Kara Griffin - Gunn Guardsmen (14 page)

“A couple of years. It seems like yesterday he was taken. I should have protected him.”

Her heart broke hearing his forlornly spoken words. “Was he older or younger than you?”

“Older, by two winters.”

“It wasn’t your duty to protect him, Kenneth. The eldest always protects the younger. I deem you are feeling guilt when you shouldn’t.”

“Mayhap.”

“Will you tell me why you lied to me about being a Gunn? Laird Gunn said I needed to marry one to be safe and yet … you are a McInnish.” She kept her gaze serene so he wouldn’t think she was truly angry. But she wanted answers.

“You were supposed to wed Sean. If you had, you would be a Gunn. Does it matter that I’m not a Gunn by name? I live on Gunn land and am a Gunn guardsman.”

Elisa used a stick she’d found and scratched lines in the sand to distract herself from showing her ire. She didn’t know what to make of what he’d told her. “Why didn’t you let me wed him? If I needed to marry a Gunn … and you are not … am I not safe?”

“I explained this … you will be protected. Regardless of my name, I am part of the Gunn clan. You’ll be safe with me, Elisa. I won’t let anything happen to you.”

Elisa shook her head. “I suppose it doesn’t matter. Why do you not reside with your clan, the McInnish?”

Kenneth rose. “I don’t want to discuss it. Come, we should be getting back. I’ll get us food and we can get some sleep.”

He was finished discussing his grief and refused to speak of his clan. Elisa wished he would confess why he’d felt so guilty about his brother’s death and why being a McInnish bothered him, but she decided ‘all in good time.’

After shaking the sand from his tartan, he set it over his shoulder and tucked it into his belt. He pulled on his boots and stood. They left the beach and started walking toward the keep hand in hand. The sky had darkened and early evening stars were beginning to appear. Elisa felt so much better, being cleaned, and well … loved. A smile reached her lips and she tried to abate it. She didn’t want Kenneth to think their conversation had meant nothing to her.

When they left the wide path and reached the lesser-known path, they veered off and approached the cottage. She didn’t want to go inside, but at least she’d been outdoors this day.

“Stay inside. I’ll return with food.” He walked toward the keep on the main path.

Elisa went inside, and found various items Kait must have left for her. Happiness reached her eyes when she spotted the overdresses, slippers, shifts and undergarments. She immediately undressed and tried on a white cotte, the thin fabric underdress, and then pulled on a light blue gown. The garments fit pretty well, mayhap slightly loose. Kait had even left her comb, bless her heart. She spent an hour combing her hair until her scalp tingled, and loved the feeling of it finally being free of tangles.

When it seemed Kenneth wasn’t going to return soon, Elisa curled upon the bedding and grew sleepy. Night was upon them and she didn’t like being by herself most of all during the night. Too many nights had been spent by her lonesome at the manor all those years. She didn’t want to be alone any longer. But there she was growing lonelier by the minute … with only her apprehensive thoughts for company.

CHAPTER TWELVE

The great hall was empty when Kenneth entered. He was glad because he wanted to be alone. He sat quietly at the table considering Elisa and why he hadn’t been more honest with her. Greer’s death was killing him. No one understood. Mayhap she could. Something about her alluded to her giving nature. He wondered if sharing that side of himself would relieve his disheartened attitude. But he wasn’t ready to explain how deeply it hurt to no one. He also wasn’t prepared to deal with a wife’s intrusiveness, but Elisa hadn’t really been overbearing with her questions. That was one of things he liked about her.

As he sat contemplating the issue, he heard the guard call out. Someone approached the keep. All those on sentry would now be taking position should they be under attack. Grey was nowhere to be found, so Kenneth decided to find out where Duff was. After all, he was first-in-command when Grey wasn’t around and should be preparing to greet whoever advanced.

Outside, many of the Gunn men hurried to their posts and he spotted Duff by the gatehouse.

“Who comes?”

Duff yelled to a lad above, “Is it Alexander’s banner?”

“Aye, Duff. Right as rain, he comes,” he shouted from the above battlements. “Laird Ross is with him. They come with a handful of men.”

“Damnation, open the gates.” Duff spat on the ground. “Grey will be pissier than a goat by the goddamned loch.”

Kenneth scowled, but wanted to laugh. “Pissier than a goat by the loch? What has you so disturbed, Duff? If it’s the king’s coming, don’t worry about it. At least we’re not being attacked.”

