Lass' Valor (The Pith Trilogy) (11 page)

Her
plan to be elusive wouldn’t be easy.

Kate
walked beside Julianna along the trail to the cottages that dotted the slope
below the main keep. She felt awkward and unsure how to act around the
strangers. It seemed they had lived a peaceful life until Lord Richard ruined
it. Julianna showed her to a cottage with a thatched roof and dirt floors. The
two roomed cottage had an extensive area for eating and such, and one small
sleeping area. It was fairly clean and certainly large enough for her.

“I’ll
come help you clean it on the morrow.”

“Thank
you, Jennifer, I appreciate your kindness. The cottage is lovely.”

“Nay,
it’s Julianna,” she reminded her, then smiled. “There’s clean bedding on the
table. I’ll get you some things to fix it up a wee bit nicer.”

“That’s
kind of ye. I hope I haven’t put anyone out of their home.”

“Nay,
the cottage has been empty for a while. Do you want to come to the keep with
me? You can take your meals with us, we’ll have the evening meal soon. Then you
can get rest. You must be exhausted.”

When
they left the cottage, Julianna showed her how to find her way back to the
keep. Kate noticed the trees surrounding the stone castle, because the saplings
didn’t appear to be very old.

“Did
you plant the trees?”

“Aye,
there were no trees when I came, the landscape was barren. I had Colin dig
these trees up and replant them here.” She laughed. “I don’t deem he enjoyed
the task though. I like to work outside often. Mayhap you would like to help?”

“I’d
be glad to help in anyway. I tended my father’s grounds for many years, before
he died.” The mention of her father saddened Kate.

“I’m
sorry. Has it been long, since he passed?”

“He
died warring in the holy land. He was a wonderful father and I shall miss him.”

“I’m
sorry for your loss. You will consider our clan your family. I never thought to
see Bonnie again and if it wasn’t for you … I can imagine how you felt, losing
him. Let’s talk about something else. Would you like to help with the
celebration? It will give you something to do.”

“Of
course, I’d be glad to.”

“I
really shouldn’t be asking you for help, because you’ll be our guest of honor.”

“I’d
be pleased to help. There’s no need to honor me.” Kate walked beside her,
memorizing the way back.

They
returned to the great hall and the evening meal was served. Colin sat at the
head of the table awaiting his wife. When she reached his side, she whispered
in his ear.

Kate
couldn’t hear what she said, nor understand her, because she had spoken in the
other language. She noticed the room filled with many MacKinnon warriors. She
met Bonnie’s uncle, Robin, and his wife, Tess. Their bairn was being cared for
by a young girl at the other end of the hall.

Everyone
joyously greeted Bonnie, as well as Emma, her nurse, who blubbered and carried
on for several minutes about Bonnie’s return. Emma had been caring for Bonnie
when she disappeared, and she held much guilt for not being more attentive.
Kate thought her a kindly woman.

The
clan’s people kissed and hugged Bonnie, and she loved all the attention. Kate
watched their show of affection with a heavy heart, and gave the Goddess a
silent blessing of thankfulness. She had done the right thing; the child was
back where she belonged. After she finished eating, Kate sat back, listening to
the gaiety of the people around her, though she couldn’t understand much of
anything. Brendan watched her, and she blushed at the way his eyes fixed on
her. Luckily, Tess sat beside her, distracting her from the cursed warrior.

“We
are so thankful you brought Bonnie back. Would you like to meet my Robbie?”

“Aye,
that would be nice, Tara.” Kate tried not to laugh at her guise.

Tess
continued to smile and handed the baby to her. Kate looked at the sweet babe.
“He’s adorable.” Robbie cooed, and she felt her heart skip a beat. She handed
the babe back to his mother.

“You’re
from England?”

“I
am.” Kate reached for the baby’s hand and touched it gently.

“Julianna
was from there.”

“You
would never know she was. She sounds like she was born here.” Relieved at
hearing someone from England lived there, Kate smiled.

“Nay,
but she’s always been a Scot in her heart.”

