Bridgette’s stomach coiled as Alanna laughed. “That’s yer prize, is it? A fine thing that says about ye that ye dunnae wish to hold yer own bairn when she’s distressed,” Alanna mocked even as she smiled.
“I wish to hold her,” Rory Mac growled. “In thedayhours.”
Suddenly Alanna grabbed Bridgette by the arm and tugged her away from Rory Mac. When they stopped, Bridgette turned to look into her friend’s serious eyes.
“Dunnae fail me, Bridgette.”
Bridgette jerked her head in a nod, swiped her sweaty palms on her gown, and moved to retrieve her weapon. She could hear the murmurs of the men and women who had stopped near the courtyard upon seeing the group gathered. The hairs on the back of her neck prickled, and her heart picked up a beat.
Lachlan was near. She knew it before she searched the area and found him. He stood at the door of the castle with Iain and Marion, who were talking to each other. She felt his stare through her flesh and bone. The knowledge of his presence made her nervousness increase, yet she managed to step forward when bid to do so, raise her bow and arrow, and focus on the target that hung on the tree at the edge of the courtyard.
All she had to do was make sure her arrow lodged into the target first and hit the bull’s-eye perfectly. She inhaled the air, heavy with excitement, tension, and the underlying smell of the loch. She noted the breeze blowing from the west and positioned her body to best use the breeze to help carry her arrow the fastest. Her steady inhalations and the thump of her heart filled her ears, but the call to shoot, when given, pierced through the sounds, and she let her arrow fly with a prayer.
With bated breath, she watched her arrow soar through the air beside Rory Mac’s and tried to distinguish which arrow would reach the target first, but they were so close it was difficult to tell. A thud resounded in the silence, followed by another, and then Neil, who had taken up position by the target, called out, “Bridgette is the winner!”
Her breath exhaled on a rush as Alanna let out a yelp of excitement and hugged her. Murmurs rose up around Bridgette once again, and as soon as Alanna released her, she immediately looked to where Lachlan had been standing and saw that he, Iain, and Marion were making their way to her.
Rory Mac stepped in front of her. “Ye had to have used deceit.”
Alanna smacked him on the arm. “Dunnae be a clot-heid. Woman or nae, she’s better than ye with the bow and arrow. Ye were too stubborn to admit that, but now ye must.”
“My finger slipped,” Rory Mac grumbled.
“Och,” Lachlan said, stepping up beside Rory Mac. “From where I stood yer fingers did nae appear to slip.” Bridgette’s breath caught at the nearness of him. His russet hair was unbound and grazed his powerful shoulders, and his eyes gleamed with an emotion she was having trouble placing. He turned his gaze on her, raking her from head to toe, his eyes lingering on her face for a moment before he looked away. The moment was long enough for Bridgette to realize what she’d seen in his eyes:pride.The shock of the knowledge made her tremble. Unlike the other men around her, Lachlan was proud of her for besting Rory Mac. How could he be so wicked as to kiss another woman after kissing Helena last night and then be so good-hearted today in his freely given acceptance and admiration of her skill. Lachlan confounded her.
“What was the contest for?” Iain asked, sliding his arm around his wife and pulling her close. The obvious consuming love on both their faces made Bridgette’s heart ache with longing. She’d never have that. She forced the melancholy thought from her mind and answered Iain. “Rory Mac and I made a stake. If I could best him, he pledged to let me join the hunt as I requested.”
Iain scowled at Rory Mac. “Ye should be shamed,” he growled. “I’ve taught ye well nae to underestimate yer opponent. That includes a woman. Have ye forgotten that my mother was a warrior who could best many a man?”
“Nay,” Rory Mac grumbled.
Iain cocked his head as he stared at Bridgette. “Would ye be willing to help Rory Mac and Lachlan train the younger boys in shooting?”
“I-Iain!” Rory Mac sputtered.
“Silence,” Iain said, his tone stern.
Bridgette’s heart squeezed with happiness. “I’ll be happy to do so,” she quickly replied in case he changed his mind.
“The men will nae like this,” Rory Mac insisted, and several of the men behind him nodded and offered their dislike of the idea.
“The men will do as their laird commands, or they’ll answer to me,” Lachlan said, a dark look settling on his face.
Bridgette felt a flutter in her heart for Lachlan’s championing her that vexed her greatly. What was the matter with her that she could still have feelings for a man who had given promises of a likely future to a woman to whom he did not intend to be faithful and who was the brother of the man who would one day soon be her husband? She really needed to pay some coin to Father Murdock for her wickedness.
Rory Mac scowled but jerked his head in a nod.
Alanna grinned at her husband. “Ye men and Bridgette better make haste to hunt the bull.”
“Bridgette’s nae earned her place on the hunt yet,” Rory Mac answered.
Bridgette glared at the obstinate man. “I have, and ye ken it.”
“Nay.” He shook his head, a sly look coming to his face. “When ye asked me who the best marksmen was attending the hunt, I understand now I was boastful and wrong. Lachlan is the best marksmen, so truly, ye should best him to be allowed to come.”
“What?” Bridgette gasped. “That’s nae fair!”
Rory Mac cocked an eyebrow. “If ye’re scairt…”
