The Protector Read online

  ‘Aye.’ Did he doubt her explanation?

  ‘Do you wish to wait for your suitor here or return to the clear—?’

  Something heavy crashed through the dense bushes in the direction Ewan had gone.

  ‘Behind me,’ Duff said. He pulled his sword free from the scabbard on his back and held it before him with both hands. Mairi quickly turned her head from the sight of the menacing blade. ‘Mairi, do you see the tree with the moss-covered deadwood beside it?’

  She turned to look behind her and found what he described. ‘Aye.’ The crashing sound grew louder.

  ‘Good. Get behind the tree and stay there.’

  Mairi lifted her skirts in one hand and quickly made her way around behind the tree. Could it be Ewan and the deer coming back? She pressed her palm onto the rough, hard surface of the trunk and peered around the tree. ‘What is it?’

  ‘I have nae idea, but whatever happens, do not reveal yourself until I tell you it is safe to do so.’

  She stared at Duff’s back as he rocked from foot to foot in preparation for whatever was about to charge out of the brush. She loathed hiding, felt useless doing nothing. The fingers on one hand bit into the bark. She wanted to help. The fingers of her other hand squeezed tightly about the wood of her bow.

  You’ll likely not need it, but if you do you must use it.

  Mairi unslung her bow from her arm and reached over her shoulder to draw an arrow from her quiver. Her hands trembled as she nocked the arrow. It had been so long since she’d loaded her weapon. Inhaling a slow breath to sooth her nerves and to ease her shaking, she took a small step to one side and sighted along the length of her arrow over the mossy bracken.

  The foliage shook. The crashing became thunder.

  Whatever came at them was large and in a hurry.

  Duff stilled. Mairi held her breath.

  A great ugly head burst from the bushes. A protruding snout supported two long yellowing tusks. The ground shook as the wild boar charged Duff. The huge grey beast lowered its head.

  Heart pounding, Mairi pulled back her bowstring and saw the arrow already imbedded in the snorting beast’s left eye. She pulled the string back a little further as Duff shifted his position slightly and crouched lower to brace for impact. Her mouth grew dry. Duff held his ground, but could not strike until the boar was almost upon him. Fear that he’d be hurt or killed caused her hands to shake. Her heart squeezed. She couldn’t let it happen.

  She drew a steadying half-breath, held it, sighted along the arrow as her father had taught her, and released. The iron tip sank into the beast’s right eye and a squeal born of nightmares rent the chill air. A brief moment later, something slender flew from the trees to her right. More arrows followed in quick succession, all piercing the boar’s neck and hide. The beast’s course altered slightly away from Duff, who shifted the angle of his body to always remain between Mairi and the wounded boar.

  The blinded animal tossed its enormous head from side-to-side and up and down, trying frantically to lose the arrows from its eyes and body. It slowed to an unsteady walk, snuffling and squawking as its short front leg lifted and pawed at nothing.

  Duff carefully circled around one side of the distraught animal and lifted his sword above his head.

  Mairi’s chest clenched. Despite her fear and her part in wounding the beast, she loathed seeing it suffer. It needed to be put out of its misery, but she didn’t need to watch. She turned away.

  ‘Wait.’

  Mairi looked back to see Ewan marching from the trees, now armed with his sword. He was walking toward Duff and the wild boar.

  ‘The beast is mine to finish, else I can’t claim the prize.’

  Her personal guard glanced her way. Had he realised she’d loosed one of the arrows? She glanced away as if she had no interest. Duff looked back down at the boar and lowered his weapon. ‘By all means. Stake your claim.’

  Was there a note of disdain in Duff’s tone? Mairi watched him closely as he walked toward her. He didn’t sheath his sword, but continued to hold it. She was careful not to look at it. Were his shoulders just a little too straight now that the danger had all but passed?

  A thud sounded. A deep grunt followed before a cruel wail briefly split the quiet. Duff never broke stride, his dark gaze perusing her length as he neared and then stood before her. Dark eyes searched hers. ‘Are you alright?’

  She stared into the rich, brown depths and saw his anger, read his concern. Concern for her. Pleasure fluttered awake low in her belly. She wasn’t sure if she was alright.

