by Kara Griffin
Bree felt the breath leave her. The way Grey handled the man scared her. As if she were suffocating, she had to get some air before she fell to floor and made a spectacle of herself. She made an excuse to Cait, set Sunny on her lap, and fled out the back entrance. Without a thought as to where she was going, she walked toward the kitchens.
Kitchens always soothed her and she could relax when a pot was nearby. Usually she’d stir whatever was cooking and the motion would mollify her. When she entered, she found the cook behaving outrageously. Seeing the woman throwing things around the room reminded her of her sister Melinda. But Melinda was very young and could get away with throwing such a tantrum.
The kitchen was a mess. Pots and various foodstuff was thrown on the floor. It looked as if she’d disheveled the entire kitchen. Bree stood and watched aghast from afar, but as soon as she saw her precious herbs all dumped on the stone floor, she wanted to cry.
Sinking to her knees, she took a handful of saffron and clutched it in her palm. Baron Thomas had paid a good amount of coin for it and now it was wasted. The spice was precious to her and used for so many things, mainly for the infirm. If someone became ill, there wasn’t much she could do without the spice to make a remedy.
Tears sprang to her eyes. She wasn’t sure if it was because she missed her lord and lady or because the herbs were now useless. Her world crashed down around her and there was nothing she could do about it. Anger bubbled inside her like a pot overflowing its rim.
Bree approached Anna and grabbed a fist full of her hair. She wanted to slap the woman senseless and make her feel the woe she felt. Her hand itched to come down upon Anna’s face.
“What is going on in here?”
Bree released the woman and looked toward the door. There stood Grey, looking as angry as she was. His bellowed question went unanswered. Bree lost the strength of her legs and sank to the floor, her breath coming harshly. He’d shouted his question and everyone in the room, including the cook, Nell and Bea, stood stock still. No one said a word.
“Out, all of you, leave. Get out. I will speak with you later.” His voice gave no room for argument and the ladies fled the kitchens.
Bree wished he’d leave too. She wanted to be alone so she could cry like a babe without being judged or scorned.
Grey sat next to her. “Are you all right, lass? Did they hurt you?”
“Nay, I am not all right. I wish to be alone so I can cry like a baby without you seeing. Pray, leave me be, Grey. Let me sit here and wallow in my misery.”
He sighed. “You can cry. I won’t mind.”
She did just that. Grey took her in his arms and held her. She couldn’t stop weeping. It wasn’t like her to cry, but the thought that she couldn’t cook, let alone use her precious herbs made her suddenly desperate. Once the tears started flowing, she couldn’t stop them. Cooking was the only thing she was good at and now that she had lost that pleasure, her life would be miserable. If she couldn’t cook, no one would like her.
“I … can’t cook … and they wouldn’t let me. The cook … hates me, Grey. I …” she hiccupped and continued, “They destroyed my herbs. My … lord gave them … to me.” As if she were a child who hadn’t gotten her way, she hiccupped the last of her despair. Shame brightened her cheeks. She became abashed at how she’d acted in front of him.
“I’ll replace your herbs, Bree, I promise. Now stop weeping and tell me why they don’t like you. Because I like you, and my guards like you.”
She found a tiny smile. “I do not know why. I was kind, Grey, I vow. I came in to introduce myself and they ignored me. Cait said the cook wanted you to …”
“To what?”
“She wants you to marry her. I suppose she wasn’t happy having another woman in her kitchen or household. I do not blame her, because I certainly would be upset if another woman came into my domain.” Bree suddenly found the entire situation humorous. She giggled. “You will have to explain to her that I am no one to fear.”
“Aye, but you are, sweetheart. She has every right to fear you.” Grey lifted her chin and nodded. “But don’t worry. I’ll be finding another cook, one that will enjoy having you in the kitchen.”
“Really? Then you do not intend to marry her?” Bree wasn’t sure why that news lightened her. It was none of her business whom he married. Yet the thought of him with Anna put a sour taste in her mouth.
