The Talisman (Heart of the Highlander Series Book 2)

by Gafford, Deborah

  Gavin smiled. This must be mistress Chloe. "Thank you, lass. I do require food and a room."

  Seeing the gleam that lit the woman's eyes, he hurried to add, "My… woman and I will need a meal and ale and the room for the night."

  The barmaid's smile withered. "Fie, m'lord, we dinna rent the room fer the whole o' the night. What wi' the inn gone an' all, I have to keep the room available fer many folk. If ye ken my meanin'.

  "I know your meaning, mistress, but 'tis what I require."

  A fat, balding man with a large iron ring full of keys strapped to his waist hurried up to them. "What goes on here? I have told ye afore, Chloe, nay to bring yer buggers back here."

  Gavin's jaw tightened. "Bide your tongue, man. Are you the owner of this alehouse?"

  "Aye."

  "I am Laird Gavin MacPherson. My woman and I have need of ale and a hot meal and the use of the room upstairs for the night."

  "Och, I beg yer pardon, m'lord. Did… did ye say fer the whole night? That would cost a fine penny."

  Gavin arched his brow and withdrew a small pouch of coins from his sporran. He poured several pieces of silver into the man's outstretched hand. "I believe this will more than pay for our meals and the use of the room for the entire night." Then he turned and headed out of the kitchen, calling over his shoulder. "We are weary, so make haste with the meal."

  Gavin worked his way through the crowded common room. Pushing aside a drunkard who swayed across his path, Gavin's eyes sought the table at the far end of the room where he'd left Ailis. Poor lass, she was probably asleep by now. He would have to wake her when their meal arrived.

  What's this? A disheveled man leaned over Ailis urging her to share his tankard. The oaf looked as if he slept in a pigsty. Gavin hurried his step. As he got closer, the man's pungent aroma left no doubt as to where he spent his time.

  When Gavin reached Ailis' side, the unkempt Scot looked up at him, obviously intoxicated. "Sorry, laddie, th…this one's taken." He belched, then with a sloppy grin, turned back toward Ailis pressing his tankard in her face.

  Gavin grabbed the man's wrist in a tight grip. "Aye, she is taken. She is with me."

  The man's ale spilled through the air in a golden arc as he spun around. Tossing down his tankard, he swung at Gavin.

  Gavin was ready for him. He blocked the drunk's arm and rammed his fist into the man's chin. The man dropped like a stone. Then, reaching across the table, Gavin picked up one of the forgotten tankards and poured the contents in the man's face. The drunk came to, cursing and wiping away the sour ale.

  "Now," Gavin said with his hand on his sword hilt, his voice low and menacing, "take your foul carcass out of here."

  Another man hurried over and helped the drunk to his feet. "Come on Muldoon. Move yer arse. Ye are nay sober enough to be crossin' blades tonight." Together the men stumbled out of the alehouse.

  Gavin turned to Ailis. "I am sorry, lass. I should not have left you. Are you all right?"

  She nodded, her eyes wide. "Aye. D…dinna fash. I can take care of myself."

  Gavin paused and looked at her. Her display of bravery would be more convincing if he had not heard the tremor in her words. "That may be, but it does not mean you should have to." He looked up as the barmaid approached and then turned his attention to Ailis again. "I have ordered a meal for us and secured the room upstairs."

  The barmaid set a trencher of food down on the table with a thunk, followed by two tankards of ale. "'Tis all we could do so quick, my lord. If ye want more, send word to the kitchen. I will bring it when I can." Frowning, she picked up the dirty dishes and walked away.

  Gavin watched Ailis as they shared their meal. She ate very little and spoke even less. Nelli would scoff at a meal of naught more than fried herring, barley bread and ale, but the food was hot and filling.

  As they ate in near silence, Gavin's unease returned, though his feelings were due more to the nearness of their bodies than anything else. Sitting this close to Ailis, with nay wind in his face, allowed him to smell the faint aroma of the soap she used and to appreciate the blue-black luster of her hair that flowed to her waist.

