Binding Vows(45)

Catherine Bybee



Irish. I think it best you keep to your own accent. We wouldn’t want the men to think you a spy.”

Tara laughed.

Myra got up to leave. “I need to see to Amber and her studies. Would you like to join me?”

Tara skimmed her eyes over to Duncan and Fin who faced each other off. “I’ll stay here if you don’t mind. I could use a little time alone.”

Myra nodded and went off.

Duncan and Finlay were quite literally, brothers in arms. They taught and exercised their fighting skills daily. Neighboring knights and their ladies sent their sons to train with them.

Duncan wielded his sword with little effort. He lifted it high above his head and twisted his body in all directions as if facing his enemy from all sides at once. There was none faster and more cunning on the battlefield. If his skill alone didn’t set him apart in a crowd, his clean shaven face would have. He had kept it bare since she had emerged from her room weeks prior. He faced ridicule and jokes from his peers, but he didn’t seem to mind.

She slipped from her perch and moved to get a closer look.

Tara sometimes caught him watching her, felt him trying to peer into her thoughts. Lora had provided valuable information advising her how to block him out of her mind. When Tara sensed Duncan peeking into her head, she purposely thought of a running river or some other body of water.

Sometimes, she pictured an animal playing or running. These thoughts blocked and confused him.

She even went so far as to sing rock songs in her head, which always brought a puzzled look to his face when she was near enough to see his expression.

At times like now, when he was busy training, 132



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he was too involved in what he was doing to notice her presence. Or at least she hoped so. It wouldn’t do any good to ignore him all day, to blow the effect by letting him know she was interested in how he spent his time.

So, she sat in the shadows of the massive Keep, sang a little Green Day, and watched the men sweat.

Life could be worse. ****

Ian watched as his wife sat patiently with her needlework. “Have they even spoken two words since the first day?”

“Oh, one or two, but only when they cannot avoid it.”

“I have to put an end to this nonsense. I hear rumblings from the men. Jacob asked if he could court her.”

“We can tell the man Duncan is pursuing her, it’s up to him to make it believable.” She snipped off her thread and changed the color.

“How can he make it believable if they aren’t even speaking?”

“Tara’s needed this time, husband. Have a bit more faith in your son.”

“I’ve never been as patient as you.”

Lora nodded her head in agreement. “Growing up an only child has kept your patience short.”

It was an age-old story, which bore repeating. “I grow tired, Lora. I want to see our children have families of their own.”

“You make it sound like you’re at death’s door.

We both know nothing could be further from the truth.”

He ran his fingers through graying hair. “Myra is well past the age of eligibility. Why, by the time you were her age Duncan was almost two and Fin was well on his way to this world.”

Lora removed her eyes from her embroidery and 133



Catherine Bybee



gazed at her husband. Stress and worry etched his face. She put her needlepoint aside and went to him.

“My lord husband, do not take to heart these matters. I’ve seen the goodness ahead for our children. Myra’s husband will come. Forcing her into a marriage was never an option and ye know it. All this needless concern will only remove precious years from them if you allow it to continue.”

“What would I do without you?”

She laid her head in his lap and felt his hands stroking her hair. She wanted his apprehension over things he wasn’t in control over to end. Because of her conviction, she kept from him the feeling she had been carrying with her since Tara had arrived. Lora sensed that after a short amount of happiness, turmoil would return.

Lora couldn’t shake the feeling that something was coming.

Something evil.



****

“How long are you going to give her?” Fin asked when he came up for air after sparring with his brother. Duncan took a long drink from his cup. “As much as she needs.”

“You’ve both been circling around each other for weeks. Even the men are starting to talk.” He kept his voice low to keep their conversation private.

“Exactly what are they saying?”

Fin wasn’t sure how much he should tell. “They ask if you have actually spoken for her, or if she’s your leman.”

Duncan whipped around catching his brother unaware, his eyes ablaze with anger. “Such gossip could ruin Tara’s reputation. Who would question me?” “Calm down.” Fin spotted a beige skirt peaking from the shadows. “You must know how it looks 134