“This place is a regular Days of Our Lives prequel,” she murmured under her breath.
“Did you say something, my lady?” the young man at her elbow asked.
“No, just thinking out loud.” She glanced at him. “You’re a Sutherland?” The simple question provided all the encouragement he needed to boast about his clan, his skills and his future prospects. He moved closer to her side, offered his arm and let her know he was interested.
Taking his arm, she pretended to listen.
“Malcolm,” Galen said, nudging his arm, “Lady True and your sister are three-deep in Sutherlands.”
Galen stood by his elbow as Malcolm saw to bartering their surplus produce and grains for needed commodities. He turned in the direction Galen indicated and growled deep in his throat. Sutherlands were allies. The women were not in any danger. Still, he did not like seeing True surrounded by men, and she looked to be enjoying herself far too much for his liking.
He sought Liam in the crowd, not at all surprised to find him missing again. His cousin had been acting strangely since they’d arrived, often disappearing for hours at a time.
For the moment he could do nothing. “Aye, Galen. I see them. She and my sister are safe enough. ’Tis only Dylan and his men. Join their party, and make sure no mischief ensues.”
Galen smirked. “Whom am I guarding from mischief, your sister or True?”
“Both. Now go.” Malcolm scowled and turned back to his negotiations.
The morning wore on slowly, and his frustration increased with each passing hour. Every time he caught a glimpse of True, she was deep in conversation with one man or another. Her laughter, and the smiles she gave away so freely, wreaked havoc on his peace of mind.
Once free of duty, he still had one errand he wished to see to before he could remove True from her growing circle of admirers. The sound of male laughter drew his attention. Five men—Sutherlands he did not recognize—hung upon True’s every word. They stood too close to her. His sister spoke with Dylan and Galen off to the side. Galen caught his eye, shrugged and gave him a wry smile. Malcolm groaned.
His errand could wait.
Shoving two of the men aside, Malcolm reached True and rested his hand on her shoulder. “Come with me, lass.”
“What for, Malcolm?”
Her smug smile undid him. He leaned close and spoke loud enough for all to hear. “I have no’ yet kissed you today, and I wish to do so now.” He straightened, gratified by her gasp and the blush rising to her cheeks. “Come, unless you wish me to remedy the situation right here.” He raised an eyebrow in challenge.
“Neanderthal,” she muttered, her eyes flashing.
Tucking her against his side, he staked his claim for all to see and glared at any who dared hope for anything more with her than a few brief words. Malcolm guided her through the group of men bristling at his challenge. His mood lightened in anticipation of a good fight. “The MacKintosh will be in the lists at dawn on the morrow. I welcome you to join us.” He let the words settle over the Sutherlands and gave them his back.
“What was that all about?”
“I did not like the way they looked at you.”
“Really?” She sighed. “Well, I certainly did.”
“You will not let any other men look at you.” Even to his own ears, the command sounded ridiculous. How could she control how men looked at her? Her laughter, and having her next to him, soothed his ruffled feathers. He grinned. “I know what you are going to say. You may save your breath.”
“I will refrain from commenting about your absurd directive.”
“You just did, lass.” True glanced up at him through her thick lashes, her beguiling smile tempting him to make good his promise to kiss her right there in the middle of the fairgrounds. “I came for you because I wish to show you something. Look, True. Over there by the jugglers.”
He pointed to the circle of spectators surrounding the performers. There, amidst the crowd, Hunter and Tieren watched the show side by side, each with an arm slung casually around the other’s shoulders. His lady’s quick intake of breath, and her hand reaching for his, made all his frustration disappear. Malcolm brushed a kiss across her forehead, content for the first time that day.
CHAPTER TEN
Alethia perched on the edge of the huge bed in the chamber she shared with Elaine in Castle Inverness. She’d suffered through the afternoon at the fairgrounds and through supper. Her curiosity had eaten away at her until she couldn’t enjoy anything. Finally, she and Elaine had the privacy needed for a full confession. “Spill, Elaine.”