One & Only

by Kara Griffin

  Bree wanted to discuss this. “What uncertainty do you speak of, Duff? Have I put your clan in too much danger? Mayhap the imposition is more than your laird desires. Does he not wish to honor our bargain? Tell me now, and I’ll return whence I came.”

  “Never that, milady. ‘Tis no imposition to protect you. Grey would never dishonor your bargain. And ye haven’t put us in danger. We have wanted to war with the MacHeths for years. If they come to call, we will entertain them.”

  “I don’t like this at all. What is the uncertainty you speak of?”

  James pitched a rock at the fire he’d started. “The uncertainty is whether he can risk keeping you in fear of losing you.”

  “What kind of cryptic logic is that? I never bargained for him to keep me.”

  “But you’ll want to be kept by our laird, milady. I promise ye.” James grinned at her and all Bree could think of was the sadness she’d seen in Grey’s eyes.

  “What is it that troubles him so?”

  “’Tis not our place to speak of it. Ask our laird, milady. He should be the one who tells it. But if Grey wants to keep ye, best let him have his way.” James closed his eyes and dismissed the conversation.

  Duff settled himself on the other side of James. He pulled his sword loose and set it upon his lap, all the while giving an irritated gaze to Cait.

  Bree never heard such horse-manure in her life. Whatever troubled their laird should have nothing to do with her. And if protecting her caused him grief, then he should have said so. Besides, she wasn’t in the mood to agree with their reasoning. No one was keeping her.

  CHAPTER SIX

  Grey didn’t like to be kept waiting. They weren’t well received at the Ross keep. Grey noticed the clan’s distraction as he rode to the main building. Duff always drew attention, and Grey couldn’t get past the thought that no one paid them any notice. Donal must be raising hell for his clan to be so standoffish.

  As soon as he reached the main building, he helped Bree from the horse and left her with Duff, James, and her maid. He strolled inside and told an attendant to let Donal know he was there. While he waited, he paced the great hall, looking for any sign of anyone.

  It was quiet. His footsteps sounded on the wooden floor. Normally Donal’s hall filled with clan members and his wife and children this time of day.

  Donal came stomping into the room, poured a drink, and downed it.

  “Is that any way to greet your guest?” Grey folded his arms and stood in a relaxed stance, waiting for his notice.

  “Damnation, the woman has done it again!”

  Grey raised an eyebrow, but didn’t comment. He knew better than interrupt one of Donal’s tirades. Donal could go on and on when he was angry about something.

  Donal paced back and forth, muttering under his breath, cursing in Gaelic and in English. He looked infuriated about something, and from the sound of it, it involved his wife. Grey wasn’t about to ask what troubled him.

  “Adeline cannot go hunting whenever she feels like it. For God’s sake, the woman just bore a child two months ago. Have you ever heard of anything so …” Donal came to his senses and looked at him curiously. “Grey, what are you doing here?”

  “Finally noticed me?”

  “I have much on my mind. What brings ye here?”

  “I’m passing through. Duff and my company await outside. Can I bring them in now or do you want to shout a little longer?”

  “Was I shouting?” Grey nodded. “Aye, I’m finished for now until that woman gets home and then I will raise the damned rafters. Go and invite the rest of your party inside. It has been a while since you visited. Doubt ye came for pleasantries. I want to hear about this news of your abducting a MacHeth bride.”

  Grey was about to move in the direction of the entrance when he heard that. He should have known Donal found out about what he’d been up to. The Ross sentry must have spotted them during their travel. If they hadn’t taken rest the night before, they might have reached Donal before he learned about what he’d done. He muttered a curse before turning away.

  “I will explain later, Donal.” He went to get the rest of them to bring them inside. Duff grunted in greeting to Donal, who smirked.

  “Always happy to see ye, Duff. Aye, your cheerful mien is welcome. Who have we here?” Donal stood and waited for the ladies’ introduction.

  One of his hounds came storming into the hall and ran hell-bent at Bree. Grey tried to get to her before the hound knocked her down, but the hound had a head start. Donal’s hound was huge, and when he stood on his back feet, he was a head taller than Bree. She was knocked off her feet and the hound licked her face. All he saw was her arms flailing and then he heard her giggles.

