by Kara Griffin
Violet stopped walking and crouched down. She smiled at the girl’s tale. “Is that true?”
Dela giggled. “Da says it is.”
“That sounds reasonable to me. I shall like the weed too. Now come, before all begin to wonder where we are.”
Dela clasped her hand. “Aye, Da said that you are my mama now. Is that true?”
“It certainly is. Being your mama pleases me more than anything.”
Dela skipped next to her. “I shall like calling you mama. I wish Cora was here.”
Violet sighed, but she’d sworn this day would be filled with happiness, not sorrow. “I do too, but we must hurry or your father will deem I’ve changed my mind.”
“You won’t, will you?”
“I love your da with all my heart and I promise I won’t ever leave you, Dela. Now come along.” She kept hold of the girl’s hand and smiled when she spotted Callum near Father Fitch. They stood at the incline near a beautiful birch tree that provided shade for those who stood under it. Violet reached him and she couldn’t hold back her wide grin.
Callum looked handsome. He wore a white tunic and his tartan was belted neatly around his hips. He forwent an upper tartan because the day grew warm. She wanted to kiss him and to run her fingers through his soft hair.
“Shall we begin,” Father Fitch said. He was about to start the sacrament when a shout came from Peter.
“Laird, we have guests, should I allow them to enter?”
“Who comes?” Callum released her hand and a look of concern wrinkled his brow.
“Milady Annabella.”
“Excuse us, Father we’ll return in a few minutes.”
“Laird Sinclair, I can’t dally. Lady Ophelia has asked me to attend to her and I mustn’t keep her waiting.”
“She can wait.”
“Oh, nay, she can be brisk if one doesn’t obey her call. I must go and soon. I don’t want to hear her lecture. Believe me, that lady can prattle on when she has a mind to.”
Callum raised a brow at the priest. Violet scrunched her eyes, because Callum had told her about Keith’s aunt, and she wondered why she wanted to see the priest. He had invited Keith to their wedding and she would have to ask him when she got the opportunity. Perhaps his aunt conspired to get Keith wed. Lady Ophelia was somewhat devious in her endeavors or so she was told.
“We’ll make it quick,” Callum said and retook her hand and drew her toward the gate. Father Fitch scowled after them.
There, Annabella stood next to her horse. A good many riders stayed on their horses. She always traveled with no less than a score of soldiers. Callum laced his fingers with hers and Violet bowed her head when she reached her.
“Your Grace, we’re honored to see you again. What brings you here?”
Annabella smiled. She turned and peered behind her, but returned her gaze. “It looks like I’ve arrived in time for your wedding. Did I not see you standing before the priest?”
Callum answered, “Aye, we were about to take our vows. You’re welcome to join us. We’ll have a fine feast after.”
“I would be honored. But before you go back to the altar, there’s someone who will want to attend.” Annabella twitched a finger and a young soldier carried a lass forward.
Violet’s legs shook and she almost fell. Graciously, Callum kept her standing and held onto her arm. “Cora.” She wept with great sobs at the sight of her daughter.
“Mama, don’t weep. Where have you been?”
She laughed and wiped at her eyes. “I’ve been waiting for you and here you are. Let me look at you.” She took in her sweet cherub’s face and almost cried again as she pressed her hand against her soft blonde curls. Her bright blue eyes were shiny with tears too. Cora grew and had gained a few inches in height. “You’re so beautiful. I never forgot you, sweeting, and have missed you terribly. Come, and let me hold you.”
Cora flew into her embrace. She hugged her baby tightly in her arms and she couldn’t hold back her sobs. God answered her prayers. When she released Cora, she pressed her hands over her face to wipe away her tears.
Callum took Cora from her and pressed a kiss on the top of her head. “Cora, lass, I’m to be your da. And you have a sister who is eager to meet you.”
He set Cora next to Dela and the two of them hugged. Dela squeezed Cora’s shoulders and set her head on her shoulder. The sight brought more tears to her eyes, but they were joyful and not sorrowful.
