The Scot's Quest (Highland Swords Book 4) Read online

  She said nothing, instead picking up the bird and attaching it to her horse. Then she turned to him with a pointed gaze. “We’ll see what you catch, Corbett.”

  With that, she mounted and galloped off, cutting in front of the men. To his surprise, Lora and Joya joined her on their own mounts, followed by five guards.

  “Where are you lasses headed?” Els asked.

  Joya smiled sweetly and said, “We’re off to the loch. Our mission is waterfowl. You men go off for your boar and mayhap a wee rabbit or two.”

  Els snorted. “You don’t know your husband well if you think a rabbit’s leg will satisfy my needs this eve. I’ve a huge appetite.” His voice carried across the glen, and his wife’s laughter trailed back.

  “And don’t I know it,” she shouted back.

  Alex had ridden out from the keep too, although Derric hadn’t noticed until now. His horse was drawn up next to Alasdair’s, and the two were talking quietly. But Alex broke away and nodded to his other grandsons. “I’ll go with the lasses for now,” he said. “I’ll come looking for you once they head back. ’Tis a beautiful autumn day and I plan to enjoy it.”

  Els said, “Aye, Joya won’t be out here more than an hour. She’s just along for the ride.”

  “With Dyna shooting, they may only need half an hour,” Alasdair said. “I hear Lora’s archery skills are improving, too.”

  Alex nodded again and rode off after the lasses, and Alasdair led their small hunting group into the woods.

  “Are we more likely to find boar or deer?” Derric asked Els as they moved along.

  “We often see deer, but they’re too fast to hit on horseback. We have better luck with boar in these woods. They’re plentiful, though sometimes an arrow in a boar’s flank will only slow it instead of killing it. If we find one, we may have to stop and finish it with our sword.”

  Derric listened with interest. He did like to eat well, and since he spent much of his time camping, he would be wise to learn their hunting strategies. Although he’d attempted to master a bow in the hopes of catching some meat to fatten up their daily meals, he wasn’t nearly as skilled as any of the Grants. Perhaps he’d ask Dyna to work with him.

  Aye, he thought, imagining what it would be like to stand with her, their bodies pressed together, while she helped him aim an arrow at a target—that would be quite nice. But he knew it unwise to dwell on such thoughts in his present company. Her cousins certainly wouldn’t approve of his musings.

  Would they approve of him as a husband for Dyna? Perhaps he’d pose the question to Joya, see what she thought.

  They traveled through the cool morn, gray skies above them but no rain yet. Once they settled into silence, the sounds of the forest started to reemerge. The squirrels were still busy searching for nuts to store for winter, and the sound of leaves falling from the trees whenever a gust of wind broke through was a constant reminder that cold weather was on its way.

  Els held his hand up, stopping the group. They all quieted, their right hands reaching for their bows. Derek watched, his dagger in hand. Two of the horses became skittish, indicating there was some creature hiding in the nearby bushes.

  A snort alerted them to the presence of wild pigs not far ahead of them. They moved their horses apart, waiting for one to come into their view.

  Derric whispered, “Don’t they travel in a herd? Are you not worried they’ll attack us?” He’d seen them in the wild many times, and he’d always stayed away. Many Scots had been gored by the beasts’ tusks, their weight such that they were easily able to overpower a man. He preferred lamb or beef.

  “Nay,” Els said. “They’ll run the other way most of the time. Only if they feel threatened will they retaliate.”

  Just then, a squealing boar came out of the bushes, not far from Alasdair, and gave him his broad side. Els and Alasdair both fired, striking the wild animal twice in its flank. It squealed and started to run clumsily around the area.

  Alasdair glanced at Els and said, “We have to finish it.”

  The two dismounted and raced after the injured animal. Els motioned to Derric and said, “Follow us. We may need your help.”

  Although he couldn’t think why they’d need three men to take down a boar, they were more experienced hunters, so he jumped off his horse and followed.

  They managed to herd the animal in a clearing, its movements slowing from the injuries.

  Alasdair shouted over his shoulder, “Derric, you want to finish him?”

