Loki (14 page)

Alex pondered all he had heard for a moment as everyone waited, but then he lifted Maddie off his lap and came around his desk. “Welcome to the family, Bella,” he said. “Congratulations to the two of you.”

Celestina jumped out of her chair to hug first Bella first and then Loki, crying with happiness. A loud banging sounded at the door. They all froze, and then Alex moved over to the door.

He swung the door open and said, “Who dares to rudely interrupt the laird in his solar?”

Bella’s father stood on the other side of the door. “Is Bella here? She’s here and she did not come to me?”

Chapter Fifteen

Bella jumped and hid behind Loki, but then thought better of it and moved behind Brodie.

“Nevin,” Alex said, “mind your manners in my keep. Your daughter is here and safe, but I can clearly see she is shaken by her experience.”

Nevin moved over to his daughter, grabbing her by the hand. “Bella, you frightened me so. I thought I’d never see you again. I know I’m an ornery auld man, but you are my daughter, and I’ve just lost one to her husband. I cannot lose you, too. When I arrived for Morna’s wedding and you disappeared, you gave me a horrible fright.”

Taking her completely by surprise, he hugged her, then let her go brusquely before turning to Alex. “Forgive my harsh tone, my laird. The lass is a wee bit stubborn and will be the death of me yet.”

“Understood, Nevin. She is a bit headstrong, I will agree with you.”

Bella’s eyes widened at her laird’s statement, but kept quiet. How she wished Loki was by her side this very moment to comfort her.

Her sire coughed into a linen square and continued. “Where did they find you? And please tell me that the one who doesn’t belong had naught to do with this.”

Alex barked, “You’ll not speak of my nephew as such, Nevin. He belongs as much or more than anyone.”

“My laird, forgive me, but you know my wife requested that Bella marry one of Grant blood.”

“He’s as close to our blood as you’ll ever find, and one you should be proud to have as a son-in-law,” Brodie said in a level voice, controlling his temper.

“Where were you, Bella?” Nevin repeated.

“They found me in Ayr. When I heard Loki had been taken captive, I traveled to Ayr to find him, but I passed out from the cold and Logan Ramsay, Torrian, and Loki found me and took care of me until I was better. I’m sorry, Papa, but I had to go. Please do not be angry.”

”You missed your sister’s wedding to chase after him?” Not waiting for Bella’s response, he spun on his heel and walked away.

“What do I do?” She glanced to the group, her shoulders drooping.

Alex said, “Loki will sleep with the men in the guard’s building, and you may sleep here in the keep.”

“Aye,” Celestina said, “you may have Loki’s chamber. I’ll just say I invited you to stay with us. Your father does love you. Perhaps he just needs time to absorb everything.”

“That’s an excellent idea,” Maddie said, “and I will talk to Nevin after he has had some time to calm down.”

Alex’s gaze narrowed as he stared at his wife. “I do not know if I agree with that.”

Bella watched Alex and Maddie. The entire clan enjoyed witnessing the affection and strong love between their laird and his wife, especially the way Maddie had learned how to twist Alex into agreeing with her wishes. Though she was a little rounder in the hips from all her babes, Maddie was still beautiful and Alex had great difficulty standing in the same room as her without touching her.

Maddie smiled at him as she reached up to rub her fingers on his forearm. “If Nevin is anything but polite, I shall come find you, husband.” Maddie’s mother had been English, so she and Celestina sounded alike in many ways.

Alex grinned, as if admitting to her power over him, and wrapped his arm around her waist. “Promise, love?” He leaned down to kiss her cheek.

Bella asked, “Would you like me to go with you, my lady?”

“Nay, I’ll go alone, Bella. But if I find him agreeable, I’ll come and get you. It appears you had a difficult time in Ayr as well. You should rest now that you’re here safe. And we will all help Loki achieve his goal, I promise you both that. Do you not agree, Alex?” She tipped her head up to gaze into her husband’s eyes.

“Of course, sweeting. Now I must move on with my duties. Bella, welcome.” He kissed her cheek, and when he left the room, Loki and Brodie followed behind him.

Loki glanced over his shoulder at her and winked, which was enough to cause that sweet ache in her heart.

