The last thing she had to place around her neck was the necklace she had made. The family ring rested against her chest, and then she was ready to be escorted down to dinner. The evening promised to be a little more subdued than the feast the night before, but she was looking forward to spending more time getting to know Rhys, even though she had to work through the irrational part of her mind that kept thinking of him as the enemy.
“How are ye liking the young warrior?” Bryn asked as he escorted her down to the dining hall. “I was glad tae see ye dance last night. Ye both seemed tae be in good spirits.”
“Aye, it took a wee bit of time, but I think we warmed up tae each other,” Caitlin said. “He’s nae what I expected.” She blushed a little and she tried to dip her head to hide her expression from Bryn.
“He seems tae much like his da for my liking, but I suppose that cannae be helped. It’s gaeing tae take a long time for me tae get used tae the idea of being family with them,” Bryn admitted.
“I’m trying nae tae think of him as the enemy.”
“It’s a time of great change for all of us. It’s still a struggle for me tae believe that I’m accepting them intae my keep without being worried they’re gaeing tae attack. The only time I’ve seen this many Frasiers taegether haes been in battle.”
Caitlin smiled softly. “I’m glad that there will be nae more battles. I was always afraid that when ye’d gae off tae war ye would never come back. I will nae be sorry tae say goodbye tae that part of life.”
“Neither will I,” Bryn replied with surprising earnestness as they reached the dining hall and got ready for another night of festivity.
6
Rhys adjusted his tunic. It was tight around the collar, tight around everywhere really. Although he was a laird and thus should have shown some signs of nobility, such matters had never much concerned the men of the Frasier clan. They preferred to wear clothes that reflected the wild world around them. Rhys usually dressed in simple material that had plenty of room to move. This tunic was stiff and his body felt constrained. He scowled as he wondered why he was doing this, but then he thought of Caitlin and how pretty she had looked for him. He supposed he could put up with some mild discomfort for a little while at least. Soon enough life would go on as normal.
He had not been able to rid himself of the disquiet in his heart. The unease had settled inside him and wouldn’t be moved at all, although there was nobody he could share this with and it made it difficult. Rhys was used to problems he could meet with a sword or wrestle to the ground with his mighty strength. Emotions were elusive things, wispy and coy, and he wished that he could think straight.
Rhys was just about to leave for dinner when there was a knock at his door and Malcolm returned to speak to him again. He wore a loose shirt and didn’t look as smart as Rhys. Upon seeing his son, Malcolm let out a hearty laugh.
“Ye look a dandy fool!” he said, placing his hands on his stomach. “I bet ye cannae wait for this tae be over sae things can gae back tae normal.” The laughter died down and he wiped a tear from his eyes. Rhys remained motionless and stoic for he didn’t quite see what was so funny about his appearance.
“Now, I hae something tae tell ye,” Malcolm said. “I’ve been speaking with some of the other men and we’ve adjusted the plan slightly. I want them tae be completely at ease. I realize that if they suspect an attack they’ll expect it tae come straight away. I want them tae think that everything is gaeing tae plan, and then we strike when they least expect it!” He clenched his fist and smiled widely. His eyes gleamed with the hunger of a wolf.
“I see. And what will happen with Caitlin in all this? Will we still be married?”
Malcolm’s brow furrowed deeply and he looked at Rhys as though the boy was witless. “Ye can dae what ye like with her! What dae I care?” He crossed his arms and regarded Rhys with a harsh gaze. He lifted his hand and started to wag a finger at his son. “Now dinnae ye start tae get enamored with this lass. Dinnae forget why we’re here. Ye can dae what ye like with her for all I care. Ye certainly deserve something out of this for the part ye are playing, but for the love of the gods dinnae gae falling in love with her.”
“I’m nae in love!” Rhys said with a force that surprised even him. His fists clenched by his side and his cheeks reddened as his body went rigid. “I just want tae make sure everything goes as ye hae planned,” he added in an effort to compose himself. Malcolm remained unconvinced. The big man pursed his lips, but he didn’t pursue the subject any more deeply. Instead, he paced around the room and looked up to the ceiling, as though he was inspecting the keep that he would have for himself soon.
“It’s
