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Lachlan was livid. He stormed out of the solar and down towards the hall. He did not want a wife at all or Sorcha interfering with his life. But there was no way he was going to watch warriors flirt with Tyra right in front of him without feeling some jealousy. He agreed to Sorcha’s plans so he could rub it in Tyra’s face that he had moved on. If only the attraction he still felt for Tyra would abate. He was like a wilder beast in a constant state of arousal and rage. He wanted her so badly, but he could not reconcile that she pretended to love him when his heart had been fully engaged. He could not trust himself or his feelings.
“Lachlan, slow down. I need a word with you,” Bram said as he came up behind him. They continued walking towards the hall.
“If it’s about my supposed marriage, you needn’t bother. I’ll do what needs done.”
“Aye tis partly that but tis also more.”
“What else is there?”
“You ken Tyra is my cousin, and I’m protective of her like she is my sister.”
“Aye, and what of it?”
“My wife has a good heart, and she means to make everyone happy around her. Sometimes she might overstep, but tis with good intentions.”
“Will you be getting to the point anytime soon, Laird?” Lachlan asked impatiently.
“Och, calm down. All right then. Tis clear to me there is no love lost between you and Tyra. And I ken you still have anger towards her.”
“Aye, I do.”
“Lachlan, that anger is misdirected. Twas I who put Tyra in that position, and she did her duty for the good of clan Henderson.”
Lachlan snorted and shook his head.
Bram said, “I’m telling you now, you’ll not find a woman with more integrity than Tyra. Once her loyalty is given, she will never betray you, and she is a solid force by your side when things get hard. Lord kens, I leaned on her support in the past when the previous laird tried to crush us.”
“Why are you telling me this?”
“Because she deserves your respect, not your ire.”
Lachlan remained silent.
Bram sighed. “All I ask is that you allow Tyra to help you because Sorcha will insist upon it. Try not to give her too much grief. Tyra has borne your anger long enough.”
Lachlan simply nodded.
***
WHEN BRAM AND LACHLAN entered the hall, they noticed the Henderson and MacGregor men were seated together in discussion.
Niall approached them.
Bram asked, “What is it? The women said you were looking for me?”
“There’s a small matter of concern. I think it best I address the group.”
When they were seated around the table, Niall asked, “Have any of you seen Yesenda MacDonald today?”
Everyone shook their heads.
Lachlan decided to answer, but he selected his words carefully. “Aye, I saw her this morn in the passageway outside my chamber. Why?”
“Did you notice anything strange about her?” Niall asked.
“Not really, although I sensed she was trying to avoid someone,” Lachlan replied. He breathed a sigh of relief when no one asked him any further questions.
But it was short-lived when Iain asked, “What was she doing outside your chambers? There’s no reason for her to be on that side of the Keep.”
“All I ken is she was there, and she left in a hurry.” Lachlan knew that was the best explanation he could give and the one which was primarily truthful by omission.
Iain gave him a skeptical look.
“What has happened?” Bram asked.
“There’s a stranger in the village, he will not give his name, but he has been asking about her. He did not mention her specifically, but he described her likeness. He said she was recently from an abbey, and he was hoping to see her.”
“Why is this of concern?” Beiste asked.
Bram replied, “Her brother Ruadh asked me to keep an eye on her while she is here. He mentioned that sometimes trouble follows Yesenda about.”
“What kind of trouble?” Dalziel asked.
“Ruadh did not elaborate he just said she gets herself involved in minor skirmishes.”
“I dinnae want any of that trouble to harm my kin while we’re here,” Beiste said.
Niall agreed, “I have placed a watcher on the stranger to ensure we ken his whereabouts at all times.”
“I will tell my men to remain vigilant. Ensure the women and bairns are closely guarded until we take our leave,” Brodie said.
“It would also be in your best interest Bram to have someone keep a close eye on Yesenda at all times,” Dalziel said.
“I’ll do it,” Iain said without hesitation.
They all agreed.
It was at that moment the subject of their discussion strolled into the hall. She smiled at several people.
