“Bridget.”
She hadn’t even noticed they stopped. “What?”
“We are here.” She took a long look at her new home and it was stunning. There were trees, though not as lush as MacGreagor trees, but the loch was as smooth as glass, the rolling hills were green, and flowers were everywhere. Then she noticed the cottage. A man, a woman and a boy were looking at her so she nodded her greeting.
“This is my brother and his wife. The Lad is Ross.” Blair got down, lifted her to the ground and then went to hug his sister-in-law, slap his brother on the back and scoop the five-year-old up into his arms. He swung the boy around and then kissed him on the cheek. “You have grown.”
The woman smiled at Bridget, but talked to Blair, “Have you finally taken a wife?”
“Nay, this one has refused me as well.”
She hooked her arm through Bridget’s and walked her into the cottage. “Will you not reconsider? He will make a fine husband, I will see to it.”
“Aye, but I will not make a fine wife.”
As soon as word spread that Kevin would allow the MacGreagors to visit with their Ferguson relatives, Kenna’s mother grew almost too overcome with joy to make preparations. She had not seen her brother in two years and didn‘t even know if he survived the war.
Kenna was even happier than her mother. She hoped...even prayed Laird Ferguson would be there.
It took more than an hour to walk through the forest to the meeting place and it occurred to Kenna that this could be a happy day, or if they learned her uncle had not survived, one of the worst days of her life. She loved her uncle and wasn’t sure how she would feel about the Fergusons if he died in a stupid war -- a war the Fergusons started.
At last they reached the clearing. Ferguson plaids were yellow, MacGreagors wore blue and it was easy to tell who belonged to which clan. Her mother boldly walked into the middle of the clearing, but Kenna held back. She began to scan the faces of the Ferguson men and when she spotted Laird Ferguson, she quickly passed over him. She noticed her mother still standing alone and her heart was about to break.
Finally she saw him. Kenna rushed out, grabbed her mother’s hand and quickly guided her into the arms of a Ferguson on the other side of the clearing. She was thrilled to see her uncle and not at all willing to wait long for his hug.
Shaw Ferguson spotted Kenna the moment she neared the clearing and he too was relieved her loved one was not dead. He hoped to win her heart, but the death of a family member would postpone that considerably. What happened next greatly surprised him. The man he saw earlier with Kevin MacGreagor walked his horse into the clearing and softly whistled. Every MacGreagor turned to look at him, but he was looking at Kenna. As soon as Kenna saw him, she ran to the man on the horse, stretched out her hand and was hauled up behind him. Then Connor turned and carried her off.
Kenna was not pleased, but waited until they were out of hearing. “How old is this one?”
“He is younger than I, holds land much farther north and insists you leave with him immediately.” Connor was not smiling. He was afraid Rachel was going into labor and wanted to be with his wife. But he, Kevin and Kenna were the only ones who knew what was going on and Kevin had his hands full with Laird Sinclair and his contingent of twenty guards.
On a horse, it took a lot less time to get home and before long, Kenna was up the steps of the keep and in the door with Connor right behind her. She took her time weaving her way through the guards and did not look pleased because she wasn’t. She wanted to see Laird Ferguson, not another dim-witted, overzealous, undesirable sop.
When she finally reached Kevin, she turned to face the strangers and then leaned closer to her laird. “Which one?”
Laird Sinclair was a thin man and his voice squawked as though he needed to clear his throat. “I am Laird Sinclair.”
Kenna‘s eyebrows shot up. “You?” She had to mind her manners, so she curtsied, but it was obvious her heart was not in it. Again, she leaned closer to Kevin. “My knees will soon give out if I have to keep this up. I say the lads should curtsy and the lasses can stand stiff as a tree before them.”
Laird Sinclair was aghast at such a thought. “Lads should curtsey?”
She ignored him and gave her full attention to Kevin. “Lads should do the wash. When a lass kneels by the loch to do the wash, her skirt always gets wet. Then she has to wash that as well. Lads should do the wash or at least wear the long skirts and let the lasses wear the short. They should...”
Kevin was not going to be able to bear this much longer without laughing, so he interrupted her. “Perhaps you should rest. It has been a long day already and you are tired.”
Kenna nodded. She weakly curtsied to Kevin, half curtsied to the Sinclair and then walked up the stairs. She meekly opened the first door and softly closed it behind her.
Every eye followed her and when Laird Sinclair turned back to Kevin he was appalled. “She is bonnie yes, but the lass is daft. I had not heard that.” He was still muttering when he walked out the door with his guard right behind him.
Kevin could hardly wait until the man left before both he and Connor doubled over with laughter.
The King of England’s court was always filled with people and many messengers came to bring him word of this or that. He wore a knee length green tunic, white hose and a green cloak. Most of the men were dressed similarly while the women wore gowns with tight bodices, full skirts and long, billowing sleeves. He doubted this message was going to be any more entertaining than the others. It was from Lady Anna Stoneham.
