Highland Sanctuary (13 page)

"Rightly so." Leith lifted a finger and tilted his brown head. "A second son ought to have a wee bit of charm. How else am I to lure the fortune seekers out of yer clutches?"

"Ye're the third son or have ye forgotten?" A familiar pain shot through Gavin. Over the years, the death of their brother Elliot had diminished, but he refused to allow Elliot's memory to fade. Nor could he forget how different things might have turned out if he had gone with Elliot that day. Elliot had learned some news regarding a murdering traitor in the MacPhearson Clan their sister had married into, but Elliot never returned home.

"Nay, I've not forgotten, but there are times I wish I could." Leith's tone sobered. "Ye're determined to remind me often enough."

"I'm sorry." Serena said. "I didn't know ye had another brother."

"He was killed in a fight a few years ago." Leith said. "I was only a wee lad at the time. Elliot and Gavin were full-blooded brothers, while Akira and I are only their half-siblings through a different mither, the second wife."

"Who's Akira?" Serena looked from Leith to Gavin.

"Our sister," Gavin said.

"Mayhap that would explain why the two of ye look so different." Serena scraped her teeth over her bottom lip with a smile. "Although, ye both seem to have the knack of embellishment from what I can tell."

"What do ye mean?" The words were out of Gavin's mouth before he could hold them back.

"Which of us is the handsomest?" Leith leaned forward, no doubt expecting flowery praise. "Don't ye think Gavin has a bit of a rugged look to him?"

"Och, Leith." Serena shook her head and clicked her tongue. "If I didn't know ye better, I'd think ye were a wee bit jealous of yer elder brother. It's a good thing ye're only jesting."

Gavin's opinion of Serena grew even more. Most of the lasses back home either fell for Leith's bid for compassion or his charming wit. He could now add intelligence to her growing list of attributes.

They arrived back at the laird's stables and left their horses in the care of the stable lad. As they walked into the courtyard, Serena stopped. "Thank ye for the dance lessons."

Turning, Gavin watched her gather her cloak tight around her, as if she was uncomfortable. "Are ye not coming?"

"Nay. The earl has requested to meet the two of ye. I've no desire to see him, and he didn't ask for me. I've things I must do before the day's end."

"Mayhap we can escort ye home this evening?" Gavin lingered, not wanting to separate from her just yet.

"That depends." Serena backed away. "The laird may want ye to stay for dinner since he has guests." She turned and strode toward the opposite end of the courtyard, her brown gown rustling against her legs. Serena's boots crushed the pebbled dirt, fading with each step.

"Come on, Gavin. They're waiting." Leith prompted him. "Serena has work to do and we have business to attend."

"Since when did ye become so sensible and able to help me keep my priorities straight instead of the other way around?" Gavin strolled beside Leith, giving him a curious sideways glance.

"When ye became enamored with an innocent lass who doesn't deserve to be hurt. Ye're forgetting how loyal ye are to the family, the clan, and yer sense of duty. Ye may come to truly care for her and feel torn, but in the end, ye'll choose yer conscience in what ye believe is right."

Leith pulled open the heavy wood door. It groaned and squeaked. They blinked in the dark hallway, giving their eyes time to adjust. Their heels clicked against the hard floor.

"So that's why ye tried to make it sound as if I'm like ye, leaving broken hearts everywhere I go." Gavin shook his head in disbelief. He had never known his brother to be concerned about such matters before.

"That's the difference between us," Leith said. "Ye've always handled yer obligations. For me, it's a mere thought—at least it was until now."

"What's changed?" Gavin asked.

"I canna deny our birth order. I'll either have to make my own way or keep depending on yer good graces. I'm getting to an age where I need to make my own way."

"I'm glad to hear it. Ye're finally coming to yer senses. But as for the lasses, I still think ye'd break every woman's heart for the lust of travel in yer blood, while I could only do so for a moral obligation." He paused, considering his next words. "I'm a man with principles. I still believe a solution is obtainable where Serena is concerned."

"Ah, but does she? I get the impression she's quite attached to this place."

The question grated on Gavin's nerves as they entered the great hall where two long wood tables were arranged side by side. Another table of less length rested on a dais overlooking the hall. The seats were empty and the air drafty with no warm bodies in the room or a blazing fire in the hearth.

"Kind of eerie, isn't it?" Leith shook his shoulders and arms as if warding off a chill.

"Auld castles are like that. Ours doesn't have the same effect because we've grown up in it."

"True, but MacKenzie Castle isn't barren like this." Leith held out his hands and gestured to the dark corners and crevices. "Our rooms and hallways are filled with people, laughter, happy chatter, not this silence of the tomb."

Gavin grinned. One thing he could always depend on was Leith's lively outlook on life.

"Listen." Gavin strained to hear. The sound of a distant conversation echoed. A woman's high-pitched laughter ruptured. "This way." Gavin walked through a side door and followed a hall that emptied into a large room he assumed was the throne room.

