“Your strength is needed at Bracken Ridge,” Duncan growled.
His younger brother shrugged, and he sent the lass a smile. “’Twould be nay hardship tae see the lass home. When I’m done, I can easily make my way tae the Ridge.”
“Thank ye,” she said, smiling warmly at his younger brother. Duncan didn’t know why the exchange irritated him, but it did.
“Good, now ‘tis settled,” Darra said, relief in her voice. She turned to Adrina and placed a hand on her sleeve. “The meeting is about to commence. Come, I’ll return you to your bedchamber until supper is ready.”
CHAPTER 3
“Lady Darra offers her apologies for nae coming tae get ye herself. However she sent me in her stead,” Mairead said, standing at the other side of the threshold. “Are ye ready tae go for supper?”
“Aye.” Adrina stepped out into the hallway. In the past hour, her thoughts kept turning in her head. At first her mind wandered to Duncan, and examined his uncanny resemblance to the handsome fantasy warrior. But then her thoughts turned to the more troubling dilemma that had befallen Dunnvie and its people. She needed to return home soon.
Adrina was about to take another step when she hesitated. “Are the talks finished now?” she asked, filling in the silence that had settled between her and her hostess.
“Aye, the men have finished with their discussions for now,” she said. “I was starting tae fear that we might nae be able tae eat this night. ‘Twould be such a waste though, since we planned tae have dancing and singing after the repast.”
Adrina smiled at the other woman’s cheerfulness, but she had no interest in taking part in the festivities. There was simply too much on her mind, and it would be impossible to enjoy the revelry.
Their footsteps echoed in the corridor, and Adrina could hear the rumble of voices in the distance.
“Is it true that your people are under an enchantment?” asked Mairead, her question breaking through Adrina’s thoughts.
She hesitated slightly before answering the other woman, “This is what I understand.” It was difficult for her to recount the story without sounding as if she had lost all her faculties. Perhaps if someone else had asked this question, she might have either brushed it off or feigned ignorance.
A winning smile appeared on Mairead’s lips. “Whatever ye tell me willnae be repeated.”
“I trust that it willnae.” While she wanted to confide in the other woman, she needed to keep her story consistent. She blew out a puff of air. “I dinnae have any knowledge other than what I’ve already revealed,” she lied. “’Twas my father who woke me in the middle of the night, and urged me tae go tae Tancraig Castle, and seek help from Chief MacGregon.”
“How did your father come tae conclude that there was something amiss with your people?” she persisted. “Sorcery is difficult tae discern through normal means.”
Adrina hesitated again. “In a dream, my father was warned that a dark force influenced our clan.”
“Sae,” Mairead said knowingly. “Your father is a seer.”
“A seer?” she murmured. “I wasnae aware ‘twas what one called people like him. Ye are well versed about otherworldly things.”
“Nae me,” Mairead said, laughing. “’Tis my younger sister Kila who’s the expert on these things. If only the lass would put an equal effort in learning how tae govern a home. Alas, the silly lass likes tae tell her fantastic stories, although she’s rather skillful at it,” she laughed again. “I believe her tales have inklings of truth, but dinnae tell Duncan I said this. ‘Tis only him that’s the skeptic. He likes tae see what’s in front of his nose, and adamantly believes that nay other senses exist besides the ones that are God-given.”
“He disnae seem open tae mystical occurrences.”
“Nay, he isnae,” she agreed. “However ‘tis his way. He’s verra analytical, and maybe too logical for his own guid. Have ye met my brother?”
“I have,” she said, stretching her lips into something that resembled a smile. What would Duncan think if he discovered thatshewas the one who possessed these extraordinary capabilities? Most people thought that she experienced bouts of hallucination, but she knew the reality of it. Few experienced the terrors one confronted when visions manifested in the middle of the night. And even less understood the horrors of discovering when those visions came to pass. Could anyone ever comprehend that someone like her had no control over the otherworldly messages that she received? It was unlikely. Outsiders like Duncan would only see the exterior, and would view her gifts with apprehension, ridicule or contempt. But what did she care about what he thought of her? Soon she would be gone from this place, and she could forget that he existed.
Before long, they crossed the threshold, and entered into the great hall. The din and chatter within the large chamber were loud, and distracted her from her thoughts. Many chieftains, their ladies and offspring were already present. As they pushed through the crowd of people, Adrina noticed admiring glances thrown in their direction. But she knew that those looks weren’t meant for her. Certainly, there were a few eyes that touched upon her, but they moved quickly to her companion. And it was no wonder. Much like her siblings, Mairead MacGregon was beautiful and composed. However despite her beauty, she seemed unconcerned about the interest that she garnered. Perhaps another woman would have been envious of all the admiration that her friend received, but Adrina wasn’t bothered by it. She preferred to melt into the crowd, and not have any attention directed at her.
Without meaning to, her eyes sought, and found the dark-haired Highlander that had occupied her mind all day. He exuded the same strength and prowess that marked the MacGregon brothers. It was no wonder that everyone admired these highlanders. Even in her remote castle, she had heard of the fierce MacGregons. But it was only Duncan who perplexed her. For some reason he compelled and repelled her all at once, and she couldn’t understand why.
The warrior towered above most of the men in the room. And while he wore only a shirt, it was easy to imagine the wide chest and rippling abdomen underneath the material. The great kilt he wore hugged at his narrow hips, and dropped slightly above his knees. And just past the hem of his plaid, she observed the muscles that formed on his thick calves.
A brief segment of her earlier dream filtered into her consciousness, and unable to help it, her nipples hardened with remembered awareness. For a moment, she forgot how unpleasant he was, and wondered how it felt to have his arms wrapped around her. Would it be as enjoyable as in her imagination?
Duncan threw his head back and let out a laugh. Adrina’s heart lurched uncomfortably when she noticed for the first time that two pretty women stood on either side of him. Why did she care that these women were hanging onto his every word? she thought irritably.
Still, there was no denying that he possessed great charm, if the rapt attention by the women were anything to go by. She shook off the peculiar feeling. Her dream had suggested that she knew Duncan intimately, but in reality, she had no hold on him. Who he interacted with was his own business.
Once again, she wished that she was back in her bedchamber. No matter how long it took, she should have stayed there until Venora finished brewing the potion. Then she would be gone from here, and forget all the unfamiliar and curious feelings that stirred inside of her. She sighed inwardly. Unfortunately she was already at the great hall, and leaving now would raise unwanted questions.