“Nay, never.”
Bree looked in his eyes and saw his sincerity. She wished he would kiss her, but then she remembered how he’d handled the man in the hall and quickly moved away from him.
“Why are you fearful now?”
“I …You sometimes scare me. I should not confess that, but there it is. I saw what you did to that man in the hall. Why did you hurt him?”
Grey stood and held a hand to her, helping her up from the floor. “He said something I didn’t like.”
“Will you do that every time someone says something you don’t like?”
“Not to you. You can speak your mind whenever it pleases you. I won’t get angry, never with you, Bree.”
“I am not sure if I can believe that.” She wiped the tears from her lashes and tried to fix her appearance by pressing her skirts.
“I’ll have your faith in me, Bree.” With that, he pulled her into his arms and kissed her.
It was the kind of kiss she’d always dreamed of. He held her face between his hands and his mouth covered hers. Bree liked the way he held her, so tenderly, yet obstinately. His tongue moved sensually, making her want to give in to him. She’d never been kissed like this before, or ever in fact.
Even Rhys goodbye kiss couldn’t compare. Strange senses came and she wasn’t sure how to respond to them. Returning his kiss, she gave him full measure. Twirling her tongue around his, she held on to him and hoped he wouldn’t end it.
He didn’t, but pulled her against him as he leaned against the wooden table. Bree thought she heard herself moan, but she was so caught up in the kiss, she wasn’t sure. His hands moved over her back and pressed her body to his. She could feel the hardness of his muscles and the strength of him radiating.
Without thought of what she was doing, Bree put her arms around his neck, hugging him in return. She couldn’t catch a thought in her head or even comprehend the significance of what they were doing until she felt his hand move over her breast. He squeezed her and she quickly pulled away.
“Oh God, we should not be doing this.”
“Aye, we should. You liked it, didn’t you?”
How could she answer that? Bree slightly nodded.
“Laird, are we going to eat tonight or nay?” Duff asked, entering the kitchen.
Bree felt her face heat being caught in such a precarious position. She stepped back and waited for Grey to leave.
“It doesn’t appear so, Duff. Tell the lads to find their own supper tonight.” He waved a hand at Duff, who left at his signal. “Bree, I’m sorry they were mean to you. I won’t have anyone treat you with such disrespect. I’ll ask Duff fetch you, Cait, and Sunny some food. I’m sure you’re tired and want to get some rest.”
“Thank you, Grey. Aye, I would like to rest. It has been a long day.” Though it was early evening, Bree was sure she’d sleep for a sennight. The journey had exhausted her, but even more so, the treatment from Grey’s clan emotionally tore at her.
Grey reached the door and turned. “And Bree, I liked it too.”
* * *
Bree awoke from a deep sleep. A memory had come to her in a dream and for the first time, she hadn’t awoken crying. The memory was pleasant. She had been mixing something in a bowl and a woman stood nearby. They were covered with powder. The woman smiled at her and nodded. Bree thought it might have been her mother, in fact, she was sure of it.
She didn’t resemble her mother who had darker hair, soft brown eyes, a beautiful face, and a nice smile. The lady seemed kind. But the reason her memory wasn’t sad was her mother had thrown a handful of flour at
her and hit her smack in the face. It hadn’t hurt, but instead made her laugh. The lady’s eyes shone with gaiety and she looked at her with love.
The dream replayed in her mind while she lay looking at the beams overhead. Hopefully, more dreams would help make sense of what happened to her. Grey had said her family loved her, yet they allowed her to be taken away.
The only explanation that ever made sense to Bree was that she’d been bad and that no one wanted her. With the dream fresh in her mind, it did seem her mother was fond of her. If that was so then why didn’t they keep searching for her? Mayhap her family was unaware of MacHeth’s actions.
Bree searched the chamber for Cait. Next to her, Sunny slept soundly but Cait was nowhere to be found. It had to be the middle of the night. Concerned about her, Bree slipped from the bed. She decided to go and look for her and while she was at it, get something to drink. Her throat was dry and parched.
