The Viking's Highland Lass (24 page)

“You know Christophe has returned and taken over the clan,” she said.

“Are you married to Gunnolf?” he asked, ignoring her comment.

She was surprised he wanted to know that when she thought he'd respond to her comment instead. “Aye.”

Gunnolf smiled at her.

“Good. Aye, I have had word concerning my nephew. What about Seamus?”

“Dead by Gunnolf's hand,” Brina said, proud of him. “Many of Seamus's mercenaries are dead or gone also. But I have a question. Seamus said he was James's half brother, Lynette's twin. Lynette is my half sister. That meant Seamus was my half brother as well. Did you know this?”

“He lies. But if there is any truth in the matter, I would never have arranged for the two of you to wed. Does that ease your mind, Brina?”

“Aye.”

“I have heard while Seamus searched for you, he lost some of his loyal men.”

“Aye. Mayhap that is why he had to hire mercenaries. Da, what about Christophe? Gunnolf promised to protect you while you heal until you can return to power. Do you think Christophe might wish you harm because he will want to keep the power he has now?”

“He has only the power the elders gave him. Dinna worry about him. Gunnolf, help me to my horse. Rory, thanks be to you and Cadel and his wife for all your help. You will be rewarded.”

Gunnolf helped her da out to his horse and assisted him in climbing into his saddle. The effort appeared to pain him, and Brina hated to see his face turn pale, his hands unsteady on the reins. But no one said a word about his difficulties, which would have made him feel helpless.

Once he was sitting on his horse, he nudged him in the direction of the castle. “You are staying with me,” he said, as if he was ordering her and Gunnolf to remain with the clan, which was so typical of the way he always ordered her about.

“It depends,“ Gunnolf said.

“On what?” her father asked, his temper rising.

“You whipped Brina for attempting to take care of my wounds when I was a lad,” Gunnolf growled. “Only a bastard would do such a thing to his child.”

“I agree I was wrong. My da, Brina's grandfather, had died at the hands of a Viking. My da and I were very close. When I learned a wounded Viking lad had been found on my lands and Brina was giving comfort and aid to him, I lost my temper. But never again after that.”

Brina quickly changed the subject, not wanting to dwell on the past, but glad her da had admitted he was wrong. “I have a wolf pup I am raising. Well, Gunnolf and I are raising. He is playing with James's hunting dogs for now. But if I am to return, we must be allowed to raise him at the castle.”

“You dictate to me now, daughter?” She swore her da looked to be giving her the merest of smiles. “I hope that Gunnolf will be chief. If he wishes to raise a whole pack of wolves, ‘tis his decision.”

Gunnolf appeared just as astounded as Brina felt. “But Christophe is in charge. He says the elders agreed to his being chief,” she said.

“Gunnolf is a true warrior. He can lead our people into battle, and I believe we will be victorious. Not only that, but I believe he can make peace with the other clans and create alliances too. He is already allied with the MacNeill clan and they are a powerful people.”

“Aye,” Brina said. “But only if we dinna go to war against the Viking settlers. And since Lynette is my half sister, whenever she visits our castle, she will be treated as my sister. She is also James's half sister, so it behooves you to be nice to her. When you are well enough to take charge again…”

“I dinna intend to. I wish to be like your grandfather was with you when you were little, and I will bounce your bairns on my knee someday. ‘Tis time for someone else to fight the battles.”

“But what of Christophe? Will he no' be furious? Vengeful, mayhap?”

“I am certain he will be both. I hear he has a fair-haired wife who has no idea how to manage a household. When Christophe's only solution to lead is to lock out his enemy, and his wife has no idea how to manage the household staff, do you no' think the clan will suffer?”

“Christophe would have me teach her how to manage it, and then I would fetch for her whatever she wants,” Brina said, irritated at the very thought.

Robard chuckled. “I canna see that happening. You were groomed for the position from when I took over. I doubt the woman would want to work as hard as you do. But when Christophe left the clan, a lot of our kin grumbled about his neglecting his own people. When he didna fight Seamus himself, but locked him out of the castle, our men didna like it. They need a warrior who will show them how it is done.” Robard eyed Gunnolf next. “With your reputation, Gunnolf, I am surprised you only took out Seamus.”

Gunnolf motioned to their escort. “I had to leave a few for James and his men.”

