“Mayhap we should continue this discussion of yer boldness inside. Behind a closed door would be my choice.”
Brianna draped her arms across his shoulders and leaned forward to nibble an ear. “Bold? I thought ye said I was stubborn.”
Conn shivered. “Ye are both today.” He slid his hands around her to cup her bottom, pulling her hard against him. “I like it.”
“Then we best discuss yer likes and dislikes further, aye?” With a tug on his arm, she pulled him toward the hall and up the stairs. Una’s appearance at the head of the steps struck like a splash of frigid water as Brianna noted the concern in the woman’s eyes.
“How is Jamie?”
“He has started coughing. I put him to bed. He is calling for ye.”
Brianna bolted for Jamie’s chamber, Conn and Una on her heels. Kirsten sat on the edge of the bed, wiping Jamie’s forehead with a damp rag as she spoke soothingly to him. She stood, allowing Brianna in her place. Laying a hand on Jamie’s forehead, Brianna slid her palm down his cheeks, feeling the heat burn against her skin.
“He needs medicine.”
“Ye have more knowledge of the herbs than I.” Una handed Brianna a key from the bundle at her belt.
Clutching the slender piece of metal in her fist, Brianna hurried to the small room beyond the kitchen where the herbs and spices were stored. She inhaled the familiar fragrance in the cool, dry air, recounting the hours spent reciting the herb lore with her mother.
I thank ye, Ma, for yer patience with me. May it help cure wee Jamie. Working quickly from the depths of her memory, she measured and blended, adding the precious honey to treat his fever and cough and soothe his irritated throat. She poured the mixture into a mug and hurried back upstairs.
Jamie pushed Una’s hands away restlessly. Conn sat on Jamie’s bed, his back against the headboard, cradling the lad in his arms as Una wiped his feverish body.
Brianna gave Conn a look of gratitude, warmed to her toes to see him caring for her brother. Handing the mug to Una, she sat beside Conn and stroked Jamie’s pale face.
“Jamie, I want ye to take this for me. It has plenty of honey in it, and I promise ye will like it.”
Jamie tossed his head, but Conn gently held him as Brianna took the mug and dribbled some of the liquid between Jamie’s lips. He whimpered and frowned and tried to slide from Conn’s grip, but Conn held him until Brianna coaxed the last of the herbal mixture down his throat. Laying the lad back on the bed, he tucked the blankets around him.
“Will he sleep now?”
Brianna shook her head. “The draught was for his cough and fever. His tiredness will make him sleep. I need to be with him. I cannae leave him now.”
Conn stroked her cheek. “I understand. Yer kind heart is one of the reasons I love ye.” He took her hand and led her to the large chair next to the bed. Sitting, he pulled her into his lap, covering her with a light blanket tossed over the chair’s arm. He wrapped his arms about her.
Brianna snuggled against him, trailing a finger down his arm. “Ye love me?”
“Aye. But dinnae let it go to yer head. It comes as easy to me as breathing.”
A soft laugh escaped her. “I am never quite sure what ye will say next.”
“How about, do ye love me?”
“It is rather astonishing, but, aye, I love ye.”
“I thought liking me was a bit of a stretch,” he reminded her.
“Loving ye will last longer.”
He placed a kiss on her neck. “Can ye see Jamie from here?”
Brianna nodded.
“Good. Then we will watch him together.”
* * *
Brianna collected the remains of Jamie’s breakfast and handed them to Kirsten. Jamie’s laughter, while not as robust as normal, relieved her as she watched him and Conn toss a rag ball for Tam to chase. She would gladly forgive the chaos in the room to see the lad return to health.
“I know ye need to get back to Morven,” she said to Conn as he flipped the ball to Jamie and joined her on the bench under the window. “’Tis three days past time ye thought to leave and ’twill be a few days more before Jamie is able to travel. Besides, I need a day or two to see to my own packing.”
“Are ye trying to get rid of me?” he teased, pulling her to him as he dropped a kiss on her ear. She turned her face to him, landing the next kiss on her lips.
“Never. But ye have been here far longer than ye planned, and I know there is much to do at Morven.”
