by K. E. Saxon
Branwenn gave Bao a sharp jab in the side with her elbow.
Bao ignored it.
Daniel moved forward a few paces. “Aye, she is excessively fair,” he replied.
The heat flew back into Branwenn’s cheeks at the unfamiliar compliment. “My thanks,” she said with a shy dip of her head.
Daniel’s smile was kind. “This day has been full of wonders. For I have not only gained a brother, but a sister as well, in a mere matter of hours.”
Out of the corner of her eye, Branwenn saw Bao tense as he turned his gaze on her.
“Beg pardon, did you say that you’ve gained a brother and a sister this day?” she asked, then turned her gaze from Daniel’s to Bao’s. “What does he mean?”
“She knows not?” Daniel asked into the awkward silence.
Bao gave Daniel a silent shake of his head. Then, his voice filled with regret, he said to her, “Daniel and I share the same father, Branwenn.”
A bereft sadness swept through her. Her brother had a brother-germane. Surely, he would forsake her for evermore now.
Bao placed his hand on her arm. “I should have revealed all to you last eve when I told you of your own parentage, but I decided against it. I’m sorry that you have learned of it now in this way.”
All at once, utter vexation at Bao’s continued secrecy replaced the desolation she’d been feeling. She shrugged out of his grasp. “Aye, that you should have done! Why would you leave me in the dark about such an important part of your history? Unless, ‘twas a lie you told me last eve and you do not truly consider me your sister—is that the way of it then? Aye, I believe it is, I—”
“Nay! ‘Tis naught like that, I swear it!” Sending a quick glance his brother’s way before turning it back on her, he continued, “I feared that Daniel would not embrace our kinship—would, instead, scorn it—and me—and I sought only to protect you from any knowledge of his derision.”
No matter how annoying he could be sometimes, Branwenn had no liking for those who would disdain her brother. With fire in her eyes, she turned her sights on Daniel. “Woe be upon you if you ever do!” she swore. “For that red hair of yours shall not last long under my clever knife—this, I vow.”
With a chuckle, Daniel said, “Nay, lass, no need for the sharp edge of your blade—nor your tongue. For ‘twas with great gladness that I learned I have a brother, and the feeling only grew stronger upon finding I had a sister as well. Hatred plays no part in this, and never will.”
Bao took her by the hand and led her over to Daniel. “Branwenn, Daniel desires that we stay with them at the keep. ‘Twill be good for us to take some time to acquaint ourselves with one another. Tho’ our family is not fashioned from a common thread, nor in the usual way, its heart is as true as any kin of the purest blood ties, I trow.” First placing Branwenn’s hand in his brother’s, Bao then closed his own over the other two.
“Aye,” Daniel agreed, giving Branwenn’s fingers an encouraging squeeze.
*
All of Daniel’s family members were gathered in the great hall an hour later, seated around the table, in the rather unusual fashion they’d adopted these past moons since he and Maryn had arrived here, and enjoying a mid-morning light repast of cheese, fruit, bread, and wine. Maryn had requested that they invite Jesslyn and Alleck as well, to which Daniel had heartily agreed. After all, Bao was the lad’s ‘magic giant’. Voices overlapped as they each tried to be part of the others’ conversations. Daniel sat back and listened as he took in the chaos he’d helped to create and could not remember ever feeling so at peace, not even prior to the massacre.
His grandmother sat between Branwenn and Bao. As she held Branwenn’s hand in her lap, she spoke to Bao. “I had a notion that the lad I had met so many years past was the one hiding in our forest. When Alleck gave us the description, it fit so well with my memory of you, that I became convinced that his ‘magic giant’ was not imaginary, but quite real. Tho’ I never confessed such to anyone.” Placing her other aged hand over the mammoth tanned one resting next to hers on the table, she continued, “I did hope that we would roust you sooner so that I might perceive whether you were in fact my grandson as well.”
Turning his palm up, Bao affectionately squeezed her fingers and grinned. “I thought you might have suspected my connection to you when last we met, but I was never certain until now. I have fond memories of the time I spent here so long ago and ‘twas the reason I brought my sister here when it became necessary for her to leave Perth. I desire that she be your ward.”
