by Terry Spear
"Or want your heads also. I recall Keary was always like that when he was a lad," Angus said. "Wanting something, making a half-hearted attempt to get it, and stirring his father's ire."
"Aye," Gunnolf said. "Only it seems he is making more than just a half-hearted attempt this time." He looked at Edana. "What exactly did the lass do to intrigue him so?"
"You have to ask, Gunnolf?" Angus said. "You, who swear you will never wed?"
Gunnolf grinned at Edana, who blushed in response. "She is a warrior woman. She would serve me well."
Niall rode back to join them. "Horses have recently traveled this way. Mayhap ten?"
Keary's men? Lying in ambush? Angus cursed under his breath.
Chapter 21
Tibold posted more guards that night to ensure Keary nor any of his men thought to rid themselves of Angus too easily. Though normally, Edana and Una would have slept in their small tent together and no male would have entered it, Angus joined them, the low height of the tent forcing him to stoop. A candle chased away some of the shadows as he laid out his bedding next to Edana's. Her eyes widened with surprise to see him moving in with them.
Una giggled. "Had I suggested a man sleep in the same tent that I did, my da would have exploded."
Angus smiled at her. "He understands that I am here strictly for security."
Una made a face. "Dinna let me stop you from enjoying the night with your wife."
Angus thought back to Edana's comments about how she had witnessed Una and the guard kissing, which was where Edana had gotten the notion tongues were used in the process. He certainly didn't want to give Una any further ideas concerning lovemaking for when the time came for her to have a husband.
"Nay, lass. What would your future husband say?" Angus placed his sword next to his bedding.
"Oh, I would turn my back to you both and pretend it never happened." Una unplaited her hair, looking way too eager to see him make love to his wife.
Edana shook her head, smiling. "You will have your day, Una. I didna see you speaking with Gildas. Did you no' tell him how glad you are that he is well?"
Una snorted and smoothed out her blankets. "Think you he has any interest in me? Besides, when he sees that ward of your cousin McEwan, he may fall in love with her and that would be that."
"I am no' certain about that. He hasna been happy about the prospect. What about you and Seumas?" Edana asked.
Una blushed. "My da gave him the devil for going along with Kipper to escort the two of us in the search for your brother, because your da gave my da the devil for allowing it to happen in the first place."
"Oh," Edana said, her voice contrite. "So because Seumas is in trouble for aiding us, he is not happy with you?"
Una looked down at her bedding. "Truth be told, I think my da said that Seumas has to wed me."
"Why?" Edana sounded horrified.
Angus wanted to tell the lasses they needed to sleep. He hoped they would not talk all night long. Did they do this back at Rondover Castle? It was good that Una would not share his bedchambers with them.
"Because I traveled alone with Kipper and Seumas for so long. 'Twas the same as you being with Angus and his cousin and Gunnolf. Alone." Una looked expectantly at Angus and Edana as if she shared the same secrets as they did and wanted to hear about it.
Edana glanced at Angus, but didn't say anything.
Angus smiled. "It was cold those nights?" Of course he knew it had been. He could just imagine the guard using the same ploy—to snuggle close, to keep the lass from growing ill. Not that it wasn't true—he just couldn't imagine the guard doing it purely out of the goodness of his heart and not wanting more. Una was a wee bit older than Edana, her hair a light brown and sparkling green eyes, bonny indeed. She was a cheerful sort and he could see she could make a man happy.
"Aye, 'twas cold, as well you must know," Una said, slyly.
"Seumas offered to keep you warm?" Angus ventured.
"Oh, aye. He is always very heroic."
Edana didn't say a word, but she was blushing beautifully.
"He didna want me growing ill," Una persisted.
Angus shook his head.
Edana glanced at Angus and he thought she was afraid he'd tell how she had slept with him. For Una to learn the truth, Edana would have to tell Una herself, not Angus.
"Most sensible of him," Angus said, and blew out the candle.
