by Ranay James
Nic waved him over.
“Come here and look at these. The architects were brilliant in their design and location of this stronghold. It should not be hard to take under the current circumstances. However, any other and it would be near impossible to overtake. Come and sit. Have a drink with me and let me show you what I’m talking about.”
“I’ll have that drink. I have need of it right about now. It would seem I have met my match, Nic."
His statement got Nic's attention. "Hum, really?" Nic asked, wondering where this was going.
"I have finally found a woman who can readily say no to me, but I cannot say no to her in return.”
Nic pushed the maps aside, stood and went to the decanter. He filled a glass for Connor and refilled his own. “It's a sinking feeling, isn’t it. We are talking Reagan aren’t we?” Nic asked as he studied Connor.
“Yes. It’s Reagan.”
He looked back at the glasses and continued to fill them. “What did she ask that you could not refuse?”
“Nic, she has asked me to speak to you about Morgan.”
Nic handed Connor his drink, never flinching at the revelation.
Connor continued. “I didn’t want to get involved. Truly, I didn’t. But, I just was not able to say no to her. Even against my better judgment, I find myself sitting here.”
Nic softly laughed as he fully understood Connor’s plight. “Count yourself fortunate that talking to me was all she has asked of you, my friend.” Nic understood Connor’s predicament. He lifted his glass in a small toast.
Connor took a small drink from that cup. “I was not going to do it until it struck me that she had come to me of her own will.”
Nic understood where Connor was coming from. “And that is something we both know she most likely swore she would never do.”
Connor agreed. “It probably cost a great deal for her to do that. She has never had issue asking favors on the behalf of others. However, I think this was as much for her sake as Morgan’s.” Connor sighed. She was stubborn and willful, but had never shown selfishness in her demands.
“I understand.”
Both men sat in silence for a few moments, each sipping on the watered wine. Connor broke the silence first.
“She is leaving, Nic.”
This information surprised Nic. “What? Leaving? When?” Nic felt he knew her well enough to read her. He had not seen or heard anything to give him even the smallest hint of this news.
Connor sensed Reagan's desires in his gut. “She has not come right out and said so, but it is a feeling I have. She has grown more restless of late. I have watched her, and there are times she stands out on the ramparts looking longingly to the west. I assume to Ireland. There is no binding reason for her to stay. I can protect her, but I cannot command her,” Connor said then he slammed down the rest of his drink in one swallow as a punctuation mark to his statement.
Nic had not thought to hear this news. “We must stop her then. She belongs here with us.”
Connor looked at his friend and pursed his lips. Nic could read the signs. Connor wanted something.
“There is something more?” Nic probed.
“Yes, I have a favor to ask.”
Nic started to open his mouth to speak, but Connor stopped him with a gesture.
“Before saying anything just hear me out, Nic.”
Connor stood, paced a moment, and sat down again. “Look, I have been a little underhanded with her.”
“Sometimes it is necessary, Connor. We may not like it, but that is reality. What did you do?”
“I agreed to help her, but told her my help would come with a price.”
“And exactly what was your price?” Nic cocked his head and raised one dark brow. Knowing Connor, as well as he did, the price was going to be something unexpected.
“I'll get to that in a moment. Rea was in such a hurry to get you to talk to Morgan that she did not want to hear the price. She agreed to allow me to extract payment before hearing all my terms, but not before laying out her own.”
“And you expected anything less from her?” Nic laughed softly.
“No, but unless her terms are met, I cannot extract my payment in full.”
Nic thought that was reasonable enough. Yet, he also knew Connor was not sure how to move forward with her.
“Nic, there are things I need to know. I need answers to questions lurking in my mind. I need time to figure out what I feel for her, and I cannot do that if she is gone. I am going to tell her my payment is that she must remain at my side and at Featherstone for a year and a day, and she must seal the bargain with a kiss.”
“A hand fasting, hum, all right. And her terms would be?”
“You must go to Morgan and stay the night with her.”
Nic sat in silence. He was weighing his decision carefully. If his anger was still raw, he could do her physical harm. However, if Reagan had asked Connor for help, he could well be harming his woman emotionally anyway.
“I love my wife, Connor. To stay the night with her is no hardship. Go and tell Reagan that you will be able to extract your payment in full at first light. And here I thought I was the only one to play dirty.”
Nic's small laugh was filled with irony.
Connor relaxed visibly.
“Nevertheless," Nic said, wanting to dispense some brotherly advice, "you have to understand that if she is set on going then your restriction would only delay the inevitable. It may well be easier to let her go now, before you are in too deep to extract yourself with your heart intact. Consider it, Connor, before you set yourself and Reagan on a path where neither can turn back.”
It was Connor’s turn to stand in silence as he watched Nic leave the tent.
Chapter 105
Reagan watched from the shadows as Nic entered the tent she shared with the Duchess.
“They will be all right, Reagan." Connor said as he approached her.
She startled a little. He must have been watching her as she watched Nic.
