by Kara Griffin
“I will not marry a MacHeth and my place is not here. I have no other prospects. I cannot return to the Mackay’s holding. Grey told me that MacHeth and his followers overtook the Mackay clan. I know not what happened to them, though I confess, I would like to meet them. My lady would welcome my return. I will not stay here where everyone dislikes me so.”
“Not everyone dislikes you. Oh, will you stop being a babe and just be happy for once? I promise to marry Duff, if that pleases you. But I tell ye, he shan’t ask and so there is no need to get your bliaut in a bunch.”
Bree laughed. Cait said the most bizarre things when she got angry. “Mayhap my bliaut is in a bunch, but at least I am wearing one, unlike you last eve. As for Duff, it would please me very much were you to marry him. When he is not scowling, he is kind of handsome.”
“Let us go and meet this cook and see what he is about? Mayhap we shall have a decent supper, our first since we have arrived.”
“I have met him, his name is Gell and he is quite the cook. He and I met this morn and he asked that I return near suppertime.”
“For you see, my lady, someone does like you.”
CHAPTER TWELVE
The news didn’t please Grey in the least. He entered the hall and found Donal and Maurice sitting at his table, drinking his best wine, eating from the trays that had been left from the morning’s fare.
Neither greeted him with a smile, but rather with frowns. He wasn’t ready to hear the bad news they had come to deliver. Grey was preoccupied with how to relay the news about his and Bree’s betrothal to her. After the way the womenfolk treated her and what with Anna’s father giving him a lecture about improprieties, he had to get it done soon.
Besides all that, Grey wanted to take her to wife as quickly as he could. He wasn’t sure how long he could hold out. Each time he was with her, he was drawn to her and wanted to do more than kissing. Aye, she had bewitched him now as she had when she was a wee lass. Mayhap she was a faerie as he’d suspected when she was young. For only a faerie could bewitch him with such ease.
Normally, Grey could resist such urges, but with Bree, his need nagged him morning, noon, and mostly at night—when he had nothing better to do than to think about her soft lips, the feeling of her breast beneath his palm, the way she felt in his arms—all yielding and giving.
Aye, he wanted her fiercely, but more than that—he wanted to give her pleasure. For all the hell she’d been through, it was now his sworn oath to make her happy. Just how he planned to do that, he wasn’t sure, but he wanted to make amends for all their lost time.
“Something has him ensnared,” Maurice said.
“Nay, not something but someone. Grey, are ye going to join us or not? We can sit here and drink the rest of this fine wine and be content,” Donal said.
He realized he was far into his thoughts and shook his head. “I bid you welcome. What brings you here?” He took notice of how much the brothers resembled each other with their thick mane of red hair and their dark eyes. Their bodies were as thick as cabers, fit and muscular. Grey doubted he could take either on the field and was thankful they were allies.
“Maurice wanted to check on you and of course I wanted to see how you were making out with the lass.” Donal grinned sheepishly.
“Aye, so Donal tells me you have stolen a MacHeth bride? I didn’t know he was a matchmaker now for ‘es clan. He didn’t mention that news when last I saw him and that was only last week.”
Grey became perplexed at that. “Nay, Maurice? I am at the moment getting my warriors ready. We will bring justice for the lady he has offended. Not to mention the fact that he put her in extreme danger and negated a pact between the Mackays and us. If not for all that, I might let the counsel decide his fate. But I say he deserves the worst for the atrocities he’s brought forth.” As the words poured out, the angrier Grey became at what MacHeth had done. Hearing his own words gave him the bloodlust and only one man’s blood would be enough to satisfy him.
Donal set his cup down and glanced at Maurice. “Grey, I understand your need for retribution, but you should think logically.”
“Logic has nothing to do with this? Donal, the horse’s arse killed her family, stole her away, and took the only woman I …” Grey swallowed the rest of his words. He wasn’t about to admit his feelings for Bree to these two. They’d have something to torment him with for the rest of his days and God knew he had enough trouble dealing with them as it was.
