Different scenarios playing in his head, Kieran fell asleep.
Moments later, even before seeing them, he heard the approaching footsteps.
Three men surrounded him swords drawn.
Kieran’s hand tightened around the hilt of his own weapon that he kept next to him.
“Who are ye?”
He gave the bearded man who asked a flat stare. “Kieran Ross.”
Then all went dark.
Chapter Twelve
“Come at once,” Lillian demanded, waking Gisela from a deep slumber. “We have much to do.”
Gisela sat up and rubbed her eyes. “Ye mean pack our clothes and leave?”
Her mother studied a skirt and then pushed it back into the trunk. “Don’t be silly. Today, I can finally speak to Laird Munro about a husband for ye. The wedding is over.”
“Mother, why do ye not seek a husband for yerself? I will find one on my own. I do not require yer assistance, nor do I wish to be ordered to marry someone I do not desire.”
Her mother’s lips curved. “Desire. It has been so long since I…”
“Never mind that,” Gisela interrupted. “Let us break our fast and seek out a wonderful man for ye. I will help.”
Distracted by the idea, her mother rushed to the doorway and hesitated. “I need a maid to assist me. I must look my best today.”
Thankfully, her mother remained self-absorbed and could easily be deterred by turning things around to be about her.
Gisela hurried and dressed. Since the maid who’d been summoned would be busy with her mother, she did her own hair, brushing it back into a simple bun at the nape of her nape.
“Mother, I will go downstairs and seek out a perfect place to sit and break our fast,” she said from the door.
Her mother waved happily. “Make sure that we are visible from every doorway.”
When she exited the room, Gisela let out a breath and went to the great room.
There were still plenty of people but it wasn’t hard to find empty seats at a small table where an older couple sat drinking from their cups with bored expressions.
“Good morning,” Gisela greeted brightly and immediately the elderly couple lit up.
“Well, aren’t ye a beauty,” the woman said and gave her husband a knowing look.
“Aye, quite so,” he agreed. “What is yer name?”
The conversation remained pleasant and Gisela was glad for her choice of seats. Not only was the couple quite nice, but they were indeed in perfect view of every entrance.
There was a lull in the conversation and heads pivoted toward the room’s indoor entrance.
Gisela forced herself to look to the stairwell. Like a queen, halfway down the stairs, her mother paused for effect. In a dress that was much too revealing for so early in the day, her bosom was barely concealed. She’d donned a shawl, but it hung from the edges of her shoulders. Admittedly, her hairstyle, piled atop her head allowing for her long neck to show, was becoming. Lillian Munro walked regally down the rest of the steps and through the room.
The women in the room exchange astonished looks at her mother’s lack of decorum, but the men in the room didn’t seem at all bothered.
As exasperating as the display was, her mother was youthful and it would not be hard for Gisela to find a man to keep her preoccupied. Gisela scanned the room until finding one man in particular who watched intently as Lillian crossed the room.
With silver sideburns and dressed well, it was obvious he wasn’t a warrior, but perhaps a merchant. He would be her target.
“May I present my mother,” Gisela said to the older couple at the table. The woman’s eyes rounded and the man didn’t bother looking up past her mother’s exposed skin.
Once Lillian sat, the woman was won over by her mother’s sense of humor and, soon, the couple pronounced they were thrilled at having someone sit and speak to them.
After a few moments, Gisela stood and made her way to the back of the great room. Once she neared the man who’d watched her mother earlier, she stopped. “My mother wishes to speak to ye.”
The man’s eyebrows rose. “She does?”
“Aye, ye see, we need assistance going home and hope ye can find it in yer heart to take us.”
He didn’t ask any other question of her, but hurried to the table where her mother sat.
With a satisfied smile, she hurried out of the room toward the kitchens.
“Gisela.” Angeline neared. “Thank ye for trying.”
“What happened?”
