The Bruce was interrupted by a high-pitched shrill of command. Ewan blanched at the voice, recognizing it immediately.
“Nay,” he said breathlessly.
The king strode toward the kitchens. “Elayne, Caitrin, are ye within? Might I have a word with ye?”
Elayne glided out, her milky skin and chestnut hair a brilliantly stark contrast to the deep blue gown she wore, and to the green and black plaid that held a bundle to her chest.
“Elayne, I believe ye recall Ewan MacLeod?”
She had the good graces to blush a bit before she clutched at the bundle and curtsied. “Of course, Laird MacLeod, how fare ye? And your wife?”
Ewan’s jaw dropped at her light banter, and he flicked his gaze to Gavin, whose expression conveyed the same question. What had happened to the Harpy of the Highlands? Ewan stepped cautiously forward to greet her when the bundle squawked, and he jumped backward. Elayne’s laugh echoed in the hall.
“Och, Ewan. I know ye’ve seen a babe before. Ye have a daughter of your own, no?”
His mouth opened and closed like a landed fish. Elayne smiled widely at his discomfort and patted his arm.
“Dinna fret. All is well between us, is it no’?”
Before he could respond, Elayne swept to the side and held her arm out to the other woman who had entered the hall with Elayne.
The woman was, in a word, stunning. Only one woman had looks of such renown, with hair more brilliant than sunlight and her face in perfect, beautiful symmetry.
“May I present my sister-by-law and Torin Dunnuck’s wife, Caitrin MacCollough Dunnuck?”
Ewan had no words and bowed to both women. Robert waved them back into the kitchen as his ferocious gazed turned to the Bruce, his eyes sparkling with mirth.
“Quite a bit has changed in the past year, aye?” Robert asked, dragging Ewan and Gavin from the hall.
The buzz of the previousday became a full cacophony of activity as the king solidified his plans to head north in his quest to reclaim the Highlands. Many Highlanders had rallied to his call and poured in droves to the keep. And Robert met every laird and chieftain as they arrived.
The Frasers of Broch Invershin rode in from the northeast shortly after midday, their horses frothy with sweat and the men more worse for wear. The Fraser laird was known to be ill, so his brother Robert Fraser, called Rob when in the presence of the king, had claimed that title and stood in his stead. Rob and his men dismounted, rough-and-ready men, with one smaller lad in attendance. The Bruce eyed the lad warily as Rob and his men approached.
Surely no’ a warrior?The Bruce asked himself as he opened his thick arms in greeting.
“King Robert!” Robert Fraser called out and gripped the Bruce’s forearm. “We have rallied to your call. Half of my men are here, the rest await ye in Beauly as we press forth.” The Bruce nodded at Rob, then flicked his eyes to the lad who pressed close to a tall Highlander with unruly raven hair.
“A squire?” the Bruce inquired.
Fraser glanced at the clean-shaved lad who blushed a bright pink, then caught the side smile on the wild-haired man. All three erupted with laughter.
“No’ quite. May I introduce my niece, Brenna Fraser?” He gave Brenna a scowl. “And remove the bonnet, lass. Let the king see ye are a woman with copper hair.”
The small Fraser removed the bonnet, and a cascade of lush waves unrolled across her shoulders. The king’s eyebrows rose high on his forehead.
“And her husband, Rafe Fraser?” Rob continued.
The wild-haired man bowed low.
“Your niece, eh?” the Bruce asked in a bantering tone.
Rob Fraser shrugged as if this behavior were familiar. “Brenna’s more comfortable with the men. Fighting and hunting and the like. Her husband did promise to make sure she stayed out of the way, though.” From his terse words and cutting glare, the Bruce had the idea that bringing the lass had not been an agreeable idea byallparties involved.
“No’ much place for her with the men here,” the Bruce spoke honestly, “but if the lass is amenable, we can always use extra hands in the keep and gardens. I am sure Lady Elayne can find a use for her.”
Rob Fraser dipped his head and gestured to the rest of Fraser’s men.
Robert the Bruce sighed heavily. What he wanted was a nap, but he put a wide smile on his face and stepped toward them.
