Jude Deveraux - Days of Gold

The second book in the Edilean series, 2009

HAVE YOU SEEN her yet?

Nay, I have not, Angus McTern said for what seemed like the hundredth time. He had just come in from the hills, and he was wet, tired, hungry, and cold, but all anyone could talk about was Neville Lawlers fancy English niece, come to the old castle to look down her nose at the poor Scots.

You should see her, young Tam said as he tried to keep pace with his cousins long stride. Angus was usually glad to see Tam, but not if all he could talk about was Lawlers niece. She has hair like gold, the boy said, his voice cracking. He was just coming into manhood, and what the girls said, did, and looked like was everything to him. She has eyes as blue as a loch, and her clothes! Never did I see such clothes as she has. Theyre spun by the angels and trimmed by honeybees. She-

But then youve never been anywhere to see much to compare her to, now have you, lad? Angus said-and everyone stopped to look at him in astonishment. They were in the big stone courtyard that had once belonged to the McTern family. Angus and Tams grandfather had been the laird, but he was a lazy old reprobate whod gambled and lost everything to a young Englishman, Neville Lawler. Angus had been just nine at the time, living with his widowed mother, and it had been Angus who the clan turned to. In the sixteen years since, hed done his best to look out for the few remaining McTerns.

But sometimes, like today, it seemed like a losing battle to try to make people remember that they were part of the once-great McTerns. For the last weeks, all theyd wanted to talk about was the Englishwoman. Her hair, her clothes, each word she spoke, the way she said it.

Fraid she wont like you? old Duncan asked as he looked up at Angus from the scythe he was sharpening. Fraid that great, hairy face of yours will scare her?

The tension that had been caused by Angus snapping at his young cousin was broken and he gave the boy a rough shove on his shoulder to apologize. It wasnt Tams fault that hed never been anywhere or done anything. All he knew were the hills of Scotland, the sheep and the cattle, and the raids where he sometimes had to fight for his life.

A fancy lady like her would be scared to death of a real Scotsman, Angus said, then raised his hands like claws and made a face at his young cousin.

Everyone in the courtyard relaxed and returned to his or her work. What Angus thought was important to them.

He strode past the old stone keep that had once been his family home and went to the stables. Since Neville Lawler thought more of his horses than he did of humans, they were clean, well kept, and the building was warmer than the house.

Without asking, Anguss uncle, Malcolm McTern, handed Angus a round of rough, thick bread and a mug of ale. Did we lose many, lad? he asked as he went back to brushing down one of Lawlers hunting horses.

Three, Angus said as he sat down on a stool that was against the wall. I followed them but I couldnt catch them. Saving the sheep and the cattle from the raids took most of Anguss time. As he ate, he leaned back against the stone wall of the stables and for a moment closed his eyes. He hadnt slept in two days and all he wanted to do was wrap his plaid about him and sleep until the sun came up.

When one of the horses kicked the wall, Angus had his dirk out before his eyes were open.

Malcolm gave a snort of laughter. Never safe, are you, boy?

Nor are any of us, he said good-humoredly. As he ate, the warmth crept into him. He was the only one of the clan who still wore the plaid in the old way. It was two long pieces of handwoven cloth, draped about his body, held at the waist with a thick leather belt, and leaving the lower half of his legs bare. His white shirt had big sleeves and was gathered at the neck. The kilt had been outlawed by the English many years before, and those who wore it risked prison time and whippings, but old Lawler turned a blind eye to what Angus did. For all that the man was lazy, and greedy beyond all reckoning, he understood about a mans pride.

Let him wear the blasted thing, he said when an English visitor said Angus should be beaten.

Wearing their own clothes makes them think they have their own country. Hell cause you trouble if you dont take him down a notch or two now.

If I take away his pride, I take away his desire to look after the place, Neville said and smiled at Angus behind the mans back.

If Neville Lawler had nothing else good about him, he knew a lot about self-preservation. He knew that Angus McTern took care of the castle, the grounds, and the people, so Lawler wasnt about to anger the tall young man.

Go home, lad, Malcolm said. Ill look after the horses. Get some sleep.

At my house? Angus said. And how can I do that? I lie down there and I have brats crawling all over me. That oldest one ought to have a hand put to his backside. Last time I slept there, he wove sticks into my beard. He said the chickens could use it for a nest.

Malcolm had to cough to cover his laugh. Angus lived with his sister and her husband and their ever-growing family. By rights, it was Anguss house, but he couldnt throw his sister out.

Go, then, Malcolm said, and have a rest in my bed. I wont need it for hours yet.

Angus gave him such a look of thanks that Malcolm almost blushed. Since Anguss father had died when he was just a boy, Malcolm had been the closest hed had to one. Malcolm was the youngest son of the laird whod lost the lands to the English Lawler, and Angus and Tam were the sons of Malcolms older brothers. Hed never married, saying he had too much to do in taking care of his deceased brothers boys to make any of his own.

Shall I wake you when she goes out for her ride? Malcolm asked.

Who?

Come now, boy, Malcolm said, surely youve heard of the niece.

Ive heard about nothing else but her! Last night I almost expected the raiders to turn back and return the cattle theyd stolen just to have word of her. I thought theyd ask me if she wore a blue dress or a pink one.

You laugh, but thats because you havent seen her.

Angus gave a jaw-cracking yawn. Nor do I want to. Im sure shes a bonnie lass, but what does that matter to me? Shell soon go back south and live in a splendid house in London. I dont know why she wanted to come up here to this great pile of stone anyway. To have a laugh at us?

Maybe, Malcolm said, but shes done nothing but smile at people so far.

Oh, thats good of her, Angus said as he stood, stretching. And do her smiles get everyone to do her bidding? Yes, my lady. No, my lady they all say to her. Let me carry your fan for you, my lady. Please let me empty your chamber pot.

Malcolm smiled at Anguss impersonation, but he didnt give up. I feel sorry for the girl. Theres a sadness in her eyes that you cant help but see. Morag said the girl has no family left except for old Neville.

But she has money, does she not? Thatll buy her a rich husband wholl give her a passel of brats and shell be happy enough. No! I want to hear no more of her. Ill see her soon enough-or mayhap Ill be lucky and shell go back to London before I have to see her angelic He waved his hand in dismissal. Too much of the angels for me. Im going to sleep. If Im not awake by this time tomorrow, check if Im dead or not.

Malcolm snorted. Angus would no doubt be up in a few hours and wanting something to do. He wasnt one for lying about.

As Angus went into the room at the end of the stables, he glanced at the riding horse the niece had brought with her from London. It was gray, with great dapples of a darker gray, and now it raised its legs impatiently, wanting to get out and go. Hed been told that the niece took a long ride every day, always accompanied by an escort, a man who rode far behind her. Over and over, Angus had been told what a fine horsewoman the girl was.