There was a gasp at the table from George and Anne as they heard the young girl’s unkind remark to the baron. Garrison glared at both Brenton and Olivia and hoped this would not go any further but that hope was crushed a moment later.
Brenton had a huge grin on his face. “Ah, there’s the baby girl I am so used to seeing. I knew they could not hide my little warrior in a silly velvet dress. This night must be killing you Olivia.”
Normally she would have agreed with Brenton and the two would have laughed off the ridiculous notion of her being a lady but tonight, Olivia’s heart was beating fast as she stared into his beautiful blue eyes. She had never thought of him this way and having feelings for the older boy was confusing her. Olivia had finally reached her limit of control and she could not control her actions even though she knew Garrison was going to be furious with her.
“To hell with you Brenton! You know I was forced into wearing this and that I would rather be eating with the soldiers. I am sorry Garrison for ruining your dinner but I am done with this,” she blurted out.
The young girl stood quickly and raced out of the dining hall to find comfort outside in the fresh air where she knew she belonged. Olivia ran through the grass and into the dense forest that surrounded the fields. She stripped the binding green dress off, leaving only her chemise on before she climbed to the top of her favorite tree and inhaled deeply to calm herself.
Garrison sat at the table with his guests and began to apologize for his sister’s little tantrum and Brenton quickly added his regret also for sending the girl over the edge.
“It seems I should have had a governess taking care of Olivia long ago but I felt much more comfortable having her near me. I wanted to be able to protect her and I didn’t realize the effect it would have on her by being around my soldiers all the time,” the duke explained to his guests.
“You have carried a lot of burdens on your shoulders for such a young man. In fact, you have done remarkably well I would say,” George offered as a comfort.
“Your Grace, there is still hope for the dear girl. We have sent our three daughters to be taught at St. Mary’s Abbey, just south of the Alderon estate. There, the young girls are taught proper manners and decorum. They also receive a great deal of knowledge in reading and writing the English language,” Anne said.
Garrison did not think he could send his little sister away to be raised by someone else but Olivia was going to become a woman soon and this would change things drastically. Maybe this abbey was her only hope at becoming a proper lady and a royal countess. The idea was especially appealing when Garrison realized his sister would only be surrounded by women at the convent. The duke would not have to worry about lusty men staring at his baby sister.
“I know this is common practice, especially for most of the nobility but how could I ever reason with her that this would be to her benefit?” Garrison worried.
Brenton gave a wicked grin. “Would you like me to tell her?”
“I think you have done enough for one evening. If you will excuse me, I need to find Olivia before it gets to dark,” Garrison said as he stood to leave.
“I am sure she will understand Your Grace. All little girls want to grow up and wear beautiful dresses,” Anne smiled.
The duke returned the smile. “You don’t know my Livy.”
Everyone stood with Garrison and bowed slightly before he left.
Olivia felt extremely guilty for her behavior at dinner and she knew her brother was going to be furious with her. After calming down, the countess decided to go back to the castle. Garrison had set a rule long ago that she had to be indoors by the time the sun had set and this was not the time to be breaking any rules. Olivia hurried down from the tree and grabbed her dress from the ground. The beautiful young girl let the gown drag in the dirt beside her as she ran back to the castle walls before the night sky had gotten too dark.
“Livy,” Garrison said softly as she entered the massive foyer.
“I’m sorry,” she said with her head down, “will you forgive me?”
“Of course my sweet, come let’s talk in the library,” he said motioning to the large doors to her left.
Garrison followed her into the massive room filled with books and beautiful artwork. Olivia sat in her chemise on the leather settee with her head down, staring at her hands folded in her lap. Garrison leaned against the large cherry wood desk and smiled when he saw the dirty green dress lying on the floor beside her.
“Livy I need you to understand the importance of your title and position as countess,” he said.
“I didn’t ask to be a countess.”
“I know Livy, nor did I ask to become a royal duke but I am grateful for all that it has given to us. We have wealth and comfort because of who we are but along with our titles, comes great responsibility. We must honor our family and their royal heritage,” he explained.
“Garrison, I don’t want wealth and I don’t want to prance around in fancy dresses listening to women rattle on about useless things. I am strong and I know I was meant to do far more than just sitting idly in a home being a servant to a husband. Why can’t a girl be soldier?” She asked innocently.
“You know it would hurt a man’s pride Livy if he felt he couldn’t take care of you. It is the man’s duty to protect and provide for his wife and children. You do want children someday right?”
“I didn’t really think much about that but yes I am sure I will want children someday.”
Garrison smiled as he sat next to his sister. “Then you must learn to be a lady, wife and mother Olivia. These are things a woman must know before that time comes and I cannot teach them to you.”
She had so many things racing through her mind. What exactly did he mean by his words? Who did he think was going to teach these things to her? Olivia had not really given much thought to that part of her future and now she was thoroughly confused.
“Olivia, there is an abbey not too far from here that teaches young girls to become proper ladies. They also school them in reading and writing. George and Anne have already sent their three daughters there,” Garrison said, speaking carefully knowing that Olivia would not accept this idea easily.
