Claimed By A Charmer (The Pith Trilogy) (14 page)

His cousin grinned. “Aye, I think ye
bent your sword, Douglas. That’s telling. You’re a bit tense. If it makes ye
feel better, I believe she likes you. I’ve seen the way she looks at you. She
only has eyes for you—you’re a fortunate man.”

“You’re seeing things; she doesn’t
look at me in any such way. Besides, I’m thinking about Rachel.”

“Rachel Dunmore?”

“Aye, she’d make a good wife. It’ll
be fitting revenge against Irving, were I to marry her. Do you deem so?”

Brendan cuffed him on the ear. “Irving’s
own cousin? Revenge isn’t worth that.”

“Ow. What’s wrong with Rachel?”

“Aye, she’s pretty, and bedding her
mayhap pleasurable. Och it’d be a marriage in hell. I assure you that lass is
not what you think she is.”

“What do you mean?” He gripped his
cousin’s arm.

“She’s good at pretending.”

“Pretending? She assists my mother
in the keeping of my home. Rachel hasn’t complained once about being here, even
though she’s practically a prisoner. She’s kindly, and she’ll be faithful.”

“Will she?”

Douglas nodded, but he didn’t like
his cousin’s tone.

“You don’t see her the way I do. Of
course your wife will be faithful. Why wouldn’t she be?”

Douglas scowled. “Forget I said
that. How do you see her?”

“Never mind, you’re blinded by her
and nothing I say will matter. If you want her, then by all means, cousin, take
her to wife, but you’ll be making a mistake. If you’re not interested in
Isabel, then mayhap I’ll—”

Douglas interrupted, “I’ll give it
more thought.”

“Do that. I wouldn’t want you
saddled with a harridan of a wife …” Brendan didn’t continue when he nodded his
agreement.

“I’m thinking to send Gil with you
when you leave. He needs more training, and I don’t have time to work with
him.”

“You’ve experienced warriors here
who can train him. Why send him with me?” Brendan looked aghast at his request.

“He respects you. I think he’d do
better under your tutelage than anyone else’s. He’s been a good friend, and I
only want to do for him what my father did for me.”

“You mean send him away and—”

“Nay, I’m sure Gil would be happier
training with ye.” Douglas had kept the reason for his absence from his clan to
himself, and hadn’t even told Brendan. He never revealed what his father had
told him when he’d come home, just before he died. It wasn’t something he
wanted to admit, being kin to the Dunmore.

“Training with who?” Gil sat next
to them.

“Douglas deems to send you with me,
when I leave. Would you want to?” Brendan asked.

“Laird, if that be your wish, then
I shall go.” Gil tried to hide his dissonance.

“I’m not sending you away, Gil. I
thought Brendan could train you in his likeness.”

Gil smiled. “Aye, I’d like that. Brendan
is one mean son-of-a-bitch. I could learn much from him, and haven’t learned
all that I need to. As long as I still get to mess with my studies …”

“Then it’s settled, you’ll go with
him when he leaves.”

“I’m not planning to leave for
sometime, Douglas. There are things I’d like to see happen here, before I
return home.”

“Such as?”

Brendan glowered and didn’t answer.
Douglas let the cold air cool him. He grew hot just thinking of the lass. Aye,
whenever he thought of Isabel or heard her voice, he steeled himself against
acting on his true emotions. He had no idea why he’d spoken to Brendan about
wanting to marry Rachel. It was only a slight consideration, and one that he
hadn’t really cogitated over. His cousin seemed angry that he’d consider the
lady good enough to marry. He must be mistaken, because Brendan would never go
to such lengths to speak of such matters, but he’d put aside the absurd idea.

How could he stay away from Isabel?
He’d kept himself away from the keep most of the day and during meals. Hell,
he’d even avoided his own mother because she had caught him kissing her. Douglas
wouldn’t be able to evade Isabel much longer. Even when he wasn’t at the keep—he
was there. Or at least his mind was. He found himself watching for her, growing
lax in his duties. Hell, even Cedric almost speared him due to his lack of
attention during their earlier drill, which was why he’d bent his sword,
becoming aggravated because of his inattention. Aye, it was getting harder and
harder to resist the urge to run into the keep to see her.