Leaving Jamie in Kirsten’s care, she linked an arm through Conn’s. They strolled downstairs and out into the misty sunlight. Fog rolled across the glen, sparkling like diamonds among the autumn leaves. “Morven needs ye. I can follow with Jamie in a few days.”
Conn considered her words, his lips pulled to one side. “I dinnae like leaving ye here.”
“I will miss ye terribly, but ’twill only be a couple of days.”
“I will send an escort for ye from Morven.”
“Och, I believe Auld Willie can handle that. Since we are now free of Malcolm and his ilk, only a small escort is needed. ’Tis not so far to Morven.”
“We never discovered who betrayed ye to the sheriff.” Conn frowned.
“But nothing has happened since Malcolm died,” Brianna pointed out. “Mayhap ’twas Malcolm all along.”
His eyes clouded, still troubled, but he gave her a hug. “Aye. Ye are likely right. He was a very ambitious man. Mayhap he desired this beautiful gem of land as well as Morven.”
“I know this is my home, and I am partial, but it is a verra beautiful place.”
Conn placed his hands on her shoulders and gently turned her to face him. “And this,” he said, nodding emphatically to her, “is the most beautiful thing in it. Ye are precious to me.”
A shiver danced up Brianna’s spine. “We will be fine, Conn. I promise.”
Chapter 30
Brianna waved goodbye to Conn as he mounted his stallion. Auld Willie stood at her side, hands clasped behind his back.
“’Pon my soul,” he vowed. “I will take good care of them.”
Conn favored him an intent look. “I hold ye to yer word.” Accepting another kiss from Brianna, he reined Embarr down the trail at a hard gallop.
“Thank ye, Auld Willie. I have much to do. I will leave the matter of an escort to ye.”
She picked up her skirts and hurried inside, her mind churning with a list of items to pack. Una met her in the hallway, directing two lads with wooden chests hoisted on their shoulders.
“Thank ye, Una. I will need help if I am to be packed to leave in two days.”
“Leave the heavy work to the lads. Ye dinnae need to be lifting these chests in yer condition.”
Startled, Brianna glanced about, but none seemed to have overheard Una’s words. Taking the older woman by the arm, she pulled her aside. “What do ye mean?”
Una pursed her lips. “Dinnae forget I am the one who measured ye for yer wedding gown. And the one who noticed ye havenae had yer courses in more than three months.”
Brianna felt heat flood her cheeks. “Ye dinnae say anything.”
“Nae, lass. What is there to say? Only that ye need to start taking care of yerself.” She shooed Brianna toward the steps. “First, ye must eat properly, and then a nap is in order. Ye need yer strength, and ye have missed too many meals of late.”
Brianna gave Una a quick hug. “Thank ye for taking such good care of me and Jamie all these years.”
Una patted Brianna’s cheek fondly. “Ye are a credit to yer ma, lass. Dinnae let anyone tell ye different.”
* * *
“Wheesht, Jamie!” Brianna muttered crossly. “Ye arenae coming to live at Morven, only visit a few days. Ye cannae take all of this with ye.”
She pointed to the toys Jamie dumped beside the wooden chest. Carved animals, wooden swords, and even a hoop from a barrel lay scattered around. “Ye may take two.”
Jamie hunched his shoulders in
stubborn protest. Brianna gave an exasperated sigh.
“What if ye left something behind at Morven? Or if something was broken during the travel?”
Jamie’s hand clenched around the fragile, carved windmill, and his glance lingered on the wooden hobby horse. “Can I take my horse and a ball?”
Relieved, Brianna nodded permission and Jamie gathered the rest, making several trips to tote them all back to his room.
“I dinnae know the lad had so many toys,” she groused to Una. “He is entirely too spoiled.” She ran her fingers through the contents of the chest. “Put a couple of his shirts in here and an extra pair of trews. Then have a lad carry all this to the cart. I would like them to leave soon so they dinnae have to finish their journey in the dark.”
“Ye will leave in the morning?”
“Aye. Ewan will drive the cart with my things to Morven and let Conn know Jamie and I will be there tomorrow.”
Una touched Brianna’s arm. “Be careful, lass. Ye will take care of yerself and send word about the bairn, aye?”
Brianna felt tears prick her eyes. “I will. I want ye with me when the time comes. Will ye help birth the bairn?”
