A knock sounded at the door, and Colin shouted. “Brendan, Henry wants to see you and Kate in the hall in fifteen minutes. Did you hear me, Brendan?”
“Aye, we’ll be down shortly.” Brendan muttered, “I had no intention of leaving the chamber for at least another hour or two. Still, Henry is a king, hell, he is now my king. I suppose I shouldn’t press his ire by keeping him waiting. We’ll have to continue this later.” He leaned and kissed Kate’s stomach before rising.
“I wonder what Henry wants? Do you deem he has found out Richard’s location?”
“I hope so. I want to finish off Richard. But who knows, Henry probably wants to annoy me, and rub it in my face that he’s my king now. I assume he wants me to kneel before him and swear my fealty. Damn him.”
“Will you?”
“I suppose I must.” Brendan wrapped his tartan around him, pulled his tunic over his head, and waited for Kate to finish dressing. He took her hand and guided her to the hall.
Henry sat at the head of the table, looking rather lordly. He was dressed regally, and wore his official reigning expression. Kate greeted him with a curtsey and a smile.
“Sire, good morning, you’re looking well. You wished to see Brendan and me?”
“Lady MacKinnon, I suppose I really cannot call you such, because your husband is not a knight, nor is he landed. I will have to rectify that.”
Kate tilted her head, and gave Brendan a questioning look. “Sire, but you gave your acceptance of our marriage, and he will take over as lord here. I don’t understand. Do you intend to separate us?” Sorrow instantly trounced her heart. She looked back at Brendan, but he stood watching the king with his stone-faced look.
“What I wish is for you both to come to Londontown. I’m leaving today and expect to see you both at my court within a week. By then, we should hear something about Richard’s whereabouts.” Henry rose, waited for their courtesies, and bounded out the door.
She looked at Colin, who smiled at them. “Do you know what this is about? What does he intend?”
Colin shook his head and walked through the door.
*****
Less than four days later, they arrived at the king’s summer castle, Whitehall. It looked more like a fortress than a king’s residence. Kate had heard that there was a dungeon where some of the more heinous criminals were kept. Yet most offenders against the crown were sent to the Tower, located in the heart of Londontown. Colin had told her not to worry, that the king had many sentries. He also told her that this was the very castle in which Bonnie had been abducted from. Kate’s heart sank hearing that, because this place held such unhappy memories for Colin. Still, he supported his brother by traveling to Londontown with them.
Kate and Brendan were shown to a chamber lavishly furnished. Both she and Brendan paced along side the bed, silently looking at each other every few minutes.
“When do you deem he’ll call for us?” She’d whispered her question, because she felt that someone was listening. She didn’t know why she’d gotten that feeling, but it was eerie being at the king’s castle where there was no privacy.
“When he’s ready. Do you wish to go outside? We could walk the gardens.”
“Do you really want to, Brendan?”
“Nay, it was only a suggestion to take your mind off this.”
Kate laughed. She couldn’t see her husband, the scowling warrior, walking amid the sculptures and hedges of the king’s castle. She smiled, thinking he was really out of his element.
Colin knocked, and they both said enter at the same time. He came in and flopped into a brocaded chair at the foot of the bed.
“What are you two doing?”
“Pacing,” Kate said.
“Oh, God, I shouldn’t have come here. He’ll call you down near suppertime. There’s going to be a feast tonight.” Colin looked as though he’d laugh, but he refrained.
Kate sat on the bedside, surmising his expression.
Brendan fisted his hand, and raised it to the ornate ceiling. “Why does he make us wait?”
They each sat silent for a long time, until Colin broke spoke. “Let us go down and await him in the hall. Many have come for the feast. He even invited the Shelmores, Brendan. Julianna is with her aunt in the hall.”
Brendan nodded then said to her, “The Shelmores are friends who live by the border. Julianna is related to them. All right, let us go. I can’t take sitting here any longer.”
