Mist Warrior (12 page)

Branan fought down the chill clenching his gut and managed a nod.

****

The next morning, Courcy and his steward, Edmund, left Branan in the great hall with a mass of journals and ledger tallies piled around him. They had discussed the basics
,
but other duties called Courcy and Edmund away, leaving Branan to fend for himself.

Duguald and Gavin had also abandoned him in favor of working in the lists for a short time. Branan discovered he would much rather be with them. The sheer volume of organizing something like this was overwhelming.

“
Is it safe now?
”
a soft voice asked from behind him.

Branan turned, blinking at Catriona in surprise.
“
Safe?
”

She nodded and stepped next to him.
“
I don’t feel like arguing with Richard about being cooped up in the solar.
”

He chuckled and gestured to a chair.
“
Courcy is tending some business at the moment. I would verra much enjoy yer company.
”

She smiled brightly as she sat then stared at the journals.
“
Oh dear, they left you with everything.
”

“
Aye,
”
Branan said, rubbing his eyes.
“
This is becoming most difficult.
”

“
How so?
”

“
I’ve organized and managed many things as laird of my clan
,
but I’ve ne’er been involved in building a keep. The weapons and materials are reasonably constant and easy to predict. The other things can be more difficult.
”

“
I understand,
”
she said and looked over his shoulder at one of the ledger tallies.
“
Now that will never do.
”

“
What’s that?
”

“
Your foodstuffs.
”

“
We have enough for forty men, right now there are only thirty.
”

Catriona arched an eyebrow.
“
But look here, Branan, a few lines down, there are bales of raw wool to be sent to Thistlewood. Who will card and spin it, then weave it?
”

Branan blinked.
“
Aye, that will require the knowledge of women.
”

“
There are many things here that will require women. Even though the tower is not complete
,
you must think of it as a community already. You know the men will probably want to bring their womenfolk, so you will have hands to do the work, but you need to make sure you have enough supplies for them. It doesn’t stop with just food items used in the kitchens, you will have to monitor medicines and other basic needs.
”

A chuckle rumbled through him as he realized her point.
“
In other words, I will need a chatelaine.
”

“
Exactly.
”

He took her hand in his marveling at the soft warmth of her skin and lightly kissed it.
“
Then my bonnie lass, mayhap I can impose upon ye. Unless ye spent too much of yer youth hunting in the forests, yer mother would have guided yer knowledge.
”

“
Aye,
”
she said with a laugh.
“
I nearly drove my mother to distraction
,
but I did learn all she had to teach me. As you know, she was a very good chatelaine.
”

“
So ye will help me?
”

“
I’d love to Branan.
”

He squeezed her hand gratefully
,
enjoying the blush that highlighted her c+0"ighted heeks. Their heads close together and their shoulders touching, they poured over all the details in the journals.

Branan wasn’t sure exactly how much time had passed
,
but he knew he was tired.
H
e and Catriona had developed a list of all the things they needed right away, items they would need shortly, and projections for a pair of months.

Through it all, Catriona had been delightful. Branan had always known she had a sharp intelligence as a child
,
but now he saw just how strong it had grown. Thanks to her, he was confident in all aspects of planning the rebuilding of Thistlewood.

“
Well,
”
she said
,
tilting her head to stretch the muscles in the back of her neck.
“
I think that’s about everything.
”

“
Aye,
”
he replied, again looking at the list he had made. Instinctively, he reached out and rubbed her neck with his fingers. Catriona groaned and nearly melted under his hand.

“
Thank ye again for yer help.
”

She smiled
,
but did not move.
“
I enjoyed it.
”

“
Enjoyed what?
”
Courcy’s voice asked flatly.

Branan looked up in surprise. Courcy stood at the door, his dark eyes glittering in animosity. Although he had done nothing wrong, Branan automatically moved his hand away from Catriona.

Catriona, a slight frown blurring her brown, gazed at Courcy.
“
I was just helping Branan with a few things.
”

“
Helping?
”
he asked
,
stepping forward.
“
And what, pray tell, could you help him with?
”

Branan did not appreciate
the tone of
his voice.

“
We were just going over some of the records. Branan has need of a chatelaine.
”

“
Then he should have requested the aid of my steward.
”

“
Oh, there was no reaso
n to bother him, I was able to
—
”

“
Get above-stairs,
”
Courcy snapped.
“
Your assistance is not necessary.
”

Catriona rose, bristling like a little cat.
“
Not n
ecessary? I’m perfectly capable
—
”

“
I am aware of what females are capable of and I will not have it happening here with my betrothed,
”
Courcy said as he strode toward her, his boot-heels slamming against the stone floor.

Anger at Courcy’s poorly veiled comment shot through Branan. He clenched his fists
and rose,
but said nothing.

Catriona turned bright red.
“
So not only are you questioning my intelligence
,
but my integrity as well, sir?
”
she spat.

As Branan gazed at Courcy’s cruel expression, a warning shiver crawled down his spine. The man stood over Catriona, trying to cow her with his larger stature. His body bowed, every muscle coiled, the veins in his neck stood out
,
and his face turned florid. His eyes gleamed with a primal fury. In a heartbeat, Branan was twelve
-
yearsyearst>
-
old again
,
watching Strickland’s fist descend on his mother.

Courcy’s weight shifted and Branan saw muscles contract as he lifted his arm. Sh
eer terror coiled through him
.
“
Nay!
”
he bellowed,
stepping forward
, his actions no longer under his control. In his memory, he so clearly saw his mother
,
but before him stood Catriona, he could not allow the same to happen to her. The black rage possessed him, red tinting his vision.

He stepped in front of Catriona and launched his fist into Courcy’s jaw with a savage cry. Courcy flew backward, a good three paces, where he landed in a heap on the floor.

Branan started to step forward,
the
red haze still clouded his vision
,
but he suddenly felt a small hand gripping his arm.

“
Branan, nay,
”
Catriona said, standing beside him.

He blinked, trying to clear his vision, his breath coming in rapid gasps. His hands shook with the fury still coursing through him.

Catriona gazed up at him, her eyes wide.
“
Branan
,
he didn’t touch me.
”

Branan tore his gaze from her and glared at Courcy. He couldn’t think through the rage possessing him. He wanted nothing more than to snap the bastard’s neck.

Catriona pushed around in front of him, placing both hands on his chest.
“
Branan
,
stop,
”
she said, her voice low and soothing
,
but
also
firm.
“
It’s all right.
”

izetify"><
Courcy sat up, shaking his head.
“
What in bloody hell?
”

Branan’s body instantly coiled again. For so many years he had stood helpless as Strickland beat his mother. He had tried to stop him, God knew he had tried. But what was a youthling to a full grown man? He had watched, powerless, as Strickland struck the blow which would send his mother to her grave. But now, Branan was no longer helpless.

“
Branan, please,
”
Catriona said urgently, her hands pressing more forcefully against his chest.
“
It’s all right.
”