"You're cold. Here, let me warm you.” Connor walked up behind her and enfolded her as he wrapped them both in his riding cloak.
He felt her stiffen, but slowly relax against him sinking into the warmth. It was a cold night, and she could feel the heat radiating from him. What was more, she loved the feel of strong arms wrapped around her.
Reagan was beginning to realize that while behind those protected walls of Featherstone, even though she had been on her own for so long with no one to lean on, many were still depending on her. Maybe that need by others for her help was what kept her going in Ireland. She just kept putting one foot in front of the other.
It was nice for a change to be the one to have her needs met. She snuggled deeper into Connor's warmth, and he adjusted his hold on her.
“What did you say to him?” Reagan asked quietly in the darkness. She felt him shrug.
“Nothing much, really. He just figured he had been long enough away from her to keep from hurting her. You asking for help was what actually convinced him he needed to go see her. I think it is safe to say he will stay the night. I believe that was your stipulation was it not? Come the dawn, we will seal our bargain.”
“If they can begin to patch things up, it will be worth whatever your price.” She tilted her face back and up to look at him. “Thank you for helping me, Connor. I don’t think he would have listened to me.”
Again she looked back at the tent. The candles were being snuffed one after another, and soon the tent was nearly dark.
“You think Morgan will be all right?”
Connor nodded. “Yes, I do, Love. Nic has cooled down considerably. He won't hurt her if that is your concern. He is deeply in love with her so, I would imagine it would be near to impossible for him to cause her physical harm."
"I know, but still...." She let her concern hang there for a moment.
"They do not need a guard so come. Let us get you inside."
Connor felt her nod.
"Will you allow me to walk you back to Nic’s tent?”
Not waiting for her answer, he draped his arm around her shoulder as they began to walk back. He kept the cloak securely wrapped around her. She was not at all sure what she was feeling about the change she felt taking place between them. He was not safe for her. The closer she got to him the more she liked him. And liking him was not something she could afford. She was leaving after they took care of the business in London. Where she was going no one could follow. It was full of wonders that those from this century could never begin to understand. She would not be coming back and it was going to be hard enough to leave Nic, Morgan, and the babies behind. She did not need one more soul to grieve once she left. They would be forever gone to her.
“Have you eaten?” Connor asked.
“Yes, after a fashion.”
“Well, I haven't.” He paused and turned her toward him. “Have dinner with me, Rea.”
She recovered quickly from the shock of the unexpected invitation. It was tempting, but she was exhausted.
“I think that I would like that very much, English, but not tonight. I’m exhausted. However, thank you for the invitation. Another time perhaps?” she asked actually feeling hopeful.
Connor nodded. “It would be my pleasure, Princess.”
“Well, we’re here," she said nervously almost as if they were completing a first date. "Thank you for the walk. It was actually pleasant and thank you for sharing your cloak.” After an awkward pause, she placed her hands on his shoulders, stood on tiptoes and gave him a lingering kiss on each cheek.
“Good night, English. Thank you, again for helping me,” she said softly against his cheek.
Connor took her hand from his shoulders before she retreated into the tent and barely resisted the urge to kiss her.
“If I cannot feed you then I shall bid you a fair evening.” He kissed her hands. “Good night, Reagan. Sleep well and call me if you should need another knight’s deed done.” He offered with a courtly bow and then he was gone.
She watched him blend seamless into the darkness, having no idea he had taken up sentry to guard her safety through the night. It was something he had already been doing now for weeks.
Chapter 106
The following morning the men rose early to make the final preparations to secure Seabridge. The day was bright and cold, with the north sea winds blowing up and over the cliffs. Morgan felt better than she had in days, but still knew she and Nic were not out of the woods. She had angered him and more than that, she had broken his faith and trust in her to do as he would ask of her. And regardless of how justified she felt, he still didn’t totally see her reasoning. He, however, did now accept her being there. They had agreed to disagree. She would take whatever progress she could get.
Morgan was breaking her fast when Reagan rejoined her in the tent.
“May I come in? I don't want to intrude,” Reagan asked before entering.
“Of course, you are always welcome wherever I am. You are family, Reagan. I really do wish you would figure that out. You belong here with us.” Morgan said then hugged her.
"You look better this morning," Reagan said.
“I must thank you for stepping in on my behalf. Things are better. I know that you are right. It would take more than this for Nic to leave me. We still have work to do, but I love him and that is all that matters.”
“And Nic loves you as well, Morgan. However, don’t thank me. Thank Connor. He was the one who talked to Nic.”
“So you asked for Connor’s help? That must have hurt.” Morgan snickered, knowing how the relationship was between those two.
“Oh, you have no idea, but it was well worth it to see the improvement in you this morning," she said cheerfully and honestly. "Connor said his help would be coming with a price. I’m not sure what it will be. Nevertheless, he is collecting his payment this morning.”
“You didn’t ask before agreeing to it? That leaves you open for anything, doesn't it?” Morgan was seeing a side of her friend she had never noticed before. She believed Reagan was softening to Connor. Reagan not asking ahead of time what the stipulations were showed she was beginning to trust him.
