She aimed at the warlord and let fly, but it bounced off the wall. She tried again, and it flew within inches of his nose. Another bounced off Gavin’s helm. She nocked another arrow, but both men paused in their fight to glare at her.
“Stop shooting!” they both commanded.
“I am trying to help,” defended Colette.
“Well, stop helping before ye kill me!” demanded Gavin.
“That’s my job,” sneered Rex.
Red Rex struck again, clashing sword on sword. Colette didn’t know how much longer Gavin could hold out against his larger opponent. Rex’s comfortable smile showed he knew it was inevitable he would win. Gavin’s face was a cool mask. If there was any way for him to win, it was not readily apparent. Sooner or later, Gavin would surely fall.
“I love you, Gavin,” Colette called. She wanted the last words he heard to be hers, to be her declaration of love for him. A single tear rolled down her cheek. She would love him forever and remember how valiantly he fought to protect her. She would never forget how he had come back for her and given the ultimate sacrifice to try to protect her.
Gavin stilled, his shoulders sagging. He looked at her, his brown eyes warm. “I love ye too, Colette. No matter what happens next, I’m glad I was able to tell ye one last time o’ my love.”
“Time to die now, boy,” snarled the warlord, turning his back to Colette to face Gavin.
Gavin bowed his head and dropped his sword with an ominous clank on the stone floor. Rex raised his sword parallel to his shoulders and Colette realized he was going to swing his weapon, cutting Gavin’s head from his neck. Red Rex howled a battle cry and began the swing. Colette screamed, unable to look away.
Gavin dropped quickly and somersaulted through Red Rex’s legs, jumped up the stairs, grabbed the bow from her hands, and shoved it down, over Red Rex’s head, choking him with the bowstring. Gavin was so fast, Rex was just completing what should have been the fatal swing of his sword when Gavin was behind him, choking the life from him. The sword flung out of the warlord’s hands, and his hideous battle cry was cut short into a gurgle. Rex pulled at the bowstring with all his might, but Gavin looped his arms around the bow and put his foot in the small of the man’s back, pulling the bow even tighter.
“Surrender or I swear I will kill ye where ye stand.” Gavin pulled back harder to make good his threat.
Colette stared at Gavin, seeing him in an entirely new light. Who was this man who could defeat such a fearsome enemy? He was her man, that was who he was.
Red Rex stumbled to his knees, and Colette thought for a moment that the big man was dead. But Gavin released the bow, allowing the man to take a shattered breath. Still holding on to the bow with one hand, with the other, he pulled a knife from his boot and pointed it at the base of the man’s neck, letting him feel his steel.
“Call off yer army, or ye will die here,” commanded Gavin.
The warlord was spared having to call out by the arrival of some of his men through the door. They stopped short at the scene of their master on his knees and Gavin with a knife to his neck.
“Call the men. Tell them to lay down their arms,” said Rex in a gravelly voice. A man fighting for an honest cause may have told his men to continue the fight, even if it meant his own death. But Red Rex was interested in power and profit, not honor. When there was no longer any chance of winning, he was no longer interested in the fight.
The ruffians at the door continued to gawk at them, not moving.
“Do as your master says,” said Colette with all authority, “and we may be willing to show mercy.” The warlord’s men stared at her, openmouthed, but then bowed and left the room.
Gavin shook his head at her. “Just by giving the command, ye can make any man do yer bidding.”
“Not any man.” She gestured at him.
“Ye mean our friend Red Rex here?” asked Gavin, able to be magnanimous now that he had won.
“No, I mean you. I thought I told you to take my dowry and escape.”
“And I thought I told ye to remain hidden beside the road,” countered Gavin.
“You are blaming me for being captured by ruffians?”
“Aye! If ye’d remained hidden, none o’ this would’ve happened.”
“How dare you! I suppose you are going to blame me for this entire adventure. I know you had no interest in taking this journey from the start.”
“’Tis naught but the truth. If yer father had no’ manipulated me into gaining my assent, I surely would never have done it.”
“Manipulated?” Colette put her hands on her hips. “My father manipulated no one. It is hardly my fault you put yourself at risk to rescue me. I told you to leave!”
“Enough sweet talk. Just kiss her already,” growled Red Rex. Colette almost forgot he was still there and glared at his back, he was an unwarranted intrusion in their conversation.
Gavin, however, smiled at her. “I’m glad we are both here to argue. I dinna ken what I would do without ye.”
Colette smiled back at him and took a deep breath. She couldn’t believe it was over. They had done it.
Some of Ronan Mackenzie’s men arrived and took command of their prisoner. It took one on each side of the big man, another with a sword at his back, and a fourth with a bow in order to ensure Red Rex did not escape. They marched him out of the tower and into the courtyard.
Before Colette could say another word, Gavin swept her into his arms. “Are ye hurt? Did he touch ye? If he touched ye, I’ll kill the bastard, prisoner or no’.”
“You came in time,” she whispered. “I am fine.”
“Praise the saints. I was sick thinking ye were being hurt.” He held her closer.
“I did have help from an unlikely young man. If you meet a Cormac MacLean, the son of Red Rex, please do treat him with kindness.”
