Circle Of Honor Part 24

Daron's smile was flirtatious, despite the insult. "Perhaps I should show you my charming manners and change your mind."

"You have nothing to show me that I care to see."

"That's enough, Nathara," Adam ordered, taking her to task for such disrespect.

Her eyes blazed, and Adam saw attraction there as well as anger. It didn't surprise hima"Daron was a well-favored man. If the attraction proved mutual, he would encourage his new va.s.sal.

"Come, Daron. Let's take a turn at the watch."

" 'Twould be an honor to keep the watch o'er your father. Perhaps now that she has no patients, Nathara would bring us food and drink?"

Adam smiled. "Aye, Nathara. Do that."

"There's food and drink laid out already."

Daron said, "Ah, more's the pity. We'll have to forego your delightful company."

Nathara glared at them, and Daron laughed as Adam guided him away. They made their way to the chapel, where Angus lay in state. A small trestle and bench sat off to the side and Adam placed his food and drink there, then murmured a thanks to the departing men who'd been keeping watch.

Then he stood before Angus, where he lay on a cloth-covered trestle, hands at his sides and a saucer of salt on his chest to keep evil spirits away. From the moment of death until he was buried, the body was kept under watch, never left alone, so that the departed's spirit could be guided to the proper place with the prayers of the watchers.

Daron came to stand beside him. "I'm sorry, Adam. I've heard only good things about your father, even from my own family. He was regarded as a fair and honest man."

"Aye, what more could you want to have said of you?"

"Perhaps that you were brave in battle?"

Adam pushed away thoughts of that day in August when he'd been brave enough, at least as brave as a man in that condition could be. He just hadn't been competent.

He arranged the bench so they could lean against the wall and sat down. Daron joined him.

Picking at his food, Adam remarked, " 'Tis a strange set of events that has us sitting here this day."

"To be sure."

"I would speak of them, if you don't mind?"

"To what purpose? Do you question the sincerity of my pledge to you?" He raised a hand to stop Adam's reply. "You should wonder at my change of heart. I think I would not trust you if you didn't."

Adam sensed a kindred spirit in Daron, a man who would keep his word and remain loyal. A man who loved his country, who perhaps regretted having supported England. "I would speak of them to understand why you pledged to me."

Daron studied his food. "I want revenge for my cousin's honor. That is the plain and simple truth."

The memory of Gwenyth's bruised face and battered body whetted Adam's own thirst for revenge, making it easy to accept Daron's explanation, but he pressed for more. "Your cousin and his father were killed by my king; your clan has been ravaged by Bruce's anger. We should be bitter enemies."

"When I've accomplished my goal, we can be again, if you like."

Adam chuckled. "I like you, Daron Comyn." He glanced at the bier and sobered. "My father fought also, and it was his fondest wish that Bruce would bring peace and prosperity and an end to our quarrel with England."

"This war is far from over."

"Aye. Perhaps it was a foolish wish, since we highlanders seem especially good at harboring a grudge."

Now it was Daron who laughed. "Oh, yes, we are good at that. Grudges and feuds and war."

They raised and clinked their tankards. Adam had noted that Daron also took water rather than ale or wine. But he made no mention of it.

"And speaking of feuds, the council will convene after the burial to decide who will be captain of the federation."

"Will you be disputed?"

"Aye, Leod will make his case against me. And I fear those grudges and feuds you mentioned will mean a rough road for me."

Daron leaned back. "How so?"

"Someone seems to have a peculiar affinity lately for Chattan cattle. Leod has convinced a number of minor chiefs that I can't protect our interests."

"Loyalty is not easy to come by," Daron observed. "You've not done yourself a favor by taking my oath, Adam."

Adam sat with his arms resting on his thighs, hands hanging between them. "Nay, I haven't. Leod is accusing you of the recent a.s.saults on our women." When Daron jumped up in protest, Adam quickly added, "Sit down, man. I've made it clear I don't believe it and challenged him to bring me proof. Watch your back, especially now so many are coming to Moy for the funeral. Someone may use the opportunity to kill John Comyn's kinsman."

" 'Tis fortunate the kinship is on my mother's side."

"Fortunate for you, not Gwenyth," Adam mused.

"Aye, she carries the burden of royal blood. Still, animosity being what it is, I'll heed your advice and guard my back. And Gwenyth's." Daron hesitated, seeming unsure how to say what was on his mind. "Bruce might very well see this a.s.sociation with Comyns as treachery, Adam. As a means to put your own son on the throne."

"I have no such delusions of grandeur, and my king well knows it."

Daron said, "I hope so. I would not like to see Gwenyth hurt again."

"And you think I will?"

"In all honesty, not if you can help it."

"I think we both have her best interests at heart. And securing my position is the first and most important step."

Daron agreed.

Adam studied the man he'd thought owned Gwenyth's affections. "There was a time when I thought perhaps there was more between you and Gwenyth."

"She fostered with my familya"she's like a sister to me, nothing more."

"What is it you want then, Daron?"

"Well, I don't crave t.i.tles and wealth. All I require is enough land to raise some sheep and cattle and a family."

"Simple tastes, not unlike my father."

They raised a toast to Angus.

Daron asked, "And what would you have?"

He thought a moment. "The chance to lead my clan in peace.

