Lass' Valor (The Pith Trilogy) (31 page)

“Fairy,
I need to speak to you.”

“Father,
please, there is nothing more to say.” Kate moved into the room, but turned
when she reached the window.

“Aye
there is. I was wrong. I will grant that you married a strong man, but will he
be able to provide for you?”

Kate
looked up and saw his smile. “Oh, he will, he’s very resourceful.”

“You
have my approval, Kate. I know you must love him, for you to go against my
wishes. I will not stand in the way of your happiness.”

A
tear slipped down Kate’s cheek. “Oh, father, I’m so happy to hear you say
that.”

“I
imagine that young man needs you just about now. Why don’t you go to him?”

“What
are you talking about?”

“He
just killed Richard, and then left abruptly. His brother said he went to settle
down, after the fight. I don’t know where he went off to.”

“He
wasn’t harmed, was he?”

“I
don’t imagine anyone could inflict harm on that hardheaded Scot.”

Kate
leaned up, kissed her father on his cheek, and ran out of the chamber.

Hawk
laughed. He did well by his daughter, and could now go home to resume his life.

Kate
ran most of the way to the exit of the palace, stopping a few times to catch
her breath. She held her skirts in hand and ran through the trees that edged
the walls. She reached a clearing, and saw Colin sitting beside Brendan on the
top of the wall. Colin rose and climbed down the ladder, and as he passed by,
he winked. She smiled at him.

Kate
watched him walk away, then grabbed hold of a rung and stepped up. When she
reached the top of the wall, she sat next to Brendan and took his hand. “My
father just told me what happened. Are you all right?”

“Aye,
I am now that you’re here.” He squeezed her hand.

“I
heard you killed Lord Richard?”

He
nodded, and a tranquil silence fell between them. Kate knew the end of the
vendetta released him from his vow. His shoulders relaxed and he kept his gaze
in the distance.

“You’re
a brave lass, you know that? I know you were terrified to sit close to the edge
of the cliffs at home, because I had to coax you to look at the view. We’re up
mighty high.”

She
peered at the steep drop in front of them, though it wasn’t as tremendous as
his cliff.

“You’re
not afraid anymore, are you?”

Kate
smiled. “Nay,” then she admitted, “Mayhap a little.”

“Why
are you not afraid anymore?”

“Because
I know that you will never let me fall.”

Brendan
smiled at her sincerity and faith in him. “You are the most valiant lady.”

“I’m
glad you think so highly of me, husband.”

Brendan
brushed his shoulder against hers then kissed her. “I do.”

“My
father has given his approval of our marriage.”

“I
knew he would. When is he leaving?”

Kate
laughed at the grumpy tone of his voice. “I don’t know, probably soon. Why?”

“I
want to go home and start begetting my sons. You won’t see anyone for weeks.”

Kate
laughed harder. “I don’t want to see anyone—only you.”

Brendan
lowered her back onto the wall. “Why don’t we start right now?”

“Here
atop the wall, in the rain?”

“Aye,
it will feel good. It’s dark enough, no one can see us.”

Kate
responded by pulling him to her and kissing him. She felt the rain hit her face
and roll between their faces. His hard mouth covers hers, and turned over hers.
He held her neck, with his thumb positioned in the center, and sweeping gently over
her throat.

Brendan
lifted his head and looked above them. She heard the sound of a hawk’s shrill
shriek overhead, but she couldn’t see it in the rainy sky.

Kate
saw her father standing in the courtyard a good distance from them. He must
have looked for the Hawk too, because he looked upward. He smiled then walked
way.

She
placed her hand on Brendan’s chest. “I dreamt about you for the longest time,
you came to me in a vision when I was four and ten.”

“What
was I doing in this vision?”

“You
were scowling at me. I gave up ever finding you.”

“Why?”

“Because
my father left for the excursion and I didn’t believe I would ever meet you and
…”

“Did
I kiss you in your vision?” He grinned at her, cupping her face in a loving
caress.

“Nay,
you didn’t,” Kate admitted.

“Then
it couldn’t have been me.”

“Oh,
it was you. I memorized every inch of you. Your eyes haunted me, and your hair
was slightly shorter, but it was you.”

“You
dreamed of me all those years?”

