One & Only

by Kara Griffin

  “You received the news? Aye, I’m to be wed. I fear of what’s to come, Cait. I don’t even know whom I to marry, never even met him. What if he is a toad?”

  Cait laughed snidely. “Ere he a toad, ye could crush ‘em with your foot. I did hear the news, Bree, and am pleased to be leaving with ye. Baron Thomas said he didn’t want you to be alone. He is a good man to send me along with you.”

  “I never feel alone when I’m with you.”

  “Do you not remember how fearful you were when ye first came?”

  “I do,” Bree said with a weak smile.

  Her friend sat next to her, setting an arm around her shoulder. “You were so little. I had to coax you to come to me. Ye were a frightened thing. The men who brought you to us were quite fearsome. Baron Thomas bade me to take you to their private chamber and to stay there until they left. I did what he said and ordered a bath for you and instead took you to the kitchens.”

  “Aye, I do remember that. You have always been kind to me.”

  “I stayed with ye and then Lady Millie came … I didn’t understand, Bree. I wasn’t aware of why ye came to us. I overheard the baron telling Lady Millie about it a few minutes ago. He made a pact with those men to keep you here until they came for you. Laird MacHeth entrusted your care to him and Baron Thomas said ye would assist in unseating their king. For what reward I know not, but the baron would not do so without some form of payment. Likely for protection since they are so close to the border.”

  Bree didn’t recall the name of MacHeth nor of the events Cait spoke of. “I overheard my lord speaking to the Scots messengers. What you say is true. It matters not now.”

  “Nay, I suppose it does not.”

  “Am I related to this MacHeth? Do ye deem they cared for me?”

  “Whether you are related or not, remember they sent ye away, Bree. Still, this man is not honorable. I would be wary. Baron Thomas said the MacHeth clan had an uprising and the old laird was killed. If this MacHeth was the man who sent you here, I worry why he now wants you returned. I wonder what this marriage brings him and why he would need ye to revolt against his king.”

  Her tone implied she should be afraid, and the more her friend revealed, the more fearsome she became. For as long as Bree could remember, Cait had listened to her worries. She always gave sound advice too. Though she was a few marks older than she, Cait had the wisdom beyond her age. If anyone knew about matters of love and men, Cait certainly did. She was promiscuous and often they shared a laugh at some of the situations Cait found herself. But she was intelligent on many matters too and Bree cherished her guidance.

  A knock sounded at the door and she bid entry.

  “That will be your bath. I asked them to bring it here instead of the kitchens so we can talk privately,” Cait said. “We have much to discuss.”

  A few men brought a small tub. Behind them, several more men came and poured steaming water into the basin. Rhys waited outside her chamber and then entered when all the men had left. As tall as the doorway, he leaned against the frame and stared at her, unmoving.

  “Rhys, pray, what has your tongue?” Bree had never seen him looking so severe. “I shall miss you more than anyone when I leave.” A sudden sadness came to her. For she’d always thought she would wed Rhys and become his wife, bear his children, and cook for him. Childhood dreams would never come to be.

  “And I you, Bree. Wish I could find a way to keep you here.”

  Bree glanced at Cait who turned to look out the window. An uncomfortable mien came over them. “I wish that were so, too, Rhys.”

  “Before you leave, I must tell ye, Bree … I have always loved ye. I would have wed you when I finished my apprenticeship. Now you are lost to me.” Rhys pulled her into his arms and kissed her. He kissed her long and passionately.

  Bree had never been kissed so ardently before and if she thought the girlish kiss she’d given him earlier at the lake compared, she was positively mistaken. His lips weren’t unyielding now. They were soft and giving. The strangest thing happened; he stuck his tongue in her mouth and moved it around hers. She’d always dreamed of being kissed so fervently. Bree waited to see what he’d do next, but he ended the kiss too soon.

  When Rhys pulled back, he looked into her eyes and nodded. “Take care, fair, Bree.”

  She stood dumbstruck by his kiss and before she could say a word to him, he left. Gazing at the door, Bree couldn’t seem to make her feet move.

  “Bree, come, let us get ye bathed and we can continue our discussion.”

