The Protector Read online

  All three suitors stepped forward on one side to stroke and inspect her horse and compliment the beast. While they admired her mount, Duff stepped forward, and placing his hands about Mairi’s slender waist, lifted her into her saddle.

  Her hands covered the tops of his, just as they had the last time he’d helped her mount. He’d never thought to hold her again. His palms burned. He released her and stepped back and away, dismissing the slide of her fingers over his hands.

  It wasn’t his place to show them they should be paying more attention to the woman, not her horse. He should have waited longer, given her suitors more time to offer Mairi assistance.

  Duff looked up to find Mairi looking at him. But the expression she wore was new and he didn’t know what she was feeling. At a guess he’d say she looked surprised, yet … pleased.

  ‘Ready, Daughter?’

  Mairi’s features shifted and changed at her father’s enquiry. She now looked calm and in control.

  ‘Aye, I’m ready, Father.’

  Duff mounted, as did the Gordon laird’s guests.

  ‘Come, then, let’s away.’ Alastair drew his horse alongside Mairi’s and together they led the way out through the castle’s entrance.

  Once they’d all crossed the drawbridge, their group formed a line of five, with Duff riding directly behind Mairi and bringing up the rear. His position allowed him to see clearly in every direction while never losing sight of his charge. Or the men she rode with.

  As the afternoon sun bathed them in its glory, Alastair kept their pace to a walk as he pointed to the east passed the gentle rolling hills to where the ridge lined with Scots pines marked the land boundaries in that direction. They skirted the large shimmering Loch Gordon to the north, which was teeming with trout and constantly replenished by the slim stream that continued into the forest further north. They crossed the stream at its narrowest point and her father said, ‘This is where we enter the forest to hunt and fill our larder with fresh meat to last each winter.’ They then rode along the west side of Gordon Castle where the forest continued.

  Following the moat that surrounded the curtain wall, they reached the village and stopped every now and then for Alastair to show the small parcels of land each cottage farmed. They then took the path that led to the valley where Duff had first laid eyes on Alastair Gordon and his small travelling party, moments before they’d been attacked.

  ‘Enough sightseeing and talking from me,’ Alastair said, drawing the group to a halt on a rise at the edge of Gordon lands. ‘First man to cross the drawbridge will have the honour of sitting beside Mairi for this evening’s meal.’

  With the terms of the challenge set, all three suitors gave their mounts their heel and then their heads. Alastair chuckled as clods of earth were tossed up in the air by hooves digging deep for better purchase. The riders began the race with space between them, but soon merged together as if closing in on each other would grant them greater speed.

  ‘Did you enjoy the tour of Gordon lands, Duff?’

  Duff was surprise to have the question directed at him, but gave an honest reply. ‘Almost as much as I enjoyed seeing your weapon collection.’

  Alastair smiled and turned to his daughter. ‘I hope you weren’t too bored seeing what you already know, Mairi.’

  ‘I am proud to be a Gordon, Father, and enjoyed your tour as much as the others.’

  ‘Good, then. Now let’s see who has won the privilege of sitting next to you this evening.’

  With a tightening in his gut, Duff followed closely behind father and daughter. He wasn’t certain who he preferred to have won tonight’s honour. None, if he were honest. If he’d been included in the challenge, he’d have ensured that victory was his. But he wasn’t included and it would be best if he remembered he was here as Mairi’s personal guard and not as a guest.

  As they clattered over the drawbridge, Duff wondered if Alastair had a preference to who might have won. He also wondered if Mairi had already developed a fondness for one of her suitors over the others.

  All three potential winners stood outside the stables conversing in what seemed a friendly manner.

  ‘If my horse hadn’t stepped in a hole I would have won the race and drained a pint of ale before either of you had crossed the bridge,’ Angus Hay declared, as Duff drew his mount to a halt.

  Not Angus, then.

  ‘An unlikely excuse, Hay,’ Ranald Barclay replied. ‘But I’ll admit Ewan here got the jump on me from the start.’

  Ewan Strachan had won.

