Highland Fortitude (The Band of Cousins Book 5)

by Keira Montclair

  Cheers echoed behind them. “What is it?” Constance asked, just then noticing Daniel’s sire and uncle were coming toward them, David not far behind.

  Will said, “We’ve ended the battle. Gil’s men and Lamont’s men are either dead or they’ve run off.”

  Daniel’s uncle glanced past them to Lamont’s slumped body on the ground. “Well done, Daniel, I assume,” he said with a jolly tone. “Lamont will not be causing us any more trouble.”

  “Papa,” Maggie said, her tone dropped. “We need a healer for Daniel.”

  Micheil Ramsay joined in the well wishes until his gaze fell on his son, laid back against the tree. “Hellfire. Here, lass,” he said, as he hurried to his son’s side. “I’ll move him into the kirk.”

  “I’ll help you,” Logan said. “We’ll get him inside and send for the Drummond healer.”

  Then the others all started voicing their opinions at once, confusing her too much for her to respond.

  “Nay, send for Aunt Jennie,” someone insisted.

  “Leave him here until we stop the bleeding,” said Connor.

  Will said, “I can try some salve I have.”

  Maggie said, “The priest is almost here, Constance.”

  The voices started to bleed into one another, so much so she could no longer identify who’d spoken. She slumped over, barely heeding what was said.

  “He’s probably going to die with all that blood.”

  “It doesn’t look good for Daniel.”

  “Why the hell were they out here?”

  “All that fighting and Daniel’s going to die…”

  “Get him off the ground.”

  “Get him to the church.”

  “We need to get him to a healer.”

  “Constance,” her sire called out to her from a short distance away, his voice standing out from the others. “Come away from there.”

  Constance had heard enough. With a frenzy she hadn’t know she ever possessed, she stood and screamed, “Back away! All of you! Back. Away. And stop giving me advice. I want you all a hundred paces away from us except for Connor and Maggie, who know what they’re to do.”

  Some began to move, others smirked, while her sire said, “Do not talk to me that way.” His eyes had that fearsome look they got whenever she dared stand up to him. But she would not be swayed now. Not when Daniel’s life was endangered.

  “He’s my nephew,” Logan said, not standing down either. “Back away, lass, and we’ll take care of him.”

  Micheil’s hand moved to Logan’s arm and squeezed.

  Constance reached into her boot and yanked her dagger out. “Back away, I say. Now I’ll tell all of you how this will go. This is my husband. We are married, but we want—” She paused for a brief moment just to choke back her tears. “We want the priest’s blessing on our marriage, and that is going to happen…before anything else does.” She tried but failed to stop the hitch in her voice every time she gazed at her dear Daniel.

  “Constance. I’ll not tell you again. Come here!” Her sire’s booming voice carried over everyone else’s.

  She whirled around in a fury. “You will not order me about again, Papa. Aye, you’re my sire, but this is my husband, and I will do what I need to in order to save his life.”

  Silence fell over the group as Constance swiped at the tears on her face and walked around the periphery of the clearing, making sure everyone stood back, her dagger still held in her hand. Her gown, still drenched in blood, was hardly the right thing for her to marry in, but she didn’t care. She stopped in front of Micheil Ramsay and said, “Forgive me. I know he’s your son, but he’s my husband, and I will do what I believe is right.”

  She may have imagined it, but she thought she saw a spark of admiration in Micheil Ramsay’s eyes.

  Maggie said, “What else can we do, Constance?”

  “Please send for a healer. Whose land is closest?”

  Logan Ramsay said, “Already done, lass. The Drummond healer will be at their keep soon, and my sister-in-law will arrive in another two hours. She’s the best in all of Scotland. But first we must get him to Drummond land. ’Tis a short distance from here.”

  The priest came up behind Micheil Ramsay but immediately stepped back once he saw the dagger in Constance’s hand.

  She didn’t miss the shock in his gaze. She brushed the hair back from her face and said, “Father, there’s a marriage we need you for. I’ll put this away if everyone agrees to stand back.”