The ones with them serving as escort rallied to agree with him.

Eanruig said, “I am going to find Laird James and let him know we have found the chief and are returning him home.”

“I will recommend Gunnolf is the chief,” Robard said.

“Should I tell your nephew this?” Eanruig asked.

“Nay. He will learn soon enough when he returns home. I can imagine him campaigning to keep his position, telling anyone who will listen that I am unfit to lead any longer. But I believe his words will fall on deaf ears.”

Eanruig nodded and took off in the direction that James had gone.

“But Gunnolf is a Norseman,” Brina said.

Robard cocked a brow at her. “Norseman is it now?”

“He is my husband.”

“There will be some who will object, but he has never raised a hand against us. And if he can forgive me for killing his brother, we can forgive him for being related to the man who killed my da. He had naught to do with it in any event.”

“Mayhap Gunnolf doesna wish to be chief.” Brina thought he would because who wouldn't want the position? But then again, he was vastly loyal to the MacNeill clan. Would he feel the same way about her people?

Gunnolf said, “We shall see. James would ally with us if I were. I am not sure if I can sway Inga and her people to be at peace with us, but I will make every effort to ensure it will work. We will have numerous allies in James's brothers and his cousin's help. As long as your people are agreeable, I would be glad to be chief.”

“How would you handle Christophe?” Robard asked.

“He is a member of the clan. I am sure he can find suitable work within the clan.”

Robard snorted.

“I would ask Rory to be my second in command,” Gunnolf added.

Robard nodded. “He would be a good man to have at your side. And he may very well take you up on it.”

“I hope he does.”

Brina couldn't be more proud of Gunnolf. She was glad he had told her da off for having lashed her when she was younger, and she was glad that her da had admitted he was wrong and the reason for it. She knew her father had been close to his own da. She could see now why her behavior had angered him so.

Still, he should have controlled his temper better. She hoped when she and Gunnolf had bairns of their own, they would never resort to such cruelty.

Would the elders really approve of Gunnolf taking over? Or would they prefer Christophe? If that were the case, they could safeguard her da until he was well recovered, and then she and Gunnolf would return to Craigly Castle.

A
s soon as
James saw his advisor, who had been riding with Gunnolf, approaching, he hoped he had good news. His expression was serious, though as he grew closer, he smiled a wee bit.

“We have found the chief and he is still recovering from his injuries, but he is riding back to Anfa Castle,“ Eanruig said in private to James.

Christophe and his men were off some distance walking their horses, also searching for any sign of Robard and those who were caring for him and must not have seen Eanruig's approach.

“That is good news.” James was pleased to hear it for everyone's sake.

“Robard wants Gunnolf to take charge of the clan.”

“He will be a good leader for the clan in the interim until the chief fully recovers.” James's friend and his brother in arms deserved the chance to prove he could lead.

“Nay, no' just for the time it takes for him to recover, but he wants him to continue to lead his clan,” Eanruig said.

James was truly astonished. Though he assumed that if the clan respected Gunnolf as their interim chief, at some future date, he could be the next chief. This would be good for all those associated with Gunnolf. His own kin. James's. And Robard's. Gunnolf was fair and honest, a hard worker, a good fighter, and a leader of men. “I had Seamus's body retrieved. The other men will be buried as well, but if he was truly my brother and had been raised alongside me, his life might have been very much different.”

“Aye,” James's advisor said. “He would have had me to help keep him in line.”

James agreed and thought again about Gunnolf and his potential role as chief. As long as the elders didn't object to a Norseman being in charge of their clan over one of their own. In this case, Christophe.

“Do you believe Christophe will fight Gunnolf for the position?” Eanruig asked.

“There is no telling with a man like that. He might. Or he might just leave again. There still may be an issue with the elders concerning Gunnolf's heritage.” James watched Christophe and his men, not wanting to tell them Robard was returning to the castle just yet so that he would have time to make his way there and settle in.

Eanruig nodded. “They would do well to put aside their grievances and listen to the truth. That he would be an excellent leader.”

“Aye. I agree.”

“So what do we do if Christophe fights Gunnolf?” Eanruig asked.

James knew Eanruig or any of his men would stand up to fight for Gunnolf. “He must fight his own battle to win this if he so chooses.”

“Will he want to, do you think?”

