“I am.”
“You’re betrothed to me.” He sat on the closest chair and settled her on his lap. She must’ve been rattled for she didn’t protest and remained still.
“No, I’m betrothed to another.”
“Liam, explain why you deem her to be betrothed to you.” Graeme’s impatience wore.
He gave a sharp glance at Graeme. As much as he liked the bewilderment in her eyes, he decided to appease his comrade and leaned his head closer to hers. “Tell him the name of your betrothed. You do know it, do you not?”
Her eyes shot to her hands. She fiddled with her fingers and twisted them until she folded them and placed them on her lap. “Of course I do. His name is … I only know him as Kincaid. He’s the Earl of Lennox’s nephew. The betrothal was made years ago, but he hasn’t come.”
Liam didn’t like sound of dejection in her tone. “I’ve been unable to.”
“You … You are … You’re Kincaid?”
“Aye. Liam Kincaid, the Earl of Lennox’s nephew,” he said, grinning at her confusion.
Graeme laughed his arse off.
“I don’t know what to do. Why have you avoided the betrothal? I don’t understand.”
“I was unfortunately delayed. My comrades and I are in service to the king. I’ve been protecting King Robert and will continue to do so.” He scowled at Graeme to get him to cease his laughter, but his comrade didn’t cooperate or help his situation.
“And now you want to honor the betrothal?”
“Hell yes. If I’d known, lass, how bonny you are, I’d have made my way to you sooner.” He smiled knowing what he spoke was the truth. “We will wed on the morrow.” Liam stated the last in a firm and assertive tone, because she appeared akin to a frightened doe, ready to scamper off and hide.
“It doesn’t matter. I must have your promise to teach me to use the sword.”
Liam felt her body tense. “As my wife, you will leave it to me to enact your revenge. I will kill this foe of yours. You only need to name him.”
She stared at him long and hard, and if he wasn’t mistaken, her eyes turned greener. Now that he got a closer look at her, he found her to be even more appealing. The pertness of her nose, coupled with the sparse freckles made her enchanting. Not only was she bonny, but she was petite and a gentle lass.
“I will kill my own foe. I only need your help in learning to use the weapon.”
Mayhap not such a gentle lass. He took hold of her chin and turned her face so she’d look at him. “It was not an offer, lass, but a command. Tell me who you seek and he will exist no longer.” There was no way he’d allow her near a weapon. He was firm in his resolve until a moment later when she gave him a condition of her own.
“I do thank you, Kincaid, but nay. This foe will die by my hand. I have a condition as well. I will wed you, but only because my father willed it so, and because you will teach me to use the sword. Otherwise, I shan’t speak the words.”
Graeme laughed and fell back in his chair. “She’s got a wee bit of gumption. What say you, Liam? Are ye getting married or not?”
She was going to be difficult. Aye, the sweet lass had a wee bit of fire in her. Liam grinned and nodded. He had no choice but to accept her condition.
“I agree to your ridiculous requirement. We shall seal the pact with a kiss.” Before she could protest, he set his mouth against hers. Kissing Makenna was pleasurable, so much so that Liam got caught up in the sensuality of it. He held her face, cradled in his rough palms. Soft lips pressed against his mouth. He deepened the kiss unbeknownst where it would lead. When her lips responded, a possessive aura came to him. His tongue grazed hers, lightly coaxing hers to mingle with his.
The kiss was more than he’d expected and desire struck him. He wanted her, wanted to make her forget her despair, and wanted her beneath him. Never had his heart raced as it was doing now.
Liam drew back and smiled because she appeared as dazed as he. He hadn’t told an untruth when he agreed to her condition. She wanted to learn the sword, and he’d train her. He didn’t say it would be easy on her. His deception formed and he chuckled. One way or another, he would sway her to give up such a farfetched notion.
Gilroy returned with the bucket and set it on the table. He was about to turn and flee when Graeme called him.
“Halt, Gilroy, return to me.” Graeme leaned forward and grinned before turning a hard gaze on the lad.
“M’lord? Am I to be punished for stealing the coin?” The lad’s face turned sorrowful at the prospect of what that punishment would be.
