Jake (The Highland Clan Book 4) (3 page)

Would she live?

Chapter Three

When Aline opened her eyes, confusion filled her mind. Instead of Hew’s face, she saw the lad from the cave. The kind, gentle lad. He was talking with a beautiful light-haired woman walking next to him, but her mind was too hazy to understand his words. She watched his lips move as he carried her into a chamber.

The kind man readjusted her in his arms before settling her on a bed in the center of the chamber. She flinched as his arm hit a sore spot on her back, though she did all she could not to cry out. His gaze caught hers. “Forgive me, Aline. I’m only trying to make you comfortable. I’ll do my best not to hurt you again.”

Her breath hitched at the sharp stabs of pain shooting through her body. Steeling herself not to cry out, she gripped his arms. He tried to pull away, but she wouldn’t release him.

“Please,” she whispered, tears misting her eyes. “Do not leave me, Jake. Please?” Jake was his name, was it not? Frustration filled her as she realized her memory was not serving her well. Her head ached as though she’d been hit with a rock.

Nay, it had been a fist, Hew’s fist.

“Please?”

The light-haired woman stepped in next to him. “Aline, my name is Maddie. Jake will not go far. We need to bathe you, freshen you, and dress you in clean clothing. Whoever did this to you is not here, and we’ll not allow him near you again. Jake will protect you, I promise. We’ll give you something to help you sleep.”

“Nay, please.” Her hitching breath turned to sobs. “Please, he’ll find me. He has his ways. If I’m asleep, I know not what he’ll do. Please.”

“All right. We’ll not give you anything to help you sleep until you’re ready.” Maddie’s soothing voice was like nothing she’d ever heard before. Calm, yet kind, she realized Jake looked something like Maddie.

“When I’m better, I need Jake to take me back.”

Silence settled in the chamber at her words. They didn’t understand. Not yet. Despite herself, she felt her eyes flutter shut, and she relaxed her grip on Jake’s arms. He stepped back, his gaze still locked on hers, and she felt herself start drifting.

***

Jake didn’t want to let her go, either, but he knew he had to step out to allow his mother and his aunt to care for her. He glanced at his mother after Aline closed her eyes. “I don’t understand her, Mama. Why would she wish to go back?”

“I felt the same way, Jake. When your father saved me, I left people behind whom I loved dearly. I never rested until I saw my maid, Alice, again.” She leaned over and kissed his cheek. “I’m proud of you. My thanks for bringing her home.”

Jake nodded and moved toward the door, taking one last look at Aline.

“Your father is…”

“I know where he is, Mama.” His father would be in the parapets, where he usually was every clear night. He and Jamie called the parapets their father’s upstairs solar.

Jake stepped into the passageway, closed the door behind him, and moved toward the doorway at the end of the corridor. As he climbed the stairway, he thought about how to approach his sire. Being the firstborn son to Laird Alexander Grant, the most feared swordsman in all the Highlands, was not always easy. Scots expected him to act exactly how his father would act, but how could he? Alex Grant was a legend.

Besides the rampant tales of his prowess in battle, people still spoke about Alex’s rescue of Maddie. And one of the stories they oft repeated was about the twins’ daft uncle, who had taken their mother prisoner and held a dagger to her neck while she was giving birth to them. By all accounts, including Maddie’s, it had been the most difficult day of Alex’s life. He’d thrown the fool clear across the chamber with one hand, and the hard contact with the stone wall had made him crumple to the floor.

Jake pushed open the heavy door at the top, breathing in the scent of the breeze blowing by him and down the staircase. His father was in his usual place, leaning over the parapets and gazing down at his land. He’d brought him and Jamie up here often when they were bairns, though Maddie had always begged Alex to never set either of them on the stone edge.

“Papa,” he greeted his father, who’d turned around as soon as the door opened.

“Jake, how is she? Does Aunt Caralyn think she’ll survive?”

His father was a man of few words, direct and to the point. “She hasn’t said yet. We just got Aline settled.”

“Do you wish to update me with what you know?”

“In a bit.”

His sire nodded, then returned his gaze to the Grant land spread out beneath them. Not the most fertile because it was Highland land, but they’d made enough areas fertile to support their people. The rest—the mountains, the serene lochs, the glens—was sheer beauty. Jake understood why his father loved it up here. Winter was headed their way, and snow already dusted the top of the mountains.

