Page 32 of Her Highland Prophecy
He wondered if she understood what he was trying to tell her.
“Sometimes,” she admitted, and they quieted again.
The terrain around them started changing. They had been riding through the valley, keeping close to the rivers and lochs as guides, but the Castle was just beyond the forest to their right. He held the reins tighter taking care to steer Taranis around any obstacles in their path.
He would have led the horse on a fast gallop, under normal circumstances, jumping over the small boulders and fallen trees on the forest floor. It always felt good when the wind blew in his face as he raced. That wasn’t possible with two riders, but he was afraid that Taranis might recognize the area and start running.
It would be far too easy for Diana to be unseated in that case. She was rather precariously perched on the front of the saddle again, her legs hanging off the right side of the horse with one hand holding onto the edge of the saddle and the other clutching at his coat on his side.
He pulled his arms around her slightly closer. She shot him a quizzical look, but he shook his head at her not wanting to explain.
An hour later they had nearly cleared the pine trees that marked the edge of the woods.
“Halt!” a loud voice called and Gordain stopped almost instantly, having expected it.
Two men wearing the Sutherford tartan stepped in front of them. Gordain knew them well. Liam and Seamus, two brothers that were only a few summers younger than him. They were also known for gossiping as much as the women did.
He nodded to them as they approached, their eyes lighting up in recognition when they saw him.
“Gordain!” Liam exclaimed with a smile.
The two brothers looked so similar that the only way to tell them apart was their hair. Seamus wore his blonde hair longer, but he was cleanshaven. Liam’s was shorter, but had a beard.
“Good morning to ye, Liam. Seamus,” he said with a nod to each brother. “How goes yer patrol?”
“Nothing to report. It is quiet this morn,” Seamus replied.
“I’m glad of it. We will have news enough to share when we arrive at the Castle,” he said, indicating Diana who sat in front of him.
It was as if he had permitted them to look at her with his words.
“Good day, Mistress,” Seamus said.
Diana nodded her head in his direction but didn’t say anything.
“We’ll see ye both at dinner tonight,” Gordain said, knowing even as he made his way toward the small hill overlooking the keep that everyone would know about his imminent arrival within minutes, something which suited his purposes well. He didn’t think that his father would protest his betrothal, but it was best to be prepared.
“Sutherford Castle, me Lady,” he announced a few minutes later. From the top of the small hill they had a perfect view of the Castle.
“Oh! It’s so beautiful,” Diana exclaimed, her eyes wide as she stared in the direction he pointed.
He supposed she was right. The Castle was large and the grounds around it rather extensive. It looked well-maintained, though Gordain knew from experience the places where the roof leaked, or the stones were fragile. Despite all the small imperfections, it was home, and it filled him with pride.
“I’m glad ye like it, lass. It is verra important to me as well.”
She nodded but didn’t say anything else. Her eyes darted all around her as he slowly brought them to the Castle. He could tell that she was a little overwhelmed by it, though he wasn’t exactly certain why. It sounded like she had been to Scotland before. Hadn’t she seen a castle then?
A small crowd was milling around the Castle yard when they clattered in a few minutes later. Gordain smiled in satisfaction. The brothers had obviously done a good job of informing the Clan of his arrival.
“Welcome back,” a young red-headed boy said to Gordain as he dismounted and then helped Diana off Taranis. “May I take him back to the stables or do ye want to see to him yerself?”
“Ye can take him. Thank ye, Iain,” he said handing off the reins to the young man. “Is me Faither at home?”
“He’s waiting for ye in his study,” Iain replied with a tiny bow and then moved toward the stables. Taranis tossed his head and huffed as he was pulled away.
Gordain turned to Diana, lightly placing a hand on the small of her back and pushing her forward.
“Come,a nighean. Let’s go speak to me Faither.”
