Patience stretched the soreness out of her lean body before getting to her feet and watching the sun rise. Her warriors had been stirring and were quick to get to their feet and see this task done.
McFarden came to collect her for breakfast, but her stomach had finally felt better and she did not want to chance upsetting it with another poorly cooked meal. She thanked him and explained she was not hungry, but eager to get to the McLauds.
They reached the McLaud keep by mid-morning. The village preceding the keep was a slovenly place. The odor permeating the air around it wrinkled the nose and stung the eyes, though she had seen and smelled worse, which always made her more grateful for the home she had.
When they got closer to the keep, Patience noticed one small cottage that sat off from the others and looked far different. It was neat and well-cared for, with a small garden on the side. She wondered who occupied the place.
McLaud warriors began to gather near the steps of the keep, fanning out on both sides of the unimpressive structure. If they thought to intimidate, they were fools. They had situated themselves badly, for her warriors would easily be able to take them down quickly with a flow of arrows.
The tall narrow doors to the keep opened as Patience brought her horse to a halt, her men spreading out behind her and McFarden at her side. A big man, thick all over and with features that did not attract much attention stepped out along with a thick-boned, attractive woman. At least, she would have been attractive if she did not wear such a deep scowl. Another man appeared, stepping to the big man’s left. He was a bit shorter, with more defined features and whereas the big man’s dark hair fell in scraggily strands to his shoulders, this man’s light brown hair was cropped short. A woman followed him out to stand at his side. She was short in comparison to the others and had plain features, though beautiful, long blond hair. She kept her head bowed and her shoulders were slumped as if she carried to much weight upon them.
Patience was not surprised that Hunter made no appearance, though she had noticed that his horse had not been at Lyall’s when they had passed by her cottage. She remained on her horse, waiting to be greeted properly.
The big man stepped forward. “Did you bring my horses?”
Patient glared at him, but spoke not a word. She assumed he was Greer, the new laird of the Clan McLaud and oldest brother.
“Are you deaf, woman? Answer me,” the man shouted.
Patience kept a steady glare on him.
The man walked down the steps, his face contorted in anger and approached Patience, stopping beside her horse. “Are you too fearful to speak to me?”
Patience looked down at the red-cheeked man. “Not now since you are where you belong, looking up at me.” She did not think his face could grow any redder, but it did.
“I am Greer McLaud, laird of the Clan McLaud. How dare you insult me!”
“I am Patience Macinnes, daughter of Donald Macinnes, laird of the Clan Macinnes, and how dare you encroach on Macinnes land.”
“Macinnes sent his daughter to tend to this dispute?” Greer threw back his head and laughed.
Patience smiled. “Need I remind you that it was a woman who bested your men and sent them back to you without their horses?” That wiped the grin off Greer’s face, though Patience retained her smile.
“You caught them unaware,” Greer accused.
“You admit that your own warriors were caught unaware?” This time Patience laughed. “That does not say much for your leadership.” Before Greer could continue arguing, Patience held up her hand. “I did not come here to discuss your warriors’ lack of skills and laziness. I am here to settle this dispute.”
“Then come inside and let us get this done,” Greer said and turned to walk away from her, then stopped and turned back. “Your warriors wait outside.”
“As do yours,” she said.
His dark eyes narrowed and he looked ready to bark orders at her, when he stopped and said, “They will be keeping an eye on your warriors.”
“Then they better have eyes in the back of their heads,” Patience warned and Greer’s nostrils flared.
McFarden went with Patience into the keep, reminding her in a whisper that she should not trust Greer that he was not a man of his word. She did not need the reminder. She remembered well what McFarden had told her about him.
She and McFarden both wrinkled their noses at the disturbing odor upon entering the Great Hall. With one glance Patience could tell the stench came from the rushes that looked as if they had not been cleaned out in not just days but weeks. Emma would be appalled and would refuse to remain here, but Patience wanted to see this done quickly so that she could return home and at least get to be reunited with her one sister.
Patience, however, was annoyed that Greer along with the other man and two women went to the small dais and took seats there and left her and McFarden to stand in front of it. No seat was offered to them nor drink or food.
“Have your say,” Greer ordered.
Patience could tell from the man’s tone and demeanor that he would be stubborn about laying claim to the land. From what she could see for herself, the McLauds did not have a large contingent of warriors. It did not seem likely that he had intentions of going to war over this... unless. Could the McLauds have joined forces with another clan or two? If that was so, then it could prove a bloody and harsh outcome for all concerned.
She decided to be blunt. “What is it you want, Greer?”
“Land that rightfully belongs to the McLauds, and I will settle for nothing less.”
“That land has never belonged to the McLauds.”
Patience turned to see a petite woman with honey-colored hair streaked with white enter the room. She had soft, pretty features and looked worn, though not from age.
“I ordered you to stay out of this, woman,” Greer shouted, shaking his fist at her.
Rab stood. “Greer is right. This is no concern of yours. Leave us.”
Greer turned to the woman beside him. “Rona, see her back to her cottage.”
