His Bonnie Bride (24 page)

When Sholto was carried in with an arrow wound in his leg Storm was first at his side. She did not question her very real relief when she discovered it was little more than a graze that had bled freely. As she finished bandaging the wound, she felt his hand touch her hair and looked at him.

" 'Twas a temptation too great to resist," he said with a grin that made her think of her brother Andrew with sad, fond remembrance.

She laughed and impulsively kissed him only to be caught by Tavis, who was bringing in yet another wounded man. "What the devil are ye about?" he growled as he helped the man onto a pallet.

"Did ye ne'er have your hurts kissed better when ye were a child?"

"Sholto's mouth looks fine to me," Tavis grumbled, his glare doing nothing to dim Sholto's grin.

"Aye, 'twas his thigh that was wounded. If ye wish, I will kiss ..."

"Do and I'll see to it ye ne'er sit for a week," he snapped, glaring at her and then at the two men who laughed despite their wounds. "Get off with ye, wench." His lips twitched when she winked at him before moving away, but then grew serious. " 'Tis bad, Sholto."

"Aye. The bastard kens his business. He makes no move that'll let us even the numbers a wee bit, kenning that he only needs to wait 'til our numbers be fewer, too few to hold him back."

"If he keeps whittling our numbers down, he can stroll in ere nightfall on the morrow."

"Then give him the Sassanach lass," cried the woman who was tending the man Tavis had brought in.

"Nay," spoke up the stablemaster's wife before Tavis could respond. "I want no part o' giving a wee lass tae a man what beats her near tae death. I saw her wounds and no man did that. 'Twas an animal, a beastie no Christian deals with. The man will taek her and still taek us. Ye cannae trust a beastie like that tae act with honor or mercy."

Everyone stared after the usually taciturn woman as she strode away. The other woman turned her attention fully upon the man she was tending and said no more. Briefly, Tavis pondered upon the many and varied friends Storm had quietly acquired while at Caraidland before he turned back to present Sholto with a plan he knew would not meet with approval, speaking so as not to be overheard.

"The man must needs leave off fighting when night falls. I will try to go for help."

"Nay, we are encircled. They will be watching for such an attempt. Ye'll nay get past his watch."

" 'Tis a chance I must take. Our men could be on their way back. E'en if they arenae, an I ride long and hard this night, I can reach Athdara and fetch aid back here ere night falls on the morrow."

"If they have solved their own troubles."

"Aye, but can ye give me another choice?" Sholto's silence told Tavis he could not, and Tavis nodded. "I will slip away as soon as 'tis dark. I have told none but ye. Keep it that way."

As Tavis had expected, Sir Hugh left only a token force around Caraidland when night fell, the rest withdrawing to the camp to rest, yet near enough to be called up quickly if needed. There was nothing to be gained in fighting blind in the night. More would be gained by allowing his forces to recoup some strength for the fight on the morrow. There could not be any escape from Caraidland, of that he had made sure.

Only the wounded were allowed to rest at Caraidland. There was always the chance, however small, that Sir Hugh would try to storm the walls during the night. It would be out of character, for it would risk a high loss of men, but an unexpected move was the one to keep the closest watch for. Lacking patience, the man could be driven to make such a rash move.

Dressed in black and leading an equally black horse, Tavis crept out a side gate. It was a very chancy venture he embarked upon, but there was no other choice. They needed more men and that meant trying to get to Athdara. He could only hope that, if he reached there, whatever trouble there had been at Athdara was now at an end, allowing him to return with not only his own men but perhaps some sword-wielding MacBroths as well.

It was not the best night for trying to creep through an enemy's line of watch. Caraidland's own watch fires cast out unwanted light. There was also a moon, its light unfettered by clouds. It was a little difficult to keep both himself and his horse in the shadows as he edged toward the wood. Tension and the need to be as quiet and careful as possible made what was but yards seem like miles, and minutes like hours.

When he was just inside the wood he mounted, but kept his steed at a walk. To spur his horse to a gallop when he was still so close to Sir Hugh's ring of watches would be foolhardy. Slowly, he made his way through the wood, working at an angle through its dark tangles that would eventually bring him to the road that led to Athdara and, he prayed, far enough along it to be beyond sight and reach of Hugh's minions.

