Highland Sanctuary (18 page)

The other men gathered around.

"Before we make any final decisions, ye should hear what happened today." Gavin paused, meeting each man's gaze before launching into the story. After he finished, Gavin linked his fingers behind his back. "Until we can determine who might be behind these attacks, we've no idea what lengths he'll go to."

A scoff came from the midst of the group. Roan stepped forward. "Gavin, we were all here in the village and look what still happened to the lass. I don't know what else to do. What if it is a villager doing these strange things? Ye know these people aren't right."

"Aye," one man agreed.

"He has a point," another one echoed.

"I won't abandon them. We either do this in shifts or we stay here in the camp." Gavin looked around at the other men. "I think it's clear they canna defend themselves. We need to figure out what is going on. To do that we'll all have to become more involved with the villagers and learn what we can."

S
erena strolled beside her mother through the village. The afternoon air stirred against her face, a few degrees more brisk than earlier in the day when she had been at the castle. She pulled her plaid tight around her arms.

A hooded image cloaked in black appeared at the well. A cart rolled by and the person vanished. How could that be? Serena blinked, swallowing in discomfort. She glanced at her mother, who looked the other way. Not wanting to alarm her, Serena said nothing.

Her thoughts drifted to Gunna home alone. After what had happened to Cara and all of them at the kirk, Serena worried for her. "Are ye sure Gunna will be fine while we're gone?" Serena asked. "This morn she acted as if she'd never lit a fire in the hearth before."

"Aye, and she sleeps so much more than she used to. Most likely she'll nap in her chair and still be there when we get back."

"Snoring, no doubt." Serena smiled, trying to comfort herself that no one would want to harm a feeble woman. Yet, it hadn't stopped them from attacking an innocent blind lass. Serena shook her head as if to rid herself of the fearful thoughts haunting her.

"At her age, she's earned the privilege to do as she pleases." Evelina smiled, shaking her head.

Silence lengthened between them.

"Good day!" A female voice called.

Serena glanced up to see Birkita perched on a fallen tree trunk not far from the cobbler's house. She waved with one hand, while holding a book with the other.

Evelina and Serena waved back.

Birkita slipped her finger in the pages, marking her spot, and ambled over. "I'm supposed to be fetching a pail of water, but I'm so close to finishing this chapter that I couldn't help myself."

"What are ye reading?" Serena glanced at the brown leather volume in her hand, curious if Birkita had something new Serena could borrow. Books were such a rare item in their village. Outside of her mother and the laird, Serena didn't know anyone else who could read other than Birkita. When possible, they would buy new books from town and share them, although Serena suspected Birkita read some of them twice before she gave them over.

"It's the fourth volume of
The Canterbury Tales."
Birkita's eyes lit like a torch. "Da picked it up for me a sennight ago at the market. Ye can borrow it when I finish." A sly smile lifted the corner of her pink lips. She enjoyed being the first to read a new book.

Serena held up her hand. "In that case, I won't ask ye about it, for I want to be completely surprised when I get a chance to read it."

"Are ye going for a long walk?" From the advantage of her height, Birkita glanced over Serena's head to her mother and smiled in greeting.

"Only to Kyla's," Evelina said. "She invited us over for the afternoon."

"Oh, I long for a new gown. Even though Da sold a few new soles to some of the MacKenzie clansmen, 'twas only enough left over for a new book, not a gown. "

"Birkita!" A woman called from the house. A brown head appeared, leaning out the door to reveal Rosheen, their younger sister.

Looking back, Birkita sighed with a heavy spirit. "Good day to ye both. I'm needed just now. Enjoy yer afternoon walk."

Birkita picked up her pail of water and stomped toward the house. Serena glanced at her mother, struggling to hold back her mirth. A slight sound escaped as she covered her mouth.

Serena's mother gave her a stern look with her lips forming a thin line and her dark eyebrows rising. "It isn't like ye to laugh at others, Serena."

"I'm not." She shook her head as they continued walking. "I was only thinking that if given a choice between a new fine gown and a book, Birkita would still choose the book. Think how surprised she'll be to receive a new fine gown in addition to her new book."

"Aye, I believe ye're right on that account." Evelina nodded, her eyes on the well-worn path ahead of them.

As they passed the next house, Quinn's deep voice bellowed a greeting. He chopped wood on a stump by the shaded side of his tall but humble home. Phelan lay a few feet away, his ears pointed straight up, always aware of his surroundings. His tail flapped against the thick cushioned grass. A few seconds later he bounced to his feet and ran toward them.

"Oh, dear!" Evelina stiffened. "Ye know how I dislike animals."

"Brace yerself, Mither!" Serena warned.

Instead of leaping upon them as they feared, Phelan ran circles around them. He barked in a happy salutation. After a few laps, he calmed and trotted beside them. Her mother grabbed her arm, digging her nails in Serena's flesh.

"Mither, ye know he won't hurt ye." Serena pried Evelina's fingers loose and rubbed her sore arm. "He has a protective, but gentle spirit about him."

"Aye, but he doesn't know me as he knows ye. And I've seen him knock others over trying to play. The wolf doesn't know his own strength, much like his owner."

Serena linked her arm through her mother's and offered what she hoped was an assuring grin. "And that's exactly why ye're safe walking with me."