  She peered behind him to where Ewan was busy ‘claiming’ his prize. Duff stepped to the side, blocking her view.

  ‘It might be best if you don’t look.’

  Mairi’s gaze lifted up and found his once more. He really did take his personal guard duty seriously. Not only had he placed himself between the wounded boar and her, he now protected her from the grisly sight of Ewan ending the animal’s life.

  ‘Lady Mairi?’

  She blinked. She’d been staring and hadn’t answered his question. She looked down at her bow in her hand. ‘I’m fine.’ She lied. She wasn’t fine. She was worse than ever. She’d just discovered she liked having Duff protect her, she liked how Duff protected her. But Duff was her temporary guard. Duff wasn’t for her.

  ‘Not many could make that shot,’ he said quietly. ‘Your father will be proud, Lady Mairi.’ She ignored the compliment, hoping he’d let the matter be. ‘And you have my thanks,’ he added softly with a bow.

  Mairi held her tongue and lowered her lashes to hide her pleasure at his open gratitude, but she couldn’t fight the rush of warmth filling her cheeks.

  ‘There will be much to celebrate in your father’s hall this night, Lady Mairi,’ Ewan announced into the silence. ‘And much feasting two day’s hence.’

  Mairi peered around Duff to where Ewan stood hefting the end of a long pole over his shoulder. He walked toward her, dragging his prize, now tied by its stunted legs and hanging upside down from a slender tree trunk, leaving a trail dotted with blood in his wake. The two sacks he’d filled earlier were stained with blood and had been tied to the high end of the same slender trunk.

  He grinned as he paused before her. ‘Come, let us return to Castle Gordon.’

  Ewan passed her, pulling his dripping prizes behind him. Mairi fell into step to one side, relieved the day’s hunting was over sooner than she’d expected.

  They returned to the horses and after tying the sack of uneaten refreshments to his mount, Ewan assisted Mairi into her saddle. The ride back to Gordon was slow due to the boar’s great weight scouring the earth. Not once did her suitor ask for Duff’s help with anything and her personal guard did not offer.

  Mairi concluded that Ewan was a self-sufficient man who disliked to rely on others. Independence wasn’t a bad trait, but she sensed it ran deeper than that. Ewan was a loner. He worked alone, hunted alone and claimed any prize alone. Ewan didn’t seem to be good or practised at sharing anything.

  She wanted the man she chose to marry to share her life and for her to share his.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Their return to Gordon Castle was observed by many, and numerous clan folk ran to see Ewan dragging the beast he’d killed behind him into the bailey.

  Duff dismounted immediately. Surrounded by admiring men, women and children, some even daring to poke his prize, Ewan was in his glory. He was quick to recount the details of his successful hunt before he even climbed down from his horse. Ewan’s selfishness was Duff’s good fortune. And his scourge.

  Duff released Duncan’s reins and stepped up beside Mairi’s horse. She was watching her suitor regale his hunting feat to the newcomers flocking about him. Despite the smile she wore, Duff believed it was borne of patience rather than admiration. And in his opinion, warranted. The man she chose as her husband was her choice alone, but Duff fervently hoped of the three, she didn’t wed Ewan.

  None of the three would be
even better.

  You think you would be a better choice?

  He shook off the thought and said, ‘Are you ready to dismount, Lady Mairi?’

  ‘I …’ She peered down at him for several moments as a multitude of emotions flashed in her eyes. A look of resignation calmed the blue depths. She blinked and said, ‘Aye.’ She loosed her leathers and turned her body toward him.

  He raised his hands and gently clasped each side of her slender waist. The smooth, creamy skin at her throat rippled as she swallowed. He tried not to notice, but it was impossible. She placed her palms on his leather-clad shoulders. His gut clenched. He captured her light weight and lifted her to the ground.

  Her hands remained on his shoulders. She licked her pink lips and whispered, ‘Please say naught to my father about the arrow.’ Her fingers slid away from him and curled into her palms at her side. Despite not understanding why she didn’t want her father to know of the difficult shot she’d achieved, Duff gave her a single nod.

