“You enjoy riding?”
Fiona looked guilty for a moment but her hands remained on the mare. “As much as I’m allowed.”
“Fiona, behave.” Helen shot the younger girl a stern look. Fiona didn’t appear contrite, only stubborn.
“There are many who believe riding will toughen my womb, twould make me sterile. I’m nae allowed very much time on my mare.”
Anne watched the way the girl pouted, clearly feeling as though life was unfair.
It was that, Anne agreed. “There are many in England who say the same thing.”
Fiona humphed. “Ye did not need to say that. Helen is already firm in her belief. I dinnae like riding in the cart.”
Helen frowned at her. “Don’t act so young, Fiona. If a lass gains a bad reputation, who will have ye? Think, miss, ye’ll want to have yer choice when the time comes for marriage.”
“I’m nae interested in marriage.” Her hands stroked the mare lovingly. “At least nae now and ’tis only riding. It’s nae as if I were asking to go riding out under the moon.”
Helen frowned. “Nae gentle lass should talk about such things. You just leave the moon riding to the fallen women who dinnae have someone to keep them from that hard path. It might sound exciting, but be very sure, lass, that it’s a rocky road to set yer life on.”
“Your brother took me riding today. I must say, I understand your fondness for it.”
Fiona smiled, all sweet forgiveness now that Anne appeared on her side. “Beware, Sister, Helen will blister yer ears for it. She is all aflutter about babies.”
“I will nae. Once yer wed ye can ride all ye like because the womb doesnae toughen once yer sharing yer husband’s bed.” Helen shook her head. “Listen to ye, young miss. How could ye know everything at sixteen?”
Fiona smiled, as vexing as Cullen often was. “I know that I love to ride.”
Anne laughed, unable to help herself. Helen rolled her eyes, but still grinned good naturedly.
“Tell me about your trip. How is your daughter?”
Helen happily clasped her hands together to begin speaking of her family. Anne let the sound of Helen’s joy surround her. There was much at Sterling worth loving.
Especially its master.
Brodick looked formidable that night. Anne entered the eating hall and a prickle of worry went down her nape at the hush in the air. Even Cullen, who normally was so carefree, appeared years older. Druce was busy crumbling a round of bread, his jaw working quickly while his thoughts appeared to race.
Brodick nodded to her but continued to brood over a tankard. Cullen broke the heavy silence.
“He’s a bastard.”
Druce grunted, sounding like he approved, while continuing to chew more bread. Brodick’s expression darkened further.
“That is nae the issue at hand. His bloody uncle has the ear of the King. We have to be careful how we answer his charges.”
“The bloody raiders burned a dozen homes.” Cullen looked ready to draw his sword.
But Brodick tempered his brother’s ire with a calculated shake of his head. “I spent five weeks running them back to their nest. No one knows it better than I, but they’ve gone and complained to the King making it sound like we have been raiding them. Jamie is nae tolerating that from any clan. That’s why he sent his men here to make sure it’s known far and wide that he’s watching.”
“’Tis nonsense. The McQuades were on yer land.” Druce washed the bread down with a huge swallow of small beer. “I’ll ride with ye to court.”
Brodick nodded, but his expression was still dark. His gaze touched hers and he winced.
“I’m sorry, lass, but ’tis poor company ye have to sup with tonight.”
“For good reason, it sounds like.”
His lips twitched, just the slightest amount. One of his hands covered hers. His fingers were warm, sending a tiny ripple of enjoyment up her arm.
“Protecting McJames’ land is a fine reason, to be sure. Yet I’m nae looking forward to riding to court.”
There was a disturbance at the far end of the eating hall. All three men grunted, hissing under their breath as a party of five men appeared and demanded some of the retainers relinquish their seats to them. Although wearing kilts, these men had doublets on and their tartans were blue and green. Never mind that there were seats aplenty a bit further across the room. The McJames’ retainers looked to Brodick for direction, but it was clear they wanted to give the newcomers a taste of their fists.
Brodick jerked his head and the retainers set their expressions. They rose from the benches, moving to empty ones. The newcomers smirked with their victory before assuming their seats and loudly calling for service.