  With a shake of her head, she came out of her reverie. Bree undressed and sank into the warmth of the water. She moaned when her sore muscles gave a slight throb. Woe came upon her and she couldn’t hold back her sobs. “Now he tells me he loves me.”

  “Ah, my poor girl. Ye will never forget your first love. You do know that your father would never have allowed ye to marry Rhys? Barron Thomas would have considered him far beneath your station, Bree.”

  “Mayhap, still I am fond of Rhys and shall miss him. I am worried, Cait. What if I do not find this man I am to wed to my liking?”

  “Everything will be well. I have been considering this matter and have thought of a way you can escape this marriage. That laird is vile and you cannot marry his choice of men. Lord knows who he’s marrying ye to. I heard the baron say the MacHeth claimed to be family when he brought you.”

  “Why would MacHeth return for me? If I am important to him, why would they have brought me here?”

  “Who knows why, Bree? Whoever you are, the MacHeth Laird needs ye. We were told by the baron to treat ye as if you were the king’s daughter when ye arrived. He said you were a special girl and should be loved by all. We all thought ye adorable and the baron was fond of ye. He didn’t reveal much to his wife about you or why ye came at the time. But MacHeth aims to start a war and with you in the midst of it. I know not if he is your family for true. He is likely lying.”

  “I don’t remember my family, Cait, or the MacHeth. All I can discern is they didn’t want me. I always thought I had shamed them and they had banished me.” The thought of war turned her stomach, but what her family had done caused much more dissension.

  “You could never shame anyone, Bree, especially at such a tender age. You couldn’t have been more than four or five years when you came.”

  Bree saddened by all the talk and sunk lower in the tub. “I wish I remembered more, but I was young. I fear I was disheartened, Cait, and longed to forget.”

  “My poor sweeten. There is a way to thwart this MacHeth. I have it on good authority the Gunns hate the MacHeths and they would smite them any way they could.”

  “What has that to do with me? My father knows he’s sending me to these people, and I must accept he wouldn’t put me in harm’s way.” Once again she’d be sent away. Bree wasn’t sure she could make her way as easily as she had when she came to stay with the Champlains. Being little, she just followed the rules and never spoke out of turn. Surely, that helped to win them over and kept her secure.

  “You are in danger, Bree.”

  “Wish I could just stay here where I am safe. Verily at least I am loved here.”

  Cait scoffed. “Loved? Aye, for your cooking not much else. You are nothing but a kitchen maid to the Champlain’s. All ye do is slave for them, Bree, morn, noon, and eve. You should find your place, a place where you can be happy and loved as ye should be.”

  “But I am happy here. I get to cook in the kitchens and no one bothers me.”

  “I know you enjoy cooking, Bree, but there is more to existing than cooking all day.”

  Bree felt the sting of Cait’s words for she spoke the truth. “I suppose I should go.”

  “Aye, ye must, but not to MacHeth. My cousin is a Gunn. We can ask the Gunns save you.”

  “I cannot risk others. Why would the Gunns care if I were to wed a MacHeth?”

  “Because stealing a MacHeth’s intended would be most insulting.” Cait smile
d smugly, as if she knew secrets Bree wasn’t privy to.

  Bree shook her head at the absurdity. “’Tis a dangerous a game, Cait. The Gunns might be worse than the MacHeths. I don’t want to borrow trouble.”

  “Trouble finds you whether you borrow it or not, Bree. Now, I have it on good authority the Gunns are a respected clan and are god-fearing. They take care of their own.”

  “I do want to know what happened to me, Cait. I should go to the MacHeth’s and find out. I should face what is to come and not be cowardly.” She splashed water on her shoulders and sunk lower in the tub to rinse her hair, swishing her lochs in the water. When she rose from the water, Cait reached for a cloth.

  “That’s not a fair idea. Those men who came … had evil about them. I say we contact the Gunns and ask them for protection.”

  “What makes you think they’ll give me protection?”

  Cait gave her a ‘don’t-I-know-everything’ look. “They’ll give it. If ye had something of value to offer … You could bargain payment for the employment of their protection.”