*
At Bao’s words, Branwenn’s arm jerked and her hand clenched Lady Maclean’s palm.
The older woman turned and looked at her, a question in her gaze.
“Beg pardon,” Branwenn murmured, bowing her head.
Lady Maclean smiled before turning back to Bao. “‘Tis a fine notion, that. Branwenn will get on quite nicely here. Both Maryn and Jesslyn will provide even more of the feminine influence that you wish your sister to have.”
The main players in the farce Branwenn’s life had become within the past hour all piped in at that moment, making plans for her future, on which they evidently thought she needed to have no input. Fearful, and feeling a bit sorry for herself as well, Branwenn indulged her mood. So, she thought glumly as she listened to the exchange, her brother was still set on leaving her here, alone with strangers for whom she was supposed to suddenly feel so much kinship.
“I know it must be difficult to think of living apart from your brother after all these years,” Maryn said to her, “I would have felt the same, had I been torn from my dear papa’s side at your age. But if you will accept my friendship and offer me yours in return, I believe you shall soon find your fear and sadness lessened.”
Lifting her eyes to the lovely lady seated across from her between Daniel and Laird Donald, Branwenn gave her a shy smile. She knew everyone was trying not to stare at her chopped and uneven hair that, as far as she was concerned, looked worse, not better, with the filet that Lady Maclean had placed over its crown before the meal. How was she ever supposed to feel comfortable around these gentle, fair ladies that her brother believed were the perfect influence for her? Resigning herself to her fate, she knew she must make the effort to fit in. Moving the same jagged bang aside that had been falling in her eye and poking it since first donning the damnable metal head ornament, she nodded and said softly, “Aye, if you truly wish it, then I accept, and I give you mine as well.”
*
Jesslyn, who had been listening to Laird Donald inform her son of the best places to find frogs—a new pastime Alleck had discovered and that she was not enjoying—overheard the exchange between Maryn and Branwenn. Keeping her eyes deliberately focused past the man who’d been seated next to her—whom she was trying desperately to ignore, else she might melt in a puddle of lust where she sat—she leaned forward and said to the demure lass, “If you wish, I shall be pleased to show you the village and introduce you to some of the folk that live there.”
Just then the object of her desire picked up his goblet and his shoulder nudged her own. Jesslyn jerked away from the sizzling contact and rubbed the place where they’d touched.
“Mama, you could show Brammin how to cut hair,” Alleck trumpeted as he tugged on her sleeve to get her attention. “I think she doesn’t know how too good.”
Her lover choked on his wine. Coughing and laughing at the same time behind his palm, he did so even louder when he heard the same fits had taken over Daniel and Laird Donald.
Branwenn rose from her seat and fled the great hall.
“I’d best go tend to her,” he said as he came to his feet and hurried out after her, still clearing wine from his windpipe.
“I hope the lass’s feelings were not hurt very badly,” Laird Donald said, his voice contrite as he wiped the tears of mirth from his eyes.
“Lachlan Donald, you’ve raised a daughter; I expected you to be more understanding of the lass’s tender feeling
s,” Lady Maclean said, giving him a scorching look.
“Aye, I was just giving myself a similar lecture,” he replied.
Jesslyn turned to her unintentionally tactless son and said, “Alleck, you must never speak of a person’s appearance unless ‘tis a thing you like about their looks. Do you see how sad Branwenn was? Your words hurt her.”
Her son’s shoulders drooped. “Aye, Mama, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt the faery lady’s feelings, I just wanted to help her.” He cocked his head and looked at her. “Mayhap she only left ‘cuz people were coughin’ at the table.”
Jesslyn pressed her lips together in disgust and gave first Daniel and then Laird Donald a frigid glare. “Aye, that had more to do with her flight, I trow.”
“Shame be on both of you,” Maryn said to both the men. “Do you not know how out of place Branwenn is feeling? She hardly needed further proof that she’s a stranger here.”
“Aye, lass, ‘twas wrong of us to allow her to see our mirth,” Laird Donald said as he patted his daughter’s hand.