Kate
nodded. She trailed her hand along his chest, up his arm to his bulged biceps.
“Aye, and I wasn’t sure why you came to me. I’ve loved you for the longest
time, I’ll always love you.” She closed her eyes and sighed.

“I
love you, too, Katie.” He caressed her bottom and lowered his mouth again.
After kissing her for a spell, he raised his head and grinned. “I can’t wait to
go home. Shall we leave on the morrow?”

“I’m
so happy to be returning to your clan, Brendan, it’s where I belong.”

“Aye,
with me.”

Brendan
finally took her inside the king’s palace, after he had his way with her of
course, and then he continued to show her how much he loved her. Kate slept so
soundly, she hadn’t heard him rise and when she awoke, he was gone.

She
frowned at the room.

The
door burst open and Brendan came strolling in. His eyes no longer looked cold
and foreboding, but light and somewhat adoring.

He
took her hand, pulling her from the bed, and kissed her. “I’m glad you’re awake.
It’s time to leave. You might want to say your goodbyes to Henry and your
father. They’re waiting for you.”

Kate
nodded, scrambled off the bedding and dressed. When she entered the king’s
hall, all was silent. Her footsteps sounded loud, but she kept walking until
she reached Henry and her father, who stood next to the dais.

“Sire,
thank you for everything. I shall always remember your kindness.”

“Be
well, Lady MacKinnon. Take care of my friend.” Henry had whispered the last so
only she could hear. She smiled and nodded.

Her
father took her in his arms, smiling, and hugging her tightly. “I am leaving
this day as well, and long to go home. My men long to return, it has been years
since they have seen their families. I promise to visit you, fairy.”

“I
look forward to seeing you again, Father.”

Brendan
tugged her hand and she turned and left the palace. She smiled at Colin and
Julianna who awaited on their horses, their men waiting ahead of them, all
looking anxious to depart. Kate was assisted onto her horse by Brendan. She was
finally on her way home. Throughout the day, Kate didn’t feel well. She noticed
the scenery blur, but didn’t mention anything to Brendan. He would have fussed
over her. Nevertheless, travel to the highlands had been easier this journey
than when she’d traveled with Bonnie.

*****

Brendan
brushed his lips over hers, stroking her face, and awaking her. Kate slept the
last two hours of the ride, and he helped her from his horse. They arrived
home, and his wife wore a smile on her lovely face. Life would be vastly
different for him, he wasn’t as soldier any more, but a husband, and one day
would be a father, and have a family. He looked forward to the changes, and the
quiet nights alone in their cottage.

He
smiled, recalling her promise to Henry before they had left. He had vowed to
let her father visit in the future, and her happiness made him glad he’d
agreed.

Kate
clasped his hand and they walked inside the keep. He released her hand and
walked to the steps. “I’m going to change.”

“I
wonder where Bonnie is?” Kate walked to where Julianna stood and she called
Emma forward.

Brendan
took the steps and went to his room, the one he used when he stayed at the keep.
He stood by the opened door, watching his niece and trying not to laugh.

The
lass peeked out the window, holding a large tankard positioned over the edge.
What in the name of God was she up to? He approached slowly, hoping to get a
look. He saw her head lean against the iron grill, when she released the
contents, dumping the liquid out the window.

“Lass,
what are you doing?”

Bonnie
jumped back from the window and gasped. “Uncle Brendan, I was dumping my cup
out the window.”

“I
could see that, but who did you dump it on?” He laughed when he lifted her in
his arms, but then he glared at her when he saw the lad Shawn looking up at
him.

“You
must apologize, lass.” He set her down and gave her a push toward the window.

Bonnie
peeked down. “Sorry, Shawn.”

“That’s
all?”

She
nodded.

He
laughed heartily. “You know you’re going to have to tell your papa about this.”

She
nodded again. “All right, Uncle, I’ll tell him later.”

He
shook his head. “Nay, you’ll tell him now.” Brendan lifted her and carried her
back to the hall where her father had just come inside. Bonnie’s expression
turned grim and she went and sat in her father’s chair.

When
his niece looked about the room, she noticed Katie, and she immediately ran
from the chair to her. She hugged his wife, crying and bawling about her cat.
“I missed you, and knowed you would come back.”