The hall was indeed crowded, and many flustered at Henry’s impending arrival. Colin stood next to her, speaking to Chancellor Hubert about politics. Colin grasped Brendan’s arm to stop him from pacing, and Kate stepped in. She held his arm and took him for a turn about the room. Her intention to take her husband’s mind off Henry’s looming announcement began working, as she absently commented on the tapestries and furnishings. Even though Brendan would nod to her occasionally, she knew he wasn’t listening. He couldn’t give a farthing about such things. Though she knew it, she continued to utter nonsense.
A creek of the door alerted them that Henry had finally decided to appease them with his presence. He walked in, wearing a fur covered cape and appeared forbearing.
“Your majesty,” Colin said mockingly as he approached with Julianna and bowed. “Finally, you arrive. Brendan is awaiting your word.”
“Ah, so the chap is anxious, is he?” Henry laughed, and looked to see Brendan standing at the end of the room. “Where is Lady Kate? Ah, I see your brother is blocking her from my view.”
Kate grasped Brendan’s hand and walked toward the king. She and Brendan paid their pleasantries and Henry turned without a word to them. He seemed angry.
“Lords and Ladies,” Henry bellowed from the steps of his dais. “Before we dine, I want to bestow a great honor this day, but before I do, I want to tell you a story.”
All looked at the young king, and moved closer to hear his tale. Kate pulled Brendan toward the crowd, but he only let her get as far as the outer lying people.
“I have family that lives in Scotland, and one of those members is rather endeared to me.” The crowd gasped as if he were telling a longtime secret. “Her name is Bonnie, and she’s my cousin’s daughter. Whenever I see her, I can’t help but fall for her delightful antics and sweet smile. She’s a delightful minx. Unfortunately, she has an uncle, who is just about as obstinate as they come. Many fear him, as did I. I know you don’t wish to hear your king speak of such, me fearing another man, but honestly, a fiercer warrior I had never met.”
A hush of whispers hastened through the crowed.
Henry continued, “When visiting them, some of the soldier’s played a jest on me by taking my clothes and leaving me naked in a frigid loch. At the time I was beyond angry, and I swore to have their laird flail them all before me. But then, Brendan MacKinnon, the fierce warrior, happened by and I had not expected him to help me. Of all the warriors, he had more hatred for me than any of them. Yet, when I asked him for help, he gave me his tartan … to me, the man he most hated. I haven’t forgotten it.”
Many of the lords and ladies stood before the king baffled and silenced by his story. They did not know what he intended. Kate didn’t either. She gripped Brendan’s hand and turned to whisper to him, but he shook his head and nodded to Henry.
“When my sweet Bonnie was taken from this very castle, I was devastated, and I blamed myself. A courageous woman faced danger to return the little mite to her family. Her honorable courage has made me realize that there is indeed someone for everyone. For she loves the fierce warrior and I intend to reward them both. Brendan MacKinnon, step forward.”
Kate released his hand, and Brendan moved through the crowd. He stood before Henry, and as she approached to see what was happening, she heard the king ask him to kneel.
Henry took his sword and placed it on each of Brendan’s shoulders, saying, “I knight you, Brendan MacKinnon, for your kindness to a king whom you did not have to honor, but you received my friendship for it. Kni
ghting you rewards your wife, for you are a peer of my realm. Rise, Sir MacKinnon.”
Kate moved forward and kissed his cheek, then smiled at the king. “I thank you, sire. You haven’t sent the missive to Rome, have you?”
Henry roared with laughter. “Are you certain you wish to be married to this blighter?”
“Aye, sire, I know he is obstinate, but I care greatly for him, and he will be a worthy husband and will be an asset to Cheshire.”
Henry laughed. “You’re a courageous woman, wanting to be married to him. Why, since I’ve known him, I’ve never seen him smile.”
“Sire, he smiles all the time, at least, at me, he does.”
Henry motioned to his servants and the doors to the dining hall were opened, many began wandering through them, whispering about Kate and Brendan.