“Of course I will. Let me know when yer time draws close.”
Jamie galloped into the room, astride the pole of his hobby horse, shouting the Douglas war cry. Tam skittered behind him, adding his barking to the din. Brianna covered her ears as Jamie circled the room once, then darted out the door, Tam’s toenails sliding on the wood floor as he made the turn in Jamie’s wake.
“He certainly is better! But it will take ye, Da, Gavin and Auld Willie to manage him.” She grabbed the box at her feet. “Una, latch this chest while I push down on the lid. If we leave it open, he will try to stuff something else into it.”
Two lads lifted the chest and carried it to the waiting conveyance. It was already loaded with two similar boxes, and Brianna surveyed the lot, mentally tallying their contents to be sure she left nothing behind.
Ewan stepped onto the cart. “We will get this to Morven and let the laird know ye will be there tomorrow. Ye have an escort, aye?”
“Auld Willie is handling the details.” She waved off Ewan’s concern. “’Tis only a few hours’ travel. My uncle’s advice served us well when we fought against the reivers, and his knowledge of the land is unquestionable. I trust him to get us there safely.”
Jamie bounded down the steps and flung himself against the loaded wagon.
“I want to ride with Ewan!” He struggled to find a hold on the wheel. Tam bounded over, placing his front feet on the wheel as he peered into the cart.
“Jamie, ye will ride with me tomorrow,” Brianna reminded him, grasping Tam’s collar and dragging him back.
“Nae! I want to go with Ewan!” His feet found purchase and he hoisted himself onto the seat.
Ewan gave the lad a ferocious scowl and grabbed the collar of his shirt. “Ye will do as yer sister says and be quick about it,” he growled. He nudged him onto the ground. Jamie whirled, meeting Ewan’s scowl with one of his own. The two locked stares, and after a moment, Jamie dropped his gaze. Ewan grunted.
“Now apologize, lad.”
Jamie hung his head. “I am sorry.”
“For?” Ewan prompted him.
“For not doing what ye told me.” He sighed and turned pleading eyes on Brianna. She nodded, biting her lip to keep back a smile at his obvious discomfort. Ewan gave her a quick grin.
“I would watch the lad if I were ye. I heard the brownies in the woods were looking for troublesome lads this night.”
Brianna managed another nod. She didn’t like the idea of threatening the lad with tales of faeries and such, but Ewan evidently struck a chord, for Jamie took a step backward and grabbed her hand, his manner contrite. Tam plopped his furry rump on the ground beside him and licked his free hand.
They waved as Ewan and Duncan left, wooden wheels creaking softly down the road. As they turned toward Morven, Jamie tugged at Brianna.
“Can I sleep with ye tonight?”
Brianna regarded him askance. He shifted from one foot to another.
“Mayhap. But only if ye stay out of trouble.”
Jamie nodded vigorously and darted inside the hall.
* * *
“How much longer ’til we get there? Why are we going so slow? I know my pony can go faster than this. When can I have a big horse like ye?”
Brianna’s head whirled with Jamie’s questions as he rapid-fired them at her in his boisterous way. Not sure which question to answer first, she merely listened as he rattled on, not pausing long enough for her to say a word.
Behind her, Auld Willie and Rabbie sat their horses, lagging behind, she suspicioned, to keep from being part of Jamie’s constant comments, questions and complaints.
She still struggled with Auld Willie’s decision to travel with only himself and Rabbie for an escort. There is no problem between Morven and Wyndham now Malcolm is gone, he’d told her as they prepared to leave. The men are busy preparing stabling for the cattle against reivers, and winter will be here soon. In fact, the cold air sported snowflakes to support his claim. It would have been little effort to call up a few more riders, but Auld Willie had scowled as she started to question his logic, and she wavered between loyalty to her uncle and his seeming lack of concern for their safety.
She glanced at the trees, their partly denuded branches thick overhead. I dinnae like this. We have passed no others on the road, and I am jumpy. ’Twould be better had I insisted on a larger escort. With a mental shrug, she urged her horse to a faster pace. We are more than halfway to Morven. Mayhap I worry for naught.
Auld Willie rode up beside her. “’Tis time for a break,” he announced.
“I need to piss!” Jamie declared.