Violet embraced Annabella. “How can I ever thank you or repay you? You found her. I don’t know how, but I am grateful.”
“I was pleased to help, but I’m relieved Richard’s wife Anna was able to get him to tell her where he put her. She had her fetched and sent to me within days. About Richard… Anna sent word that Henry Bolingbroke met with the French army, but it wasn’t needed because Richard abdicated his role as sovereignty, and said that he wasn’t worthy to be king. Now Henry has parliament’s ear and many side with him. He’ll probably be crowned soon.” Annabella squeezed her hand. “I know you and Henry are friends and thought you would wonder what happened.”
“I do want to hear how this came to be.”
Annabella grinned. “Apparently, Henry only intended to recover his lands and titles. Arundel, the former Archbishop, advised Henry to take a campaign against Richard’s followers. They destroyed much of Cheshire. And because of his success, he gained enough power and support to declare himself King Henry.”
She laughed and nodded. “Oh, this is remarkable. I didn’t think Henry would do it, but he has.”
“I hate to break this up, but Father Fitch is waiting.” Callum laughed when his clansmen agreed and bellowed with hoots and hollers for them to get on with it.
The mass of his clansmen and women, and guests, followed them back to where the priest awaited. Father Fitch grumbled about the inconvenience and that he could delay no more.
Violet smiled when Callum took her hands in his. Father Fitch hurried through the sacrament, his words spoken so hastily, she barely understood what he’d said. She gave the appropriate responses, but couldn’t focus on the ceremony. As she gazed about those she loved, she couldn’t hold back her smile. Before she knew it, Callum kissed her, and it was declared they were man and wife. She felt the burn of her cheeks when the crowd cheered.
Callum took her hand and guided her toward the keep. Dela and Cora walked ahead of them and held hands. Dela gave Cora a kitten and they each held one. The girls whispered, but Violet couldn’t hear what they said.
“Look at them. It’s as if they’ve always been together. My heart nearly bursts.”
Callum smiled. “Aye, we belong together, all of us, my bonny lasses. Mayhap you’ll give me a son?” He pressed a gentle caress over her stomach.
“I’ll try. And if this babe isn’t a boy, we shall keep trying. I’ll give you as many babes as you want. We’ll make our family strong.”
“Aye, with acceptance and without judgment or turmoil.” He squeezed her hand.
The hall filled with people and the celebrants trickled in the hallways and to the outside. Violet sat at the table and listened as Annabella continued with her tale of Henry’s accomplishment. Across from her, Keith and Grady struck up a conversation with Callum.
Violet held his hand and rejoiced to see him eased from all the family discord he’d experienced in the last year.
Callum raised his cup and said, “To the loveliest lass that ever tried to seduce me.”
She gasped but laughed when all the men bellowed.
Keith clinked his cup with hers. “I told you, Milady, that you just had to have patience. Callum would’ve come around.”
“You certainly did. So what about you, Keith? When are you going to settle down and take a wife? Anytime soon?” She hid her humor and hoped Keith would talk about his aunt. Lady Ophelia sounded like a woman she wanted to meet.
He scoffed. “Not if I can help it.”
Callum chuckled. “Aye? Father Fitch told me that
your aunt called him to attend her. Why would she, if she didn’t conspire to get you married?”
“Damnation, nay, that cannot be true. Oh, bollocks, my aunt won’t desist. I swear she schemes to put marriage shackles on me. This is not the first time she’s tried to employ Father Finch’s aid in trying to get me hitched.” Keith scowled at his cup and shook his head. “Perhaps I’ll avoid going home.”
She took a sip of her wine and glanced at Grady. “And what about you, Grady? Will you wed now that your comrades will?”
He flashed a grin. “I’m a leader, not a follower, Milady. But I suppose I should tell you…” He gazed at his comrades. “I’ve been betrothed for years, aye, since I was a wee lad of ten.”
