Page 30 of The Defiance of a Scottish Heart
“Probably good that you weren’t. I was honestly hiding in the corner because I didn’t wish to get pulled into the ‘who’s eligible to marry Sheona’ battle. She’s a beauty, but I’m not ready yet. Too much work to do first.”
“I should have been here.” And all Taskill could wonder was why the hell had he stayed outside instead of coming in? Was it truly because he wished to avoid confrontation or was he seeking something else? Once he saw the lasses staring, he didn’t move away, and he could have. Had he avoided coming inside just because two lasses had fallen over him? Why did he persist in basking in all the compliments?
Tristan said, “I’m going for some food, Taskill. Relax.” He clasped his shoulder and disappeared.
Taskill scanned the hall, taking in all the people he knew and loved, while noticing all the unfamiliar faces. Brian was with someone he didn’t recognize. Alaric and Eli were with people he didn’t recognize but he guessed they were probably Grant men. Maitland chatted with two others Taskill had never met.
Perhaps it was time for Taskill to stop listening to all the lasses and spend his time chatting with men. Though he heard it repeatedly, he still found it perplexing when someone praised his appearance. His vanity, he guessed. He loved hearing the kind words.
When he was younger, everyone fussed over Lennox. Everywhere they went people would fuss over the next chieftain, and their father’s chest would puff out, throwing all the compliments Lennox’s way.
And if Eva was around, their father fussed over her endlessly. Spoiled her, even.
In an odd way, Taskill guessed he was always waiting for someone to throw him a compliment, but it never happened. It was as if no one saw him. Not until he turned twenty summersdid everything change and then all the lasses noticed him. That’s when the compliments began.
He’d been so shocked the first time that he thought they were teasing him. But the flattery never stopped, so neither did he. It wasn’t what everyone thought. He hadn’t bedded them all or even kissed them.
He just enjoyed the accolades.
Chapter Eleven
Sheona
Two days later, Sheona bolted up in bed, wide-eyed. What had awakened her?
“Get up, Sheona. We’re leaving soon.” Her father stood in the doorway, his arms crossed as he stared at her. “Pack a bag. You won’t be back for a while.”
“What?” She rubbed the sleep from her eyes, moving her legs over the side of the bed at the same time. “Da. Where are we going?”
“To the abbey. I told you the other day.”
“What abbey?” Icy tendrils raced up her spine, gripping her like the fear of standing alone in the dark and witnessing something you knew you shouldn’t, yet you can’t pull your eyes away. As if for some reason, you’re supposed to see what’s in front of you, even though every part of you rages against it.
She forced the images in her mind back into their hiding place. “Da, what is happening?”
“Did you find a man who will marry you?”
“In two days? Nay, Da. No one would agree that quickly.”
“Then we’re going to the abbey.”
“I don’t wish to go to the abbey. Which abbey?”
“Iona. We’re going to the MacClanes, then using their boat to go to the Isle of Iona. You wish to be a nun? Then you must visit to see what their life is like. You need to know what you are choosing.”
“But I didn’t choose it yet.” She grabbed a gown from her chest and shook it out, doing her best to straighten the errant hairs on her head before she plaited it.
“We’re visiting. There will be no arguing, lass. We’re leaving in half the hour. Move along.” Then he was gone, slamming the door.
She donned her gown, straightened the wrinkles the best she could, then grabbed a bag to pack another outfit and her leggings that Dyna had given her. Then she put two axes inside, just in case. Sloan. She had to find Sloan. He would talk their father out of this daft endeavor. Collecting anything else she might need, she rinsed her teeth and washed her face, glad she’d taken a tub bath the night before. She’d not have time now. It would take half the hour to warm the water.
Hurrying out of her chamber, she grabbed her bag and stopped at Marta’s chamber, knocking on the door. “Marta?”
Silence. Marta usually awakened at dawn with the bairn, so she was probably below stairs with the wee lassie. Sheona raced down and out the door, grabbing her mantle at the last minute. “Sloan!”
She didn’t see him, only some of his men. “Miles, where is my brother?”
“He and Eva went to MacQuarie Castle for a visit.”