Brianna reined Maude to a stop and dismounted. Tying her reins loosely so Maude could graze, she watched Rabbie help Jamie with his pony as she stretched the soreness from her back. Auld Willie offered Jamie a sip of water from his leather flask.
He took a long pull and handed it to Brianna. “I want to eat, now.”
“Wheesht, lad. We will be in Morven in a couple of hours.” Auld Willie tossed him an oatcake. “This will get ye by ’til then.”
Brianna glanced about nervously. A prickly sensation traveled up and down her spine. “Come. Let us be away.”
“I wanted to bring Tam,” Jamie groused as Rabbie shoved him onto his pony.
Brianna mounted her horse. “The herdsman wanted time with him. I know ye like him, but he was bred to work cattle. He will be there when ye get home.”
“Conn would have let him come with me.”
“Conn is Laird MacLaurey to ye, lad. And he understands dogs need guidance sometimes just as much as wee lads.”
“Do ye think Conn will let me have a new horse?” Jamie kicked his pony faster to keep up with Maude’s longer stride.
Brianna sighed. “Ye need to ask Da about a new horse, not Conn. Ye arenae Conn’s responsibility.”
“But he likes me. Mayhap he will let me have a new horse.”
Brianna’s eyes met Rabbie’s over Jamie’s head. Jamie launched into a list of virtues for his new horse.
“He will be fast and outrun yer horses, and tall as the trees—as tall as the sky! And I want him to be white as the snow with a black mane and tail.”
“He does pass the time, aye?” Rabbie chuckled as Jamie’s voice droned on.
“Rabbie!” Auld Willie’s voice rapped over Jamie’s babble. “I left one of the bags along the trail where we stopped. Ride back and fetch it for me.”
Rabbie shrugged and reined his horse back down the trail. He quickly disappeared around a bend, his jaunty whistle fading on the breeze. Brianna pulled her arisaid closer against the light swirl of snowflakes and urged Maude to a faster pace.
Jamie bounced beside her, his stout pony trotting to keep up. “Slow down, Anna!”
A sharp, muttered expletive from Auld Willie caused
Brianna to swivel in her saddle. Auld Willie gave her a sheepish look.
“I dinnae mean to say that out loud. I need a short privacy stop. I feel my years these days—cannae go long between privies.” He motioned them on. “I will only be a moment or two.”
Brianna’s unease grew by the minute. Leaving the protection of the two men sent warning bells ringing in her head.
“I want to go back, Anna,” Jamie whined, pulling his pony to a halt.
The need for protection warred with her ability to deal with Jamie’s increasing tiredness. Her own curse stifled beneath her breath, she gave Jamie a bright smile.
“Let us race to the big rock and give Auld Willie a moment to himself.”
With a whooping cry, Jamie leaned low over his pony’s neck and shook his reins. Grabbing the bit, the pony darted forward, ears flat against his skull. Jumping to the pony’s challenge, Maude joined the race. Brianna quickly adjusted her seat and steadied the mare, making sure Jamie won by a short nose.
Jamie plumped back into the saddle, shouting in triumph as he waved his hands in the air. His pony gave a quick buck, and Jamie slipped to the side, landing in the dust of the trail.
“Oh!” he exclaimed in surprise. Brianna slid from Maude’s back and hurried to his side. She laughed at the disgusted look on his face, assured only his pride was injured. She helped him to his feet, brushing away the dirt and leaves clinging to his clothing.
“My pony!” he shouted, pointing after the animal rapidly disappearing down the trail.
“Stay here!” Brianna scrambled after the fat pony. He dodged this way and that, and it took her several moments to finally outsmart the four-legged menace. Not sure whether to laugh or insist on roasting the troublesome pony over a fire, she led him back to the large rock where she’d left Jamie. She glanced around in bewilderment. He was nowhere to be seen.
“Jamie?” she called, turning in a full circle, trying to catch a glimpse of his red-gold hair. “Jamie, if ye think this is a game, I assure ye ’tis not!”
Exasperated, she propped her fists at her waist. “Jamie Douglas. Auld Willie will be here in a moment and we need to get going again.” Fear slid cold fingers down her spine. “Jamie? Where are ye?”
The Highlander's Outlaw Bride Page 20