She smiled, thinking he only wanted to offer her greeting, but he continued in step with her as she rounded the corner of the keep and headed in the direction of the hole in the skirt.
Before she could lift her dress hem and climb over the crumbling rock face, the soldier gallantly took her hand and assisted her over the side.
She stopped and he nearly bumped into her, so close was he following behind. She whirled around and tilted her neck so she could look him in the eyes.
“Why are you following me?”
“Laird’s orders, my lady. ’Tis unsafe for you to walk about the keep unescorted. I am charged with your protection when the laird himself is not with you.”
She snorted and put one hand on her hip. “He fears me escaping again and you’ve been put to the task of making sure that doesn’t happen.”
The soldier didn’t so much as blink.
“I have no intention of leaving the keep. The laird has informed me of the consequences of such an action. I’m merely out for a walk and a bit of fresh air, so there’s no reason for you to leave your other duties to escort me.”
“My only duty is to your safety,” he said solemnly.
She gave a disgruntled sigh. She was sure the laird’s men wereevery bit as thickheaded and stubborn as he was. It was probably a requirement.
“Very well. By what name are you called?”
“Gannon, my lady.”
“Tell me, Gannon, are you my permanent watch guard?”
“I share the duty with Cormac and Diormid. Next to his brothers, we are the laird’s most senior men.”
She picked her way over the stones protruding from the ground as she made her way up the hillside toward the grazing sheep.
“I can’t imagine that’s a duty any of you would welcome,” she said wryly.
“ ’Tis an honor,” Gannon said gravely. “The laird’s confidence is great. He wouldn’t entrust the safety of the mistress of the keep to just any of his soldiers.”
She stopped and whirled around, clamping her lips shut to prevent the shriek from escaping. “I am not the mistress of this keep!”
“You will be in two days’ time, just as soon as the priest arrives.”
She closed her eyes and shook her head. She’d never been a drinker of spirits, but right now an entire tub of ale would be welcome.
“The laird does you a great honor,” Gannon said, as if sensing her disquiet.
“I’m thinking ’tis the other way around,” Mairin muttered.
“Mairin! Mairin!”
She turned to see Crispen running up the hill as fast as his legs would carry him. He shouted her name the entire way and nearly knocked her off her feet when he crashed into her. Only Gannon’s steadying hand prevented her fall.
“Careful, lad,” Gannon said with a smile. “You’ll knock the lass over if you aren’t careful.”
“Mairin, is it true? Is it true?”
Crispen positively wiggled in his excitement. His eyes shone like twin stars and he clutched at her arms, alternately hugging and squeezing her.
She grasped his shoulders and carefully pried him away from her. “Is what true, Crispen?”
“You’re marrying Papa? You’ll be my mother?”
Anger descended with breathtaking speed. How could he? How could the laird do this to Crispen? It would break his heart if she denied it. The laird’s manipulation shocked her. She’d thought him more honorable than that. Arrogant, aye. Even determined and focused. But she hadn’t imagined him acting so deceitful and stirring the emotions of a young child.
Furious, she rounded on Gannon. “Take me to the laird.”
“But, my lady, he’s with the men. He’s never to be disturbed during training unless ’tis a matter of great urgency.”
She advanced on him, thrusting her finger into his chest. She accentuated her words by poking him. He was forced to take a step backward, his gaze wary.
“You will take me to him at once or I’ll turn this entire keep upside down to find him. Believe me when I say, this is a matter of life and death. His life and death!”
When she saw the determined denial in Gannon’s eyes, she threw up her hands, let out a huge sigh of exasperation, and turned to head down the hill. She’d find the laird herself. If he was training with his men, it meant he was in the courtyard where such training took place.
Remembering Crispen, and that she had no wish for him to hear what it was she had to say to the laird, she turned and pointed her finger sharply at Gannon.
“You keep Crispen with you. Do you hear?”
His mouth gaped open at her command, and he stared alternately at her and at Crispen as if unsure what to do. He finally bent down, said something to Crispen, then pushed him in the direction of the sheep herder.
Mairin turned and stomped down the hill, angrier with each step. She nearly tripped over a rock and fell flat on her face, but Gannon caught her elbow.
“Slow down, my lady. You’re going to injure yourself!”
“Not myself,” she muttered. “Your laird, more likely.”
“Pardon? I’m sorry. I didn’t hear you.”
She bared her teeth and shrugged out of his grasp. She blazed around the corner of the keep and into the courtyard. The heavy clang of swords, mixed swear words, and the smell of sweat and blood rose sharp in her ears and nose. She surveyed the mass of training men until she finally found the source of her fury.
Before Gannon could stop her, she waded into the fray, her gaze focused solely on the laird. Around her, shouts went up. She thought one man fell as she passed, but she couldn’t be sure because she didn’t pause in her quest.