"Phalen, ye're naught but a traitor!" Quinn called behind them. In response, the wolf looked back at him, raised his snout, and grunted as if teasing him.

A while later, they reached Kyla's house. The front door stood ajar. Phelan barked, announcing their arrival and Kyla rushed outside to greet them.

"I'm so glad ye've come! I've got some good news for ye both." She crooked a finger for them to follow her inside.

Serena blinked, allowing her eyes time to adjust to the dark interior. Sunlight filtered through the door at an angle, illuminating a short path into the cottage. The walls and corners remained in the shadows.

"Please, sit down." Kyla motioned to two wooden chairs by the wall to the right side of the door. She hurried to a dark corner and carried two exquisite gowns, one a green satin with a plaid underskirt of dark blue with green and purple lines. The other gown was made of gold satin and white lace trimming and a plaid underskirt of brown with yellow and red lines. "With the last measure I took of ye, I've been working on these gowns. Which one do ye prefer for the feast?"

"They're beautiful, Kyla!" Evelina reached for the gold one.

"Indeed." Serena touched the smooth, thick material of the green gown. It was cool against her skin.
"Ye have bonny eyes, the color of peat moss, which gives Scotland its natural beauty."
Gavin's voice whispered to her heart's memory.

Serena thought back to the contents of the chests from Iain. "I don't remember the green fabric or this plaid among the materials I brought to ye."

"A fine gentleman brought the green by and asked me to make it for ye. He said it would match yer eyes. Lass, I believe ye've caught the eye of two admirers, ye have. Now ye'll have to choose. Which one will it be?" Kyla held a gown in each hand.

Without a doubt, she knew which one. Gavin had made a long trip into town. Iain had merely given her an old chest of fabrics in a sewing room he had found. Gavin had chosen the perfect material. Iain had no idea what the chests contained. She knew which man admired her eyes.

The gift! Gavin had said he'd brought back a gift for her, but among all of Iain's fabrics floating around he must have lost the courage to give it to her. Her heart swelled with love. Was it love?

Kyla laughed and looked at Evelina. "I do believe I'm enjoying this. Look at those rosy cheeks. Lass, it isn't often I've seen ye blush. After all ye've done to help me through my grief, I'm honored to be a part of such a thoughtful favor for ye."

"I know which one." Serena met Kyla's sparkling brown gaze. "The green."

Gavin watched the entrance to the great hall, hoping Serena would be wearing the green gown instead of the red one he'd seen her sewing from the laird's chests. He didn't know why it mattered since she may not realize it hadn't come from the laird. Would Kyla have told her? His feelings were raw and foreign. Yet, he couldn't help it.

Servants rushed to cover two long tables and a shorter one upon the dais with white table linens. Torches burned on the walls on each side of the scarlet tapestry that had been hung for the occasion. Another servant lit candles on the tables.

The place had been transformed in one afternoon from the dark forlorn condition to a lively, cheerful hall. It now reminded him of home. A familiar longing for MacKenzie Castle pressed at him. He enjoyed traveling, had seen much of the world, but a lingering desire to settle down in his own home had begun to smolder in his heart.

"Gavin, what do ye think?" Footsteps approached from behind with Iain MacBraigh's voice. "Is the great hall not magnificent?"

Turning, Gavin witnessed a prideful smile on the laird's face. Iain leaned his head back perusing the high walls. He raised a hand, gesturing to their surroundings. "Serena Boyd was born to run a castle. She found this tapestry folded in an auld chest, had the servants clean and scent them. This place has long needed a woman's touch. I would have ordered the tapestry hung without any scents."

"I thought I smelled a light aroma of some sort." Gavin breathed deeply. Heather and juniper lingered of her scent. A deeper longing than he had felt for home seized his chest . . . longing for a wife. He could imagine no one but Serena in that role. He needed her.

They lived in separate worlds. She believed herself beneath his station, a step closer to Iain's world. Gavin's chest constricted, and he clenched his teeth, determined not to show his discomfort. The startling realization came at a great cost. Would his family accept her? If not, could he give up his inheritance—his birthright?

Servants placed some flowers in a tall piece of pottery in the center of each table, followed by bowls of assorted fruits.

"The flowers are nice," Gavin said.

"Aye." Iain nodded. "Serena's idea. I ordered a fire in the hearth, but she reminded me that if there is to be dancing later, the guests may become overheated and the smoke would overtake the pleasant aromas."

More people arrived at the front entrance where a servant answered the door.

"Excuse me, Gavin. I must greet the newly arrived guests." Iain strode away, leaving Gavin to ponder his thoughts.

Craig and Leith talked in a corner. Several other members of his clan were scattered about the great hall. Gavin had never liked large events. He preferred conversing with people in more quiet settings, where the measure of a man's character could be better assessed. At large feasts as this, every word was planned with the goal of improving one's ranking.

"Here, ye look like ye could use this." Roan pressed a goblet of wine into his hand.

"And what am I doing to give ye that impression?" Gavin raised an eyebrow as he accepted the dark liquid. He sniffed the fermented brew, ensuring it didn't contain a sour smell. Good wine seemed to be scarce among so many these days. The sweet aroma made his mouth water.