5
During the next few days, Adaira and Keira became even better friends than they had been already because of their shared secret. They were so alike in temperament and attitude that they could have been sisters instead of stepmother and stepdaughter. The biggest obstacle they both faced was, of course, Keira’s father, and Keira could see the tension building up in her stepmother as time went by and it seemed as though nothing was happening.
She was constantly reassuring her that everything was under control while not entirely believing it herself. The band had not met in a few weeks, and no intelligence had come in from the rebels. Neither had she been able to supply any from the castle.
“Have you heard anything about what is happening with the Englishman?” Adaira asked Keira one morning as they were about to set off into the forest for a walk. “I have been listening and have heard nothing, but he is always very careful to keep everything of any import away from me.”
“Let us go a little further into the woods first,” Keira murmured, “and keep your voice down.”
Adaira nodded, then bent to pick up a wildflower from the forest floor, for all the world as though she and Keira were having an ordinary afternoon stroll. They would usually have had a couple of bodyguards behind them, members of the castle guard, but Keira had instructed them to stay at the castle that day. They had protested until she dropped a couple of shillings into each of their palms.
“My husband remarked how close you and I have become lately,” Adaira informed her stepdaughter. “He seems to think it is a good thing. He says it will prevent any jealousy between us.”
“Really?” Keira laughed heartily at that. “Jealousy over what? Him? He thinks we might fight over him?”
“Yes, he really believes that,” Adaira answered, grinning. “If only he knew the truth!”
“Shhh! Make sure he never finds out,” Keira muttered grimly. “Or we will all be finished. He killed my mother. I know he did, although I never saw it happen. I saw the young man she loved, though. I will never forget him.”
Her throat had begun to close with tears of pure rage. She still had nightmares about that night.
“I am so sorry, Keira. It must have been a terrible experience. But do not fret. I have said nothing to anyone. I swear on my life.” Adaira’s voice was hoarse with fury. “And if I had a sword, I would strike him down right now.”
Keira looked around her. The forest had thickened, and now she felt safe enough to speak. “There is a meeting of our band tomorrow night,” she told Adaira. “Do you have your clothes?”
“Yes,” Adaira replied. “Moira helped me. She is such a sweet woman.”
Keira smiled. “She is. But beyond getting clothes for me, I will not let her become involved in our business. The less she knows, the better, for her own sake. Now, I need to ask: Do you know how to use any weapons?”
“No.” Adaira looked shocked. “I have never had to learn such a thing.”
“Then I will have one of the men teach you how to wield a sword,” Keira said grimly. “You must not be defenseless.”
“Can you not teach me?” Adaira pleaded. “I don’t think I want a man doing something like that with me. He will have to touch me, and it seems so intimate.”
“I am sorry, Addie,” Keira answered. “But I would be a very bad teacher. I simply do not have the patience. But I have the very man for you, and we can set up a time for your first lesson at our next meeting.”
“At last, I am going to find out where your lair is!” Adaira said dramatically.
“Don’t get too excited!” Keira laughed. “It is not exactly a palace, but I will tell you a little about the men who will be there.”
Suddenly they heard a rustling sound in the undergrowth just ahead of them, and they paused, waiting for a deer or even a boar to come out of the trees. They were both terrified, and Keira took Adaira’s elbow to slowly turn her around to go back the way they had come. Her heart was beating so fast, but she always carried a dagger with her so that she could at least defend herself. However, a wild boar was a formidable enemy. Perhaps if they did not startle it they would be able to escape.
Presently, the bushes parted and the tall, powerful figure of a man riding a grey stallion emerged. He had bright blond hair, a scuff of beard on his face, and he was wearing the uniform of the Castle Guard, and although Keira had seen him many times before, she had never spoken to him except to pass the time of day.
He dismounted and walked toward them, frowning, wondering why the two of them were out on their own.
Keira was quite surprised to see the man, and for a moment, she felt quite fearful. Even though he was employed by her father, he was still a man and a very big one, but something about him awoke her female instincts on a very primal level.
He was extremely good to look at but in a very rugged way, and his muscular arms and wide shoulders told her that he was not a man of leisure. However, he was employed by her father, and that alone gave her every reason to distrust him. She put her hand in her pocket and fingered the dagger, not quite knowing why.
Murdoch, too, had seen Keira many times, but he had never approached her to hold a conversation with her, and now he felt as nervous as he had the first day he had put on the uniform of the Guard. As he walked toward her, he saw her backing away slightly; he had seen many women show a few signs of fear when he approached them. He was a big, powerful man, after all, but he still found it a little hurtful, though he cursed himself for being too sensitive.
“Milady, I must speak with you,” he said firmly. His voice was a deep rumble, and as he drew nearer, he could see what he had never really registered in his mind before. She was quite, quite lovely. Lady Adaira was, too, of course, but in his humble opinion, Keira was the prettier of the two by far. He bowed low in front of them, then took out his sword and laid it on the forest floor in front of him. He took a step backward so that he could not reach it.
Keira started as the sword swept out of its scabbard, fearing the worst, but relaxed when he put it down on the ground.
“What are you doing?” she asked, frowning in puzzlement.