“Only if he feels ‘tis what Robard and his people want. He wouldna take over if the majority dinna wish it.” And though James knew Gunnolf would take charge and lead, he would also take into account what members of the clan wanted.

“What if others get involved?”

“Then we will help even the odds.” James watched one of Christophe's men point in their direction. James suspected Eanruig had just been spotted and they must have realized he had been searching with Gunnolf.

Eanruig nodded. “Just what we wanted to hear. But if Gunnolf stays here, we will sorely miss him.”

“Aye, he has been like a brother to me.” James's mother was right though. Gunnolf was a born warrior and leader of men. If he could have this opportunity, James gave him his blessings. “I believe Christophe has just been warned you are here with me now.”

His face grave with worry, Christophe listened to his men, then tore off toward the castle, his own men racing to keep up with him.

“Think you he believes Robard is alive and intends to lock the chief out of his castle?” Eanruig asked.

“Mayhap. Let us see that it doesna happen.” James spurred his horse on.

James's men took chase.

They had nearly caught up with Christophe and his men when they reached the gates and Christophe shouted, “Close the gates after us!” As if the devil was after him and he needed protection.

And as if they'd have time enough to keep James and his men out. Maybe Robard also if he had not already arrived.

But Ahearn, the guard in charge of the others, commanded no one to do so. Instead, he called out, “Our chief has returned!”

Which one? Christophe or Robard?

I
n the inner bailey
, Gunnolf helped Robard down from his horse as gently as he could. The old chief wanted to walk under his own power and waved him away after Gunnolf ensured he was standing on his own. He stuck close though in case Robard faltered.

“I wish to speak with the elders at once, Lorn,” Robard said to one of his men, an older man with graying temples, his sharp black eyes taking in everything.

“Aye, in your chamber?”

“Aye.”

“Christophe has been staying there,” Lorn said, “since we had word you had died. But once we learned from Rory you hadna, we kept things the same as you wished until you could return.”

“The word of a traitor.” Robard seemed to ponder the matter, then said, “You know my wishes. Gunnolf will be chief. He will stay in my quarters. I will move to the guest chamber that looks upon the inner bailey. Christophe can choose one of the others.”

“Aye.” Lorn cast a wary look in Gunnolf's direction. “He is a Viking?”

“Aye. We will celebrate my daughter's marriage to Gunnolf on the morrow.” Then Robard turned to Gunnolf. “You will accompany me to speak with the rest of the elders. I wish you to hear their objections and explain why you would be a good choice as chief of the clan.”

Gunnolf didn't feel he had to prove anything to anybody. His deeds spoke volumes. Then again, these people didn't know him. Brina looked so lovingly at him as if it meant the world to her for him to agree. He realized then that she needed this. To manage the household staff as she'd done in the past. And maybe to forge a better relationship with her father.

“
Ja.
” He would do this for Brina.

Before they could enter the keep, Christophe rode into the inner baily as if he was ready to rescue someone, or fight a deadly battle.

Gunnolf immediately shielded Robard to protect him in the event Christophe thought to fight him for the position.

“We are so glad to hear you are alive.” Christophe stopped his horse only inches away from Gunnolf, his comment directed to Robard, but he sliced a glower Gunnolf's way. “I ensured Seamus couldna return to the keep.”

“But you didna track him down and eliminate him like Gunnolf did,” Robard said.

Christophe's face reddened. “My place was here. To ensure I kept our people safe.”

Lorn looked like he wasn't sure which way to turn. To take the lead from Robard or from Christophe.

“The elders?” Robard said to Lorn.

Several were watching to see the exchange. Not just because it might be entertaining, but all their lives could be affected by who led the clan.

“You canna think to take over the clan in your condition. I will continue to rule in your place until you are ready to retake your position,” Christophe said, but the gleam in his eye said otherwise.

Gunnolf was certain he meant to keep that position, not turn it over to Robard when the old man was fully recovered. If he did a good job, the elders would most likely keep things the way they were.

Christophe dismounted and handed his reins over to a stable lad. “Here, let me help you inside.”

“I need no help from you, nephew. When I was wounded on the battlefield, I could have used your aid then. Had you been here. Had you fought with us. Mayhap you could have killed the traitor who didna come to my aid and left me to die.”

Robard headed into the keep, but Christophe hurried after him. “You canna rule the clan. It is my right now. No one will agree that you can lead. The elders said I was the one who would take over. No one else was brave enough to fight against Seamus.”

