A Highlander In Peril (Gunn Guardsman)

by Griffin, Kara

  Sean listened carefully to the woman’s rushed words. “I suspect Sir John didn’t take that well.”

  “Oh, nay, my lord, he didn’t. Sir John boasted he’d seek revenge and … there be bad blood betwixt the two of them now.”

  Bad blood indeed. And even though the man had reason enough, there was no evidence to indicate his guilt. “What of Bantrum, the Lombard steward? Was he angered by the betrothal?” Sean realized there was a web of deceit among the Lombard clan and Sir John.

  “He was smitten with the lass, but all the men were smitten by her. If he was upset, he never let on. Och, my lord, listen to me gossiping akin to a kitchen maid. I should be off. Must see to ensuring Maddie gets supper started soon or you’ll be hungry this eve.” She curtseyed again and hurried off.

  Sean stared after the woman. He was gladdened he’d run into her, because no one told him that bit of news. Sir John had secrets, and now that Sean knew this one, he’d figure out the rest of them.

  Lord Lombard didn’t remark on his recent dishonor, and why would he. No man would admit to such. Mayhap Bantrum was an innocent bystander. Each man had a motive for wanting to hurt Winifred, and Sean would have to do what he could to ferret out the truth.

  The afternoon heated the ground, and Sean felt sweaty. What he wouldn’t do for a swim in the sea near Gunn land. And with that in mind, he decided Frances and Trudy could do with some cheer. They all deserved a respite from such depressed events and the summer heat.

  Before Sean reached the keep, the guardsman at the gate whistled to him. He hurried to the entry and saw Lord de Percy standing beside his horse.

  “Lord Hume.”

  “Sean, my lord, call me Sean. What brings you by, Richard?” Sean waved a stable lad forward and asked him to attend to Lord de Percy’s horse. “Come inside. It’s too hot to be standing out here.” Sean led the way to the keep and into the darkened great hall where it was indeed much cooler than outside.

  “My lord, Mistress Ina had us prepare a fresh batch early this morn, cooled off it is.” A lanky lad refilled the ale barrel near the buttery.

  Sean took a cup and dipped it and offered it to his newfound friend. He then took one for himself. After drinking down the refreshing brew, he sat at the table and bid Richard be seated.

  “I came with news. All the suggestions for the new treaty were rejected by King Henry. Our Alexander is peeved. We’re all to meet again in a few weeks or so to decide what to do. I’m told Alexander will be present. He’s returning from his travels.”

  Sean was glad to hear that because the king’s presence would ensure some progress would be made. “Was he not meeting with King Henry?”

  “Aye, but they had other matters to discuss and I do not believe Alexander had time to sway Henry’s mind concerning the amendments. We’ll present more changes when next we meet.”

  “I shall come. Is there anything you need me to do?” Sean hoped the meeting would be put off, because he didn’t want to leave Frances.

  Richard shook his head. “Nay, nay, but I was thinking mayhap it’d be best for your to attend your home … I heard there’s some strife around this area lately.”

  “There is and it’s perplexing.” Sean went on to tell him about the missing lassies. “… we only buried the lass.”

  “What a shame. I met Lady Winifred at her betrothal feast.”

  Madam Ina came bustling into the hall, carrying food. “I just heard ye had a guest, my lord, and wanted to bring a bit of edibles.”

  “Thank you, Mistress Ina,” he called after her. Sean went and refilled their cups, and handed Richard a trencher when Madam Ina set a tray of foodstuffs in front of them. “I only learned of that news today, Richard.”

  Sean found it odd how the woman could be so fast on her feet for as aged as she was. She’d beat him home and had time to see to his comforts. The mistress bustled from the hall as fast as she’d come.

  “Oh what a tragedy that day turned out to be. I never saw Lord Lombard so angry. His daughter was shamed before all and he cared not a whit.” Richard plucked a sweet cake from the tray and set about eating it.

  Sean didn’t know what to think of the matter. “I was told Sir John swore vengeance. Do you deem it was enough to murder the lass?”