  She strode over to her sire, who said to her in a much lower voice this time, “I’m only trying to keep you from being hurt, daughter. Aye, I am hard on you, but you are still my lass.”

  “’Tis too late for that, Papa. I’m a woman, and I’m married. I will make my own decisions now and in the future.”

  Her father surprised her by dismounting and striding over to stand in front of her. Afraid he would try to force her to leave, she kept her distance. She sheathed her dagger but kept her hand poised to grab it again, if necessary. Though she doubted she could bring herself to use it against her sire, she would threaten him if need be.

  “This isnae what I wanted for you or any of my children. ’Tis wrong to be in the midst of all this Highland chaos. I promise to find you a good husband. Come home, we all miss you.”

  His tone shocked her as much as his words. He’d missed her, too. She’d not expected that. And yet, there could be only one answer.

  “’Tis too late. I love my husband. I hope you will approve of our marriage someday, but even if you don’t, I will stay by his side. As soon as he is healed, I promise to return the stone, but we’re in desperate need of it now. Tell Mama I’m sorry.”

  Her sire nodded, moving back toward his horse, but stopped before he mounted. “Lass, you’re stronger than I would have believed. We all love you.” He tipped his head to her before he mounted, his features turning fierce and determined once again, and turned his horse around. All she could do was watch as he and his men galloped off into the distance.

  She would not cry over her father, even if he had acknowledged she was strong.

  She would not. She would prove the truth of his words by keeping herself together.

  The priest appeared at her side while Daniel’s brother David spoke to his cousins off to the side. She didn’t care what they did as long as they didn’t interfere with their wedding. Connor and Maggie had stayed with Daniel, still seeing to his wounds.

  “Father, we’re ready.” Maggie’s voice was strong, just as she wished her own would be.

  Constance moved back to Daniel’s side and kissed him. “My love, the priest is here. He will marry us now.” She couldn’t stop the tears any longer, allowing them to roll down her cheeks unchecked.

  His beautiful forest green eyes fluttered open, and he smiled at her. “We’re getting married? Naught would please me more.”

  The priest moved over to stand in front of them. David approached the tree with the rest of the cousins. He leaned down to speak with Connor, who then lifted the fabric he held over Daniel’s wound, peering at the blood. “I think ’tis slowed enough.”

  Maggie returned the stone to Constance, who placed it in her pocket, then went over to join Will.

  “We’re ready, Father,” Constance said at once.

  David said, “Give us a moment, Constance. Please?”

  She nearly smirked at him. She supposed she had acted like a daft person, but it was what she had needed to do to get them all to listen to her.

  Constance stood back while the cousins collectively gathered around Daniel, maneuvered something underneath him, then lifted him into the air. They’d placed two plaids under him, and the cousins all stood at the edges, ready to hold him up for the ceremony.

  Daniel’s eyes flew open and he looked around in shock, but then his expression quickly changed to a wide smile. Maggie ran back into the clearing and handed Constance a bouquet of flowers she’d just picked from the forest.

  Constance cou
ld have cried over both gestures, but she forced herself to stand strong. “Go ahead, Father.”

  Daniel managed to stay awake during most of the ceremony, though his eyes did close on two occasions. Gavin, the jokester, managed to pinch him back awake until they all laughed.

  And oh, how wonderful it was to hear her Daniel’s laugh. “I love you, my sweet,” he said, “and this is the best wedding I could have ever asked for.” His gaze took in all his loved ones surrounding them.

  David muttered, “Mama will kill you, but she’ll love Constance enough to keep you alive. It’ll help your case that you’re hurt.”

  The priest continued, and they said their vows, the priest finally blessing them as husband and wife to the cheers of all those in attendance. Daniel kissed her and the crowd cheered again, but then a cart came into their vision, and Micheil said, “Lass. We’ve allowed the wedding. You’re husband and wife officially, but ’tis time to get Daniel to a healer.”

  Constance nodded to him and said, “I’ll be there all along the way, Daniel. And my thanks to all who allowed me to have my way.”

