by Kara Griffin
She did a slight curtsy and smiled. “Nay, I am not his wife. Welcome to our home. I am Elisa. If you need anything, please do ask. We will be happy to provide.”
The men’s eyes widened. She thought mayhap they had not been so welcomed in other places they visited. She understood that given their size and their intimidation. To women they presented the greatest challenge: How to make a husband of them. To men they presented a rivalry whether in war or otherwise.
“There is something we need—” the man named Sean said.
“Sean, that is not for us to say.” Kenneth cut him off. He stepped in front of his friend and turned to give him a look of disapproval.
Kenneth. That was the fair-hair man’s name. She smiled despite feeling small in their presence. Her head barely reached their shoulders take an inch or two. Their gazes somehow didn’t make her fearful, for they seemed likeable. She was about to ask them what they had need of when shouting came from the doorway.
“Elisa, Elisa, come!” Lora came dashing into the hall yelling for her.
She tilted her head in question and then she realized someone was in need. “What is wrong?”
“Margret burned her hand on a cauldron in her cottage. She’s in a great deal of pain. We must hurry.” Lora grabbed Elisa’s medicinal satchel from where she kept it on a peg by the hearth, and took her hand.
“Oh, I must go. Good night, fare well,” she called over her shoulder, watching the men staring after her.
Kenneth shoved his friend and seemed to be smiling. That made Elisa lighthearted. Seeing him relax even briefly did her heart good. She couldn’t help worrying about others, especially when they portrayed a wounded soul as Kenneth did. Now to help another wounded soul.
CHAPTER FOUR
Dawn had just crept over the hillside when Elisa walked back to the manor. Margret’s wound was severe and she’d stayed the night to tend pain remedies and to keep her comfortable. The cook was not of a pleasant nature when ill for she grumbled and blasphemed most of the night. Elisa’s ears still burned with their sinful meaning. But she paid Margret no mind, as she was used to people’s sour dispositions when they were in pain. And Margret was the worse of any she’d attended, for hardened warriors had not carried on so even with a fiercer wound. Elisa learned long ago that the sweeter she was when tending the wounded, the less surly the injured became.
The village was void of anyone moving about yet. Shadows cast the night around some of the huts and buildings, and the morning dew still layered the ground. It had to be an early hour.
A yawn came and Elisa thought about her bed and her comfortable pillows. All she wanted was sleep. She’d take a few hours rest and then check on Margret and mayhap stop and see how Timmy’s pup fared.
Then she remembered she’d forgotten to leave salve with Timmy’s mama. Her stock of herbs was running low too, so she’d have to trek into the woods to search for plants later this day. It was her favorite pastime and she enjoyed the solitude of the woods and the time she spent there. Somehow she would find a way to sneak out of the village.
As she walked along, she hoped Domhnall left and she could avoid his questions. How could she tell him something she knew nothing about? She considered lying to him, then reconsidered, not wishing to put her family in danger. She could verily say that she’d seen the parchment amongst her sister’s possessions. But Domhnall would learn of her fabrication if he didn’t find it and would return to confront her.
She would have to make him understand she knew nothing even if she had to risk her safety. She’d come to the village when she was still a young lass, not yet close to marriageable age, but not a child. Elisa wasn’t quite sure how old she was then. But she was young enough to have some of the village women take her in their arms to hug her. Her family hadn’t been forgotten, yet she knew not how to get back to them or where the village was located. She often wondered if they missed her or if they cared she was gone. Years passed and along with them, so had any hope of her family coming to visit.
Dare she ever hope of leaving this village, finding a husband who would protect her, and live the life she’d dreamed of these past years? Elisa wasn’t about to admit that failure, for she would not be so disheartened. She knew Domhnall wouldn’t allow her to leave and nor would he permit her to marry any of the villagers. Life would be the way it had been and Elisa was happy at least that she made friends and had tasks to keep her busy.
As Elisa passed the stables, she heard a noise within. Perhaps the stable master, Wilhelm, was up and about. He always rose before many of the villagers and was well at his tasks before sunrise. She couldn’t pass by without a greeting so she stepped inside the stable and searched for him. One of the field horses hadn’t been eating and she wanted to inquire about its welfare.