  ‘Congratulations, Ewan,’ Alastair said, as Duff dismounted and made his way to Mairi’s side.

  ‘My thanks, Laird Gordon,’ Ewan said with a smile. ‘With such a grand prize at stake I couldn’t possibly lose.’

  Duff peered up and witnessed colour fill Mairi’s cheeks. Perhaps he’d been wrong and she did enjoy attention and flattery.

  What she did and didn’t enjoy wasn’t his concern. As long as he did his duty and she remained safe, nothing else should matter. The further tightening of his gut proved it obviously did.

  ‘Lady Mairi.’ Duff said and lifted his hands to offer her assistance from her horse.

  Mairi turned her tight-lipped, blushing face toward him, but stared at his hands as if she was unsure of what he was offering.

  ‘Are you ready to dismount, Lady Mairi?’ he asked quietly.

  ‘I’m ready.’ She reached down and grasped the tops of his shoulders.

  His hands spanned her slim waist and he lifted her from the saddle. At the point where his gaze drew even with hers, her fingers clenched where she held him. She stared into his eyes. But just for a moment. She released her hold as he lowered her to the ground and turned to her father.

  ‘If you will all excuse me, I’d like to rest and freshen up before this evening’s meal.’

  ‘Of course, Daughter,’ Alastair said.

  Angus and Ranald bowed their heads.

  ‘Until this evening,’ Ewan said with a victor’s smile.

  Mairi bobbed her head, lifted her skirt and headed toward the Tower House entrance.

  Duff kept pace and while her steps across the bailey were orderly and her demeanour calm, he’d glimpsed the firmness about her mouth and the rigidity of her spine that said otherwise.

  At the stairs, Duff dropped back to allow her to take the lead. They reached the landing and continued through the entrance into the Great Hall. As they crossed the chamber to the inner stairwell, Duff noticed Mairi’s slight turn of head as she took in what was happening inside the room. But her steps didn’t slow as she climbed the steps to the next level and onto the third floor, where she finally paused outside her door.

  She drew an audible breath and said, ‘My thanks for your escort, but I’ll not need your services until I go below for the evening meal.’ With those words and without looking at him, Mairi opened her door and made to enter her room.

  Duff finally realised she was angry.

  Without thought, he gently grasped her wrist. ‘You are angry.’

  She stopped and looked down at his hand holding her. ‘And you overstep your duties.’

  Duff released her immediately, and in that instant she marched inside her room and closed the door behind her.

  Chapter Ten

  Instead of resting, Mairi spent the hours before the evening meal pacing her room. She dearly wished she could escape to her secret glade, but could never risk trying as she knew Duff would follow her. The restricted exercise did little to quell her agitation.

  With such a grand prize at stake I couldn’t possibly lose.

  How could she possibly rest when she’d been made to feel like some kind of reward?

  Did other women like to be seen as such? Mairi didn’t. She wanted to be seen as a woman who was capable of fulfilling her duty, not as a prize for winning a horserace. And to think the competition for her hand had only just begun.

  She finally ceased wearing a rut in the timbered floor to wash using th
e water Rhona had delivered earlier. As she donned a fresh linen shift and pulled on one of her new gowns, she calmed herself with the thought that the situation could be worse. She could be sitting next to her personal guard for the meal.

  She paused tightening the laces down the front of the burgundy gown. Duff was too observant and saw far too much. She’d believed she’d done well in disguising her irritation regarding being a prize, but Duff had noticed.

  What else had Duff from the Borders seen?

  Before she had the chance to find specific reasons to worry, a scratch sounded on the door.

  Had Duff come for her already?

  Her belly fluttered at the thought.

  ‘Who is it?’

  ‘‘Tis Rhona, Mistress.’ The fluttering stopped. ‘Do you need help dressing?’

  Mairi drew a relieved breath and began securing the gold-coloured lacings at her side. ‘Come, Rhona.’ Her personal maid entered the room. ‘My thanks for your offer, but I’m almost done.’

