On A Highland Hill (Gunn Guardsmen)

by Kara Griffin

  Sean clinked his cup against hers. “To your husband.”

  Elisa was beginning to feel all the melancholy dissipating. Happiness built inside her and she wanted to join in the revelry. She took turns dancing with Sean, James and Colm, each of them moving around her in a fast-footed dance. They laughed and were having a joyous time. The dance started to make her dizzy and she tried to steady herself when she saw Kenneth.

  He appeared akin to a fierce warrior who had just come from the battlefield. He was practically naked for he wore nothing but a tartan wrapped at his waist. His chest was bare. For a moment she lost her breath looking at him.

  Elisa gasped when he took her arm and led her away.

  She called to Sean, “Should I be fearful?”

  Sean shook his head.

  Elisa lifted her skirts because Kenneth walked so fast she could barely keep up with him. Kenneth didn’t speak to her the entire walk, more like run, to their cottage. Elisa tried to engage him in conversation but he just shook his head and kept walking. When they reached the cottage she was out of breath from the hastiness of their walk.

  Once at the cottage, he gently pushed her inside and slammed the door closed. The force of it caused it to open slightly.

  He grabbed her about the waist and kissed her. The kiss was unlike the kisses he’d given her before. There was enmity in his kiss and she pulled away becoming concerned. He moved toward the bed and turned, staring at her.

  Elisa stood in the center of the room and waited, unsure if she should try to speak to him or if she should just keep her mouth closed. He didn’t look as though he wanted to converse. Her heart beat languidly in her chest and she tensed under his glare.

  When he didn’t say anything she turned her back and went to make a fire in the hearth. Better to occupy herself with a task.

  “It’s because of you. You’ve done this to me.”

  He’d spoken in such a low, deep controlled tone that it troubled her. She didn’t know Kenneth well enough to discern if he would hurt her. But he’d promised he wouldn’t, didn’t he? She was unsure of everything at that moment. Elisa turned and he was standing next to her, she backed a step.

  “What have I done?”

  Kenneth stripped away his tartan and stood naked. “You bewitched me. You’re too bonny. Aye, ye make me want you regardless of what I …”

  She thought he might kiss her again and she waited with bated breath for him to close the space between them. But he moved away, glaring as if she was the last person he’d want to kiss.

  “It’s because of you. You’re the reason I had to marry, the reason an army is coming here, the reason I have to leave my home. And you’re the reason my horse died.” Kenneth fell back upon the bed and closed his eyes. “Oh cosh it all to hell, what am I saying?”

  He mumbled other words she didn’t understand, some of which that sounded like an apology. And as much as he’d hurt her, she covered him with a tartan and hoped his head bore the effects of his imbibing on the morrow.

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  Morning wasn’t his favorite time of day. Kenneth awoke with a pounding ache in his head and a terrible taste in his mouth. He was lying naked across the bed, a tartan bunched up on the floor. His wife was absent. Brightness filtered into the room from the lone window in the cottage and hurt his eyes. So he kept them closed and tried to recall what he’d done the night before. He remembered drinking the brew he’d taken from the hall. Had he drank the entire jug by himself?

  No wonder he felt wretched.

  His head thumped madly with each thought. He needed another swig to help him over the malady. Kenneth hadn’t ever gotten so drunk. As his head pains lessened somewhat, he wondered where Elisa had spent the night.

  Remembrance of words echoed in his head and he hoped he hadn’t spoken them. He thought he recalled seeing Elisa dancing, her smiling face peering at him, as the sight and sounds waved before him. The celebration. She was there.

  He groaned. “Damn me, what have I done? And worse, I’m to leave this day.” Kenneth moved off the bed and wrapped the tartan at his waist and belted it. He thought to go to the barracks where he kept his belongings. He needed clean attire and he might as well take what little possessions he owned when he left.

  Groggily he walked to the door. He was about to open it when he spotted Elisa lying on the floor in front of the hearth.

  He knelt next to her and shook her shoulder. She opened her eyes and Kenneth scowled.

