The Laird's Captive Wife(80)

‘Where ever did you get this?’

‘I had the smith make it. He does subtle work from time to time, in between his regular tasks.’

‘He is highly skilled.’

‘I’m sorry it’s taken so long. I’d meant you to have it long since but Ewan will not be hurried.’

‘Quite rightly,’ she replied. ‘He’s a true craftsman.’

‘You like it then?’

‘It’s beautiful, Iain.’ She extended her hand. ‘Will you do the honours?’

He took the ring and slid it on to her finger. Then he smiled faintly. ‘It fits a lot better than the last one.’

‘It’s perfect. Thank you.’

He led her to the adjoining chamber and undressed her there, before removing his own clothing. Then he followed her to bed. Mindful of the demands he had made earlier he made none now, being content just to hold her close. She felt his body curl protectively around hers and smiled, sharing his warmth until they both slept.





Chapter Twelve

The following morning the chief huntsman went out at dawn. He returned from the quest with the intelligence that the lymer had found red deer in the wooded depths of a neighbouring glen. Among them was the coveted prize of a hart with a ten-tined rack of antlers.

Thus it was that a large party of riders, male and female, met in the courtyard. Spirits were high and the air filled with laughter and good-humoured banter. Ashlynn, mounted on Steorra, went to join her brother. Together they cast a critical gaze over the hunting dogs, part mastiff, part alaunt, huge lean beasts with wicked fangs.

‘They look to have the strength and tenacity of the one breed and the reckless courage of the other,’ he observed. ‘If anything is going to bring a wild animal to bay, I think they will.’

‘You’re right,’ said Iain who had reined his horse in alongside. ‘Once they get the scent they don’t give up.’

Soon the company set off, riding at a steady pace, reserving the stamina of the horses and dogs until they would be required. Ashlynn could feel Steorra’s excitement. The mare longed to be off and made no secret of the fact with prancing steps and pricked ears. Like her the bigger animals were champing at the bit too. Stormwind essayed a half-rear and received a sharp word of warning from his rider in return. The big horse dropped his head and snorted in disgust. Ashlynn shot a sidelong glance at Iain and saw him slap the dappled neck good-humouredly.

‘Behave yourself, you great lummox!’ he told the horse. ‘You’ll get your chance soon enough.’

She laughed. ‘He is impatient, my lord.’

‘Aye, you’d think he’d never heard a hunting horn or seen dogs before.’

‘All horses love the chase.’

‘That they do.’

‘They are not alone in that.’

His smile faded and for a moment his face grew serious. ‘Stay with the other women, Ashlynn. This is wild country, and you’re a stranger to it just now. It would be easy to get lost.’

‘I’ll do as you advise, my lord.’

He nodded. ‘The border lands can be dangerous. This is not a good place to be alone.’

Recalling their encounters on the way north she could see the reason for his caution. ‘Do you suppose there may be any danger?’

‘Not for a party this size,’ he replied.

‘That’s good to know.’ She threw him a mischievous grin. ‘I have no sword to hand this day.’

He returned the smile. ‘That’s as well for any robbers hereabouts. Not that I think there will be many of those. Your reputation will have frightened them off for sure.’

Ashlynn laughed. ‘Not my reputation, I think.’ Iain turned to Ban. ‘Did you know that your coaching had been so successful?’

‘How so, my lord?’

‘Did your sister not tell you that she single-handedly accounted for some very desperate villains?’

His brows drew together. ‘Ashlynn never mentioned anything of the sort.’

‘No? Well, she’s very modest, ye ken.’

‘So it would appear,’ said Ban. ‘Will you not bring me up to date on the subject, my lord?’

‘I’d be delighted.’

Ashlynn threw her husband an eloquent look which he noted with enjoyment and promptly ignored. Then he favoured his brother-in-law with a colourful account of what had happened on the way to Jedburgh. Ban listened with mounting shock and incredulity but underneath it all was pride.

‘You’re a dark horse, Ash,’ he said when the account was done at last.

Iain nodded solemnly. ‘That’s just what I said.’

‘I was lucky,’ she replied.