Page 33 of Connal

“You sink into it? Like quicksand?” When he nodded she experienced a rush of sympathy. “So you literally can never stand still when you’re outside the stronghold.”

“Caladh, ’tis a rocky island. I cannae walk the shoreline, nor cross unpaved trails or bare fields, but I’m careful. I may ride anywhere on horseback.” Nyall glanced out into the kitchen. “You did well with Meg. She’ll no’ torment you again.”

“I hope you’re right, because that’s one lesson I don’t want to teach.” She walked back out to the hall with him, and found a new bowl of savory-looking vegetable pottage sitting at her place at the table. “This smells much better. Shaw, would you cut me a slice of that oat bread, please? Fletcher, is that giant bald man in the kitchens your cook?”

Nyall watched Valerie throughout the meal, and saw how deftly she disguised the remnants of her anger as she kept the conversation with the others flowing. She looked entirely cheerful and interested in what was said, but at the same time pushed around her food instead of eating it. Fletcher left first to take a tray up to the laird’s room, and then Shaw excused himself to make his rounds of the stronghold’s defenses.

“If you’re finished,” Nyall said, “I’ll show you the ward.”

Valerie didn’t say anything as she went with him, and only arched a brow when he produced the key to unlock the entry. She made a soft sound as soon as she saw the greenery, and then followed the circle of large slate stepping stones. As he went around to light the high braziers she wandered about, stopping here and there to admire the containers of flowers and ferns. She stopped at the center of the fountain to sit on the edge and trail her fingers through the bubbling water.

As the sky over her darkened and became thick with stars, the firelight added amber and orange to her golden curls, and made her skin glow.

Nyall had always preferred females with dark coloring, bountiful endowments, and strong allure, but seeing her like this made him appreciate for the first time her innocent beauty. Her spring-like scent, subtle and fresh, lingered in the air wherever she went.

I could easily share my bed with Valerie.

Most of the MacMar had taken mortals as lovers, but they never remained long involved with them. For Nyall the prospect of giving his heart to a woman, only to watch her age and die childless when he remained young and strong, seemed particularly cruel, especially after what he had witnessed what his own màthair endure. When the laird had fallen so much in love with his Joana it had troubled every clansman, and yet no one had spoken against their wedding. Even Nyall had done his best to pretend nothing was wrong with his eldest brother wedding a highborn female so pampered she couldn’t even dress herself. Connal’s happiness should have warned them of what was to come after his wife had died.

He had discussed the problem with his best friend, and Jamaran’s advice had been simple: This time you must act, for he cannae survive another woman who wishes abandon him.

“This is a beautiful place,” Valerie said when he went to join her. “Why do you keep the doors locked?”

“’Twas the place Lady Joana came each day to attend to her needlework.” His gaze strayed to the one bench where she had always sat. “The vassals believe her spirit haunts the ward.”

“That doesn’t answer my question,” she said.

“The laird wishes all to be preserved as ’twas when his wife yet lived. This place, ’tis a shrine to her.” Talking about Connal would only distract him from his purpose. “Permit me show you the flowers, my lady.”

“I’m fine where I am.” She looked at the hand he held out but didn’t take it. “Why don’t you tell me the real reason you brought me here?”

“You’re alone in a strange time and place.” He sat down beside her, keeping his voice gentle. “You hide your sadness and fear well, and do all you may to make yourself accepted by the clan. Yet even you ken ’twould go better, had you someone caring for you.”

“I do?” She drew back a little from him. “Caring for me how, exactly? By giving me scales and gills? By wiping my memory and dumping me on the mainland?”

Nyall took hold of her hand and raised it to his mouth. Her thin skin against his lips seemed like fine velvet, and added to his suspicion that this task he’d regarded as burdensome might be more pleasant than he’d expected.

He needed calm her first, so he decided to be direct. “Take me as your lover, my lady. I shall look after you for the rest of your days, and protect you from all harm.”

“Captain.” Valerie extricated her hand from his. “I’m flattered, but I’m not planning to stay on the island or look for love.”

Her modesty spoke for her, Nyall decided, liking her even more.

“Try me.” As she started to rise he stood and took her into his arms. For a moment he breathed in her scent, and found that as pleasing as the slender fragility of her body. “One night shall change your mind.”

Dismay flickered over her pretty face. “You can take no for an answer, right?”

“I’d prefer an aye.” He touched her cheek. “You dinnae regard me unsightly, surely.”

She tilted her head back to study him for a long moment. “You know precisely how handsome you are, and I’m sure it would be a night to remember. Only you don’t want me. You don’t even like me.”

“’Tisnae truth.” He ran his hand over her unruly curls. “You’re more resilient than I reckoned, and fight with your heart. Another lady would demand Meg beaten for what she did, or shame her before the other vassals. Even as you scolded her, you protected her. ’Twas very noble and kind. I admire such, particularly in a female.”

Valerie didn’t seem to be listening.

“Why would you do this? The laird,” she said before he could reply. “Everyone is really worried about him, aren’t they? Listen, you’re wasting your time. There isn’t going to be any wedding. I’m not marrying anyone.”

For a moment he saw the same sadness that had shrouded Connal every day since Joana’s death. “Then Merrick shall come for you, and you ken how that shall go. If you’re my woman, Jamaran shall convince the king to relinquish you.”