  Richard clicked his tongue, shaking his head. “Don’t rightly know, but the man holds weight in the realm and with England’s crown. He saved milady Joan from abductors and returned her to King Henry. England’s king as well as ours holds him in esteem and yet …”

  “Lord William didn’t trust him.”

  “Nay, he wouldn’t. Sir John is not an honorable man. He oft only seeks rewards for his own benefit. I meant to speak of him to Alexander about his misdeeds, but I haven’t seen him since his return from England. We’ll need to watch him when it comes around to tax collection.”

  Sean took a swig of ale, and couldn’t tolerate the thought of food at that moment and pushed away his trencher. “I will seek the king’s opinion when I see him at the meeting.”

  “I’m not saying the man is dishonest, just dishonorable. He always stays within the law. I vow the man can step in shit and still smell akin to heather. He and I play this game … Cats are smart, but sometimes the mouse is smarter.”

  “Which of you is the cat and which is the mouse?”

  Richard hooted. “I haven’t figured that out yet.”

  “The hunter will become the hunted then.” Sean decided he’d do a bit of hunting of his own and he’d set someone to the task as soon as he located someone that Sir John didn’t know well enough. Then he thought of Gordy, the young Gunn Guardsman, who was always up to a challenge.

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  Frances hadn’t been to the loch on Hume land in years. Not since she was wee when Lord William arranged a birthday celebration. The entire village had been invited and there’d been a grand feast served. Joyous memories did little though to take her mind off of her friend’s death and Sabine’s disappearance. Sean had been sweet to make the suggestion of going for a swim in the afternoon.

  “Come in, you’ll feel much better. The water is refreshing.”

  She watched him swim in the waist-high depth, teaching Ermintrude how to float. Her daughter’s giggles should have brightened her spirit.

  “I am well to sit here and watch.”

  Sean set Ermintrude on her feet and stalked out of the water. Frances’ breath caught as she watched his muscular form, beaded with water droplets, skulk toward her. He’d worn breeches he’d borrowed from Jacob and they did little to ward off her imagination for they fit his form and then some.

  “I’m not properly dressed to swim,” she said before he snatched her from her perch on the tree trunk.

  “Oh, I say ye are.”

  Sean carried her, his strong arms barely bulging with her weight. He walked into the water and kept going until the water reached just beneath his waist. Her eyes pleaded with him not to drop her, but he didn’t take heed. Frances plunged into the cool water and came up sputtering.

  “You! You beast! I deem I swallowed a fish.” She spit out the water that made its way into her mouth, and sent a large splash at him.

  “You want a splash fight? You got it, lass.” Sean kept splashing her until she couldn’t see as water streamed over her face. Frances shrieked with delight as he didn’t concede or let up.

  Ermintrude joined in and helped her soak Sean until he subsided in his drenching splashes. They laughed for several minutes and the sound was so welcome to her ears.

  She watched affectionately as Sean approached her daughter. Ermintrude didn’t shy away from him and she was pleased by her progress of accepting him.

  “Here, lass, throw it like this.” Sean stepped to the bank where Ermintrude tried to skip rocks. She wasn’t having success. Hers kept plopping in the water.

  “Like this, my lord?” she said, and tossed the rock a measly two feet.

  Sean knelt next to her, his knees covered by the brackish wa
ter. “Trudy, I want ye to call me Da. Would you?”

  Ermintrude seemed to be thinking it over. “I always called Lord William, lord.”

  “Aye, but he wasn’t wed to your Mamma. I’m your father now. Are ye displeased by it?”

  She giggled, shaking her head, and accepted the rock he placed in her hand. “I likes the name Da. And I likes the name Trudy. I told Alice to call me that, och she said Momma would be mad. You wouldn’t be mad, would ye Momma?”

  “Nay, not at all. Trudy is a fine name.” Frances watched the two of them and it lightened her heart. Sean enjoyed being with her daughter and she with him.

  As they day continued, they formed friendship and trust. He made a fine father figure and Frances deemed he was finding his way into both of their hearts.

  He continued instructing Ermintrude on how to properly throw the stones and when she was able to skip the rock a few times, Ermintrude shouted with glee. Her eyes shone with gaiety and she jumped in the water. Sean lifted her and tossed her above his head in celebration.

