Highland Promise (28 page)

Eighteen

        Faith refused to allow Brendan's surly departure to spoil her joy. He shouldn't speak to her like that in front of others, but she supposed his behavior was all part of her penance now.

        "I think he does it on purpose to embarrass me." Faith shook her head, then smiled at Alera. "Is he not the most contrary man?"

        "Aye, he is stubborn." Duncan chuckled, then started off in the direction Brendan had taken. "I will make sure his temper is calmed before he returns."

        "Do not hurt him," Alera ordered sharply.

        "You just tell Struan to break out a few kegs," he called over his shoulder. "And let the clan know we will be celebrating tonight in Bren and Faith's honor."

        "I mean it, Duncan." Alera placed her hands on her hips. "I do not want to see a single mark on either of you."

        Duncan's grunt floated back.

        "For heaven's sake, you cannot truly believe they will fight," Faith said.

        Alera gave her husband's back a disgusted look, then faced Faith and nodded. "Aye, they will. You will learn soon enough that Highlanders never pass on an opportunity to scuffle and live for excuses to fight."

        "But Duncan seems so...perfect. I was wondering just how you got so lucky."

        Alera laughed and lowered her hands to hold her slightly growing belly. "Oh, he did not come that way, and I am still working on him."

        "What do you mean?"

        "God had trouble creating the perfect man, so he created women and left the task of perfecting men to us."

        Faith chuckled. "I have missed your wit."

        "Come, let me show you to your chamber so you can freshen your appearance." Alera slipped an arm about Faith's waist and guided her toward the rear of the keep. "Did you know most of us prefer to wear our plaids and not drag them?"

        "I cannot keep this cursed garment on." Faith lifted the material from the ground so it wouldn't collect dirt.

        "You will get used to it." Alera led her into the hall.

        The large chamber surprised Faith with its modern amenities. She had expected to find nothing but primitive dwellings among savages from all the stories she had heard. This room was big enough to accommodate close to two hundred people. Not only did the hall have a buttery at one end for preparing food and drink for serving, but there was also a large hearth against the far wall to contain fires. An armory of weapons covered another wall, and a stone stairway to Faith's right led to an upper level.

        Alera ushered Faith toward the stairs. "Would you like a bath?"

        Faith forced herself to quit gaping and nodded. "With hot water?"

        "Aye."

        "I would love to feel truly clean again." Faith brushed an errant tress behind her shoulder. "The water in the ponds up here is too cold to bathe in. If we sleep in a real bed tonight, I shall think I have died and gone to Paradise."

        Alera grasped Faith's wrist and frowned. "What is this you wear on your hands?"

        "They are special gauntlets to protect my palms. Brendan had them made for me." Faith smiled, remembering her husband's surly attitude when he had tried to justify his kind gesture.

        Alera's brow furrowed with concern. "I thought you had quit injuring your hands."

        "It started again the day I met Brendan. I have stopped, but he gets miffed if I do not wear these. I leave them on to pacify him."

        "Brendan is thoughtful, though he would be insulted to know I said so."

        "Aye," Faith agreed. "I believe he has the potential to be perfect."

        Alera showed Faith into the chamber she would share with Brendan for the night. A massive bed dominated one wall, and Faith was astonished to find a hearth in this room as well. Duncan must be a wealthy laird, she decided. She crossed the room to a tall, narrow window, pleased to discover a lovely view of the mountains dressed in a riot of amber, red, and orange.

        "I hope you will find the chamber comfortable," Alera said.

        Faith turned to her friend. "After almost two weeks on the ground, I would be comfortable if you put me in the hall on a table."

        A knock on the door heralded the arrival of a young woman with carrot curls, a freckled face, and a shy demeanor. Alera introduced Faith to Moreen, the housekeeper. Moreen respectfully nodded to Faith, then directed some clansmen toting buckets of water and a long wooden tub into the chamber. Then she laid out fresh linens and soap for Faith's bath and left.

