Page 30 of Highland Spy

“The king’s messenger arrived with a missive sayin’ King Robert willna arrive until the morrow now,” Logan told Caleb as they sat at a table in the great hall with tankards of ale clutched in their hands. While most of the visitors and competitors were outside on this sunny day, there were servants bustling about still making preparations for the king’s arrival.

The great hall was decorated with fresh flowers and long, colorful banners. The dais was set with a silk table covering, and brass platters with goblets made of silver. Caleb had taken a walk through the kitchen earlier, and spied the peacock and venison that would be prepared and served once the king arrived.

“Mmph,” said Caleb, not really listening. He was watching Bridget talking to Wren and his sister, Trea, across the great hall. Her father wasn’t with them and he wondered why not.

“The preliminary competitions went well today, dinna ye agree?” asked Logan. “Although, it was odd how many of the competitors ended up having random accidents. Highly unexpected.”

“Uh huh.” Caleb continued to drink, his eyes never leaving the girl.

“They’ve managed to narrow it down to the top six lairds who will be in the finals tomorrow,” continued Logan. “Storm is among them, of course. I swear he’s goin’ to win again this year. That will make three times in a row. Or will it be four? I canna keep track.”

“Whatever ye say.”

“Bluidy hell, Caleb, what’s the matter with ye?” asked Logan. His wolf was on the floor under the table, since some of the women were frightened of it. Slink crawled around the top of the trestle table, eating scraps that had been left from the last meal. “Why so glum? Ye act like ye’ve lost yer best friend.”

“Best friend,” he mumbled, clutching his tankard, still staring across the room.

“What are ye lookin’ at?” Logan turned around to see Bridget. “Och, I should have kent. Ye’re longin’ to wrap yer rock-hard arms around the chronicler’s daughter.”

“She made a fool out of me, Logan. I should hate her for it but, somehow, I dinna.”

“Aye, yer brathairs told me what was written about ye in the book.” He grinned. “Somehow, I dinna remember ye writin’ those exact words when ye added yerself to the chronicles.”

“I didna, and ye ken it. She changed my words and made me look like a fool.”

“I canna say that ye didna deserve it.”

“Whether I deserve it or no’ doesna matter. It still doesna make what she did right.”

“What are ye goin’ to do about it?” Logan reached over and took a bone off the table and threw it to his wolf. “If I ken ye, ye’re goin’ to want to change what’s written and have somethin’ better said about ye.”

“Oh, she is goin’ to do that,” he said with a nod. “She’s goin’ to write somethin’ guid in the book about me next.”

“How did ye get her to agree to that?”

“I’m keepin’ her secret, that’s how.”

“What secret?” asked Logan.

“I canna tell ye.” Caleb swirled the rest of the liquid in his cup, wishing he could. But somehow, it didn’t seem right after he’d promised her he wouldn’t tell a soul.

“Blethers, what does that mean, Caleb? We’re friends. We dinna keep secrets from each other. Ye can tell me.”

“I want to tell ye, but I dinna think I should.” Caleb got up and picked up Slink.

“Bridget’s got ye mesmerized, Caleb. I’ve never seen ye this infatuated with a lass before. Have ye taken her yet?”

“Taken her?” Caleb’s head snapped up. “She doesna even seem to like it when I kiss her.”

“Hah!” Logan downed the contents of his tankard. “My advice to ye is to take her on the shore or in a field of flowers like I did with Rhoswen.”

“Egads, Logan, dinna tell me how and where to bed a lass! I dinna need yer help with that!”

“I’m no’,” said Logan with a scowl. “I was talkin’ about takin’ her on a walk near the water or in a field of flowers. But now I can see what’s on yer mind, and ye’ve got it bad.”

“Mayhap ye’re right,” said Caleb with a frustrated sigh. He headed across the room toward Bridget, needing to do something to get the girl to like him. He didn’t want to be rejected, and especially not by a bonnie lassie who he couldn’t stop thinking about day and night.

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