Silence settled between them for a few moments while Jake thought about what he needed to say to his father. There were times when he didn’t agree with his father’s decisions, times when he mouthed off or acted out of anger, much to the frustration of his mother. Alex had always been quick to put him in his place on such occasions, but one thing Jake had never doubted was his sire’s love for his family and his clan. The love had always been there.

He scowled, but he suddenly knew what he needed to say. “Papa, I just wanted to say I understand now.”

His father glanced at him, his eyebrow raised in question.

“A few summers ago, Jamie and me and the rocks. I understand why you did what you did. My apologies for being so foolish.”

Jake caught the slight quirk in the corner of Alex’s mouth. “You were a lad and too young. ‘Tis part of youth, being too foolish to know better.”

“Aye, ‘tis true, but the look in Mama’s eyes just now…”

“Aye, ‘tis a look I do not care to see verra often.”

Jake stared at his sire. Those were the exact words he’d used with Jake and Jamie after they’d done something foolish, truly foolish. Something he’d never really comprehended the meaning of until this day.

Now, he understood.

Chapter Four

It had happened over six summers ago, back when Jake and Jamie were five and ten summers. Their uncle, Robbie, had warned them to make careful decisions, but they were young and giddy and three other lads had found some of the best liquid the Scots could make and hidden it for a special occasion. The “breath of life” that the Scots brewed and aged had a reputation like no other. They’d each had their times with too much ale, but this was different.

They’d decided to hide the bottle of whisky and celebrate with it on a special occasion. Ewan, Roy, and Douglas had told him they’d talked two lassies into baring their breasts for the lads. Like most lads that age, the twins had developed a keen interest in lassies and their bodies. Though it shamed him to think back on it, Jake had been stirred by the mere thought of such a show.

Jamie had tried to talk him out of going, but Jake had insisted, knowing that his brother would follow him anyway. So they’d planned the occasion carefully, choosing an isolated place in the stables, setting sentries outside to watch for them, and bringing food and drink for all. Jake had been as excited as if they were attending a jousting match or a fair, but the evening had not unfolded as he’d expected.

The lassies had changed their minds.

When Jake stepped into the stall at the far end of the stables, the two lasses were struggling with his three friends against the wall. Douglas was trying to rip open the one lass’s bodice while Roy held the other lass and Ewan had his hands all over her breasts.

“Stop, please, Ewan,” she said through tears. “I’ve changed my mind.”

Ewan exploded. “Then why in hell are you here? You should have stayed home. When you walked through the door, you agreed to show us your titties.”

“But Roy said I could kiss Jamie if I came. ‘Tis all I want. Leave me be.” She struggled against Roy’s arms.

The other lass cried out, “I’ve changed my mind, also. I do not want to do this anymore.”

“Too late,” Douglas said. “You’ll show us now. You cannot be a tease.” He pulled on the ribbons at the front of her bodice, causing one breast to fall out of its confines, and the lass screamed in response.

Jamie yelled, “Leave them be. Douglas, take your hands away.”

When Douglas did not answer him, Jamie rushed over and tugged his hands away from the lass. Jake took off toward Ewan. But Ewan was the quicker of the two, and he took a swing at Jake, catching him in the jaw, before he turned back to the lass. He grabbed her breast, and the only thing Jake could think to do was grab the lad’s hand and pull it away.

Unfortunately, that was the exact instant the twins’ mother had flung the door open. Jake’s hand was on the lass’s breast and Jamie’s hand near the other lass’s bare breast. The look of pain and anger on his mother’s face was one he’d never forget, but it was almost eclipsed by the fury of his sire, who stood behind her.

Hellfire, he glanced at Jamie because he knew they were in the worst trouble they’d ever been in.

Maddie Grant shot across the room and raised her hand to slap each of her sons, but Alex stopped her, attempting to remove her from the stall altogether. Instead of her sons, she grabbed Ewan and Roy by the arms, yanking them away from the girls. Alex managed to pull her to his chest before she could go after Douglas. Having never seen his mother in such a tirade, Jake was stupefied.

“Mama, we were trying to stop it,” Jamie cried just as his mother came after him again.