  Gavin snorted. “I’ll never cross you. I’d run through a pack of snapping wolves first.”

  “Nor will I,” Logan said, although he had none of the bluster she’d seen in him before. “Lass, you remind me of my wife. I’ll keep my distance whenever your temper riles.”

  Micheil leaned over and kissed her cheek. “Welcome to Clan Ramsay and Clan Drummond, Constance. We’re proud to call you family.”

  Chapter Twenty- Seven

  Constance rode in the cart with Daniel’s head cradled on her lap. They’d positioned him so she could continue to press on the wound to staunch the bleeding. He slept most of the ride, which made her extremely anxious, but she didn’t think he’d had much sleep lately. Mayhap he simply had some catching up to do.

  She only realized they’d reached Drummond land when a beautiful woman rode her horse up next to the cart, continuing on abreast of them. “How is my son, and who are you?”

  Daniel opened his eyes at the sound of his mother’s voice. “Mama, greetings to you. Meet my wife, Constance Lockhart of Lee. I seem to have gotten myself into a mess again. Do not blame Constance.” His head fell back into Constance’s lap.

  Diana Drummond’s wide-eyed gaze took in all the blood, then shifted to Constance’s face. “You are his wife? What happened?”

  Before she could reply, Micheil Ramsay rode up on the other side of Diana’s horse. He filled her in on the details, speaking in a hushed voice.

  Constance took the opportunity to assess the woman. Diana’s hair was the shade of the midnight sky with strands of red and silver here and there. She understood where Daniel’s good looks came from, though Micheil Ramsay was still a fine-looking man.

  Diana sat her horse as well as any gifted equestrian. Had she ever crossed the path of a more beautiful and regal looking woman? She thought not.

  Diana was gorgeous, talented, smart, and the laird of her clan.

  She would probably hate Constance.

  But Constance wouldn’t worry about that just yet. Her focus had to be on Daniel.

  “Diana,” someone bellowed. She thought she recognized Logan Ramsay’s distinctive voice. “You’ll not want to cross her. She reminds me of my Gwynie.”

  Diana turned back toward Constance. The only emotion she could read on the laird’s face was concern. “We have the Drummond healer in the hall awaiting his arrival. His aunts will both be arriving soon. They are the best healers in the Highlands. How much has he been sleeping?”

  No other sound could be heard but the trampling of the horses’ hooves across the meadow and Constance’s own sniffling. “He’s having a difficult time staying awake. I’ve tried, but he’s so fatigued. He’s lost much blood.”

  “More than what you have on your gown?”

  Constance peered down at her gown again and finally nodded, unable to speak the words.

  Diana paused for a moment, then said, “Welcome to Clan Drummond, daughter. If Daniel loves you, I’m certain I will. Do you love my son?”

  “More than I ever thought possible.”

  The majestic woman smiled. “Then he will fight to live. I know him verra well.”

  How she prayed Diana was right.

  ***

  Daniel was running through the meadow, chasing after Constance. She giggled and glanced over her shoulder at him.

  “Come, you must catch me. ’Tis the only way!”

  He chuckled and played the game, but then he stepped on something that gave him a sharp pain, one that carried all the way up his leg. Something had bitten him. He swung at the beast as it tried to bite him again, but he had no hand. In fact, he’d somehow lost both hands. When he looked down, his leg was disappearing, piece by piece, though the critter had run off.

  Where was his leg going?

  And what had happened to his other hand?

  Constance turned around and looked at him, a sad expression on her face. “I’m so sorry, Daniel. I cannot spend my life with a man with no hands and one leg. Goodbye!”

  “Constance, wait! I love you! Don’t leave me, please! Constance!”

  Something pulled him back and he awoke with a start. “Daniel, hush. ’Tis all right. You’re having a bad dream. Your aunties will save you.”

  “Constance?” He gripped her hand with his one hand, relieved that he at least had that, then released her to shove the covers away. “My leg. What has happened?”