***

The Earl of Cliffnock sat at his dais, drumming his fingers on the table, scowling at the front door.

“Why do you frown so?” Hamish asked from the spot next to him. “You cannot blame your own flesh and blood for being clever.”

“I frown because I finally had my son here, and he got away from me.” He continued to stare at the door as if mesmerized by something.

“Are you surprised? I’m for certes not surprised. He’s your son. Now he’s not only clever, he’s also a braw, strapping man. He was a challenge for us, and there were three of us against him.”

“I remember. The lad could outsmart me at the tender age of four summers.”

Hamish chuckled. “He was a cunning boy.”

“How much do you think he remembers?”

“I do not think he recalls a thing about his life in the cottage. He denied remembering his mother, so I doubt he’ll ever recall the rest. I think the blow took care of his memory. Why? Does the thought of his memory returning make you nervous?”

“Aye, I’d prefer for him not to know too much about me.”

Hamish gave him a puzzled look. “Why would it matter if he remembers you tried to get rid of him?”

The earl glared at him. “He could still come in handy for us. He’s got a clever mind, and with the right training, he could help us improve our status. But he has to trust me, and remembering that his father let him go willingly will do naught to create that trust.”

The front door burst open and Egan came flying in with Gus trailing behind him. “My lord, we have good news.”

“I hope what you’re about to tell me is better than the news you brought me about Loki having left the burgh.” He chewed on the inside of his cheek as he awaited their response.

Gus’s face lit up. “Aye, I think ‘tis verra good news for you. You’ll be quite pleased.”

“All right. What is it?” His gaze narrowed at his men as he tipped his head back to stare at them.

“Loki has taken a wife.” Gus smiled as he revealed the big secret he had uncovered.

“He what?” The Earl of Cliffnock bounded out of his chair in shock.

“He married in Ayr. Father Brian married the two of them just before they left the burgh.”

Edward Blackett chuckled, louder and louder until he started laughing uncontrollably. “What a fool. Now I have a way to get to him. Did you see what she looks like?”

“Aye. Her sister is married and lives in Perthshire.”

“And where are they now?”

“They took quite a few guards with them, and are headed back to Grant land. We just followed until we knew what their plans were.”

The earl shook his head. “I tried to warn him about lasses, but he chose not to listen to me. Once I have her, he’ll do aught I ask. He’s newly married, he’ll be beside himself when she turns up missing.” Blackett rubbed the stubble on his chin, his mind churning with all the possibilities. The wee bastard would not out think him this time.

“Did we do good, my lord?”

“Aye, you did this time, Egan. We shall wait a fortnight or so before we make our plans, but then we’ll finish this matter. I want the coin the king promised me, and I will get it whether it comes from the Grants, the Camerons, or the Ramsays.” He smiled and stroked his chin again. “We’ll have more wealth that we can use. I never thought I’d see the day, but finally, I’ll get what I deserve.” He clasped Hamish on his shoulder. “Our day is here, and I have my son Loki to thank.”

***

A few hours later, Bella returned to the great hall rested, just in time to find Maddie adjusting the hood on her mantle. “Your pardon, my lady, but do you go to visit my sire?”

“Aye, I’d hoped to catch him now.”

Bella implored Maddie, “My lady, may I please go along with you?”

Maddie pressed her lips together. “Hmmm, Bella, I’ll allow it. Mayhap it would be best for us to go together. Mayhap we should go see him right away rather than allow him time to simmer. What do you think, my dear?”

She nodded eagerly. “I would like to see him and explain what happened without mentioning my marriage to Loki. If you agree, my lady.” She couldn’t help but twist her skirts just at the thought of seeing her sire. “He has not found one to marry yet, has he?”

“Not that I am aware of, Bella. Come, let us go now and see to his comfort. I do not wish for him to mull over this situation overmuch.”

Bella and Maddie set out of the great hall for the cottages in the outer bailey, the usual guard trailing behind Maddie. Bella’s cottage was not far from the lists, so she hoped to catch a glimpse of her husband bare-chested. The men had gone straight to the lists after leaving the meeting. Regardless of the weather, Loki always seemed to strip down as soon as he started sparring.

