Kara Griffin - Gunn Guardsmen (17 page)

Kenneth suspected she would want to name her son after his brother. She’d told him so at his brother’s funeral. He hadn’t forgotten. But he wasn’t sure how he felt about it. If it made his laird’s wife happy then he wouldn’t object. “If she wishes it then it shall be.”

“Are you sure?” Grey asked.

“Aye, what of the lass? What will you name her?”

“Bree says the father should name the daughter, but I have no idea what to call her. The babes look alike. Both have fair hair and the same nose. Aye, I’m glad they’re different sexes otherwise …”

Duff and James entered the hall. They joined them at the table.

“Is this a meeting? Why wasn’t I called?” Duff was disgruntled at the prospect of being absent from a meeting.

“Nay, we were discussing what to call the lass,” Grey explained. “It’s been decided to call the lad Greer.”

“Oh, I am fond of Kathleen. I always liked that name,” Duff said.

“I say you name her Grace. Goes well with Greer,” Kenneth said. All looked at him. “What? Why are you looking at me like I have horns?”

“It’s getting easier to say his name, is it not?” Grey asked.

“I suppose it is.”

James chimed in, “I vote for Grace. She’s probably going to be like her mother.”

“Are you insulting my wife, James?” Grey rose, pushing his chair back a good foot.

“Nay, Laird. I meant she’ll probably be a good cook. Best betroth her early so you don’t have men beating down your door. Aye that man will be as content as you, I vow, and likely fat by the time he grows long in the tooth. When does the celebration begin?” James tried to change the conversation.

“I am neither fat nor long in the tooth.” Grey scowled at James’ jest. “The celebration will begin this afternoon. Bree says she feels well enough to leave her bed. I promised she could join the festivities as long as she stays on the lounge I’m having made for her outside.”

“Won’t Father Geoffrey have something to say about that?” Duff asked.

Grey grimaced. “He would if he was here. He’s still at Donal’s keep. I’m sure he would object to her being outside since she supposed to be confined. Aye, but I haven’t ever been able to confine the woman and won’t be able to now.”

Kenneth reached for the last sweet roll, but wasn’t fast enough. Duff grabbed it and shoved it in his mouth. He gave him an annoyed look.

“Laird, I’ve a message for you.” Angus, ‘the day watch’ at the gatehouse, came forward. He handed the parchment to Grey and left.

“It’s from Donal.” Grey read the missive and didn’t look up for a good five minutes. The rest of them were left to wonder what was going on and what it bespoke.

Kenneth knew that expression. Something tensed Grey’s shoulders. He set the missive in front of him and then gripped the table and stared at nothing, deep in thought. Kenneth reached for the parchment, but Grey grabbed it from him before he could read it.

“Donal received word from the clan Mackay. mac Raghnaill is traveling through with a contingent of soldiers. He’s headed in our direction.”

“Damn me,” Kenneth said.

“He’ll be here in three days’ time,” Duff said, “if he’s already passed Mackay land.”

“There’s one bright spot. I’ve called all my men together for the celebration. At least we won’t be outnumbered,” Grey said.

Kenneth still didn’t like the odds. Even with all the Gunns present and even if they outnumbered them, he was sure they would be dealing with the devil. Word had reached them of mac Raghnaill’s prevalence in keeping his lands secure from both the king of Norway and Scotland, and of the clashes he’d achieved victory.

“You know what you have to do, Kenneth.” Grey regarded the others as if asking for support.

“You ask too much. I knew you would use this as an excuse.”

“It is no excuse. Besides you have a wife now. mac Raghnaill won’t know where to find Elisa if you take her home. Your land is far enough north of his and he won’t suspect you’ve taken her there.”

Kenneth’s anger simmered and his nose flared. “I never claimed that place as home.”

“It was always your home. You need to make peace with your father and take your rightful place as laird of the McInnish clan. Why not now?”

Kenneth’s blood began to boil. He rose and started to walk away because as far as he was concerned the discussion was over. He said over his shoulder, “You know nothing about it.”

Grey tried to stop Duff who went to stand beside him. Kenneth didn’t want to hear this cosh from any of them.

“We know plenty about it. What, are you afraid to be laird?” Duff baited him.