  Bree rose from the tub and Cait wrapped a cover around her. “I have nothing of value, Cait, to bargain for their employ.” Now chilled from the cool air hitting her wet skin, Bree pulled the cover tightly around her. Clean now and smelling of lilac soap, she felt somewhat better, if not cooler.

  “If you ask Baron Thomas, I’m sure he will send you off with a dowry of sorts.”

  “He’s wealthy and probably would give me something to appease the laird. Do you deem he would? I know not what to ask for.”

  “You have been akin to a dutiful daughter since the day you arrived. Baron Thomas adores you for keeping his wife appeased. Of course he will give you a gift. The only thing that would sway the Gunns is salt.” Cait circled her. “Aye, that’s what you should request. Say it shall be a gift to your husband. Barron Thomas cannot refuse your request.”

  “Why would they want salt?” Confounded by their conversation, Bree scowled.

  “The Highlanders don’t have need for gold or other possessions. They’re a simple people with little needs. But salt would help cure their meat and be of great value.”

  “I could bring many of my herbs and spices too. The baron always brings me plenty when he returns from Londontown and the markets.”

  “That would appease the Gunns. I’ll send word to Gordy this day. We will give them a location to meet us, but will be discreet about wanting them to come for you. We’ll just dangle the prize so to speak.” Cait nodded as if she were to be that prize.

  “Hah, I’m certainly no prize, Cait. What about the soldiers? You must know I’ll be escorted. They won’t let me leave unattended with the Gunns.”

  Cait laughed and took the towel from her, and began drying her hair. “They’ll believe the men who come for you are the MacHeths. We’ll just have to be deceitful.”

  “I don’t deem hiding amongst the Gunns will keep the MacHeths away.”

  Cait dropped the towel and set an around her. “Who said anything about hiding?”

  CHAPTER THREE

  In plain sight, Grey Gunn stood at the base of the rise.

  He wanted his men to see him observing the training. Their valiant effort could be seen from the distance in which he stood, too. There was much to accomplish before the mist absconded to the flat field. The young warriors had a plethora to learn before he’d take them to battle. Duff, his commander-in-arms, and his closest friend, trained the lads for hours this day. Though Duff didn’t have the patience which Greer possessed, he hadn’t lost his fortitude yet. Greer, his third in command, and the most effective with a bow, never shouted at the lads. Duff could learn a lesson from Greer in that regard.

  The day went to hell and hound when the sky darkened and thick clouds rolled in. Soon heavy rain would fall, clearing the field of its mist, but also making it impossible to continue the training session. Winds began whipping off the sea, sending a salty taste in the air. There wasn’t much time, and still they had to go through all the defensive movements. The young warriors had yet to improve in that matter. Nevertheless, they certainly boasted when it came to offensive tactics.

  Grey knew they’d only mimicked the more practiced warriors. Mayhap he should let them train together and have his experienced warriors give the lads a taste of humility. That would take away their overconfidence. Arrogance was unimpressive when the young warriors couldn’t back it up with defense on the battlefield. They had much to learn and yet he couldn’t be prouder of them. Soon his men would all be seasoned and then he would have no worry of warring with other clans.

  When Duff had enough and frustration finally wore him down, he left the field and turned the lads over to Greer’s capable hands. He stomped from the field and stood next to him. His scowl attested he’d indeed lost his patience. “Shall we call it a day, Laird?”

  “Aye, they’ve been at it since early this morning and put through the basics. The sky is about to open. There’ll be a brisk wind this night.”

  “A wee brisk wind would be welcome after this day.” Duff whistled a shrill sound, calling a halt to the exercises and at once the young warriors stopped their lessons and trotted toward the incline.

  As Gordy, one of his warriors in training passed by, Duff grabbed hold of the young lad’s tunic. The lad grew to a manly height, but he didn’t have the muscles of a warrior yet. His arms were a bit scrawny, definitely not strong enough to hold a worthwhile sword. Gordy shook his light brown mane of hair and his eyes bulged with a look of fright.

  “Where are ye off to? I told you I wanted to speak to you about your absence. You were gone for days. Ye have some explaining to do.”