Callum bellowed a derisive laugh. “I disbelieve you. To whom? What lady would have you?”
Grady shrugged his shoulders. “It matters not. My da declared it when I was a lad, but since I haven’t been home in years, I haven’t given it much thought. I only met the lass twice. She’s probably forgotten me, which is probably for the better.”
Violet sensed a little sadness in his voice. “Why haven’t you been home?”
Callum shook his head as if to signal her not to press him.
“Well, you are always welcome here and shall consider this your home whenever you have a need. You and Keith are like family. Is that not right, Callum?”
“Aye, they’re akin to brothers, and are welcome to come anytime.”
The men poured more ale and made toasts, some unacceptable for ladies’ ears, which made Annabella and Gussy blush. She loved that the men were close in their friendships. Callum was fortunate to have his comrades. But she now had friendships too, and she wasn’t alone.
Violet never thought such happiness would ever come to her. On that fateful day, when Sir Nicholas burned her father’s barn and had murdered him, she thought she would forever be alone. Charles had saved her, but he wasn’t attentive, and she’d spent many a day by herself. Except for her friendship with Gussy, she had no one. With the hall filled with the Sinclairs and their guests, she realized she would never be alone again.
She laughed to herself as she remembered the distress the excursion to Scotland brought to her, and how much she dreaded her plan to seduce Callum. But she’d done so with Gussy’s rules of enticement, and all the pain of the last years was naught but a memory.
Author’s Note
Dear Readers,
The late 14th century and early 15th century was a time of significant events for both England and Scotland. They had to contend with the little ice age, peasant revolts, uprisings from Parliament, and the Black Death. Henry Bolingbroke succeeded in taking the throne from Richard in 1399. In my research on him, I conclude that he tried to be a good king and he worked hard at it. He was exiled to Mann by King Richard for his involvement with the Lords Appellant. I took a little creative license with his character, but I enjoyed adding him to the story.
The Percy brothers, who fought in the Otterburn war at the beginning of the story, were English lords who protected England’s borders from the Scots. James Douglas died in that battle. It was the perfect event to set Callum up for the ambush.
The comet that the Sinclairs witnesses in Chapter One, is that of Haley’s Comet. The comet’s appearance is referenced as early as 467 BC in Greece. Some notable sightings of the comet are: In 1066 it was sighted over Britain, which brought good favor for William the Conqueror, and a bad omen for Harold II of England. In 1222, Genghis Kahn turned his attention to Europe with the sighting of the comet. Many battles in history are tied to the event of the comet’s appearance. At the time of my story, it was seen in 1378. I fiddled with the timeline/year a tiny bit so the Sinclairs would see it.
The word ionnsaigh that Hawisa uses on Frang is the word ATTACK in Gaelic.
And lastly, I couldn’t resist adding the story of the Grasshopper And The Ant. It was first written by Aesop, a Greek fabulist, and storyteller in 620 BC. No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted. And the quote at the beginning of the book was also by Aesop.
Be sure to look for book two in the Lairds of the North series, Seven Lasses and a Laird, Keith Sutherland’s story, coming later in 2020. Think of the ABC Tv’s the Bachelor, but in medieval times! And of course, book three will feature Grady Mackay in Making Her A Mackay, and lastly, book four, which features Kieran Mackenzie in The Warlord and the Waif. I hope you find this series as enjoyable as I found writing it. If you do, please be sure to leave a review.