  When he set her down, her daughter took to searching for bugs in the high weeds by the bank. Frances was about to call her back to tell her a lass shouldn’t be doing such a vile thing. But then Sean sat next to her on the log and she lost her thoughts.

  “I feel much better. It was too hot this day.”

  “Aye, it was. It was a good idea coming here. I needed to get my mind off things …” Frances smiled when he took her hand.

  “Being here with you and Trudy … It makes me happy I’ve come, but makes me long for Gunn land. I often swim in the sea. The water’s much colder there.”

  Frances leaned against his arm and he set it around her. “We’re your family now. Does that please you?” She moved to the tartan Sean set on the ground, next to the basket Mistress Ina packed for them. He crawled next to her and leaned on his elbow, watching her with his deep brown eyes.

  “It does please me. If you’d asked me a month or two ago if this was possible, I’d have said nay. If not for the happenings and Lord William’s death, I would say I’d be the happiest of men.”

  “I’m sorry for it too. Ermintrude, don’t go too far.” Frances worried that her daughter would skulk off and worried.

  “I won’t, Momma.” She skipped back to them and flopped down next to Sean.

  Sean picked up the rope that sat beside him. “Come, I’ve a surprise.”

  Frances took Ermintrude’s hand and followed him to a large tree that rooted next to the loch. Its branches shaded the smooth confines where the water slowed. He climbed the trunk until he was a good distance from the ground.

  “What are you doing?” She didn’t mind the view though and looked upward to see his strong legs braced on a branch. “Really, Sean, you’re going to hurt yourself. Are all men akin to children? I won’t be able to catch you if you fall. Come down from there.”

  Ermintrude came dashing from around the tree and looked up. “What’s Da doing, Momma? Is he playing a squirrel?”

  Frances laughed. “Mayhap, my heart.”

  The rope dangled from the tree, and Sean continued to tie several knots until he was satisfied with his work. “There, all set.” He climbed down.

  “What is that for?” Frances asked.

  “To swing on.” Sean tied the end of the rope until the knot at the end was large enough for a person to stand on. “When I sailed on trading missions, we used to tie ropes to the masts of the boats and swung off into the water.”

  “You sailed? On the sea?” She hadn’t meant to sound so astounded.

  “Aye, I’ve been to many places. I’ll tell you about it, but not right now. Are ye ready lassies? Watch what I do and then take your turn.”

  “I don’t know about this,” Frances said, “It looks dangerous.”

  “Worry not. The water is deep here and will break your fall.”

  “That’s what I’m worried about.”

  Sean took hold of the rope and positioned his feet on the bottom knot and then started to swing himself until he was far enough out over the water and then he let go. He caused a good splash when his body hit the water. His strong arms propelled him toward the bank and he jumped out and retrieved the end of the rope.

  “Your turn,” he said, trying to hand her the rope.

  “Nay, I will not do that.”

  Ermintrude scampered toward Sean before she took hold of her hand. “I’ll do it, Da. Me next.”

  Sean lifted her and set her on the rope. “Place your feet on either side of the knot and take hold. Don’t let go until I tell you.”

  “I won’t. Swing me high, higher than you.”

  Sean began pushing her a little and her daughter’s body began going back and forth until she was over the water. Frances couldn’t bear to watch, but she did, ensuring her daughter was safe. She held her breath knowing if she fell, she’d be hurt.

  “Let go, lass.”

  Ermintrude plunged into the water and when she didn’t come right up, Frances jumped into the water to retrieve her. “Are you harmed?” Her daughter held on to her arms and latched her legs around her waist.

  “Oh nay, that was fun. Do it again, Da.” Her giggles echoed by the tree line.

  “I deem once is enough for this day.” Frances glared at Sean for giving her a fright. She tried to get Ermintrude to leave the water but she was too interested in a fish that swam by her feet.

  “You’re a coward, Frances, aye ye are.”

  She scowled at Sean for that affront. “I most certainly am not, but I … don’t want to.”

  He laughed and Ermintrude joined in. “Prove it. Jump in and I’ll wager a kiss. If ye do it then I’ll owe you a kiss. If you don’t do it then you’ll owe me a kiss.”