The sigh of partial relief that escaped him when he reached the road got caught in his throat as two horsemen entered the road in front of him. It was almost as if they had been waiting for him, but he knew it was just sheer bad luck that had brought him through at the spot where Sir Hugh had placed a watch. The fact that the men were far beyond the usual place for a guard only proved how wily Sir Hugh was. He had guessed what would be tried and had undoubtedly placed his strongest guard on this side of Caraidland. Tavis cursed, for it also meant that Sir Hugh knew exactly how short of men they were and why.

Although the chance of success was dim, Tavis whirled his horse around and raced for the besieged keep. If he could get near the walls of Caraidland, there were ways to get back in. There was no chance of getting to Athdara, but perhaps he could return to Caraidland, thus saving them the painful loss of yet another man. When they did not immediately loose an arrow his way, his hopes rose, for he realized that Sir Hugh had ordered that anyone trying to slip away was to be brought back alive.

He could see the watch fires of Caraidland when the men chasing him suddenly called out. Two more men appeared in the road directly in front of Tavis as if by magic, and he realized that Sir Hugh had set a guard at several points along the road. The sudden appearance of two horsemen caused Tavis's horse to rear. His own surprise contributed to Tavis's lack of control and he was thrown. As he hit the ground, his last thought before blackness engulfed him was of Storm.

Storm lay in exhausted sleep crowded upon a pallet with Maggie. When night fell and the fighting had ceased the work had shifted from tending the wounded to feeding the men. Maggie had urged her to seek her own bed, but Storm had refused. She wanted to be near the wounded who might need her, near the battle so that she could know when and if it changed in any way and near Tavis. Maggie had ceased arguing and let her stay.

Suddenly, Storm sat up, Tavis's name upon her lips. She wrapped her arms around herself as she shivered, the cold chill of foreboding she so detested seeping into her bones. Careful not to wake Maggie, Storm rose from the pallet. She had to find Tavis and assure herself that she was only suffering from nerves and exhaustion, that he was all right and not in any real danger. Being caught in the middle of a battle could easily make her see danger and tragedy where none existed.

The battlements were lined with women as well as men. Wives, lovers, daughters and mothers stood watching in their men's place while they lay sprawled at their feet in exhausted slumber, still in full battle array. If it were not for the lack of fighting men, such arrangements would never be allowed, but the men knew that the women's eyes were as keen as theirs and that, if trouble came, the men would be ready, sending the women off the battlements. This way the men could catch some much needed sleep and be more ready to face the battle at the sun's rising.

Pausing by Jeanne, who held the watch for her betrothed, Storm asked, "How goes it, Jeanne?"

" 'Tis a verra great bore. I cannae help but wonder how fit for battle Sir Hugh's troops will be, for 'tis a wild and noisy revel agoing on at their camp. Can ye hear it?"

"Aye," Storm replied with a grimace. "I suspect 'tis my father's wife. She has a fondness for orgies."

"What's an orgy? 'Tis sinful, eh?" asked Jeanne in undisguised interest.

Nodding, Storm elaborated. " 'Tis a whole group of men and women drinking and wenching together. Lady Mary prefers the men to outnumber the women. 'Tis naught but lust and lasciviousness."

"Never," breathed Jeanne, her eyes wide with fascination and horror.

"Aye, lass," came a sleepy voice from behind their feet. " 'Tis a fitting description." Ignoring the gasps of embarrassment from the ladies, Jeanne's betrothed asked, "Does she really hold orgies?"

The dark erased most of Storm's discomfort. "Aye. She held them often at Hagaleah. I would lock myself in my chambers with my old nursemaid, Hilda, and a few maids who were not interested in joining such revels."

"Did ye ne'er keek at such goings on?" asked Jeanne, nudging her lover with her toe when he chuckled.

"Of course not," Storm replied haughtily. "Why should I wish to see naked people bathing in milk and doing lewd things in nearly every room in the keep?" She turned to walk away, but Jeanne halted her.

"Did they really bathe in milk? Stop that tittering, Robbie."

"Aye, they did. I did see that, and a fair bit more, that I'll ne'er tell ye, afore Hilda caught me and dragged me back to my chambers by my hair." She left the young couple laughing softly.