“I…well yes, but he is honorable even if he is infuriating at times. I think he was teasing me more than anything. We have had a very strange few days. He even asked me to have dinner with him last night, and I think he was going to kiss me.”
“You could do worse than a man like Connor, Rea. If he is interested, why not give him a chance. You might be surprised at what might develop between the two of you.”
“No, I’m leaving soon. Those plans have never changed.”
“Well, you are not gone yet, and I’m finding fate has a way of taking these decisions out of our hands.”
Reagan felt that Morgan's words would somehow prove to be most prophetic.
How else could she explain the last six months?
Chapter 107
Morgan’s heart was racing. Seabridge was her home. Yet, all she felt was terror at facing these gates.
“Open the gate. I have come in the name of the King,” Nic shouted to the gatekeeper.
“Don’t think so,” the man shouted back. “Brentwood will kill me if I open up to you.”
“Open and I'll let you live. I have rightful ownership by marriage to the Lady Morgan Pembridge and King Henry’s decree. So open up, man and receive us.”
Nic and Connor had planned well. If the gates opened then there would be little or no bloodshed if they had their way. However, there was a backup plan in place. Cullen was leading a group of men at arms through the tunnels as they spoke. If the gates did not open then they would take the castle from within after dark.
Nic waited as Hermes pranced sideways in anticipation of the coming encounter. Nic was in full battle dress and his mount was ready for a clash that Nic hoped never arrived.
“I will ask you again to consider your actions,” Nic shouted to the guardsmen. “You are in direct violation of the King of England. Think about it, but not long. You could have a new Over Lord, not entirely a bad prospect from what the Lady tells me. Continue down this path and surely die.”
“You guarantee my safety?” The man shouted, again.
“As your new Lord, yes. I swear to protect you as long as you serve me and my Lady well and truthfully, but should you break my faith in you, I swear by God that I will kill you in a way Brentwood could never dream.”
Momentary silence greeted the group bearing the banners of the Duke of Seabridge and Earl of Featherstone.
“He is weighing his decision,” Connor said after he came up beside Nic, magnificent in his own full battle dress. With helmets on and visors down, only the horses distinguished the two.
“I shall need verification. Is the Lady with you, Sir?” The guard yelled back again.
Nic hesitated. He turned to go back into the crowd where his best guards were surrounding her.
Pulling up his visor, she saw his concern. “Morgan, I had hoped to keep your presence quiet, but it would seem that is not to be. If it is your desire then show yourself. If not...I'll work with it.”
"I have nothing to fear," Morgan said as she placed her trust fully in Nic to protect her.
Morgan came to the forefront with Nic by her side, his breastplate she wore under her cloak giving her courage.
Reaching over she took Nic’s hand in hers. She pulled from his strength.
“Know this and know it well.” She lifted her head in a proud manner as she shouted for all to hear. Throwing her hood back, she revealed herself, taking a deep breath for courage. “I am the Lady Morgan, Seventh Duchess of Seabridge. I have come to stake my claim to the land of my Father, as is my right by birth and the King’s command. I have come with my husband Nic McKinnon, who is now the Seventh Duke by law and marriage, and by such right makes him your overlord. Obey him, now! We will not ask again. Open the gates!”
Nic was proud of his woman. He
saw her trembling, but still she held herself with dignity and showed the forcefulness necessary to lead her people, and he was proud of her. She would survive this and be stronger for it.
The gates began to open.
As they crossed under the archway of the outer gate, Cullen was below making his way into the tunnels. Because of all the years Morgan had spent below, her directions she gave were clear-cut. He knew exactly where his position was in the stronghold.
His orders were to wait until nightfall. Should the castle not surrender then they would take it from within. Nic was to send word into the tunnels should it all shake out to their advantage.
Hours passed without a single word and Cullen was beginning to become impatient. There had been no fighting above that he could hear, so it must be that Nic was taking his time to get word to him. Knowing Nic would not send word revealing their presence unless he was positive the holding was secure, Cullen continued to wait.
“Is Brentwood still at Court?” Nic questioned the household and guards.
“Yes, Sir, as far as we know. We are not to expect him for another week at best.”
“Very well,” Nic acknowledged, thinking it had almost been too easy. “The household will report to Lady Morgan. I want a complete inventory of all household assets delivered to her. As to the men at arms, I would have you report to me. I need to see what we have in the way of weapons and manpower. We need to make the determination of who is and is not willing to swear fealty to the Lady and me. Connor, please see to it this is carried out to my specifications.”
“Consider it done.” Connor left to institute Nic’s orders. He was certain that there were going to be a few heads he was going to have to knock together. There were those who enjoyed presiding under men of Brentwood's ilk and a change in Overlord was not going to be to their favor. He was ready for anything.
Nic then turned to his captain of the guard. “Aaron, you are to remain with Morgan at all times. I do not trust this group, and I do not want her out of your sight, not for a moment. Understand?”