Lass' Valor (The Pith Trilogy)

by Griffin, Kara

  “Kate and I ran to the horse. We got away, and now ye found us, Uncle.” Bonnie yawned and her eyes drooped.

  “You will explain now, lady.” He nearly shouted, his eyes blazing with fury.

  Kate watched the warrior turn into two images then both waved before her eyes. The thump of her heart pounded in her ears and her eyes began to tear. She searched for something to grab hold of, but there was nothing close by except for the warrior. Falling backward, Kate fainted dead-away.

  Chapter Four

  Brendan MacKinnon muttered a curse and set his niece on the ground. He knelt beside the lady, knowing that his paint must have frightened her. He should have told her that he and his men did so only in respect of their ancestors and for their amusement, not to frighten damsels. She’d fainted, and he wasn’t sure what to do about it. His comrade, Gil, handed him a flask of ale, which he poured on the woman’s face. She sputtered and lay back groaning.

  He used his instincts to discern the woman’s character and if what his niece told him was the truth, he owed her much. Keeping his gaze on the woman, whom he thought had to be the most beautiful lass he’d ever seen, his talent for keeping his emotions hidden definitely came into play. He eyed her skeptically and could tell she was nervous. He supposed he should not frighten her anymore than she all ready was.

  “Are ye all right? You swooned.”

  “I did?” She closed her eyes.

  The woman didn’t speak further, and yet his niece wept over her as if she’d died. He didn’t know how to deal with either female, and watched them with reverence, taking his niece in his arms again. When he’d held Bonnie’s little body securely in his arms, he immediately felt relief from all the pain of these last months. He’d searched for her, as had her father and most of the clan, never dreaming she would find him. Now that he held her, he couldn’t put her down. His mind whirled with questions as to who had taken her, where she had been all this time, and what the lady had to do with her abduction.

  But Brendan couldn’t ask, he stood there in mass confusion. The woman took his breath away. He assumed he’d stopped breathing, at least, he didn’t feel his chest moving. She had the most appealing hair, as light as the color of the sun. The men behind him gawked and their restlessness brought him back to reality.

  He stretched his hand at her, offering assistance from the ground. She placed her dainty hand in his and he helped her to stand.

  “Lady, I can’t thank ye enough—”

  “My lord, I’m just happy to return Bonnie to her family.”

  Brendan listened to her voice, the soft sound caressed him, and a strange feeling overcame him. He looked at her eyes which appeared to be lilac, and contrasted with her pale hair … he felt the sudden urge to smile.

  She’s a fairy. Aye, a bean-sith who saved his niece.

  Her beauty caused one of his men to whistle low and he turned to scowl at his rudeness.

  “I’ll be going now that Bonnie is safe.” She turned and started to walk away. He heard her mumble, “Just get your cat, jump on your horse, and get the hell out of here.”

  Brendan stood in front of her before she had taken two steps.

  “Lass, I can’t let you go.” For some reason those words sounded romantic to him. Perhaps it was the way he’d said them, mayhap it was the truth, veritably he was being outlandish.

  “Why not?” She couldn’t keep the garish tone out of her voice, which made him grin.

  “Because ye must explain to my brother what happened to his daughter. He’ll want to speak to you. You will come with us.”

  “You can explain it to him. I’m going home.” She turned and walked away.

  Brendan handed Bonnie to one of his men and stalked after her. “Nay, wait, I cannot let ye walk off alone in the forest without protection. Come, you look tired and need rest. We’ll protect you, have no fear. My brother will expect an explanation and you must give him your account. What of Bonnie? Surely ye want to make certain she reaches home.”

  She sighed, looking in the distance of the forest. Brendan continued to frown. She didn’t seem to know where to go, and she didn’t appear to like being at his mercy. When he didn’t back down, she shrugged her shoulders and went to lie next to Bonnie. Seeing how she looked at Bonnie, he knew she wouldn’t leave until his niece was safely home. At least, that’s why he demanded that she return with them. Mayhap that wasn’t exactly why he’d asked her to stay—he didn’t want her to leave. He could read her character easily and sensed she was a gentle, sweet lass.

