Read Online Susan King - [Celtic Nights 01] by The Stone Maiden - Free Book Online Page A

frown to equal his, her heart still pounding, "Leave, you," she said, pointing in the direction they had come.
    "He speaks only the native tongue, Bastien," the other knight said. "And he seems annoyed with us."
    " We have disturbed their hunt. Look down in the glen."
    "Ah. They were trapping the deer. I have heard that the Highlanders practice that barbaric method of hunting."
    "When men are hungry, they are practical," Sebastien said, watching Alainna.
    Her gaze locked in the grip of his. She suspected that he recognized her—but if both men assumed she was a boy, she would take advantage of that anonymity.
    " Ask him to tell us where the castle is," the other urged.
    "Hugo, we must ride farther northwest. I was told 'tis situated by a narrow loch at the foot of a mountain. We will find it soon. Disturbing their hunt was not necessary." He lifted the reins. "Our apologies, lad."
    "This damned wind is cold," Hugo complained. "The hills are more vast than I thought. We must find shelter soon or sleep in a cow byre tonight. What is the word for castle? Dun," he said clumsily to Alainna. "Kinlochan."
    "There is no castle near here," she told Sebastien. "Kinlochan fortress is three leagues northwest. What is your business there?"
    "King's business," he answered. "What of Turroch, which belongs to Clan Nechtan? Where is that holding?"
    "Turroch! Why do you want to know?"
    "King's business again. Which direction is it?"
    She glared at him. "The fortress of Cormac MacNechtan," she said in precise, clipped English, "is five leagues west from here. If you are welcome there, you are surely not welcome at Kinlochan. Ride on."
    "Your English is surpassing good for a Highland savage," he drawled. The steady glint in his eyes told Alainna that he knew her now. She reached up to draw back the plaid that obscured her hair, and stared up at him openly.
    "So I thought," he said. "Greetings, Lady Alainna."
    "The Highland lady, by God!" Hugo crowed.
    "I wondered if she had a brother with the same eyes, but 'tis the demoiselle herself." Sebastien inclined his head.
    "It is," she answered. Hearing a shout, she glanced back at the glen. Her kinsmen climbed the long hill, spears in hand.
    "Those savages are in a mood to attack," Hugo said. "Iron-tipped spears and bare-legged barbarians are no match for mounted and armed men. Shall I summon the others, Bastien?"
    "A few barbarian spears can bring down armed knights," Sebastien said. "Ride back and tell the others to hold. We want no trouble here." Hugo wheeled and rode toward the others.
    "Go with him," Alainna told Sebastien. He did not move, watching her, his hands relaxed on the pommel. After a moment, she held up her hand to signal to her kinsmen to wait. They stopped cautiously, standing on the hill, spears ready.
    "I am not leaving," Sebastien said. "I have ridden a long way to talk to you."
    "Last we spoke, you were planning to depart Scotland."
    "I will do that soon enough. For now, I am here in the king's name."
    "What is your mission?" she asked, heart pounding.
    "The king sends you a champion, and a husband," he said.
    She frowned up at him warily, unsure if he referred to himself or one of the other knights. Her gaze flickered there, returned to him. "Which of you is this champion? And why do you have orders to go to Turroch?" She fervently hoped the king had not chosen Cormac MacNechtan after all.
    "My comrades and I would be happy to discuss it out of the cold. I believe there is a Highland custom of hospitality."
    "Find your welcome at Turroch," she snapped. "We have another Highland custom—my enemy's friend is my enemy."
    "Then your friend's friend is your own, I think."
    "We have no shared friends between us."
    "The king is your friend, lady, and mine. He sent me here to offer you a solution, as you requested of him."
    "I did not request interference from Normans."
    His eyes, winter gray, swept her from head to foot. She raised her chin under his silent scrutiny. Cold wind skimmed