  Ermintrude snickered and made detestable sounds.

  “Very well, I shall do it, but only once.” Frances wasn’t about to admit she wanted him to kiss her, and if this was a way to get him to do it, she’d jump in with both feet. She took hold of the rope, positioned her feet, and held the rope tightly.

  Sean pushed her out over the water. She gripped the rope tightly and didn’t like being so high. His hand on her bottom caused her breath to cease. She took an intake of air before she let go. Frances landed in the water with a small splash and the cool water streamed over her body. The water felt wonderful, and admittedly, she wanted to do it again. It was indeed fun.

  “That was more amusing than I thought it would be.” She hiked her skirt and trekked to the tartan Sean laid on the ground, and sat on it. Her hair lay in tangles about her shoulders and she began wringing out the water. After, she wrung the excess water from her skirts.

  Ermintrude left the water’s edge and lay on her stomach, her small legs bent and she waved her feet around. “Tell me a story, Momma.”

  “It has been a while, hasn’t it? Mayhap Sean would like to tell one. I’m sure he’s has many adventures from his travels on the sea.”

  Sean took up the space next to her, and Ermintrude wiggled between them. She rolled onto her back and grinned happily.

  “I’d rather hear you, Frances, your voice is bonny. Aye, I could listen to you … especially at night when you squeal …”

  She elbowed his upper arm. His words caused a blush to creep upon her cheeks. “You are wicked, my lord. Hush now.”

  Sean laughed, and gently pushed a tress of her hair off her shoulder. “Only when I’m with you.”

  Ermintrude began to fidget. “A story, a story. Tell me a story.”

  “Very well, I shall tell you the story of the fox and the goose. Sit still, Ermintrude and listen. Cease wiggling. ‘One day a fox caught a fine fat goose sleeping by the side of the loch. He held her by the wing and laughed at her cackling and fear. The fox said, ‘If you had me in your mouth as I have ye, what would you do?’ The goose thought for a moment and replied, ‘Why I would fold my hands, close my eyes, say grace, and then eat you.’”

  Ermintrude giggled. “Did the fox eat the goose? Did he? Did
he?”

  Frances smiled. “‘The fox said, That’s just what I mean to do. And so he closed his eyes, folded his hands, and then said a pious grace. While he did this the goose spread her wings and took flight over the loch, leaving the fox to lick his lips for supper.’”

  Ermintrude held her belly and giggled. “She tricked ‘em. Aye she was a clever goose, Momma.”

  Sean leaned close. “I believe I owe you forfeit for using the rope.” He held the side of her face and kissed her long and hard.

  Frances held on to his shoulders and enjoyed the way his hard lips took possession of hers. For a moment, she forgot where she was and who was present until her daughter’s snickers reached her ears.

  “Och ewww. Ye shouldn’t kiss lads, Momma. Aye, Alice told me so.”

  Frances pulled away from Sean and laughed. “I shouldn’t? Even if I am married to him?”

  Ermintrude conceded. “Mayhap.”

  Sean grinned and mussed her daughter’s hair. “Aye, better we kiss than argue.” To her he said, “Wee ones should see affection betwixt their parents.”

  “I deem you are right. Come, we should return. Supper will be served soon and Ermintrude’s bedtime approaches.” Frances helped Sean take up the tartan and she handed it to him. She hooked the basket on her arm and took her daughter’s hand. Sean took Ermintrude’s other hand, and they walked back to the keep.

  When they reached home, Sean went off to speak with James, who came to sup with them. Frances was glad he would join them, because she wanted to get to know him better. She returned Ermintrude to her chamber, changed her, and brushed her hair.

  Frances loved those quiet moments with her daughter. When she finished her task, she instructed Alice to feed her and allow her time to play with her cat before bedtime.

  She needed to change her garments before supper and headed toward her chamber. When she entered, she noticed a tied package lying on the bedding. She couldn’t help the scream that escaped her lips. For she feared another vile gift had been left for her. Her heart slammed in her chest, and she couldn’t stop her hands from shaking.