Part 23 (1/2)
It must be the allure of forbidden fruit, he decided. He knew he couldn't have her and so he craved her all the more. Aye, that was it. That made sense to him.
Once they were around others and he could find another woman, all would be set right. Maggie wouldn't haunt his thoughts or torment his body. He would be his old self once again, the Braden who made fathers cringe in their sleep and women giggle at his approach.
And yet some part of his mind argued. It told him that she had changed him. That somehow, some way, he wasn't the same man he'd been when they started this journey.
Braden didn't listen.
He couldn't afford to.
Maggie returned to the camp and in less than an hour they were on their way. They spoke little as they made their way through the forest, ever vigilant for the thieves.
As the day wore on, the sky above became dark and forbidding. A storm was coming, and they would need shelter for the night.
Reluctantly, Braden led them out of the forest toward a small village, br.i.m.m.i.n.g with activity. The wattle-and-daub huts were uninviting, and there was a large Celtic Cross in the center of them.
As they approached the unfamiliar people, Braden glanced down at Sin's legs. True to Sin's prediction, they had actually darkened and were no longer so obviously white.
Maggie's still looked a bit too womanly for his tastes, but with any luck no one would notice that, and if they did happen to glance her way, they would merely attribute it to youth.
He hoped.
As he watched her, he saw the fear and trepidation settle on her face as her gaze darted about the people and she tightened her grip on the pack. He hated to see her scared. She had nothing to fear, not so long as he was there. He would never let any harm come to her.
So he sought of a way to make her smile.
”I wonder if there's a bed to be found here,” he whispered teasingly in her ear.
Her face turned bright red at his words. ”I'm sure there's nothing more promising than a stable,” she mumbled under her breath.
Sin opened his mouth to speak, but Braden caught him on the arm. ”Not a word, brother. We're no longer on MacAllister lands, and in this area, that English accent of yours will quickly get our throats cut.”
Sin shot him an arrogant look that spoke loudly,Let them try it .
However, Braden wasn't in the mood to fight, and luckily Sin glared at him but kept his lips in a tight, grim line.
Braden moved ahead of them and approached a man who was loading hay into his wagon. About two score years in age, the man had hard lines around his face and a full gray beard laced with just a hint of brown. Though the man appeared clean and well kept, his brown and yellow plaid was ragged around the edges.
”Good day to you, sir,” Braden said to the man.
The man paused in his loading and eyed him suspiciously. ”Who are you?”
Braden answered without hesitation, ”My name's Sean.”
”And who do you follow?”
”Ewan of the Clan MacLucas.”
The man's silvery eyes narrowed even more. ”I never heard of him.”
”We're from the isles,” Braden said. ”My brothers and I are on our way to MacDouglas lands to see our sister and her new babe. I was wondering if there might be a place we could spend the night.”
The old man accepted his words with a laugh. ”MacDouglas lands, you say? You'll not have a happy time there, I'll wager.”
”How so?”
The old man scratched his beard. ”My sister married a MacDouglas, and I heard from my brother-in-law that she and the rest of the clan's women have taken over the castle from the men.
They're standing the battlements like a group of Amazons and have threatened to tar any man dumb enough to venture near them until the MacDouglas ends the feud with the MacAllister.”
Braden feigned disbelief. ”You don't say?”
The man's visage turned dark. ”Aye. 'Tis an evil, demonic thing that has possessed the women. I heard the MacDouglas has pet.i.tioned the bishop for an exorcism.”
”To be sure,” Braden said, then dared an amused glance to Maggie, whose cheeks seemed to be a shade or two redder than they'd been a few minutes ago. ”Imagine a woman not wanting her man. Saints preserve us.”
The man nodded gravely, then his mood seemed to lighten a degree. He returned to loading his hay.
”Old Seamus rents to strangers. d.a.m.n fool, he. You'll find his place down near the stable.”
”My thanks,” Braden said, then turned and led Maggie and Sin toward the south end of the village where the stable lay.
”Sean?” Maggie whispered as he drew near her.
”I didn't want to chance the name Braden, lest it jog someone's memory.”
”Quick thinking,” she agreed.
As they drew near the stable, Braden had to force himself not to curl his lip. Old Seamus's home was about as clean as a sty.
Still, it would keep them out of the rain, and the last thing any of them needed was to catch their death before the MacDouglas had a chance to kill them.
He found Seamus outside his house, fetching water from a well. The old man paused at their approach and eyed them with great reservation.
”I don't have beds for three strapping lads,” he said after Braden had asked him for a place to stay. ”But I do have the stable, if you're of a mind to use it.”
Maggie cast him a smugI told you so look.
”It's not fancy,” Seamus continued, ”but it comes with a meal, and it'll keep the coming rain off your heads.”
It would do. And judging from the smell of the man, the stable would be preferable anyway.
”How much?” Braden asked.
The old man stroked his chin thoughtfully as he swept them with a measuring gaze. ”Free, if you lads don't mind doing some ch.o.r.es for me.”
Braden noted the strained look on Sin's face. He could tell his brother would sooner brave the rain than do anything menial for a Highlander. Indeed, knowing Sin, it was a wonder he didn't turn berserker and start laying waste to the entire village.
He would make it up to Sin later. For now they had to be practical.
”Sounds good,” Braden said. ”What can we do for you?”