“We’re almost there,” she told Ella, and pointed. “See, there’s the castle.”
The men were in the field between the wood and castle practicing with their claymores, the heavy two-handed swords Highlanders favored. Curstag stood watching them with her back to the wood. When shelooked over her shoulder and saw Margaret and Ella, her expression turned sour. Apparently, she was disappointed they had found their way out of the wood.
Margaret wanted to strangle her, but she forgot about Curstag when she caught sight of Finn. Even for a Highlander, he was tall, but it was his skill with the sword that made him stand out among the men. He was simply breathtaking in motion, the ideal of masculine beauty and prowess, as he swung the deadly weapon with smooth, rhythmic strokes.
Clang, clang, clang.
Despite the chill wind coming off the sea, he had removed his shirt, and his muscles rippled and bunched as he swung his sword. He fought as if he knew instinctively where his opponent did not expect the blow, striking high and low and high again, but always pushing the other warrior back and back and back.
With one final, powerful swing, he knocked the other warrior to the ground with the flat of his sword. No sooner had he defeated him, than another came at him. Only then did Margaret notice there was a line of warriors waiting to fight him.
“Finn!” Ella danced with excitement and pointed at him. “Finn!”
He glanced up, and a thrill went through Margaret when his gaze caught on hersand held. His opponent took advantage of his distraction, however, and knocked him flat.
Finn took it with good humor and was laughing as his opponent offered him a hand. Finn took it, flipped the other warrior onto the ground, and stood over him with a wide grin. After signaling to the next man in line to wait a moment, he waved at her and Ella.
Margaret had forgotten Curstag was there until the woman looped her arm through hers and waved back at Finn with a bright smile. As soon as he returned to the practice, Curstag released her arm and flounced off toward the castle gate. On her way, she passed Una without a word.
“Mind that one,” Una said when she joined them. “She thrives on trouble like seed on a dung heap.”
“What’s between her and Finn?” Margaret asked.
“’Tis not me, but your husband ye ought to ask.” She paused, then added, “If you’re certain ye want to know.”
If there was nothing, surely Una would have just said so.
When Alex, who had been practicing with the men, came over to greet them, Ella let go of Margaret’s hand and ran to meet him. Margaret was relieved that her daughter seemed to have recovered from the incident in the wood. Alex, however, was limping.
“What happened to you?” Margaret asked.
“My horse got a thorn in his hoof and threw me,” he said. “’Twas my own fault for riding near the brambles.”
“We ought to go inside and see to your leg,” she said.
“Nay, it barely hurts at all.” He paused to lift Ella high in the air, which made her laugh. “Don’t tell my father. The way he’s been lately, he’ll question everyone in the castle over a wee thorn.”
To her mind, the earl behaved like a man with lands and responsibilities who had only one heir.
“Ach, look at Finn!” Alex said, turning to watch the practice. “He’s better than all of them.”
“Why are the other guards lined up to fight him?” Margaret asked.
“Because he’s the best,” Alex said. “And they’re angry with him—but he’s already winning them over.”
She could see his impressive fighting skills and good humor were bringing them around. By the time Finn faced the last warrior in line, however, he had welts on his arms and torso from the blows he had taken. Though he must be exhausted as well, he moved with grace and speed, as if he could do this all day.
She swallowed hard when the last man stepped up to challenge Finn. He was huge, with legs the size of tree trunks and a vicious look in his eyes.
“Treat?” Ella interrupted, tugging on Margaret’s skirts.
Margaret beamed at her. Just a few short days ago, Ella was afraid to draw attention to herself or to ask for anything. In Ella’s home, she had learned it was safest for a child to be neither seen nor heard. It would take a long time to overcome her fears, but this was a good sign.
“Of course, sweetling,” Margaret said, though she wished she could watch Finn a little longer to be sure he survived his last fight without serious injury.
“I’ll take the wee lassie inside,” Una said, then leaned down to speak to Ella. “Cook has made a plum pudding, and it’s still warm. Shall we have some before your nap?”
Ella nodded with a shy smile.