  He leaned closer until he could see the soft pink glow of her cheeks. The urge to touch her was more than he could stand. Gently, he reached out and touched her hair where it pooled at her shoulders.

  Ailis jumped.

  "What are you doing? Please d…do not do that."

  "My pardon, lass. I did not mean to frighten you. I was but admiring your lovely hair. You are a very bonny lass."

  "Uh, thank you. I think I should go upstairs now… to sleep. I will be ready early. You will nay have to wait for me to pick up your goods and start the journey back."

  "Lass, 'tis no need to run from me. I will not harm you."

  "I… I am not running away."

  "Are you truly so anxious to sleep? Stay here and talk with me for a while yet. I vow not to touch you again."

  #

  Ailis looked at Gavin's handsome face and calm, friendly manner. There were many times of late when she felt drawn to him. This was one of those times. Would it hurt to sit for a wee time and talk with him? Simply be with him? By the saints, he had ne'er been aught but good to her.

  She could almost hear her sister's giggles remembering the times when Jenny had told her how pleasing 'twas to be with a man. Though her sister had been younger, she had had much more experience with such. Aye, too much experience.

  For a moment, Ailis chewed on her lip trying to decide. Aye, she was tired, but more than that, she was lonely and a wee bit frightened. The thought of trying to sleep in the strange, noisy place without Meggie's friendly chatter, did naught to ease her mind. Being with Gavin forced the demons of her memories to stay in the shadows where they could not terrify her. He made her feel alive again.

  Staying with him a while yet would help ease her fears and allow her to sleep. I will but talk with him. Surely there can be nay harm in that. She met his gaze and nodded. "I would like to stay… for a wee time."

  Then she looked around the room for aught to discuss. Perhaps if there was something of interest, she could talk to him about it for a short time. But nothing came to her mind as she scanned the crowded room.

  "What are you looking for, lass? Is there aught you need?"

  "No, thank you." She felt her cheeks grow warm and added, "I sought something to talk about."

  Gavin chuckled.

  "You do not need to look for something, lass. I am content to simply sit here and talk with you. It is your company I seek, not enlightened conversation. Then, when you wish to retire, I will escort you to your room."

  She must have made some sound or perhaps her face burned brightly as it often did in his presence, for he quickly added, "And no farther."

  Ailis thought of the long night ahead. How would she ever be able to sleep in this unruly place? Thoughts of the men downstairs deep in their cups would surely keep her nervously watching the door. She prayed staying with him longer would calm her enough to sleep.

  From time to time, Ailis nervously looked across the common room as strange men came and went and the barmaid served drink after drink. But when she looked back at Gavin, her heart eased. She enjoyed talking with him about simple things; farming, brewing and the folk at Kirkholm. She realized it was getting late and she should be exhausted, but being with him made her tingle with excitement and feel more alive than she had in a long time.

  Not once did he ask her about her father and sister's horrid deaths. She was grateful for his thoughtfulness. Thinking of Jenny and Da did naught but haunt her. She prayed the nightmare would not return when she was alone.

  Ne'er before had she known such a pleasant time with a man. She had always enjoyed sitting around the campfire at night, listening to her father tell stories of Ireland, and the occasional conversation with another merchant she met. But, in truth, no man but Gavin had e'er made her pulse beat faster, just by being near her.

  His friendly
manner and quick smile lent a sense of well being and she finally began to relax. Perhaps she would sleep peacefully through the night after all.

  #

  A loud voice bellowed across the room. Two men had come into the alehouse together and one shouted impatiently for a drink. "God's bones! How bloody long does it take to get a drink around here?"

  Gavin looked over at the man and frowned. The crude lout's appearance had ended the quiet peace he and Ailis shared. As a group of men came in, laughing and boasting loudly, he looked back at her and saw that their time together was over.

  Ailis' eyes were as large as those of a frightened doe. He watched her blink rapidly as the man across the room continued to curse and shout for drink.

  Pulling her shawl closer about her, she spoke in a whisper. "Please, Gavin, would you escort me to my room? I fear 'tis far later than I should be down here."

  "Aye, lass."

