Page 2 of Laird of Smoke
After all, God couldn’t possibly intend for King Malcolm to be welcomed home from France by six irate lairds with drawn swords.
Obviously what was needed here was divine intervention.Proving to both parties that there were more important things at stake than who owned what or who was friends with whom.
They just needed to be convinced that God favored the Scots and smiled on King Malcolm.
That all parties wished for the same thing—peace in the land and harmony among the clans.
That God meant to bless the Scots with health and wealth and prosperity.
It wasn’t exactlyuntrue, though Eve suspected God left men largely to their own devices.He was too busy moving heaven and earth to care much whether men warred among themselves.
Still, it was certainly true that a people at peace were more productive and happy.So she was certain God would approve.
Before she could make her way toward the gathering lairds, however, a skirmish broke out.Caught up in the clamor, Eve was elbowed aside as warriors rushed forward with their weapons drawn.
Peering between the crush of bodies, Eve was astonished to glimpse a familiar figure.It was the groom she’d disappointed by stealing his bride.The magnificent Sir Gellir of Rivenloch.What was the great knight doing here?
He appeared to be wielding his mighty sword.In defense of the king.And against the lairds.
All six of them.
Singlehandedly.
Her breath caught.One man against six?The Rivenloch warriors certainly got embroiled in some perilous undertakings.
Then she noticed Sir Gellir wasn’t quite alone.An odd-looking monk battled at his side with surprising expertise.
Eve could tell, long before the monk’s hood fell back, spilling free a waterfall of fiery curls, that the fierce fighter was a woman.She supposed she shouldn’t be surprised.After all, the Rivenloch clan was known for its fighting females.
Still, she was no Rivenloch lass that Eve recognized.
There seemed to be a bond between the two fighters.Gellir was resolute in his efforts to protect the woman from their foes.And the lass battled like a vixen defending her mate.
A smile curved the corner of Eve’s lip.It appeared the spurned bridegroom had wasted no time finding a new ladylove.This was further proof Evehaddone the right thing in absconding with Gellir’s betrothed.Lady Carenza was never meant to be his.Thiswas obviously the woman with whom Gellir belonged.A happy ending like this pleased Eve and made the messy details unimportant.
At least shehopedthey would have a happy ending.They were still two against six.
But soon, incredibly, it appeared the pair of sparring sweethearts were beginning to win the upper hand.
Suddenly a bold shout rang out from the crowd.“Audite!”
The combatants began to lower their weapons.The skirmish dwindled and slowly came to a halt.
“Audite!”
All eyes were drawn to the tall monk inviting them to listen.
He peeled back his cowl, revealing his face.
Eve took in a sharp breath.And suddenly she couldn’t take another.
She’d never seen a man so perfectly made.
So handsome.
So heavenly.
So heart-melting.
