Considering the sparsity of furnishings and decor on the main floor, she should not have been surprised by this room. However, it would make a monastic cell appear decadent by comparison. A pile of furs much like the ones she and her husband had slept in on the trip north occupied a spot against the far wall. There was a chest under the window but no chairs or chest of drawers.
The only decor, if you could call it that, was a huge well-oiled sword and a selection of knives hanging above the fireplace mantel. She turned in a circle and noted torch holders on either side of the door. That
was something at least. A small indication that her husband acknowledged they were no longer cave dwellers.
Its, um . . . is he having a bed made?
Guaires look was definitely tinged with humor this time, and maybe a little pity. I do not believe so.
You would know, Im guessing.
Aye.
She sighed. The furs had been comfortable enough the past few nights, she supposed. He is a man of few indulgences.
I think few may be overstating the case.
That was what she was afraid of.
He and a small group of Chrechte warriors had come into the great hall after Talorc had dismissed the clansmen.
Talorc looked toward the floor above as if he could see his beautiful blond wife through the timbers. He sighed at his own foolishness. She wasnt even up there. Guaire had taken her on a tour of the fortress. Aye.
But . . . Clearly his second-in-command did not know what to say because he did not finish his thought.
Osgards feelings were easily read. He was furious, his craggy, aged features tightened in fierce lines. Impossible.
You doubt my ability to read the signs?
Your father insisted Tamara was his true mate as well, but we all know how that turned out. Osgard snorted. The man was infatuated and that was that.
I am not infatuated with my wife. He was protective of her, possessive in a way he never would have anticipated, but that was all because of the wolf. She was not just his wife. She was his sacred mate. I have no intention of sharing the secrets of our clan or our people with her.
Your father did not intend to tell your mother about the Royal Treasure either, but he did it all the same.
I am not my father, Talorc growled.
Osgard was still hurt from his former lairds betrayal, but no one knew the pain of looking up to that man as sire and having all feelings of respect and admiration wiped out in a single night. No one but Talorc.
Our lady does not know she is your mate? Niall asked, scowling.
She thinks it means we are true friends. And Talorc refused to feel bad about that. Abigail was human. She would not understand anyway.
The fact that her sister seemed to in her bond with Lachlan of the Balmoral was not something Talorc wanted to examine closely.
Talorcs words startled a laugh from Osgard. The English are fools.
What is foolish about a woman mistaking a word that has more than one meaning? Niall demanded. There is no honor in making a gull of your sacred mate.
That is not my intention. She is not one of us; she does not need to know she is anything more than my wife. Tis all she expects as a human.
Niall looked far from convinced.
Osgard frowned at the scarred warrior. Has she ensnared you, then?
Our lady does not seek to snare. She is innocent and kind. Niall crossed his arms in a stance that said he would not be moved. I count her friend.
Barr gasped.
She does not fear me. She thinks I am romantic and kind. Niall rolled his eyes. She sees the best in people. Tis a strangely appealing trait. Youll see.
Osgard puffed up with anger as only an old Scotsman could. I see the lass has you and our laird bamboozled.
Shes nothing like Tamara, Talorc insisted, and he realized how deeply he believed the words as he spoke them. She would never deceive me as that woman did my father.
Your feebleminded father believed the same.
Enough! Talorc accepted much from Osgard, but this was going too far. He surged to his feet and loomed over the old man. My father was your laird. He made a mistake in trusting the wrong woman and paid with his life. I learned from that mistake and will not repeat it. You should need no more than my word to accept that fact. Insulting his memory as you have just done is an affront to the title he wore.
Better cause offense than to watch this clan taken down by another scheming Englishwoman. Ill not do it.
There is no falseness in my mate! Talorc felt his eyes change and the world went black-and-white.
Osgard flinched back as all the color leached from his wrinkled skin. My only concern is for the clan, he said with much less vigor than before.
Talorc could respect the older mans motivations, if not his opinions. Ill see to the protection of my people, as I have from the beginning of my leadership. But know this. My wolf demands protection of my sacred mate just as surely.
Osgard grudgingly nodded, and then sighed. I did not intend to speak insolence against ye, for all that I see you as the son I lost in that bloody,