Lass' Valor (The Pith Trilogy)

by Griffin, Kara

  She reached up and touched his face. “What is it?”

  Kate waited for him to continue, but he couldn’t because he became entranced by the color of her eyes. “I want you to know that … that we were wed.” There, he said it. He waited for her screech of outrage. He moved his hands to protect the front of him in case she became angry enough to try and do him in again. Yet she didn’t respond, or yell, or anything. Had she heard him?

  “Did ye hear me, Katie? I said you’re my wife.”

  “I can’t marry you, Brendan, not now, not ever.”

  “Why the hell not?” He’d shouted, but then he realized his folly. It didn’t matter because she was well and good wed to him. He relaxed.

  “I have to return to England and I’ll not be coming back.”

  “You’re not returning to England. I’m your husband, it is my duty to handle your guardian and seek justice for your father.”

  Kate’s bottom lip started to quiver.

  “Don’t cry, Katie. I promise you won’t regret being married to me.”

  “I never cry,” she said between hiccups. “My father always said he was proud of me because I didn’t cry like most of the other girls in our village. Now look at me, crying like a babe, and it’s all your fault.” She shoved his shoulder before swiping her eyes. As quickly as he’d removed her clothes, she’d put them back on.

  “It won’t be so bad, you know,” he said lightly.

  “What won’t?”

  “Being married to me. I’ll take care of you. You’ll be happy with me for a husband, although, I’ve no idea how to be a husband yet. I want you to have our bairns.”

  “I can’t have your bairns,” she cried.

  “Why the hell not?” Brendan’s voice rose. She looked at the summit directly across from her. “Katie, you need to come to terms with this. We are married. You are my wife in every sense of the word. Wedded, bedded, and properly blessed by the church. The priest said the blessing at the celebration. Father Tomas declared it before my clan. You said you loved me and spoke the vow. Do you deny it?”

  Brendan knew he’d given her too much time to think, and her deliberation sent her to bawling. He scowled, not knowing what to do. He put his arm around her shoulder, trying to soothe her. He tried desperately to placate her. This was exactly why he’d married her at the celebration. He knew if he had revealed his intention, she would have refused him. And why shouldn’t she?

  He didn’t like the path of his thoughts, and looked up at the sky. She pulled away from him. With fisted hands, he clenched his jaw and thought about what he could say to make her accept him. He closed his eyes and couldn’t come up with anything plausible. The only characteristics he could think of were related to being a soldier. Would a wife admire the ability to subdue a man with his bare hands? Would the size of his sword matter to a wife? Would she respect him because of his talent for hearing his foe at a great distance? He didn’t believe she would consider those traits laudable. When he opened his eyes again, she was gone. Well, hell. She disappeared. He wouldn’t chase after her.

  The sun shone on his nakedness. Brendan sat up and saw a large hawk fly in the sky above him. The hawk’s wingspan was impressive, and had to be six feet across. Its shadow passed over him, cooling him for a moment. The shrill shriek echoed off the summit. Brendan calmed enough to go and reason with his indignant wife.

  Aye, she had almost killed him with pleasure. He smiled, the rare occurrence becoming a habit. He’d claimed her at the celebration before all his people, but today she claimed him. How would he make her understand? But first, he needed to make amends for his boorish behavior. He got up, dressed quickly, then ran to his horse and rode hell-bent toward her cottage.

  When he arrived ten minutes later, she wasn’t there. There was no sign that she’d been there. Where the hell had she gone? Brendan ran up the hill to the keep and entered. He found Colin sitting in his chair, talking to Bonnie. Was he spending a lot of time with her because he missed her or had the little hellion gotten into more mischief?

  “Have you seen Kate?”

  “Nay, she’s not here.”

  Before Colin could ask what he was about, Brendan ran outside. He went back down the hill, hopped on his horse, and rode speedily to the cliff. He retraced his steps, but couldn’t find her. Had she been angry enough to try to go back to England? Panic set in, and he stiffened at his speculation. He realized that he needed help, and for the first time, he’d ask it of his brother.

