The Bard by Greyson Maeve

Author:Greyson, Maeve
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Romance, Historical
Publisher: Dragonblade Publishing, Inc.
Published: 2020-11-16T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

She had both looked forward to and dreaded this day. The meeting of Sutherland’s kin. Well, at least two of his brothers, along with their wives. One of his brothers lived on some faraway island with his wife and children because of his occupation as a smuggler and a few poorly chosen alliances. Sorcha very much doubted she would meet that branch of the MacCoinnich clan any time soon.

“Sorcie!”

“What now?” Her sharp tone made Jenny jump back a step.

Guilt for snapping at her made her apologize. “Forgive me, Jenny. What did ye ask?” she repeated in a kinder tone. “I didna catch what ye said.”

“Ye didna catch what I said because ye were too busy wrestling with yer worry demons.” Jenny nudged her as they rounded the great hall for the third time, checking the preparations they had already checked twice before. “All will be fine, Sorcie. Mrs. Breckenridge is fiercer than any war chief and will have the head of anyone who dares to set yer feast awry. Just look at the floors. The dogs have never had such clean flagstones on which to eat their scraps. Ye know ye can count on yer clan to make ye proud.”

“I know, Jenny.” Sorcha wished she could explain it to the girl. She wasn’t worried about a poor showing by the clan. She was worried about making a poor impression herself. These were her husband’s people coming today. And if Sutherland persisted with his plan of making Tor Ruadh their home immediately, life would be a great deal more pleasant if she got on well with his kin. “I just want things to go well. For Sutherland’s sake.” And my own, she silently added.

“Since when have ye worried about folk liking ye?” Jenny’s perception was a great deal sharper than Sorcha gave her credit. “Remember what Mama always told us? ‘Be yer best. Give yer best. And let kindness ever be yer guide. Everything else will follow as it should.’” Jenny winked and nudged her again. “And if it doesna ‘follow as it should,’ to hell with the lot of them!”

Jenny’s slight twisting of Mama’s sage advice lessened Sorcha’s tension considerably. “I dinna recall Mama ever adding that last bit.”

“It was implied,” Jenny said, then nodded toward the entrance to the hall. “Our guests must be approaching the gates. Yer husband appears to be looking for ye.”

Jenny was right. Sutherland looked as excited as a lad who was about to receive his first horse ride. “Stay close, Jenny. Aye?” She grabbed hold of Jenny’s arm. A deep intake of breath failed miserably at settling her nerves.

“Ye know I will.” Jenny pulled her onward. “On wi’ ye now. Best hurry.”

Sutherland met them halfway and scooped Sorcha’s hands into his. With a tender touch of her cheek, he gave her a quick kiss and whispered, “Dinna fash yerself. I promise they’ll love ye. All will be well. I swear it.”

She found the fact that he read her so easily mildly disturbing. He probably even thought her cowardly, but she would prove him wrong on that count for certain.

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