“I’m
going to retire, it was nice meeting ye.” She stood and went to bid Colin and
Julianna a good night. Bonnie, hearing her say goodbye, jumped from her
mother’s lap, and ran toward her. Kate wrapped her arms around her shoulders,
and Bonnie held onto her legs.

“Kate,
you’re leaving me? Are you going home?”

“Nay,
lovey, I’ve been given my very own cottage. I’ll go and rest there. Don’t cry.”
She knelt to whisper her explanation, and her head touched Bonnie’s.

“I’ll
miss ye. I love you, Kate.”

Kate
felt a tear trying to sneak out the corner of her eye. “I love you, too. I’m
only going to bed. I’ll come back in the morning and we’ll eat our meal
together. Will you show me what you do for fun?”

“Aye,
I know what we’ll do,” Bonnie told her in a whisper.

“I’ll
see you on the morrow then.”

Bonnie
hugged her tightly around her neck and wouldn’t let go. She placed a kiss on
her head, set Bonnie away from her, and turned to leave the hall.

Kate
stepped outside and stood under the expanse of the star flecked sky. She sobbed
at the heartbreak of leaving the child. How would she bear to leave Bonnie when
the time came? She would miss her terribly and had become attached to her.
Someone called her name, and she turned to see Brendan approaching. She quickly
turned away, swiping the tears from her eyes.

“Katie,
I’ll walk you to your cottage.”

“I’m
sure I can find my own way, Bryan.”

He
grabbed her hand, giving her a hard look. She tried to pull it away, but he
tightened his grip and tugged her along. They reached her cottage after a few
minutes, and she opened the door. He told her to wait. Brendan went inside and
lit a few candles, while she stood with her back against the door jam, waiting
for him to leave. He strode to her, placed his hand against the doorframe next
to her head, looking down at her, scowling.

“Thanks
for walking me—” Before she could finish, he lowered his head and kissed her.
Her back pressed against the door with nowhere to go. His other hand pulled at
her chin until she opened her mouth. He slipped in his tongue, lightly
caressing hers. She started to kiss him back and liked the sudden warmth that
overcame her.

Brendan
pulled back and stared into her eyes. The man made her feel like he could read
her thoughts, and she blushed. Her stomach fluttered madly and she took a deep
breath. All she could smell was his manly scent and the earthly essence from
outside. She’d been stunned by his kiss, and hadn’t known people kissed in such
a way. She longed to wrap her arms around him and kiss him again. He grinned
boyishly, and set her back on the ground. She hadn’t known that he lifted her.

“Good
night, fair Katie.”

“Good
night, Boyd.”

Brendan
seemed to blanch when she misused his name. Trixie appeared out of nowhere and
meowed. He looked down and saw her cat wrapped around his boot. Kate picked
Trixie up and watched him turn. As he walked away, she couldn’t help noticing
his bare muscled calves. She waited until he disappeared before she closed the
door.

“Trixie,
how did you get here? Did you see him?”

“Meow.”

Kate
laughed, then took a small bowl from her satchel and filled it with the meat
she’d taken from the table in the hall. Trixie purred loudly, content to eat
her food. She saw the pitcher of water on the table and wondered where it had
come from. Then she noticed the cottage. She walked to the table which was now
covered with a beautiful linen cloth that matched the fabric that covered the
window. Logs were stacked neatly beside the hearth and two chairs flanked the
table. Someone had placed linens on the bed and two pillows at the top.

She
felt humbled by their kindness. Everything looked nice, and there was even an
arrangement of flowers on the small table beside the bed. She found several
garments of clothing lying on the bed: long and short sleeved gowns,
nightrails, and even slippers. She picked up a nightdress and set it on the table,
then she undressed and readied for bed. She put two logs in the hearth and set
the kindling.

After
such a grueling journey, all she wanted was a good night’s sleep. She pulled
back the covers on the bed and slipped inside, snuggling into the warmth. Trixie
jumped up and made herself comfortable by kneading her paws on the covers. The
medallion dangled at her cat’s chest and she touched it, sighing at the thought
of what it meant. She didn’t want to think such sorrowful thoughts this night,
not when she’d returned Bonnie to her loving family.

