Page 41 of The Beast

His lips lifted just a bit. “Aye, I do.”

The entire time Duncan and Beatrice enjoyed their simple repast, they exchanged heated looks. No sooner had she taken her last bite, did he push away from the table, round it, lift her into his arms, and race up the stairs.

Chapter Eleven

Duncan rolled over and yawned. Despite the drapes keeping his bedchamber dark, instinctively he knew it was morning. Very early morning.

Rubbing his eyes, he slid from the bed and pulled the long dark drapery apart to allow the dawn light in. There was little to do that day—like most days—he never planned for activities, other than working on the wall.

Just a short distance away, his project sat waiting for him. Creagh’s continuously gleeful dog trotted to it and began sniffing. Then without a care in the world, lifted its leg and peed on the rocks he’d stacked.

Duncan shook his head. It was interesting that what was important to one being, meant absolutely nothing to another. The dog barked and raced after something, probably a rabbit. Duncan followed the dog’s path until it stopped in its tracks and began barking, this time not friendly in the least.

Throwing open the window, he leaned out to ensure there wasn’t a deadly threat to his stableman’s pet.

A man at the edge of the woods appeared and brought his horse to a stop. The man sat very still, seeming to take in the house and its surroundings. It happened ever so often; a wayward traveler passing through, but something about this man brought an uneasy feeling.

The man didn’t seem lost, not by the stillness and the way he continued to watch the house. Duncan considered different reasons for the rider’s appearance. Someone seeking work, or perhaps one of Caelan’s friends.

His brother never had visitors without first ensuring to notify him, and with his recent marriage, Caelan was staying at his mother’s home for a short while to give them time alone.

The rider urged his mount closer, but upon the dog’s barks becoming more menacing, he stopped and once again studied the house, his head moving to one side and then the other.

Although too far for Duncan to see the rider’s features clearly, the rider seemed familiar. Instantly, he considered the fact that someone from his past would come for him. Not that they could take him away, but they would bring a reminder of things best left behind.

He whirled around, looking for his breeches, but then stopped at the sounds of hooves.

A second rider appeared, this one familiar. Creagh rode past his dog toward the man. His stableman called out a warning and asked who the man was and what he was doing there.

Silently the stranger held a hand up as if in greeting, turned his horse around, and galloped away.

The door between his and Beatrice’s creaked. There was a loud feminine grunt and then it opened just enough for the beauty to slip through. Her wide eyes met his. “Did ye see what happened outside?”

She came to stand next to him and peered out the window. Creagh had dismounted and was down on one knee praising his dog.

“Aye, I am going to gather a pair of guardsmen and go after the man. He may not pose a threat, but I would rather be sure.”

He frowned. “Where are the guardsmen that no one appeared at the stranger riding up so close to the house?”

After peering out the window for a moment longer, Beatrice shrugged. “I would venture to guess Gara and Firtha are holding court. They were very excited about having more mouths to feed and people filling the great room.”

“I will have to inform both them and the guards they are not here as guests, but to work.” He grunted his annoyance at the situation.

“I am sure once the assignments are made, the guardsmen will be responsible enough not to allow such things. Although, I do look forward to seeing their expressions when ye tell them yer stableman and his dog had to defend the house, while they were at a tea party.”

Duncan pulled on his breeches and belted his tunic, while an already dressed Beatrice watched. It was strange that she did not comment on his scarred legs. Admittedly, only from just above the knee down was all that was bare.

The worse scars were on his back, the result of many whippings. That was something he wasn’t sure he would ever be able to allow her to see.

“Come, let us see what happens.”

They walked to the end of the hall and silently down the stairs. The great room was empty, but the sounds of conversation guided them to the kitchen.

The four guards sat around a table, empty plates in front of them. They were so engrossed in a story Gara told, that no one noticed him or Beatrice at the doorway. Firtha came up behind them and Duncan held a finger up to his lips for her to be silent.

Finally, a guard caught sight of them and immediately jumped to his feet. The others followed suit, while Gara looked perturbed at her story being interrupted.

“Men,” Duncan said walking into the room. “Just outside a stranger on horseback appeared. But ye need not worry. The stableman and his dog ensured to keep ye safe.”