  “Elisa, are you unwell?”

  “Nay, I am verily well.”

  Her tone attested she was cross. Then he noticed how swollen her eyes were. “Have you been weeping?”

  She didn’t answer.

  Kenneth wasn’t certain but he thought he might be the cause of both her anger and tears.

  “Did someone hurt you?”

  “Aye.” She sat upward, drawing the cover she’d used during the night around her.

  “Tell me his name and I’ll see to it.”

  Elisa shook her head. “My upset doesn’t concern you, Kenneth.”

  “Aye it does. Your worries are mine.”

  “And are your worries mine?”

  He didn’t answer.

  “Then from this day forward I shan’t discuss my worries with you.” Elisa rose and moved to the chair. She wrapped herself in the tartan and looked across the room, avoiding eye contact with him.

  “We’re to leave this day. Gather your belongings and I’ll return shortly.”

  “Shortly? I shall believe that when I see it.”

  Kenneth didn’t like the fact that she was irate with him. He was about to leave but turned back. Her gaze was on her lap. He didn’t know what to say to make her feel better or to appease her. Whatever he’d said caused her ire. Mayhap she needed a few minutes alone.

  With that, Kenneth closed the cottage door and walked to the barracks. When he got to the building that housed the unmarried guard and sentries, he saw Grey talking with Duff outside.

  He passed by hastily wanting to retrieve his belongings and to get out of there. Especially before Grey started in on him again about all that forgiveness cosh and duty to one’s clan bullshit.

  At the water barrel where some of the men washed, Kenneth dunked his head and stayed under the water for a few seconds. The cold water refreshed him enough to realize he needed to get moving. He entered the barracks and took a cloth from the peg and dried his hair and wiped his face.

  He reached his bunk and stripped, throwing the Gunn tartan in the heap lying in wait for wash day. He dressed in a dark blue tunic and stared long and hard at the McInnish tartan folded neatly in his trunk. It had been at least twenty summers since he’d last worn the green and blue colors, when he’d come to Gunn land. Barely a man when he’d last owned to being a McInnish, only two years prior.

  Shaking his head at his hesitation, he grabbed it and put it on. Though the garment stood as a symbolic reference to his clan, he would just have to swallow his pride.

  He threw the rest of his belongings: two daggers, a few more items of clothing, a wooden cross that belonged to Greer, into a sack. Kenneth lifted the secret compartment in his trunk and took out the heavy sack of gold coin. Trading with Grey had made him quite set, but he’d never needed the prosperity until now and had hid it for safekeeping.

  Grey paid those who traveled with him on trading missions handsomely and the Gunns had made a fair profit. Most clans made their wealth by farming, but the Gunns were close to the sea and had the luxury of having boats. The coin would go a long way in securing any necessities he would need once he reached the McInnish holding.

  His sword lay on his bunk and his fingers trailed the handle and smoothness of the blade. It was made by one of the finest smiths in the highlands and he’d paid through his teeth for it. The sword had been his great ally in the many fracases he’d endured as a Gunn guardsman. He hadn’t used it in some time. Verily he would now. The McInnish clan was known for its warring for many
a clan didn’t get along with them. Sheathing the sword into the belt at his waist, he pulled on his extra boots and left the barracks.

  Outside the sun shone brightly and looked to be high. The brilliance caused his head to thump madly. It had to be near noon. He was getting a late start. It would take him days to reach McInnish land if he took the trail he’d intended.

  Grey, Duff, Sean, James, and Colm blocked his path.

  “I don’t have time for this cosh, Grey, and honestly I don’t want to hear anything you want to say. I must be leaving. Remember, there’s an army after my wife.”

  Grey set his hand on his shoulder. “Too bad, Kenneth, because I have something to say. You’re going to listen to us whether you like it or not. You look good wearing the McInnish colors.”

  “Go to hell.”

  Duff laughed. “Aye, laird, Kenneth isn’t one to talk about fashion. Here, you look like you need this.” He handed him a flask.