She sat there motionless and then turned to face her brother.
“Why are you telling me this?” She asked hesitantly.
“I think this may be your only chance at learning all that you need to know. I have decided to send you there to learn to be a proper lady.”
“I won’t go! You cannot make me!” Olivia yelled.
This was the reaction he had planned on receiving. This was the Olivia he knew and loved. Garrison knew she was brave and spirited and he felt sorrier for the nuns that would be taking her in than he did for his little sister. The duke would have to give a sizable donation to the abbey for the trouble she would cause there.
“It won’t be as horrible as you seem to think it will be. You will receive an education and you will learn all the things that you should have already been taught.”
“I will run away before you could ever send me there,” she boasted.
“Your satchels are already being packed and you will leave at first light tomorrow,” he said calmly.
“I shall hate you forever Garrison,” she said softly with tears in her eyes.
“Not forever my sweet, only until you realize that this is what is best for you.”
Olivia could not respond to his last comment for she was consumed with fear and worry, as she began to understand that he was serious with his plans. The young countess left the library and headed for her chamber. Garrison watched her leave and wished there could have been more words to comfort the beautiful girl. He was not worried about her physically because she was brave and better skilled than most of his soldiers. Garrison did however, worry that emotionally it would be awhile before she forgave him.
The following morning Ruth had woken Olivia early, helped her to dress in a simple riding gown and pulled her hair back with p
ins. The maid had brought the girl a small meal to eat and then Garrison came to her chamber to let Olivia know it was time to leave. Olivia would not look her brother in the eyes because she knew for sure that she would cry. The countess was still upset with herself for letting him see her foolish tears last night and Olivia vowed not to let it happen again.
Reluctantly she followed her brother out to the courtyard and Olivia gasped at the sight in front of her. Every single soldier in Garrison’s army and all those that were there for training, were standing together forming a massive gathering. In the center, there were two dozen men waiting by their horses to escort her to the abbey. The Baron Brenton waited next to his mount and held the reins of her beautiful horse.
As Olivia walked toward her horse, the first in command of the soldiers yelled out an order and all of the men dropped to one knee in uniform. Although she was an eleven-year-old girl, the men saluted Olivia as if she were one of their own. She bravely smiled at the men and then marched to her horse. The action of these men had given her the confidence to approach this new battle that she was headed for.
Just before she mounted her large mare, Garrison grabbed her by the arm and pulled Olivia into his arms. He held his sister tightly and heard her whimper softly as the girl buried her face into his chest. Garrison cupped her beautiful face and wiped her tears as they fell down her cheeks.
“I love you Olivia, don’t ever forget that. I will visit soon and you can come home to visit often alright?” He soothed.
“I still hate you,” she said with a smile.
The duke laughed and then swatted his little sister on the behind. She quickly mounted her horse and then watched as Brenton got on his large horse next to her.
“Why the hell are you here?” She shot at him.
Brenton laughed. “Apparently I am being punished for provoking you at dinner last night. I now have to escort you to the abbey.”
“And this is a punishment for you?” She said angrily.
“Your brother seems to think so.”
Olivia was hurting inside now for a different reason than having to leave home. For some silly reason she had thought maybe Brenton liked her because they had always spent so much time together. Now, she realized he felt being around her was a sentence for his crime. Olivia felt like a fool, of course he wouldn’t see her for anything but the filthy little girl she had always been.
“Well if this is supposed to be your penance then I will certainly make this journey pure torture for you,” she grinned wickedly.
Brenton glared at his best friend and Garrison laughed out loud as he watched Olivia bolt down the path towards the forest.
Chapter Two
Scotland 1505
After many years of fighting, Donal the laird of the Sinclair clan, was feeling old and worn out. The idea of his upcoming marriage to the much younger, Lorna MacKay and resting for his remaining time on earth was appealing to the aging man. The new marriage would also unite the Sinclairs to the MacKay clan, ending years of tension between the feuding men. Lorna’s older brother Malcolm was the MacKay laird and he had inherited a wasteland from his father. Tomorrow, Donal’s new bride would arrive at the Sinclair Castle and the marriage would take place regardless of the frigid fall weather. The wedding was not the only change to take place, Donal planned to appoint his only son from his first wife, to become the new laird and rule over both clans.
The majority of the older Sinclair men had greatly approved of this uniting for they were also tired of battle. Only a small group of young fearless warriors from the clan had opposed of this marriage and their leader was Donal’s own son, Camden. He had watched the decline of his father’s clan over the past several years and now he wanted to strengthen them and fortify their army knowing he was to become laird after his father.
Camden knew having his father unite their clan with the MacKay clan would have a devastating effect on his people. The MacKay men were a lazy group of slothful people that had leeched their own land of its natural resources and now they were going to do the same to the Sinclair land if Camden did not stop them.
