One & Only

by Kara Griffin

  She wished she could recall memories of her childhood. The past might be vital in knowing who to trust and who not to. There didn’t seem to be a way to appease the MacHeth laird. He expected a bride for someone within his clan.

  A noise sounded like a shout outside the tent. Then she heard the sound of metal clanking and men’s voices. Bree scrambled to her feet when the tent flew away. There wasn’t a bit of wind to whip it away. She didn’t scream, but stood shocked. Her bare feet were as still as if she sunk in a deep bog. Towering around her were four very tall, very strong looking warriors. Their glares were enough to frighten her to death.

  “Gracious, Mary! They are huge,” she muttered to herself. “Oh saints be praised, this was not a fair idea. Nay, nay, this was a mistake. Oh, God. God, pray this is a dream.”

  Bree had forgotten she’d removed her overdress and stood sparsely clad in her shift. She was so shocked by the sight of the men she hadn’t bothered to cover herself. If she only realized the image she presented to the warriors, she might have screamed then and ran to hide in the nearby woods.

  None of the men spoke to her or to the guard. The commander and his men threw their swords in a pile near the fire. Fat lot of good they were. They should be protecting her, not giving up before the fighting even began. What cowards.

  She noticed Cait hunched beside a tree, trying to hide. Bree didn’t know what to do. Usually Cait was the brave one, at least she that’s what she had everyone believing. All those in the group seemed incapable of finding out what the warriors wanted. It was up to her. Somewhere from deep within her, she drew up the courage to speak to them.

  “Good eve, sirs. Please do not harm us. We are only traveling through. We do have food to offer.” She glanced at the pot and saw it was empty. “Oh, God above. I am sorry but the pottage is gone. I would be pleased to make more if you are hungry.”

  The warriors looked aghast at the suggestion. Either that there was no more pottage or she’d offered to make more. She wasn’t sure what she’d said to offend them. Mayhap they didn’t speak English and so she questioned them in God’s language.

  It was a good thing she’d paid attention during mass. In doing so, she’d learned the Latin spoken by the clergy and some of the elders who still used the language. They didn’t respond to the words when she asked them what they wanted.

  The men didn’t seem inclined to speak to her. Bree turned to her right to look at Bennett, but he looked more fearful than she. His eyes widened with panic and his silver hair stuck out as if he’d seen a ghost. They were definitely cowards. But she supposed if she was faced with going against these men, she’d give up her sword too.

  “Pray tell me what you want,” she said again, now more direct and demanding.

  Another warrior came through the trees, and beyond him, another followed. The taller man approached and had that ‘I’m in charge’ look by the way he sauntered toward them. Bree stepped backward, becoming alarmed. They certainly looked intimidating, brawny, and lanky.

  “What do they feed you? You’re all as tall as the pines.” she said aloud, absently remarking on their height.

  Though she was scared before, she was now terrified. The taller man had long dark hair, making him appear ruthless. His muscles looked hard and his chest wide—very formidable. Never had she seen a man so well made nor so handsome. Yet his size scared her.

  She took her time looking at his face, taking notice of his dark eyebrows above the steely cold gray eyes—eyes that pierced her with his gaze. He kept them on her making her self-conscious, Bree wanted to disappear. He was the strongest looking warrior she’d ever seen. Her legs started shaking and coldness swept over her skin. Certain her trembling was from the ominous warriors standing before her, she folded her arms around waist to ward off the sudden chill. She looked down at her feet and realized she still stood and hadn’t fainted dead away. Could she be brave enough to pose her question to him?

  “Please tell me what you want.”

  “You.”

  His voice, deep with timber, sent another chill through her. Bree tilted her head to side, silently questioning the tall warrior. Surely, she hadn’t heard him correctly. No doubt about it, she had to be imagining this awful turn of events. “Me?”

  “Aye, milady, we want you,” one of the darker-haired warriors said.

  “We certainly do want you,” said another.

  “We want none other,” a light-haired warrior said.