  Kenneth balked at first, but hell he needed something to make him right again. He gulped the contents, feeling the good burn in his chest and the thumping in his head lessened. “Aye, much better.” He swiped his mouth with the back of his hand and handed the flask back to Duff.

  Grey shoved his arm. “You are angry with me. But you know I only meant to do right by you.”

  “Aye, Grey. I suppose I’d have to face this eventually, but I’m not ready. I thought I’d have more time to adjust to the idea.”

  “You’re as ready as you’ll ever be. Sean has asked permission to go with you. I told him aye if it was all right with you.”

  “If you want to come it’s fine with me, Sean.” Kenneth was glad he’d have one of his comrades join him. He wasn’t sure what to expect when he reached McInnish land, or what he’d encounter along the way.

  “You don’t live afar. We expect to see you from time to time,” Grey said.

  “Aye, and don’t deem that just because you’re a laird, you can lord it over us,” Duff said.

  “I wouldn’t.” Kenneth almost grinned when he noticed how black Duff’s eye was. “James, I’m taking your horse.”

  “Why?” James asked incredulously.

  “Mine’s dead.”

  James set his fists on his hips, glaring with the intent to change his mind. “Took me months to train him, Kenneth. Nay, take another.”

  “Can’t. I need a well-trained horse for this trek and besides, you owe me.”

  “Damned if I do. What for?”

  Kenneth would have flashed a grin, but he raised a brow instead. “If you remember, that time we went to the border with Grey … You wanted the woman with the big—”

  James shouted an explanative, cutting him off. “Very well, but my horse? Take ‘em then.”

  All recalled that time by the border, James’ first time with a woman. Kenneth couldn’t recollect what her name was, but she wanted him and he convinced her to be with James.

  “We’ll be traveling south at first to avoid mac Raghnaill’s army and then we’ll cut to the northwest when we get past the point.”

  Grey agreed. “Aye, he should be coming from the west. Keep to our usual trails and you should be able to pass through without concern. It’ll take you an extra day or so, but better to be cautious. About the McInnish clan … I sent Aiden and Duncan there to ensure the clan’s safety.”

  “Aye, I recall Aiden being an arse. The man was too boastful about his task. You shouldn’t have sent him, Laird,” Duff said. “You read Duncan’s last report.”

  “I sense Aiden is going to be a concern because Duncan alluded to it in his missive. I haven’t had time to look into it. If he is troublesome, Kenneth, send him home and I shall deal with him.”

  “Aye, I will. I need to go. Elisa is awaiting.” Kenneth headed for the kitchens. He needed to filch food for the journey and he was hungry too.

  Sean walked next to him. He was unusually silent.

  First he checked to see if Gell was around, and then Kenneth spooned pottage from a pot, gulping down the thick mixture until he was sated. Gell didn’t allow anyone to eat from the pots in the hearth. The old man would grumble for hours if he found out. After filling another sack with various foodstuffs, he took a sweet cake Gell had made for Elisa.

  “I better take her something to eat. She’s disagreeable this morning.”

  Sean bellowed with laughter. “Aye and well she should be. I almost checked on you this morning because I thought mayhap she killed you. It would’ve served you right if she had.”

  “Why would she want to kill me? I’m her husband. I didn’t hurt her did I? I can’t remember what the hell I did last eve,” Kenneth said appallingly. “I might have said some things …”

  “Aye, you did hurt her, but not physically. All the same you might as well have. Words can wound just as easily.” Sean kept up with him until Kenneth slowed.

  “What exactly did I say to her?”

  “You told her everything was her fault. You blamed her for having to wed, for the coming army, for having to leave and then you accused her of killing your horse.”

  “Cosh! Why didn’t you stop me?”

  “You were inside the cottage. I could hear you shouting. Aye you came to the celebration barely clothed and took her away. I followed because I wasn’t sure what you were going to do. I never saw you so put out, Kenneth. I heard you yelling at her and then her weeping.”

  “I made her cry?”

  “Aye, you did.” Sean punched his upper arm. “Don’t you feel like a swine-coshed-arse now?”

  “I do. How am I supposed to remedy this?”