“Bella, I’m sure this will all work out. Loki has always been such a strong, helpful lad. I’m sorry that his true sire was such a disappointment to him, but I believe all worked out for the best. It appears he is much better off with Brodie and Celestina as his parents. Do you not agree?”

“Aye, my lady. Loki feels the same way.” Bella turned her head again for another glance at the lists. This time she saw her braw husband swinging his sword overhead, and she smiled to herself, still amazed that he was finally hers.

The laird’s wife was watching her with a smile on her face. “Bella, you remind me of when I first met Alex. I would watch him in the lists and my heart would burst with pride, though sometimes he would act as if he wished to murder someone. I never could guess what he was thinking. Can you guess Loki’s thoughts?”

Bella swung her head back so she could look at her companion. “Nay, only occasionally.” Then she blushed at where her thoughts had taken her, for she could always guess at her husband’s thoughts when he wanted her. He would get a distinct glint in his eyes.

A moment later, they found themselves in front of her father’s cottage. Maddie knocked on the door. Nevin answered quickly, bowing to Maddie and inviting her inside. “Please come in, Mistress. But you’ll see my cottage could use some cleaning.” He cast a quick glance at Bella when he mentioned the disarray.

“Aye, ‘tis lovely to see you again, Nevin.” Maddie strode into the cottage with such grace that Bella just hid behind her.

Her sire apparently wasn’t pleased to see her. “Is that the daughter who ran away from her own sister’s wedding?”

Once the door closed, Maddie made her way to the middle of the room before she began, “Nevin, I’m sure you are glad to see your daughter again.” She paused to see his reaction.

“I would have been more pleased if she’d had the respect to come here first,” he mumbled, his eyes narrowing at his daughter.

“Papa, I was with Brodie Grant, and we had to see our laird first. Surely you understand.” She stood to the side of Maddie with her head bowed, hoping the presence of the laird’s wife would continue to soften him.

“I want to know why you rode in on Loki’s horse. ‘Tis unacceptable to ride with him when you are unmarried.”

“Papa, he and Logan Ramsay saved me from the cold. I could have died. It was better for me to ride with someone or I would have grown too cold again.”

His voice became a bellow. “What were you doing leaving your sister’s to travel all the way to Ayr on your own? And to follow a lad I have forbidden you to see? Why must you disobey me in this matter?”

Maddie gasped just as the door flew open, almost flying off its hinges. Alex Grant ducked to get inside the doorway, but as soon as he did, he stood in front of it, his bulky frame blocking anyone from leaving. “Did you dare to raise your voice to my wife?” he bellowed. “If you did, you can leave this cottage and find another off my land.”

Rushing to his side, Maddie grabbed his forearm, “Nevin is upset. Do not worry.”

Bella backed into the corner, watching her laird’s anger and her sire’s response. Why was everything turning upside-down on her? She’d been so happy to be married, accepted by her husband’s family—every one of them. But her own sire still refused to accept the man she loved. They were doomed for failure. She’d have to accept her sire’s rejection, as cold as it seemed.

Alex dropped his voice to whisper to his wife, “Maddie, stay out of this, please.” He kissed her cheek and then placed his fists on his hips and glowered at Bella’s father.

“I’ll ask you again. Did you raise your voice to my wife?” The laird’s voice bounced off the walls of the small hut, making Bella wish to cover her ears.

“Nay, my laird.” Nevin shifted his feet a few steps backwards. “Nay, I was speaking to my daughter who defied me. I would never speak to your wife in such a way.”

Alex leaned down so his face was even with Nevin’s. “I’d prefer it if you don’t speak to any lass in such a tone. Do you understand me? Treat your daughter kindly.”

“Aye, my laird,” Nevin whispered. He glanced at Bella. “Forgive me, Bella. If you wouldn’t mind assisting me with cleaning up the cottage, I’d much appreciate it.”

Bella nodded, moving over to the table to collect the dirty dishes and place them in the basin.

Alex gave his wife a kiss and left, nodding to Bella on his way out.

“My lady,” he said as he cleaned the crumbs off his chair for her, “please have a seat.” He collected other items and put them away, busying himself while Maddie sat down.