Eva cherished her belongings and, because she didn’t want to bring them inside, told him something was amiss. “Ye can bring in whatever ye wish, Eva. This is your home now. I do not mind if ye clutter it up with your trinkets.”
“Trinkets? No, I am happy with the items that I have inside now and will keep the others stored.”
Breckin made to retort but suddenly became aware of the sharp scent of something burning. He pushed to his feet, praying it wasn’t one of the cottages with their thatched roofs; a single spark from an unchecked fire could cause the entire keep to become engulfed.
“Do ye smell that?”
Eva turned toward him and raised her chin. “It smells like smoke.”
They both hastened to the back of the longhouse and retreated through the back door. Breckin jumped off the steps and rushed towards his brothers who appeared to be stomping the ground. “What are ye two doing?”
“Naught, och Connor accidentally lit the grass aflame.”
“I did not. Ye did.” Connor put the final stomp on the ground and put out what flame remained.
“Go on now and get back to the training field. I will hear of no further scuffles with the other lads. Ye will spar together and with no others until I say otherwise. Gideon wanted ye to use the quintains this day, get to it. I will test your ability when I return to the field. I might reconsider taking ye hunting on the morrow if ye do not do as I say.”
His brothers set off and he turned back to Eva who stood looking disheveled by her morning chores and from worry by the ruckus his brothers caused. With little effort, he scooped her into his arms and grinned.
“What in the name of Mary are you doing?”
“I just want a wee kiss,” he said and leaned his head toward her but she pulled back.
“Honestly, Breckin, there is too much to do this day to fool around.”
“Aye, hurry up then and kiss me because my back is hurting.”
She gave him a quick peck and giggled. “You can put me down now.”
“The hell I will,” he said and pressed his mouth against hers. Breckin wanted to be alone with her and now that the lads hailed off to the training field…
“Laird! Breckin!”
Someone shouted for him and he dislodged his mouth from Eva’s and allowed her to slide against his body until she got her footing. “Damnation. I should go, I suppose, even though I would rather stayhere kissing ye until I make ye shake with need.”
Eva continued to clutch him. “Yes, you should go.”
Aymer whistled and called, “Laird, are ye here?”
“Aye, inside.” Breckin took hold of her hands and slid them slowly from his body, disappointed that he wouldn’t spend the afternoon as he’d wanted.
“Oh, there ye be.” Aymer appeared around the side of the longhouse and spotted them in the back. Now he waved a missive in the air. “This just came for ye from a Campbell messenger.”
Breckin sighed and took it from him. He opened the message and gave it a hasty read. Would it never end? He barely had time to take care of the people of his own clan. He turned to Eva. “Colin calls me to aid him. He is having trouble with his neighbor, the MacNaughtons.”
She frowned but didn’t say anything.
“Aymer, tell Gideon to ready a regimen of soldiers with haste. We will leave shortly.”
“Aye, will do, Laird.” Aymer bowed to Eva and said, “Good day, Milady.” He left on his quest to ready the men.
“I will be gone for a wee bit. Ye will fare well?” He detested leaving her when he’d only just returned. Breckin pulled her into his embrace and kissed her head. “Do not overwork yourself. The longhouse is fine as it is.”
“There is plenty more for me to do. Go on about your war. I shall be busy enough without you here. But Breckin,” she said and stopped him by taking his hand. “Be careful.”
“Worry not because I always am. I will return soon.” He hurried away then, walking along quickly on the lane toward the stable. Though he certainly wished to stay, he had to answer the call of his fiercest ally. That the MacNaughtons caused the Campbells grief concerned him. Breckin wondered if the matter was of importance or if Colin called him for naught.
*
