Page 82 of Wedded to the Devilish Highlander
“Tomorrow mornin’, ye start trainin’ with a dirk,” Archer announced.
“I might have misplaced the dirk ye gave me,” Eileen admitted sheepishly.
“Dinnae worry, I found it in the music room after yer performance. I’ll keep it safe for ye until I show ye how to use it properly.”
Eileen laughed and held onto him tighter.
Something bloomed in the pit of her stomach—a seed that had been fertilized—and the long, snaking stems that sprouted wound their way up to her heart.
24
Archer stood in the courtyard, the smell of hay invading his nostrils. A large pile of it sat in the corner, to be used to fix the dummies and targets as needed. Some of the dummies swung close to him, moving in the very slight breeze that filtered through the smithy to the secondary courtyard of the castle, a smaller courtyard than the main one where swordsmen could train.
The gray stone walls, however, were above, with a few windows to look down upon them. He didn’t need people gossiping about him training his betrothed to defend herself, and if an attack was coming from inside the castle, he didn’t want them to know that Eileen could use her dirk so well.
He had dressed in tan trousers, loose at the knees, and a white tunic that allowed a good range of movement. His dirk was attached to his belt, and the dirk he had gifted Eileen was clutched in his hand. He swung it lazily around as if swatting flies.
When he heard footsteps, he expected to see Eileen. Instead, Calum stepped through the archway.
“Good morn, Me Laird,” Calum greeted, sounding gruffer than usual.
“Good morn,” Archer replied. “What troubles ye this morn?”
“Is it that obvious?”
“Aye. But somethin’ often troubles ye, so it wasnae a difficult guess.”
“It’s too quiet, Me Laird,” Calum remarked. “It’s been hard to hear any whispers in the castle about plots and schemes, but there was nothin’ yesterday. They’ll ken that somethin’ happened to Mack, and they’ll most likely lie low for a while.”
“Nae yet,” Archer countered. “Nae until they see the end of me. I’ve outgrown me usefulness, and I’m only a danger to them. If they can take me down, they can instate whoever they like.”
“Ye need an heir, Me Laird. That would surely deter them.”
“Nay, it willnae. I cannae conjure a bairn from thin air, and even if one was on the way, he wouldnae come of age for years, and they’d have that time to consolidate power.”
“Then what?” Calum asked.
“The order will have to come from O’Gunn. He willnae make the decision to kill me lightly. He’ll be the one to offer support to our clan if I’m killed. I can see schemes upon schemes here. I believe me faither’s death was ordered from within the castle, but since O’Gunn abducted a McFair, then he has his hand in this pie now. Whoever started the smugglin’ operation years ago is losin’ control. This isnae just about people within the castle betrayin’ us all, but about O’Gunn wrestlin’ control from us.”
“What of him?” Calum asked. “We’ve still nae responded to his letter. Ye willnae give up Lady Eileen to him, but we need to send an answer soon.”
“Aye, we do. Send a messenger. We can play it smart by playin’ it dumb. Tell him that we found Reid Kilmartin in our lands, bruised and beaten, and he spoke of killin’ O’Gunn men. Dinnae mention the escape just yet. Let’s see what O’Gunn comes back with. At the very least, it will buy us some time.”
“I’ll send a messenger now,” Calum said.
“Good man.” Archer nodded.
Calum turned to leave, and when he reached the darkened archway, he stepped to the side to let Eileen pass. They greeted each other before he disappeared, and then she stepped onto the training field.
She wore a pair of cream trousers and a brown blouse. Archer was impressed with her attire—it would give her freedom of movement.
“Ye made it,” he teased.
“I did.” Eileen smirked. “Did ye nae think I would come?”
“I dinnae ken,” Archer shot back. “I’ve spent time searchin’ for this dirk”—he held it up—“and thought I might have to spend more time searchin’ for ye, too.”
“All ye have to do is look for two guards wanderin’ around as if they’re lookin’ for a lost kitten.” Eileen looked over her shoulder.
