Johanna was intrigued. "Cast out? I don't understand what you mean* sir."
"All of us were tossed out of our own clans for one reason or another. Your husband's fate was decided the day he was born a bastard. When he'd grown into manhood* he gathered us together and trained the younger ones to become fine warriors. Each of us has a talent* of course. You'll be tasting mine if you'll quit your lingering. I'm wanting a wee taste myself."
It would have been rude to decline the invitation. Johanna lifted the pouch* flipped the cork off* and took a sip of the liquid.
She thought she'd swallowed liquid fire. She let out a gasp* then started coughing. Auggie delighted in her reaction. He slapped his knee first* then pounded her between her shoulder blades to get her breathing properly again.
"It's got a fair bite to it* doesn't it?"
She could only nod agreement. "Get on home now* lass*" he ordered. "Laird MacBain will be wondering where you are."
Johanna stood up* then put her hand down to assist Auggie. "Thank you for a lovely afternoon* Auggie."
The old man smiled. "You've taken on my burr* lass. That pleases me. You're a clever one* aren't you now? You must have a spot of Highland blood running in your veins."
She knew he was teasing her. She bowed and turned to leave. "Would you be wanting to go to the ridge tomorrow* Auggie?" she called over her shoulder.
"I might*" he called back.
"Will you take me with you if you do?"
Johanna couldn't quit smiling. The day had turned out to be quite wonderful. Granted* she'd started out by pricking her husband's temper* but that little incident hadn't been horrible* and the rest of the afternoon had been lovely. She'd learned something important about her husband* too. He could control his temper. Anger didn't control him.
That was a revelation. Johanna pondered the significance on her way back up the hill. Calum was waiting for her. He bowed his head in greeting* then walked by her side back to the keep.
"I noticed you were playing Auggie's game*" the soldier remarked.
"It was most amusing*" Johanna replied. "Do you know* Calum* I believe Auggie's one of the most interesting men I've ever known* save for my father* of course."
Calum smiled over her enthusiasm. "Auggie reminds me of my father* too. He tells the same kind of spicy tales about times past* and he laces his truths with legends like my father always did." Thinking to compliment her* Calum added* "Auggie would be pleased to be compared to your father."
She laughed. "He'd be insulted*" she guessed. "My father was English* Calum. Auggie wouldn't get past that fact." She changed the subject then. "You have more important duties* I'm certain* than keeping your eye on me. Will my husband expect you to follow me around every day?"
"There is no duty more important than protecting my mistress* m'lady*" the soldier answered. "Tomorrow* however* Keith will be assigned the duty of watching out for you."
"Keith is the first-in-command over the Maclaurin soldiers* isn't he?"
"That is so. He answers only to our laird."
"And you are first-in-command over the MacBain soldiers."
"Yes."
"Why?"
"Why what* m'lady?"
"Why isn't there just one commander over both the MacBain and the Maclaurin soldiers?"
"Perhaps you might ask your husband that question*" Calum suggested. "He has sound reasons for allowing the Maclaurins their own leader."
"Yes* I will ask him*" she said. "I'm interested in learning all I can about the land and the people here. Where is my husband?"
"Hunting*" Calum answered. "He should be back any time now. Do you realize* m'lady* we've been speaking Gaelic? Your grasp of our language is quite impressive given the fact you've only had a few short weeks of instruction before you came here."
She shook her head. "Nay* Calum* it was closer to four months of intense study under Father MacKechnie's supervision. I was a little nervous when I first met your laird* though I doubt you noticed for I'm very good at hiding my reactions. When he asked me how long I'd been studying Gaelic* I was a bit nervous and the answer flew out of my mind. I can tell from your occasional grimace I still haven't mastered the burr."
Odd* but as soon as Calum made the mention that she was speaking Gaelic* she started tripping over her words and mispronouncing something fierce.
They'd just crossed the courtyard when Calum spotted his laird.
"Here's your husband now* m'lady."
Johanna turned to greet Gabriel. She hurried to straighten her appearance. She brushed a strand of hair back over her shoulder* pinched her cheeks for color* and adjusted the folds in her plaid. She noticed the condition of her hands then. They were caked with dirt from spending the afternoon digging with Auggie. Since there wasn't time to wash now* she hid them behind her back.
The ground fairly trembled as the band of warriors rode their mounts up the last slope. Gabriel led the soldiers. He was riding one of the horses she'd given him as a wedding gift. The mare he'd chosen was the most temperamental of the lot. She was also the prettiest in Johanna's estimation. Her coat was as white as fresh snow with nary a mark on her. She was much bigger than the other horses* thicker in muscle as well* and certainly carried Gabriel's weight easily.
"He's riding my favorite horse*" Johanna told Calum.
"She's a beauty."
"She knows it* too*" Johanna said. "Rachel's terribly vain. She likes to prance. It's her way of showing off."
"She's showing off because she's proud to carry our important laird*" Calum announced.
She thought he was jesting with her. She burst into laughter* then noticed Calum wasn't even chuckling. She realized he was serious.