  “Don’t look at me. I’ve never been married.”

  Kenneth frowned, looking at the path ahead. “Damn you, she’d be your wife if I didn’t step forward. Help me think of something.”

  Sean laughed and shoved him. “You got an irate wife on your hands. A woman, I’ll remind you, who you’ll be traveling with for four or five days. You might want to make it right before we head out lest our journey be troublesome. You know her better than I.”

  “Damned me. That I do. Meet me by the stables and ready the horses. I might need a wee bit of time.” Kenneth left Sean standing at the entrance of the stables and kept walking until he reached the cottage. He found Kait standing inside with Elisa. Her arm was draped around Elisa’s shoulder.

  “Men can be villainous brutes, Elisa. Och they usually make up for it.” Kait patted her shoulder and glared at him. “Good day, Kenneth, well, mayhap not such a good a day for you. Fare well, Elisa, be well.” She didn’t look back as she left.

  He stood there for a few minutes unsure what to say or how to broach the subject of his misconduct. “I brought you a sweet cake. Are you hungry?” He set the cake on the table.

  “Nay.”

  “Have you got all your things?”

  “Aye.”

  He was in dire trouble … when a woman resorted to one word answers … there’d be hell to pay. “I deem I said some things last eve that deserves an apology.”

  Kenneth dropped the sacks he held and took her in his arms. At first she tried to move away, but he was persistent. Holding her close, he lifted her chin. Her eyes shone with unshed tears. He felt like a heel, more despicable over hurting her than he had from waking with the drink pounding his head.

  “Elisa, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean any of what I said to you. I was angry.”

  “Do you even remember what you said?”

  “Nay, not all. Sean told me some of it. He heard me yelling.”

  “I deem everyone in the clan heard you. I was … humiliated. Do you really blame me for killing your horse and all those other things?” She sounded dismayed.

  “Nay, not for the horse.”

  “And the other things? You didn’t have to wed me. It was your choice. Sean would have done his duty as he’d said. And if you don’t wish to leave then you shouldn’t. I don’t want to be the cause of your anger. I’m sure Grey will send me somewhere safe. I will not have you forc
ed into protecting me.”

  “I’m not being forced. I was angry and drunk last eve. That is no excuse, och I don’t blame you for anything that has happened.”

  “Do you take to drink every time you’re angry?” she asked in a weak voice.

  Her question stabbed him like a dagger to his heart. “Nay, Elisa, I don’t.”

  “Will you promise you won’t even though we promised no promises?”

  “Aye, I promise. Am I forgiven?”

  “I shall consider it. I wouldn’t expect to be forgiven so easily were I you.”

  “The last thing I’d ever want to do is hurt you. I didn’t mean to, Elisa. It’s just … I am not ready to face the McInnish clan.” Kenneth’s eyes glinted with a touch of sadness. He touched her lips with his, a gesture of his vow to keep his word. “We must be off. Sean is awaiting us by the stables.”

  “Is he to come with us?”

  “Grey gave him permission. I am glad to have him along. It will take us days to reach McInnish land. I’ll be glad you’ll have more protection.” Kenneth offered her the sweet cake again and she ate it while he gathered their sacks. Kait must’ve given her a satchel, which sat by the doorway. She took it from him and carried it.

  “Come we need to leave.” Kenneth led her to the stables.

  “Do you deem Domhnall is really brining an army here?”

  Kenneth should have known she’d find out. “He was spotted crossing the land of one of our allies. He’s about two days ride out by now.”

  “Why would he come all this way?”

  “He believes you know where the parchment is. Do you? Or did you tell a falsehood to Grey?”

  “Nay, I did not speak an untruth. Kenneth, I told you, Mauri wouldn’t have told me about it even if she’d stolen it. I know not what or why she would have done such a thing.”

  “She never spoke of mac Raghnaill?”

  “Nay, only of Alexander. But it was expected because she was to marry him. He was courting her and had spoken to our father. The king, at the time, sent a missive to our father giving permission for the betrothal. I believe she cared for Alexander.”