Recalling Katherine’s humor during the time they’d spent aboard ship with Stephan and the other Templar knights over a year before, an idea sprung to mind. “Does your wife know I was summoned by the king?”
“Nay, neither of us were informed you were to arrive. The only reason I saw you was because I was outside when you rode in.”
“Is yourson with her?”
He shook his head. “Colbán is asleep in our chamber, his nursemaid nearby.”
“Then,” he said with a smile, “wait here and let mesurprise her.”
His friend chuckled. “If you think you can. I doubt you will get the best of her.”
“We will see. ’Tis time for me to pay her back for the last prank she played on me.” With stealth, Rónán crept to the entry, but his view was blocked by a large carved statue. He peered between the figureand the wall.
A slender woman stood with her back to him. She had long blond hair, and wore a stunning blue wool gown that hung to her ankles. Celtic designs braided in gold decorated the hem, asgian dubhsecured at her waist, and an intricate silver torque encircling her neck.
Though over a year had passed, he’d recognize Katherine anywhere. Pride filled him as he thought of their time onboard the Templar cog. And when attacking her castle to reclaim it, she’d proven over and again that she was a woman who, when determined, could accomplish all she set out to achieve. To find a lass of such integrity, oh, were he to be so fortunate…
Stunned, he smothered the thought. Nay, he sought naught but the life of a warrior. That his friends had found women to love was a fatehe didn’t seek.
The soft murmur of another woman’s voice had him glancing over, but with his limited view, he couldn’t see farther into the room. Nor did it matter. Rónán glanced back at Stephan.
Down the corridor, a smile curved his friend’s mouth as he leaned against the hewn stone wall and folded his arms across his chest.
Turning, Rónán focused on Katherine’s back. With a plan in mind, he crept around the statue and started to lay his hands over her eyes. “Guess wh—”
In a blur of movement, blond hair slapped his face as a woman he’d never seen before whirled to confront him. He caught a brief glimpse of smooth features and glittering eyes a second before her leg swept out and hooked his knees.
Off balance, Rónán caught her shoulders tosteady himself.
She jerked back.
Air rushed down his throat as they started to fall. Blast it! He shifted his body, taking the brunt of the impactas they landed.
Sprawled atop him, gray eyes narrowed with fury, she unsheathed her dagger.
God’s truth! Rónán caught herwrist. “Lass—”
“Release me!” she warned.
Her rich, lyrical brogue had him hesitating. With the Bruce’s first parliament soon to be held within these walls, he’d expected to find travelers from Ireland. So why did her body pressed to his, combined with the wild flash in her eyes, make him hesitate? “With pleasure.” He caught her blade with his free hand, jerked it away, then let her go.
Her breath coming fast, she scrambled up.
Considering the speed and accuracy with which the woman had withdrawn hersgian dubhand aimed it at his throat, she must be trained in combat. Nor was he surprised by this discovery. ’Twas naught uncommon for women in Ireland to hold rank, be educated, and trained for war.
“My mistake for surprising you,” Rónán said, pushing himself to his feet. He extended her weapon to her handle first.
Eyes wary, she snatched her dagger.
“Sir Rónán?”
He glanced right to find Lady Katherine stepping toward him, her eyes warm with surprised welcome, the reaction he’d anticipated amoment before.
“Whoever this stranger is,” the lass snapped, “he has the manners of a lout.”
“Lady Lathir,” Lady Katherine said with a chuckle, her voice growing fond. She walked over and rested her hand upon his arm. “May I introduce you to Sir Rónán, a friend and a man I would trustwith my life.”
The lady took an almost insulting length of time securing her blade, then gave him a cool nod. “Sir Rónán.”
