Lass' Valor (The Pith Trilogy) (26 page)

Brendan
entered the hall and sat next to Colin. The hall was empty save for the two of
them, until Robin strode in a few minutes later. Brendan poured himself ale and
sat back, waiting for Colin to begin.

“Is
this an official meeting?”

Colin
grunted and gave him a heated look. “Damned right it is. We are going to take a
journey. Once we meet with King Henry, I’m going after Richard. The knave has
to be somewhere and Henry might know where we can find him.”

“You’re
saying you want to go to England to look for him?” Brendan waited for his
brother’s acknowledgement, which came with a nod of his head.

“Whilst
we are there, I believe you have some arse kissing to do, Brendan. You married
Kate. Have you forgotten that? Do you take the vow so lightly? I would never
believe someone as superstitious as you would go against fate. Bonnie brought
you two together, it is your destiny.”

“Destiny
or not, I am not worthy of her.” Brendan slumped in his seat, and couldn’t
bring himself to look at them.

“What
the hell does that mean, Brendan? Of course you’re worthy. She’s probably
devastated that you haven’t come for her and is likely feeling rejected by
you.”

“I
am a bastard.”

“Aye,
you are, you crushed that poor lass’ heart.”

“Nay,
I was born a bastard, Colin. She doesn’t deserve my stigma and I have nothing
to offer her. I’m just a soldier with no future. You heard her, she has land and
is wealthy. What could I ever offer her?”

“That’s
a load of cosh and …” Colin punched his jaw before Brendan knew what was
coming. Then Colin realized it had hurt him more than his blockhead of a
brother. Brendan didn’t even flinch at his punch.

“Are
you going to go with us, or do we have to drag your arse to England?”

Brendan
frowned at his brother’s bluntness. “Aye, of course I will go with you, but I
will return after we kill that son-of-a-bitch.”

Robin
scoffed, banging the table. “You cannot return, Brendan.”

“How
can I leave here, this is where I belong, my home. Who will protect the clan?”

“You
belong with your wife. Is that why you won’t leave? Because you feel you must
protect the clan? Brendan, we have many soldiers and allies. The clan’s protection
takes many men, not just one.”

“Are
you saying you don’t need me?” Brendan ire made him shout, but the words struck
him as though he’d been hit over the head with a mace.

Colin
sighed a waspish breath. “Brendan, I will always need you, you’re my brother
for god’s sake. But you’re also one hell of a soldier, and of course, we would
want you to stay and protect us, but your wife doesn’t have anyone, save for
Henry, and he must return to his court. She’s alone with no family to protect
her, and she must run her father’s holding. Her husband should be there,
protecting her, helping her, and God forbid, loving her.”

“Brendan,
remember what you told Colin when he wasn’t sure if he wanted Julianna? You
said to leave him alone and if he loves her he will go. That’s what we’re
doing. Come, Colin, let him stew in his own stupidity.” Robin pulled Colin’s
arm, leaving him sitting alone.

Brendan
leaned his head back against the chair and closed his eyes. A smile came to his
face and he almost laughed aloud at his brother’s strategy. He’d pulled a
similar ruse years ago when Julianna had left Colin, and his brother wouldn’t
acknowledge his feelings for her. Well, whatever they’d planned had worked. It
suddenly occurred to him that he couldn’t live without Katie. He envisioned her
sitting on the floor inside her rope, the way she spoke when she was angry, and
the devilry in her eyes when she was up to something sneaky. He didn’t want to
be without her, didn’t want to be lonely anymore.

“Uncle,
look what I made.”

He
opened his eyes and saw Bonnie holding a bowl, standing a foot away from him.
Whatever she’d placed in the bowl stank to high heavens. He frowned, looking
inside the bowl, and saw an insect’s leg floating on top of the crushed up
gruel. He grinned.

“What
do you have there?” He reached for her and placed her on his lap, but set the
bowl away from them, as far on the table as he could place it.