“That isn’t it. Grey’s been with Bree most of the day. I’ve been on duty nigh on a fortnight without a break since you left to retrieve the lass. My woman is beginning to ask if we’re still wed.” Duff swayed on his feet and leaned against the wall.

That made Kenneth smile for Kait wasn’t one to be put off, especially when it came to the bedchamber. Many a night he’d taken Duff’s duty so he could spend time with his wife. Kenneth hadn’t minded for he had nothing better to do and one of them might as well spend the night in enjoyment.

“We expected Alexander, Duff. I’ll see to him. You go and attend to your woman before your cock becomes useless.”

Duff laughed morosely. “It won’t ever be useless. Are you sure? I wouldn’t ask it of you, but damn I’m tired.”

He was surprised Duff admitted his exhaustion. The man never owned up to anything that gave the impression he was a lesser soldier. His wife’s affront had to be an excuse so Duff could get to his bed and Kenneth would have laughed except Duff wasn’t one to tease.

Kenneth nodded and clapped his friend’s back. “Tired? You might be later, Duff. Aye, go. Besides I know how to handle Alexander. This situation is delicate and calls for a wee bit of deception.”

Duff marched off and he waited patiently for Alexander’s arrival. The gate soon opened and the king and three of his men, as well as Donal Ross and a few of his men rode through.

“Where’s your laird,” the king inquired as he walked past.

Kenneth, along with the other Gunn sentry, bowed to the king and didn’t raise their heads until bid to do so.

“Tending to his wife,” Kenneth replied as curtly as the king had asked. “Shall I have him called?”

Alexander seemed to be considering it and shook his head. “Nay, I’ll speak his guard. I don’t want to disturb him if his wife is ill.”

“Come to the hall and we will answer any questions you have.” When Kenneth turned around, he saw James, Colm and Sean standing behind him. He was relieved to have his comrades at his back for he wasn’t sure exactly what’d he’d say or how he’d handle Alexander.

They entered the hall and Nell, the hall’s serving maid, poured cups of ale. Kenneth signaled for her to leave. He waited until the king was ready to ask his questions and the longer he took to ask, the longer Kenneth had to come up with a ruse. Alexander didn’t seem to be in a hurry and took his time taking a seat at the long table.

“Colm, go and explain what’s happening to Grey. I doubt he’ll come down, but I don’t want him excluded in case he wishes to join us. Tell him I’m handling it for him and not to be concerned.” Kenneth then took a cup, dunked it in the ale barrel and chugged the contents before taking his own seat.

“Laird Ross, how goes your clan. Any news?” Kenneth figured he’d stall in case Grey decided to join them. It was always courteous to ask of news when visitors came, so he would keep with the convention.

“All’s well, no news really to impart. I was entertaining Alexander and he was supposed to receive word upon your return. You’ve been back a few days. Why didn’t anyone come?” Donal looked like the pisser Duff accused Grey of.

“Our lady is due to give birth and has been confined. My laird is concerned and hasn’t attended any duty since his return. I can give you an accounting of our journey if you wish or you can wait until Grey is able to attend you. I don’t know how long he’ll be detained for Bree’s been confined to her rooms for some time. Do you wish me to disturb him?”

Both Alexander and Donal shook their heads.

“Nay, I’ve done enough disservice to the lass. If she’s about to give birth, I won’t bother her or her husband.” Alexander continued to sip his ale, content to wait for him to start explaining.

Kenneth supposed Donal had had enough of Alexander’s ‘company’ and wanted him gone. He couldn’t fault him for that. The king tried everyone’s nerves and often caused a clan to use up their food stores because of the amount of soldiers he rode with. Donal kept giving him an inquisitive look as if to say ‘this-better-be-good.’

“Verily we went to mac Raghnaill’s land as you requested, sire. Our pretense at a treaty worked well, for we don’t believe he suspected we were there for any other reason. Grey kept mac Raghnaill busy with news from clans and discussion on the terms of the alliances. We had three of our men, Colm, James and Sean make indiscrete inquiries about the lass, but none heard of Elisa. We supped with mac Raghnaill and left the next morn.”

“Where are the men who inquired?” Alexander leaned forward. Colm, James and Sean rose. “Did you ask about the lass in the village?”