  When he entered the keep again, he told Colin what had happened. Colin sent out several sentries to search for her. But Brendan couldn’t stay inside the keep, so he rode out, and promised himself he wouldn’t return without her.

  Chapter Fifteen

  The eerie dark forest made Kate feel so alone. Brendan’s reaction to their encounter deeply affected her, and she hadn’t felt so alone before. Good Goddess, she was married to him. She’d ridden for hours, trying to gain control over her own anger and despondency. Why hadn’t she realized what he’d done at the celebration? It was a sneaky, low-down thing to do, and she hadn’t expected it. Of course, she hadn’t known he was aware of her feelings for him at the time. Still, she shouldn’t have professed her love for him in front of all those people. Mayhap she didn’t love Brendan MacKinnon, but the vision she’d had all those years. That vision comforted her, oddly protected her, and made her feel loved. All Brendan did was make her feel wanton, and feel things a gently bred lady shouldn’t. Horrified by her behavior and what she’d done, she couldn’t return to face him.

  The sounds of the woods did little to cheer her spirit. Trees hid daylight from her view, shadowing the forest floor. Kate reached a freshwater pool in the middle of the forest, and she released her horse’s reins. She knelt down, cupped her hands, and drank.

  She sat back against a tree, and her thoughts took her back to him. Brendan seemed to accept their marriage. Perhaps she should accept her lot, and admit being married to him wouldn’t be as bad as she thought it might be. But he was an obstinate warrior who wore paint, probably raided her homeland, and was practically a heathen. Yet, she was attracted to him. Why had she let herself go completely, not caring about the result? How did he tempt her to give into his will? As the questions ran through her mind, no answers came.

  A tear slipped from the corner of her eye, and she wiped it away. She tried to meditate and evoke the Goddess’ spirit, but it was useless, there would be no settling her. Tired and restless, she felt mortified. Sooner or later, she had to return to the MacKinnon holding, but what would she say to him when she did?

  The sound of crackling leaves drew her attention. Her horse must have heard it too, because it startled and instantly took off, leaving her to walk back. She stiffened at the sound again. Had Brendan found her? When her back came off the tree to see who it was, someone lifted her by her neck. Instinctively, she put her hands up to ward off the attacker.

  “Well, well, Kaitlin, I’ve found ye at last. Did you deem ye could run from me and that I wouldn’t find you? I knew where you went, because you took the stupid girl with you. Where else, but Scotland? I’ve been riding around this land searching for you.”

  “Lord Richard, I have nothing you want. Let me go,” she demanded, trying to pull free.

  “You know what I want.”

  “Nay, I honestly don’t, Lord Richard.” She released herself from his grip and moved a few steps backward. He glared at her. He seemed to be alone, but she knew his men must be there someone, lurking in the woods. She thought about calling out for help, but then thought better of it.

  “The medallion, that’s all I want. Where is it?”

  “I don’t have it.”

  “I’ll have no more lies. Manik told me he gave it to you upon his return. This is not the time to play games, Kaitlin. I do like to play games, still, I’m pressed for time.” He stepped forward.

  Kate backed up another step, looking around for the best route of escape. Richard reached
out, and shoved her to the ground. He knelt down, using his knee to keep her still, gripping the length of her hair. She shoved him and tried to roll away.

  Richard struggled to hold her motionless. “I’m tired of your willfulness and shall make ye regret it.” He struck her face twice before he regained control of himself. She lay on the ground, and tried to protect herself, but it did no good. When he struck her jaw, she cried out.

  “Stop, stop it.”

  “Where the hell is it? I need that medallion.”

  “I don’t have it here. I’ll have to get it.”

  “I’m not a fool. Where is it, with those savage Scots?” He gripped her hair, making her neck twist and she cried out. “Damn you, all right, Kaitlin, I believe you have an errand to run.” He rose and paced before her, striking his fist in his hand.

  Kate sat up and tried to calm herself. She had to think of a way to escape him, but nothing came to mind. He grabbed her wrist, jerking her upward. She coward away from him, but still he held fast.