  She looked over at her hunting suitor, a look of being lost in her own bailey on her bonny face.

  Duff eyed Ewan and quietly ignored the feeling of distaste cramping his insides. Instead he looked at his charge and said, ‘Do you wish to remain here or would you prefer to retire?’

  Mairi scanned the jostling crowd and then glanced at Duff. ‘I need to speak with Cook.’

  Duty came to her rescue.

  Duff beckoned a stableboy. ‘See to our mounts, lad.’ With a pat on Duncan’s shoulder, Duff left his horse in the lad’s care. ‘Come, I will escort you inside.’

  Mairi picked up her skirts, and head high, marched for the tower. Duff fell into step to one side and slightly behind Mairi, his view of the bailey unimpeded. A few of the Gordon men-at-arms hadn’t been lured by the commotion on their return and continued their sword practice. Iain paused and looked at them briefly as they neared. Despite the instant rivalry Duff felt from Iain, he doubted the man was any more impressed with the marriage proceedings than he was. But neither of them had the right to speak their minds regarding Mairi’s future husband. Their duty was to protect with their blades, not voice their opinions.

  They climbed the steps up into the Great Hall, where only a few clansmen sat dozing on benches along the stone walls. The warmth had drawn most people outside after they’d eaten the noon meal and they were soaking in the sun’s light when their hunting party had ridden into the bailey.

  Gordon’s Steward met Mairi as she walked across the hall. ‘Your father is with two of your guests in the armoury.’

  ‘My thanks, Douglas,’ Mairi said, as she continued on directly into the kitchen.

  Duff halted at the entrance and watched as the kitchen-hands and maids rose from the bench along the massive table in the centre of the room to acknowledge their mistress’ arrival.

  ‘Cook,’ Mairi said, addressing the bulk of a man standing near one corner of the giant unlit fireplace that took up almost the entire length of the room’s left wall. ‘I suggest you light the great hearth, as today’s hunt was a success.’

  ‘As you wish, Lady Mairi,’ Cook said with a nod.

  Mairi paused and studied the servants, some of whom looked at her, many who hid their eyes behind lowered lashes. All seemed to hold their breath. ‘The rest of you, resume your seats while you can.’

  She turned and hurried from the room as if she couldn’t escape quickly enough. Duff stepped to the side to allow her to exit, but he’d witnessed her fingers slowly turn into her palms as she suggested they rest while they could. As if she cared for them and knew how hard they toiled, but didn’t know how to say it. Or perhaps she didn’t want to show she cared.

  He followed her up two flights of stairs to her chamber, where she stopped before her door, turned her head slightly toward him and said, ‘Thank you,’ before she disappeared inside.

  Duff’s heart skipped a beat as he stared at the closed door. Twice this day she’d thanked him as if she appreciated his help and protection. His heartbeat resumed at a steady pace. Perhaps she did notice him more than she showed. His pulse began to race.

  ***

  Mairi accepted the piece of bread Ewan had carved for her and took a small bite. The conversation during the evening meal had centred on the day’s hunting.

  ‘We didn’t expect your small hunting party to return so early,’ her father said. ‘Angus, Ranald and I were in the armoury discussing the making of weapons when we heard the commotion in the bailey.’

  ‘Our return did cause quite a commotion,’ Ewan said.

  ‘And nae wonder,’ Ranald said. ‘That was one big, ugly beast you snared.’

  Grunts of agreement swiftly followed Ranald’s description.

  Mairi well remembered the blood and dirt matting the wild boar’s grey, short bristled coat, which only added to its fierce and out-of-proportion appearance.

  ‘Aye,’ Angus chimed in, ‘The size of it makes my fishing efforts look lacking.’ Chuckles quickly replaced the grunts.

  ‘The fish you provided was delicious, Angus,’ Mairi said quietly.

  And the catching was more enjoyable. She kept the thought to herself.

  Angus smiled at her defensive remark.

  Ranald rolled his eyes. ‘Lady Mairi, please do not give the man an excuse to blush.’

  Men’s laughter quickly filled the air and Mairi watched as Angus’ cheeks did indeed turn pink.