To hell with that, Kenneth flexed his fingers and then made a fist, tightening it before he swung and stuck Duff’s jaw. No one insulted him without retribution. Damned oaf only took a step back.

Duff laughed and called him forward with both hands, and continued to bait him, “Aye, lad, you’re afraid. Admit it. You can’t handle the responsibility. I told ye, Grey, he would never be able to fill his brother’s shoes.”

“Don’t bring Greer into this. I am not afraid,” Kenneth shouted. He grabbed Duff around the neck to hold him in place so he could get a few punches in. Duff grabbed his arms and threw him over his shoulder. Kenneth landed on his back and quickly rolled to his side and gained his feet. “Come, I’ll show you I am not a coward.”

James ran to stand between them, “You’re going to kill each other. Back down, both of you.”

Kenneth threw his fist at James and struck the left side of his eye. Blood started to trickle out. “Stay out of this, James.”

“Fine you want to kill one another.” James moved back to a safer position.

Several others came running inside the hall to witness the commotion. Kenneth and Duff went at each other and rolled on the floor. Duff got in a few punches, one was fortunate enough to hit his mouth and Kenneth tasted blood on his lip.

He got angrier and shoved Duff, causing him to bump into the table in the center of the room, moving it a good two feet. Two benches went flying toward the hearth when Duff reciprocated and punched him in his jaw, which caused his feet to shuffle until he could regain his balance.

Duff was a dirty fighter and grabbed his hair. He held him and tried to punch his face when Kenneth pinched behind his arm thereby gaining his release. Duff circled him and Kenneth grabbed him, putting him in a choking hold. Duff’s arms circled his waist and threw him backward. They both landed on the floor. Kenneth held him down with his elbow and grabbed for his dagger from his boot. He held it at Duff’s chest, breathing heavily from all the exertion.

“I fear nothing and no one.” Kenneth spit blood onto the floor and then tossed his dagger across the room, knowing he would never use it even as angry as he was. He rolled off Duff and gained his feet.

Duff grinned and leaned upon his elbow. “Damned me, Kenneth, I deem you’re the only one who could take me.”

“Don’t bet on that,” Grey said, “Are you two finished? Kenneth, you’re being irrational.”

Kenneth looked around the hall. They’d made a mess of things. “Sorry about hall…”

“We needed the hall cleared anyway for the celebration. You did me a favor. Come, James, Duff, Kenneth. Let us go outside and give the women peace so they can ready.”

They went outside and Grey led them to where the saplings had just been planted. Standing in a semi-circle, no one said a word.

Kenneth noticed the trees whose leaves held fast and whose limbs were many. They were sturdy and healthy saplings. He’d have to commend Sean and James their choice. He stood there licking his bloody lip certain Duff had split it. This was one hell of a week. First he wed a lass who had an army after her, not to mention the King of Scotland who wanted to question her, and even worse his horse died. He could use a goddamned drink.

Grey seemed to be waiting for him to say something.

“I don’t want to be laird of that clan, Grey, never wanted it. And now you ram it down my throat. You planned all of this didn’t you? You want me to go? Then I shall.” Kenneth was about to walk off when Duff and James formed a wall, blocking his exit.

Grey stood in front of him. “Your father was sorry, you know, in the end. I saw him, was at his side on his deathbed. All he spoke of was how he disappointed you. He’d said what a fine son you were and how proud he’d been and how he’d wronged you. He’d acted poorly and was mourning Greer. If anyone can understand that, you can. You need to forgive him, Kenneth.”

His nose flared as his breath deepened at hearing Grey’s speech. Kenneth was sure to lose any composure he had remaining.

“I don’t know if I can forgive him, Grey. It is too late for forgiveness.”

“Can you forgive me then?”

“Forgive you for what?”

“It was because of my order that Greer was protecting Bree. I didn’t know what MacHeth was capable of, that he could enter my own keep to try to kill her. I should have had more men guarding the keep that day. Greer died with honor and not a day goes by that Bree and I don’t thank God that he was there to save her.”

“I don’t blame you, Grey, or Bree. I know he was doing his duty.”

“Then will you at least forgive yourself? There was nothing any of us would have done differently. You couldn’t have saved him, none of us could.”

“’Tis time,” James said, “Kenneth, to put it all behind you. Let it go.”