“I
made a potion, like Kate does. Do you know what it’s for?”

“Nay,
what?”

“It’s
going to bring Kate back.” She grinned at her accomplishment.

“What
did you put in it? It smells … ah, not too good, lass.”

“I
put a crushed up insect, some of papa’s water from his flask, you know the one
he won’t let mama touch, and Dame Hester gaved me some leeks too.”

Brendan
burst with laughter. He couldn’t imagine her crushing up a cricket, and if
Colin found out his daughter touched his flask of brew, she’d be punished for a
week. No wonder it smelled bad, with leeks too? He ceased laughing when he
noticed her hurtful look.

“Well
now, fairy, do you know what?” He put the question to her, because it was
always what she’d say to him.

“Nay,
what, Uncle?”

“Katie
would be proud of your success. Your potion must have worked, because I believe
Katie will return.” He caressed her hair and couldn’t help thinking his niece
would make one hell of a witch when she got older.

Bonnie
shouted gleefully. “Are you going to get ‘er, Uncle Brendan?”

“Aye,
but I will have to live in England now, not here, but I promise to bring Kate
back for a visit in the spring. Will that make you happy?”

Her
answer was to turn on his lap and hug him. He smiled, knowing how happy he’d
made her. If his niece would go to such lengths to bring back Katie, he could
at least be amiable and assist her.

*****

Brendan
rode beside Julianna and Colin on his way to his new home. He wasn’t thrilled
at the prospect of living in England. Fortunately, neither his brothers, nor
Colin’s soldiers had teased him about it on their journey, for if they had, he
would have pounded them to the ground.

They
neared Parkville Convent, and Julianna asked Colin if they could stop to pay
their respects to Mother Superior, a nun whom Julianna had an ongoing
relationship with. She hadn’t seen her in two years, and wanted to thank her
for helping Douglas’ wife, Isabel, with her problem earlier that summer.
Julianna also needed a break from riding and Colin wouldn’t deny her. He let
her have her way, insisting that they would only stay a few hours, which would
give them a bit of rest from travel.

Julianna
rang the bell by the gate to summon the nuns. “Please, be gentlemen.” She gave
him and Colin that look that meant they’d better do as she said. “Oh, here
comes Sister Margarite, she’s taking her old sweet time. How I remember that
from when I lived here, she’d take forever answering the gate.” The sister
finally arrived and smiled. “I’ve come to see Mother Superior, Sister
Margarite.”

“Aye,
child, come this way.”

Brendan
followed Julianna, and he breathed in the scent of old stone building. They
were led to Mother’s office, and Colin went to a small bench that sat beside
the wall.

Julianna
laughed. “This is it, Colin, the punishment chair, you know, the one I told you
about.”

“Ah,
so that’s the infamous chair. Bonnie is spoiled, having to sit in my chair.” He
chuckled, seeing his wife’s smile.

“Mother
used to make me sit in it, just like you make Bonnie sit in your chair. That’s
why I always smile when you threaten her with that punishment.”

“It’s
no wonder I like your Mother Superior,” Colin said as he settled himself on the
bench. “It’s horrible, lass, no wonder you disliked it so much.”

Mother
Superior, at that moment, stalked in the room. She had no idea who had called
on her. She went and flopped in her chair and looked up.

“Mother
Superior, we were passing by and I thought I’d check on you. I wanted to thank
you—”

“Julianna,
it’s good to see you. I’m so glad you’re here. I need your assistance, dear
child.”

“Anything,
Mother. What’s wrong?”

“There’s
a young lady here, who can’t seem to stop crying. She hasn’t stopped since she
arrived. You know how much I abhor a crying girl. You never cried when you were
here.”

“What’s
wrong with her?”

“She
has a broken heart, and she won’t listen to me. I pray every day, and I’m
certain God is listening and yet … Even Eloise hasn’t been able to help her
over her distress.”

“I’ll
try to help, but I don’t know what I can do,” Julianna said.