  “Return to their keep and get the medallion. Fetch it and come to me in no less than a month. If you don’t arrive by then, I’ll send my full army to your father’s fief, and all your tenants will die. Do you understand?”

  Before Kate could respond, he yanked her hair again, pulling her against him. “I had to kill that boy, Manik, for his perfidy.”

  Kate cried out at hearing of Manik’s death. She freed her hand and slapped Richard across the face with as much might as she possessed. “How could you do that? He was just a boy doing his lord’s service. You are despicable.”

  “He was a means to information. If you fail, Kaitlin, I’ll kill you, and the savages, too. If the regent had awarded me the land, I wouldn’t have taken the child, and you wouldn’t be here. They’ll pay, they’ll all pay.” He laughed derisively.

  “You took a child because the regent wouldn’t give you land? What do the MacKinnons have to do with land?”

  He didn’t answer her. Richard pulled his dagger from his tunic and shoved her to the ground again. He lay on top of her, stilling her arms and legs. She fought against him, but was ineffective. He kissed her neck, running his hands over her breast.

  “You could have had it all, Kaitlin, and instead you ran from me with that child. Now, I should take what I want and be done with it.” He leaned away for a moment, holding his dagger close to her chest. She struggled, and he slipped, slicing the side of her chest. Blood flowed through the fabric of her light-blue gown, soaking the material. He nodded, grunting his approval. She felt the stinging wound and placed her hand over it to stop the bleeding, but it was everywhere. Looking at it in disbelief, she felt the warmth of her blood cover her fingers.

  “Look what you made me do. You’re a hellion, Kaitlin. I didn’t mean to cut you, but ‘twas your own fault for your injury. Bah, there’s no sense in taking you now. You’ll return to my manor, and your injury better not slow ye. You haven’t much time.” He laughed and rose.

  Kate couldn’t move. She lay on the ground, watching him stalk to his horse.

  “Don’t dally or be tardy. The fate of those people rests on your shoulders. I’ll be watching closely, Kaitlin.” Richard mounted his horse, laughed mockingly, and rode away.

  She sobbed in pain, her body ached, and the wound throbbed. Looking down, she whimpered at the amount of blood covering her bliaut. Her eyes fluttered and blurred, she knew she would lose consciousness. Somehow she had to make it back to the MacKinnon’s holding before she lost her senses. On her knees now, she crawled a few feet, hoping to have enough strength to make it. She needed Brendan. No sooner had she thought that, she slumped against the ground.

  Chapter Sixteen

  The night grew late, too late to be riding amidst the darkened woods. Brendan couldn’t see between the trees, and he looked above him, noting the heavy cloud cover. He would have to give up his search for the night because he couldn’t see anything. There was no way to find her in the darkness. Hours had passed since she’d gone missing, and his concern tore at him. He rode back to the keep hoping the sentry had found her. Maybe she’d just gotten lost in the hills.

  When he strode in the hall, he noticed his brother’s grim expression.

  “Colin, have you found her? Is she here?”

  “Brendan, we found her, but … I’m sorry—”

  “Nay, what the hell do you mean, you’re sorry? I, I can’t lose her, Colin. She better be all right.” Brendan’s eyes filled with pain, he looked around the hall, then he grabbed Colin’s tunic, bellowing, “Where is she?”

  Colin released his tunic from his hold. “Brendan, calm down. We found her, but she’s hurt.”

  “Hurt? Badly? Is she going to die?”

  “She’s been stabbed and beaten. Jinny is caring for her. I saw her, she’s a mess. There was much blood loss.”

  Brendan shouted his denial. “Who would stab her?”

  “I don’t know, but Burk found her in the forest by McGurdy’s pool. They’ve only just found her, so you may want to wait—”

  Brendan shook his head. “I want to see her now. Where is she?”

  “She was taken to her cottage.”

  Brendan walked toward the door.

  “Wait,” Colin yelled.

  But Brendan didn’t wait to hear what he wanted. He ran from the keep, down the hill to Kate’s cottage. His heart clanked in his chest the whole way. He opened the door, and found Jinny and Julianna tending her. They glanced at him as he entered.