“Aye, well past time,” Duff agreed.

Grey handed him a cloth with which to wipe his mouth. Kenneth took it angrily and tossed it back at him. “Are we through here?”

“There’s an army coming, Kenneth, they’re coming for your wife. Do you want to put her in danger? Or are you going to swallow your damned pride and get her out of here?”

Duff kicked dirt at him. “Aye, take her to McInnish land. Make a home for her. mac Raghnaill will be welcomed here and he’ll have his wee look and won’t find her. He’ll return to his devil’s lair and all will be well.”

“Damn you all, I need a drink.” Kenneth went inside the hall, behind the buttery where Grey kept his best spirits and took the largest jug he could find. Without a word to anyone, he marched off knowing the perfect place where he could get well and drunk.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

By the time Elisa finished checking all the horses for illness, it was past midday. Only one showed signs of being ill, but the symptoms weren’t as dire as Kenneth’s horse. The horse was moved to an empty stall well isolated from the others. She was gladdened for it didn’t seem as if the infection would spread. She gave instructions to Jonny and listed the signs of distress should any of the horses sicken. After the Black had been taken away, she and Jonny cleaned the stall and she told him not to allow any horse inside for at least a week.

Exhausted from all the exertion, Elisa sat just inside the stable doors. But the smell got to her and she needed to leave. Kenneth had disappeared and never returned with food. She waited as long as she could, but it didn’t seem as if he was coming back. She went to the cottage thinking he might be there, but he wasn’t.

While she was there, she changed into fresh clothing and pulled on a dark green overdress. She used the water in the pitcher to scrub her hands with the soap Kait had left, making sure they were good and clean. She then washed her face and took care of her needs and brushed her hair. The day had grown warm so she pulled her hair back and tied it with a string from one of her gowns.

Still Kenneth hadn’t returned. She wasn’t sure if the king had left, but she couldn’t stay in the cottage as hungry as she was. Taking the hidden path, she hurried to the kitchens intent on getting food.

Gell raised the dead with his yelling when she entered. She realized deep down he was a sweet old man who liked to bark.

“Good day, Gell, may I have some food? I haven’t eaten yet and am starved.”

Gell grimaced as he wiped his hands on a cloth. “Kenneth asked me to send ye food. I sent me kitchen lad hours ago. Didn’t he bring it? Why I’ll have his arse punished …”

“Nay, but mayhap he couldn’t find me in the stables.” Her heart rejoiced at the thought that Kenneth hadn’t forgotten her.

“Aye, help yourself, lass,” he said, and to one of the lad’s bringing in water, he shouted, “Don’t be spilling water on my floors. Watch where ye are going. Aye, or I’ll mop the floor with ye.”

She took a piece of bread that had been buttered and spiced, and two apples from the table. “Have you seen Kenneth this day?”

“Aye, surely did and enjoyed the sport. Saw him I did afore he went off to drown his sorrows. That lad still has the strength of an ox and eats like one too. Never did see such a tempered man. Och came and went he did.” Gell turned back to the table and grabbed a hatchet. He dismissed her without a word and went about his tasks.

Elisa didn’t know what to make of that or what he meant so she took the chunk of bread and apples and went outside.

When she reached the keep, she noticed more activity. She sat by a nearby tree, staying hidden behind the large trunk. Something was happening. Many of the clans’ people hung banners and set up tables. Clanswomen set food on the tables and the men staked torches on long sticks into the ground. Logs were set in piles by many erected fire pits. She was sure they were having a celebration for many people had already gathered.

What with the possibility of running into the king, she stayed where she was content to find out what was going on later. The cool air soothed her, as she’d been cooped inside the stables all morning. After eating one of the apples, she felt much better and even though she was somewhat tired, she continued on in hopes of finding Kenneth. She snuck around the kitchens and entered the keep through the back entrance.

Edwin stood guard and recognized her, and smiled when she passed by. Elisa went into the hall and glimpsed Grey standing with Duff and James. Usually the guardsmen couldn’t be separated and she wondered where Kenneth, Sean and Colm were. And as she thought that the two latter came strolling in. They immediately set to drinking and eating.

Colm said, “’Tis done, laird. By evening all the clan will be here.”

Elisa stepped farther into the room, making her presence known. “Is it safe?”