Page 93 of Steel & Surrender

Their attackers knew it and were closing in.

Greig’s heart lurched. He’d lost so much that mattered of late.

He wouldn’t lose anyone else.

“Davy!” Greig shouted. “Protect Ma!”

His brother whirled, and together, the two of them slashed their way through the fray to join their father.

But the enemy seized their opportunity while Loch engaged another warrior. Two burly MacDonalds attacked—both lunging for Mairi.

Davy and Greig caught them from behind, driving their dirks through the men’s backs and bringing them down.

Then, kicking the men to the ground, they formed a protective shield before their mother.

26: DEATH OR VICTORY

BRÌGHDE LAY AWAKE, staring up at the darkness.

The hearth had burned low, the embers little more than a faint glow now, and she was glad of it.

She wanted to shut the world out.

She hadn’t wished to return to her family’s bothy, for she’d known her mother would be awake, waiting up for her, wanting to hear how the dancing had gone.

She hated lying to her, hated having to resort to mummery, but she couldn’t tell Ada what had happened.

Her mother would be aghast.

Not only that—if Brìghde began to speak about Greig, her walls would crumble, and she’d end up a sobbing mess.

As such, she’d brushed her skirts down as best she could, tidied up her hair, and plastered a pleasant expression upon her face.

Of course, her mother had plied her with questions.

“Whom did ye dance with?”

“What did everyone think of yer new kirtle?”

Brìghde had fenced the questions as best she could, distracting her mother with tales of the lively reels the piper had played, the laughter, the joy.

She also embellished the dancing a bit more, telling Ada that she’d danced with at least six different men—including Greig Maclean.

Ada had been enraptured, eyes shining with delight.

However, after a while, Brìghde had reached the limits of her endurance.

She couldn’t keep it up.

And so, she’d given a couple of jaw-cracking yawns and told Ada she’d recount the rest of it the next morning.

Her mother had retired behind the curtain shortly after, and Brìghde had gratefully crawled into her cot. But sleep wouldn’t come.

Of course, it wouldn’t. She was too wound up, too hurt, too disappointed.

Greig had played her.

She felt like a great fool.