Daniel stood up. “I shall go now to find Branwenn and bring her back inside.” Then, with a purposeful gait, he left the room.
*
As Daniel stood on the steps of the keep, he saw his two newly discovered siblings leaning against the well in the bailey. Branwenn’s chin rested on her chest and she absently banged the filet against the side of her thigh. Bao was speaking to her in low syllables. He had his arms crossed over his chest and his legs stretched out in front of him with one foot over the other as he rested against the edge of the well. ‘Twas clear to Daniel that Bao was consoling Branwenn, no doubt about his eminent departure.
Deciding to wait a moment before intruding, he sat down on the top step. He continued to watch the two, however, envying the closeness Bao and Branwenn shared and wondering what it would have been like to grow up with a sibling. He had not lied when he’d told Bao he’d always wanted a brother. A nearly forgotten memory played out in his mind. He’d been a lad of no more than five summers and had been told by one of the squires that lasses were born with all their wee babes already in their bellies—that all they had to do to make one grow was to kiss a lad on his lips. Daniel shook his head and rolled his eyes. The older lad had clearly been playing him for a fool. For the squire had then told him that ‘twas, of course, the reason that Daniel should not allow his friend’s wee sister to do such to him, as she’d been trying to do all that day.
Daniel chuckled, recalling his reaction. He’d had the fear of God put into him so thoroughly that he’d run home to hide in his bedchamber. He’d slept with a shirt wrapped around his head that night, covering his mouth, afraid that the lass would break in and force a kiss on him as he slept. A bittersweet smile played across his lips as he remembered the rest. By the next eve’s supper, he’d had other ideas. He’d pressed his mother to kiss every one of his grandfather’s warriors on the mouth, sure that he’d have a castle full of siblings come morn, if he could only convince her to do as he bade. When his mother had, in frustration, at last taken him aside to question his odd behavior, he’d explained that he just wanted to have some brothers and sisters and he did not see why she was being so mean by not kissing just one of those soldiers so he could at least have a brother.
That evening his grandfather had explained, in very broad terms, how a babe was made.
*
“Why will you not at least consider taking me with you?!” Branwenn stormed away from Bao, one arm swinging and the other pounding the filet against the front of her thigh as she moved. Bao did not stir, continuing to lean against the edge of the well.
Daniel bounded from his seat on the steps of the keep and chased after the angry lass. He caught up with her just as she was inveigling the gatekeeper to allow her to exit. Wrapping his hand around her upper arm to turn her to face him, he said in surprise, “You are so slight.” And then, when she tried to pull away, he said more urgently, “Please. Do not leave. I believe ‘twould truly cleave my heart in two if you left here with such anger toward me. And you have not yet given me a chance to beg your pardon for my rudeness in the hall.” Releasing her arm, Daniel dropped his hands to his sides. “I beg you to forgive me. From your behavior in the cave earlier, I believed your feelings to be less tender about…” Daniel knew better than to mention the state of her hair. Instead, he motioned with his hand, waving it around his own head, shrugging.
She visibly relaxed her stance. “Be easy. I see now that my response was a bit more extreme than it should have been.” She grasped his hand and placed the filet in his palm. “Please see that this is returned to Lady Maclean.” Returning her gaze to his, she continued, “I go where Bao goes.” Indicating the keep with a sweep of her hand, she said, “I do not feel at ease amongst the fine ladies in there. I’ll abide in the cave and then follow Bao if need be. I will not be left here.”
As she began to turn away, Daniel darted around her, blocking her means of departure. “Wait. I think I understand what’s causing you distress, and ‘tis not as you believe. Do you know what my first thoughts were when I saw you in the cave?”
She slowly shook her head, a spark of interest on her countenance.
“I thought that your beauty and wit rivaled even that of my wife’s—and, in my estimation, she’s the most beautiful and witty creature God ever made.” Daniel remembered also having thoughts about the state of her hair, but he’d be damned to a fiery hell before he’d ever tell her about that drift of thought.