Gavin said no more but kissed his greeting, hot and demanding. All the anxiety and fear she had experienced all day pulsed through her, heightening every nerve, awakening her senses. She was suddenly alive and aroused. She wanted him right there, right now.
“Gavin, I need you,” she panted.
Gavin growled in response. He tried to pull back, but she clung to him. He grabbed her and swung her around until her back was to the cold stone wall. It was a relief, for she was burning inside. She needed him.
“I love ye,” Gavin said, gasping as he pressed closer. “I was so afraid I lost ye. I was so afraid.” He buried his face on her shoulder, but not before she saw a tear fall.
“I love you too.” She clung to him as relief of their escape washed over her.
Gavin kissed her again, the sweet passion speaking more clearly than words. When breathing became necessary, Gavin touched his forehead to hers. “Ye are my wife, now and forever.”
“Yes, now we can finally be together,” murmured Colette.
“Sir Gavin?” someone called from outside in the courtyard.
Gavin staggered back and took a deep breath. He gave her a nod and offered his arm to her. “Are ye ready?” he asked.
“No, but I suppose we must,” said Colette, trying to smooth her hair. She felt most unequal to public viewing and was sure she looked a sight. She was not sure when she had lost her veil, but it was long gone.
Gavin led her out the side door, into the courtyard. It was a clear night. Thousands of stars twinkled in the black night sky. Torches had been lit along the ramparts and flickered in the soft breeze.
Colette took a deep breath of the early summer night. It was done. It was over. The warlord had been captured and now nothing stood between her and being with the man she loved.
The ruffians who had served Red Rex had all been disarmed and were standing in a surly pack at one end of the courtyard, a group of Highlanders guarding them. Cormac, she noted, was not among them. Red Rex was standing in the m
iddle of the courtyard, glowering at all he saw.
“So who are these men you found to fight for us?” asked Colette, linking arms with Gavin and leaning her shoulder on his to help her stay on her feet.
Before Gavin could answer, a young man walked up to her. “Ye must be the renowned beauty, Lady Marie Colette.”
“I am Lady Marie Colette,” said Colette. “I must extend my sincere gratitude for your assistance in capturing these knaves. May I know to whom I am indebted?”
“I am Ronan Mackenzie and gratified to be o’ service to ye. I hope despite the poor welcome ye received, ye may be comfortable in yer new home.”
Colette stilled. “New home?”
“Aye, for since my father’s death, I am now the Baron o’ Kintail, and as such, yer affianced husband.”
Thirty-eight
With Red Rex in the dungeon and his followers safely locked in one of the barracks, the Mackenzie clan retook the castle and feasted in celebration of their victory. Colette watched it all transpire as though in a dream. She could not lose Gavin now. She could not. She clung to Gavin’s arm and refused to be separated. She asked about Pippa, and a runner was sent to bring her and the babe from their hiding place.
Gavin asked for a private audience with Ronan Mackenzie. He seemed a good sort, and Colette had nothing against him, but she could not marry him. And yet how could she deny him, knowing that his father and many others had been killed because of their ill-fated agreement?
Ronan led Colette and Gavin up to his private solar. More books had been burned and parchments and maps were scattered everywhere. He shook his head at the disarray the ruffians had left behind. “What a waste.”
“Not a man o’ enlightenment I see,” said Gavin, stepping into the room, helping the young man by picking up some of the papers.
“I canna believe a man such as he was able to take the castle from us.” Ronan sighed as if still in shock over what had transpired. “And tonight I was even more surprised we could take it back. I owe ye much, Sir Gavin. Ye have but to name yer reward and ye shall have it.”
Gavin and Colette glanced at each other.
“In truth, there is something I desire, though I have no right to ask,” said Gavin.
“Ask for anything ye wish. If it is my power to grant ye, it shall be given, for I would have naught wi’out ye.”
Colette’s hopes were raised. She once again shared a glance with Gavin.
“It is about the agreement ye had wi’ the duc de Bergerac,” began Gavin.
“Aye, dinna fear. I will uphold our end o’ the agreement. I winna let my father’s legacy be tarnished by no’ following through on the last agreement he put his name to.”
Colette’s hopes fell. “But, sir, I must inform you that my journey here has been most arduous and much of my dowry has been lost.”
“Ye still have the chest o’ treasure and a few other items. It may no’ be the full dowry we agreed upon, but I shall ne’er hold it against ye,” said Ronan.
“So you wish to follow all the terms of the agreement?” asked Colette nervously. She appeared to be several years older than him, though he was old enough for marriage.
“Aye, we shall be married as soon as may be.”
Gavin cleared his throat. “With all due respect to yer excellent father and to yerself, I must pray yer indulgence to express my feelings on this matter.”
Colette’s pulse raced. What was he going to say? What could he say? Was there any way out of this?
The door opened and Pippa rushed in, a squalling baby on her hip. “There you are! I’m so glad you are both alive. I was beginning to despair. Marie Frances will have none but you. Here, take her.” Pippa shoved the child into Colette’s arms.
As soon as she took the baby into her arms, Marie Frances stopped her crying and gave her a watery smile.