“Stoneham,” the king muttered. He was not a large man. In fact, next to a Highlander, he was quite puny. “Why do I know that name? What is the message?”
“She said to say, her heart is hollow.”
The king was greatly alarmed but he hid it well. “See the man is paid for his trouble.”
“Does Your Majesty wish to reply?”
The king raised a hand to brush the man away, “I wish nothing to do with the woman. She is clearly out of her wits. Be gone with you.”
The messenger backed up and bowed repeatedly until he was out of the king’s sight.
Anna had been waiting in the clearing for two days. Surely, the king would come soon. She wanted to be back in Kevin’s arms and she was worried Rachel would have her baby while she was away. There was nothing she could do but wait however, so she resigned herself to it.
Her guard constantly kept watch. Anna was their mistress, they loved her and they were not about to let anything happen. They were much too close to the border with England and anything was possible. So when they heard horses coming, they quickly hid Anna in the forest, drew their swords and got ready to fight.
They waited, watched the King of England boldly walk into the clearing alone and at length, let Anna go out to greet him. She curtsied to show her respect.
“Rise.”
She did as he commanded and smiled. “I am Lady Anna Stoneham.”
“Your husband is named Stoneham?”
“Nay, Stoneham was my father. Perhaps you remember my mother. You once said she had a smile that could make the birds sing.”
“I only recall one woman I said that about. She was a lovely woman by the name of...good grief, you are Catherin’s daughter. And you husband is...”
“Perhaps it would be unwise to speak his name.”
“You are quite right, quite right indeed. He took off his crown and set it on the ground. “Damn heavy, bothersome thing. Come closer, Anna, let me look at you. You keep your mother’s beauty well. Tell me, is she...”
“She died a year ago this week. But because of you, she had the love of a good man and lived in peace. I thank you, my King.”
“Do you also thank me for killing your father?”
“He was a cruel man who deserved to die. Will it shock you if I say I preferred to kill him myself?”
The king grinned and wrapped her hand around his arm. “Where is your guard?”
“Right behind you.”
He turned around, saw the giants and turned back to Anna. “My guard is, no doubt, cowering in the woods.”
She patted his arm and returned his grin. “They are very wise lads.”
He walked her to a log on the far side of the clearing, waited for her to sit and then joined her. “I want to know all about your life in the Highlands. Is your husband well?”
“Very well indeed. He sends his regards.”
“And your sister? A dreadful thing finding her in the closet that way.”
“She too is well.” Anna sighed, “You did not happen to bring any English wine, did you? The highlanders make it, but not as well as the English. Pray do not tell my husband I said so.”
The king smiled. “I left in such a hurry, the thought did not cross my mind. Your sister is well? I think of her often. What happened to her was my fault, you know. If I had listened to your plea...”
“She is happy, married and with child. ’Tis all in the past and just as well forgotten. But I do have a question.” She watched his expression carefully. “Sixteen years ago, an Englishman gave my husband a gift. Do you know what the gift was?”
The king closed his eyes and bowed his head. “Tell me she is not dead.”
“She is not dead.”
“Thank God. You can not know how often I have wanted to go get her and bring her home. But it is not yet safe. She is my sister’s child and she is first in line to my throne. Once I am dead, she will become the Queen of England if she so chooses. Tell me about her?”
Anna smiled. “She is a wonderful young woman and so handsome, men walk into walls staring at her. Her hair is red, her eyes are green and her laughter is glorious. She is also quite determined to have her own way, temperamental at times and not easily persuaded to do anything she does not want to do.”
The king chuckled. “She sounds just like my beloved sister. My Victoria was slain, you know. She and her husband were put upon by blackhearts who confessed to receiving payment for their deed. In my rage, I cut them down and neglected to discover who paid them. But I have my suspicions. The one I suspect most sits at my right hand where I can keep a keen eye on him. He is my nephew and second in line.”
“How did the baby survive?”
“Victoria’s maid rescued the child. She was but three days old.”
“Does your nephew know about her?”
“I am afraid so. He does not know where she is, however. When I am dead, a guard will go get her.”
“I will tell her what a good lad you are, but she will miss never knowing you.”
“I miss not knowing her. I wish there were another way, but ’tis just not safe,” said the king.
“Might you meet her in the forest one day?”
“I will consider that. Perhaps I will consider that with vigor. Did you come just to tell me about her, or is there trouble I should know about?”
“Kevin has hidden her.”
“What? why?”
“An Englishman has asked for her hand in marriage.”
The king reeled back. “Who? I will kill him.”
“Then you did not arrange a marriage?”
“Is that what the man told you?”
“Nay, we have not yet seen him. He sent word of his proposal through the clans, but he knew her name and where she was.”
CHAPTER IV
The king gritted his teeth and wanted to loudly vent his rage, but he calmed himself and then whispered, “You will not see him, he is a coward or he would have contacted Kevin directly. Can Kevin protect her?”
“We love her and we will all protect her with our lives.”
“Does she know English?”
“Aye, we teach all the children at least enough to…”
“Go on.”
