Pledged to a Highlander (Highland Promise Trilogy 1)

“Clive. He’s a merchant of sorts. He comes through here every now and again. Sometimes he has things of interest, other times not so much,” Penn explained.

“Where does he get his wares?” Royden asked.

“He tells tall tales of knowing wealthy merchants and such, but I think he gets them whatever way he can.”

“You mean he’s a thief,” Angus said.

“I’d be careful calling him that in front of Bethany,” Penn warned. “Clive always has something for her when he shows up.”

“Of course she’d be appreciative of cooking ware,” Angus said.

Penn shook his head and grinned. “It’s ribbons and babbles he brings her. Last time it was a fine wine he brought her and they shared the bottle together before he left the next day.”

Angus glared at Penn. “Go on with you, Bethany didn’t do that.”

“She did, and if you truly favor Bethany you’d best watch out. Clive has an eye for her and he keeps saying he’s getting old and needs himself a good woman to settle down with.,” Penn said.

“You better watch it, Angus,” John said with a chuckle. “Old Clive there will snatch her right away from you.”

“The devil he will,” Angus said, straightening tall and drawing his shoulders back as the cart got closer.

“I tell you, Penn, I’m getting too old for this endless traveling. I need to find a good woman and settle down,” Clive said as he pulled to a stop by the stone hut.

Penn smiled, the old man confirming his words.

Royden turned a curious eye on the man. If his white and gray beard and his hair the same color, though sparse, was any indication of his age you’d say the man was old, but there was a spryness to his blue eyes that told a different story. Though the wrinkles around them begged a different tale as well as did his body that had barely a belly to it. He appeared right fit.

“You should talk to Old Mildred. She could use a good man,” Angus said.

“She’s a good woman, but I got my eye set on one already and I brought something special for her,” Clive said with a gleeful smile.

Angus muttered under his breath.

“Clive, this is Chieftain Royden,” Penn said with a nod toward Royden.

“It’s good to see you made it home, Chieftain Royden,” Clive said with a bob of his head.

“I’m glad to be home,” Royden said and caught a gleam in the man’s eyes, as if the news more than pleased him.

“Is there a mistress now that might be interested in my wares?” Clive asked.

“Aye, there is and you’ll find Mistress Oria at the keep,” Royden said and saw the gleam grow brighter in the man’s eyes.

“I’ll take myself right off then and present my wares to the fine mistress,” Clive said and, with a nod to the men, the cart rolled away at a slow pace.

“How long has he been coming around here?” Royden asked Penn.

“About two years now.”

“He’s a harmless old man that walks with a limp and likes his ale, wine, and women,” Penn said. “He’s no threat.”

Royden didn’t know about that. Those blue eyes of his told a different tale and he wondered what it was. He returned to work, no more than an hour’s worth of it left, but his eyes kept going to the cart meandering toward the keep. He was surprised when he saw his wife come around the corner of the keep and when she caught sight of Clive, she waved at him enthusiastically.

That she waved and acknowledged him before he waved to her meant that Clive was no stranger to her. And that made him all the more curious about Clive.

Oria hurried toward the cart with a smile. “I’m so glad to see you, Clive.”

He bobbed his head. “Mistress Oria.” His voice turned to a whisper. “Be careful, I fear your husband may be watching us.”

Oria had to force herself not to look toward the hut where Royden had told her he’d be working today. She had been foolish not to consider that, but she had been so excited to see Clive that she hadn’t even given it thought.

“These bones are getting old,” Clive said, climbing down off the cart and limping around to the side to glance casually in the distance. His voice turned low again. “He does watch.”

Oria pointed at the cart. “What wares do you have to offer?” She peered over the cart, her voice turning to a whisper as well. “You must deliver the news that Royden is home and that Arran will be home in a month or so.” She kept a smile on her face, but sadness filled her voice. “It’s time for the secrets to come to an end.”

“Some yes, unfortunately, some no,” he said quietly.

“How is everyone?” Oria asked.

“They do well, but I think this news will bring joy to many.”