Lecturing came easily to Lady Kerr,
and it seemed to Isabel that she enjoyed it. If she wasn’t lecturing the men on
their manners, she lectured the girls on their improper behavior. Isabel
believed she even lectured the mutts about entering the hall. She knew Lady
Kerr would give another long-winded speech, and tried not to smile while doing
it. Isabel had spent her days reminiscing with Candace and getting into their
usual trouble. Lady Kerr hinted that she’d been told by Laird Gordon of their
antics when they had stayed at his keep. Did Candace think her mother was
ignorant of her behavior there? They hadn’t changed a bit since they first met,
and were still troublesome minxes, much to Lady Kerr’s distress.

Fortunately, Douglas had been busy,
and was away from the keep during the days. He hadn’t known about their
misbehavior. They only had to contend with Lady Kerr. Isabel sensed that she
didn’t mind their pranks, but she had to project some sort of motherly
discipline. Lord knew what they’d do if they were given freedom to roam the
keep. Lady Kerr was in the midst of giving them her daily lecture. She walked
back and forth with her hands folded behind her back, like a laird instructing
his soldiers.

“Now, pay attention, lassies. Keep
your distance from the garrison, and you shan’t go near those steeds. They’re
great hulking beasts that will stomp you. Are ye paying attention?”

Isabel smiled. She and Candace both
nodded vigorously.

Lady Kerr resumed pacing, frowning
at their staid looks. Her voice took a commanding tone. “You shan’t go outside
this day. Cedric feared for your safety yesterday. He said that you ran through
the courtyard without care. You will sit here and sew like the good lassie that
you are.”

Isabel lowered her eyes, trying not
to laugh aloud. Neither she, nor Candace, had the nerve to speak, reprimanded
as they were. They nodded their agreement. Lady Kerr left to go about her
duties. Isabel was asked by her friend to help her tend the mending. She saw Lady
Kerr check on them throughout the morning, but they remained in the hall. She
did laugh when she saw Lady Kerr cross herself, giving thanks to God aloud,
when she passed through the hall a moment ago.

“Candace and Isabel, may I be of
assistance?” Rachel stepped forward, smiling.

Isabel looked up from her stitch
work, wondering what the horrid woman wanted.

“Pardon me, Rachel?” Candace asked.

“Do you need assistance?”

“Nay, we don’t need help from ye.”

Rachel blinked, lowered her head,
and retreated to the long table. Douglas stood behind her, and Isabel hadn’t
noticed he’d entered the hall. She saw him give a hurtful look at Rachel before
she ran from the hall. He looked after Rachel, as he approached them.

“Candace, why did you do that?”

“Do what?”

“You hurt Rachel’s feelings. She
was upset when she left.” Douglas waited for her answer.

Isabel wondered why he’d be
concerned about Rachel. Was Rachel the woman who held his interest? Candace
glanced at her, giving her a solemn look.

“Rachel wanted to help with the
sewing, but I told her nay that’s all. Why do you concern yourself, Douglas? Surely
you have more important matters to attend than care about …” Candace didn’t
continue, and must have realized how disdainful she sounded.

He scowled and moved closer. “I
want you to welcome her in this hall. Is that understood? It isn’t her fault
she was brought here against her will. She may become a permanent addition to
our clan.”

Candace lowered her eyes to hide
her aversion. Isabel knew her friend’s intense feelings for the woman. Rachel
wouldn’t be part of this family, not if Candace had anything to say about it. Isabel
considered his statement:
permanent addition
. A lump formed in her
throat, but she hid her angst and didn’t chance to look at his expression.

Candace nodded. Fortunately,
Douglas walked away and didn’t require a reply.

“Permanent addition? Did you hear
that, Isabel?”

“Do you deem he loves her?”