But the absence of light in the tent did not stop the two women from talking.
He'd considered kissing Edana to stop the conversation, but he knew he'd want more, and that Una would be listening instead to Edana's soft moans, and…well, none of them would get any sleep, anyway.
He pulled her into his arms and snuggled with her instead and prayed they would be quiet soon.
Edana loved Angus. She knew he wanted to kiss her to shut her up. He curled his arms around her with her back to him. He stroked her arm in a soothing caress as she told Una all she'd missed while she'd stayed in the village and Edana had found herself lost in the woods, the boar, all of it.
Una was like a sister to her and she couldn't help it. She wanted to know what had happened to Una also while she stayed with the crofters. She wanted to know how Una felt about Seumas. Would she marry him?
Several times they had lapsed into silence, and then one or the other or the both of them would ask another question and the conversation would start all over again. Poor Angus. But if he was supposed to be guarding, he wasn't supposed to be sleeping anyway.
At one point when she mentioned about Keary and his men having the audacity to attempt to kill the sow and leave the wee boar piglets orphaned, Angus chuckled softly against her hair. She smiled.
Later, Una asked, "Is he sleeping?"
"Nay," Edana said, though she couldn't be for certain. "He is guarding."
That earned her another dark chuckle from him as Angus tightened his hold on her.
"So, will you wed Seumas?"
"I want to continue to stay with you. Serve as your companion. But if I wed Seumas, he…" Una paused.
"He what?"
"He would want me to stay with him."
"Aye," Edana said. "'Twould be most reasonable that."
"Since you will be living at Craigly Castle and at Rondover Castle sometimes, surely, it would present a problem for Seumas."
Edana thought of it for a few minutes, trying to come up with a workable solution. She wanted Una close at hand. When they both had their bairns, they could help each other greatly.
"He could serve on my brother's guard staff," Angus said, proving he was wide-awake still and listening to everything they said. "James would have to agree. Whenever we travel to Rondover Castle, he could serve to protect us on our journey. Once under Tibold's roof, Seumas could resume his service for him again in the capacity of guard."
Silence for a heartbeat and then Una said, "Aye, that is the solution. I will tell Seumas it should work."
"He would have to agree," Angus said.
"He already has." Una sighed. "We discussed something similar."
"James and Tibold would have to agree as well," Angus warned.
"The chief has said yes," Una said eagerly.
Angus shook his head. "Then how can James go against the plan?"
Edana smiled.
"But when we retire to our bed at night, we will be alone," Angus insisted.
The ladies laughed. Then Edana worried they may be keeping others awake who were sleeping near the tent. "Goodnight, Una. We will talk again on our journey."
Angus sighed and Edana thought he was much relieved. Did the men never speak to each other at night?
***
The next morning, Niall and Gunnolf helped guard the ladies while they washed up at a trickling stream running gently over moss-covered stones, the sun rising, casting a yellow and orange growing ribbon of color as it rose higher. A smattering of white clouds dotted the blue sky. The last day of their journey and it looked as though the
day would be like yesterday and they wouldn't have to slog through another downpour.
Birds were chirping in the trees lining the stream, making Angus feel even more lighthearted.
Everyone seemed more chipper, knowing James would spread a great feast in welcome and they'd all have a roof over their heads this eve.
"Did you get any sleep?" Gunnolf asked Angus, the blond, blue-eyed warrior casting him a small smile.
Angus gave him a disgruntled look.
"I could have told you what it would be like to stay in the same tent with the lasses. They canna help themselves."
Niall chuckled. "Several men were sleeping closer to the tent to protect the lasses, then they moved farther away to get some rest before they had guard duty."
Angus shook his head. "The lasses will have a time staying awake on their mounts for as long as they talked last eve, I fear."
"Aye," Gunnolf said, "but I suspect you dinna wish me to take the woman on my horse for a spell if she grows too tired."