  “So you have come for me?” Bree glanced at Cait and nodded to her, telling her silently that it was all right. These men were sent to fetch her and not a band of outlaws out for their blood. Their words affected her and for some reason, she wanted to weep at the thought of them all wanting her. Never had anyone placed her in such high regard.

  “Milady, you need to cover up. Here, take my plaid.” One of the warriors stepped near and offered a covering to her.

  “Thank you.” Bree wasn’t sure why she was thanking him or why she was being so cordial. As if they were expected to exchange pleasantries, she almost laughed out loud at that thought.

  “I am happy to be of service, milady.”

  The others gave him a cross look.

  The tallest warrior stepped forward, closing the space between them. His scent smelled marvelous, akin to outdoors and heather. He reached out and took hold of the covering. “You show too much skin, lass. Cover up.” He pulled the covering around her and bid her to take hold of the ends. She took a step back because his nearness overwhelmed her. To his men he said, “Ye will avert your eyes and take no notice.”

  His men didn’t care for his words, she suspected, when they continued to ogle her and grinned. Their strange stares didn’t give a clue until she realized what they looked at.

  “Oh, I … forgot I readied for bed. I do apologize. Wait, I shan’t apologize. You rend the tent from above me and frightened me. It is you who should be apologizing.” She realized why they stared at her, she was practically naked. Did she just reprimand them? A tremble overcame her again, and she wasn’t sure if it was because of the way they looked at her or because she hardly had any garments on.

  “We didn’t mean to frighten ye, milady,” one of the warriors said.

  “Your guard can leave, but not with their weapons,” this came from the tallest warrior, who spoke as if he wasn’t to be questioned.

  The baron’s guard hesitantly stepped back. Only the commander had the courage to question the warriors. “You have come for the bride?”

  All the warriors nodded except the tallest one. Appeased that she was handed over to the MacHeths, the commander retreated and left with his men. They left her there and ran out of sight as swift as the wind blew, if the wind was blowing, without a farewell.

  “Aye, the bride,” a light-haired warrior said with a smile.

  “Why did you tell him that? Are you the MacHeths? Oh, God please say you are not the MacHeths.” Bree’s heart tensed in realization they could very well be the clan she tried to avoid. If they were the MacHeths, she was done in now, admitting that.

  If what Cait said was true, the MacHeths were not to be trusted. The laird only wanted her to start a war. Bree wasn’t sure she should trust the Gunns either, but of the two she’d rather test her fate with the latter. She couldn’t raise her eyes to look at them for fear they were nodding their heads.

  “Nay, we’re not the shanty MacHeths, milady. We’re the Gunns,” this came from the other light-haired warrior.

  When she heard the warrior speak, she blew a sigh of relief. “Thank God for that. I have no desire to be amongst the MacHeths.”

  Each and every one of the guard knelt before her. Their swords pointed upward and they each placed a hand over their hearts. They began chanting something in an unknown language. Bree had a sudden urge to laugh. What strange fellows they were. She had no idea why they felt the need to kneel in front of her and so she smiled at their peculiar behavior.

  “My men give you a great hono
r. They have sworn to protect you for the rest of their lives.”

  Bree was astounded. “Why ever would they do that?”

  “You show dislike for our enemy. ‘Tis honorable of you. You may rise,” the tallest warrior said to the guard. The men stood and continued to grin at her.

  “Why would my dislike honor them?” They were a confusing lot of men. Bree looked at each of them and felt somewhat comforted by their presence.

  The tall warrior frowned. “Because ye don’t want to wed the MacHeth.”

  Upon saying the MacHeth name, the warriors all spat on the ground and mumbled blasphemous words. She was beginning to like the Gunn soldiers.

  “You must be Laird Gunn.” Bree curtsied, as was his due. How she knew him to be the laird, she didn’t know. He had that look of commander about him and certainly was their leader.

  He neither smiled nor frowned. “Aye, Laird Gunn.”

  “I would like to bargain with you, if you have a mind.”

  His left eyebrow rose. “Bargain?”

