Page 36 of The Beast of the Highlands
Keira turned up her nose. “As I have already told ye, I thought yewereaware of my arrival. I wrote to ye personally.”
“And as I’ve already told ye, it must’ve been lost on the way,” Flynn replied calmly, though he suspected there had never been a letter. If her appearance was not intended to take Flynn by surprise, then why had she chosen to have her entourage wear plain colors, avoid flying their banners, and had removed all their crests?
In truth, he sensed someone had informed Keira of Autumn’s presence, and his fondness for her. And that someone was likely the shamefaced old woman standing beside Keira.
Is she holdin’ ye to ransom, Mary?He would have to ask her, when he could catch her alone.
“Ye’ve still nae told me why ye came without any insignia. Ye had the clan frettin’ we were under attack.” Flynn could not help himself. With Autumn as silent as a mouse behind him, no doubt terrified that this other woman had come to destroy their union, he felt an urge to hold Keira to account.
Keira grinned. “A test.”
“Pardon?” Flynn’s mood darkened further.
“I wanted to see how ye’d respond. Well, Father wanted to ken. Ye did splendidly—very quick, very thorough. Though ye should’ve seen yer face when ye found out it was little old me.” Keira cackled delightedly, irking Flynn even more. “Ye’ll manage even quicker now ye’ve got my father’s men to add to yer forces.”
There had been some correspondence from Laird Dunn, a few weeks ago, offering Flynn his best guards as a wedding gift. Flynn had thanked him, but refused, though it appeared that letter had also been lost between MacLennan Castle and Dunn Castle. For now, Flynn was scrambling to find chambers in the castle barracks for the cavalry and the infantry that Laird Dunn had sent to escort his daughter.
As for the battering ram the scout had seen, that had turned out to be an enormous carriage, crafted to Keira’s specifications and pulled by a team of six horses.
“Speaking of which, why did yer da nae think to join ye?” Flynn’s gaze darted to the mirror, where he spied Autumn peering out uncertainly. Their eyes met for a moment, sharing a silent word of comfort.
I’ve pledged meself to ye, lass. I willnae go back on me word. I daenae care what Keira or Laird Dunn ask of me.
Keira grimaced. “Somethin’ to do with English soldiers bein’ spotted on the borders of our territory—apparently, more are comin’ up from the south.” She sneered in Autumn’s direction. “I’m certain he’ll be along when he’s able, but he thought it important for ye and I to ken one another better.” She walked over to him, dragging a vast waterfall of silk and lace with her. “And now ye’ve received yer wedding gift, I trust it willnae be long until we’re married.”
“It wouldnae be prudent to marry while there’s a threat of attack, if what ye say is true about these English soldiers.” Flynn sidestepped her hand as she tried to trace her fingertips across his chest, prompting a scowl to deepen the lines that furrowed her brow.
Keira sniffed. “Perhaps ye should ask that Sassenach what she kens about it. I amnae versed in interrogation, but I can think of a few things to wring some answers out of her.”
“Miss Montgomery is Leighton’s tutor, and a valuable asset to this castle. Ye’ll nay speak to her discourteously, else it’ll be ye that’s taught a lesson,” Flynn seethed. True, he had also suspected Autumn might be a spy when he first met her, but all of that had quickly been put to rest.
Suddenly, Autumn stepped out from behind Flynn and dipped into an elegant curtsey. “It is my fault, Laird MacLennan. I was too stunned to make a polite introduction, and Lady Keira is likely weary from her lengthy travels. It has the tendency to make a person irritable.”
Flynn had to stifle a laugh, for though Autumn’s words sounded apologetic in tone, he heard the subtext. In essence, Autumn had just told Keira to go to bed, like an overly tired child who had become ratty and irksome.
Keira strode closer to Autumn. “I’d ask why ye look like a drowned ferret, but I ken ye Sassenachs have some strange pastimes. Did ye take a fancy to a swim while fully attired?”
“I was out riding, Lady Keira, when the rain began to fall. My horse stumbled and, fearing she was lamed, I got down from the saddle to help free her hoof from a rather deep puddle.” Autumn held Keira’s gaze with remarkable courage. “I am afraid this dress is entirely ruined, though I imagine you would collapse under the weight of your skirts if they were to get wet.”
Keira’s cheeks burned red. “Ah, the tragedy of being unable to afford an escort.”
“I had an escort,” Autumn corrected, “but I prefer to tend to my horse myself. She is a stubborn creature and does not care for anyone else to come close to her. I suppose she is possessive, in that respect, but I find it refreshing to do things of my own accord. Do you not?”
All of the air seemed to be sucked out of the room as Keira stared at Autumn, her eyes glinting with fury. But Keira could not unleash that fury without looking like the hysterical party. A fact that Autumn clearly knew. Indeed, Flynn could not have loved her more in that moment, for being so cleverly defiant.
Keira’s mouth set in a grim line. “Why should I tend to things myself when there is someone to do it for me? Ye’d understand, I imagine, if ye had the means to experience servants, and guards, and everythin’ that comes with being a lady of merit.”
“Being the daughter of a Baron, I spent my entire youth being tended to, but I found it awfully stifling,” Autumn retorted, clearly winning this war of wills. “I suppose that is why I sought the independence of gaining my own income, and sharing my knowledge, my merits, and my education, instead of hoarding them for myself. Once you have started down the path of independence, you come to realize that it is utterly liberating.”
That’s me lass…
It turned out Flynn did not need to hold Keira to account, for Autumn was perfectly capable of fighting her own battles. He did not know why he had expected anything different, but he hoped Keira would not punish his beloved later for this display of wit and delicate patronization.
Keira’s eyes looked like they might burst out of her head. “Ye’re a Baron’s daughter?”
“I am, Lady Keira. I do not know if my title is above yours, but I have never much liked societal hierarchies, so let us pretend yours is the greater accolade. I am happy for you to refer to me as Autumn, or Miss Montgomery, and I will continue to address you as Lady Keira.” Autumn dipped into another elegant curtsy, while Keira floundered for a reply.
She has that effect on all of us, Keira. Ye’ll never have met a soul like her.