“...to understand should the English ever think to attack us.”
That made him smile again. “It will not happen in my lifetime, you know. I was once in love with Kevin’s mother.”
“Were you?”
“We sometimes met in this very clearing. I would have stolen her from the Highlander had I not feared a war with them.” The king got a whimsical look in his eye. “I have not loved a woman that much since. I think she loved me too, but she always went back to Kevin’s father. I think she was happy there and I know she loved her children.”
“And that is how you knew you could trust Kevin with your gift?”
“Aye, your husband has her blood.” He stood up and helped Anna rise. “I will send word if I find the man and you do the same.”
“We will.” Anna started to curtsey, but the king took hold of her hand. “I would not allow your mother to curtsey to me nor will I allow you to. 'Tis I who owes you the honor. Tell me one last thing. What is her name?”
Anna leaned close to his ear and whispered, “Charlet.”
“'Tis a good name. Tell your husband he has done well.”
“I will. By the way, Athena taught me how to break a man‘s arm.”
The king caught the gleam in her eye, watched her join her guard and then disappear into the forest. He grinned, “Athena. Now there was a woman I would have liked in my bed.”
Charlet was so bored she thought she would die. Her face was healing nicely and the black and blue around her eye was fading. She had been inside the cottage most of the time for days, helped with the meals, played with the child and strummed her fingers on the table. Blair went outside often and she wanted to go with him, but he always said no. He was a stubborn, mule-headed…
Blair stuck his head in the door and smiled. “Would you like to go for a swim?”
“Do not taunt me.”
“As you wish.” He closed the door in her face.
That made her mad. She charged out, ran down the hill, kicked off her shoes and hurried into the loch with all her clothes on. A little happiness at last. It was a lot colder than it looked. She swam anyway, hoping to get used to the water and when she turned, he was swimming right beside her. She began to tread water. “Have you nothing else to do?”
“Nay.”
She rolled her eyes and swam off.
He easily kept up with her. He had missed her foul mood and was happy to see it back. The outdoors seemed to do that for her and maybe he should let her out more. Besides, she was driving his sister-in-law daft.
She treaded water again. “You need not protect me in the loch, I swim quite well.”
“I can see that, but 'Tis cold and you may soon be in pain.”
“Are you in pain?”
“Not yet, however I suggest we get out soon. You might try to drown me when I rescue you.”
“That is a tempting thought.”
“Bridget, go back now!”
She didn’t want to, but he was right; she would be cramping soon. She did as he said and at length, she walked out of the water. Fully feeling the weight of the wet wool, she sat down on a rock and started to wring the water out of her skirt. “I am unhappy here.”
Blair sat down beside her. “I know.”
She tried not to notice when he peeled off his shirt and exposed his bare chest. “I would be safe at home. Kevin could protect me.”
“How long would you have been happy if Kevin kept you inside the wall?”
“I would have been happier than I am here.”
He unlaced the straps and pulled off one of his wet leather shoes. “Since the war with the Fergusons, many people know about the hidden doors in the wall. A determined man could get in and harm you. Kevin could guard the doors, guard your cottage, guard every step you took, but if no one knows where you are, you do not need to be so closely guarded.”
The sun was starting to warm her and she turned her face upward to soak it in. “I am to be a prisoner no matter where I go.”
“Kevin said you are a gift from the King of England.”
“What else did he tell you?”
“He said you would hate me.”
“I hate all lad
s. They gawk at me, they follow me and they are constantly asking me to marry them. “
“There, you see, that is one plague you do not have here.”
Her mouth started to curl into a smile. “And I do not have Kenna and Julie pestering me.”
“Who are they?”
“When we get back, I will introduce you to them. They want a husband desperately and they do not care who. You would do nicely.”
“And you think I will choose just any lass? You are wrong; I wait for a very pleasing lass.”
“Do you? Will she be simple minded?”
He ignored her sarcasm and pulled off his other shoe. “She will be very wise. She will smile often, gladly let me hold her and she will have a laugh that warms my heart.”
“Then you will adore either Kenna or Julie. They smile often, they long to be in the arms of a man and they giggle constantly.”
“Do they have red hair?”
“Nay, their hair is yellow.”
“Good, maybe I will like them after all.” Blair got up, grabbed his shoes and headed into the cottage.
Bridget felt a little wounded for some odd reason.
A third laird came; Kenna rejected him and rushed off to spend the day with Julie, who now also had red hair.
Julie moaned, “You can tell me why you constantly go to the keep. I will not tell, I promise.”
“Aye, but I promised not to tell you. Would you have me break my promise?”
“Nay, I guess not.”
“I wish he would come back.” Kenna began to stroll down the northern most path for the fifth time that day.
“Laird Ferguson?”
“Aye. I saw him only briefly at the gathering and we did not speak at all. Now my mother does not intend to visit with her brother again for a month. I am certain I will die if I have to wait that long.”
Marti Talbott's Highlander Series 1 (Anna, Rachel & Charlet) Page 21