A lady sitting in an elegant carved chair looked up from Iain MacBraigh standing above her. She wore a dark purple gown with a plaid underskirt. The large sleeves contained matching ribbon ties and puffed out in waving folds down to her wrists. She held a goblet in her hand as her gray eyes met his, and then turned to assess Leith. Her long, curly brown hair fell in ringlets around her shoulders.

While Iain made the proper introductions, Gavin noticed how her interest in Leith waned at the mention of the clan chieftainship and estate Gavin would inherit. She rewarded him with an even brighter smile. This time her eyes sparkled like diamond slits, but Gavin had no interest in a fortune seeker. Still, duty called for politeness and the best of manners.

"Pleased to make yer acquaintance, Lady Fiona Lennox." Gavin bowed.

"And I, my lady." Leith bowed beside Gavin.

"Ahh, so the MacKenzie brothers have finally arrived," said a male voice behind them. "I've been looking forward to meeting both of ye. Iain has told me such excellent things about ye."

Gavin and Leith turned. A middle-aged man stepped forward. He had gray hair and a full beard and mustache, and piercing brown eyes that measured them up and down. The man wore a tan tunic and a plaid of purple and dark blue as his daughter.

"May I present my cousin, Lord Hogan Lennox, the Earl of Caithness," Iain said.

While bowing, Gavin noticed the grim expression on the laird's face. His lips appeared tight and his tone harsh, as he cut a glance at the earl. "Thank ye for being understanding about my unexpected absence in touring the grounds. I trust Serena was able to show ye everything and answer yer questions?"

"Aye, she's a verra able lass."

"And may I ask who is Serena?" Lady Fiona looked from the laird to Gavin. She lifted her chin. "With a brood of brothers surrounding me each day, I welcome the acquaintance of another woman." She smiled, revealing a row of white teeth, but the warmth didn't reach her eyes. Gavin wondered if she struggled to hide something.

"Serena Boyd is a village lass who helps here at the castle," Iain said. "She's well-educated. She has a way with the servants in solving disputes. The lass has earned their respect and it seems that most would do almost aught for her." Iain sipped from his goblet. He motioned to the drinks on the side table. "Would ye like some wine?"

"Aye." Gavin nodded. A servant brought him a filled pewter goblet and handed one to Leith.

"So she's a commoner who works for ye. Mither doesn't allow me to associate with our servants. She says they'll teach me vulgar things."

"Fiona!" The earl's face darkened a shade. "That wasn't her exact words."

"Well, I can vouch for Serena's goodness of character," Iain said. "I've invited her to the welcoming party we're throwing on behalf of the MacKenzies. As my guest, I expect her to be treated with warmth and respect."

"Leith and I could put in a favorable word for her character as well," Gavin said.

"Indeed." Leith nodded. "I hope to take a turn with her upon the dance floor."

"Well, the first and the last dance are already promised to me." Gavin sipped his wine.

"However did ye do it?" Iain swung his head in Gavin's direction. "It took some time for her to agree to come. I thought I might have to resort to ordering her."

"Gentlemen, I'm not completely without charm." Heat burned Gavin's face, and he resisted the temptation to touch his flaming cheeks. He wouldn't be surprised if his skin color matched his hair.

"I must admit, I'm now quite curious to meet this Serena Boyd, especially since she has ye all enamored with her. She must be a verra special commoner." Lady Fiona exchanged a awry glance with her father. Gavin wasn't sure what it meant, but it put him on guard.

Serena and Cara leaned over their washboards and scrubbed linens with the lye soap Serena's mother had made a few days ago. They were on their knees in the grass by the loch as the gray sky dawned into morning. Gunna wasn't feeling well, so Serena had offered to take care of the chore before leaving for the castle.

"Thank ye for going with Gunna to the loch each day. I miss the time I used to have with her," Serena said. She lathered Gunna's plaid and turned it over to scrub the other side.

"I enjoy it. She's a delight and full of the latest news about ye. How else am I supposed to keep up with what's happenin' with ye?" Cara held up the white tunic she had just washed. "Did I miss any spots?" She stared in Serena's direction, trying her best to do her part.

"It's good and clean," Serena said, leaning over and inspecting the garment. "And what news might Gunna be telling ye?"

"That the laird has invited ye to a feast and dancing." A proud smile lit her face. A piece of brown hair flew into her eyes, and she wiped it to the side. "What if he falls in love with ye, Serena? What a grand life ye'd have. All the burdens yer mither and Gunna suffer would be but a trifle load compared to what they endure now."

"There's about as much chance of that as there is of him wedding Phelan. Nay, I won't even waste my time on such thoughts. Iain MacBraigh is merely uncomfortable hosting parties and entertaining people. He only wants me there to help, naught more."