“Just
try, that’s all I ask. Laird MacKinnon, you’re looking … healthy. Are you
treating my girl well?”

“I
try to keep her happy, Mother.”

“That’s
all she could hope for, Laird.” Mother gave him a pat on his shoulder as she
walked by, following Julianna through the doorway.

“Julianna,
come, I’ll show you where the girl is. She’s one of the girls who came with
Isabel and decided to stay on. MacKinnon, make yourself comfortable. You may be
here a while,” she confided in a whisper.

Brendan
sat in “the chair” and grunted. “This chair makes you wonder if someone put
thistles on it. I better not sit on it too long, it’s libel to break in half.”

Colin
snorted. “Not likely, Mother Superior would only use the hardest wood she could
find.”

“I
believe I’ll have just such a chair made, when I reach Kate’s holding.” Brendan
grinned.

“Why
would you do that?”

“For
my own wee lass, who is surely going to cause me problems. With my wife’s
influence, I’m probably going to be waylaid by the two of them.”

Colin
laughed. “It’s good to hear you speak so, Brendan. I look forward to seeing
your children. So, have you decided what you’re going to say to her when you arrive?”

“Aye,
I’m going to tell her the truth. That she can’t deny our marriage, not when
she’s going to have my bairn.” Brendan let his smile forth.

“She’s
carrying your bairn?”

He
laughed at his brother’s surprised look. “Not yet, och soon enough, I’ll see to
it.”

Colin
closed his eyes, but he spoke. “My wife better not keep us waiting long. I want
to be quick about our travel and find out where that clootie is hiding.”

Brendan
grunted. “Aye, we’ll find him soon enough.”

Colin
opened his eyes. “You’re sounding awful patient, Brendan. I would say you are
happy at the delay. I suppose you’re not anxious to face Kate.”

“Damned
right I’m not. I still haven’t figured out exactly what I’m going to say.”

Julianna
returned a few minutes later and they immediate set out for the final leg of
their journey. Brendan felt apprehensive about being in England and kept his
guard up. He didn’t believe he would ever be content living there. When they
reached the holding Henry had left directions to in Cheshire, later that
afternoon, the sun had dissipated. Brendan assessed his future home from the
distance. Even though the land was cast in the shadows of dusk, the property
looked welcoming.

“Looks
to be a small fief, but there are plenty of fields.”

“Dammit,
she’s going to turn me into a farmer.” He couldn’t keep the touch of irony out
of his tone, and Colin laughed at him.

“Mayhap
a farmer who knows how to war with the best of them.”

“That
is not funny, Colin.”

He
took his time looking over the manor house, which did appear to be large and
well-built. Several flags adorned the turrets and steeples. At one time it must
have been a wealthy fief, for it was made of stone and its security had been
built to withstand sieges.

The
posted guard stopped them when they approached the gate.

Colin
moved forward, but Brendan stopped him. “Let me.” Brendan dismounted, and bid
the rest of the men to do so. Though they’d only brought twenty men with them,
they appeared hostile. Brendan couldn’t help that—it was their usual look.

“I’m
Brendan MacKinnon and I—”

“Sir,
we were told to expect ye.” The guard stepped back and motioned for them to
enter.

“Who
told you to expect me?”

“King
Henry, he is still in residence and has not left yet to return to Londontown.
He told us to tell you that he is within. Welcome, my lords.”

Brendan
nodded then walked off toward the entrance. He pushed open the large wooden
doors and strode inside. For a moment, he stood still, looking around him. The
room’s cleanliness and coziness reminded him of Kate. Everything in the room
bore her touch. A large table sat in the center of the hall, on which sat three
bowls, one at each end and a larger one in the center. All held fruit and
vegetables. Beside the hearth, dried flowers hung on pegs scenting the room
with their fragrance. Around the room, various chairs sat beside windows and
under tapestries of rich colored scenes. There was even a woven rug in front of
the hearth, with several homemade books sitting atop it. An aura of pride
overcame him.