“Aye, I say he should war against the MacHeths. Kenneth deserves it, Maurice. He has done all as Grey has said. There is only one thing that can be rectified and that is the betrothal. That can be fixed and therefore one less strike against MacHeth.”
Maurice shook his head. “You want Grey to be betrothed to a Mackay? I doubt the Mackays will go for that—especially if all Grey wants is MacHeth’s blood. The MacHeths allied with the Mackays long ago, what was left of them. You’d be better off finding another lass from another clan.”
Donal laughed. “Nay, he has a Mackay lass right here, under his own roof. Aye, he does. And what say ye, Grey? Have you told her about the betrothal? Has she said aye?”
“Await, I want an explanation,” Maurice said, banging his cup on the table.
Donal quickly gave him the run-down of the events, leaving out all the insignificant details. Grey moved aside when Bea came and filled his cup. She handed it to him and backed away.
“Well that takes care of one problem. All you have to do is tell her she’s betrothed to you and then you can get on with making MacHeth pay for the rest of his atrocities,” Maurice said. “Why do I get the feeling that you fear telling her?”
Donal spoke up, “He has reservations that she won’t want to marry him now. When she was wee she adored him. I saw them together. The lass chased after him all the time and he like a good lad did as he was bid and did his duty. I believe he is still honor bound.”
“If ‘tis only honor and duty that make ye want to keep the betrothal then I say you release her. She doesn’t deserve that. Aye, if any of our women hear we agreed to this and knew she was not … amiable … they’d flay our arses.” Donal laughed.
“Aye but an angry woman brings about a passionate end,” Maurice said, grinning.
“Who says I am only doing my duty? I don’t have to explain my actions to you.”
Donal banged his cup on the table. “Aye ye surely do.”
“He always was stubborn,” Maurice said.
“Aye, he takes after his da in that regard. Many a time his father was stubborn and wouldn’t heed my sound advice.” Donal grinned, before continuing, “And now Grey won’t heed my sound advice either.”
“To hell with ye both, I will handle this on my own without your interference. Do I make myself clear? This is a personal matter and does not concern the council.”
Both Donal and Maurice laughed, making him cross and wishing he’d never come into the hall to greet them.
“Ah but it does, Grey. It concerns the council much, especially since it was the council that approved of the betrothal to begin with. Cosh, he does care for her. I see that now.” Maurice nodded at his brother.
“Aye, Maurice, but the lass doesn’t remember him. She must have been struck on the head when she was taken, for she doesn’t recall Grey, her family, the clan, the betrothal … He is beset with a problem. Aye, a very difficult problem.”
“Difficult, but pleasurable from the way Grey’s acting.” Maurice laughed and punched his brother’s arm.
Donal belched and slammed his empty cup down. “What I don’t understand is why MacHeth would take Albrey. Did he intentionally do it to cause problems between the clans? He knew the importance of the Gunns and Mackays uniting. She would bring about the peace William had wanted.”
“Do you mean, Donal, that he purposely set the Gunns and Mackays against each other to cause strife?” Maurice asked.
“If ‘tis so, you know what that implies, don’t you?” Grey added.
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“Aye, that means we may know who the traitor is.” Donal cursed under his breath. “Mayhap he is the conspirator of the rumors of a revolt. He purposely took her to cause dissension for William and now intends to start a war against Alexander.”
“Bree told me Baron Champlain made a pact with MacHeth to support the war. That he would let King John know of its imminence. From what she said, it sounded like the English are aiding MacHeth in his bid to overtake Alexander.”
“By God! I will send word at once to his grace,” Donal said, pounding his cup on the table again. The two men were loud and obnoxious.
“Donal tells me you’re not coming to my wedding feast, Grey. I will be disappointed if ye don’t.” Maurice disregarded his brother’s ire and spoke as if he were having a pleasant conversation.