“Do not dare to lie to your mother on top of what you’ve done.” Alex hauled Jamie away from Maddie and tossed him across the stall as if he weighed no more than a feather.

Jake saw his sire coming toward him, so he ran, but his sire—big and bulky and surprisingly fast—got to him first and tossed him out the stable door. Jake looked up from the ground and saw his two uncles coming toward them along with more guards. Uncle Robbie looked down at him and bellowed, “Do not dare to move from that spot.” The sentries they’d posted outside the stall to keep watch had been hauled off to the side, where they were being watched by two other guards.

Jamie came flying out of the stall, landing next to Jake on the ground, and the brothers just stared at each other wide-eyed.

“
Mo chreach
,” was the only thing Jake could get out. “We’re in the worst trouble ever.”

Jamie rubbed his face as if his mother had actually slapped him. “I know. Mama almost hit me. I’ve never seen her hit anyone.”

Jake whispered, “And now she’s sobbing.”

Maddie came out of the stall, an arm around each lassie’s shoulder. Celestina had just arrived, and she came forward to help Maddie with one of the lasses. They walked past the twins as they headed off toward the lassie’s huts, passing close enough for Jake to see the tears running down his mother’s cheeks. There was something else that bothered him more. She refused to look at either him or Jamie.

This was not going to be good. His sire sent Ewan, Roy, and Douglas off with the other guards, though Jake and Jamie did not know where they were headed. They waited an eternity for their father to step out of the stall. When he finally did, his head was down as if he couldn’t stand to look at either of them.

He barked orders to his brothers. “Get them up and meet me out at the rock pile.”

“But Da…” Jake tried to defend himself, hoping to explain that they’d tried to stop the other lads.

“Silence!”

Uncle Brodie said, “Are you sure you do not wish to lead them out?”

Alex Grant lifted his head to stare at his sons. “Nay, I said I’d kill anyone who put that look on my wife’s face again, and I do not wish to kill my own sons. If I touch them, I will.”

Uncle Robbie grabbed Jake and forced him to stand. “Consider it done.”

Their uncles led the way to the rock pile, and Jake didn’t dare speak until he noticed his sire was staying behind, pacing.

“Do not get your hopes up, lads. He’s waiting to be sure your mother is all right. Once he tends to her gentle sensibilities, he’ll come for you.”

“But Uncle Brodie, we were trying to stop it,” Jamie cried out as he stumbled along the pathway.

“Aye,” Jake added. “The other lads lost their senses.”

Uncle Robbie said, “So you’re saying you’d heard about their plans and were only there to stop it?”

Jake frowned, wondering how to explain everything. “Not quite.”

Jamie sighed. “Mayhap it doesn’t matter. We’ll be in less trouble if we just shut up and accept our punishment. You know that’s what Da has always said.”

“But Jamie, we
were
trying to help.” He glared at his brother. There had to be a way to convince their father that in the end, they’d made the right decision.

“Aye, ‘tis true, but ‘twas not why we were there, and you know it.” Jamie had whispered low enough so his uncles wouldn’t hear him.

Jake opened his mouth and snapped it shut. He couldn’t argue with that, and besides, he’d talked Jamie into going. He’d have to thank his brother later for not tattling on him.

“Wise move on your part, lad. Lying will get you in worse trouble.” Uncle Brodie narrowed his gaze at his nephews.

“But they said they wanted to show,” Jake said. “That’s all.”

“According to the expressions on their faces, they were not willing.” Uncle Brodie spat off to the side. “Hellfire, lads, but you’re putting me and your uncle in the worst of spots.”

“Why is that?” Jake asked.

“Because your sire is in a killing rage. Could you not have pished off someone else?” His uncle glanced over his shoulder to see if anyone was behind him.

Uncle Robbie shook his head. “Lads, I’m only going to give you one warning. Keep your mouths shut and accept responsibility for the deed you’ve done. ‘Twill go better for you.”

Uncle Brodie added, “Robbie’s right, ‘tis the only way. Your sire is coming this way, and he does not look happy.”

Laird Alexander Grant strode over to stand in front of his sons, his feet apart and his hands clenched into fists so tight Jake expected to see blood dripping from his palms at any moment.

“Lads, do you not recall the several conversations we’ve had about respecting females?”

“Aye, Papa, but we…” Jake started.

