by Kara Griffin
Duff came charging into his chamber; the door hit the wall with such force it practically came off its hinges. Bree scrambled off the bed and Grey grabbed his sword.
“What in hell do you think you’re doing, Duff?”
“Laird, there’s a fire. Two of the cottages are burning. You’re needed in the village.” Duff ran back out the door.
“Bree, I’ll be back. Stay here and wait for me. Don’t go to your cottage. It might not be safe.” Grey pulled his tunic back on and fixed his plaid before running out the door.
* * *
With Grey gone, Bree sat on the edge of his bed. She couldn’t fathom what she was doing there. One minute, she’d been sitting in the hall minding her tasks and then next, she was being carried away. Grey seemed to have affection for her, of that she was certain.
But Bree wasn’t sure what she felt for him. The concern was, she wasn’t about to let herself be drawn into a relationship and then be let down. She’d lost her family once and it could easily happen again. Could she risk being hurt so?
There was indeed something about Grey that tugged at her heart, but now her only thought was to protect her heart—not allow herself to think he cared. People had cared before, yet it was not enough to ensure her security or love. Wallowing in self-pity, Bree didn’t want to hurt again. The first time she’d cared had been hurtful enough.
Oh, aye, she didn’t recall much of her past. But she did know that being a child alone in the world was frightening and so she did her best to be well behaved. And in doing so, she secured her future. Now that future had been snatched away and she was left once again defenseless and unloved.
“This will not do. I cannot sit here and feel sorry for myself. I should tell Grey that no matter how much he wants me, he should lend his affection elsewhere.” With that realization, Bree stood in the chamber feeling remorseful at her words.
She couldn’t help looking around for curiosity’s sake. Grey was a simple man. For all the comforts in his hall, there certainly weren’t many here in his private chamber. Though the chamber was large, as was most lord’s chambers, his was stark. There were no bankers, tapestries, or desks in which to use for correspondence or business. He had very few possessions, all of which seemed to fit in a small locked trunk.
Bree didn’t know why that saddened her. He was a simple man with much to offer. Why had he offered for her? Shouldn’t she be amiable to such a joining? Then she wondered why he would even choose her for a bride. She had no great dowry or birthright.
There was no alliance in which would bring any satisfaction except for the supposed war. Grey would gain nothing except her willingness to couple with him and that certainly was not enough to enter into any such arrangement.
Closing the door behind her, she made her way to the hall to see if she could be of any help. Fires were scary, especially in the winter when water was frozen and there wasn’t much one could do to put it out. The men would have tough employment this evening.
Throughout the night, the men in the clan fought the fire. Bree went to the kitchens and found Master Gell there. She helped him prepare food and drink for the exhausted men.
By the time the fires were extinguished, the tanner’s hut and his family’s cottage had burned to the ground as well as hers. What little possessions she owned were lost, but Bree was thankful that she had decided to stay in the great hall that evening.
The eve before she practically froze and her own chattering kept her awake most of the night. Besides being cold, she was lonely and she’d have gone mad if she spent another night by herself. A sense of relief came when she realized she could have been harmed if she’d been in her cottage. She gave a prayer of thanks to God for that.
As Bree served the men in the hall, she heard their discussion and was disheartened to learn that someone had set the fire deliberately. Then came the questions of why and how. It didn’t take a brilliant mind to figure out why hers had been set aflame.
Besides Grey’s guard, the rest of the clan avoided her or outwardly showed their dislike. But who would be vindictive enough to set flame to her cottage? Bree had a suspicion that one of the women standing about the hall might have been involved.
Duff looked like he wanted to kill someone and Cait sat by his side trying to calm his rage. When Bree stole a glance at Grey, she noticed he looked forlorn. As laird, she knew he felt responsible for his clan’s safety.
“I will find out who did this, Peter,” he said sympathetically. “They will be punished. We’ll begin building you a new cottage first thing in the morning.”