Gunnolf only smiled. If Christophe thought hiding behind curtain walls made him appear brave, Gunnolf assumed the elders would think otherwise.

Before Gunnolf could go with Robard up the stairs, Brina pulled him into her arms and kissed him. “Whatever happens, I love you, my braw warrior. If we stay here or we leave, all that matters is that I am with you. I am glad my da is recovering. My people will take care of him.”

Gunnolf wrapped his arms around her and kissed her soundly on the mouth. “You are everything to me. I know you wish to stay. I will do everything in my power to make that happen.” He kissed her again, saw the tears well up in her eyes, and he said, “You are happy, are you not?” Tears meant so many different things for women, he had to be sure. He didn't want to plead his case that he should be in charge and then learn Brina wanted to leave this place behind. He didn't think so, but women were mysterious creatures, and he just had to be sure.

She smiled up at him through her tears and nodded. “I am. But no matter what, I will be happy as long as I go where you go.”

“Come, Gunnolf,” Robard said, pausing to ensure he was joining them in his chamber.

Christophe ground his teeth, his eyes narrowed. “Why does he have to come?”

“Because I said so.” Robard headed up the stairs, his pace slow and Gunnolf was certain he was in pain.

He wanted to aid him, but he knew he could do nothing but follow behind him on the narrow, curved stairs.

When they were assembled in Robard's chamber, Robard sat down on the bed as if the effort of returning home had exerted him overly much, his face pale. Four elders stood in his chamber also, but only one that Gunnolf knew by name as if he didn't need to know the rest of their names.

“I have led the clan in Robard's absence,” Christophe said, immediately advocating his right to remain as chief of the clan. “I protected you from Seamus and his mercenaries.”

Gunnolf had every intention of letting Robard handle the matter, but he couldn't be silent on this issue. “
Ja
, you kept Seamus out, but what would happen when any of your people had to leave the castle? What of those living in outlying areas that would have to fend against Seamus's wrath? They were not afforded your protection. They were left to manage on their own.”

Christophe folded his arms. “They owe an allegiance to the clan. They were safe enough where they were.”

“How do you know when you are hiding behind these walls? I give you that you believed Seamus's lies that Robard was dead. But what of Brina? And Lynette? You sent no one after them to ensure they were safe, did you?” Gunnolf asked, angry that the man who wished to be in charge hadn't done anything to see that the women were safe.

“I had naught to do with their leaving. Besides, I knew they would find refuge and didna need my help.”

“Two women alone? Against Seamus and his men?”

“Who are you to speak before those assembled? You are naught more than a Viking! Our enemy. Mayhap you killed Seamus, I will grant you that, but you have no place speaking here.”

“He has every right as I advocate that Gunnolf leads the clan next,” Robard said, though weary, he spoke with forcefulness.

Christophe looked shocked.

“You canna be serious. When you were wounded, your mind must have been addled as well,” Christophe said.

Robard proceeded to tell all that he knew of Gunnolf from the time he was a lad, wounded, and found on their lands to what he knew of him as a grown man, fighting for the MacNeill clan. He told the elders that not only did he have James's support, which meant a great deal of men to fight with them if they had issues with other clans, but he would also have the support of James's brothers and cousin, all of whom treated Gunnolf like one of their own. He also intended to work with Inga and her people to end the hostilities.

“Gunnolf's kin nearly killed our chief,” Christophe said. “They need to pay. Every last one of them.”

“And we have killed them. Gunnolf was never involved. He didna even know his kin lived here. He has been living with the MacNeill clan all this time,” Robard objected.

Christophe opened his mouth to speak, but one of the elders said, “Hold your tongue. Let Robard speak without interruption.”

The others nodded in agreement.

Gunnolf realized just how much the elders believed in Robard as their chief. How much his words meant something to them.

Robard said, “With no thought of reward, Gunnolf rescued my daughter from Seamus after one of his men had struck her with an arrow. Gunnolf rid us of a mistake of my own making when I brought Seamus into the clan. I am no' about to make another with recommending my nephew take my place. No' when he has never proved himself loyal or capable of leading our men.”

Gunnolf still couldn't believe that Robard had known so much about him, as if he'd admired him all these years after wanting to kill him when Gunnolf, as a lad, had been lying wounded on his lands.