Sean was the first to speak. “Aye, my king, I asked all who I came across. There weren’t many young ones about the village, at least where I inquired, who would be around the lass’ age.”

“And you two, what say you?”

James motioned to Colm, who then gave his accounting. “I didn’t see one lass whilst we were there. I spent a good three hours talking with the villagers. Even went to inquire with some of the older men who were by the gatehouse, drinking. I thought they would know if anyone suddenly appeared.”

“The villagers weren’t as kind to me, my king. They wouldn’t allow me to speak to them nor answer my questions. I gave up after two hours,” James said.

“Damnation!” Alexander banged his hand on the table. “Where’d he take her then if not the village where he was raised? That is the only place I know of that he calls home. The berserker is always out combing his lands ensuring his fortifications. The locales are many. I don’t have time to search them all for her.”

Donal relaxed back in his chair, looking at the Gunn guardsmen, and Kenneth surmised he hadn’t believed a word they’d spoken. But Donal knew them well, unlike Alexander.

“If the lass wasn’t there, there’s no telling where he took her. Mayhap he killed her as he’d done the rest of her family. There wasn’t a reason to keep her alive then, was there?” Donal kept his face serious and devoid of any treachery.

“Nay, mayhap you’re aright, Donal. I don’t suspect she survived. There’s never been any word of her since that day. I was sure he’d taken her, but there was never any proof he had. Mayhap she had run off as was rumored or verily he’d killed her.”

Kenneth stood and looked around the room, hoping that was all to the questioning. “If that is all, my king, I would dismiss the Gunn guardsmen. They have duties.”

“Aye, I’ve no other questions about the mission.”

He nodded at James, Sean, and Colm to leave and they abandoned him hastily. Kenneth found himself alone with Alexander and Donal who sent their men away as well. He then spent the next several hours listening to Donal tell stories about Alexander’s fetes, more like mishaps, in Kenneth’s opinion. His king had hard luck since he’d taken the crown. Black luck followed any pursuit he’d undertaken.

Both Alexander and Donal were well into their cups, and Kenneth had pretended to drink along with them. He wasn’t one to imbibe, and he wanted to keep his head about him so he wouldn’t jeopardize the falsification he’d testified to earlier. Grey had enough to worry about and didn’t need the king’s disgruntlement. A yawn threatened to escape him, but Kenneth suppressed it. It had to be near midnight. He hoped they’d be ready to take to their beds soon. He sure as hell would fall asleep as bored as he was.

Donal and Alexander continued discussing their dilemmas. Kenneth thought he heard footsteps on the stairs and then he noticed Grey walking into the hall. He looked like hell, as if he hadn’t slept for a sennight. He might not have for they’ve been home a few days and Grey never slept while on a trek.

“Grey?”

His laird approached and leaned to speak close, “Bree is laboring and wants you to bring … her.”

Kenneth looked at Alexander before leading Grey to the buttery. “I can’t bring her here. It’s too dangerous. What if he recognizes her?”

“He hasn’t seen her in years. She was young then and I doubt he would recognize her. Use the back entrance, Kenneth. And for God’s sake, be quick.” Grey took hold of his shirt and jerked him. “Just get her here. I’ll keep Alexander busy.”

“Is Bree in danger?” Kenneth looked across at the king who listened to Donal and didn’t pay them any mind.

“I deem I’m the one in danger. She’s cursed me, all my men, and any man alive. I don’t know, Kenneth. If I survive this night I shall find out. Go.” Grey left him and took a seat next to Alexander. “I see you’ve come. I assume Kenneth has filled you in on the task you required of us? We searched the village for your lass, but she wasn’t there.”

“Aye, he did. I thank you for taking the time to go,” Alexander’s words mumbled.

Kenneth excused himself and left the hall. His strides were quick as he made his way to the cottage. He was apprehensive about bringing Elisa into the castle, but somehow he’d keep her safe. Once he reached the cottage, the inside was dark and no candles were lit. He left the door open to afford some light and went to the bed. Elisa lay cuddled on her side. He shook her a little, but she refused to awaken.

“Elisa, sweetheart, awaken.”

She moaned and rolled to her side, taking the coverings with her. “Nay, not now. I’m too tired.”

“Elisa, Bree needs you.”

Her eyes shot open. “Kenneth! Did you just say … Bree? Why didn’t you wake me?”

“That’s what I’ve been trying to do.”