  “Aye, I do not wish to go to the MacHeth laird and to wed his choice.”

  A light-haired warrior stepped forward. “Are ye not the laird’s intended?”

  “Nay, I was to wed one of his followers. Does that matter?” Bree began to panic, and her heart tensed. If they only came for her because they thought she was to wed the laird, then she was done for.

  All of the men shook their heads. “Any MacHeth as a husband would bode ill, milady,” a light-haired warrior said.

  “If you give me safety and protection, I shall reward you with my treasure. The trunks are filled with salt and herbs. I assure you it is of good quality. I had heard salt is of value to you. Will you accept my bargain, Laird Gunn?” She waited for his answer, and he gave a slight nod. She’d been on a fool’s errand, because they certainly didn’t need to consent to her bargain. They could have taken her treasure without force and left her to fend with the MacHeths on her own. The laird’s agreement relieved her though.

  “You will ready to leave,” the tall warrior said, before turning away from her.

  Her heart started beating ferociously. “Wait.” She didn’t know why his leaving disheartened her. Panic set in for a few seconds until he turned back to her. Bree was relieved when he stepped closer. For some reason the warrior calmed her. It was an anomalous feeling, because someone like him didn’t seem the kind to calm anyone.

  If she was of sound mind, she’d be groveling at his feet begging him not to hurt her. But she relaxed and smiled, not knowing what to say. “Laird Gunn, will you introduce me to your men before we leave?”

  “Step forward and present yourself,” he said, stepping back to allow his men room. The men scrambled forward, knocking each other in their haste to stand before her.

  “I’m Duff, milady. Your laird’s commander-in-arms.” He bowed. “At your service.”

  Bree curtsied to him and noticed he kept his frown in place. He seemed a dubious nature, similar to the laird.

  Two men stepped forward, both smiling. One had light hair, the other dark. “I’m Kenneth and this be James. We’re your laird’s guard.”

  She smiled back. They certainly seemed of a more pleasant nature than Duff and the laird.

  Two more men stepped forward, “Colm, milady, and this is Sean,” a dark haired man said. They both bowed.

  “It is a pleasure to meet you all. I am Bree this is my friend, Cait. Cait, all is well, you can come out now. Cait is my dearest friend and lady’s maid.”

  The men looked at Cait and she smiled back at them. Bree knew Cait was quite interested in a few of the men by the dreamy look in her eyes. The warriors certainly were fearsome, but they were extremely handsome. She couldn’t fault Cait if she had an eye for any one of them.

  “By my faith, Cait, will you please behave?” She almost laughed when her friend stepped beside her with the widest smile.

  The laird moved closer and had a ferocious frown on his face. He’d been quiet up until now and she wasn’t sure why he scowled like a privy monster. Aye, his brows knotted together, giving her an astonished glare.

  “My lord is Baron Thomas Champlain of Falstone. I’m from the border region. He has made a pact with Laird MacHeth and I fear …”

  “Ye have nothing to fear now, milady,” James said.

  That didn’t seem to please the laird and he gave the man a glare. James stepped back in line with the other warriors. They were content to gaze at her. Bree felt small standing near them. The warriors rose like mighty oaks while she appeared more like a sapling ready to be uprooted by a stiff wind. She was sure they would stand firm against any wind.

  Duff gazed sheepishly, his frown firmly placed. “Laird, doesn’t she remind ye of someone?”

  The laird took his time assessing her. Bree felt as though she stood with no garments on for all he looked. His eyes went from her head, lower to her shoulders and then to her breasts where they remained for more seconds than was decent.

  Bree blushed when he kept his gaze fixated for a few more seconds before he looked lower to her hips and then legs.

  When he finally moved his eyes to hers again, he said, “Mayhap she does look a wee bit like her, but it couldn’t be.”

  “Like who?” Bree asked, wondering why they discussed her as if she wasn’t there.

  The grumpy warrior, Duff, stepped closer to her before answering. “Ye look like a lass we knew years ago.”