“Matters are too pressing, Maurice.” He was close to Donal and his family. There was a time when things were not so peaceful and celebrations were put aside. Scuffles betwixt the clans often kept tensions high and many clans kept to themselves. Until the council was elected and all was set to right. Donal’s clan prospered and his family became happy once again.
Donal slapped the table. “King Alexander will be in attendance. I hear he wishes to meet with some of chieftains to discuss the possible revolt. Once he hears what I have to tell him, I’m sure he’ll need our full support. I deem his matters are more pressing than yours. Ye shall attend, Grey. You have no choice. We will need to inform him of this news of MacHeth being the possible cause of his northern worries and his allying with England.”
“I will come, Donal. But I will only stay long enough to honor his Grace. Until I confront MacHeth, I don’t want to leave my lands.”
A bang sounded from the back entrance and when Grey looked up he saw Bree coming through the hall with a platter of food for the midday meal.
“Good day, Laird Gunn, sirs, I bring you food.”
“Whatever it is, it certainly smells delicious.” Donal started picking food off the tray as soon as it was set on the table. “Delectable. I may reside here on Gunn land if ye’ll let me stay.”
Grey smirked at his jest. “That will never happen.” He glanced across the room and noticed the women standing about. With a shout, he bid them to leave. “Bea and Nell, go and help the cook.” After the two women left the hall, he stood and motioned for Bree to join them. “Bree, allow me to introduce you to Laird Ross’s brother, Maurice, and you know Donal.”
Maurice stood and quickly swallowed his food. “I do apologize, milady. This food is so delicious, I am ravenous … ‘Tis a pleasure to meet you, Lady Bree.” He swiped his hands down his tunic before taking her hand and bringing it to a few inches from his lips.
“Is she not as beautiful as a highland sunset?” Donal said.
Grey scowled at him, letting him know his charming comments were not welcome.
She curtseyed and smiled. Grey thought she never looked lovelier. Though he could tell she had been in the kitchens. He quickly swiped the dusting of flour from her noise and grinned when no one seemed to notice.
“We’ve made some fish, and I do say it is quite tasty. Our cook has a very interesting way of making it.” Bree took a seat at the table, and upon closer inspection, Grey realized she averted her eyes.
She’d been listening in on their conversation. He wondered how much she’d heard.
“Lady Bree, Donal tells us that King Alexander will soon to visit. Have you met him when you were in England? He was oft at John’s court.” Maurice asked.
She shook her head slowly and seemed to find her lap most interesting. “Oh, nay, I never attended court. My lord lived afar and he was needed to maintain our keep by the border.”
Grey knew she’d lied. The lass did know the king and he could tell by her reaction.
Awkward didn’t being to describe the sense that came over those at the table. Grey watched her expression. He was about to speak when she suddenly pushed back the chair she’d taken and rose.
“I really must be about preparing supper. Pray excuse me,” she said. Bree didn’t wait for them to rise or even to be excused before she fled the room.
“I’d say, Grey, she is lovely. What had her tongue though? She was quiet.”
“Donal, she was lying through her teeth. She overheard us too, I am sure of it. I believe she has met our king.”
Donal grinned. “Ah, a bit of mystery to her. Well that should make you happy, Grey.”
“Why do you have her in the kitchens?” Maurice asked.
“You’re tasting the reason why. My cook doesn’t know how to cook fish like that, never has. Gell prepares our meals when we’re afield and it usually tastes bland. She’s being modest.”
“Aye, well mayhap you should keep that secret to yourself, otherwise you’ll have your entire clan begging to sup with you.” Donal laughed at his jest.
Maurice shoved a hunk of fish in his mouth and muttered something no one could understand.
“When you call your men to arms, let us know,” Donal said. “Hopefully it will be after our meeting with Alexander. He just may send his army to assist ye.”
He rose when Donal and Maurice stood. “I will.”