The father and son had engaged in heated battles over this matter but the old man would not listen to anything his young son had to say. All the fierce warrior could do now was prepare his loyal men to help him rule over the joined clans and quickly prevent any decline to the Sinclairs riches.
As the early morning fog lifted from the valley, the bright sunlight started to bring the land to life. The surrounding rugged peaks had gotten an early dusting of winter snow and the chill in the air intensified the clans excitement for the impending nuptials. The MacKay’s would be arriving soon for the marriage ceremony and then the large celebration feast to follow. Camden sat mounted on his huge stallion as he watched from the hillside and thought of all that was to come. He would be laird over two newly united clans and the only six men he trusted would have to help him keep control over the shifty MacKay clan.
The afternoon had come and gone quickly and now the entire Sinclair holding was filled with MacKay men. The marriage was a success and Donal Sinclair had declared Camden the new laird over both clans, binding them together. The massive crowd cheered and pledged their loyalty to their new laird and his appointed men. Everyone honored the newly married couple with song and dance throughout the evening.
As the music played, Camden sat quietly in the distance observing the people he would now rule. He was not worried about the Sinclairs for they had always been loyal followers but he was still unsure about the MacKay people even though most of them were frightened at just the sight of him.
The family’s heritage obviously had Viking blood running through them, for Camden’s size was proof enough. He was a towering figure with a massively broad chest and pale golden hair that came to his shoulders. The bulging muscles from his arms and thighs were evidence of his superior strength to those around him. Camden’s years of training and ruthless fighting had made him a fierce warrior and a legend in the Highlands.
As the evening grew dark, the winds became colder and the festivities started to die down. The clans were prepared to sleep for the night and then planned to continue celebrating for the next several days. As Donal waited in bed for his beautiful new bride to join him, he felt rested and at ease knowing Camden would now be the powerful laird over his clan. The older man watched Lorna come into to his chamber and then she shyly waited by the door.
“Aye, my Lorna, but ya are a vision from heaven,” he said with his thick brogue.
“Husband, I am most grateful for this marriage but I fear you may be disappointed,” she said quietly.
“Come closer to me my beautiful bride and I am sure ya couldn’t disappoint me,” he smiled.
Lorna walked carefully to the bed with her arms stiffly at her side. Donal felt a bit sorry for the young woman for she seemed tense and nervous about the marriage bed. In truth, she was not shy at all, Lorna was merely trying to hide the weapon she carried in her hand. As the new bride approached the bedside, she leaned in close to her husband and whispered in his ear.
“Do you like a woman to take charge in the bedroom?”
“Aye lass, ya may have whatever kind of control ya wish for in my bed,” he chuckled.
Lorna pulled the soft layers of her nightgown up to her thighs and then carefully straddled the older man’s bare waist. Donal could feel her silky thighs pressing up against his heated skin. He began losing all his senses as he envisioned what was to come. The aged man thought he heard screaming coming from outside the walls of his holding, but Lorna continued to distract him as she began to move her body restlessly against him.
“I fear something is wrong my beautiful Lorna, there is something happening outside,” he said trying to gather his thoughts.
“You are no longer laird so why do you worry?” She asked innocently.
The screams were not of just women but he heard men and children crying out into the dark night. Donal could tell something was burning
outside from the pungent smell of smoke coming into his chamber.
“Lorna, please I must see what is happening, there is something wrong,” he said a bit harshly while trying to get up.
His new bride quickly pushed her razor-sharp dagger against Donal’s throat and moved her mouth close to his.
“Aye you old fool, something is happening outside. Your clan is being attacked by mine and they will all surrender to the MacKay clan or they will die,” she said with a wicked grin on her face.
“I am a fool. How could I have believed that your clan would enter into this agreement truthfully? Ya always have been a deceitful bunch and ya don’t deserve to live in the Highlands. My son will not cower to you,” he said knowing he did not have much time to argue with the woman.
“Your boy may have strength but he lacks the mind to lead these people that my brother Malcolm and I have. I am not worried about your precious Camden for my warriors outnumber his greatly,” Lorna boasted with confidence.
“You will never get away with this.”
“I wonder how it feels hearing your clan being slaughtered and beaten while you lay here helplessly. Don’t worry husband, you will not live to see the remains of your clan,” she whispered in his ear with her hot breath.
Donal used all the strength he had in his aged body to push Lorna off him but in one quick movement she slashed the dagger across his neck and a pool of warm blood quickly soiled the bridal linens. The former laird of the Sinclair clan managed to strangle out, “Camden” as the very life of him poured onto the bed.
The evil woman smiled in her small victory thinking to herself that everything was going exactly as she had planned for this night. The stupid Sinclairs had fallen for the marriage proposal and the MacKay men made sure their victims were good and drunk before bed tonight. Once Lorna went to the bridal chamber, she knew her clan would then attack. The ruthless MacKay clan killed the Sinclair men while they slept and the women and children were rounded up to the center of the village. Other MacKay soldiers began to torch the thatched roof houses while people still slept in them.
Highland Vengeance Page 2