“Sir Rónán,” Katherine continued, “I am pleased to introduce to you Lady Lathir. Though you two have just met, I believe that you will get along well.”
With the daggers shooting from the other woman’s eyes, that Rónán doubted. Intrigued now that their scuffle was over, he studied her. Wary gray eyes, ones he noted had a hint of lavender, held his without apology. She was fair, even-featured, with lush lips. A beauty by all standards. And she’d felt very soft and womanly in those brief moments she’d lay upon him on the floor.
Most women would have jumped or screamed at his unexpected presence, but like a trained knight, she’d gone on the attack. A mystery. Nor did this incident hold importance in the scheme of things. Once he’d spoken with the king and was given his mission, he would depart and, thankfully, he and the lass would never see the other again.
But he did owe her an explanation. “My lady, I regret startling you. Lady Katherine and I have a history of playing pranks upon each other. As you have a similar appearance and height, and I heard her voice, I believed you were she.” He offered her a warm smile that had charmed many a lass. “I had meant tosurprise her.”
“I see,” she said, herwords clipped.
From her cool manner, he suspected otherwise. He shifted his gaze to Katherine. “’Tis wonderful to seeyou, my lady.”
“And I you.” Katherine smiled. “I wasna informed youwould be here.”
“Which is what I explained to Rónán when I saw him,” Stephan said as he entered the solar. He crossed to his wife, then nodded to Lady Lathir. “My lady, ’tis good to see you again. I regret the confusion. These two can be like scrapping siblings trying to outdo the other.”
“Lord Dunsmore,” she said, her tone warming to a sincere welcome. “The knight’s action is inconsequential, and as he explained, ’twas a mistake.” She took a step toward the door, a tight smile on her lips. “Nay doubt you wish to reminisce with your friend.”
Worry filtered into Katherine’s gaze. “Please stay. Once Sir Rónán learns that—”
“An explanation that is unnecessary. Enjoy your reunion. We will talk later.” She nodded. “If you will excuse me.”
With exquisite grace, she exited the solar, her blue robe swirling around her slender curves with a royal flare. Without a glance toward him, Rónán noted, though he found himself watching her departure. As the last tantalizing wisp of the lass disappeared from view, he grimaced. “She is abit skittish.”
“Nay, anxious,” Stephan said. “En route, her party was attacked a league outside St Andrews. During the fray, two men rushed Lady Lathir.”
“God’s truth,” Rónán hissed, “they tried to kill her?”
“We believe the warriors meant to abduct her for ransom,” Stephan said, “or to use her to force her father to withdraw support for King Robert.”
“But,” Katherine said with pride, “she killed them both.”
Given her skill with her blade, that he believed. “Serves the scoundrels right, and explains her reaction when I snuck up on her.”
“It does,” Stephan said.
Katherine poured a cup of wine, held it out to him. “She is just now beginning to relax.”
“I wishI had known.”
“You couldna,” Stephan said, “but during your stay at St Andrews, you can speak with her again.”
“I will make a point to make amends before I depart.” A point he hadna counted on including in his schedule, but ’twas proper. “Were Comyn’s men behind the attack?”
“King Robert believes ’twas some of John of MacDougall of Argyll’s men, still hidden about and seeking retribution after their stinging defeat at the Pass of Brander,” Stephan said. “That they somehow discovered Lord Sionn was traveling from Ireland to meet with the Bruce and were determined to stop him.”
“Lord Sionn?” Rónán repeated, a sinking feeling in his gut as he recalled her brogue. “What has Lady Lathir to dowith the earl?”
Katherine laced her fingers together. “She is Lady Lathir McConaghy,his daughter.”
Bloody hell. If the powerful Irish noble learned of the incident, Rónán hoped he found it amusing. As for King Robert, he surely would find hilarityin the misstep.
Katherine walked to a table by a grand stone hearth. A banner displaying a red lion rampant sporting blue claws and tongue, woven on a yellow background, hung centered above. Beeswax candles seated in skillfully crafted holders flickered a soft golden glow on either side. She poured three goblets of wine,then returned.
Rónán thought of when they’d first met, her fiery demeanor one he’d admired, more so when, in the end, she’d fallen in love and married his close friend. So much had changed since, except that their love had prevailed, and nowthey had a son.
He accepted a cup, waited until she’d handed her husband his, then lifted his forged vessel. “A toast to your son. I wish Colbán God’s blessings.”
Pride filled their eyes as Stephan and Katherine raised their goblets and drank.