Rona’s scowl deepened. “Why must I always tend the hag, let Saundra do it.”
Saundra stood as if anxious to leave. “I will see to her.”
The older woman stepped closer to the dais. “I am not going anywhere. I am here to make certain you do not sully the McLaud’s name. Your father may have been mean-tempered like you, but he was a man of his word and expected the same of his sons.”
Greer roared, grabbed a tankard and threw it at the woman.
Patience stuck her hand out, knocking the tankard to the ground before it could hit the woman. She ignored the sting to her hand and glared at Greer. “Are you insane? You could have killed her.”
“Then she would be no more trouble to me,” Greer spat and picked up another tankard.
Patience did not hesitate; she jumped in front of the woman. Her arm went up as she did, the tankard smashing against it. She paid no heed to the stinging blow. She was too busy retrieving her dagger from her sheath and throwing it to land at the edge of the table right near Greer’s crotch.
Greer’s eyes turned wide and he turned pale.
Rona gasped. “You could have severed his manhood.”
“Believe me, if I wanted his pathetic excuse for a manhood severed, it would be on the floor right now.”
Hunter stumbled into the room with a woman under one arm and a tankard of ale in his hand. He stopped and grinned, taking in the scene. His smile vanished and he dropped the tankard and shoved the woman away from him, then hurried to the older woman’s side.
“Have you been harmed?” he asked his arm going around her.
Patience was shocked by the concern in his voice and the way he so tenderly held the woman.
“Patience Macinnes came to my aid,” the woman said softly.
Patience felt a punch to her stomach when he turned grateful blue eyes on her. Never had she seen sentiment expressed so vividly in a man’s eyes. No wonder women found him so
appealing.
“I owe you for that,” Hunter said, then turned to the woman. “Wait here by Patience a moment and I will see you home.” He gave a nod to Patience and she bobbed her head, letting him know she would watch over the woman.
He walked over to the dais. “I warned you Greer.”
“And I warned her to hold her tongue. She obeys me or she suffers for it,” Greer said with an angry snarl. “As will you if you do not obey your laird.”
Patience was shocked to see how fast Hunter snatched her dagger out of the table and held it to his brother’s throat. She was even more shocked at what he said next.
“It will be you who will be obeying me, Greer. Patience has agreed to become my wife, which will make me the laird of the Clan Macinnes, joining our clans.”
Chapter Four
Greer pounded the table. “You lie!”
Hunter moved the dagger away from Greer’s throat as he turned to Patience. “Tell him you accepted my proposal.”
His blue eyes were heated with a combination of fury and concern. She was not sure what Hunter was up to, but something told her to go along with him. They could settle it later, for he surely had to know that she had no intentions of marrying him.
“Aye, I agreed,” Patience said. “It is the best solution to the situation.”
Greer exploded with rage. “I did not condone this union and I forbid you to wed her.”
“You cannot forbid me to wed her,” Hunter said. “The choice is mine and the other clans in the region will be happy to hear of such a union between our clans.”
Greer’s anger turned to a snide smile. “Then we will celebrate and invite the surrounding clans to your nuptials and wedding feast in a week’s time.”
Patience stepped forward. “No! I want my family present at my wedding. We will wed at my home.”
Greer placed his meaty fists on the table and glared at her, a snarl on his lips as he said, “You can wed here and wed again when you return home. But I will see you properly joined before you leave here.”
Patience wanted to put a stop to this farce but until she could speak to Hunter and see what this was all about, she decided to continue the charade. She did not know why that for the moment she was trusting Hunter, except that instinct advised her to do so. Though she would be damned if she would eat her words about marrying him. Never, ever would she wed Hunter McLaud.
McFarden spoke up. “It will be good to have the McLauds not only as neighbors but as allies as well.”
Greer scowled, but before he could respond, Patience said, “Boundaries continue to be respected, even more so, once clans are joined in marriage.”
Greer folded his arms across his wide chest. “So, a Macinnes takes the cowardly way out of settling a dispute by marrying a warrior who does nothing but poke women all day.”
Patience stepped next to Hunter. “A Macinnes knows when to sacrifice for the good of her clan and also to expand Macinnes holdings. Macinnes land and reputation stretches far and wide and its reach holds no bounds. You should be grateful you will be part of such a powerful clan, although the wedding has yet to take place. I might find it more prudent to call the wrath of my clan and its allies down upon you.”
Greer grinned, appearing appeased. “I would welcome the challenge of battling the Macinnes.”
Patience realized then that Greer had aligned himself with either one or more clans and clans he assumed could possibly beat the Macinnes clan. If that was so, then he had planned for this confrontation and what seemed even more plausible... to go to war with the Clan Macinnes.
The thought disturbed her. She could not allow a war to happen. Countless lives would be lost and the search for her sister would be brought to an abrupt halt. This situation was far worse than she had believed, but there was one person who could provide the information she needed... Hunter. She had to talk with him and the sooner the better.
Patience nodded at Greer. “Aye, you would, since foolish and selfish men think that war is the only answer.”