  Brendan watched her settle down next to his niece. Gil, his longtime friend, came toward him, but Brendan shook his head before he spoke. He didn’t want to disturb them. Exhausted, both his niece and the lady lay on a bedroll. He wondered what they had gone through. The lady was obviously English and he wondered if they had come that far. Bonnie had been abducted in London from the king’s castle. His brother, Colin, still resided in England searching for her. Brendan would have to send someone to fetch Colin, and called two of his men forward. He knew his brother and sister-in-law would be elated at the news that he’d found Bonnie.

  His brother would be overjoyed and most anxious to leave England. Neither he, nor his brother, enjoyed a visit to that country. Brendan wanted nothing to do with that land, and regretted his decision not to protect them when they’d gone for a visit to Henry at his summer castle. If he hadn’t been so occupied helping his cousin, Douglas, with his difficulties, he probably would have gone, and his sweet niece wouldn’t have been abducted. Too late now to feel such guilt, at least he’d found her and she was safe.

  He took a plaid from Gil and covered them. Something rubbed against his leg and he looked down at his feet and saw a cat, a very fluffy cat that meowed at him. He opened his pouch, took out dried meat and fed the animal. A string around the animal’s neck interested him, and he touched the covered object. The cat hissed, then went to lie down with its mistress, and began cleaning itself.

  Never in a hundred years had Brendan thought he’d be lying in the woods watching a bean-sith, a feline, and his niece slumbering beside him. He gave a hand signal to Gil, indicating that he wanted him to do the rounds, but he wouldn’t rest until he was assured his niece was safely tucked away on their land. Brendan leaned back against a tree and closed his eyes, listening for sounds of danger. A smile came to him—a very unusual occurrence.

  Chapter Five

  Kate awoke in her customarily cheerful manner. That is, until she felt the coldness from the ground, which chilled her. She opened her eyes and saw the warriors standing beside their mounts. With a loud piercing scream, she gripped the covers. She’d forgotten where she was, that warriors were around, and that she was fleeing for her life. Everything came trickling back into her mind. The soldiers came running with their swords drawn and her eyes widened in horror. The dark warrior motioned them back, and watched her stand.

  He scoffed as he approached her. “Why did ye scream?”

  “I-I um … forgot where I was, and the men frightened me and … I didn’t mean to scream.”

  The man looked at her, apparently studying her from her head to her toes. She pursed her lips, and wanted to scold his boorish behavior.

  “I know we look a wee frightening with our paint, but we only do it for our amusement. Our ancestors painted each other and we … I’m only telling ye because we don’t mean to scare you.”

  “I see. Thank you for explaining, I shan’t be frightened any longer.” Kate was sure the Goddess was shaking her head at her for telling such a fabrication.

  “Fix your gown, you’re showing a little too much skin. I don’t want the men to see you.”

  “Oh, Goddess above.” Kate straightened her garments, and her face reddened. No wonder he had scrutinized her. The warrior sounded possessive, which irritated her. Before she could counter him, he shoved food at her.

  “Eat.”

  She shook her head. “Nay, thank you, sir.”

  He shoved the
food at her again. “You will eat, now.”

  “I don’t usually eat this early, perhaps later. Do we have far to travel?”

  “Aye, very far.”

  Kate realized he was a man of few words. He continued to stare at her, and he didn’t look happy. Did the warrior always wear such a fierce look? Even through the paint on his face, she could tell he scowled. Too cowardly to ask, she refrained from asking his name. She prayed he was Robin, the man who had married Bonnie’s mother’s friend. He just had to be, because there was no way she’d travel with such an arrogant man who wasn’t at least married. She might be tempted to curse him or make him a potion which would make him silly and lighten his foreboding manner, the thought of that made her smile.

  “How many more days?” She grumbled her question.

  “A few. Bonnie will ride with Gil, you’ll ride with me.”