“Silence!” His sire glowered at him and took two steps forward, opening and closing his fists several times. “You’re trying my patience, lad. Do you know who you hurt the most with your actions?”

Jamie squeaked out, “Aye, Mama…”

“Aye, your mama. As you know, I’ve said any man who put that look in her eyes again would be a dead man. Do you know your only good fortune?”

Jamie shook his head; Jake said naught.

“Your good fortune is I made a promise to your mother that I would not flay you both alive. And do you know why I agreed?”

Jamie shook his head again.

“Because your mother says ten and five is not the age of a man grown. She says you are still lads. And since the look in her eyes would be worse if her eldest sons were dead, I’ll not touch you. If I touch you, I fear I’ll lose my temper. So you will move that pile of rocks from that spot—” he pointed to the mountainous pile they used for various purposes in the clan, made up of rocks and boulders of all sizes, “—and you’ll move them over there.” He pointed to a spot way off to the right.

Jamie stared at his brother, a green look in his face. The pile of stones stood taller than either of them. “All the way over there?”

“Aye.”

“Fine, we’ll start at sun up,” Jake said through clenched teeth. After all, his sire hadn’t even allowed them to explain. True, he and Jamie had decided not to tell the whole story, but he could have
asked
them.

“Sun up? Nay, it will be finished by sun up. You’ll start now. And if it takes all night, so be it. You had plenty of energy to be randy, you’ll have enough energy to move boulders.”

Jamie emitted a groan, but then squelched it.

Jake wouldn’t give his sire the satisfaction to see him upset about his task. “Fine. I’ll get the cart.” He walked past his father and headed back up the hill to retrieve a cart from the bailey.

“Lad,” his father bellowed.

“Aye?” Jake halted, his hands on his hips.

“No cart. With your hands.” Alex finished his statement and spun around to head to the keep.

“What?” Jake yelled after him.

His sire came back and stood face-to-face with Jake. “I said no cart. You have until dawn. If you decide to quit, I’ll settle your punishment with my fists, and I’ll be sure your mother will not see your bruises.”

Jake murmured a few cuss words after his sire left, but then returned to Jamie’s side. “Come along. We need to get started. ‘Tis not a big concern.”

Brodie and Robbie snickered.

Jamie asked, “Why are you laughing?”

“If Jake thinks moving all those rocks that far by hand is not an issue, then he’s a bigger fool than I thought.” Uncle Robbie chuckled as he cast a sideways glance at Brodie, who had his hand over his mouth. “Were we that foolish at their age?”

“You’ll see by day break,” Jake said as his uncles headed back toward the keep. He reached down to pick up his first rock. “This will not be that difficult.”

Jamie followed him. “Somehow, I think you’ve just made a big mistake.”

By morning, Jamie and Jake were barely moving. They’d almost finished when his father, Uncle Brodie, and Uncle Robbie came along to check their progress. Uncle Robbie whistled when he saw how hard the two of them had worked all night. Barely moving due to exhaustion, they continued until they had moved the last stone. His hands trembling, his muscles twitching from the stress, Jake wiped his sleeve across his forehead, then nodded to his sire before making his way back toward the keep.

“Jake, I did not say you were finished yet.” His father’s booming voice would awaken everyone in the keep.

He turned back in bafflement. “We moved the rocks just as you said. Now I think after that chore that we both deserve to break our fast.”

“No breakfast. I’ll have water brought out to you.”

“What must we do now?” Truth was, he hadn’t thought he was capable of doing anything else.

Alex’s gaze narrowed as he stared at his firstborn, his hands held behind his back. His voice came out as a whisper. “Move them back.”

Jake could not believe that he’d heard him correctly. “Move them back? Those boulders? All those ones we just moved?” He thought his head would explode from the rage coursing through him. His father had to be jesting.

“Aye. Do you have a hearing problem?”

“Nay. I just cannot believe you would tell us to do something so ridiculous. It took us all night to move those boulders, and now you want us to move them back?” Jake’s voice had almost become a roar.

But his sire roared louder. “Aye, ‘tis what I said. Now get started.”

That was all it took for Jamie to run over to the pile and pick up two boulders.

Jake shouted to his brother, “Nay, Jamie. I’ll not do it.”

“What did you say?”