  ‘My prize was not meant to discredit your fishing skills, Angus,’ Ewan said from beside her. ‘But to honour our host’s table for the great feast.’

  ‘And honour my table it will, Ewan,’ her father said from her other side. ‘Thanks to Mairi’s quick thinking, Cook has already lit the great fireplace, and is preparing the beast for roasting as we speak.’

  ‘You have my thanks, Lady Mairi,’ Ewan said with a smile, ‘And my admiration for being such a stalwart hunting companion.’

  Mairi accepted his compliment with a small smile and a slow nod. She was happy the experience was over. She was also relieved her personal guard had been there with her.

  And you have my thanks. Five words along with his gallant bow. Moments she’d always remember.

  Thank you. The two words she’d said to him as he’d delivered her safely to her room. But she wasn’t entirely sure what she’d thanked him for. Delivering her to her chamber? For standing between her and the charging boar? Escorting her inside when she’d felt lost and abandoned in the middle of her own clan’s bailey?

  Or had she thanked him for understanding what she needed before she did and for giving it to her without hesitation?

  She peered beneath her lashes toward the end of the table. Her protector had washed and changed from the hunt, as she had. His hair was damp and he now wore a clean linen shirt under the same leather vest. He rarely spoke, and only when prompted directly and perhaps when he believed what he had to say needed to be said. His movements were saved for necessary things, like picking up his cup to drink or lifting a chunk of brown bread to his mouth. Her personal guard appeared oblivious to all, but she was slowly learning that her protector watched, listened and learned, all while seeming not to.

  Knowing he watched her and understood her needs before she did caused the sprites she’d thought she’d conquered in her belly to take flight once more. She lowered her lashes and swallowed.

  Thank the saints her father had granted her the freedom to do as she pleased the following day, for she needed time to stem her fascination for the man who impressed her more than any other. The man her father hadn’t chosen as one of her suitors. The man who was her temporary protector and could never be anything more.

  ***

  Despite finding his bed late and having little sleep, Duff was awake and dressed before dawn. There had been a restlessness to Mairi’s manner the night before, and as this was to be her free day, he didn’t know what to expect and wanted to be prepared for anything at any time.

  Duff took up his position outside her door and
wondered, as he had on each of the last four mornings, if Mairi was still in bed, still asleep. As the thought fully formed in his mind and his imagination took hold, the metal latch clicked and the door slowly opened inwards.

  Duff prepared himself for the sight of mussed hair and a nightgown, just in case his thoughts about her still sleeping were correct. But then he remembered Mairi always liked to appear in control. And she was. She wore a pale blue gown and her golden hair was loosely plaited and hanging down over her right shoulder.

  Their eyes met as she paused on the threshold. She looked as if she hadn’t expected to find him waiting for her. Duff expected her to march straight by him without a word. Again, she surprised him.

  ‘It seems I am not the only one having trouble sleeping,’ she said, and walked past him and down the stairs.

  Duff followed her down into the hall where at this early hour the clansmen still slept, and stayed close as they wove their way through the slumbering forms to the kitchens. Mairi entered, but Duff halted at the entrance, the mouth-watering scent of freshly baked bread more appealing than the smell of unwashed bodies and stale ale in the Great Hall.

  A generous fire danced in the pit of the open oven built into the wall on the left side of the large room. Two kitchen maids, one with red hair, the other fair, paused in their bread-making and looked up as Mairi walked into the room. Both dipped in a curtsey and said, ‘Morning, My Lady.’

  ‘Good morn, Jean and Greer. Is there any bread ready for eating?”

  ‘Aye, Lady Mairi,’ said the redheaded lass. ‘We’ve several loaves just pulled from the ovens. How many would you like?’

  ‘Two will suffice, Greer. In separate sacks.’ Mairi looked about the room. ‘I’d also like two skins of water.’

  ‘I’ll fetch them for you,’ Jean said.

  Both maids set about gathering the requested supplies, and Duff watched Mairi pretending to be calm. He’d witnessed the same efforts on numerous occasions in the short time he’d known her, but today her struggle seemed greater and the restless agitation he’d noticed last night still emanated from her.