Bram called her over to the group. “Yesenda, a stranger is asking about you in the village. Do you ken who he might be or why?”
She had a surprised expression when she said, “I do not ken. What does this person look like?”
Lachlan observed her and knew she was hiding something, but he kept silent.
Niall said, “Male, medium height with fair hair. Blue eyes and he dressed like a pilgrim. He had markings on his forearm.
“What kind?” she asked.
“Twas a spiked war club.”
Yesenda frowned, then schooled her features. “I am at a loss. I ken nothing.”
Bram said, “I will make more inquiries. In the meantime, you are to remain close to the Keep. Iain will accompany you if you need to go beyond the gates.”
Yesenda started to protest, “Laird, tis not necessary really. I am certain Iain has far more pressing concerns to—”
“You’ll not leave this Keep without me, and that’s final,” Iain commanded.
Yesenda glanced at the men and could see none would relent, so she took the path of least resistance and agreed. “Of course, I thank ye, Laird, and Iain; I will be sure to notify you if I leave the Keep.”
Iain nodded and gestured for her to take a seat beside him for the noon-day meal. Yesenda complied. When the food was served, she closed her eyes and quietly murmured something before she ate.
“What were you doing?” Iain asked.
“Giving thanks,” she replied.
“For your food?”
“Aye. There were times in the abbey when we had to give our share to the poor. Food was scarce, so I’ve learned to give thanks when I have it,” she said as she took a massive bite of the pie. “Oh my, this is the best pie I have ever tasted,” she groaned as she chewed, utterly oblivious to the effect her words had on the listener.
Iain observed the way she savored the pie, then for the first time in a long time, he smiled, and this time it reached his eyes.
***
TYRA MADE HER WAY BACK to the glen. It was not far from the Keep. As she walked through the wooded pathway, she felt that feeling that she was being watched. She picked up her pace and scanned her surroundings. She knew she was safe on Henderson land. There were guardsmen around, but still, it was an eerie feeling.
Tyra kept her hand on her dirk while carrying her basket in the other. She heard a footstep and ducked behind a tree, crouching down as she kept her eyes peeled towards the woods. Her heart was racing as she tried to listen for any unusual noise. But there was no sound.
She heard soft steps and remained completely still. Another rustling sound could be heard as someone approached. She took a deep breath then jumped out from behind the tree, yelling at the stalker.
Tyra heard a woman shout in fright, and before she knew it, she was relieved of her dirk and thrown into the air, landing on her back. Winded.
She blinked up at the sky, trying to catch her breath when Yesenda appeared above her.
“Tyra! I’m so sorry. What the devil were you thinking jumping out of the bushes with a dirk? I could’ve killed you!” Yesenda reprimanded. She crouched down and helped get Tyra onto her feet.
“Someone was following me, I didnae ken twas you.” Tyra coughed as she tried to catch her breath. Yesenda tapped her on the back.
“Where did you learn that move? You unarmed me so fast,” Tyra asked.
“I will teach you someday. But who do you think was following you?”
“I dinnae ken, but I had a strange feeling of being watched.”
Yesenda quickly scanned the area. She returned Tyra’s dirk and said, “We best keep moving. Tis not good to dally in the open.”
They made their way to the longhouse.
“Yesenda, were you headed somewhere when I interrupted you?” Tyra asked.
“I just felt like a walk. I dinnae like being in a Keep there are too many people. I am used to silence, and Keeps are noisy, especially all the creaking floorboards at night.”
“You are welcome to stay in Willa’s old cottage near mine. Tis quiet in the glen. Iain and I prefer it.”
“Iain? Damn, I forgot.”
“Forgot what?”
“I was not to leave the Keep without his escort. I didnae intend to walk so far.”
“I’m sure Iain will not mind. Besides, if you remain in the glen, he’ll eventually see you when he returns home.”
When they arrived at the longhouse, there was a line of patients waiting outside for Tyra.
“Do you need help?” Yesenda asked.
