Amanda Scott by Highland Princess

Author:Highland Princess [Princess, Highland]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 13

Hector was waiting at the top of the track, and they hurried down the hill. The rain had eased before they reached the great hall, but they went no farther, opting instead to warm themselves at the great fireplace there.

The Green Abbot and his retinue had gone, but others remained, including their erstwhile companions, who demanded to know who had won the contest.

Mairi said nothing, waiting to see if Lachlan would tell them. He had not told Hector, nor had Hector asked, but to her surprise and delight, he said now with a rueful look, “Lady Mairi won.”

Giles, laughing, said, “No one could expect a man to win with a short bow.”

Angus agreed. “I warrant, even my cousin Ailsa would beat me did I try to win a contest by shooting her wee bow.”

Ailsa and Fiona both cried out against such disrespect for their weapons, and Hector, who had turned from standing their bows against the wall near the fire and was straightening the bowstrings on a bench to dry, looked up and said to Lachlan, “Do you think ’twas merely the bow that cost you the contest?”

Mairi held her breath, but Lachlan shook his head.

“I wish I could say so,” he said, “but I’d as lief not add thunder and lightning to that rain outside, and I’ve no doubt that if I told such a great lie, God would make His heavens ring.” Smiling at Mairi, he added gently, ’Twas her ladyship’s skill and mine own arrogance that beat me, not Lady Fiona’s bow.”

Returning his smile, Mairi moved near the fireplace and took off her cloak, spreading it over a second bench to dry while she warmed her hands. Her dress was still soaked, however, so when Ailsa looked outside moments later and said the rain had stopped, she left the hall with the others to go and change her clothes.

Although pleased that Lachlan had so easily admitted her victory, she was still annoyed with him for assuming she would be happy to put her future in his hands. Having never been one to sit by while others determined the course of her life, she wanted to have her say even if she could do nothing to change things. Her father understood that and encouraged her to form opinions and express them. Lady Margaret did not, however, and had often said that Mairi must learn to obey those in authority over her and submit gracefully to their commands.

Mairi knew she had too much of her father in her to do that. She could no more imagine MacDonald standing aside and letting others order his path than she could imagine him wearing a skirt and curtsying to the King of Scots.

Lachlan and Hector had brought clothing from Duart for supper and the evening’s entertainment, and since the other men were housed in the guest wing, they easily arranged for a place to change. As they left the hall with the others, Lachlan noticed Ian Burk near the kitchen wing, gesturing to him.

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