Brendan pulled her aside. “Cosh, I’m even more English now, being knighted by Henry. I’m not sure I like it, Katie. I don’t feel worthy of Henry’s gratitude, especially since Richard is still out there. But I am proud of you, Katie, you make me feel so worthy.”
“Brendan, you are worthy, always believe that. Regardless of Richard’s capture, the king feels indebted to ye. I cannot believe he knighted you.”
Her husband grunted, and she laughed at the surly look on his face.
They entered the dining hall and took their seats, near the king’s seat, in their place of honor. The servants began setting down the platters of food for the feast, and the revelry began. A small orchestra played in the corner of the room, sending soothing music through the room.
A group of men returning from sentry came inside, and approached the chancellor. Hubert held them off with a wave of his hand, but the soldiers marched in a procession then parted when an older gentleman’s armor clinked with his every step. He stopped behind them, and removed his helmet.
“What goes here? Where is my daughter?”
Brendan turned to see a large gray-haired man frowning at him.
“Sir, what right do you have to interrupt his majesty’s supper?” Hubert bellowed.
The man cleared his throat and said sternly, “I do apologize, Sire, but I was told my daughter is here.”
Hubert moved aside, and motioned for him to continue forward. Hawk moved toward the group, and stepped before the king. Kate hadn’t been paying attention to the company, and kept looking at Brendan. She finally turned to view the commotion, but then paled, as if she’d seen a ghost.
“Father?”
“Fairy?”
Brendan caught her before she hit the floor, she fainted dead away, falling out of her seat.
“You’re Katie’s father?” Brendan asked.
“That I am. Lord Hawthorn Stanhope, at your service.” He turned and faced the king and bowed. “Sire, what is going on here? Why is my Kate here, and not home where I left her?”
“I am having a feast to celebrate Sir MacKinnon’s knighting, and your daughter’s marriage to him.”
The man frowned like a clootie. Aye, a devil who was not pleased to hear Henry’s news. Brendan held Kate’s limp body in his arms.
“Like hell you are. I gave no permission for her to marry him or anyone for that matter.”
“You are dead, or at least, you were dead. I gave her my permission.” Henry stood, his face reddening. He didn’t appear to like being told that he needed Lord Stanhope’s permission for anything.
“You must undo it,” Hawk said, and frowned at Brendan.
“He cannot. Our union was blessed by the church, we are good and married,” Brendan said through clenched teeth. “She is my wife in every matter.”
“Sire, he must lie, I will not believe it.”
“I’m afraid he is not lying, Hawk. They have been married for sometime, I was but handling a formality, so to speak, by knighting him—an honor he deserves.”
“Will you move out of the way so I can lay her down somewhere,” Brendan shouted. He’d lost his patience with the two of them and just wanted to take Katie away.
Hawk and Henry hesitantly moved aside. Brendan walked out of the chamber, holding his senseless wife. He didn’t like it one bit. As he leaned against the wall, he considered the ramifications of her father’s appearance.
Kate came to the moment he exited the room. She tried to get him to set her down, but he wouldn’t release her. “Madam is never wrong,” she mumbled.
“Katie, you need to rest a moment. I’ll not have you fainting again,” he commanded.
“B-but my father is alive. Did you see him … I can’t believe … He is alive, isn’t he or was I dreaming?”
“Nay, he’s alive and well. You are not dreaming.”
“Brendan, what am I going to tell him?” she whispered.
“About what?”
“Us,” she said simply.
“How about, I love him and we’re married for starters?”
“Nay, I mean, I … of course, I do love you, Brendan, but what if he doesn’t consent. I will have to get our marriage annulled.”
“Here we go again,” Brendan uttered.
He entered their chamber, and set her upon the bed, then walked to the window where he looked out at the rainy sky. “Why did this have to happen now? It was all but settled, and I planned to take you home on the morrow.”
A knock sounded at the door. Brendan opened it, and found Lord Stanhope peering beyond him. He moved aside to let him enter.
“I’d like to see my daughter.”
“Father, please come in.”
Her father took her in his arms and she wept, seeing him for the first time in many years.
