Page 27 of Highland Dove

“I no’ only want to do that, but I want to marry ye and spend the rest of my life with ye as well. Ye ken that.”

“Oh, Duncan,” she said, tears rolling down her cheeks. “I want that, too, more than anythin’.”

“Have ye found out yet where Eideard is keepin’ my mathair?”

“Nay. No’ yet. But on the morrow, Angus is goin’ to read his palm and find out what he can.”

Duncan chuckled, pouring a goblet of wine and holding it up to her. “Now that is somethin’ I would love to see.”

She giggled. “He does look funny. And he’s no’ enjoyin’ bein’ a woman at all.”

“But I’m sure he’s enjoyin’ Tillie’s cookin’.”

“He would do anythin’ for food.”

They both laughed at that.

“Aye, he would,” said Duncan. “Now eat with me, Mari.”

They sat down and shared a meal, conversation, and some wine.

“How is my faither farin’?” she asked, almost scared to know.

“I gave the old gypsy’s healing potions to Forba to use on him, so I hope they help. I’m hopin’ that he will be able to talk to me on the morrow.”

“That’s guid.” Mari noticed Duncan rubbing his shoulder. “How is yer shoulder, Duncan? How bad did Eideard hurt ye?”

“I’ll live,” he told her. “Forba sewed me up. How are ye farin’ with yer blisters?”

“I feel so ugly and I am very uncomfortable. But it worked in keepin’ Eideard away from me. I just hope this lasts until ye find a way to get yer mathair and reclaim the castle.”

“The MacKeefes will be helpin’ me and there are men from yer clan who will help attack as well.”

“When will that be?” she asked him, raising the goblet to her mouth.

“I’m no’ sure,” he told her. “But the faster ye can find where Eideard’s keepin’ Mathair, the faster this will be over.”

There came a knock at the door and Mari’s eyes flashed over to Duncan.

“Wife, open the door,” bellowed Eideard from the other side.

“What should I do?” she whispered to Duncan.

“Get rid of him,” he whispered back, running over to hide behind the door.

The pounding continued. Slowly, Mari opened the door a crack.

“What do ye want?” she asked, poking her head out to see him.

Eideard looked over her head to the food on the table along with the two goblets. “Is there someone in there with ye? I see two goblets.”

She knew if he thought she was trying to keep him out, he’d only want to come inside even more. So she took a chance and hoped her plan would work.

“I was hopin’ ye were goin’ to join me, so I brought enough food and wine for two.”

She saw Duncan from the corners of her eyes. His hand went to the hilt of his sword.

“Really?” he asked, sounding suspicious.