“Love? Sweet Mary, I certainly hope
not. She is trouble without a doubt. I cannot abide the thought. She’s been
irreverent since the day she arrived. At first, I tried to befriend her, but
she’s too haughty. She pretends to care for those around her, but I know ‘tis
not so.”

“When did she come here?”

“Before Douglas returned home. That’s
why I went to the Gordon’s, remember, I told you there was a … Oh, but your
news was so distressing, I mustn’t have told ye. I couldn’t stand being here
with her. Apparently Cedric captured her on a raid against the Dunmores, and
brought her home. When I returned for my da’s …” Candace pulled on the edge of
her sleeve. “Until you came here … I was forced to endure her company. I tried
being polite to her, but honest to God, I couldn’t.”

“She’s that bad?”

“Hah, she’s a wanton shrew. I’ve
seen her rub herself against every man in the keep. And now it seems she has
her eye on my brother. He doesn’t noticed her unless she addresses him. Douglas
is a fool. It’s unjust the way the men treat her.”

“Men have been known to be heedless
about the ways of women. I’ve seen her stalking around. She watches herself
carefully.”

“Aye, my brother is a stupid man. If
he asks her to wed him, I’ll do something horrid. I won’t stand her being my
sister-in-law. The moon will fall from the sky first.”

“There’s nothing you can do. If he
wants to wed her, he will. Besides, you’ll be gone …”

Candace stood, throwing her sewing
into the basket between them. “Nay, there is something I can do, and I plan to
start today.”

“You’re up against a masterful
opponent. She seems capable of getting what she wants.”

Candace laughed. “She’s no match
for me. I’ve only five months before I leave with Wills, so I’ll have to work
quickly.”

“Five months. Are ye sure you want
to wed him?” Isabel smiled to show she wasn’t serious.

Candace laughed again. “Aye, he’s
wonderful. I care for him and well, … you’ve seen him. He loves me. What more
could I want?”

Isabel shoved her shoulder. “He is
handsome, Candace. No wonder you want him for a husband. He’s rather nice, though
I haven’t spoken to him much, and I’ve been here a fortnight.”

“He left the day after you arrived,
and was called home because of a clan matter, but he’ll return soon and we
shall spend time with him.” Candace turned toward her. “Do you find yourself
attracted to any of the men here?”

“How can you ask such a question? Nay,
I haven’t thought about that,” she lied. “I’m too concerned with the thought of
… what Nigel did.”

“Surely you must feel different
after a man does that to ye.” Candace blushed.

“I told you, Nigel struck me unconscious.
When I came to, I realized he’d lain on top of me, but then Nate came and my
father came shortly after. I’m not certain if he did it or not.”

“It shall not matter to if the man
wants to wed ye.”

“I deem it does matter, Candace. I
have nowhere to go, and I cannot return home. I suppose I could go to Uncle
Stan’s, he wouldn’t turn me away. I’ll await your wedding and then go.”

“You can come with me. I’m sure
Wills wouldn’t mind. I’ll keep you safe, Isabel.”

“I cannot go with you, Candace. You’ll
be starting your life with your husband. I’ll figure out a way to stay here or
go to Uncle Stan’s.”

“Aye, that’s a grand idea … staying
here.”

Douglas strode back into the hall
and poured himself a drink of ale from the pitcher that sat on the table. One
of his men approached and they conversed for a moment before the man left. He
sat at the table, staring at his cup, seemingly deep in thought. Isabel
diverted her attention to her sewing, and tried not to watch him.

“I must see my mother. Wait here,
I’ll be right back.” Candace left her alone.

She noticed Douglas watching
Candace leave. No sooner had her friend taken the steps, Rachel returned. The
woman was obviously trying to gain Douglas’ attention, and she moved about the
room, staying within his view.

Douglas’ eyes moved to her, and
Isabel blushed, having him watching her so closely. She hoped her appearance
was acceptable—ladylike. She’d worn her hair tightly bound again, and her
clothing was kept and unwrinkled. She willed restraint against speaking her
thoughts to Rachel, wishing she’d leave. Douglas didn’t seem to pay Rachel much
attention.