“Aye, Laird, my thanks.” Peter, the tanner, nodded, but couldn’t say much. His voice sounded scratchy and he was covered with soot, as was his poor wife and their young son.
Bree’s heart went out to them. They had a frightful night and were fortunate to be alive. She would do what she could to help them, and approached Bea to ask for assistance.
“Bea, can you please relay a message to Master Gell that we will need bath water prepared? Peter and his family could do with one. I’ll ready some bedding for them and get them clean garments. I’m certain they would like to rest here in the hall.”
“Why do you care?”
Bree frowned at her clipped tone. The woman put her nose in the air and had a black heart. Before she could walk way, Bree took hold of her sleeve and held fast. “Just do as I ask. These people need our help.”
Bea pursed her lips and shook her head. “If the laird wants baths prepared, he will tell me so himself. I don’t do your bidding. Release me.” Bea yanked her sleeve free and took a few steps back.
Bree had enough of the vile woman’s behavior. Why Bea scorned her, she didn’t know, but she was afraid it was time to make a scene. With a determined step, she marched forward, her fists clenched, itching to hit something—or someone.
“These poor people have been through hell this night. If you don’t do as I say, you will not eat a decent supper for a month. And believe me, I promise ye, you will be served the most wretched food I can find, not even fit for the hounds. Now go and have Gell prepare the baths.”
Bree hadn’t realized she’d raised her voice until she turned and saw everyone within the hall watching her. She waited for Bea to move past her, but the vile woman stood shocked.
Nell had just entered the hall and overheard their conversation. She stepped in front of Bea. “I’ll go and tell Master Gell.” As she left the hall, she kept glancing back.
Someone put their hand on her shoulder, and Bree stepped back from Bea, noticing Grey standing beyond her.
“Do as Lady Bree asked. And Bea, if you cannot serve her, then you will not serve me.”
Bea gasped. “Laird, you do not mean that.”
“Aye, I do. Bree is my betrothed and all in our clan should honor her. If they cannot, then I shall ask them to leave.”
Murmurs rose through the hall and Bree tried not to frown at him. A lump formed in her throat and she hadn’t expected Grey to say such fabrication just to appease his household servants.
Tears sprang to her eyes. She controlled her anger by clasping her hands tightly and keeping her eyes on the rushes.
Bea didn’t say another word, but left them standing alone. Grey pulled her aside and sat her on a bench next to the hearth.
Bree glared at him, killing him with her eyes.
“Are you angry with me because of what I said to Bea?” he asked.
She nodded, saying nothing, and continued to glare at him.
“I hadn’t expected you to be angry, I expected …”
“You did not have speak a falsehood, Grey. It was wrong of you to tell her that we are betrothed when we are not. Now your clan will surely detest me now.”
He took her hand, but she pulled it away. “I did not speak a falsehood. Bree, we are betrothed. Finally, I’ve said it.” Grey sat next to her, he still smelled of smoke. “I’ve wanted to tell you for sometime. When you and I were wee, our parent betrothed us. Aye, Ki
ng William wanted the betrothal to bring peace to our clans, but you and I were verily … associated. It meant much to your father and mine that our clans join.”
“Grey, I…” Bree couldn’t think what with all that happened suddenly filtering in her mind. She couldn’t see when everything became blurry.
The next thing she knew, she was laying her old bed in the upstairs chamber. Cait sat beside her, pressing a cloth on her forehead.
“Oh, my lady. You scared me.”
She leaned up on her elbow. “What happened?”
Cait pressed on her eyelids, opening them wide, checking her eyes. “You haven’t gone addled. Your eyes are bright. Ye fell like a rock, ye did. Laird Gunn brought you here.”
Bree tried to sit up and realized Sunny was sleeping on the other side of her, holding her with her small arm. The sight of her little hand gripping her overdress made her weep, but not gently and she woke the child up. When Sunny saw her crying, she began weeping as well.
“God save me from weeping lassies,” Cait said.