  “What happened to her?” Bree watched the laird closely.

  “She’s gone. Tell me, who is your father? What house do ye hail from?” the laird asked.

  “Baron Thomas and my mother is Lady Millicent. We live near the border on the English side, at Champlain house.”

  The laird frowned and tested the reins of his horse. “Aye, Falstone, ye said. Why would your father wed ye to a MacHeth? Has he business with him?”

  “I know not. I have misgivings about the laird and his followers. I wish not to wed.” Bree wanted to ask them questions too, but the men ignored her. She decided it was best to reveal as little knowledge as she could. Before she knew it, they were ready to depart.

  She quickly donned her overdress and threw her covers in her satchel. She hadn’t even had time to put her shoes on when the laird called her. Bree stumbled forward, trying to slip her feet into her shoes. She wasn’t sure if she was in a better situation with these men. But they did seem agreeable considering they hadn’t harmed her. They would definitely be able to protect her.

  “Laird Gunn, may I ask where we are going? Do you have a holding?”

  He stopped next to his horse and gave a whistle to his men. “Aye, we have lands north of here. Not too far. We have to make a stop first.”

  “I thank you for your protection, Laird Gunn. I was fearsome of the MacHeths.”

  Grey stepped closer to her and took her chin in his hand, raising her face to look at him. Warmth from his hands should have heated her, but instead she got a chill that ran cold through her spine. His gray eyes seemed sincere as he bore into her eyes. Bree wasn’t sure why she felt saddened by his powerful gaze or what he meant by it. Was he trying to intimate her or appease her fear?

  “Why would ye be afeared of the MacHeths? What know ye of them?”

  “I confess I don’t know much. Their laird is a scullion.” She heard several grunts of agreement come from his men. “I should apologize for my blasphemy, but I shan’t. I don’t trust Laird MacHeth and I don’t want to marry anyone from his clan.”

  “The lass has God-given sense,” Duff said, as he came to stand next to her. “We won’t let the MacHeths near ye, milady. Never fear.”

  “I shall not fear now, Duff. I thank you for your protection.”

  “Let us ride. We need to reach Donal’s on the morrow.” Grey helped Bree atop her horse and motioned for his men to move.

  The night grew dark, but the warriors didn’t seem to care about the obscurity. “Do you deem to ride through the night, Laird Gunn?�
� Bree wasn’t sure if she or Cait could handle sitting atop a horse for such a long time considering how much they’d traveled that day.

  “Nay, only until we’re away from here. We shall get some rest before the night ends.”

  “Thank you, Laird. I shall like to rest a bit.” Before Bree knew what he was about, his arm circled her waist and he pulled her off her horse, onto his lap. “What do think you’re doing …?”

  “You can rest all you like.”

  “This is most indecent. I shouldn’t be sitting … Pray, put me back on my horse. I do not need your assistance. Truly, Laird Gunn, I can sit a horse.” Bree felt his arms tighten around her waist. The movement caused her to jostle a little. She gripped his forearm, feeling the strength of his hold. “Please don’t let me fall.”

  “Never. Hold me tight.”

  His words spoken by her ear tickled and his warm breath heated her skin. She did as he asked and placed her arms around his waist. Hugging him intimately, Bree blushed at the thought of where her hands touched. His hard body comforted her.

  In such an awkward position, she set her face against his chest and closed her eyes. She focused on the sound of his heartbeat and his movement from the horse’s stride. Bree smiled, feeling happy she did not have to contend with the MacHeths. She drifted off into the sweetest dream.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  Grey was living a nightmare. The woman in his arms was beyond beautiful and all he could think of was her soft body resting against his. Sensual images kept intruding and he couldn’t get the vision of their bodies joining out of his mind. It wasn’t like him to hold such dishonorable thoughts about a lady, but this woman affected him.

  Aye, she was sweet and she did need protection. Yet there was something about her which called forth every ounce of chivalry he possessed. On the other hand, chivalry be damned. He liked the way she held him and he wanted to move his hands to a more immodest part of her body.