"Una? I believe Seumas will want the honor if the lass wearies too much. Edana? Nay, the lass will ride with me. But hopefully she will be rested enough until later so my horse doesna tire," Angus said.
As they rode through the gorse-covered heath, the vibrant yellow flowers in full bloom, the sweet smell like a nutty fruit, filled the warm breeze as it tugged at their plaids and hair. But within the hour, Edana looked as though she would fall asleep in the saddle, her eyes drifting closed several times, her head nodding off.
Angus stopped her. "Edana, ride with me, lass."
She looked like she was about to object, but then she agreed. He lifted her onto his horse. Niall took her mare's reins, having been prepared to catch the lass if she had appeared as though she would fall from her mare and Angus missed her.
Seumas and Gunnolf stuck close to Una for the same reason. The lasses who could not stop talking last eve, had not said more than a word or two to each other or anyone else they had encountered this morn, they were so tired. At least this eve, Angus would have his wife to himself. He didn't expect much talking to be going on then, either.
Later that day, they broke for a brief nooning meal near a fast-moving stream. They filled their flasks with fresh water and ate dried fish and bannocks.
Niall and Gunnolf had ridden ahead, looking for any signs of trouble earlier, and finally returned. Gunnolf shook his head. "No signs of Keary or his men, but horses' droppings and the trampling of grass indicate they are no more than a couple of hours ahead of us. If that is who it is."
"I thought they would ambush us way before this. We are getting too close to Craigly and word would reach James if a battle ensued. What is Keary thinking, if it is him?" Angus asked.
Edana spoke up, refreshed from her nap. "Would it be like before? When he slipped around us and went to talk with my da? To ask for my hand in marriage before we arrived at Rondover Castle?"
Tibold joined them, hearing something of their conversation. "I didna know you had already wed Angus. And in that case, he had come to me. James would have no say in who you married."
Then Angus shook his head. "What if the brigand believes his men killed me back at the village? What if he intends to be there when Edana is delivered to Craigly Castle and asks you again for her hand in marriage?"
"While she is newly widowed?" Tibold snorted and Angus assumed he had the same thought—the man was crass if he had such designs.
"He would pretend to be unduly sad for her husband's passing, offer alliances to James and you. Mayhap pay countless visits to the lass with condolences until she softened to the notion of marriage," Angus said, thinking aloud.
"Then we can play his game," Tibold said. "If he and his men are there, you willna show yourself. See what the fool does then."
Angus smiled. "I like the way you think."
Niall spoke up then. "Despite the lass's loss, I am afraid I will have to let Keary know I am next in line to marry Edana."
Gunnolf said, "Me also. Just so he realizes that she has many suitors and no' only Keary."
Edana smiled at Angus. "Despite what your friends say, you canna be so easily replaced."
They all laughed.
When they arrived at Craigly Castle, the portcullis still up as Gunnolf and Niall rode ahead to let James know of their plan, should Keary be there, Angus kissed his wife, then headed around the back of the castle to the gate the servants and merchants normally used. Four of Tibold's men accompanied him to ensure he didn't meet with foul play this close to home.
Angus had thought the notion of pretending he no longer lived a good one until he had to leave his wife in the care of her father and the rest of the men riding with them while he took the servants' stairs to speak with James in private.
When he reached James's chamber, Angus heard a babe crying in the adjoining lady's chamber. He closed his gaping mouth and turned to James as his brother bade him to enter his solar.
"The bairn has come? Already?" Angus asked, astounded. He knew the bairn was due soon, he just hadn't realized he'd been gone that long.
"Aye, Angus. A son with healthy lungs as you can well hear. And Eilis feels strong. Now tell me about this marriage of yours and what Keary is up to. Niall briefly explained what the rogue was about."
Angus described to his brother most of what had gone on in a sketchy way. "Did you assume I would wed the lass?" he finally asked.
James smiled. "In truth? I had no idea. Though from the way you had been so intrigued with Edana in the past, I assumed you might be even more so once she was full grown. So you are truly happy?"