  “Get off her! Oh, I do apologize, my lady, get out,” Donal shouted. “Out or I’ll feed ye to the wolves.” The hound didn’t heed Donal’s threats.

  Bree dug in her seam and brought out a hunk of cheese. “He just wants a nibble. Here you are a nice treat for you.”

  “Nay!” both he and Donal shouted.

  She handed the hound the cheese and he took it gently in his mouth. His tail wagged with such a force, dust wafted from the rushes.

  He and Donal stood watching, mouths open in shock that the hound hadn’t taken her arm with the cheese. The beast wasn’t gentle with anyone. Grey pulled Bree from the floor and she seemed no worse for wear.

  “I do apologize, lady …” Donal looked winded.

  “This is Bree … ah, Bree Champlain and her maid, Cait. They were on their way to—”

  “I know damned well where they were going. Are you hurt? I’m sorry I don’t know what came over him. He’s usually a good hound and doesn’t attack people. Likes his food though and would have taken your hand. Usually attacks when food’s involved.”

  “I am well. He is a very handsome hound and seems content now.”

  “Bree always has that effect on animals,” Cait said.

  They all glanced at the hound, now lying near the hearth, the cheese gone and him satisfied to watch them from afar. The hound’s tail thumped the rushes and his tongue hung to the side.

  “You know news travels fast in the Highlands, Grey. My sentry told me they spotted your party in the wood last eve. Did ye deem I wouldn’t get wind of your carp? Stealing the MacHeth bride was a low-down dirty trick.”

  The Ross warriors were like ghosts and Grey envied their talents. Most of them were seasoned, and the majority of Grey’s clansmen were young and untrained. Though he still had a good amount of men he relied on when needed, he would have more warriors than the Ross’ once they were all trained.

  “Damn, how did you learn of it so fast? We told no one what we were doing.”

  “I saw MacHeth, too. He was on his way to meet a bride who … She was expected days past and when she didn’t show up, they returned home. I should have known you’d get wind of this and take matters into your own hands. There will be retribution, ye know that, Grey?”

  Grey hunched his shoulder. “Seems she took her time and then we were delayed by the slow moving carts. MacHeth must have ridden like hell to get to you so hastily. Aye, stopped to tattle like the priss-arse he is. You should have expected that, Donal. She doesn’t want to marry any MacHeth. Bree, tell him so.”

  “Wait a minute here,” Donal said. “Bree? Are you saying your—”

  “Donal, I could hear you shouting all the way in the woods.” Adeline came into the hall and stopped when she saw them sitting at the table. “Oh, I do apologize. I didn’t know we had company.” She pressed her hands over her garments as if to rectify her appearance. But Adeline looked like a precious flower, always perfect.

  “You would damned well know that if you weren’t hunting,” Donal said grumpily.

  “Donal, we have guests. Save your complaint for later.” Adeline was a breath of fresh air. Her smile lightened the mood. Grey was grateful she’d walked in when she had. Donal would have to wait for explanations.

  Grey stood a
nd made the introductions. “Lady Adeline, this is Bree and her maid, Cait.”

  Adeline smiled. “Welcome to our home. Come, let us get you washed from traveling. You must be exhausted and hungry. Shame on you, Donal, for keeping the ladies from their rest. Surely they would like to wash and take a respite.”

  “Adeline, you’ll explain later,” Donal said firmly. “I mean it.”

  “Mayhap I might. I must see to company now. Stop being surly, Donal. Grey is waiting for your attention. I’m sure he has enough news to keep you busy for hours. I do thank you for that, Grey.”

  Grey would have laughed at the way Lady Ross smiled sweetly at her husband. She certainly knew how to handle Donal. He’d never be so waylaid by a woman as Donal was. While the ladies made their way out of the hall, Donal poured drinks and eyed him suspiciously.

  Duff knew what was coming, the endless questions Donal would throw at Grey. His commander asked to be excused and didn’t wait for acknowledgement before he headed for the door.

  “You know this will cause a war, don’t you?”