  Derric arched his brow at the suggestion. “Your kill. You have the honors. I can’t believe you caught one this fast.”

  Els spoke quietly to Alasdair, then they moved in on the boar, coming at it from opposite sides. One made a signal, and then they both raced at the beast, catching it and tossing it down on its side.

  It took two of them to hold the beast down. Alasdair had to speak in intervals from the exertion of holding the fighting animal in place, but his message was clear. “Shall we let it go and send it your way, Corbett?”

  Derric backed up. “Hell, nay. I’ve never caught a boar before. You have him. Why send him to me?” He’d always been good with animals, but the animals he dealt with were tamed beasts. Horses. Dogs. He had no experience with wild pigs. Nor did he want any.

  “You look a wee bit green, Corbett.” Els tipped his head and smirked. “Remember this moment, because if you mistreat Dyna, we’ll find another animal just like this and send it after you.”

  Alasdair added, “We all know you have a special talent with horses. Shall we see if it extends to wild pigs? If we let him loose, will he come over for a sweet nuzzle?” His expression was dead serious.

  “What?” Derric couldn’t believe what he’d just heard. Dyna’s cousins had just threatened him with bodily harm because he was interested in her.

  Alasdair gave the beast a quick death, then brought his serious gaze back to Derric, giving him a look that would make a lusty whore run in the other direction. “Do anything to Dyna that we deem unacceptable or she doesn’t like, and we will make certain you suffer for it. Understand?”

  Derric gulped, his voice coming out barely audible. “Aye.”

  “I couldn’t hear you.”

  “Aye, I’ll not hurt your cousin. Not intentionally.”

  “What the hell does that mean?” Alasdair left the dead animal and stalked across the clearing toward Derric. “Are you challenging me?”

  Derric didn’t know how to deflate this situation, but he knew better than to anger Dyna’s powerful cousins when he had no friends to assist him. “I meant no disrespect. It would never be my intention for her to get hurt. Emotionally or physically.”

  They both nodded, apparently accepting his response. The boar was a large animal, which hopefully meant they’d be heading back to the castle soon. He wasn’t sure how much more “hunting” he could take.

  The distant sound of hoofbeats met his ears, becoming louder, and Alex rode into the clearing on his horse and drew up close to Derric. “Join me in a canter while they clean up our dinner?”

  With a sigh of relief and a nod, he tried not to move too quickly toward his horse. He would be grateful for some distance from Dyna’s cousins just now. It hadn’t been a pleasant conversation.

  They rode quietly for several minutes before Alex slowed his mount and Derric did the same.

  “They love their cousin,” Alex said, “but don’t expect their disapproval to be as harsh as they suggest. If the two of you don’t suit, then you move on, but only after being honest with my niece. You need to spend time together to see if you suit.”

  “I agree, and many thanks to you, my lord.” He wiped his hand down his sweaty face. “’Tis a fine stallion you ride.”

  “I’ve had several dependable warhorses, all descendants of my first one, Midnight.”

  “What do you call this one?”

  “Midnight,” Alex said, his mouth tipping up slightly. “He’s earned it.”

  Derric noticed
the man rode like he had a special connection with his horse, something he admired. The relationship between a horse and its rider was a sacred thing. Derric had developed a talent with horses years ago when he’d first joined William Wallace. Being one of the new men, he hadn’t possessed his own horse—but he’d soon learned that there were horses to be acquired in any battle…if you could get them to stay with you. Soft words and a pat or two did far more than whipping an animal. He’d noticed that the Grant mounts never bore any scars on their flesh. A pheasant flew within the beast’s vision, and the horse didn’t respond at all. Derric’s horse nearly bolted, and the rabbit that ran across their path spooked him even more. He leaned down to calm the horse with soft words, stroking its neck. This horse was one from the MacLintock stables, assigned to him because his horse was still weary from the ride.

  Midnight didn’t wiggle an ear.

  “He’s finely trained, my lord. How do you do it?”

  True, he knew quite a bit about taming horses, but Alex Grant had to be well into his seventies. He’d trained more horses than Derric by far.

