Page 12 of Dorchad

This chucklehead had never walked past a construction site in Boston, she thought, amused.

“No, thanks. Is that the best you’ve got? You poor man.” Rebecca patted his cheek, making him flinch as she turned to regard Lucy. “I thought you said that no one would try to intimidate or harass me.”

The seneschal made an impatient sound as he straightened and stalked off.

“Well done, Mistress McIan,” the tattooed man said, sounding pleased. “I’m Cath, the clan’s war master.”

He didn’t offer his hand or come near her, and something in his eyes made her think of a wounded animal.

“Hello.” She wondered if everyone already knew her name. “Please, call me Rebecca.” She liked him as much as she disliked Dorchad’s twin brother, so she added on impulse, “Would you care to join us?”

“My thanks, but duty awaits. My lady.” He bowed to Lucy and then left as silently as he’d arrived.

The laird’s wife sighed. “Sorry about all that. Medieval men can be a pain, and we have an extra share of slightly loony lads. Cath used to live in the dark Fae otherworld with his dad, who was by all accounts a huge wanker. Sgathan is…” She stopped and shook her head. “Just avoid that one.”

Rebecca looked over at the largest MacRune she’d seen thus far. He was walking toward their table with a tray of food. He also wore a strip of bundled cloth tied over his eyes. “Sure, okay.”

“My ladies.” The blindfolded man smiled at Lucy as if he could see her as he placed the tray on the end of the table and sat down. He then turned his head toward Rebecca and nodded, revealing a bruised chin. “Mistress McIan, welcome to Gealladh. I’m Lochran.” He gestured toward his covered eyes. “Blind during the day, thanks to my mortal weakness.”

“Hi, there. Please, call me Rebecca.” She glanced at Lucy. “You’re the chief in charge of the night watch.”

“’Tis me, aye.” He offered her a dish of what looked like berries in cream. “As for how I do as you see, I’ve excellent hearing, and a good sense of direction.”

“Are you kidding, Night Watch?” To Rebecca the laird’s wife said, “He can walk the battlements on the rooftops with that blindfold on and never miss a step.”

“Our lady flatters me. Alas, I miss many steps when she’s no’ watching.” He tapped his chin and then sniffed the air and frowned. “’Tis odd. The scent of Chieftain Dorchad lingers somewhere near us. Yet I believe I heard him sparring out in the lists as I came down to break my fast.”

Embarrassed now, Rebecca cringed inwardly. “The smell is probably coming from me. The chieftain was kind enough to help me to shore after I fell into the loch. I haven’t, ah, taken a bath yet.”

“Dorchad gave you aid?” Lochran sounded as if he didn’t believe her. “Forgive me, ’tis quite out of character for him to personally attend to a female or even acknowledge they exist, for that matter.”

“He certainly saw me when I fell in the water, and was very kind to me.” When he made an incredulous sound she grew a little angry. Why was this hulky guy trying to belittle Dorchad? “Maybe you don’t know him as well as you think.”

“How could such be truth?” The blindfolded man smirked at her. “I’ve been his brother all his life, while you, Mistress, met him only today.”

“Perhaps I see him a little better.” Sniping back at him made her lose her appetite. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to be rude. I just think the Chieftain is a better man than you realize.” As someone walked up behind her she rose from her bench. “Excuse me, Lucy, but I’m done here.”

“Good,” Dorchad said as he turned her to face him, and took hold of her wrist. “Come with me.”

Rebecca had no choice but to trot after him as he hauled her through the nearest arch and down a long passage to a room at the end. Inside, racks and piles of weapons glittered in the light cast by startling, floating glass spheres of amber and blue light. Before she could say a word he slammed the door shut and dropped a bolt bar before turning to regard her with a fierce expression.

He looked as if he wanted to beat her into the floor, but he had that kind of face.

“Hi,” she said, shrinking back a little as he came to stand over her, the nearness of his big body making her flush. “I thought you were busy, ah, sparring or something.”

“You talk to others as if you ken me,” Dorchad said, taking hold of her chin to lift her face and stare into her eyes. “You defend me to my own kin as well. ’Tis how you see yourself now, Healer? As my confidant, my protector?”

“Of course not. As the night watch chief pointed out, I really don’t know you.” Rebecca hated how her whole body was lighting up, but she couldn’t help that. “I just disagreed with his opinion of you and how you treat women. That was not my experience.”

“Night Watch spoke truth. I dinnae trifle with females. I despise females. Females run from me.” With each word he said he took a step forward, forcing her to move back until her bottom smacked into something hard. “Do you seek to charm me with your sweetness?”

Dorchad had no reason to be so angry with her, she thought, bewildered now. His voice had shifted into that chilling, terrifying pitch that made her insides quiver—but not with fear.

Stop being afraid. That’s what other women do. You have to show him you’re as strong as he is.

“I don’t play games like that. If what you and Lochran say is true, then why did you help me out of the water?” Arguing with him when he was so obviously upset seemed foolhardy, but she couldn’t stop herself. Why did he hate himself so much? “You carried me inside after I fainted, too. Someone who hates women has no reason to be kind to one, even when she’s in trouble.”

“I’m no’ kind. Nor do I take pleasure in the misfortunes of others.” He leaned so close his body pressed against hers, and his heat sank through her borrowed gown. “I didnae wish to watch you drown, nor leave you as fodder for the beasts of the island.”