To do what I've been trained for. If Leod should be chosen, the people will suffer, for his ambitions far outstrip ours. As do the ambitions of others. Which brings me to a task you can help me with."

"Name it."

"Morogh has been keeping close watch on Nathara, but you could approach her differently."

He grinned. "You mean as man to woman."

"The idea agrees with you?"

"It would be a pleasure to spend time in her waspish company."

Adam chuckled even as he warned, "Beware, Daron. I don't trust her and her claws are sharp."

"Touch not the cat bot a glove."

"Aye, that's our clan's motto," he said with a laugh. "See you heed it well."

"I'll remember."

It felt good to laugh, and Adam knew Angus would prefer such company over sadness. He felt sure his father would also approve of the growing accord between Adam and Daron. One more thing to discuss. "I want you present at the council meeting."

"What? You'll have them at one another's throats and mine in minutes."

"I intend to name you as my captain of the guard and make it clear you have my full confidence."

"You are mad."

"I want to goad Leod to challenge me before he can a.s.semble more support against me."

"Are you ready to fight? Physically?"

He'd told his father he would fight and die, if need be, and wasn't going to back down. The clan depended on him to keep it strong and safe. "I'll have to be."

"So there will be more bloodshed."

"Aye, some. Probably mine." He gave a rueful laugh.

Both men stared at the coffin, Adam wondering if his father would approve of his plans, and Daron praying his new laird wasn't crazy after all.

GWENYTH BUSIED HERSELF and tried not to think too hard on how much she would miss Angus. His death had not been unexpected, but had no doubt come too soon for Adam to establish a firm hold on the fractious clan. Gwenyth feared the turmoil that threatened to erupt. And Daron had placed her firmly in the middle of it.

Unsure of her reception among Adam's gathering kin, Gwenyth remained in her room. Adam had placed a guard at her door again, saying it was for her protection. She wanted to believe it, but she knew he also intended the guard to ensure her continued presence in the castle.

Gwenyth bowed her head as doubts a.s.sailed her. Hadn't she chastised Daron for his desire for revenge all the while harboring her own? Could she turn her back on promises made to her dying mother? And Edwarda"she'd given her word to marry him.

So many promises lay shattered in the dust. Because of Leod Macpherson.

Enough of these thoughts. She grabbed a shawl and hurried the few steps from the keep to the chapel through a light rain. She had never gotten a chance to say good-bye to Angus and would do so now.

Stepping inside the gloomy interior, she shook the water from her hair and loosened the shawl before entering the chapel. The sight of Adam and Daron, seated close together, startled her. Perhaps it was their closeness in age. More likely 'twas their sense of honor. Who could understand the bonds men forged or the reasons behind them?

They must have heard her approach, for both heads turned toward her at once. Daron rose and came to her, seeming both puzzled and anxious. Adam approached more slowly.

Daron laid a hand on Adam's arm. "I'll think about your plan and how best to make it happen." He gave Adam an unfathomable look. "And you think on the things I said, won't you?"

ADAM'S REPLY was absentminded, and he hardly saw Daron leave, for all he could see was Gwenyth. Her eyes were bloodshot and puffy.

"Are you so unhappy to be here, Gwenyth?"

She looked at him as if he'd grown an extra head. " 'Tis a normal expression of grief. I don't waste tears over you and Daron and your schemes." Her voice softened. "However, I am truly sorry for your father's death. I was quite fond of him."

Tears shimmered in her eyes, and he pulled her close to comfort her in hopes that by seeking to console, he might find consolation. They stood in each other's arms, quiet and alone. Finally, with one accord, they broke apart and Adam led her to a stool.

Little outside noise penetrated the thick stone walls of the chapel, and Adam welcomed the quiet as he and Gwenyth sat in silent companionship for several minutes. The scurrying of small creatures were the only sounds.

Finally, his curiosity overcoming the desire for peace, Adam said, "Tell me, Gwenyth, you are of agea"why hadn't you married before this?"

Gwenyth shifted in her seat and stared across the chamber. "I was betrothed three times, and always death or betrayal or politics ended the liaisons. Duty was ever impressed upon me until I didn't know the difference between what was expected of me and what my heart wanted."

Adam heard wistfulness in her voice. "What is your relationship to Daron, beyond being cousins?"

Gwenyth was silent for a good while, and Adam thought that perhaps she would not answer. He feared her affection for the man went beyond kinship, yet Daron had given no such indication. Mustering patience, he awaited her reply.

When at last she spoke, her voice was a whisper, as if the thought she expressed could be heard by the dead man lying before them. "When my mother died and we were ready to flee, Daron offered to marry me. We have always been close and it would have been no hardship for me. But I refused, and now you both know why."

Adam nodded in acknowledgment. "Balliol and his plans."

"Aye, marriage to Edward and the chance to avenge my father and brother's deaths by creating a threat to Bruce's crown."

And now? What did Gwenyth want now? Did she still want revenge, and if so, what lengths would she go to get it?

Marry the la.s.sie.

Sweet heaven, they needed to put more salt in the saucer, for Adam could swear he'd heard his father's voice. And why was Da still harping on this, and from the grave, no less? He'd married her, hadn't he?

And all but handed her my heart.

TWENTY.