  “I treat him well. The secret to most everything in this life. He gets plenty of exercise and fine food, and he’s always rewarded for difficult journeys. I train with him often. Do you know my wife used to sneak out to feed my first warhorse apples whenever he brought me home safely from battle? She thought I didn’t know, but I could tell just by the way he always nudged her, his muzzle targeting the pockets she used to sew in her gowns.”

  “Didn’t the horse hold more loyalty to her?”

  “Nay, he sensed my relationship with her. Now back to that other issue.”

  “Issue?” Derric had no idea any issue had been raised.

  “Treat others well. I’m pleased you have an interest in my granddaughter, but I must act in my son’s place since he is not here. What are your intentions with Dyna?”

  Derric had to catch himself from falling off his horse. Alex glanced over and arched a brow at him. Swallowing hard, he decided honesty was the best approach. He doubted he could fool someone so wise and experienced. “’Struth is I’m unsure. I like Dyna, but with the war going on, we haven’t had enough of a chance to see if we suit. I’d like to find out. I came to visit Joya, but I also wished to spend more time with Dyna. She’s a fine lass, my lord. But I don’t know if she has any interest in me or in marriage.”

  “You’re willing to offer marriage?”

  “I would like to explore the possibility.” Derric cleared his throat. He hadn’t expected such direct questions, although he respected the man for being clear.

  Unlike Els and Alasdair.

  “Where do you go from here? And where is your permanent home?”

  “I don’t have a permanent home. Ever since my parents were killed, I’ve traveled the land of the Scots to fight for our freedom, first with William Wallace and now with King Robert. The forest is my home. I quite enjoy a cooked meal and a soft bed on occasion.”

  “Feel free to offer for her, or discuss the possibility with Dyna, but make sure my granddaughter isn’t in that soft bed unless you’ve said your vows. Our clan accepts handfasting, so do not think to get her with child without handfasting first.” The man kept his eyes straight ahead, Derric blushing with sweat dripping out of his pores. He’d never dealt with the father of a love interest.

  He’d never had another love interest.

  The man wasn’t going to leave him be. Perhaps fighting the boar might have been easier.

  He supposed he needed to make a comment about that statement, so he mumbled, “Understood.”

  “What is it that draws you to my granddaughter?”

  Her arse probably wasn’t the best answer, though it was his first thought. But Dyna had many other fine qualities. “Many reasons, if I’m truthful with you. I enjoy bantering with her—she has a biting sense of humor that I quite enjoy. Of course you know she’s a beautiful woman, and she’s fierce and highly skilled with her bow.” He hoped he’d given enough reasons. He couldn’t think of any others at the moment. Gripping the reins was becoming a challenge so he alternated hands, wiping the sweat from his palms onto his trews.

  Alex’s next statement served as a warning. He could tell in the way he held his profile. “You will be kind to her soft heart. Do not do anything to damage it or change her. If you will promise me that much, you have my blessing to pursue her. I don’t worry about your travels. She would prefer to wander the Highlands, I think, as if she’s honor bound to protect the land herself. I cannot stop her from traveling, but I trust you to treat her with respect and guard her soft heart. That much I must insist on.”

  “Her soft heart?” Derric was so stunned by those words, words he’d never tied to the lass, that he wasn’t sure how to react. “I’ve never seen any evidence of a soft heart. She’s a hardened warrior, no disrespect intended, my lord.”

  Alex Grant stopped his horse and turned him to face Derric. “I suppose I could understand that comment since you’ve only been around her during verra trying times, but my instinct is to send you away for that. Dyna has the softest heart of any of my grandbairns. If you haven’t taken the time or invested the effort to see that truth, then you don’t deserve the honor of courting her. You have a short time to see if you can meet that quest, but if you still believe your statement after that, I’ll send you off MacLintock land.”

  In that case, it was a good thing he hadn’t told the patriarch the reasoning behind his pet name for Dyna. While he’d seen glimpses of Dyna’s soft heart in the spring—what hard-hearted woman would set out to rescue a bairn?—but she’d been so full of rage toward the lassie’s uncaring father that it had eclipsed any show of warmth.