*
Branwenn dropped her gaze, blinking the sudden moisture from her eyes. No one except Bao had ever given her such tribute, even though she knew the praise exaggerated. Surely it meant that Daniel held some affection for her?
“I beg you, stay with us here; I want to get to know you. Bao’s had you your whole life—do you not think I should be given the chance, the pleasure, of caring for you now?”
Branwenn relented. She found she had no choice; her heart had opened up of its own volition with his kindness, and allowed this red-haired warrior brother a place in it. Nodding, she rested her hand in the crook of Daniel’s arm. “Will you squire me back to the hall? I believe there are some ladies there who have many plans for me.”
*
Bao sighed, his heart breaking a bit as he watched his sister and brother slowly making their way across the bailey. Branwenn was wrong in her notion that he wanted to be rid of her. He already missed her, and he had yet to depart. But she’d be safe here and she’d have the chance of a better, more normal, life. That was the most important thing in Bao’s estimation. He would not allow selfishness to rule his decisions regarding her. Straightening, he strolled toward the keep. Now, to finish this reunion and be off to the village to meet Alleck’s friends. Then, later that night, he would have his discussion with the flaxen-haired, blue-eyed beauty. The temptress whose image, he was sure, would haunt him for the remainder of his days.
*
The rain had never arrived in full force that day, as Bao had predicted it would. There had only been the light misting rain in intervals, enough to cool the night breezes and freshen the air in the wood. He’d needed a private place to have this talk with Jesslyn and had asked that she meet him here after Alleck was abed; at the place where they’d had their first meeting. He’d already built a fire a few paces outside the opening of the shallow cave, more for light than for warmth, and pulled the vines to the side as well. Looking around at the work he’d done, he relaxed, deciding he’d prepared the area enough for comfort.
Hefting one of the pine trunk stools, he brought it outside and placed it next to the outer stone wall. Sitting down, he leaned back and closed his eyes. Crossing his arms over his chest, he stretched his long legs out and breathed deeply. This was his favorite time of day. There was a peacefulness that settled over everything once the sun set in the sky; when the forest slept, and only the intermittent sounds of birds or nocturnal woodland creatures snuffling through the debris on the fo
rest floor could be heard.
*
Jesslyn stood transfixed, unable to force the greeting from her lips that she’d rehearsed on her way across the glen. Bao seemed to be sleeping, so for another moment she allowed her eyes to wander o’er his form. Could there be a man more beautiful in this world? She believed it could not be so; for she had intimate knowledge of every last line and angle he now had hidden beneath that tunic and shirt. Realizing the dangerous path her thoughts were taking, she made herself look away. This was a foolish venture. ‘Twas best to keep their meetings to a more public place. She should leave forthwith before she did something they’d both regret—again. Turning, she took a step toward the glen.
*
Bao sprung to his feet. “Nay! Do not leave, for I have something to tell you.” He’d been aware of her arrival, but could not bring himself to break the visceral thread of awareness that connected them as her avid gaze swept his frame—and his had done the same o’er hers, eagerly glutting one last time on her loveliness, though she’d clearly been unaware of his inspection. She seemed so genuine, pure even, and that guilelessness no doubt had much to do with his towering attraction to her. But he must quash this mad passion they shared, for both their sakes, before he could allow her to flee.
She turned back to face him and crossed her arms over her chest, rubbing her hands along her upper arms. “Tell me quickly, for I shall not stay here with you, alone, for long.”
Alone. Despite his better intentions, Bao’s mind filled once more with images of stripping her naked and taking her by firelight. Blood of Christ! He must depart this holding forthwith. “Aye, that would be best,” he said. “I thought to speak to you inside, but I see now that ‘tis not a good notion.” He swung away from her. “I shall retrieve the stool from the cave for you.” Aye, he’d leave this estate on the morrow, tho’ ‘twould be breaking the promise he had made to his brother—and his sister—to stay a fortnight. Damn, Hellfire, and Blood of Christ! He could not hurt his sister again by departing so soon. And since Jesslyn was sure to be repulsed by him once he’d made his confession, surely ‘twould not be so difficult to keep his distance from her afterward. Nay, he would stay, as promised.