  Grey shrugged his shoulder. “Aye. We were bound to war anyway.”

  Donal paced around the table. “You can’t take a clan’s intended without paying for it, Grey. What will you do, take her to wife yourself? ‘Tis glad I am to hear such news. I never thought you would wed since …”

  “Nay, she has asked for my protection, Donal, and bargained her dowry. I could not refuse her request for protection. Ask her yourself. She’ll tell you true that she does not wish to wed a MacHeth.”

  “Damnation! This is a mess. I will speak with the lass and find out the details. You are not out of the woods with me on this issue, Grey.”

  “Question her as ye like. I have nothing to hide.”

  Donal frowned. “I detest the MacHeths as much as you do. I have warned Alexander about their scuffles with his father. I don’t trust they will not try something sneaky to regain the crown for MacWilliams. Why would the MacHeths send for an English woman for bride? It makes no sense. There’s something odd about this. Will ye return her to her family?”

  Grey shook his head. “Hell, nay. The Champlains sent her to the MacHeths. I don’t trust they wouldn’t send her back were she returned to them. Besides, I mean to keep her.”

  Donal laughed, practically spitting out the sip of ale he’d taken. After wiping his chin with his sleeve, he asked, “Does she know that you’re keeping her? Mayhap she doesn’t want to stay with ye.”

  “Nay. I haven’t told her yet … It has been a long time since a woman has … You know how I felt about Albrey when I was young. Bree needs my protection. I failed once, Donal, but I won’t fail this time.” A little emotion snuck into his admission.

  “I will decide on this matter when I have spoken to her and if she agrees to your pursuit, I may agree. The MacHeths don’t deserve such a bonny prize. And she doesn’t deserve to be a kept woman either, Grey. If ye mean to keep her, you will do right by her.”

  “I don’t wish to dishonor her, Donal, but I am not sure I am ready to take such a drastic step.” Grey felt backed against the wall. If Donal thought to threaten him, he’d be wrong. Though Grey respected Donal, he kept his own council and wouldn’t answer to anyone when it came to such personal issues. It was bad enough he answered to Donal when it came to clan responsibilities, concerns that he’d asked his advice on. Regardless, Donal wasn’t one to hold back his opinion on any matter.

  Donal finished his drink and banged his cup on the table. “Claiming, ah the pursuit is well worth it, Grey. My own Adeline gave me a chase, but when I caught her she had no choice but to accept me.”

  Grey grinned to himself. He heard the stories of how Adeline eluded Donal by dressing as a lad amongst his soldiers. And how Donal knew about it and wore her down by training her harder than others. Such stories oft made the rounds in the highlands and Grey never thought he’d have such a tale to tell. Mayhap his luck was changing.

  One of the servants came in and skulked toward them. “What is it?” Donal shouted.

  The woman jumped then looked at her feet. “Lady … Gunn would like her satchel. She’s asked if someone could retrieve it and bring it to the kitchens.”

  “Lady Gunn?” Grey was confused for a moment.

  “By now my clan all believe Bree to be Lady Gunn. Hell, I’m sure your men do too. Let’s get her satchel and then you can tell me any news.”

  Once outside, Donal took Bree’s satchel from him and bid someone passing by to deliver it to his wife. Grey followed Donal to the barracks and saw Garret, his longtime friend. For the next few hours, they discussed clan news and the happenings.

  Returning to the great hall, Grey smelled something delicious wafting through the room. “I’m starved, something smells good. Adeline must be serving a feast.”

  Donal frowned. “Whatever it is, I hope they bring it out soon. I could eat a horse.”

  No sooner had he said that, the servants began bringing in dishes. Following the trays, both Bree and Adeline came in and sat at the table. Cait followed shortly thereafter, bringing another dish, and set it on the table before sitting next to Bree.

  “It was so kind of you, Bree, to want to cook for us. Everything looks delicious. I fear I want to taste all of it.”

  “It is nothing special, Lady Ross. Make sure you use honey on your hams when you roast them on the fire. It is quite tasty.”

  Grey sensed Donal’s seething look at his wife. Adeline avoided her husband since she’d entered the room, but now gave him a sweet smile.