Happy historical reading,
Fondly,
Kara Griffin
Other Historical Titles
By Kara Griffin
Mystic Maidens of Britain Series
PENDRAGON’S PRINCESS – Book One
* THE GOOD WITCH & THE WARRIOR – Book Two
* A KNIGHT ENTWINED – Book Three
Lairds of the North Series
* THE SEDUCTION OF LAIRD SINCLAIR
* SEVEN LASSES & A LAIRD
* MAKING HER A MACKAY
* THE WARLORD & THE WAIF
Legend of the King’s Guard Series
CONQUERED HEART – Book One
UNBREAKABLE HEART – Book Two
FEARLESS HEART – Book Three
UNDENIABLE HEART – Book Four
Gunn Guardsman Series
ONE & ONLY – Book One
ON A HIGHLAND HILL – Book Two
A HIGHLANDER IN PERIL – Book Three
IN LOVE WITH A WARRIOR – Book Four
The Pith Trilogy
WARRIOR’S PLEDGE – Book One
CLAIMED BY A CHARMER – Book Two
LASS’ VALOR – Book Three
* Keepers of the Kingdom (series)
* The Marvelous MacLeers (series)
* Daughters of Dunfeld (Halloween anthology)
* Denotes COMING SOON
What readers are saying about Kara Griffin’s books
The Legend of the King’s Guard Series
CONQUERED HEART “WOW! What a great start to a series, this book is fast-paced action, but then what did I expect, Kara Griffin writes strong-minded and compassionate characters and embroiled them into adventure and romance.” Amazon reviewer – 5 Stars
UNBREAKABLE HEART “A sensational story of love and forgiveness. A roller coaster of emotions, a swoon-worthy hero, and a heroine who gives our hero a run for his money. The author did an awesome job in transferring the anger and devastation Makenna was feeling as well as the love that eventually conquered their hearts!” Maira/Books & Benches – 5 Stars
FEARLESS HEART “Heath and Lillia are perfect together. Friar Hemm is amazing. Its a sad, tearful, astounding, amazing book. Can’t wait to read the next.” Debbie Hoover, reviewer – 5 Stars
UNDENIABLE HEART “A good historical set in the time of Robert the Bruce. Kara Griffin's writing draws you in like you are right there with the characters. I enjoyed it so much that I have gone on to read the first three in the series as well. A must for anyone who likes Scottish historical.” China36, reviewer – 5 Stars
The Gunn Guardsman Series
ONE AND ONLY “I just finished this book ten minutes ago and I’m still smiling. Wonderful. Absolutely wonderful… This story has so many truly fantastic scenes. Oh, the days of men of honor, governed by loyalty, duty, and chivalry. And to top it off, they are all strapping warriors wrapped in the Gunn plaid. Need I say more? This author writes truly wonderful historical romances.” Past Romance, Amazon (reader) – 5 Stars
ON A HIGHLAND HILL “WOW! Holy Highlander! Those Highland Hills will capture your heart and soul not to mention the men. Fast-paced and passion-filled.” My Book Addiction and More (blogger) – 5 stars
A HIGHLANDER IN PERIL “This book has intrigue, mystery, murder and incredibly romantic scenes that you will have a problem putting it down until the very end and then you will wish it had another chapter so you could keep reading the story. I did not put it down until the last word was read. I recommend th
is book to any who enjoy historical romance with intense intrigue and suspense.” Jusnana, Amazon – 5 Stars
IN LOVE WITH A WARRIOR “Oh what a great romance lover’s dream book. In Love with a Warrior was such an enjoyable historical romance, I read it all in one night. Talk about realism, romance, passion, the heat of battle, and remarkably accurate history. This fast-paced and adventurous plot moved quickly and kept me interested all the way through.” Renay Arthur - 5 stars
The Pith Trilogy
WARRIOR’S PLEDGE “Kara always writes intense but sweet romances, always great character and plots. I’m already almost done with book 2 to the series. This is one author you don't want miss out on reading.” Heather SS, Amazon (reader) – 5 Stars
CLAIMED BY A CHARMER “Enjoyed!....every bit, moves along no wasting time in the story. Kept me wanting to know what or who is the other enemy besides one of her relative.” Kgose5, Amazon (reader) – 5 Stars
LASS’ VALOR “Lass’ Valor was a thoroughly enjoyable read. Kara Griffin did a wonderful job with the character development and storyline, spinning a tale full of adventure, love and a little mystic.” KVD, Amazon (reader) – 4 Stars
About The Author