Calum didn't know what she'd found amusing. He turned to ask her* saw the smudges of dirt she'd brushed on her cheeks* and smiled in reaction.
Gabriel's hound came running toward his master from around the corner of the keep. The huge beast frightened the mare. Rachel tried to rear up and bolt at the same time.
Gabriel forced her under control and dismounted. One of the soldiers led the horse away.
The hound rushed forward. With one leap* he planted his front paws on Gabriel's shoulders. The dog was almost as tall as his master now and just as ferocious looking. Johanna's knees went weak watching the two of them. Thankfully the dog held great affection for his master. He was diligently trying to lick Gabriel's face. Her husband turned away before his pet could bathe him. He gave him a sound slap of affection. Dust flew from the hound's thick gray coat. Gabriel finally pushed the dog down and turned to his wife.
He motioned her forward. She wondered if he expected her to plant her hands on his shoulders and kiss him in greeting. The thought amused her. She took a step forward* then came to a quick stop when the animal started growling at her.
Gabriel was going to have to come to her. She kept the hound in her sights* wary now* as her husband walked forward. The dog* she noticed* attached himself to Gabriel's side and came with him.
Gabriel was amused by her timidity. The dog obviously intimidated her. He couldn't imagine why. He heard the low growling. So did his wife. She backed up a step. Gabriel ordered his hound to quit his show of bluster.
Some of the Maclaurin soldiers were still seated atop their mounts* watching their laird and his wife. A few grinned when they saw her fear of the dog. Others shook their heads.
"Did your hunt go well* m'lord?" Johanna asked.
"It did."
"Was there enough grain to be taken?" Calum asked.
"More than enough*" Gabriel answered.
"You went hunting for grain?" Johanna asked* trying to understand.
"And a few other necessary items* ' her husband explained. "There's dirt on your face* wife. What have you been doing?"
She tried to wipe the dirt away. Gabriel grabbed hold of her hands and looked at them.
"I was helping Auggie dig holes."
"I do not want my wife to dirty her hands."
He sounded as though he was giving her an important commandment. Her husband appeared to be more than just a little irritated with her.
"But I have just explained…"
"My wife does not do common tasks."
She was exasperated. "Have you more than one* m'lord?"
"More than one what?"
"Wife."
"Of course not."
"Then it would appear that your wife does indeed get her hands dirty*" she said. "I'm sorry if that displeases you* though I really can't imagine why it does. I can tell you I'm certain to get them dirty again."
She'd tried to use logic to soothe him* but he wasn't in the mood to be reasonable. He shook his head and scowled at her. "You will not*" he commanded. "You're mistress here* Johanna. You will not lower yourself to such tasks."
She didn't know if she should laugh or frown. She settled on a sigh instead. The man had the oddest notions.
He seemed to want some sort of answer. She decided to try to placate him. "As you wish* m'lord*" she whispered* determined not to let her sudden irritation show.
She was trying to be submissive* Gabriel decided. He thought it was probably killing her. She had a murderous look in her eyes* but she held onto her serene smile* and her voice sounded humble.
Johanna turned to Calum. She ignored the grin on his face. "Where do the women wash?"
"There's a well behind the keep* m'lady* but most bathe in Rush Creek."
Calum was going to escort her. Gabriel took over the task. He grabbed hold of her hand and pulled her along.
"In future* water will be carried to you*" he said.
"In future* I would appreciate it if you didn't treat me like a child."
He couldn't believe the anger he heard in her voice. Johanna wasn't quite so timid after all.
"I would also appreciate it if you didn't berate me in front of your soldiers."
He nodded. His quick agreement eased her irritation. Her husband had a long-legged stride. They rounded the corner and started down the slope. Huts lined the hill* and more were clustered in a wide circle at the base. The well was in the center. Several of the Maclaurin women were standing in line with their buckets* waiting their turn to fetch fresh water. Several called out greetings to their laird. He nodded and continued on.
The wall was just beyond the line of huts. Johanna wanted to stop to look at it. Gabriel wouldn't let her. They passed through the opening of the mammoth structure and continued on.
Johanna had to run to keep up with her husband. By the time they reached the second slope* she was out of breath. "Do slow down* Gabriel. My legs aren't as long as yours." He immediately slowed his pace. He didn't let go of her hand* however. She didn't try to pull away. She heard the women's laughter in the background and wondered what they found amusing.
Rush Creek was a wide* deep stream. It ran the length of the mountain* her husband explained* from the top to a pool at the bottom where their land bordered with the Gillevrey territory. Trees lined the sides of the waterway* and wildflowers were so abundant they seemed to be growing out of the water as well as along the banks. The area was breathtakingly beautiful.