Someone grabbed her from behind and practically smothered her with a large hand. Her screams were useless and muffled against the intruder’s palm. She dropped her satchel of medicinals. Elisa panicked and tried to kick her way free, but whoever detained her, held fast. Her arms and legs flailed at her abductor, striking him a few times. Even biting didn’t help free her. The man’s skin was thick and she couldn’t even break it with her teeth. No matter how much she squirmed and fought her captor wouldn’t release her. Tears sprang to her eyes as she realized the danger she was in.
Something stuck her head, making her dazed and everything went blurry. She could barely stand on her shaky legs. Her body became heavy and she fell limply against the body of her captor. She succumbed to the darkness behind her eyes.
CHAPTER FIVE
Kenneth McInnish wasn’t much of a religious man. He never thought he’d see an angel in the flesh, but he swore that’s what he was holding in his arms.
“She makes my teeth ache,” he said more or less to himself. Aye, she was sweeter than the cakes his laird’s wife made. Bree made the best food in all of the Highlands, and Kenneth’s trencher always overflowed with foodstuffs.
Sean stared at him for a good minute before his laughter burst forth. “Kenneth, I have never heard you say such cosh. Aye, she is bonny. Doesn’t match the description Alexander gave, does she?”
Their laird heard them talking and moved to ride next to them. “I should have known you were listening that day.”
“Laird, we only posted ourselves around the hall to protect you. Weren’t our fault you and Alexander spoke so loudly,” Colm said, objectively. “Besides, our hearing is sound. If you don’t want anyone to overhear, you might want to lower your voice.”
Grey grunted in objection. “I don’t lower my voice for anyone. How did I not notice you?”
“We’re good, Laird, aye very good.” Colm raised his eyebrows and flashed a grin.
“Seems she’s not fair-haired as he said. I’ve never seen such a rich shade of red.” Kenneth noticed the length of it reaching his thigh.
James laughed and gave a light shove to Kenneth’s arm. “You know what they say about red-headed lassies?”
He shook his head. Kenneth didn’t much appreciate their jests, but no matter because they would speak their minds regardless of his wishes.
“Be said they’re good in bed. Aye, they’re passionate with insatiable desire.” The men all said “ahhhh” in unison and James continued, “Och they’re also known to be abrasive. She did put up a wee fight, might be a vigorous tumble.”
Kenneth grunted in opposition of James’ opinion. “People change from children to adult. Aye, she’s green-eyed and slight. She barely weighs more than a sack.” Kenneth tried to change the course of their conversation. Her long dark wavy locks reminded him of a brackish cascading stream he’d seen once in the lowlands flowing with the spilt blood of their enemy during a war. The water was dark and menacing; it’s depths undetectable. “Why’d you have to strike her so hard, Sean?”
“I didn’t want to hurt her, but she was a fighter and not wee at all. Damn me, my shins still hurt. Besides, she’ll be well. I only tapped her. You didn’t h
ave to blacken my eye, Kenneth.”
“Consider it payback from her.” Kenneth ceased chattering when she moved. She moaned a quiet sound and then stilled again. He tried to keep as motionless as he could, for he didn’t want to upset her. Who knew what they’d be dealing with when she awoke. Kenneth’s mood lightened for he recalled his grandmother telling him never to cross a green-eyed lass. She had told him she’d be wrath and bring a man to his knees. That may be, because his knees certainly grew weak just looking at her.
Grey watched him earnestly and gave looks to the others. Kenneth took it as a sign to be quiet, but then his laird spoke.
“Domhnall won’t discover she’s missing for a few hours. We need to make ground before he does. He believes we left last night so hopefully he won’t trail us or believe we had anything to do with her disappearance.” Grey moved ahead and led them through a thick copse of trees.
“Aye, let us take the shortcut and stop to rest at Donal’s and discard the baggage.” Sean raised an eyebrow at him.
Kenneth kept his gaze in front of him, showing no regard for Sean’s suggestion.
