Page 38 of The Defiance of a Scottish Heart
But Taskill said nothing. Because her mother was right. Sheonawastoo old to swim with him now. Too beautiful. Too dangerous to his peace of mind.
And he was too broken to deserve her.
When she climbed out, shivering and hurt, she’d looked back once. He’d forced himself to turn away.
He’d been turning away ever since.
And now Dermot wanted him to marry her? To take the one pure, bright thing in his life and destroy it with his damaged soul? Nay, he couldn’t do it. She deserved better. He’d hid his feelings for her for five years, so much that they changed.
He’d become protective. That’s how he felt toward Sheona. He’d not allow anyone to touch her, of that much he was certain. He would always protect Sheona.
Sloan approached, pulling him out of his memories. Glancing into his full bucket, he chuckled. “You going to keep fishing, Taskill, until there are no more in the sound? Your net has proven its worth.”
Taskill frowned and peered into the bucket. “I guess I have enough. Want a few for stew?”
“I’ll take a few, if you don’t mind. I’ll leave the two cod with you. I’m happy with pollack.” He grabbed an empty bucket and chose a few fish and dropped them inside. “You must be preoccupied. Something you wish to talk about?”
“I feel bad for Sheona. What a show your father put on for everyone. She was so embarrassed.”
“She was. Unfortunately, there’s been too much going on in our clan, so our father ignored her for a long time. The truth is that with Mama passing, then Rinaldo, my wedding, Marta’s new bairn, all the battles, he’s had no time for Sheona. Now he’s found the time. When my father gets an idea in his head, he doesn’t let it go, as you know.”
“I do. If I were ready, I’d accept his proposal.”
“Taskill, I’m all right with my sister not being a good suit for you. But it’s time for you to think on marriage. It’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me. Lennox feels the same. Consider it.”
“Do you have someone in mind besides your sister?”
“Nay, I don’t. Choose your own.”
Taskill decided to ask the question foremost in his mind. “Clyde said your sire took her to the nunnery. ‘Struth?”
“I’m afraid so. Da has returned, said he’d leave her there for a sennight, then go back later for her. But he’s more upset than I’ve ever seen him. I don’t know exactly what happened, but he’s not the same.”
That caught Taskill’s attention. “What do you mean?” If anything happened to Sheona, he’d not be happy, no matter what it was.
Sloan glanced over his shoulder to make sure no one else could hear their conversation. “I’m not sure, but he went straight to his chamber, then came out, grabbed a big goblet of his brew,and went up to the parapets. I thought I’d give him some time before I approached him for an explanation.”
“Probably guilt for picking on poor Sheona so much.”
“Could be so. I’ll find out. Da doesn’t hide much, as you know. My thanks for the fish. I’ll take it to Cook. I can’t wait.”
Taskill pulled his net out of the water, set his fresh catch in the bucket, and packed up. Perhaps Sloan was right. He’d never seen Sloan or Lennox so happy. Was it his time?
But he had the sudden urge to go to the Isle of Iona and rescue a lass who shouldn’t be a nun.
Chapter Sixteen
Sheona
Sheona watched Brynja and Hildi as they sent their spears into the target they’d made. She couldn’t believe how far the two lasses were able to throw their weapons. She surely would not be able to throw one that far.
“Would you like to try?” Brynja asked, her light hair wound with various colored ribbons, giving her a mysterious flair. Hildi’s dark hair was wound with the same ribbons but arranged differently. Both had blue eyes, Brynja’s alert and striking.
“Nay, not yet. Mayhap later. I’m Sheona, and Ilene sent me here. Said I’m to sleep in your chamber because you have two empty beds. Does it matter which I choose?”
“Nay.” Brynja waved to her friend. “This is Hildi and I’m Brynja. We’re both Norse, though our fathers were Scots. We prefer our mother’s heritage. And you?”
“Scottish. Both parents. And I’m Sheona.”