Bree’s despair lightened at her friend’s remark and she stopped weeping. Sunny stopped crying too, and Cait pulled the girl onto her lap.
“You are sounding more like Duff each passing day. Aye, you’re taking on his disposition too.”
“Will you be telling me now why you fainted?”
Bree sat up and leaned against the wooden backboard of the pallet. “I must be tired, is all. Grey told Bea we were betrothed. I am certain he only said that to appease Bea and likely others. It was kind of him, but nevertheless a fabrication.”
“What if ‘tis not a falsehood?”
“Cait, I cannot marry him. I … just can’t.”
“Why can you not? He’s a dreamy man, Bree. Were I you, I wouldn’t be able to keep my hands off him. Aye, he’s built finer than my Duff. I imagine he would be an intense lover. Ye be a fortunate woman.”
Bree shook her head at Cait’s nonsense. “Can you not think of anything other than sex? I am afeared, Cait. I do like Grey, but he wants more than I can give.” She threw her legs over the side of the bedding and stood.
Cait scoffed. “More? I see a man who adores ye and wants to love ye. If you would only open your eyes and see that. Are ye afraid he will leave you? Are ye afeared to let someone adore ye, to give you the kind of love a woman should have?”
“Mayhap Oh, I don’t know. I need to think. I shall go to the kitchen.” As she reached the door, she heard Cait’s laughter. She turned and peered at her, giving her a look which Cait could not mistake.
“That’s aright. Run and hide in the kitchens, Bree. Just remember … Laird Gunn knows where the kitchens are located.”
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
If Grey knew where the kitchens were, she’d eat venison for a fortnight—which she thoroughly blanched at. Grey avoided her after the unfortunate event of her faint. She was grateful he didn’t seek her out to finish their discussion. She wanted to evade the subject of marriage, war, and the thought of why he was being so chivalrous.
A few days later, Bree left her bedchamber, knowing Grey had risen earlier. He was always long gone from the keep by the time she awoke and made her way to the hall. By the time she finished her morning tasks, she realized it was early afternoon.
The weather had warmed a bit, melting any snow that had fallen. Though the ground was still damp, the air was dry and it was fine enough day for a walk. Bree left Sunny in Cait’s care since she was napping. When she stepped outside, she shielded her eyes from the sun.
Pulling her cloak around her, she walked through the winding path where many of the cottages meandered. It had been a nearly week since poor Peter’s cottage had been burnt down. She noticed four men building a new one for him, and it was almost complete. The only remaining feature to add was a roof. Grey hadn’t mentioned rebuilding a cottage for her.
Considering the fact that he hadn’t wanted her to move into the cottage, he probably wouldn’t. She moved back into the keep. Suspiciously he avoided the subject whenever she tried to broach it the few times she had seen him.
Peter’s wife waved to her as she passed by. Several other ladies wished her a good day. Had they finally began liking her? Bree wouldn’t have such hope. She was still an outsider and disliked by many. Mayhap they’d all heard of Grey’s falsehood. She wondered if she should set them right on that topic, but then decided she didn’t care. They would believe what they wanted.
Grey left this morning with a good many of his warriors. She’d been told by Bea that he went off to war. Bea now treated her with some sense of accord, though she still wasn’t pleasant and often gave her looks of disdain. She wondered if Bea had anything to do with the fires, but she had no proof and couldn’t blame the woman for disliking her.
After all, she was an outsider and she knew many Highlanders didn’t like having outsiders on their land or within their clans. And she’d seen Bea in the hall before the fires were set, so she couldn’t accuse the woman.
Bree didn’t care where Grey went or why, she was only glad that she did not have to speak with him and explain to him why should couldn’t be betrothed to him. Had she been honest with herself, she would own that she did care where he went. She worried for his safety, especially since it seemed he wouldn’t be appeased until he warred with MacHeth. If she didn’t know better, she might conclude that she did love Grey. But foolishly, she couldn’t be hurt.