“Be careful, woman, or you will feel the mighty wrath of a McLaud,” Greer said, striking the table once again with his fist.
Hunter spoke up. “There is no changing the fact that Patience will be my wife. So it is time that you show her the respect she deserves.”
Patience did not need him speaking up for her, and she certainly did not need him as a husband. The problem was... how did she resolve this issue without being forced to wed Hunter? She kept her silence, at least for the moment.
Greer turned to Saundra, Rab’s wife. “See that a room is prepared for Lady Macinnes.”
“I will not have my future wife staying in this filth. She will reside with our mother until the wedding.”
The woman Patience had protected stepped forward. “I would be honored to have Lady Patience stay with me.”
Patience found herself speechless. To think that Greer would harm his own mother was unthinkable, and it made her realize just what kind of man she was dealing with. If he could harm his own mother, then there was not anything he would not do to get what he wanted.
Greer’s wife Rona sprang out of her seat. “We cannot have Lady Patience stay in a mere cottage. What will others think?”
“I do not care what others think,” Hunter said tersely. “Patience will reside with Mum.”
“That has always been your problem, Hunter,” Rona accused, shaking her finger at him. “You do not care about anyone but your own selfish needs.”
“That seems to be a recurring trait among the McLaud men,” Hunter shot back.
“My husband does what is best for the clan,” Rona shouted her face turning bright red.
“Throwing things at his mother, gripping her arms so tight he leaves bruises, telling her he would be better off if she was dead, is doing what is best for the clan?”
“She interferes when it is not her concern,” Greer bellowed.
Patience could not believe her ears, though it was difficult not to since it seemed the McLauds could not converse without shouting. How could a son treat his mother so badly? She was relieved to see that Hunter was not like his brother in that respect.
“Our mother will not trouble you any longer,” Hunter said with such an evil sneer that Greer actually took a step back. “As soon as Patience and I exchange vows, Mum will be leaving with us.”
“Take the hag with you,” Greer said with an abrupt wave of his hand. “But you and your bride will not leave until I am sure that your vows have been consummated.”
Hunter not only laughed, but the servants did as well. “You truly are a fool. Knowing that I do not go a day without a woman, do you actually believe I would not bed my own wife?”
“He does have a point,” Rab said, “and perhaps the sooner they take their leave the better.” Geer turned a vicious sneer on his brother, but Rab was quick to continue. “The sooner they wed the better. Why waste a celebration on them? Let us see them wed and be gone.”
Patience watched the expressions of the two brothers. It was obvious some silent message had been exchanged and she wondered over it. The two brothers had plotted and with their original plot foiled by Hunter’s announcement, they would be looking to regroup and plot again. Something was very wrong here and Patience wondered how her father had not been made aware of it. Besides the McFarden clan, her father was on good terms with many of the clans in the area. Surely one of them would have apprised him of a troubling situation in the making.
Greer turned to Hunter. “I want the lot of you gone once the ceremony is done.”
“It will not be soon enough for me,” Hunter said.
“The cleric is at a neighboring clan,” Rab said. “I will send a message for him to return. It should take two days at the most for him to arrive.”
“Enough time for mother and me to pack our belongings and be ready to be on our way,” Hunter said.
“And it will be good riddance to both of you,” Rona screamed.
From the furio
us anger in the woman’s eyes, Patience could not help but think that Rona protested too much and was truly unhappy that Hunter was leaving, and she wondered why.
Hunter turned to Patience and with a hand on her arm, he whispered, “Come with me, we need to talk.” He also turned to his mother and took her hand, walking both women to the door.
McFarden followed along with the trio, having been struck silent by the whole bizarre exchange.
“This is not done between us,” Greer shouted.
Hunter stopped and stepped away from the two women to turn around. “You are right. It is not over between us. There is much you have to answer for and I will make certain you answer for every evil deed you have done.”
“You do not have the skill or the balls to raise a sword against me,” Greer called out with a laugh.
“I would look to your own balls, since you have failed to get your wife with child. Whereas my wife will quickly get with child and you know what that means Greer.” Hunter smiled. “My child will be the firstborn McLaud and rightful heir to the clan with you having sired no heir.”
Greer’s thunderous roar could be heard outside the keep and had Hunter smiling as he guided the two women down the steps.
Edward, Patience’s lead warrior, approached her and she stepped away from Hunter and his mother to speak with him. McFarden joined her.
She kept her voice low. “Find a place to camp on the outskirts of the castle’s outer walls.”
“What walls?” Edward said with disgust. “The decaying walls crumble from lack of attention as does much in this pathetic village.”
“We will be here a couple of days. I want the men on alert at all times and to be prepared to leave at a moment’s notice. Also,” —she shook her head— “you will hear that I am going to wed Hunter McLaud to keep the peace between our clans. It is a ruse, but no one must know that. Something goes on here that I am not aware of and it worries me. We have been led into some kind of trap and I fear what may happen when the trap is sprung.”
Highlander's Rebellious Love Page 3