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Everyone adored her and would rather be flayed with a reed than have
her hurt or upset.
    Her wee hands pulled his head
forward. She whispered so softly, he bent further to hear. “’Tis the MacHeth.
Aye, Grey, see his eyes … He looks at me like I done wrong.”
    “’Tis your imagination, lass. He’s
your father’s ally and loves ye as do all the Mackays, and this day so shall
all the Gunns.” Grey looked at the tall warrior, whose face was covered with a
light haired beard. Most of his features were hidden and he couldn’t tell what
manner of man he was.
    She shook her head adamantly. “Nay,
I tell ye … When my da isn’t looking, he’s ireful. He does not like me.”
    “Of course he likes you. Why do ye
say that?”
    She lowered her gaze. “He doesn’t
like me for he told me so.” Her mouth turned and she looked like she’d cry.
    “Shhh, lass, don’t weep. I promise I
won’t let him look at you that way.” Grey took hold of her hand and gave it an
assured squeeze.
    “Aye, what shall ye do? Will ye slay
him for me, Grey? I’d like to see that.” She giggled but then moved even
further behind him when MacHeth glanced their way.
    Grey turned around, setting his
hands on her small shoulders, and smiled. “I’d slay him if that’s what ye
want.” She would be his wife when she grew to womanhood, and he couldn’t stand
by and allow her distress.
    She knocked him backwards when she
threw herself in his arms. “Oh, Grey, I love ye. You know why?”
    “Nay, why, honey bee?” He pulled her
wee hands from around his neck, knowing his face had brightened to that of a
shy maiden. Grey didn’t want anyone seeing her fond affection for him,
especially his friends who would tease him unrelentingly.
    “Ye are my very own protector. But
no one can protect me from him.”
    “Lass, have you told your da you’re
afeared? Mayhap he can calm your worries.”
    “Och the MacHeth is the monster
‘neath me bed. Oh, nay! He told me not to tell.”
    Grey found himself frowning. “Tell
anyone what?”
    “I’m not supposed to tell, Grey, not
even ye.”
    He gripped her arm, holding fast to
the fabric of her frock and looked back at MacHeth. “Albrey, lass, tell me.
I’ll be your husband one day, and you should tell me everything. You will start
obeying me.”
    With a tug to her arm, she freed
herself. “You’re not my husband yet, Grey Gunn. I shan’t tell ye.” The little
mite stuck her tongue at him and then proceeded to stick her thumb in her
mouth. Aye, she was young and had much growing to do before he’d take her to
wife. Hopefully, by then she’d outgrow her impish behavior.
    “You’re never going to obey me, are
ye?”
    She pulled her thumb from her mouth.
“Very well, he spoke ungodly words … Aye and then I heard him bespeak the
secret.”
    “What secret?”
    “The MacHeth told me not to tell. He
said he would spank me ere I did. I didn’t mean to listen, Grey, really I did
not. Och he bespoke the words and no one was there but I. That’s when I learned
…”
    Grey frowned, hearing those words.
“Learned what, lass?”
    She closed her mouth and folded her
arms, and began shaking her head.
    “He hasn’t the right to direct you.
Ye should tell your da. Will you tell him this day? Promise me.” Grey waited
for her answer, and instead of appeasing him, she lay on the soft grass,
sucking her thumb as though she hadn’t a care in the world.
    Albrey took the opportunity to bend
an arm beneath her head and close her eyes. She ignored him altogether. Grey
didn’t like what their conversation alluded to, but it could just be the
imaginings of a little lass. Surely her father’s ally would not want to harm
her. She was just a little snip of a girl, unable to hurt a fly.
    Finally, he’d been given a reprieve
when she drifted off to sleep. Now with her parents close by, he could enjoy
himself for a few minutes. As the sun began to set, the revelry intensified.
This was Grey’s favorite time