"Aye, but Keary isna."
James laughed. "Well, he will have to get over it."
"I am ready to rejoin my wife in the great hall."
James shook his head. "Patience, brother. My advisor is overseeing the matter for me and will send word as soon as we are to join them. Come, sit, and have something to drink."
Angus couldn't sit. He was too anxious. He wanted to show Keary he couldn't get rid of him that easily, and see his face when he showed himself—healthy and very much alive.
Chapter 22
Edana was having a devil of a time meeting every one of James's clan who welcomed her and her da and his men as soon as they entered the keep. She was supposed to pretend to be a widow in mourning of only a couple of days, yet cheerily greet everyone who met her.
If she'd truly been in mourning, she would have displayed the grief freely. She couldn't act both ways and be in the least bit believable.
Did everyone at Craigly Castle know that it was all a ruse? They had to.
Only Keary and his men would not be told. She hadn't seen him yet, but had spied a couple of the men who had been with him when he found her in the tree and his men had tried to kill the sow.
She thought the ploy had been a good idea until now. She wished Angus would soon show up and put Keary in his place with regards to her.
Edana was somewhat anxious to meet James. She recalled the day so long ago when he and Malcolm, Angus's two oldest brothers, had carried her back to Rondover Castle as she had fought them with all her might. She had not wanted to return to the keep after the girl's drowning, knowing full well the others would believe Edana responsible for the lass's death.
James had been firm with her, but as gentle as he could have been under the circumstances. She still felt uncomfortable seeing him, believing he would think her nothing more than a wild hellion.
Any thought of that matter fled when her father escorted her into the great hall, and she came face to face with Keary.
He was unarmed and greeted her with stoicism. "Where is your husband?" he asked, looking perfectly innocent, the bastard.
Her father stiffened beside her, his hand on the hilt of his sword, but her brothers closed in ranks behind her and Gunnolf and Niall were nearby also.
Men and women stood around in the hall, more of Angus's kin, she assumed, as they watched the newcomers.
"He foug
ht bravely," she said, and waited quietly for Keary's reaction. "Who had the audacity to fight him?"
Keary glanced at Tibold and his sons. "I didna think all of you were escorting Edana here."
Unable to help herself, she smiled just a little. "My brothers wouldna have attended me if Angus had not been attacked. But when that happened, my da ensured my brothers and his men all accompanied us. 'Tis good thing that. Seven other men have asked for my hand in marriage."
"Seven." Keary's voice almost sounded defeated. Then he frowned. "'Tis too soon for men to be asking for your hand, when you are grieving, lass."
"Oh, aye. If Angus had been murdered, you are verra much right in your assumption."
"Had been." Keary's frown deepened. "I…was…under the…mistaken impression that Angus was murdered at the hand of a thief."
"The only treasure Angus had with him was me. Had the thief intended to steal me?"
Keary looked a little puzzled. Then latching onto her words concerning having more suitors, he turned to her father. "You promised her to me."
"Aye, but I wasna thinking straight. Know this—" Tibold said, but he didn't say anything further as Angus stormed into the great hall, sword readied.
Many stepped back. James's advisor, Eanruig muttered under his breath, his face tan, a dark beard covering much of it, black hair hanging loosely about his shoulders, and he looked just as ominous as Angus, "I should have known you wouldna wait for word from me first."
"I am unarmed," Keary quickly said, raising his hands to prove it, his face ashen.
"I am verra much alive, no thanks to you, Keary," Angus said.
Some of James's men watched Keary's men, should they think to defend him in any manner. "If you ever think of killing me, be a man and come for me yourself. But you will never wed the lass," Angus said.
"I offered friendship to James, and this is the kind of treatment I receive in return?" Keary asked, attempting to sound affronted.
"Your men told us everything, Keary," Angus said. "You canna lie to us to save your hide. I am willing to let this go, if you are allied with my kin and Edana's. But if you or your men attempt to kill me in the future…"