Angeline shrugged. “Other than being made a fool of, nothing really.” They walked out the back door. “He refused to be forced into anything. Quite a frightening man.” Angeline shivered. “His mother told us he was untamable.”
“It sounds about right,” Gisela replied. “What will ye do now?”
“I plan to speak to Hamus and insist we marry right away. He can continue to work here and there is naught my mother can do.”
They walked toward the stables just as Tristan Ross exited and stalked to them.
“Goodness, he is quite large,” Angeline said with a worried expression. “Is he coming to speak to us?”
The warrior pinned Gisela with glare. “Where is Kieran?”
“How would I know?” Gisela snapped. “I have not seen him today.”
Tristan’s hazel gaze moved past her to the keep. “Did he tell ye of his plans?”
Instinctively, Gisela knew Kieran was gone. He’d left and, in all probability, it would be a long time before she ever saw him again. Her heart dropped at considering her life without seeing him.
“Nay, he has no reason to.” Gisela walked away from Tristan, not waiting to hear anything else.
Chest tight, she accompanied Angeline in search of Hamus. Her brother was at the corral gates, leading a horse in.
“Have ye seen Kieran Ross?” Gisela asked him.
“He left early, before sunrise,” he replied. Then at seeing Angeline, his face lit up.
Gisela walked closer to Hamus and pushed a finger into his chest. “While ye are delaying things, Angeline was forced upon him by her mother last night.”
Angeline gasped and Hamus growled. “What happened?”
Moving her aside, Angeline explained her mother’s plan and how it had failed. The expressions that crossed her brother’s face made it plain to Gisela that he would agree to marry Angeline quickly.
Leaving them to be alone, she made her way back to the house. Once the merchant escorted her and her mother back to the village, she would return to her cottage. Although it was a lonely life, it was peaceful. Perhaps in the near future, she would seek a husband. But at the moment, the constant thoughts of Kieran would make it unfair for any man.
With a deep sigh, she meandered, not in a hurry to go back into the stifling interior.
A maid hurried to her. “There ye are. Lady Munro wishes to speak to ye. She said it is about a pending matter.”
“Oh…oh, no.” Gisela wondered if it had to do with marriage between her and Caylen.
“I will be there shortly,” Gisela replied, looking toward the gates.
“Lady Munro insisted ye come with me.”
As she followed the maid, Gisela racked her brain to come up with a way out of the predicament.
Lady Munro sat with another woman Gisela had seen about, but didn’t know. The woman’s gaze traveled down her body before lifting up to meet her eyes. Obviously, she was being measured for potential wife material.
Gisela assumed a bored look before bowing. “Lady Munro, ye require me for something?”
“I would like ye to meet my dear friend, Frances Roberts. She has a son that requires a wife and yer mother made it clear ye are anxious to marry.”
Frances’ cold accessing eyes met Gisela’s. “Do ye cook? Sew?”
Why was everyone intent on controlling her life? “I prefer to eat whatever grows on trees. I detest cooking. As for sewing, I take whatever needs mending to my friend
who is a seamstress. Tis easier.” She scratched her head. “Does yer son cook?”
The woman’s eyes widened and then narrowed. She knew that Gisela was doing her best to dissuade them.
“I’d prefer a likable young woman for my son. This one is not in the least trying to be accommodating.”
Lady Munro laughed and winked at Gisela. “She is delightful, but quite strong-willed.” Shaking her head, she waved Gisela away. “I think ye will have to find a husband on yer own sweet girl.”
It was hard not to like Lady Munro who was always in good spirits. Gisela grinned back at her.
“I was about to seek ye and ask if ye’d like to join me for a trip to the village.” Lady Munro had looked past her and spoke to whoever had entered.
Gisela turned to find herself looking at Kieran’s mother. Lady Ross seemed stern, but then again, so was her son.
Lady Ross looked to Lady Munro. “I would be delighted.” She then met Gisela’s gaze. “Ye are a Munro, are ye not?”