“If you have spare time I dinnae mind. I can always use extra hands.”
“I prefer to be useful. I dinnae like to be idle.”
Yesenda followed Tyra into the longhouse, and they spent the next two hours treating the crofters and villagers. They were so engrossed in their work they did not notice the arrival of the others until a shadow crossed over Tyra as she mixed a poultice.
Lachlan filled the doorway and walked in. His eyes glanced past Tyra, and then he looked to Yesenda.
“She’s here,” he called out to someone outside.
Moments later, Iain’s large frame filled the doorway. “What did I tell you about not leaving the Keep without me?” Iain growled at Yesenda.
“I am sorry I saw Tyra and decided to help here. I didnae mean to—”
Before Yesenda could finish her sentence, Iain strode right towards her and clasped her hand in his. He then turned and began pulling her towards the door.
“What are you doing?” she protested.
“Taking you back to the Keep.”
“But Tyra needs my help.”
“Amelia will be here shortly; you’re not needed.”
“Iain, stop! I told Yesenda she can stay in Willa’s cottage,” Tyra said.
Iain paused. “She cannot stay there. Tis already occupied.”
“Who’s there?” Tyra asked in confusion.
Iain did not say anything. He just clenched his jaw and tried to communicate something with his eyes. Then Tyra got mad when she realized who he meant.
“Iain Henderson, you get Liosa out of there!” Tyra ranted. Her hands were firmly on her hips.
Lachlan and Yesenda looked on in confusion at the silent stare-off between siblings. Iain still clutched Yesenda’s hand, and Tyra glowered at him.
Exasperated, Iain said, “She has nowhere else to go, Tyra. There are things you dinnae ken, and I will not discuss it here. Liosa needs to remain until I can make other arrangements.”
“Hello? Tis just me. Is it all right to come in?” Amelia asked as she interrupted their discussion. She hovered just outside the door. Kieran was standing behind her, holding a basket full of healing remedies.
“Aye, of course, please come in. Iain and Lachlan were just leaving,” Tyra said as she brushed past Lachlan and ushered Amelia and Kieran inside.
Amelia asked, “Will you be joining us today, Yesenda?”
“Aye,” Yesenda replied.
“No,” Iain said at the same time.
There was silence again and a weird tension in the room. It was broken by the arrival of yet another person.
Liosa stepped inside the longhouse. “Iain? I thought I heard you. You promised to take me to the markets today.”
Now everyone was watching the exchange between Iain and Liosa.
“It will need to wait. I have to escort someone back to the Keep,” he said.
Liosa glanced at Iain clutching Yesenda’s hand, and a flash of anger marred her expression, but she rallied.
“Then I shall come with you. I miss seeing my old friends at the Keep.”
“Liosa now is not a good time. As you can see, Iain has his hands full,” Tyra said.
“Tyra,” Iain said in a warning tone.
Sensing the tension in the room, Amelia waded in, taking on the mantle of a consummate peacemaker and matriarch. “Iain take this lovely lass who I dinnae ken, to the village. Yesenda, you’re staying with me. I need extra hands. Kieran; you can leave the basket on the table then please yourself. When I am finished here, we will welcome your escort back to the Keep.”
Kieran nodded and left the basket, then moved outdoors.
“Tis a sound plan. Iain let’s go before the market stalls close,” Liosa said before she physically separated Iain’s hand from Yesenda’s. She then pulled him towards the door.
Iain paused and addressed Yesenda. “Dinnae, leave this cottage until I return for you.”
Yesenda just nodded.
Liosa tugged Iain’s hand, and they left.
“And what about me, Mistress?” Lachlan asked.
“You can sit by Tyra and discuss your wedding plans before your bride arrives.”
Lachlan grimaced at the prospect then sat down beside Tyra. “Very well, if I must,” he said.
Tyra bit her tongue to prevent a derogatory response. She put her head down and continued with her task, ignoring Lachlan completely.
Despite his outward show of disinterest, Lachlan struggled to keep his eyes off her.
***