  Mairi purposely designed her gowns so she could complete the task of dressing without assistance. It was imperative that she relied on no one but herself.

  ‘There, done,’ she said, tying off the last lace and looking up at Rhona. Her maid’s fingers twined together and her eyes were downcast. Mairi drew a quiet breath and said, ‘But I do not know what to do with my hair.’

  Rhona’s hazel gaze slowly lifted and she tilted her head to one side as she studied Mairi for a moment. ‘Perhaps several looped and coiled plaits would suit.’

  ‘A perfect suggestion,’ Mairi said. She sat on the wooden stool by the carved timber table that held her personal effects, peered over her shoulder and said, ‘Would you mind?’

  ‘Of course not,’ Rhona said, stepping forward to accept the brush Mairi offered. ‘I’ll not take long.’

  Mairi closed her eyes to hide her satisfaction at Rhona’s brighter demeanour. The long, soothing strokes gliding through her hair finally did what she’d failed to do herself. She relaxed and allowed herself to enjoy Rhona’s ministrations.

  ‘Your new gown is beautiful, Mistress,’ her maid said softly.

  ‘My thanks, Rhona. What is the mood in the Great Hall?’

  ‘A sense of happiness from the clan folk fills the hall.’ Mairi’s calm deepened at Rhona’s words. ‘There is a feeling of anticipation from your father and your suitors.’ No surprises there, she thought, enjoying her maid’s descriptions. ‘The delicious smells coming from the kitchen suggest that Cook has outdone himself with the evening meal to come.’ She and Cook had discussed the menus for each day her suitors were here in great depth. ‘Oh, and your personal guard asked me to tell you he is ready and waiting for you.’

  Ready and waiting for what? Mairi’s calm fell away like petals in a gust of wind. She closed her eyes and willed it back. She must learn to control her emotions and reactions at the mere mention of her personal guard. She must also keep her thoughts focussed on what is and not on some imagined … what? Pleasure?

  The sooner she chose her husband, the sooner Duff would leave. Her stomach clenched. The need to move pressed down upon her shoulders. She straightened where she sat. "How much longer?’

  ‘Almost … Done.’

  Mairi needed to get started on making her choice. "My thanks,’ Mairi said and stood. She knew her maid was sweet on the armourer’s eldest son and, despite Rhona being two years younger, for a moment Mairi wondered if she should ask what kind of thoughts and feelings she suffered when someone mentioned his name. She quickly dismissed such an idea. ‘I’ll not be needing your services again this evening, Rhona, so be sure to enjoy the meal and the rest of the night.’

  ‘Thank you, Mistress,’ Rhona smiled and bobbed a curtsey.

  Mairi strode to the door and opened it to find dark-haired Duff standing guard. He stepped to one side as she exited her chamber.

  ‘My Lady,’ he said with a small nod.

  The sound of him calling her ‘My Lady’ warmed her cheeks. She really must find a way to control her wayward thoughts and her body’s responses. She only needed to endure his company for a week and she had plenty of other things to keep her occupied. She’d start taking control now.

  She forced herself to look at him and found his gaze travelling upward over her gown and settling on her hair. His eyes were dark and deep and made her think of honeyed mead and an open fire. She wanted to reach out to warm her hands. She wanted to take a sip.

  Dear God!

  Rhona’s timely footstep from behind her drew her back to her senses. So much for taking control. But she must. She had no choice, else she’d fail in her duty. Failing her father and her clan wasn’t an option. Never again.

  ‘Lead the way.’ At least she sounded like she was in control.

  Duff nodded and turned for the stairs.

  Halfway down, Mairi remembered her query regarding Iain. ‘I sense a rivalry between you and Iain.’ She hadn’t expected Duff to stop, but he did and she almost walked into him as he turned to look up at her.

  ‘I believe Iain expected to be named as your personal guard while Balfour mends. His disappointment is directed at me.’

  Mairi nodded at his explanation and savoured the sound of his deep, silken voice washing over her in the dim light.

  She blinked and gave a single nod. Duff was her protector, nothing more. Three worthy men had come to Gordon to win her favour and her hand. All she needed to do was give these men all of her attention and all of her time.