  “Donal, you could set fire with that glare. Let us enjoy this fine meal Bree prepared and we shall discuss what has you cross later. The children ate and are being bathed. We shall have the entire night to … discuss it.”

  “Bree cooked this meal?” Grey asked.

  “Aye, Grey, she did. Donal, she’s amazing in a kitchen. I’m sure cook will appreciate the herbs you left and the information. Why, he’s singing gaily into his pots.”

  “Lady Bree, thank you for your kindness,” Donal said.

  “Cut the chivalry cosh, Donal.” He gave a look, letting him know that he didn’t appreciate the pleasantries he dished out. “I don’t need to be compared to you when …” Grey groaned, for he wasn’t as poetic with words as Donal was.

  Donal laughed. “That you don’t.”

  Every speck of food was eaten by the time the meal ended. Grey had never tasted food so well made. He’d beg Bree to teach Anna how to cook when they reached home. Lord knows that lass could use some help in kitchen. It was about time he’d had a decent meal.

  “Adeline, you will now hear my objections,” Donal said to his wife. To Grey he said, “Make yourself at home. There’s two empty chambers at the end of the hall upstairs. Duff said he was staying in the barracks, Grey, so ye shall have a chamber to yourself.” Donal’s raised eyebrow gave testament that he didn’t believe for one minute Grey would spend the night alone. “We shall speak on the morrow of Bree’s marriage to a MacHeth.”

  Donal and Adeline left the hall, arm in arm. Grey knew their argument wouldn’t last long, not with the look in their eyes. A few of the servants remained, clearing away the supper dishes. It was too early to go to bed, and Grey felt restless.

  “Would you like to take a walk, Bree?”

  She bid her maid to await her in the upstairs room and then stood. Grey opened the door for her and waited for her to move past him.

  “What did Laird Ross mean about my marriage to a MacHeth?”

  Grey guided her along the path. “He means to ask if you will refute your marriage.”

  “I do refute it. You won’t let him make me marry a MacHeth, will you?”

  “Nay, I won’t. Donal wants to hear your denial for himself.” He smiled, knowing she would press him to finish their conversation. There was just one thing, he didn’t want to discuss it. Once he started with the explanations, she’d be upset. The last thing he wanted was to do was cause her pain by reminding h
er of the betrothal.

  “It’s too fine a night to discuss the past. Let’s just enjoy the present.” Grey took her hand and walked toward the wall. The hot night caused everyone outside, most slept beneath the trees and some by the stream near Donal’s keep.

  Grey led her to a densely wooded area on the opposite side of the stream and found large boulder to sit upon. He motioned for her to sit and then joined her. Content to be near her, Grey didn’t want to start a conversation. He’d imagined so many times this image—he and his woman sitting together on a quiet evening, enjoying being with one another.

  “You make me nervous.”

  “I do, lass? Why?”

  Bree folded her hands in her lap and smiled. “You are very tall, and well … handsome. Have you married, Laird Gunn? Do you have children? A family?”

  “Grey, lass, and no, I’m not married yet.”

  “Have you ever wanted to marry?”

  “Not for a long time.” That was about as much as he would admit, but he then let out more. Grey took her hand and tried not to look so severe. “There was a lass I was betrothed to, and I loved her with all my heart.”

  “What happened? Why did you not marry her? Did she die?”

  Grey felt old emotions coming upon him. “I can’t … I don’t want to talk about it. Tell me of yourself. I want to know all, go back as far as you can.”

  Bree pulled her hand from his. “I was taken when I was a child to the Champlains, banished by my family. I only remember seeing my lady’s face and then being taken to the kitchens for a bath. Cait was there. She took care of me. I grew up well cared for.”

  “Banished? Why do you deem you were banished?”

  Bree kept her gaze on her hands. “My family didn’t want me and I had heard I was taken to Baron Thomas who was bid to care for me.”

  “You don’t remember who took you there?” Grey couldn’t fathom what he was hearing. If what she said was true, it could be possible that she was his missing lass. The coincidence of her childhood was far too similar to his lass’, but he couldn’t hope.