Johanna knelt on the bank* leaned forward* and washed her hands. The water was clear enough for her to see the bottom. Gabriel knelt beside her* cupped a handful of the frigid water* and poured it over the back of his neck. Her husband's pet appeared out of the woods* moved to her side* growled once* and then began to drink from the creek. Johanna wet her linen cloth and washed her face. Gabriel leaned back to watch her. Her every movement was graceful. She was a mystery to him* and he assumed his curiosity and his fascination were both due to the fact that he'd never spent any significant amount of time with any woman. Johanna wasn't paying any attention to her husband. She spotted what appeared to be a perfectly round stone at the bottom of the stream* decided Auggie could use it for his game* and reached down to get it.
The creek was much deeper than she'd judged it to be. She would have gone in headfirst if her husband hadn't grabbed hold of her and hauled her back.
"It's usual to take your clothes off before you bathe*" he said dryly.
She laughed. "I lost my balance. I was trying to get a stone that caught my eye. Will you fetch it for me?"
He leaned forward to look. "There are at least a hundred stones* wife. Which do you fancy?" She pointed. "The perfectly round one*" she replied. Gabriel reached down* lifted the stone* and handed it to her. She smiled in appreciation. "Auggie will like this one*" she announced.
Johanna moved further back on the grassy slope* tucked her feet under her plaid and dropped the stone into her lap. A light breeze brushed through the trees. The scent of pine and early heather filled the air. The area was secluded and peaceful.
"Scotland is very beautiful*" she said. He shook his head. "Not Scotland*" he corrected. "The Highlands are beautiful."
Gabriel didn't seem inclined to hurry back to his duties. He leaned his back against the trunk of a pine tree* crossed one ankle over the other* and adjusted the sword at his side so it wouldn't be scratched. His dog moved to his other side and stretched out next to him.
Johanna stared at her husband for several minutes before speaking again. The man had the ability to mesmerize her. She thought the reaction was due to the fact that there was so much of him. He was certainly as tall as Nicholas but far more muscular. At least she thought he was. "Tell me what you're thinking." Her husband's command jarred her. "I've never seen Nicholas without a tunic on. That's what I was thinking. I believe you're more muscular than my brother* but since I haven't seen him… They were foolish thoughts* husband."
"Aye* they are foolish thoughts." She didn't take exception to his agreement. His slow grin told her he was teasing. Gabriel looked very content with his eyes closed and the soft smile on his face. He really was a dashing man.
Johanna noticed his pet nudge Gabriel's hand and was immediately rewarded with a quick pat.
Her husband wasn't such a worry to her any longer. Not only could he control his temper* but he also had a gentle streak in his nature. The way his hound responded to him told her that much about his character.
Gabriel caught her staring at him. She blushed with embarrassment and turned her gaze to her lap. She didn't want to leave just yet. She was enjoying this peaceful interlude with her husband. She decided to draw him into further conversation before he could suggest they go back.
"Aren't Scotland and the Highlands the same* m'lord?"
"They are and they aren't*" he answered. "We don't consider ourselves Scots as you English are so inclined to call us. We're either Highlanders or Lowlanders."
"From the tone of your voice when you said Lowlanders* I assume you don't particularly like those people."
"Nay* I don't like them."
"Why?"
"They've forgotten who they are*" he explained.
"They've become English."
"I'm English." She blurted out the reminder before she could stop herself.
She sounded worried. He smiled. "I'm aware of that fact."
"Yes* of course you are*" she agreed. "Perhaps* in time* you'll forget."
"'Tis highly doubtful."
She didn't know if he was jesting with her or not. She decided to turn the topic to a less sensitive one.
"Auggie isn't daft."
"No* he isn't. The Maclaurins believe that nonsense* not the MacBains."
"He's actually very clever* husband. The game he made up is most amusing. You must try it sometime. It requires skill."
He nodded agreement just to placate her. He found her defense of the old man admirable. "Auggie didn't invent the game. It's been around for long years. In the old days* stones were used* but the men also carved balls out of wooden blocks. Some even fashioned leather balls and filled them with wet feathers."
Johanna stored the information away for future use. Perhaps she could make a few of the leather balls for Auggie.
"He says I've caught the fever."
"God help us*" Gabriel drawled out. "Auggie plays the game all day* every day* rain or shine."
"Why were you irritated over a little speck of dirt on my face and hands?"
"I've already explained my position. You're my wife now. You must behave accordingly. There's rivalry between the MacBains and the Maclaurins; and until the clans become accustomed to living together in peace* I must show only strength* not vulnerability."
"Do I make you vulnerable?"
"Aye* you do."
"Why? I want to understand*" she told him. "Was it the dirt or was it the fact that I was spending the afternoon with Auggie?"
"I don't want you down on your knees* Johanna. You must act with proper decorum at all times. My wife will not do common work."
"You've already mentioned that opinion."
"It isn't an opinion*" he countered. "It's a command."
She tried not to let him see how disgruntled she was becoming. " 'Tis the truth I'm surprised you concern yourself with appearances. You don't seem the sort to care what other people think."
"I don't give a damn about other people's opinions*" he countered* irritated by her conclusion. "I do care about keeping you safe."
"What does my safety have to do with my behavior?"
Gabriel didn't answer her.