dare?’ Donaldo said.
No, they wouldn’t have dared cross broad-shouldered, broad-hipped Donaldo. No one would.
Donaldo had been Lioslath’s mother’s closest friend, and while she couldn’t call Donaldo a friend, she didn’t feel as awkward with her as she did with the rest of her clan. When Lioslath’s father died, it was Donaldo who had first given her loyalty to Lioslath, who stood beside her when the English came. She was always fierce, but now Donaldo’s usual scowl was deeper.
Lioslath felt a fissure of worry. ‘What has happened?’
‘Preparations for the celebrations are going well.’
‘That isn’t it.’ Lioslath couldn’t care less about the celebrations and Donaldo would know that. ‘What didn’t you want Fyfa to hear?’
‘All day he’s been watching you.’
Lioslath knew what she meant. She knew Bram was watching her, just as she kept watching him. Had their watching become a habit because of the siege? No, it felt different this time. She wasn’t only observing him from a distance. This close, she felt as though she participated in his preparations.
Everything about him was vibrant, his smile ever ready. He talked with his clansmen, attempted to talk to hers. There was an energy about him she’d never felt before. A purpose.
She frowned. He had a purpose she admired. But she wouldn’t admire the Colquhoun. His purpose here was to play foolish games.
She shrugged. ‘Should it matter?’
‘Aye, it matters when he gazes at you like a man does a woman,’ Donaldo said.
‘He’s probably only checking to see if I’m going to stop the competition.’
‘Are you?’ Donaldo knew her well.
‘It’s wasteful when so much has been prepared.’
‘Ah, then you intend on showing off.’
Lioslath more than intended. Although weakened, she was still the best marksman of her clan.
‘He won’t like it,’ Donaldo warned. ‘There will be consequences.’
‘He’s not the English.’
‘You took too many risks then as well. Facing them the way you did. Not consulting with any of us before you ran out of those stables. Offering them everything, when some of the men would have fought.’
‘If they had done so, they would have died. I gave them everything and nae one was hurt.’
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