A vision of one of the early nights when she’d first come to Baron Thomas’ home came to her. She’d been sleeping in a chamber with some of the servants. They all shared a large chamber above the upstairs, one of two rooms there.
The other chamber, the solar, was for the baron and his wife. Bree hadn’t minded sleeping in a room with the others. What had bothered her was that many of the servant’s children there were held tenderly during the night by their siblings or parents. She had no one.
The saddest thought came when she thought about the children whom she’d been told would not play with her because she was the baron’s ward. Seeing the children playing gaily, outdoors often brought on her melancholy.
The vision faded and she nodded to herself. Never would she allow herself to dream or hope she could be cared for like that. Though Baron Thomas adored her, he was often gone and she missed him terribly when he went to court or to other lands for business.
They might have cared for her and had taken care of her—she had needed and wanted a different kind of care. Even a tad of affection would have been welcomed. The only time she’d been truly coveted was when the king came for a visit and her lord and lady proudly declared her before their company. King John often visited, for he said he couldn’t stay away after tasting the delicious meals she’d prepared.
When she’d heard Grey speaking to Donal and Maurice about King Alexander, she tried to hide the fact that she had met him. Baron Thomas had been requested to hold a treaty meeting by the border for the kings and Bree had cooked for days in preparation. Fortunately, her food appeased the men and the meeting had gone well.
King Alexander spoke to her a few times during the visit, complimenting her on her cooking ability. Bree didn’t want it known the kings had supped at Baron Thomas’ fief, for it seemed to be a secret because not many had been invited to attend when the meetings occurred.
Bree walked toward the stables and decided to pet some of the horses. She was fond of the animals and had put some carrot ends inside her cloak. Nearing one of the largest beasts within, she pulled out his treat and let him chomp on it.
As her hand glided along the velvety soft fur above the horse’s nose, she sighed, disliking where her thoughts had taken her. Bree never wanted to admit she’d longed for affection from the people she lived with. For some strange reason, any sort of affection would have sufficed. Was it too much to ask to be adored, just a little?
Someone came inside the stable and Bree hid in the recess of the wood so she wouldn’t be seen. The horse finished his treat and she petted
his nose. Whoever had come inside the stable had left and Bree felt it was safe to leave. As she moved from the recess a large bird flew at her.
It scared the life from her and she batted her arms at the feathered creature which flapped its wings madly and screeched a piercing sound. The bird seemed to be attacking her and she ran out of the stable, bumping into someone. She thought she’d hit a stone wall for all that it hurt.
When she looked up the bird, a large owl took flight and made off. Briefly, she felt sorrow for frightening the creature. “Oww,” she said, rubbing her head. “Oh, I’m sorry, Grey.”
“What happened?”
“Nothing.” Bree wouldn’t admit she’d been frightened by an owl. “I thought you had left for the coming war.”
“Nay, we went hunting. Just returned.”
Bree frowned at the thought Bea had purposely lied to her. She would not trust anything that woman said in the future. “I wanted to take a walk.”
“I know the perfect place. I’ll join ye.” Grey took her hand and guided her to a path, not giving her the choice of his company. As they walked along, Duff joined them and walked along.
“Laird, do ye want me to have the seasoned soldiers join us this day for training?”
“Duff, you decide. I am spending the day with Bree.”
At that moment, James, Sean, Colm, Greer, and Kenneth approached them.
“Where ye off to, Laird?”
Grey gave Sean a cross look. “Be about your duties. I am spending the afternoon with Bree and don’t wish to be disturbed. Handle whatever matters arise, Duff.” Once again, he took her hand and started off on the path.
“Laird, I see you’re distracted. Aye, where ye be off to, can we come?” Colm asked mockingly.
“Ye got a rope, Laird? Ye might need it, but aye find a well rooted tree. The lass still runs you in circles.” Greer laughed at his jest and his friends snickered.
“Aw the lovers want to be alone,” came from Kenneth, who made mocking sounds with his lips.