“I
missed you too, lovey. Have you been a good girl?” Kate looked down and saw
Trixie rubbing against her leg.

“Aye,
I been a good girl and took care of Trixie.”

Kate
laughed and hugged his niece. “Thank you.”

Brendan
gave Bonnie a get-on-with-it look, and she walked to her father’s chair and sat
again. Colin approached and stood rigidly looking from him to his daughter.

“Papa,”
she said softly.

“Aye,
Button, I think you had better confess your wrongdoing, your uncle doesn’t look
happy. I assume you did something wrong?”

“I
… dumped water on Shawn’s head.”

Colin
laughed, but then stifled it. “Why did you do that?”

“I
don’t like ‘em. Do I gots to sit in your chair?”

His
brother sobered. “Aye, for the rest of the day.” Dusk dimmed the sky, and the
evening meal would soon be served, she would only have a few hours of
punishment.

Brendan
smiled when he saw Kate approach her ally.

“Colin,
may I sit with her?”

His
brother nodded. “Don’t make it too pleasurable for her, Kate.”

“I
won’t I promise.”

At
that moment, Burk entered the hall and walked directly to Colin. Brendan
noticed the grim expression on his face.

“Laird,
your attendance is needed, there is a grave matter.”

Colin
shook his head at his solder, but he pointed to the door and started to follow.

Brendan
wondered what was going on, and he gave Kate a quick kiss before following his
brother outside. As he exited the hall, he noticed several MacKinnon soldiers
standing by the gate, looking ready for battle.

“What’s
amiss?”

Colin
turned to him. “It’s not good, Brendan. Barclay has come to claim his wife and
he says he will go to war if need be to obtain the king’s gift.”

“Cosh,
I knew it would eventually come to this. Well, let’s not keep him waiting.”
Brendan walked to the stable where his horse hadn’t even been settled. He
mounted up and rode through the walls. His brothers rode beside him and Brendan
couldn’t bring himself to speak about what was to come. The situation should
prove humorous. He wasn’t concerned that Barclay would war with them. The cosh
he was about to pull should settle the matter.

They
reached the hill where the Barclay waited with his men. Brendan noticed their
hostility, and almost laughed, but he kept himself circumspect.

“Looks
like they want war, Brendan.”

Robin
rode to his other side, and Brendan looked from one brother to the other.

“We
stand with you and will not let Barclay get his hands on Kate.”

Brendan
grunted. “Aye, I say we go greet them then.” He nudged his horse forward and
heard his brother’s following. When he reached Angus Barclay, he stopped and
circled him and the few men brave enough to set themselves apart with their
laird.

“Angus,”
Colin said. “What do you here on our land?”

Angus
grumbled and took his sword from his scabbard. Brendan almost smiled.

“I
don’t think you want to be doing that. Best put away your sword before my clan
deems it a threat. You don’t want to cause their ire.” Colin nodded, but the
man’s eyes bulged.

Brendan
sat idly on his horse, waiting for Angus to address him. It didn’t take him
long to get to the heart of the matter.

“Brendan
MacKinnon, I heard tell you stole a gift King Henry intended for me, my own
wife. Because of you, I have lost her and the lands he granted me. What say you
to these charges?”

He
rounded Angus again, keeping a stern face. “Oh, aye, I did steal the woman, but
you wouldn’t have wanted her. I saved your arse a good deal of trouble,
Barclay, and you should be thanking me.”

Colin
frowned at him, as did many of the MacKinnon men.

Angus’
face reddened. “Thanking you, why should I be thanking you? You admit to
stealing my intended wife?”

He
nodded adamantly. “Aye, I surely do.”

His
foe’s eyes bulged with anger. “Ye be paying for that this day. You are
insulting the woman. Why wouldn’t I want her?”

Brendan
scowled and he turned his expression to a serious nature to better affect the
Barclay. “Well now, because she’s been nothing but trouble since I found her.
She’s a downright obstinate woman, carping like a lass day and night. Aye,
she’s demanding too. I suspect she’s even a witch. She’s a mite cowardly, and
is afraid of her own shadow. Now that I think on it, Colin, mayhap we should
turn her over to Barclay. Hell, we don’t need that kind of woman within our
clan.”