Colm shook his head. “Nay, we cannot rest at Donal’s. Alexander is there.”
James joined their discussion when he flanked Sean’s horse. “Is that not the reason we fetched her, so Alexander can question her?”
“I doubt our laird will give her over to Alexander now,” Sean admitted.
“Why the hell not?” Colm asked.
Sean tilted his head toward Kenneth. “That’s why.”
Kenneth caught the gesture and ignored it. He concentrated on the delicate woman on his lap knowing she was going to cause him some grief. Why she affected him, he didn’t know. He couldn’t help the way he looked at her and surely his gaze gave him away. When he was able to, he’d give her over to James for the rest of the ride and rid himself of the nuisance from the start. Though it wasn’t everyday beauty was thrust upon him and if he was honest, he did enjoy holding her. Aye, she’d cause him grief if he didn’t guard himself. He shouldn’t give a cosh what happened to her.
As they rode along, he focused on keeping her as still as he could, considering the horse moved swiftly, it became difficult. They’d made well enough tracks not to be caught by mac Raghnaill’s men, yet they needed to cover more ground before they could take rest. Kenneth kept vigilance around him, noting the way his comrades protected the lass. They each flanked him and rode in front and behind him. None of them would allow harm to come to her.
They rode through the rest of the day as the open land afforded them a swift journey. Just as the sky pitched, the Gurtey farmstead lie ahead of them and Kenneth relaxed his pace a little. They were safe for now and soon they would take rest.
He wondered if the sweet lass would raise holy hell when she awoke or if she’d be as docile as a lamb. Who knew what to expect since she put up a good fight when they’d taken her. He admitted to himself how impressed he’d been. She’d given Sean some bruises, not such an easy fete. That made him smile, something he hadn’t done in a long time.
“What has you grinning like a happy clootie, Kenneth?” Sean slowed his mount, and stopped next to him.
“Nothing,” he replied, and looked to James. “Will you take her, so I can dismount?”
James scrambled to do his bidding and chortled when the lass put her arms around his neck. “She’s being agreeable.”
“For how much longer?” Sean asked.
“We shall see.” Colm waggled his brows, laughing at Sean’s sarcasm.
As they approached the homestead of their longtime friend and comrade, Neil Gurtey, the stout man came from an outbuilding holding a massive cleaver. Blood dripped from the tip of the blade. No one feared Neil for they knew the killing season had begun and meat was being prepared for storage. A long winter was said to be coming.
“Laird, I wasn’t expecting you.” Neil motioned to them and bade them welcome. “My wife just made a fine meal. You have perfect timing. Come inside and take your rest. You are all welcome.” He wiped his hands on a cloth he’d pulled from inside his tunic and bade them forward.
“Neil, it is good to see you. I’ll come inside, but my men will await me out here.” Grey approached and clapped him on the back.
Kenneth led his horse inside the corral along with the others, and looked back at the cottage. Grey would never be disrespectful to the tenants and stay outdoors with them as much as he’d like to. Many were honored to have their laird in their home and would have a story to tell about it later. It would be rude not to accept their hospitality. But Grey knew his guardsmen would never intrude on the hardworking folks and preferred to stay outside, unless they needed to protect him.
“Then I shall send me Kathleen out with some food for your guard,” Neil said, and disappeared inside the cottage with Grey.
Kenneth took a layer of his tartan from his upper body and placed it on the soft grass beside a tree. “Set the lass here, James.” He was going to add the word gently, but didn’t since he knew they’d all have something to say about his care. When James didn’t move fast enough, Kenneth scowled.
James hesitated until he got the message of his glare. “I’m wanting to hold her a wee bit longer, Kenneth. Why do you get to and we don’t? Aye, don’t look at me like that. She’ll be well and is breathing easy. The lass only sleeps now.”
“Let us move away so we don’t awaken her.” Colm led them away.
They moved to the other side of the cottage when Kathleen came out and handed them each a large hunk of bread and a bowl, before offering them a large pot. “If you need more, knock on the door.” She laughed giddily and hurried back inside.
