they cornered a stag,” Sir Nicholas replied. “I found your uncle talking to one of my tenants.”
Riona was burning with curiosity to know what Sir Nicholas thought of that, and why he’d returned with Uncle Fergus instead of staying with the other nobles, but she tried not to show any particular interest in anything his lordship said.
“You ought to see the lambs Sir Nicholas has on this estate,” Uncle Fergus cried, throwing his arm about her shoulders and heading for the castle gates. “Fleece soft and thick, and a good leg for meat, too. Like nothing I’ve ever seen!”
“Your uncle assures me I’ve got something very valuable,” Sir Nicholas agreed, his voice betraying only mild interest.
“Veryvaluable? Why, I don’t think the man half knows what he’s got! Worth a fortune, those animals. And he’s going to let me bring some of our sheep to breed with theirs—for a fee, of course.”
That sounded like a Norman’s miserly way. “Of course,” she said with a hint of disgust.
“Why shouldn’t I make money, if I own the animals?” Sir Nicholas inquired.
“Aye, why shouldn’t he?” Uncle Fergus asked. “They’re on his estate and the shepherd’s his tenant—a very clever tenant, too, that Thomas is.”
“Thomas?” Riona repeated, recognizing the name. “That must be the young man Polly wants to marry.”
Uncle Fergus laughed. “Ah, then she’s a lucky woman, for he’s a very fine fellow.” He grinned at Sir Nicholas. “You ought to listen to what Riona has to say abouther,my lord.”
“I don’t care to listen to gossip about the servants,” Sir Nicholas said with stiff hauteur as they walked through the outer gatehouse.
Riona didn’t want to talk to him about anything, either.
