Highland Promise by Mary McCall Page B

puggled mean?"
            "Sickly. Worn out."
            "Thank you so much for the compliment," she replied sarcastically and watched him shrug. "I am much better and on my way to court."
            She lifted her chin and swept past him. After a few steps, she stopped and turned back to find Michael close behind her. "Please tell your laird I appreciate his kindness, but I do not need a guard. You are dismissed."
            Michael shook his head. "Nay, milady. The Sutherland is not kind, and he would be insulted that you sent such a message. 'Tis his duty to protect you, and only he can dismiss me."
            "Kindness is not an insult."
            "It is in the Highlands," he declared adamantly.
            Faith rolled her eyes. The Highlands must have a strange code of virtues. "Well, you can also tell him I shall not need his escort to Scotland after all. I am making other plans."
            "I'll not give him that message either." He looked at her as if she had grown a second head. "And you would be wise not to change your plans."
            "Why not?" She pulled her shawl about her. "Surely he will be glad to know he is free of the burden I presented."
            "He has plans of his own, and you'll be spoiling them."
            "What plans?"
            "You will have to ask him."
            Faith decided to drop the subject. She had already determined Michael had an extra portion of stubborn bred into him. "Well, as long as you are here, you may act as my escort."
            She placed her hand on his arm, and they walked to the hall. She noticed Brendan the moment she entered. He stood a full head above the other men, and his presence demanded attention. Brown trews clung to his sinewy legs, revealing bulging iron muscles, and a black tunic with his plaid draped sash-style clung to his massive chest. She pressed a fist against her fluttering belly to still the confusing sensation, but it didn't help much.
            He was in conversation with King Henry and several barons, but paused and glanced her way. Shivers shimmied from her hair to her toes as his hot cobalt eyes perused her from across the hall. Then he cocked a sardonic brow, as if he knew she had been avoiding him.
            She bowed her head as a flush warmed her cheeks. Leland and Edrik were nowhere about, so she had Michael lead her to a secluded corner where she hoped to be left alone. Once she removed her hand, Michael crossed his arms over his chest, braced his stance, and glared at anyone unfortunate enough to look her way.
            She had to suppress an unladylike snort. She noticed the other Highlanders occupied their usual place, holding up the adjacent wall. "Michael, go stand with your friends and guard me from there."
            He shook his head.
            "Nothing will happen to me here. We are in King Henry's court surrounded by his loyal guards, for heaven's sake."
            "All the more reason to be cautious."
            The man was a mule, but even mules could be made to move with a pointy prod. She narrowed her eyes and added a measure of menace to her tone. "If you do not go stand with your friends, I shall tell King Henry you are married to an Englishwoman. I shall say I wish to meet her and request that he send for her without delay, so you may take her home with you."
            A muscle flexed in his jaw. "Aye, and I'll wager you are mean enough to do just that."
            She curled her lips into a mock smile. "You would win that wager."
            Michael gave her one last glower then joined the other Highlanders. Brendan shot Michael a fierce frown, but several matrons quickly rushed to her side and seized her attention.
            Lady Sudeley, a tall, thin matron, moved close and spoke in a pseudo-whisper that carried throughout the hall. "Lady Faith, you must not