“Aye.” Gisela got a sinking feeling in her stomach. Not another attempt to get her married off, she hoped.
“I hear good things about ye. Tristan and the rest of the Ross party travel back to Ross Keep. Ye should go with them. Tis time for that son of mine to settle and from what I hear, he is quite smitten with ye.”
“Oh, that would be lovely. I will order her things packed immediately,” her mother said, appearing out of nowhere. “We have not formally met. I am Lillian Munro,” she announced at noting Lady Ross.
“My husband’s brother’s wife,” Lady Munro added with an indulgent smile. “The beautiful lass is my niece, Gisela.”
“Oh, yes, I know who she is.” Lady Ross said. “Tis my hope that once settled, Kieran will come to live on our lands which border near here. What better reason than having a Munro for a wife?” She scowled. “Better than any McLeod will ever be.”
Kieran would not marry her. He would never be forced into something he did not wish to do. How would she recover from it, his blatant refusal? Her heart would be broken regardless of how much she wished to deny it.
Gisela let out a long sigh and left the room as they older women discussed her future. She trudged to the courtyard.
Unfortunately, there were Ross guards everywhere. They’d be traveling back to their lands that day and were busy preparing horses and such.
She considered sneaking away on foot, but her village and home were on the way to Ross lands. They’d pass right by there. She could not hide anywhere. Accepting defeat, she let out a sigh and turned back to go inside.
Kieran was gone to hunt for the man he wanted to kill and would probably be away for a long time. He would not be forced to marry anyone, so upon his return, she’d tell him there was no need and insist he bring her home.
Her lips curved. She’d not give him the opportunity to reject her in front of everyone. Instead, she would reject him. Openly anyway. What could be better? A trip to a place she’d never been before. Meeting new people and then, after a while, returning home.
With renewed energy, she went to oversee the packing of her belongings.
Chapter Thirteen
Tied to a tree with his arms pulled back, Kieran did his best to get comfortable. His horse had ambled off and the damned robbers had left with his sword. His bow and quiver had been thrown into the creek and they’d left without a care of what would happen to him.
His arms were numb, but he’d managed to loosen the rope just a bit. He blew out a breath and whistled, hoping his horse, Laith, would hear and return. The horse didn’t and he wondered if perhaps the damned animal had gone too far to hear him.
Kieran did his best to fight the anguish at the idea of losing the animal. Admittedly, he loved the animal that’d been his constant companion for so many years.
A noise woke him later that day, his stiff neck protesting with each movement. Kieran rolled his shoulders and, once again, attempted to loosen the bindings. They held fast. Would this be how he would die? Starve to death tied to a damned tree?
There was rustling in the leaves and a pair of deer appeared. Kieran rolled his eyes when they looked to him with curiosity. At least it wasn’t a wild boar or a bear.
The sky was clear as the sun rose directly overhead and he cringed upon realizing he needed to relieve himself.
With a loud growl, he struggled with renewed energy. The deer scampered away and his wrists burned.
Ding. Ding. Ding. Bells woke Kieran and he craned his neck to look around the tree. It sounded as if a peddler traveled near.
“Who goes there?” he called out. “Can ye help me?”
At the sound of nearing footsteps, Kieran prepared himself for what could be another bad encounter.
“Over here,” he called out.
“What do we have here?” A craggy-faced man peered down at him. “Got yerself in quite a quandary.” The man waved a gnarled finger at him. “Tis not the first time someone tried this trick on me.” He looked around as if expecting people to jump out from behind trees.
“I was robbed and left here,” Kieran said in a flat tone.
“It seems to me, the fates are against ye,” the old man stated, staring into the bonfire they’d made. Kieran’s shoulders and arms remained sore from being tied to a tree for an entire day and night and his wrists smarted from the rope cuts. He was definitely not in the mood for conversation.
However, he owed the man for releasing him and allowing him to travel in his wagon.