  The lad could barely get the words out, “I … I asked … James gave me permission to visit my cousin. It was of import and … He said not to bother ye or our laird.”

  Duff cuffed him on the side of the head. “Your laird is standing right there, lad. Have some respect.”

  Gordy nodded, bowed, and then lowered his gaze to his feet.

  James and the rest of his guard sauntered toward them and joined the circle, each smiling and seemingly interested in what was happening. Duff drew their interest when his voice rose.

  “James,” Duff called, “did ye give this clootie a pass to visit relatives?”

  James laughed at Duff’s insult and stepped between he and Gordy. Grey thought James might be trying to protect the lad from Duff’s anger.

  “Aye, a messenger came and said he had important news for the lad. I allowed him to go. You and Grey went hunting and I didn’t think you’d care.”

  Grey nodded. “All’s well then.”

  “I’ll just take my leave.” Gordy turned but before he could step away, Grey called him back.

  Duff smiled, a rarity, still the corners of his mouth gave a slight twitch. “Where are your manners, Gordy? Ye don’t walk away from your laird without permission. He hasn’t given it yet.”

  “I … I apologize, Laird. May I be excused now?”

  “Not yet,” Duff said, blowing a frustrated sigh. “Your laird wants to know what this news is and of what import is it?”

  Grey raised a brow at Duff’s baiting the lad. “I can speak for myself, Duff.” He shoved his long-time friend in the chest and moved closer to Gordy, somewhat protecting him from his overbearing commander. “What is the important news, Gordy?”

  Gordy swallowed hard, which went observed by all the guardsmen standing around him. They pressed in; all waiting to hear what he would say. Gordy became nervous and tried to back up a step, but Colm was behind him and shoved him forward. The lad bumped into Kenneth who shoved him in return.

  “You’ll look at me when I address you, lad, not at your feet.” Grey had enough fooling around. There were clan matters to see to and he didn’t have time to waste standing around baiting a lad, even if it entertained his guards.

  His brutish guard reveled in scaring the younger lads, and hell if he wasn’t stronger and meaner than each one
of them, he might have been intimidated too. They could be formidable even when it hadn’t called for it. Gordy surprised him for the simple fact that he stood his ground.

  “Laird, I’m not sure ye want to hear the news.”

  “Let me be the judge of that.”

  The lad impressed him when he looked him in the eyes and said, “My cousin told me that the MacHeth Laird sent for a bride.”

  His guardsmen immediately spat on the ground. Just hearing the name of MacHeth caused their ill-mannered disrespect. Well-deserving disrespect too, in Grey’s opinion. He didn’t know what to make of this news.

  Duff took a step forward, essentially cutting off any chance of the lad’s escape. “That is news. Who is the poor lass he’s to marry? She’s probably one of the Dunmore lassies.” The Dunmore clan wasn’t greatly respected, yet they were neighbors of sorts.

  Gordy’s face turned red and he appeared chagrined by their questioning. The MacHeths were the most hated clan by the Gunns and the lad looked to be holding something back. Grey motioned for him to speak by waving his hand, beckoning him to be forthcoming.

  “I was told the lass is from the border area. She is traveling to MacHeth land even now. My cousin told me she carries great wealth.”

  Greer hooted with laughter. “You hear that? The lass has great wealth. She is what is of value, lad. But Laird, you won’t let that son-of-a-whoremonger have the wealth will ye?”

  “What say you, Laird?” Duff asked, raising an inquisitive brow.

  “To what?” Grey knew exactly what Duff was asking. He couldn’t let any poor lass end up with the dastardly MacHeth. She’d be going to the son of the devil who preyed on the young and innocent.

  His guard stared at him, waiting with expectation for him to continue. Grey took his time assessing their faces. Duff always wanted to do something daring and was ready for the challenge. Greer and Kenneth, brothers, always wore the same face. They smiled no matter what the situation and relished a good fight or a good woman. James, Sean, and Colm frowned, a testament they didn’t like hearing of any lass in danger. Hell, half the women in the clan chased after the men. They were always available to any lass in distress or not. His guard patiently waited for him to come to a conclusion.