  They descended into the hall. Her father already sat in his high-backed chair and Ranald and Angus sat in theirs. Ewan watched her approach from his seat beside her empty chair. The prized position he’d won in a horserace.

  As much as Mairi loathed being seen as a reward, she’d do her duty by doing all she could to make certain Ewan Strachan wasn’t disappointed by his prize.

  Mairi rounded the end of the table. Ewan stood and pulled out her chair. She smiled her thanks and took her seat without even looking at her personal guard.

  She then gave Ewan the majority of her attention as they shared a trencher, but she also ensured she didn’t neglect her other suitors.

  The conversation clung to general topics about the running of Castle Gordon, the neighbouring clans, one of which was Ewan’s. Mairi said little and enjoyed just listening.

  By the conclusion of the delicious meal of herb encrusted salmon, an assortment of greens, and finishing off with three different cheeses and a variety of dried fruits, Mairi was pleased with her efforts to focus her attention where it needed to be.

  Instead of Duff distracting her, she’d use her suitors as a distraction from him.

  She leaned back in her chair and waited for the opportunity to retire for the night.

  ‘Well, Cook has outdone himself with this evening’s meal. I doubt I’ve tasted such delicious salmon,’ her father said, patting his stomach.

  ‘I’ll have to agree with you, Laird Gordon. A mighty compliment, with me being a fisherman and all,’ Angus said, with a slap to his own belly.

  ‘I’ll be sure to let Cook know,’ her father said. ‘But now, ‘tis time to share what I have in mind for Mairi to get to know each of you better.’

  ‘Douglas.’ Her father offered his hand and Gordon’s steward placed something into his open palm. Fingers curled over, robbing Mairi of seeing what her sire now held below the table. ‘To make this fair, you will each draw a stalk of straw.’

  Mairi’s mind leapt to the pile of straw she’d fallen in the day before and she couldn’t help wondering if Duff’s thoughts matched her own. But she refused to glance his way and was pleased when she managed not to.

  ‘The one with the longest will spend the first full day alone with my daughter, doing an activity of their choosing. The second longest piece of straw will have the next day, and the shortest straw the third.’

  Her father obviously enjoyed casting challenges and playing games. But a day spent with each man vying for her hand would
give her the chance to know them better and help her choose one of them as her husband. And three complete days without having Duff near would make it easier for her to keep her wayward attention fixed on each of her suitors.

  ‘After the three days have passed, Mairi will have one full day free to herself. The following day will be for the games and great feast I mentioned on your arrival. On the seventh day, Mairi will name the man she has chosen to be her husband while breaking her fast. She will marry the man of her choice before the evening meal on the same day.’

  All eyes briefly turned to Mairi and she experienced a tightening in her chest as the weight of her choice settled like a stone.

  ‘Do you all understand?’ Her father said and paused for the round of nods and ayes before continuing. ‘Angus, Ewan, Ranald,’ her father said presenting his hand with only the tips of three golden stalks showing over the top. ‘Choose your straw.’

  By the smile on her father’s face Mairi could tell he was enjoying himself. Memories from when she was a young lass began to flicker and unfold. He hadn’t used the straw method to decide anything for many years.

  All three men leaned in and plucked a stem of golden grass from her father’s hand. Her budding memories faded away as her nerves got the better of her. She clasped the armrests of her chair as each man sat back to appraise the straw he’d picked. But without holding them up together, no one knew who’d drawn the longest piece.

  Anticipation heightened and hummed. Mairi’s fingers bit into the wood as the men leaned back in and held up their straw.

  A gleeful, ‘Haa,’ broke her breathless expectation and her gaze darted to her father’s opposite side, where Angus Hay sat grinning and showing off the long piece of straw he held as if it were in truth made of gold.

  All eyes quickly returned to the remaining two men who held up their pieces of straw to determine the outcome. Angus Hay had won the first day alone with Mairi, Ranald Barclay the next and Ewan Strachan the last.