  Kate didn’t like his commanding tone. Her usual appeasing personality took on a cranky nature. “I will do no such thing. I have my own horse, my lord.”

  “Lass, that is not a horse. He’s old and will never make it up the incline.”

  She looked at Ralph and had to agree. Poor Ralph had all ready ridden so far and he wasn’t bred for the hilly terrain they had traveled. “What should I do with him?”

  He narrowed his eyes. “Set ‘em free.”

  “Aye, he deserves it. He did bring us this far and for that I’m thankful.” She went to Ralph and removed her belongings. “You’ve been a big, brave boy. Thank you, my friend.” She smacked his rump, and Ralph walked away slowly. Kate watched him until he disappeared from her view. When she turned around, the warrior stood right behind her. She bumped into him, and craned her neck to look at his face. He was tall, and his smoky eyes looked back at her.

  Gray eyes. Still, she couldn’t tell what color his hair was. He couldn’t be the warrior of her visions.

  She wondered which uncle this was. Was it the one who had a heart, but didn’t want anyone to know about it? Brendan MacKinnon? He had gray eyes. Was it a sign? Kate shook her head, stepped backward and almost fell. He reached out to catch her, his big hand settled on her waist and she hoped she wouldn’t swoon again.

  “Aye, it’s going to be a rough ride home.”

  He grumbled that statement, and Kate pretended not to hear it. Something about the warrior struck her heart. She didn’t know why, but she felt oddly safe with him. He seemed to shake himself, as if he’d been deep in thought. Goddess help her, she didn’t think she could survive another few days with him, let alone riding with him.

  “Lady Kate, these are my men, Gil and Benjamin. I’ll introduce the rest later.”

  Kate wondered why he hadn’t told her his name. She wanted to ask, but kept quiet. He walked away without another word to her. The men waited for them, most sat upon their steeds, including Bonnie, who happily talked to Gil in their language. Gil, hmm, she thought.

  She placed Trixie inside her satchel then folded the cover they had slept on. One of the men came forward and took it from her. All was ready and she stood by, not knowing what to do. The warrior rode to her on a huge white warhorse. Its coat was pristine and unblemished, and appeared to be well cared for. The warrior took pity on her and before she could make a fool of herself, he lifted her around her waist and placed her in front of him.

  Kate sat straight with her spine as unbending as a lance. She hadn’t ever been held so inappropriately by a man before, even her father had let her have her own mount to ride. With her eyes focused forward, she pretended that he wasn’t there. Try as she might, she couldn’t. His presence couldn’t be overlooked by anyone. She felt him shift his position, while she held on for dear life. He whistled for the men to proceed.

  After hours of riding, she thought her back would break from holding herself so rigidly. If only she had time to meditate and calm her inner spirit. She felt uneasy at not having completed her morning ritual, and her inner turmoil increased with each mile.

  Kate wasn’t sure if she should trust the warrior. She wondered what she would tell Bonnie’s father about where she was kept and by whom. If she wanted to seek justice for her father’s death then she couldn’t tell them Richard’s name. With the medallion secure, she had to find a way to speak to King Henry and gain his assurance to look into the matter. Now the only question was, how could she avoid telling them her guardian’s name?

  Chapter Six

  Brendan’s body became aware of her every movement. He wanted to pull her against him, but it would only cause trouble. He had enough of a hard time with her sitting on his lap. Aye, the last time a lass rode with him, he recalled feeling irked about it because Isabel was meant to be his cousin, Douglas’ wife.

  Now, here I am with a lass of my own.

  Where had that absurd thought come from? She wasn’t his, nor had she shown the slightest interest. Would that matter? Nay, he admitted, it wouldn’t.

  She distracted him from his thoughts when she shifted her position. He held her tightly, looking into her eyes, moving his mouth close to hers, just a scant distance away from her soft looking lips. He waited for her to speak, and tried to measure the passion in her eyes.

  “My lord, may we stop to rest?”