  Gavin stood and gently pulled her to her feet. He tucked her hand in the crook of his left arm and walked beside her across the crowded room. His right hand rested on the hilt of his sword, and with jaw clenched, he stared down any man fool enough to leer her way.

  When they reached the stairway, Ailis pulled her hand from his arm and he followed her to the second floor. At the top of the stairs, he led her down a short hallway to the room he had secured for her. Opening the door, he quickly looked inside. 'Twas not as hospitable as Kirkholm, but was clean enough and warm. A small blaze burned in the fireplace on the far wall flanked by a wooden bench. Opposite them, a low single bed sat below a shuttered window. A solitary blanket sat folded on the end of the bed.

  He turned back to her. "Lass, I see but one blanket here. You will need more than that to keep you warm during the night." At her immediate blush, he added, "When I go downstairs, I will have someone bring up another blanket and add more wood to the fire."

  She smiled and shook her head, her color returning to normal. "Nay, 'tis fine. I have my shawl if it should get colder. I need naught but a good night's rest."

  "Aye, then, I will leave you to it. Should you have need of me, I will be downstairs."

  She chewed her lip for a moment then said, "Could you find no better place to sleep? Was there no other room?"

  "Dinna fash, lass. I have slept on much worse than a wooden bench in a common room. I will be fine." Seeing her look of obvious concern, he gave her a cheery wink. "We MacPhersons are a sturdy lot. I vow I will survive the night."

  She nodded with a ghost of a smile. "Then I will see you in the morn."

  He hesitated. The urge to take her in his arms all but overpowered his control. But, other than leading her through the alehouse for her own safety just now, he had not touched her, as he promised. He could not do so now. Damn, but that was one vow he wished he had never made. He gazed at her, memorizing the beauty of her face to keep him company during the night. "Sleep well, lass."

  After she entered the small room and closed the door, he walked back downstairs. The alehouse's common room had filled with men of all ages and stations, eager to have a drink and enjoy themselves. Another time he might have wished to join them. But not tonight. Slowly making his way through the noisy throng, he sat back down at the same table he had shared with Ailis and ordered another mug of ale. 'Twould be a long night indeed.

  Eventually, the alehouse emptied of most of the noisy crowd until only Gavin and a handful of men were left. Two men sitting at a table in the far corner had obviously drunk enough to satisfy themselves. One man was bent down low over his mug, mumbling to his companion. They both seemed content to stay the night. Perhaps they needed a place to sleep as well.

  The shorter of the two men stood on shaky legs and said, "Tell, uh, tell the maid to fetch me another p…pint. And dinna be dr… drinkin' from it. I'm goin' to take a piss." He staggered to the back of the room and down the hall out of sight.

  For the sake of the man in his cups, Gavin hoped there was a door back there that led outside. The cook was much too swift with that wooden spoon of hers for the poor sot if he were to try to relieve himself in her kitchen.

  The last man in the common room was sprawled across a table beside an overturned mug and an ale jug, obviously sleeping off his drink. His large size covered near half the table.

  Gavin yawned wearily and lay down on the hard bench against the wall. He would sleep if he could, for the morrow would be a strenuous day.

  He must have been more tired than he thought, for he soon felt himself nodding off, even with his uncomfortable bench of a bed.

  A scream of terror awoke him. Sitting up quickly, he listened for a moment to make sure he had not dreamed it. Nay, he knew that frightened sound. 'Twas Ailis. He jumped up from his makeshift bed, knocking his sword over in the process from where it rested at the end of the bench. The blade slid out of sight beneath the long wooden seat.

  He bent and reached for it, but 'twas nothing there to grasp. Jerking the bench away from the wall, he saw that his blade had fallen through a large gap in the floorboards. Bloody hell. He needed something to pull it up with. As he hurriedly glanced around the room, Ailis' screams rang out again.

  Sword be damned.

  He vaulted across the room and took the stairs two at a time. As he reached her room, he saw the open door and rushed inside.

  His heart slammed in his chest. The large drunkard from downstairs was bent over the bed grabbing at Ailis. Gavin ran to her side, grabbed him, and wrestled him to the floor.