Ronan Mackenzie noted the obvious preference of the babe and tilted his head to one side in thought. “The babe is attached to ye.”
Colette gathered her courage, a flash of a plan coming to her mind. “This is my child, Marie Frances.” She held the baby close.
“Yer child?” gasped Ronan. “Ye said it was a babe ye found in yer travels,” he directed this at Pippa.
Pippa shrugged, and Colette wondered if she would give her away. “It is difficult to remember right,” Pippa said vaguely.
“Ye have a child? How did this happen? There was no mention of a previous marriage. What is wrong with it?” sputtered Ronan.
Colette held the babe closer, protecting her from critical eyes. She realized she no longer saw the red scar that marred the baby’s face. Appearances were only the outer layer. Could he not look beyond the deformed skin to the precious child within? “I claim this child as mine.” She stood defiantly next to Gavin, who placed his arm around her.
“We had intended to send the child to live with my mother,” said Gavin in a soft apology. Colette noticed that though he spoke the truth, the meaning the young laird heard was something else. In normal circumstances, she would have never insinuated that she had borne a child out of wedlock, but now it seemed her only hope.
“I see.” Ronan Mackenzie sat hesitantly down on a bench. Colette felt sorry for the young man. It was hardly his fault. He had lost much in this arrangement.
“I understand if you no longer feel the marriage would be quite appropriate,” said Colette. “Though I must insist you keep the dowry.”
“Aye, the marriage canna be now. ’Twas all for naught.” Ronan sighed.
“Do not be so sad.” Pippa sat next to him, putting a hand on his shoulder. “You’ve defeated a monstrous enemy and the dowry of my mistress is yours. Begging your pardon, but anybody who has been with my mistress and Sir Gavin for more than a few minutes could tell they belong together. They fought it for as long as they could, but in the end, fate, she is a demanding mistress.”
Ronan took Pippa’s hand in his. “I must thank ye for the idea o’ how to retake the castle.”
“Philippa has traveled with me on this long journey and proved her worth many times.” Colette added to the praise of Pippa.
“Philippa.” Her name was a caress on the young laird’s lips. “Ye must come from a prestigious family o’ court. Considering the situation…would it be too much if I was to ask…could ye ever consider…”
“Consider what?” asked Pippa, wide-eyed and breathless.
“Would ye agree to fulfill the agreement my father had with the duc de Bergerac?”
Pippa’s jaw dropped. “You wish to marry me?”
“Yes, of course,” said Colette, relief flooding through her. “Pippa would make you a most excellent wife.”
“What say ye?” Ronan leaned closer to Pippa, ignoring anyone else in the room.
“I wish to say yes, but…” Pippa hesitated, glancing at Colette and Gavin.
“Ye’re no’ sure ye would like to live in the Highlands?” asked Ronan.
“No, I love it here. I would wish to live here my whole life. It is only that…”
Colette could see Pippa doubted herself, doubted her worth to accept marriage to this young man. She could also plainly see that Pippa was quite along the way of falling in love with this man. Pippa needed to forget her past and believe in her worth.
“Our journey was quite difficult,” said Colette. “When accommodations at sea were not what my ladies expected, they abandoned me and refused to travel farther. It was only Pippa who stood by me. She has proven her worth to be much greater than any lady I have ever known.”
Ronan broke into a bright smile. “Then ye’re the lass for me! If ye’ll have me.”
Pippa gave him an honest smile, her eyes dancing. She truly was a handsome girl when she smiled. “To marry you, it would be a dream.”
Relief rushed through Colette and she took a long breath. Gavin reached
for one of her hands, then the other, squeezing them gently and smiling down on her. His warm eyes drew her closer, and she trailed her fingers up his arms and entwined her hands around the back of his neck, reaching up on the tips of her toes so she could claim his lips for her own. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close, deepening the kiss. Something akin to pure joy radiated through her and she felt weightless and free.
“We did it,” Gavin whispered in her ear. “Praise the good Lord who has blessed me wi’ ye.”
Colette could think of only one response and kissed him again.
“I see what ye mean. They must be meant for each other,” said Ronan to Pippa.
Colette jumped back, shocked at her own behavior. How could she be so brazen as to kiss Gavin in the company of others?
Gavin merely laughed. “It has been a long day, has it no’? What are ye going to do wi’ Red Rex and his band?”
“Lock them away until we can hold a trial,” replied Ronan. “Should no’ take long to decide on their guilt.”
“Seems a waste to toss them into the dungeon, where they are no earthly good to anyone,” commented Gavin.
“It is too bad they have such criminal proclivities,” said Colette. “For my father is in desperate need of trained warriors.”
“Aye, it does seem a waste. But why no’ give them the choice o’ making an honest life for themselves by joining the French forces?” asked Gavin with sudden insight.
“Do you think they would actually be of some service to my father’s knights?” asked Colette.
“’Tis no’ so much of them being a service to the French, as being trouble to the English. They are still Scots and clearly have a penchant for mischief. Let them take their rabble-rousing ways and bedevil the English,” said Gavin.
“It sounds a worthy plan, though Red Rex must stand trial for his crimes. He killed my father, and for that he must pay,” said Ronan in a definitive tone.
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