  Alex turned his horse around and headed back toward their original location, stirring up a cloud of dust in his direction.

  The wizened warrior had challenged him to a quest that he had no idea how to accomplish. How did one find out about a lass’s heart?

  He may have escaped being attacked by a wild hog, but he felt like he’d just been strung up by his bollocks.

  Chapter Four

  Dyna, Joya, and Lora proudly returned to the keep, bearing their gifts for the eve’s feast. Grandsire had stayed out with the lads, simply because he loved horseback riding and the chance to be outside the gates. The two pheasants and two ducks they’d brought down would feed many.

  They rode through the courtyard, to a couple rounds of applause at the sight of their catch, then left their horses in the stables and headed into the kitchens with their bounty. After they handed the game off to the smiling cook, Dyna washed up in her chamber and then returned to the great hall, finding it mostly empty except for Joya and Emmalin and the bairns. It was exactly as she’d hoped.

  “You did a fine job,” Emmalin said as she fiddled with the needlework on her lap. “Alasdair and I love pheasant. My thanks for taking two down.”

  Being bold had always been Dyna’s favored approach, and she had no reason to believe the current occasion should be any different. “Do you mind if I ask you two some personal questions?” She did her best to ignore the sudden flip-flops in her belly.

  Joya said, “Of course, ask anything you’d like.” She gave a quick glance to Emmalin, probably because they had no idea what she was about to say.

  Dyna forged onward, ignoring the sudden sweat on her palms. “What think you of the marriage bed?”

  Joya spat out her drink and laughed, while Emmalin dropped her needle into her lap and stared up at Dyna, the expression on her face one of sheer shock.

  Well, she had been blunt about it. She gritted her teeth because her instinct was to suggest they should forget she’d asked, but she had wondered about this. Quite a bit, in fact. And now that Derric had become so appealing to her, she needed an answer.

  Neither Joya nor Emmalin said a word, making her quite uncomfortable, so she explained, “I would like to know if you are pleased with it. I hear it hurts the first time and I’m just curious.�
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  Joya looked at Emmalin and said, “You’ll have to explain about the first time. Mine was not one I care to remember.”

  Emmalin and Dyna both knew the reason for that—Joya had been kidnapped and raped after she ran away from her aunt’s home—so Emmalin was quick to nod. “As you wish.” Then set put her needlework aside and gave Dyna her full attention. “The first time hurts, but not badly. And it doesn’t hurt for long. You know how it happens, do you not? Many think ’tis like animals, but we do it mostly face to face.”

  “I understand. Mama explained it to me and I’ve listened to plenty of serving lasses and maids talk about their exploits with their husbands. But I wanted to talk about this with someone I trust. Like a pinch?”

  Emmalin thought for a moment, then continued, “I’ll be honest. It was more than a pinch for me. Aye, it hurt, but it did not hurt for long.”

  Joya interjected with a grin, “And the pleasure you gain makes it worthwhile. I cannot get enough of Els.”

  “My first husband was only interested in his own pleasure. ’Tis an entirely different experience with Alasdair, thank goodness.” Emmalin blushed, dropping the volume of her voice. “’Struth is, in the beginning, I wished to do it more than he did…and he wished to do it often enough.” She looked up at Dyna and said, “You need to make sure you choose the right man. ’Tis wonderful when you suit. If you love the other person, you worry about their pleasure as much as your own.”

  “Pleasure?” she asked, pressing them for more.

  Joya was nearly as blunt as Dyna. “’Tis called an orgasm. Your husband must help you get there, but once you do, I swear a castle could crumble around me and I’d never know it. On one occasion a thunderstorm was ripping through the night, and Els thought it was his climax.”

  “Poor Ailith was crying one night and I never heard her.” Emmalin giggled into her hand.

  Joya glanced over her shoulder for anyone within hearing distance—the bairns were playing at the far end of the hall, not within hearing—before she continued. She leaned forward and lowered her voice. “We were in the woods once and didn’t hear the snort of a boar until ’twas almost upon us. I’ll always remember the image of Els using his sword with his bollocks hanging out. He only had to wound the beast before it took off.”