  “Aye.” Brendan called a halt. He’d misread her look and smiled at the way she went off.

  Bonnie ran to Kate as soon as her feet touched the ground. She took her hand, leading her into the woods. His niece danced around and he smiled, knowing why.

  “She’s bonny.” Gil stood next to him, watching them disappear through the shrubs.

  Brendan saw Gil grin, but he ignored his obvious chaff.

  “You’re a lucky man.”

  “What do ye mean by that?” Brendan shoved him, knocking him back a step, causing Gil’s arms to flail.

  “I see the way she looks at ye.”

  “How does she look at me?” Brendan felt his jaw twitch and wondered why he was aggravated. He should be happy the woman looked at him at all.

  “You know, like she’s interested.”

  “With all this paint on? Nay, ‘tis your imagination. Don’t try to pull that cosh with me, Gil. I am not as naive as my brothers or Douglas. They might fall for that cosh about women looking at them a certain way, but I won’t. Don’t start trouble.”

  “If ye don’t want her, just say the word.” Gil laughed. “What do ye plan to do with her?”

  Brendan scowled. “I’m taking her home. What the hell do you think I’m doing with her?”

  “That’s telling, Brendan. Aye, telling indeed.”

  “Go to hell, Gil.” He stomped away. If there was one thing Brendan couldn’t tolerate, it was teasing from his comrades. He’d had to put up with it from his brothers for years, and wouldn’t take any ribbing from his friends. Finally, the lass and his niece returned from the shrubs, and they could be on their way.

  During the long day, Kate seemed to get their names all mixed up. Gil mentioned a few times, when they’d stopped, about her calling him by numerous names. The last time they stopped, Gil said he corrected her, but she still called him Gregory or Graham. Brendan grinned at her delightful absentmindedness.

  The sunset brought the cooler night and they camped beside a wide stream. Brendan laughed when Kate whisked Bonnie away for a bath then made her eat a good amount of food before letting his niece settle down for the night. Some of the men joined them. He watched his men converse with Kate, and he couldn’t help smiling when she mumbled something about them not being heathens. She probably thought they’d been out raiding the countryside. England was rife with rumors of pillaging, some true, some not. Many Scottish clans did raid by the borders, especially the Barclays.

  “Lady Stanhope, where are you from?”

  Gil sat next to her, a little too close in his opinion. Brendan listened as he sharpened his sword with a stone, trying to appear uninterested in their conversation.

  “Cheshire. Gerald, where exactly is the MacKinnons’ land located?”


  “Milady, I’m Gil or Gilbert, not Gerald. Their land is located in the Highlands, just past the black bracken of the hills of the northeast region. ‘Tis a good distance from the border.”

  Brendan almost laughed at Gil’s insulted tone.

  “Oh, I cannot wait until we get there. We’ve been traveling for days and I know Bonnie wants to get home. She misses her family. Will it take us much longer?”

  “Another day or so.”

  That night at camp, Brendan watched her tell Bonnie a story. He wanted to know about the details of their flight from England, and knew there was more to tell. The lass was English, so he presumed that’s where they fled from. He had to have patience, and would find out when they reached home. Brendan wasn’t usually patient, but he didn’t want to press her for the details. She seemed troubled enough, without him plying her with questions. Besides, he knew Colin would ply her with enough to make her pretty head spin.

  Bonnie curled up next to her savior. Aye, that’s what the lass had called Kate—her savior. Brendan longed to lie next to her too, but there he was on the other side of camp, watching like a randy lad from afar. His men watched her too, which made him angry. He had no claim on the lady, and he didn’t know why it bothered him so much.

  The only reason he had taken her with them was because of Bonnie and the explanation Colin would expect.

  Who am I kidding? I didn’t want her to leave me.

  His niece seemed attached to her, the way Kate held his niece during sleep made his heart ache. They must have had a difficult time. For some reason, he felt the need to protect the lady. Once he reached their holding, he would free himself of her, he promised. He didn’t want to get involved with a troublesome lass, even though she did captivate him.