  Brendan went to the side of the bed and looked down at her. Her hair was dirty and in tangles, her lovely face bruised. His blood boiled at the sight. Someone hurt his wife, and by all that was sacred, he would find the knave and kill him. His breath quickened, and he felt his eyes water. He somehow managed to suppress the rage that boiled inside him.

  Jinny and Julianna didn’t say a word. He touched Katie’s face, and kissed her forehead. His gut coiled. She looked so small and helpless.

  “Brendan,” Julianna said softly. “She’s going to be all right.”

  “Look at her, she’s too pale. Don’t lie to me, Julianna. Is she dead?” He assessed her coloring and thought she might be dead.

  “Nay, the wound is not as bad as we first thought. It’s just a flesh wound. Now, let us tend to her, move back and give us room.” Julianna forced him to move aside, and he fell back into the chair besides the bedding.

  Brendan closed his eyes, and thanked God she was going to be all right. He resumed breathing, and when he opened his eyes again, he saw Jinny motion to Julianna.

  “We’ve taken care of her wounds, there’s nothing left for us to do. We’ll come back later and check on her. Send for me if she needs us.” Julianna realized that he wasn’t listening, so she and Jinny left.

  Brendan watched her for a long while, and didn’t move, neither did she. He finally decided to get up, and approached the bedding. As he sat on the bedside, he lifted the cover, and saw the bandaged wound on her chest. She was fortunate it hadn’t hit her heart. A few inches to the left, and it could have been fatal. He grimaced, replaced the cover, and caressed the side of her face. Whoever had done this would pay, he swore. He petted her hair with the palm of his hand, but she didn’t awaken.

  “Lass, you must be all right.” I love you. He blanched at his thought—he had never thought such nonsense in his nine and twenty years. He didn’t know how to continue. Normally he would just demand, now he pleaded, and thought the unthinkable. Her unmoving form chased away his reflection.

  “Katie, wake up, I want to talk to ye.” Nothing, she didn’t hear his plea. Her breathing was slow and easy, indicating she was well into her slumber. He resumed his position on the chair, watching her for long minutes. Jinny and Julianna returned a short time later. Jinny checked her wound, and asked if she awakened. Brendan shook his head.

  “Why don’t you go rest, Brendan? We’ll call for you if there’s any change,” Julianna suggested. “We will bathe her.”

&nbs
p; “I can’t leave her.”

  “She’s likely to sleep for sometime, Brendan. We’ve given her a sleeping potion. You’re not doing her any good sitting here. We’ll call for you the minute she awakens,” Jinny said.

  Julianna forced him to leave the cottage by taking his hand, and leading him to the door. She gave his back a shove. He scowled at her bold behavior, and knew she didn’t fear him.

  Brendan walked to the keep. The night grew even darker, because no moon provided light. It had to be past the midnight hour. He strode to his room, changed his tartan and shirt. He washed his face and realized just how tired he was. When he arrived in the hall, his brother shoved him into a chair.

  “What’s going on, Brendan? Who would stab the lass?”

  “I know who would, and just found out about what drives him. I cannot believe he came here. How did our sentry not find him? The man is a sneaky dog.”

  “Is it the guardian?”

  Brendan nodded. “Aye, she has no other enemies besides that knave.”

  “Why would her guardian come all the way to the Highlands to kill her? He could not want her that badly, could he?”

  “There’s more to it than his wanting her. Katie’s father sent her a treasure. She said the man asked her about it, and that she denied knowledge of it. I think he knows she has it. He came after her for it.”

  “What kind of evil man are we dealing with here?”

  Brendan grunted. “He tried to force Katie to submit to him, and he did steal Bonnie from Henry’s castle. What I don’t understand is why he would take your daughter? Why would Bonnie be important enough to take, risking his neck? If Henry found out it was him, he would be executed. And it seems that Katie has something else he wants—the treasure.”

  “What kind of treasure?”

  “A gold medallion, it’s a strange object. I’ll bring it to you so you can look at it.”

  Colin nodded. “Aye, I’d like to see it.”