Highland Heather - Highland Heather Part 6
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Highland Heather Part 6

"Mayhap it will sweeten your day."

She took a dainty bite and prayed she would be able to swallow.

"Is your sister not joining us this morrow?"

"She was still abed when I came below stairs. She did not sleep well last night."

"A pity." His appetite had just sharpened considerably. Now if only he could cause the one beside him to sleep badly as well. But that was probably asking too much. She was too regal to ever lose her composure.

"A little mutton, my lady? Venison?" As Morgan filled his plate, he insisted on filling Brenna's as well. While he ate until he was sated, she nibbled at a piece of honeyed bread and left the rest untouched.

Morgan emptied a tankard of mulled wine and felt his blood heat. After such a repast, he could lay siege to an entire enemy stronghold. Or at least the enemy beside him.

He leaned back and glanced at Brenna. A drop of honey clung to her lip. Without thinking he touched a finger to the spot, then brought his finger to his tongue.

With a look of astonishment she watched him lick the honey from his finger.

He gave her a mocking smile.

"Your lips made the honey even sweeter."

"You are too bold, sir. This time you go too far."

She scraped back her chair, nearly knocking it over in her haste to escape his touch. Without a backward glance she lifted her skirts and hurried from the room.

As she disappeared, Morgan's lips curved into a lazy, satisfied smile.

So, he had managed to ruffle the lady's feathers. He just might enjoy his stay at MacAlpin Castle after all.

From his place across the room, old Duncan MacAlpin watched through narrowed gaze.

"Hamish." Brenna and Megan launched themselves into the arms of the tall, handsome youth who came to call mid 7

morning.

Across the room, Morgan assumed a bored expression as he watched.

"What brings you to MacAlpin Castle?"

"Everyone knows that there are English soldiers camped about your lands. I could not sleep another night without knowing whether or not you were safe."

He took Brenna's hands and studied her carefully. Too carefully, Morgan thought. Like a lover.

"Have you or your sister been molested?"

"We are safe enough. But I am grateful for your concern. Come,"

Brenna said.

"Meet the leader of the English soldiers."

As she led the youth toward him, Morgan noted the dull copper hair, and barely hidden beneath the plaid, the muscled arms and shoulders.

The lad's skin was kissed by the sun, and displayed not a whisker nor a blemish.

"Hamish MacPherson," Brenna said with a smile, "this is Morgan Grey, who carries a message of peace from his queen, Elizabeth."

The two men studied each other somberly, each taking the measure of the other.

"Are you a messenger for your clan, lad?"

Hamish pulled himself up to his full height. He knew of Morgan Grey, called the Queen's Savage. All of Scotland did. But even his fierce reputation did not give him the right to be insulting. Especially in front of the MacAlpin women.

"I am the eldest son of Blair, leader of the clan MacPherson. We are pledged to the protection of our neighbors, the MacAlpins, against any danger."

"How noble." Morgan suddenly despised this youth, with his unlined face and ready smile. He'd bet a gold sovereign that the only MacAlpin this callow youth cared about was Brenna.

"I assure you, I pose no threat to these good people."

Hamish smiled down at the woman beside him.

"I am greatly relieved. I came prepared to do battle. You know I would die rather than see you harmed."

Brenna lifted her face to him and gave him a look of pure adoration.

"I know, Hamish. That was good of you."

"Foolish, I would say."

All eyes turned toward Morgan.

"If you came prepared to fight my soldiers, you should have brought half of Scotland with you. One puny man would hardly cause us to change our minds, if we had come on a mission of war instead of peace."

The smile was wiped from Hamish's eyes. His hand went to the sword at his waist. Instantly Brenna caught his hand and twined her fingers in his.

"Pay no attention to this man's words, my friend. It is enough to know that you cared enough to risk your life for ours. My sister Megan and I are forever in your debt."

The youth caught her hand to his lips and stared deeply into her eyes.

"Perhaps you and Megan could come to stay with my people until the English have gone."

Brenna turned in time to see the look of fury in Morgan's dark eyes.

What a sense of power it gave her to know that she could rouse the Englishman's are with such ease.

"That is most kind of you. But of course I cannot leave my castle unattended. Nor my guests." She gave what she hoped was her sweetest smile.

"Come, Hamish. You must stay and visit a while. Perhaps you can sup with us this night and return to your own home on the morrow."