Lynsay Sands - The Hellion and the Highlander

I did tell Father not to get his hopes up, that I did not think Lord de Montfault likely to accept me as a bride, but he would not listen.

Kade heard those words as he stirred from sleep and slowly opened his eyes. He found himself peering up at what might be the patterned draperies of a large bed. The material appeared quite dark, but then the room, too, seemed dark, with just the flicker of flames from a fire that cast dancing light and shadow everywhere.

It was night then, Kade deduced, and he wassomewhere. He wasnt sure where, exactly. He was hoping this was Stewart castle, his clans home in Scotland, but the woman speaking had a very definite English accent, Kade noted as she continued.

Alas, Father simply does not see what others see when they look at me. The words were said with a combination of exasperation and sadness that drew his curious eyes to the blurred figure seated next to the beda woman, obviously. Not that he could see her well enough to be sure of that, but the voice was definitely feminine, soft and a touch husky. It was soothing and he quite liked listening to it, which was a good thing since it appeared she was speaking to him. At least, there was no one else in the room for her to be addressing.

I fear he sees me through a fathers eyes and simply does not notice how plain and unattractive I am. I suppose all fathers see their daughters as lovely, though. Which is sweet and right, but I do sometimes wish he could see me as I really am. Perhaps then he would not take these rejections so much to heart. I hate disappointing him.

Kade closed his eyes for a moment, hoping to clear his vision enough to see the young womans face, but it felt so nice and soothing to have them closed that he found himself reluctant to open them again. Deciding he would leave them shut for the moment, he lay still and simply listened to her chatter, letting it flow over him like a sweet balm.

I was hoping that with you and my brother here, Father would be distracted from his husband-hunting efforts. I do grow weary of being paraded before lords like a prize horse, especially when they all find me so wanting. Tis not that I mind the rejection so much, but some are quite rude about it. Montfault even had the nerve to say outright that he would not wed the Devils spawn.

She gave a little sigh, and muttered, Enough on this subject, tis a sad one to be sure. There was a silence, then she said fretfully, Though I am not sure what else I should talk to you about. I have told you every tale I can think of, and surely the details of life here at Mortagne are not very interesting. I fear my life has been most staid and unexciting compared to the adventures you and Will have enjoyed together. No doubt whatever subject I choose will bore you to tears.

Ah, Kade thought. So he was at Wills home in northern England. Well, that answered that question at least. And she had commented earlier that shed hoped her father would forget his efforts to wed her off now he and her brother were home. That meant she was Wills sister, Averill. Will had spoken often of the lass over the last three years, and the tales had never failed to make Kade smile and wonder about the girl.

He was wondering even more now. Will had never said anything in all those tales that might explain why men would reject marriage to her. And what was this nonsense about being the Devils spawn? From all he knew, Wills father, Lord Mortagne, was respected and well liked. Kade was suddenly curious to see what she looked like and why she was suffering these rejections she spoke of.

However, it seemed he wasnt meant to find out just yet, for when he opened his eyes again it was to find that his vision had not improved. All Kade could see was a fuzzy figure seated beside the bed, bent over something in her lap. She appeared to be small in stature, her clothing dark, and her hair a bright, fiery orange in the light from the fire.

Frustration welling up in him, he blinked several times, but it did little good, and he closed his eyes again with resignation.

I know! she exclaimed suddenly. I shall tell you tales of my naughty childhood.

He could hear the wry amusement in her voice and almost opened his eyes to try again to see her expression, but it seemed like too much effort, so he didnt bother and merely lay wondering which tale she would tell. Kade was very sure Will had told him every story there was to tell while they had been held prisoner the last three years. Their days had been spent laboring under the baking sun for their captors, but in the evenings they sat in dark, windowless cells passing the time by talking of home and family. Kade had told Will most of, if not all the details of his own youth and clan and was quite sure Will had done the same. So he was surprised when Averill began to tell an unfamiliar tale.

I did not have such a naughty childhood really. I was mostly well behaved, she assured him as if confessing a sin. But when I was six I did try to run awaythough, twas not very successful.

That announcement was followed by a small, almost embarrassed chuckle. You see, Will was five years older than I. He was my only playmate and was good enough not to mind having me trailing about after him. We used to play hide-andgo-seek and other childish games together after our lessons were over for the day. But then, when I was five, Will was sent away to train, and I lost my only playmate and best friend.

A little sigh of sadness slid from her lips at the memory. I was most unhappy, and somewhat spoiled by having had him be so indulgent of me. I begged Mother and Father to bring him back so that I could play with him again, but they were often busy and had little time to soothe a small girl missing her brother. So I decided that if they would not bring him back to me, I should do as Id always done and follow him.

First, I asked my fathers captain of the guard to please take me to see Will. He, of course, refused, explaining most kindly that my father would not approve. I fear I kicked him in the shins for his refusal. I then ran to my room to have a good cry, and before the tears had dried on my face, decided I would have to run away.

I planned it all most carefully in my childs mind. I snuck into the kitchens and filched some plums and buns while Cook wasnt looking, then gathered my favorite bed linenfor I knew it might be a long way and I might have to sleep out of doors a night or twoand then I headed out. There are secret corridors built into the walls of Mortagne She paused and there was a frown in her voice as she admitted, I suppose I should not have told you that. Fortunately, you are not conscious to hear. Still

Kade strained to listen as she paused again. He was glad when she continued, Well, you are not likely to recall when you awake anyway, soThe secret passages run between the rooms, then join up at a tunnel that ends outside the bailey walls. Will and I were always told that it was the way for us to flee should the castle ever be attacked, and that is how I got out of the castle.

I took the candle from my room, lit it from the fire in my nursemaids roomshe was old, always cold, and never without her fire blazing even in summer, Averill explained before continuing. And then I braved the tunnels. They were dark and dirty, with horrible large cobwebs and skittering sounds. I was sure there were small creatures that would attack me at any moment. I almost turned around and hurried back to my room, but I wanted to see Will again, so I made myself continue on and finally reached the end of the tunnel.

A small chuckle rolled through the air around him, and she admitted, I had the devil of a time getting the outer tunnel door open. However, I did, and a breeze immediately blew in and snuffed my candle, but the tunnel ends in a cave, and enough sunlight was streaming through the entrance that I could see my way out. I left my candle there and dragged my linen behind me out into the open air.