  With a curse, the man swung at him, striking his shoulder a solid blow. They rolled on the floor punching each other, slamming into the opposite wall and then back to the door. Gavin could still hear Ailis screaming. Seeing the glint of a blade, he lunged for the drunk's hand and smashed it against the doorframe. Hard.

  There was a crunching sound as the man's bones met the solid wood, then a soft thud as the knife fell from his broken hand. The drunk cried out and stumbled to his feet. Gavin rose up to meet him as the man's beefy fist struck him in the ribs. A blinding pain racked Gavin's side. He stumbled backwards, grabbing his side to ease the pain.

  With a roar of anger, the drunk came at him again. Gavin dodged to the right and bent low. As Allis' attacker bent over him, Gavin surged upward and smashed his fist into the man's face with the force of a blacksmith's hammer. The drunk's head snapped back and he stumbled before his eyes rolled back in his skull and he keeled over in a heap.

  Gavin wasted no more time on him. He ran over to Ailis. "Lass, 'tis all right! I am here. 'Tis Gavin, Ailis. I stopped him. You are safe. Do you hear me, Ailis?"

  Dropping to his knees beside her bed, he pulled her into his arms. For a moment, she fought him as if she was not aware of who held her. He winced as her struggling wrenched his bruised ribs, but he held her close and spoke softly over and over.

  "Ciuinich, lass, ciuinich. I am here. I will not let anyone harm you."

  Eventually, her screams turned to whimpers as his soft-spoken voice seemed to reach her through her fear.

  Ailis looked up at him and whispered. "Gavin, h…hold me. Please."

  Gavin swung her up into his arms and carried her over to the bench in front of the fireplace. The hearth was cold. From the looks of it, the fire had burned out much earlier.

  Ailis shivered in his arms and pulled at the torn sections of her dress.

  A sudden noise from the hallway drew his attention. He glanced toward the open doorway just as the owner of the alehouse ran in breathing heavily, keys jangling at his side and dragging a rusty sword. The man stopped short and stared in obvious dismay at the drunk lying unconscious on the floor and Gavin cradling Ailis in his arms. "What—"

  "Damn it, man!" Gavin cut him off. "Do not just stand there. Start a fire going. After that, drag that drunk downstairs and tie him up. I will deal with him later. Have someone bring a pitcher of heated wine. Now!"

  The tone of his voice left no room for argument. The owner scurried about, accomplishing all of the tasks as quickly as po
ssible.

  In a short time, a blazing fire burned in the fireplace, lighting the small room in a comforting glow and taking the chill from the air. Gavin's sword had been recovered and Ailis' attacker had been dragged away. The owner had provided wine and a thick fur, which Gavin wrapped around Ailis as he continued to hold her.

  Thank the saints, the fur would warm her and cover her from his gaze. Just thinking of the way she looked when he first lifted her into his arms, with her beautiful body barely covered by the torn dress, sent his emotions into turmoil. Part of him wanted to lash out at the drunkard again and again until the sot ne'er drew another breath. A different part of him wanted to kiss away her fears until her passion rose and then love her gently and completely.

  He frowned. God's blood, was he no better than the drunk?

  "Gavin," Ailis asked, "What is it? You look fierce of a sudden."

  "Nay, lass. All is well."

  He smiled down at her and tucked the fur beneath her chin. There, that was better. Now he could see nothing but her lovely face. She sat bundled up like a wee bairn on his lap and seemed content to stay there. The thought appealed to him as well. Perhaps it was merely the warmth and light of the fire which calmed her enough to drink from the mug of wine without trembling, but he hoped it was his presence that eased her fears.

  As her eyelids began to droop, Gavin took the mug from her and set it on the floor next to the bench. Smiling, he gently pressed her head against his shoulder. "There, lass, rest. You are safe with me."

  He shifted a little closer to the warmth of the fire and then sat silently staring at the flickering blaze. After several minutes, he looked down at her. She was asleep in his arms. How beautiful she was. In sleep, it seemed her cares disappeared, leaving her face free of tension and lines of worry. How he wished he could ease her burdens so that she ne'er knew another moment of fear or sorrow.