Sweat broke out on his brow. 'Yes,' he said. 'It's about tonight.' He gripped her arms as he added, 'I don't want you to be upset. What's done is done, and you're just going to have to come to terms with it.'
Thoroughly confused, she asked, 'Come to terms with what?'
He let out a loud sigh. 'Hell,' he muttered. 'I cannot believe I'm having so much trouble getting the words out.'
'Brodick, what's going to happen tonight?'
Brisbane and Otis were hanging on their every word, but Ramsey diverted their attention by escorting them outdoors. Having privacy didn't make Brodick's task any easier, and he decided to wait a little longer. He'd do it during supper, he decided. Yes, he'd take her aside and tell her then.
'I asked you a question,' she reminded him. 'What happens tonight?'
'You're going to make me very happy.'
It wasn't what he said but how he said it, in such a sensual gruff whisper, that sent tremors racing through her middle. All he had to do was look at her with those beautiful eyes of his and she melted. His smoldering gaze robbed her of the ability to think. She couldn't even remember what he had just said to her, and since he seemed to need a response, she said on a sigh, 'That's nice.'
Chapter Twenty-Three
For the next two hours Gillian stood on the steps with Ramsey at her side as each man came forward to meet her. Brodick stood behind her, and when weariness set in and she began to shift her weight from foot to foot, he coaxed her to lean back against him.
A good number of the followers brought their wives with them, and Gillian noticed that all the females stared starry-eyed at Ramsey and warily at Brodick.
How in heaven's name was she going to find the traitor among so many? Impossible, she thought, as impossible as finding a Highlander who was fond of King John.
It seemed to her that she looked at a thousand faces by the time sunset colored the sky. The light was rapidly fading, and with Ramsey's command, soldiers lit fiery torches around the perimeter of the courtyard and the edge of the path beyond.
'What reason did you give your followers for assembling?' she asked Ramsey in a whisper.
'I didn't give them a reason,' he replied. 'They're here because I have requested their presence.'
His arrogance made her smile. Then Brodick, gruff as usual, suggested she pay attention to the task at hand.
Yet another hour passed as she greeted each man and woman who came forward. Her stomach began to rumble, and she was shivering from the cold breeze, so she pressed her back against Brodick to gain more of his heat.
There was one moment of levity. The two boys who had tried to steal kisses from her and Bridgid came forward together. They looked as though the blood had drained from their faces as both, with eyes bulging, stared at Brodick.
'Good evening, Donal,' she said.
The soldier's knees buckled and he went down hard. His friend grabbed him by the arm and hauled him upright, but he never once looked at him. No, his gaze was glued to Brodick.
'Do you know this man?' Ramsey asked.
Donal held his breath while he waited for her to answer. She heard Bridgid laugh.
'Yes, I do know him. I was introduced to him earlier today.'
'And the other one?' Brodick asked.
Stewart looked as if he were going to cry. 'I met him as well,' she said.
'Where did you meet them?' Brodick asked, a decided chill in his voice now. 'Were you on the hill by chance?'
She gave him an. indirect answer. 'Donal and Stewart are friends of Bridgid's. She introduced me to them.'
'Gillian…'
She put her hand on top of Brodick's. 'Let it go,' she whispered.
He decided to let her have her way. The last group to come forward was led by an angry looking young man with an arrogant swagger much like Brodick's. His brown hair hung down in his face as he strutted forward, gave a curt nod to his laird in lieu of a formal bow, and then turned to leave.
Ramsey stopped him. 'Proster, come back here.'
The soldier stiffened, then did as he was ordered. The young men who had come forward with him quickly moved back to give him room.
'Yes, Laird?'
'You and your friends will train with me tomorrow.'
Proster's demeanor changed in a flash. He acted as though he'd just received manna from heaven.
'All of my friends with me now? There are eight of us.'
'All of you,' Ramsey said.
'And will I have an opportunity to fight you, Laird?'
'You will.'
'But eight men against one. It hardly seems fair.'
'To you or to me?'
'The numbers are in our favor, not yours,' the soldier pointed out.
Ramsey glanced at Brodick. 'Are you interested?'
'Definitely,' Brodick answered.
Ramsey turned back to the soldier. 'Laird Buchanan will join me. Don't worry, Proster. I won't let him kill you or your friends.'
The young soldier openly scoffed at the notion. 'I look forward to sparring with both of you on the battlefield. Do you wish to fight with weapons or without?'
'You may use your weapons if that is your inclination. Laird Buchanan and I will use our bare hands.'
'But, Laird, when I… I mean to say, if I beat you, I want it to be fair.'
Ramsey smiled. 'I assure you it will be fair,' he said. 'Be on the field at dawn.'
Proster bowed and then went hurrying away with his comrades, no doubt to plan their strategy for tomorrow's games.
Bridgid had watched and listened to the exchange from the side of the steps. She couldn't stop herself from interfering. 'Laird?'
'Yes, Bridgid?'
'Proster and his friends will use their swords. How can you defend yourself against them?'
Gillian responded as well. Whirling around to confront Brodick, she said, 'Don't you dare hurt those boys.'
'You aren't concerned that they will have weapons?'
'We both know that you and Ramsey will rid them of their swords before they've even gotten them out of their scabbards. I mean what I say, Brodick. I don't want you to hurt them. Promise me,' she insisted.
He rolled his eyes. 'When Ramsey and I are finished with them, their arrogance and insolence will be gone. That I promise you.'
Ramsey was in full agreement. 'They'll have humility when they leave my battlefield.'
The discussion ended when another group of latecomers hurried forward to bow to their laird. Ramsey watched Gillian for some sign of recognition, but she shook her head.
Feeling as though she had somehow failed, she whispered, 'I'm sorry. I don't see him.'
'I thought for certain you'd recognize one of Proster's friends,' Ramsey admitted.
'You don't believe they're loyal to you?'
'They have resisted the union of the clans,' he explained. 'Still, I find I'm glad it wasn't one of them. They're very young, and I would hate…'
He didn't give her any further explanation, and she didn't press him.
Brodick said what she was thinking. 'You're so certain it's a MacPherson?'
'I was,' he admitted. 'I'm not any longer. Hell, the Hamiltons or the Boswells could be hiding the bastard.