Before she left the chamber, she pulled a robe on and opened the door. Listening, she couldn’t hear anyone about. The hallway leading to the steps was pitch dark, so she tread cautiously. Lightly, she walked the dark hallway, wondering which chamber Grey slept in.
Then she became embarrassed thinking about that and of the kiss they shared. She went down the stairs, stepping carefully in the dark, and saw a pitcher sitting on the side table in the large hall just beyond the steps.
Without looking around, she went directly to the table and poured herself a cup of water. As she lifted the cup to her mouth, she heard someone in the room. Her eyes adjusted to the darkness and she saw two naked people lying on the floor.
Why she screamed, she didn’t know. Her cup flew in the air dumping all the water over her robe and nightdress. Water soaked her down the middle. All hell broke lose then. Grey came running down the stairs with a sword in his hand wearing only a plaid around his middle, three of his guard came running into the hall from outside. Bree stood shocked and mortified by her behavior.
Grey lit a candle and came to stand next to her. “Did someone hurt you? What’s amiss?”
Bree wanted to disappear. “I, um, nothing is amiss. I just … well, I was verily thirsty and had not expected to see anyone here and … I didn’t notice them.” She covered her mouth and couldn’t continue.
Each of the men looked at the other end of the hall and saw what she had. Duff and Cait were in a very promiscuous position and quite put off by everyone’s intrusion.
“Do you mind? We don’t need company. But if ye want to watch …” Duff jerked his body and Cait let out a gasp.
Bree grinned at the thought that Cait made progress with Duff and had gotten her man. Duff must have given over and was unable to stay away. That was kind of humorous since she’d seen him sitting in the hall as far away from Cait as he could get last eve.
The men laughed and began leaving the hall seeing there was no danger. Grey grabbed her hand and led her back up the stairs, rather hastily too and she quickened her pace to keep up with him. He didn’t seem pleased by the intrusion either, considering how hurriedly he took the steps.
“Is this another thing I shall laugh about later?”
Grey did laugh then and she found herself smiling.
“Mayhap, but that depends on how you feel about losing your maid.”
“Why would I lose Cait?”
Grey leaned against the wall, and spoke low. “She may want to be taken. Duff has never fornicated with a woman in my hall before. He’ll never live it down neither.”
“Are you saying he might want to marry her? Is that what you mean?”
“Aye, that’s what I’m saying. Lass, cover up, I can see through your garments and it’s driving me to distraction.” He gripped the edge of her robe and pulled it closed, letting his hands linger in front of her.
Bree’s face grew hot, and she folded her arms assuring he could see nothing. She wasn’t sure how she’d feel about the possibility of Cait marrying someone. “If Cait does not object, then I suppose I would be happy for her. She is a good woman, Grey, and Duff could not do better.”
“You don’t have to defend her to me, lass. What about you? What would you do if you found out you were betrothed?”
“But I am betrothed.”
“Nay, not to a churlish MacHeth. But to someone else.”
She shook her head. “Who else? By God, I had better not be betrothed to another man, Grey. I do not want to get married. Please, don’t let them take me again.” She started to get flustered at the thought. If only she could return to her lord and lady, that would please her more than marriage.
“No one is going to take you, Bree. I wondered …”
She threw her arms around him and hugged him close. It was then she realized he was bare-chested. How had she considered Rhys a man? He didn’t compare to the one standing before her.
Bree took notice of the contours of his muscles, the way his body curved to his hips. But what struck her was the scar across his chest, from just below his breast to his left shoulder. Lightly she touched it, caressing the mark with her fingers, and looked into his eyes.
“Thank you, Grey, you have made me very happy. Tomorrow I shall fix you a feast.”
Grey kissed her cheek and said, “Go back to sleep, Bree, and no more traipsing around the hall in the middle of the night. Sleep well.” He walked down the hall and disappeared through a door.
