“I see you get to continue to serve our table,” Aodhan said.
“Aye. Cook was very generous in allowing me to do so today.” Then she smiled again at Coinneach and hurried off to deliver the rest of the porridge to the others at the table.
“She could brighten any man’s day.” Aodhan finished his porridge.
She certainly could.
Then she delivered the meat pies. She always gave Aodhan two of everything.
“Hamish’s twin brother, Collum, wondered where you were from,” Aodhan said as Aisling served the rest of the table.
“From the croft beyond the castle.”
“Aye.” Aodhan dug into the cheese and venison pie. “But you are bigger than Magnus and Tamhas. And you dinna look like them.”
“I’ve been with them from birth.” That was the truth, but it still chilled Coinneach to think that anyone but Blair and Aisling knew who he was.
Aodhan shoved in another mouthful of pie. “Aye. Collum asked Chief Alasdair how he had come to know you. He said Magnus had saved his uncle during a battle.”
“Aye. I was proud of my da when I learned of it. He had never mentioned it before.”
“Humble then.”
“He is.”
Then Aodhan changed the subject. “You are scheduled for weapons training after we finish here.” He ate the rest of his second pie.
Coinneach glanced back at the hall that led to the kitchen.
Aodhan chuckled. “I’m sure you can get a quick kiss in with the lass before you get sweaty with your workout.”
That’s all that Coinneach cared about. He eyed the high table, waiting for the chief to end the meal. When Hamish did, and those at the high table stood and started to leave, Coinneach sprinted for the kitchen, dodging other clansmen who were going to do their chores.
He heard Aodhan say loud enough for him to hear, “Aye, Drustan. The lad needs a kiss from Aisling to fortify himself for the workout.”
The two men laughed.
Coinneach hurried into the kitchen, where Cook and her staff were now all eating.
They all turned to see him as he strode straight to the object of his affection and kissed her. “Good morning, lass. I’m off to prove my worth.”
“Sword fighting?” She touched his shirt.
He placed his hand over hers. “Aye.” He wanted to tell her he wouldn’t remove his shirt, but he couldn’t in front of the other women.
He kissed her again, but she stood and kissed him back. “Stay safe,” she said.
Then he smiled at Cook and hurriedly left the kitchen before getting into trouble with Drustan. Coinneach had the fleeting thought that Drustan might pair him up with Aodhan, which could be a disaster.
8
Just as Coinneach feared, he was pitted against Aodhan first. He couldn’t use the same technique on Aodhan to take him down, not when the champion could be expecting it. Ready for the fight with Coinneach, Aodhan was grinning like a fool.
Coinneach’s stomach twisted in knots; he sighed and drew his sword. Other men were gathered around, but they weren’t fighting. They were watching to see what happened next between him and the champion. He had hoped no one would observe what was to come.
Aodhan had removed his shirt. Coinneach did not.
The two men took their stances. This time, Coinneach didn’t hesitate to take the offensive and struck Aodhan’s sword with such force that Aodhan faltered and nearly lost it.