        Faith took her time with the bath, chatting with Alera as they caught each other up on the event of the past year and a half since they had last parted. After washing her hair with lavender water and rubbing lavender oil into her skin, Faith wrapped herself in a cozy linen, settled back on a sheepskin carpet before the hearth, and spread her hair before the flames to dry.

        She thought Alera might be able to help her with her problem. She was sure from the looks Duncan had cast Alera earlier that he didn't have Brendan's reluctance. Alera was breeding, so she was obviously doing something right. Faith cleared her throat and tried to sound casual. "How do you entice Duncan?"

        Alera sat down beside Faith and leaned back on her elbows. An impish smile curved her lips. "Duncan does not need enticing."

        "Brendan does," Faith grumbled. "I am planning to entice him tonight."

        "Have you two not... I mean—" Alera's cheeks flushed.

        "Once," Faith replied. "I told him I was no longer sore, but he did not take the hint."

        Alera cocked her head, appearing thoughtful, then nodded once as if she had figured out the matter. "Has it been seven nights?"

        "Tonight is the seventh night. What does that have to do with anything?"

        "I am not sure, but I believe men think we are delicate and need that long to get over the first time. Duncan took the notion that we had to wait seven days after he first coupled with me before he would touch me again." Alera released an unladylike snort. "He hasn't let up since. You mark my words, if tonight is the seventh night, Brendan will not need enticing."

        Faith digested that promising news and decided to broach another troublesome matter. "Do you love Duncan?"

        "Aye," Alera replied softly, then flashed a mischievous grin. "Though sometimes I am not quite sure why. The man seems to enjoy riling my temper." She rose and knelt beside Faith, then began braiding a small section of hair at her temple. "Do you love Bren?"

        "I care for him, and I want to love him, but he makes it hard." She wrung her hands in her lap and whispered her biggest worry. "I rather want him to care for me too."

        "He already does," Alera said with certainty.

        "How can you say that when you saw how he tried to embarrass me and so rudely stomped away?" Faith asked. "He told me once he may decide to crucify me too." She knew she was taking Brendan's word out of context, but she was making a point after all.

        Alera chuckled. "If he didn't care for you, he wouldn't have walked away. I think he knows he cares and it irritates him. He guards his heart."

        That bit of information intrigued Faith. She wanted to know what his life had been like to turn him into the distant and arrogant leader he had become. "Has he been wronged by a woman in the past?"

        "Not that I know about, but Bren seems confused by his feelings for you, and I think he does not like it. He values his control, and you test his emotions."

        "I wish that were true."

        "I am certain it is. There is another matter too," Alera confided. "Duncan told me Brendan was away from home at a harvest festival when his mother and younger brother were killed in a Viking raid. Then a few months ago his young sister wandered away and was captured by the Gilmores."

        "He told me about his sister. He said you saved her."

        "Do you know he worries about her so much his head aches?" Alera asked. "I think he believes he failed in his duty to protect her and worries that he will fail again."

        "That is ridiculous," Faith exclaimed. "Brendan is a strong warrior and able protector. He could not help that she wandered off."

        "I know, but his confidence was shaken. I believe he lost faith in himself," Alera speculated. "His arrogance has gotten worse as he tries to hide his worries. That is why I think he gets the headaches. Duncan told me most of the women call him 'Bren Stoneheart,' and he approves the nickname. He's sworn never to let anyone break through the rock that seals his heart."

        "My thanks for telling me this. I will have to think on the matter and decide what to do to restore his confidence. I want him to care for me, but I'll not have him in pain for it."

        "I have big news. Chris came here. She made me a Daughter of Sophia, and Medea accepted me into her cohort and century."

        Faith gasped. "You jest."

        "Truly. Duncan is furious, of course. He doesn't like the idea of being married to a virago."

        Faith chuckled. "He's probably afraid you'll challenge him."

        "The only thing I could best him in is archery."

        "I believe I am jealous," Faith smiled. "Of the four of us, I am the only one who isn't a virago."