For an odd reason, ladies always giggled around them. Kenneth disregarded it and grabbed a bowl from Sean. As hungry as they were, they ate the pottage within minutes. Kenneth kept watch on the door for Grey and listened to the men make small talk. He wasn’t really listening wholeheartedly until he heard mention of Elisa.
“What say you, Kenneth? Do you deem Grey will take the lass to the king?” James asked.
Kenneth shrugged his shoulder in answer. He didn’t know what Grey was thinking, but he’d pledge a fortnight’s duties that Grey wasn’t about to give Alexander anything. Just as he thought that, Grey came strolling out of the cottage, looking sated and in a much better mood. He smiled and thanked Neil for their hospitality.
“I will have one of the lads come and help you with the harvest, as long as you promise to send me a nice fat boar for my stores.” Grey clapped the man’s hand and approached them.
Neil said his goodnights and farewells and left them, entering his cottage and closing the door.
“Will we rest here this night?” Sean held his tartan, waiting for an answer.
Grey nodded, looking toward the unmoving lass by the tree. “Aye, bed down and get some rest. We’ll move on in the morning. It should be safe enough.”
Kenneth took another layer of tartan and set it on the ground before laying on it. He positioned himself to keep watch on Elisa should she awaken. If she didn’t soon, she’d need to be taken to a healer. Hopefully Sean hadn’t addled her or caused serious injury. If so, he’d blacken his other eye.
“I’ve been thinking. This woman is too sweet to put in the hands of Alexander. I know too well what he’s capable of. He’d put her in harm’s way that I vow, seeing as what he did to my sweet Bree. Nay, I won’t be party to his deeds.”
“So you want to take her to Gunn land, Laird?” Colm asked.
“Aye, I do. We’ll take her home with us. I saw the way Domhnall looked at her when we supped with him. He was none too pleased with the lady, but his look was one of longing and there was something else in that look. I believe she was in danger if we left her there as well. What has she gotten herself into?”
Kenneth didn’t like the mention of danger. Elisa was a delicate lady who couldn’t hurt a fly. Why would Domhnall want to hurt her? He wasn’t usually one to question his laird, but ques
tions needed to be asked.
“Why is she in danger? Do you deem she knows where this parchment is? Mayhap that is what Domhnall wants of her too.” Kenneth sat up and stretched his legs in front of him, now interested in the discussion.
“Mayhap Domhnall suspects Alexander is looking for it and has questioned the lady. She’s the only person alive who can attest to its location.” Grey bunched his tartan and lay back, resting his head.
They grew quiet and settled down for the night.
Grey peered across the grass at her. “She needs protection of the Gunn clan and the only way I can ensure her safety is to wed her to one of you.”
Each of the guard sat straight up and stared in disbelief at what their laird had said. Only the sound of noisy crickets and late summer insects could be heard. Several unspoken moments went by.
“Laird, none of us can wed. Our lives are dedicated to you, you know that. We took an oath when you became laird.” Sean nodded to the others. “It is what we’ve trained for our entire lives.”
“Aye, we vowed you come first and the clan, but if the lady’s safety is in question then we cannot abide by that vow,” James said. “None of us ever planned to marry. Besides, Grey, no lass could out cook your wife. I wonder what Bree cooked this night.”
“I will wed her, Laird,” Colm said outright.
“Nay, Colm, you are too young to take a wife. Sean is the oldest and should have first choice,” Grey said. “We’ll decide this by age and rank. What say you, Sean?”
“Och but Kenneth is the eldest, Laird. He should be the one forced to wed her,” Sean said, disgruntled. He didn’t appear too happy with Grey’s declaration and sat with his sword in his lap, plucking the blade. That habit drove Kenneth mad, because Sean usually kept it up until his fingers bled.
Kenneth swallowed hard before objecting. “Nay, I’m not a Gunn, though I wish I was. I’m not part of this sacrifice.” He could have laughed at the use of the word sacrifice because he believed none of them considered it such. Each of his friends would gladly wed the woman despite their open balks or objections.