At the slow pace the man traveled, it would be a fortnight before they reached a destination where he could contact his family.
“What happened had more to do with my lack of being alert than the fates,” Kieran grumbled. “Do ye think it is possible to get to Kildonan tomorrow?”
The man scratched his beard in thought. “That is a grand idea. I have always sold well there. Indeed, we shall make it our goal. However, my mule is quite stubborn and refuses to go faster some days.”
Resigned to the fact, he had little choice but to wait. Kieran studied the mule, which seemed content to stand still and look into the trees.
“How many times have ye been robbed?”
The man shrugged. “Thanks be to God, not too many. I have been beaten a few times and had coins taken, but they take one look at Gus and leave him behind.” The man chuckled. “Little do they know, but his looks are deceiving. He is a strong and young beast.”
Kieran cringed at considering his horse. The animal would hopefully remain in the area where he’d been robbed when he returned to search for him.
Thankfully, they did arrive at Kildonan at dusk the following day. After thanking the man and promising him a reward if he came to Dun Airgid, Kieran hurried in search of the Elspeth’s father, the town blacksmith.
Within an hour, he was on his way home with a new sword. He would stay home long enough to fashion a new bow and ensure he had enough arrows. Additionally, he would pack foodstuffs and whatever else had to be replaced. Along with his quest to find Ethan, now he hoped to find his horse.
Interestingly, he did not feel at all put off by his situation. Perhaps what the peddler had stated was correct. There was a reason he’d been brought back to Ross lands. It could be his enemy was near.
He bit into bread that Elspeth’s mother had packed for him and drank from a wineskin. Ensuring to keep a sharp lookout for anyone approaching, Kieran urged his mount to a steady pace. He would not allow anyone to sneak up on him this time.
Without his bow and quiver, it was as if a part of him were missing. The last set he’d had for many years. But he refused to think on what the items meant to him. There was naught that could be done about it.
When Dun Airgid came into view, he let out a breath. Within moments, mounted guards lined up in front of the gates and two rode out toward him. Upon recognizing him, they relaxed.
“What happened to ye?” Of all people, it was Naill who asked.
Kieran did not wish to speak of his c
ircumstances, especially not to Naill, whom he did not care for at all. “Has the party from Munro lands returned?”
“Aye. Just yesterday,” Naill replied. “Yer betrothed came as well.”
He scowled. No doubt his mother had agreed to him marrying the woman who’d tried to trap him. “I am not betrothed.”
“That is what the lass said as well,” Naill replied, making Kieran curious that the man was actually holding a conversation with him.
He decided a conversation with Naill was not intolerable. “Any news?”
“Nay, other than everyone has been worried since yer horse returned without ye. Search parties were sent out this morning to search for ye.”
Kieran rolled his eyes. “Interesting that I did not see anyone the entire way here.”
Naill glowered. No doubt the men who’d been sent out were his men. “They went north. What direction did ye come from?”
“North.”
They continued toward the keep in silence. Kieran was glad to hear Laith was back. He’d not been relishing the idea of training a new horse to his ways, plus Laith was almost like a friend.
As they passed through the gates into the courtyard, he was greeted by quiet. There were only a few people about. Two stable lads hurried toward him.
“Brush down the horse, feed and water him.” Kieran turned to Naill. “Can ye send two men to return the horse to Kildonan? It belongs to Elspeth’s father.”
Naill nodded. “Of course.”
“Thank ye,” Kieran said.
Naill’s eyebrows hitched. “Ye’re welcome.”
Unsure of what to do first, he decided it was best to eat, rest and then see about clean clothing. The next day, he’d make a bow and get arrows.
He stalked into the great room. Malcolm sat at the front of the room, people before him as he presided over the needs of the clan. Tristan stood with the council in deep conversation in front of a large hearth.
There were a few people waiting to speak to Malcolm but, for the most part, it was a quiet day. Then again, it was late afternoon and whoever had been heard that morning had probably already departed.
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