“I had not desired to marry anyone yet,” she said in a mournful voice.
“Aye, I can understand that. But it seems you no longer have a choice. You’ve been discovered, lass. If you think Duncan Cameron will give up when a holding such as Neamh Álainn is at stake, you’re daft.”
“There’s no need to be insulting,” she snapped. “I’m not daft.”
He shrugged, growing impatient with the direction of the conversation. “The way I see it, you have two choices. Duncan Cameron. Or me.”
She paled and twisted her hands in agitation.
“Perhaps you should give it some thought. The priest should arrive within two days. I’ll expect an answer by then.”
Ignoring the dazed look in her eyes, he turned and walked from the chamber. He paused at the door and turned to pin her with a stare.
“Don’t think to try to escape again. You’ll find I have no patience for chasing disobedient lasses all over my lands.”
CHAPTER 10
Marry the laird. Mairin paced the interior of her chamber until she thought she might go mad. She stopped at the window and stared out, inhaling the soothing spring air. It was a warm afternoon with only a gentle bite of a chill.
Making a decision, she gathered her shawl and hurried from the room. No sooner had she stepped from the keep than one of the McCabe warriors fell into step beside her. She peeked cautiously up at him and remembered that he’d been one of the men with Alaric the day they’d found her and Crispen. She searched her memory for his name, but the whole event had been one big blur to her.
She smiled, thinking he only wanted to offer her greeting, but he continued in step with her as she rounded the corner of the keep and headed in the direction of the hole in the skirt.
Before she could lift her dress hem and climb over the crumbling rock face, the soldier gallantly took her hand and assisted her over the side.
She stopped and he nearly bumped into her, so close was he following behind. She whirled around and tilted her neck so she could look him in the eyes.
“Why are you following me?”
“Laird’s orders, my lady. ’Tis unsafe for you to walk about the keep unescorted. I am charged with your protection when the laird himself is not with you.”
She snorted and put one hand on her hip. “He fears me escaping again and you’ve been put to the task of making sure that doesn’t happen.”
The soldier didn’t so much as blink.
“I have no intention of leaving the keep. The laird has informed me of the consequences of such an action. I’m merely out for a walk and a bit of fresh air, so there’s no reason for you to leave your other duties to escort me.”
“My only duty is to your safety,” he said solemnly.
She gave a disgruntled sigh. She was sure the laird’s men were every bit as thickheaded and stubborn as he was. It was probably a requirement.
“Very well. By what name are you called?”
“Gannon, my lady.”
“Tell me, Gannon, are you my permanent watch guard?”
“I share the duty with Cormac and Diormid. Next to his brothers, we are the laird’s most senior men.”
She picked her way over the stones protruding from the ground as she made her way up the hillside toward the grazing sheep.
“I can’t imagine that’s a duty any of you would welcome,” she said wryly.
“ ’Tis an honor,” Gannon said gravely. “The laird’s confidence is great. He wouldn’t entrust the safety of the mistress of the keep to just any of his soldiers.”
She stopped and whirled around, clamping her lips shut to prevent the shriek from escaping. “I am not the mistress of this keep!”
“You will be in two days’ time, just as soon as the priest arrives.”
She closed her eyes and shook her head. She’d never been a drinker of spirits, but right now an entire tub of ale would be welcome.
“The laird does you a great honor,” Gannon said, as if sensing her disquiet.
“I’m thinking ’tis the other way around,” Mairin muttered.
“Mairin! Mairin!”
She turned to see Crispen running up the hill as fast as his legs would carry him. He shouted her name the entire way and nearly knocked her off her feet when he crashed into her. Only Gannon’s steadying hand prevented her fall.
“Careful, lad,” Gannon said with a smile. “You’ll knock the lass over if you aren’t careful.”
“Mairin, is it true? Is it true?”
Crispen positively wiggled in his excitement. His eyes shone like twin stars and he clutched at her arms, alternately hugging and squeezing her.
She grasped his shoulders and carefully pried him away from her. “Is what true, Crispen?”