Donal placed his hand on Grey’s shoulder. “The MacHeths will not go unpunished for their crimes, Grey. The counsel was in full support of the betrothal between the Gunns and Mackays when the pact was made. The elders will not like hearing that Kenneth went against them when he took matters into his own hands. They’ll want him removed. You will have our approval and support.”
Grey nodded. “I want him removed as well. But the Mackays were not supportive of him. They had no choice but to allow his takeover when their laird was killed. We will take great care when dealing with this situation.”
“You have our full cooperation when the time comes,” Maurice said.
He walked them out of the hall and went to the training field after. Questions plagued him as to why Bree would hide the knowledge of knowing his king. Her eyes gave her away when she couldn’t look at him. Grey put the matter aside and gave direction for the preparation of the upcoming war against the MacHeths. Soon he would get revenge.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Bree decided to wait near suppertime to confront Grey about her request to move to a vacant cottage. Father Geoffrey’s suggestion had merit and she wanted to ask Grey before she lost her courage. If she could find the man, she could put her question to him, but he was nowhere to be found.
Night came earlier each passing day and soon there would be shorter days. She stepped outside and was careful where she walked, because it had grown dark and there wasn’t a moon this night to give light.
As she walked along the outer structure of the keep, she felt eyes following her. She noticed some of the men standing about, in discussion. Bree kept walking until she found herself by the stables where many of the warhorses were kept. From outside, she could hear the horse’s whinnies and the sound of their snorts. Never one to enter such a domain at home, Bree was hesitant to step inside. At her father’s fief, the stables were forbidden to her. But then she’d been the obedient daughter. She need not be dutiful any longer.
Without reservation, she walked under the threshold and saw several horses looking at her. They were large animals, much larger than her palfrey. Bree reached the first stall and touched the silky head of the dark-brown warhorse, whose demeanor was as cross as Gell’s. She giggled when the horse tossed his head in objection to being petted.
“What are you doing in here?”
Bree about jumped a foot. “Oh, ye startled me, Grey.”
“You shouldn’t be about by yourself at dark.”
“I was looking for you.”
Grey stepped next to her and took her hand, leading her away from the stall. He stopped before he reached the door and turned to face her. “Ye were?”
“Aye. You see I … that is to say Father Geoffrey advised I speak with you and I didn’t have a chance to broach the subject
earlier …”
“What did Father Geoffrey suggest you say?”
Bree couldn’t get the words out. Distracted by his mouth, she couldn’t take her eyes away. His tight jaw suggested he was agitated about something. Now was not the right time to ask him her request. As she contemplated whether to do so or not, she backed up a step and stumbled. She heard a screech. When she noticed what she’d tripped over, she spotted a vary-colored cat licking its paw, affronted at being stepped on. The cat had company. A hound bounded toward her along with pup. Grey took her hand again and kicked hay at the animals to make them move away.
“They must smell the scent of ham I helped Gell prepare for supper. I must remember to change my attire before I take walks,” she said laughing.
“You smell delicious.” Grey pulled her into his arms.
Bree was content to stay that way. Being held by him was comforting, something she had never experienced. More than that, she felt appealing in the way his arms encased her. Grey lifted her chin and gazed at her.
The look smoldered, making Bree wish he’d kiss her. When his lips lightly caressed hers, she forgot where she was and what she’d been doing. The kiss deepened and his tongue sensually moved over hers. A peculiar feeling came over her and she wasn’t sure why a knot formed in her belly.
Her breath about ceased when his hand moved to her breast and somehow they’d ended up lying in a hay pile to the side of the threshold. She never experienced anything so wonderfully thrilling. Grey lay on his side, his body flanking hers. Every muscle pressed hard against her thigh and legs. Bree waited with baited breath to see what he would do.
She couldn’t help throwing her head back when he uncovered her breast and his mouth took possession of her nipple. Desire flowed through her, making the knot in her belly a twisted mass. A low moan escaped her and she opened her eyes to find Grey staring at her.