  “Daniel, calm down. Here. Drink this.” Her hand touched his cheek and she turned him to face her.

  “Constance. Please don’t leave me. I want to marry you.”

  “We are married. You’re confused from the fever.” She held the cup to his lips and he drank, the water soothing his dry throat. What had happened?

  Her calm voice continued to explain. “We were in a battle and you saved me, but the man managed to cut your leg. It wasn’t a large cut, but ’twas deep. There was too much blood, but you’re healing now. Do not worry. I will take care of you. Daniel, don’t you remember that we married at the kirk? We said our vows and I promised never to leave you. You’re my husband and I love you.”

  He stared up at Constance, his eyes finally managing to catch her gaze. She offered him more water and he drank as much as he could. “Aunt Brenna. I must speak with her,” he whispered.

  Footsteps approached the side of his bed. “What is it, Daniel? I’m here. Aunt Jennie is with me. We’ve taken care of your leg. ’Tis still oozing so it may pain you a great deal. I can give you more potion.”

  “Nay, please. No more. I need to understand what is happening. And what do you mean you’ve taken care of my leg? Did you cut it off, Aunt Brenna?” The horror of the dream still thrummed in his blood. His hand reached down in search of his appendage, but it was the opposite leg and difficult to reach just now.

  “Nay, nay,” Aunt Brenna said. “We’ve been tending the discharge, but ’tis finally slowing. Daniel, you seem upset. What is it?”

  “Do you recall what I told you the day after I lost my hand?”

  “Aye. I recall it verra well. Why do you speak of it now?”

  “Because I’ve changed my mind.”

  “About what?” Constance asked.

  He turned his face back to look at his dear wife. “A couple of days after I lost my hand, it hurt so much that I told Aunt Brenna I would have rather died than to go on without it.”

  “Oh, Daniel,” Constance whispered, kissing his forehead.

  His mother came up behind Aunt Brenna. “I remember, Daniel. I was there. What say you now?”

  Daniel stared at Constance before he turned back to his mother and his aunt. “I feel completely different. If you must take my leg, then do it. I’d rather lose it in order to live by my wife’s side.”

  ***

  Constance had fallen asleep next to Daniel. His fever had finally dropped. His aunts had been fastidious about applying the salve on his wound.
They’d washed the green discharge away many times before it finally stopped coming. Perhaps today would be the day he would awaken and speak with her.

  Aunt Brenna had promised her that he was on the mend. The rest was up to him.

  A light knock sounded at the door. “Enter,” she said, shuffling out from beneath the covers to find a robe to don. His dear mother had supplied her with almost everything she could have ever wanted, including clean gowns and night rails.

  Now if she could only restore her husband to health.

  Diana stuck her head around the door and said, “You have visitors. They’re in the great hall. If you’re too tired to speak with them tonight, I can find them a chamber to rest in for the night. ’Tis nearly midnight.”

  “Visitors? Who is it?” she asked, perplexed.

  “Your mother and your sister Denise. Shall I lead them to their chamber for the night or would you like to speak with them now?”

  Constance was stunned. She’d feared she’d never see her mother and sister again. “My sire? Is he here to take me away?”

  Diana shook her head. “He’s here, but he’ll not take you away, lass. I told him he’d have to kill a hundred of our men to take you from us. He convinced me that he just wishes to see that you’re hale. He told me you made him proud that day on the battlefield.” She strode over to stand in front of her, fussing with Constance’s hair to make her more presentable. “I wish I’d been there to see you fight for my son. Daniel won’t let you go, and neither will I. We’ve become quite fond of you. I see why my son has fallen in love with you. ’Tis clear to me that he’s fought this battle with the fever for you.”

  Constance hugged Diana and mumbled, “My thanks,” through her tears. “I’ll see them now.”

  “Go,” Diana said softly. “Go, and I’ll sit with my son. And Constance?”

  “Aye, my lady?” She stopped before she searched out something for her feet.

  “I’ll do whatever you like. They are welcome to stay a few days, or I’ll send them out. You let me know your preference.”