        "Well, at least you're not a nun." Alera chuckled. "I thought Bren would throttle you when you told him he was your penance. Anyway, that's not all. When Chris left here, she was on her way to England."

        "I heard. Our departure was almost delayed. She decided to redecorate King Henry's chamber in indigo and emerald green."

        Alera burst into laughter. "The Arturian colors. I bet he raises the price on her head again."

        "Has she heard from that errant husband of hers?" Faith asked.

        "Nay. Duncan knows who he is but refuses to tell me. I'm not giving up though. I intend to pester him until he does. Lord knows he pesters me enough about things."

        Faith snorted. "He probably fears you'll hunt down the imbecile and

start a feud. Did you get a chance to visit?"

        "Not long," Alera said. "Chris was her usual autocratic self and determined to reach White Tower before you wed. Medea is more beautiful, if that's possible. Next year is our planned visit though, so we'll see them both then."

        "I had nearly forgotten that," Faith said. "We agreed on the summer solstice."

        "Aye. 'Twill give us something to look forward to."

        With her hair dry and long, thin braids holding her slick, ebony tresses back at each temple, Faith donned a clean ivory gown that her friend lent her. Then Alera helped her drape and pleat her plaid.

        Standing back, Alera grinned her approval. "Believe me when I tell you that you will not have to do anything to entice Bren tonight."

        Faith shook her head. "You say that because you are my friend."

        "I say it because it is true," Alera insisted. "The deep blue and green in Bren's plaid brings out the shifting colors in your eyes. You are just not used to looking pretty and still think of yourself in that repulsive disguise."

        They descended to the hall, but found no sign of their husbands.

        Moreen, who was in the midst of preparing for the night's celebration, approached the pair. "Lady Ranald, Megan is out front with her bow, hoping you have not forgotten her lesson."

        "Thank you for reminding me, Moreen." Alera turned to Faith. "You must come meet my daughter. She is from Duncan's first marriage and a precious six-year-old child. We can chat while I give her lesson."

        "I shall bring my bow too." Faith headed back to the stairs. "It has been a while since I practiced. Mayhap you can give me a few pointers."

        After retrieving her bow and quiver, Faith accompanied Alera outside to the archery range located a short walk from the front of the keep. Burnt orange and amber rippled through the long green meadow as fall took life from the earth. Stacked wheat bales with brown leather circles attached provided distant targets. Duncan's daughter trudged near the end of the field, dragging her bow along the ground.

        "Megan, you should treat your bow with care," Alera called, approaching her daughter.

        The pixie-faced lass with strawberry curls perked up and smiled. "You did not forget."

        "Have I ever forgotten?"

        Megan peeked at Faith, then cast her gaze away and shook her head. "Nay, and I knew you would not."

        Alera chuckled as she leaned down to hug her daughter, then brought Megan around to face Faith. "Come meet my friend. Faith, this is my wonderful daughter, Megan."

        Faith smiled at the child, deciding she would grow into quite a beauty with those big emerald eyes. "I am pleased to meet you, Megan."

        Megan favored Faith with a bashful smile. "I am pleased to meet you, too. Are you going to practice with me?"

        "Aye, and I am getting rather adept at hitting the target." Faith tossed the child a wink.

        Megan giggled and took to Faith. The pair soon decided on a friendly competition during their lesson. Alera proved to be a critical instructor. She found fault with everything Faith did and lectured her on everything from her method of sighting the target to her stance.

        Faith decided her friend had an obsession with the word balance, because Alera seemed to say it in every other sentence. According to Alera, perfecting balance would perfect marksmanship. Faith would be miffed with her friend if it weren't for the fact that the tips helped her aim. At least more of her arrows actually hit the hay bales—if not the targets.

        Alera didn't care for the friendly banter between Faith and Megan. She chided them both any time one of them opened her mouth. Faith decided her friend had turned into a regular tyrant, more irritating than Brendan. If she weren't so happy to see Alera, she might be tempted to chide her right back.