Why did she torment herself with hoping
he had feelings for her? Isabel wasn’t about to let Rachel win, no matter what
she had to do to sway Douglas’s affection from her rival. Yet, with Douglas
present, she wasn’t about challenge the woman. Rachel moved closer to him, and
tapped Douglas on his shoulder. He turned and his expression wasn’t what Isabel
had expected. His face looked angry, as though he couldn’t believe her
audacity. Of course, Rachel knew what she was doing, and thrust her breast
forward, and leaned close to him.

Before he could reproach her, she
asked, “Is there aught you need, Laird Kerr?”

Douglas shook his head. She pouted and
left the hall when he returned his gaze to Isabel.

Isabel smiled down at her work and
continued applying the needle.

“What has you smiling, Lady
Isabel?”

She startled when she looked up
from her sewing, and found him standing next to her. She hadn’t heard his
approach. Douglas took Candace’s vacated seat, and stretched his legs in front
of him. Her eyes widened at the bare skin shown below his knee-length tartan. He
wore boots made of dark leather, which only went to mid-calf. She tried to hide
her thoughts as she continued applying the needle to the fabric she held.

She looked toward the door and saw
that Rachel had returned. She seemed angry, and slammed a chair against the
table as she was pushing it in. She hastily left again, and Isabel was glad,
because she didn’t want to deal with the fickle woman. Isabel diligently worked
the needle with her fingers.

“Poor Rachel.”

“Why do ye say that?”

“She has feelings for you, Laird
Kerr.”

“How do you know that?”

“She gets angered anytime you get
near me.”

“I don’t understand.” He smiled.

Isabel felt rattled, having him so
near. She looked down at the fabric and noticed the mess of stitches. She began
pulling them out.

“She’s jealous of any attention you
pay me.”

“We’re friends, you and I. You’re
my sister’s best friend, and I will have to set her straight on that matter.” His
face remained blank, as though he really meant what he said.

“Aye, just, um … friends. I’d
appreciate that, Laird Kerr. She hasn’t been kind because of it. I don’t want
to make enemies, when I’ve only just arrived.”

Isabel wanted to cry. Just friends!
She wanted to be more than friends, and hoped he would deny any sort of
friendship between them. Their kisses certainly were more than what friends
shared, their touches more torrid than friendly, and surely his thoughts went
beyond courteousness, hers definitely did.

“I’m sorry, Isabel, I uh … hope
that she hasn’t been rude to ye. I will have her apologize.”

“Nay, she hasn’t been rude, not
really. Please, I don’t need an apology.” She placed the sewing on the chair. “I
… I must go.”

As she stood, she saw Brendan enter
the hall. She smiled at him as he passed by.

“I’ve chased three women from the
hall in a matter of minutes. Where the hell is my so-called charm?”

Brendan frowned at him. “What’s
wrong with Isabel?”

“Why do you ask?” Douglas rose from
his chair and she saw him watching her.

“She has tears in her eyes. Did you
say something to make her cry? If you’ve hurt her tender feelings …”

“Nay, I didn’t. Since when have you
been concerned about a woman’s tender feelings?”

“Since I met Isabel that’s when. I
better soothe the lass then.”

Isabel gasped realizing Brendan was
about to follow her. She hurried through the door, but waited to make sure. She
could still hear them talking.

“Aye, better you than me right
now.”

“What the hell does that mean,
Douglas?”

“Nothing, I’m not good company
right now that’s all.”

Isabel took off, she needed to
release her frustration, and there was only one way to do that. She’d find a
place where she could be alone and think. Walking through the courtyard, she
quickly went through the gate and marched toward the forest. The cool breeze
eased her and the shade felt nice. Standing a distance away from the perfect
trees, she removed one of her daggers and threw it with all her might.

“Lady Calvert.”

Isabel jumped and drew a quick
breath at the intrusion. “Oh, Brendan, I didn’t see ye, you startled me. What
are you doing out here?” She hid the dagger she held, in the folds of her
skirts.