Kate
thought about Brendan’s kiss. She found the warrior of her vision at last—her
own gentle warrior. But he wasn’t gentle—far from it. It was her last thought
as her mind shut down to sleep.

*****

He
was a rogue and that was that. Kate came to that realization by the end of the
next day.

She
awoke to the sunshine and dressed quickly. With her promise in mind, she ran to
the hall to meet Bonnie. The cool air chilled her, but she knew it would warm
once the sun rose higher. She entered the castle, and was almost knocked over
by Bonnie, who stood waiting for her just inside the doorway.

“You
didn’t leave me.”

“Nay,
lovey, I told you that I wouldn’t.”

“Come
and sit with me. Papa said I can’t leave the table until I finish my food.”

“That’s
good, you need to fatten up.” Kate tickled her tummy, and Bonnie’s smile made
her feel carefree. She missed being near her, and she supposed she would feel
that way since she hadn’t let the child from her sight in many weeks.

“Good
morning, Laird MacKinnon.” Kate greeted Colin when she entered the hall.

“Nay,
it’s Colin. Please, call me Colin.”

“I’m
sorry, I forgot.” Kate smiled at his chafed tone. “Is Lady Josephine about
yet?”

“You
mean Julianna. She’s tending to Kevin and will be down soon.” He smiled, and
motioned his daughter back to the table. “Button, you need to finish eating.”

A
ruckus outside drew their attention. Colin stood, ready to go see to it, when
Brendan strode in holding her cat by its nape.

“Katie,
I’ll have to ask you not to let your animal loose. The horses are afraid of
small critters and Benjamin was unseated by his horse.” Brendan grunted. “He’s
darned incensed, too, because it happened in front of most of your soldiers,
Colin.”

Kate
frowned because of the way he held her, and she was about to tell not to be so
brutish with her cat, when Bonnie tapped her arm.

“Oh,
nay, Kate, Papa’s going to make you sit in his chair,” Bonnie said low.

“Bonnie,
I can’t punish Kate or make her sit in my chair. She’s not my daughter,” Colin
explained. “Finish your food.”

“Oh,
Kate, you’re lucky Papa cannot punish you.” Then she turned and asked her
father, “Can anyone punish her, Papa?”

“Nay,
Button, not yet, anyway.”

“Who
gets to punish her?”

“Her
husband, when she marries.”

“Kate,
don’t ever get married.” Bonnie expressed her notion in a serious tone, which
made her want to laugh at the sweet remark.

“All
right, I won’t.”

Brendan
scowled and dropped Trixie in her lap. He sat next to her and poured ale into a
goblet, but he kept glancing at Colin. As usual, he crowded her with his large
body. Kate couldn’t help but look at him. He was attractive in his own reticent
sort of way. He moved closer, so much so that she could smell his wonderful
scent. She closed her eyes and savored the aroma of his earthiness.
You’re
not attracted to him
, remember that.

“Button,
have you recalled the man’s name?”

Kate
gasped when she heard Colin, but she watched Bonnie’s face, hoping she hadn’t
remembered.

“It’s
D, we called the lady, Lady D, right, Kate?”

“Now
let me see? What was it? Dennison, Dunston, darned, I can’t recall. I’m sorry,
Conway.”

Colin
glanced at his brother. “We’ll wait until you remember. Button, let’s go see
your mama.” He got up from his seat and stretched his hand to Bonnie.

“But
I didn’t finish my food yet, Papa.”

“It’ll
be here when we return.” He lifted her from the bench, set her on the floor,
and took her hand.

Kate
sat alone at the table with Brendan. His arms crossed over his chest and he
leaned back against the chair. Lord, he was a handsome devil. A blush crept up
her neck. Brendan seemed to be watching her again, too. At least, she felt
pretty this morning, with her hair braided into rolls and pinned upon her head.
She continued to eye him, and recalled how his eyes filled with passion when
he’d kissed her the night before. When his eyes moved to her mouth, she
instinctively licked her lips. Heat coiled inside her and seemed to wind its
way to her heart.