Brendan stood beyond, watching their reunion. She wiped her eyes, and returning her gaze to her father. He appeared aged, more so than she remembered. His hair had grayed and his beard much thicker. His eyes had paled some and weren’t as blue as she recalled. Kate trembled from weeping.
Brendan kissed her cheek. “I’ll be with Colin and Julianna—amusing Henry. Send for me, if you need me.”
Kate nodded. “All will be well, Brendan.” She watched her husband leave with hesitant steps, and he looked at her before he closed the door.
Her father watched him leave too, and when the door was closed, he pulled her in his arms.
“Kate, you are unharmed? I worried for your safety and I thought—”
“That Richard would kill me? Is that why you put that absurd message inside the medallion? A lot of good it did.” Kate found the courage to berate him. “Why did you do that? You caused a lot of woe, and not just for me.”
“I feared Richard would come after you. Did he?”
“Aye, all because you sent that medallion. Did you not realize the jeopardy you put me in?”
“Mayhap, but I thought the king would protect you.”
“How was he to do that when de Guylet hadn’t returned and de Morris claimed to be my guardian?” Kate became angry then. She wanted to yell at her father for his ill favor.
“I didn’t know, Kate.”
“I became his ward and discovered that he kidnapped a child from the king’s palace, Colin MacKinnon’s daughter. That is how I met Brendan, but King Henry had all ready betrothed me another Scotsman, though that never came to be. Anyway, Richard came after me, and he threatened me for the medallion. He killed Manik. There is more but I’m afeared to tell you what he did to me.”
“That vile man!” Hawk shouted. “Has Henry had him tried?”
“He has given Colin MacKinnon permission to kill him for stealing his child.”
“Get your belongings, fairy, we will leave this place at once. I long to go home. I’ll find Richard myself, the beastly boar.”
“I can’t leave here, I’m married to Brendan. I shall not leave him, Father. He needs me.”
“Needs you? What about me? I need you, too.”
“Need me! You left me alone for four years, to care for myself. You don’t need me.”
“I do. I didn’t mean to leave ye for so long, Kate. I cannot lose
you now when I have only returned.” Her father rose and paced the room. She held back a smile when he mimicked Brendan’s movements.
“Father, I belong with Brendan now. You know I would wed eventually. I love him, and he loves me.” She pulled away and clasped her hands waiting for her father’s acceptance.
Hawk lowered his gaze to the floor. “You’ll leave your father for this man?”
“Aye, when I told him I loved him, I promised to honor him, and I will not go back on my word even if that means disappointing you.”
“Fairy, you don’t know what you are saying. Mayhap I’ve jarred you by coming back from the dead. I will find a worthy husband for you.”
“I am not leaving my husband. He is worthy. If you want to leave, then go. I cannot stop you, but I wish you would get to know these people. They are good-natured, and have been very kind to me when I had no one to turn to.”
“I will repay their kindness by giving them—”
“Father, you are not listening. They will not take anything from you because they feel they owe me for saving their daughter.”
“So I am to lose my daughter, after you saved theirs? Is that the way of it?” Hawk asked angrily.
“You are not losing me, Father. I am married, but I shall visit ye. You can visit me anytime you like. Brendan will agree to bring me for a visit—”
“You married a barbarian Scot. What of my aspiration to have you married to a good Norman knight?” Hawk moved to the hearth, and leaned against the stone.
“You never said anything about aspirations of a Norman knight, nor did you ever say you didn’t like Scots. Well, I am married to a barbarian Scot, and that is that.” Kate yelled so loudly, her voice all but gave out in the end.
He appeared stunned that she would raise her voice to him. “Where is my doting daughter? You’re not the sweet daughter that I left behind. You’ve changed much, even your appearance has changed to that of a woman. I cannot fathom you being married to that giant.”
“Father, I have grown up. You must understand that. You were gone a long time, leaving me to fend for myself. I should be wrath with you for leaving me alone, but I know you were only doing your duty. Please, understand it’s what I want.”
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