Page 38 of A Promise Through Time

“Thank ye, Logan.”

“Will ye come back in and join us?”

“Nae. ’Tis best that I punish myself by eating in the kitchen with Mary.” In fact, he was far too embarrassed to go back in to the stares of those in the hall.

Logan burst into laughter. “She’ll be sure to set ye straight. I’m here to listen if ye choose to use yer words.”

“I may take ye up on that offer.”

Logan walked back into the great hall and Donal banished himself to the kitchen where, true to form, Mary showed him no sympathy.

***

“What happened?” Tina asked no one in particular as she watched an angry Donal storm from the hall.

“Someone let their temper get the better of them,” Ashley said.

What she’d just witnessed had been downright scary. The man Donal had attacked was being held down by three other large Highlanders. She hoped he didn’t go after Donal once they let him go.

“Dinnae fear, lass. Logan has gone after Donal to see what’s got him so riled,” Cailin assured her.

Deep in her heart she thought she knew exactly what it had been. She’d seen him enter the hall out of the corner of her eye and his expression went from happy to angry in a flash when he saw her sitting with Tam.

“Is this normal around here?” she asked.

“I wouldn’t say it’s normal, but it’s definitely not something you should worry about. They usually work things out when they’re sparring with each other.”

“I’ve never seen anyone get that angry.” She was sure she didn’t want to see it again. She knew many of the men here were warriors. She had seen them training and sparring. It hadn’t really occurred to her how that training would play out when they were angry. She’d only known Donal for a short time, maybe he had a bad temper. She wasn’t sure she could live with that. Tina was rethinking the whole Donal-is-the-one thing.

“Come sit, lass.” Tam guided her back to her seat.

“Thank you, Tam.” He really was being a gentleman tonight. Of course, he might have a dark side, too. She had seen him on the practice field wielding a sword with the others. “I think Donal was angry that I was sitting with you. I hope he doesn’t go after you.”

“If he does, I’m capable of caring for myself,” he smiled at her. Did he not realize how serious this was? He seemed to pick up on her discomfort and explained, “Donal is a friend. If he doesnaelike it, he’ll tell me.” He gazed into her eyes. “What of ye? If ye’d rather be with Donal, I’ll understand.”

“No. I mean…I don’t know. I’m confused right now.” Tina looked towards the door Donal had walked out. There was so much she didn’t understand about this time.

“I’ll give ye all the time ye need.”

“I appreciate that.”

***

Tina was relieved that she didn’t hear Elena crying that night. It meant that she didn’t see Donal, which was probably for the best. She had some thinking to do. They’d had such a nice day together and she’d thought him to be such a gentleman with her. He spoiled it all when he decided to lose it in the great hall. She wondered if it had really been jealousy that had caused him to lose his temper. If it wasn’t, she wanted to know what had been said to set him off. It was surprising how much it had frightened her. Fighting wasn’t something she saw too often. Her brothers occasionally got each other in a headlock, but it never escalated to the point where she feared they might do physical harm to each other.

For as long as she could remember it had really bothered her when people around her were angry. Despite her take charge attitude and general snarkiness, it was clear to her that she put a wall up to keep people at arms length, far enough away that they couldn’t possibly be angry with her, or if they were they didn’t dare tell her. Tina wasn’t sure where this all came from. Her family certainly weren’t the type to yell and scream at each other. She’d become somewhat of a people pleaser to avoid being yelled at in school, at work or just out and about in the world. The more she thought about it, the more she realized that she was also frightened of her own anger. She hated to loseher temper, feeling that it made her look a little nuts. So she carefully kept it all in check. She certainly let people know when they disappointed her or when she thought they were wrong, but she kept all her anger locked up inside, never allowing it to see the light of day. Giving people the silent treatment and that look she had perfected, the one that said don’t mess with me, was how she chose to handle most disagreeable things.

The sun peeking in through the lone window in her chamber told her it was time to get up. Unsure of what the day would hold in store for her, Tina reluctantly rose and got dressed. Had she made a mistake coming here? If she had, it was too late now to do anything about it. She splashed some cold water on her face, brushed her teeth with the odd mixture Ashley had given her and then carefully laced the dress Jenna had let her borrow. She donned the same slippers Edna had given her and, taking a deep breath, walked out of her room. It was another day to shine, as her mother always said.

Chapter 9

All seemed back to normal this morning at Breaghacraig. Doreen was with Elena again and Donal was nowhere to be seen. As for Tina, it seemed she’d be spending the day with Jock and Marcas. Walking out into the courtyard, she was greeted by bright sunlight and two mountainous men.

“Lady Tina,” Jock approached with an outstretched hand.

“Please call me Tina. No lady required.” Her nervous laughter gave away her trepidation about this outing.

“I be Jock and this be Marcas.”