Legacy of the Mist Clans Box Set by Kathryn Loch Page B

beautiful.
    “You have great talent, Branan.”
    His cheeks darkened a little. “‘Tisna much, lass, but I do what I can.”
    “Did Duguald teach you?”
    He nodded. “Our clan has a fine reputation for woodworking. As soon as I arrived, Duguald and the other men began teaching me. I enjoy the feel of the wood.”
    “Will you show me how you create such beauty?”
    He gaped at her a moment.
    “What’s the matter?”
    “I’ve...I’ve never had a lass interested in how I do my work.” His lips curved upward in a mischievous smile. “They only cared about the results.”
    “You know this lass is different from the others, and I’m intrigued by your art.”
    “Art?”
    “How else can I describe it?” She pointed to a large chair which had a charcoal pattern traced on it. “Now, tell me about that one.”
    “Verra well, lass,” he replied.
    Soon, Catriona was not only watching him work but helping as well.
     

Chapter Seven
    The Hunt
     
    D espite renewing her friendship with Branan, Catriona felt as if she had fallen into a pit of despair. Three weeks had passed since their arrival at Thistlewood, but her nightmares of the burning manor house only grew worse. She slept little and lost her appetite. It was as if a chasm of blackness threatened to engulf her. She joined in the work at the tower each day. Even though more people arrived at Thistlewood regularly, Catriona knew everyone was needed to help. But most days, she struggled to find the strength to rise from the bed. All she wanted to do was sleep—yet that thought terrified her, for when she slept, the nightmares became real.
    Richard shocked her, visiting the camp every few days. Catriona did her best to avoid him. She was too weary to argue with him. When he walked in her direction, she usually went the other way. She found Gavin and Branan both watching her closely. Many times, if Richard continued his pursuit, one of them would intercept him and distract him with a trivial matter of building Thistlewood.
    Leastways when he was unable to harry her, Richard put himself to good use. He surprised her by stripping off his tunic and working right alongside the other men. Why would he do such a thing? He was strong and fit, mostly from working with sword and shield. Although a business man, he never allowed his fighting skills to suffer. But other manual labors he usually tried to avoid.
    The men worked to rebuild the tower and Richard joined them, hauling rotten wood, and moving broken stone. Was he trying to impress people, or prove he could work as hard as the next man...a man such as Branan?
    One morning, Richard arrived and managed to corner her while Branan and Gavin were working in the tower. Catriona swallowed hard and stood her ground.
    “Catriona,” Richard said gazing at her critically. “Are you feeling well? Your face appears quite pale.”
    She shrugged, keeping her attention focused on her work: gathering laundry for delivery to the washer-women.
    He sighed softly, his voice taking a gentler tone. “My lady should not be so taxed with manual labor,” he said, crouching before her and putting a tunic into the basket. “I want you to return to Brackenburgh. You will be safer there.” He paused and smiled as if trying to make light of his words. “There is no reason why my betrothed should sully herself with peasants’ work.”
    She shrugged. “I enjoy the work, Richard. It keeps my mind occupied. If I returned to Brackenburgh, I would be driven daft with boredom.”
    He shook his head, his jaw tightening. “Catriona—”
    “Catriona?” Branan called.
    “Aye?”
    De Courcy’s gaze turned flat.
    Branan flashed her a bright grin, shoving his thick forelock from his brow. She wanted to laugh—the action reminded her of the mischievous lad who Branan only freed on rare occasion. “I need to speak with ye, lass. As chatelaine, we need to discuss the spinning and weaving.”
    “Of course.”
    Branan looped his arm in hers.