“God give you good rest, Grey,” she said more or less to herself since he’d vanished.
Bree reentered her chamber and smiled to herself. He was such a chivalrous man when he wanted to be. How had she though him obstinate and fearsome?
She couldn’t fall back to sleep and so started planning her morning. With all that she had to do for the feast, she began making a list of things in her head that she needed. All her herbs were gone, but she’d make due with what she could. Hopefully, some of them would be salvageable.
After the morning meal, she would clean both chambers and see about additional clothing for Sunny. Then she would take a walk and see what the Gunn keep consisted of. She wondered if there was a village nearby and if there were any places with which to purchase goods.
As the night lightened, she was ready to face the day. Cait needed a talking to, but what she could say to her was beyond her knowledge. Cait was her dearest friend and if Duff thought to take advantage of her friend, she would have to insist Cait be cautious. The last thing she wanted was for her friend to be hurt. Talking to Cait was first on her list. All she had to do was wait until it lightened enough to rise. The plan for her day was set.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Nothing went as planned. Her day went from bad to worse. Sunny was being difficult and wouldn’t let her dress her. After winning that battle, she took the child to the hall. She couldn’t find Cait in the hall when she rose, and so she’d talk with her later.
Next, she went to the kitchen to see what she could do to prepare some kind of morning fare. First, she’d bake some bread and then see if there was cheese in the storage and then she would find some fruit. Bree had a knack for pulling together a meal. If only Sunny cooperated, and sat still for more than a few minutes.
When she entered the kitchens with Sunny, she found a strange man standing next to the large hearth, stirring a massive spoon in a pot which sat upon a blazing fire. The pottage he was making smelled rather good. He was singing and didn’t take notice of her.
“Good day, sir.”
“Ah, there ye be, lass. I was told to expect ye. Here be a bowl for the little one,” he said, and handed her a steaming bowl of pottage.
Bree blew on it for a few seconds until it cooled enough to give to Sunny. She set the girl on a chair and bade her to eat it. The child took the bowl and sat eating her fare.
“Me name’s Gellert, I be the master cook now. The laird put me in charge of the kitchens. Saw ‘em bright and early this morn, me did. Aye, he knocked on me door awaking me from a sweet dream, he did. Och I didn’t mind being he’s the laird and
all.”
He didn’t seem happy about it even though he said he hadn’t minded. Gellert appeared near fifty or sixty with white hair sticking out from his nose and ears but not much on his head. His demeanor was that of a cross old hound with a bone. The man grumpily marched to a locked cupboard and opened it with a key. He took out a large wheel of cheese and went to the table.
Somehow, she had to befriend the cantankerous old man. “I am pleased to meet you, Master Gellbert. May I be of help?”
He smiled and nodded, continuing to spear the cheese with a large knife. “I got to get the cheese cut before I finish making the morning pottage.”
“’Tis much easer if you slice rather than stab. Here, let me.” Bree took the knife from him and started to slice slithers from the wheel.
“Laird said not let let ye lift a finger, lass. Said he didn’t want ye exhausting yourself. I can’t allow it.” He tried to take back the knife, but Bree held fast.
“What if it was our secret? I enjoy being in the kitchen and if you don’t let me do anything, there’s no point in me being here.” She released the knife and waited for Gellbert to say something.
Gellbert’s gaze transfixed on her and he seemed to be mulling it over. He handed the knife back to her and smiled. “Aye, ‘tis our secret. Ye won’t be telling the Laird. Glory be, a lass who can cook. Aye, the last one were a bit unskilled. Stunk up the entire keep with ‘er cooking. Poor laird had to eat gruel. I am happy to have ye here, lass. Ye shall call me Gell. I cleaned up the mess that woman made and were able to save some of your herbs. The laird told me how upset ye were.”
Astounded by Grey’s thoughtfulness, Bree’s heart lightened. “I promise not to tell a soul if you let me assist. I do thank you, Gell. Those herbs are very expensive and I fear I could not replace them.”