It took her a while to find Sholto, Iain and Colin. The latter two were asleep, but Sholto stood staring out over the battlements. What immediately struck Storm was that he spent as much time staring toward Athdara as he did at Sir Hugh's encampment. She wondered if he expected the momentary arrival of aid from their old allies or the expedient return of all the men they had sent out.

"Ye shouldnae be up here, Storm," Sholto admonished gently. "Ye should be getting some rest."

"Where is Tavis, Sholto?" she asked, not liking the way he avoided looking directly at her.

"He maun be off sleeping," he mumbled, staring out toward the sounds of revelry.

"Sholto, I have looked everywhere and cannot find him. Please, Sholto, where is he?"

"I dinnae ken," he snapped, but then sighed when he caught her expression, which was a mixture of crestfallen and determination. "Here now, lassie," he said gently as he put an arm around her and drew her to his side, "Tavis is a grown man. Ye need nay fear for him."

"Ye do not understand. I woke up so cold and calling his name. 'Tis not a good sign. Please, Sholto ..."

"Nay. Now, look out there and tell me what that infamous Lady Mary of Hagaleah is up to."

" 'Tis sinful," she mumbled, still afraid for Tavis, but not wanting to press Sholto.

"Ah, a subject dear to my heart and sure to keep me alert. Tell us all, lassie," he said teasingly.

While Storm proceeded to fulfill Sholto's request by reciting all she had ever seen and heard, despite the occasional awkwardness and embarrassment such a recital caused, Tavis was coming to in time to be tossed to the ground before a tent. What he saw when a man briefly lifted the tent flap and stepped out made Tavis wonder if his brains had been rattled. Before he could decide whether or not he had really seen a tangle of naked bodies, he was yanked to his feet. Held roughly between two men, he found himself face to face with Sir Hugh, the very man he ached to kill.

"Well, well," Sir Hugh gloated, rubbing his hands together in glee, "Tavis MacLagan himself. They will give that little redheaded whore now. In fact, she will probably turn herself over to me."

Hugh called for torches and, leading a wristbound Tavis by a rope leash, he marched with ten men toward the walls of Caraidland. They went under a white flag, for Sir Hugh intended to parley. He was confident that he would walk away with Storm in but the time it took to suggest the trade. Then he could take Caraidland on the morrow as a
coup de grace.

Tavis hoped no trade would be made. He did not want his error to be paid for by Storm. There was little chance that he would be killed, for Sir Hugh would recognize his worth in ransom if, by what now could well take a miracle, Caraidland did not fall. He shrugged away the intruding thought that Sir Hugh could kill him out of spite or even rage, a state in which he reached near madness.
C'est la guerre,
as the French said, he thought wryly, as he struggled to stay upright and turned his gaze to the walls of Caraidland.

Seeing movement in the camp, Storm halted in her telling of sordid tales about Lady Mary. She strained to see clearly, to determine what was going on. Suddenly she tensed and grabbed Sholto by the arm. "Look, Sholto, there is a group approaching with torches and a white flag. Sir Hugh wishes to parley."

As Sholto woke his brother and father, Storm noticed the man on the leash. It was another moment before she recognized who it was that Sir Hugh led. Her heart seemed to stop and she turned stricken eyes to an ashen-faced Sholto.

" 'Tis Tavis. Sir Hugh has Tavis."

"MacLagan," Sir Hugh bellowed as his group stopped within feet of the walls of Caraidland.

"No need to shout. I see ye," Colin replied sardonically, causing Tavis to grin slightly.

Yanking Tavis forward, Hugh called, "As you can see, I have your son and heir, Tavis."

"Aye, I can see that just fine." Colin looked at Sholto and asked softly, "How in God's great name did Tavis fall into his hands? Tell me in as few words as possible what that young fool was doing outside these walls."

"He wanted to reach Athdara," Sholto said quickly. "We are sore in need of fighting men."

"Send out the Eldon girl, MacLagan, and I will give you back your son."

"Where the devil are ye going?" Colin snapped as he grasped the arm of a retreating Storm.

"Out to Sir Hugh," she gasped as he yanked her back to his side, "so that he will release Tavis."

"Dinnae be so daft, lassie. Do ye really think Tavis wants that? Nay, lassie, there willnae be a trade." Storm watched speechlessly as Colin replied, "Nay, Hugh, no trade. See, lassie," he added when Tavis waved his bound hands in agreement.