“Afeared?” He laughed, but she was not convinced. “But you need his permission to marry me, don’t you?”
“Aye.”
“And what makes you think he’ll let you wed a beggar?” Hope was growing.
“When he knows how much I want you, he’ll agree.”
But the lad now lacked his earlier self-assurance, and Sheena began to get some of her confidence back.
The gate was opened, and they rode into a large inner courtyard. Ahead was a great hall with a tower at each end. Connected to it on the left was a square building three stories high, with two outside stairs leading up to the second floor. There were many arched windows. There were other round towers, as well, and a stable to the right, as well as smaller buildings near the walls.
“I bid you welcome,” the lad said congenially. Sheena said nothing.
A ginger-haired youth came for the horse. “You’re back so soon, Colen.”
“Aye. Is my brother about?”
“He’s in the hall,” the lad answered. “And where are the others?”
“I left them to their sport. I was in a hurry to be home, so I didna wait for them.”
“And what have you there, Colen?”
This was a new, deeper voice. Sheena tried to turnto see who it was, but her abductor shielded her. She felt his nervousness.
“’Tis none of your concern, Black Gawain,” the young man said testily.
“A secret, eh?” The man chuckled. “Does your brother know you’ve brought someone back with you?”
“Nay, and I’ll thank you no’ to tell him. I’ll tell him myself when I’m ready.”
He swept Sheena off the horse and carried her away from Black Gawain before she could see the man. She did not like this furtiveness of Colen’s.
“Colen, is it?” she said, wishing he would put her down. But she knew how difficult walking would be after the long ride.
“Aye.”
“Where are you taking me?” she asked.
“To my room. You’ll stay there.”
“I’ll no’ stay in the same room with you,” she said firmly.
“You’ve naught to fear. Dinna fash yourself. I’ll no’ touch you ’afore we’re wed.”
She wasn’t convinced. “I’ll no’ stay with you. ’Tis no’ proper.”
“There’s nowhere else you can stay,” he said in exasperation. “I canna give you a room to yourself without my brother learning of it.”
“Then let him learn of it!”
She struggled, and he put her down on her feet, one arm around her neck and a hand covering her mouth, for she had tried to scream. He dragged heralong with him up the outer stairs of the large square building.
Black Gawain watched until they were out of sight, then shook his head as he moved off toward the hall. It was not his concern if young Colen wanted to keep a mistress, even an unwilling one. But he couldn’t see why he should keep it a secret from his brother. The laird wouldn’t mind. He had enough women of his own. Gawain chuckled, wondering how long a secret like that could be kept from the leader of the clan.
Chapter 11
It was not until six days later that Sheena discovered just where she was. Six days, locked in Colen’s room. He had managed to learn her first name, but no more than that. Sheena was a stubborn woman, and no mistake.