Graeme purposely looked at Makenna and then to Gilroy. “You ken it was wrong, don’t you? Stealing. Both of you should know better.”
Liam found himself almost cheerful at the fact that Graeme was lecturing someone other than him, Brodin or Heath on the proprieties of morality.
“But it w-was from the English.” Gilroy peered at his feet and kept his gaze averted.
“Stealing, no matter from what or whom is still a sin. Take your punishment and vow to never steal again. That is the best guidance I can give ye, Gilroy. As for you, lass, I understand your need of the coin, but you shouldn’t hurt lads and steal from them.” Graeme kept his glare in place.
Liam was about to inform his comrade that he would discipline his own wife, but the mirth in his friend’s eyes stopped him. Graeme wanted to laugh at the lad’s plight along with Makenna’s guilt ridden face. Her body grew soft in his arms as Graeme continued his lecture. She now held on to him. Her claim drew a sense of duty to Liam and he leaned closer to her, taking a moment to memorize her scent. She placed her face against his chest and sighed, her body easing against him.
Gilroy nodded. “I will accept whatever punishment you deem, m’lord. I was trying to help.”
“I am not sure I believe that, lad, but if you’re telling the truth, then I won’t be so hard on ye.” Graeme set a hand on the lad’s shoulder. “I’ve yet to decide your punishment. Go and await me in the cave and take your evening fare. Be sure to finish your chores. And by God, lad, see about washing in the stream for ye stink. I will attend you soon.”
Liam waited until the lad left before grinning at his command. “It is best to teach him this valuable lesson now.”
Graeme nodded. “Aye, he’ll be waiting anticipating the worst. I’ll give him a few minutes to ponder his fate.” He followed the lad outside.
Liam returned his attention to Makenna and realized she’d drifted off to sleep. She trusted him enough to fall asleep in his arms, yet he had to admit she likely was exhausted. He’d noticed the look of worry and weariness in her eyes. What had she been through? He brushed aside the locks of hair by her cheek and noticed the wound on her ear. The lobe had been severed. Dried blood spotted her neck and shoulder. Who would do such a thing to a helpless, winsome lass?
He was certain Makenna had never lifted a weapon during her life. She was an innocent. And yet there was nothing innocent about her when she held the dagger to Gilroy’s throat. He recognized desperation when he saw it. She was definitely fraught with fear. The lass was indeed a conundrum, one not easily solved.
Liam’s anger heated his blood, for her foe now became his. The woman’s safety gave him a hefty responsibility, especially if she was set on murdering someone.
Annag returned from the antechamber that Graeme and Kerrigan occupied. She began clearing the table of their earlier meal.
“Mistress, will you set bedding near yours for the lass?”
Annag’s brown eyes sparkled with mischief, a look he was used to from her. “Oh, aye, I will, Liam. She sleeps? The poor lass has been through it, hasn’t she? I knew instantly that she was hungry and alone. She won’t be any longer?”
“Nay, she won’t be, Mistress.”
She set off to see to the chore of putting a bed together for Makenna. Content to continue hold her, Liam watched her lips part slightly in her sleep. He set a gentle kiss on them and sighed. He’d only felt such volatile att
raction once before.
Blayre. And even as he thought her name, he shook away her image. It was his own stupidity that kept him from the sweet lass he now held. His reaction to Makenna was far more intense than anything he’d ever felt for Blayre. Liam tightened his hold on Makenna. If he was going to be hard on the lass, he had to cease his attraction. It would be difficult, not only to refute his longing to kiss her, but to drive her to reason to give up her quest to slay her foe. He’d have to be an arse, one that shouldn’t regard her feelings.
The cat jumped upon the table and rubbed its head against Liam’s shoulder. With his hands occupied, he couldn’t shoo the beast away. The creature was rather large for a domestic cat. He had to be a wild feline. He wondered why it came to him and how he could get it to leave.
Graeme returned from his conversation with Gilroy. He brushed the cat from the table and sat back watching him with a bemused grin.
“How did you decide to punish Gilroy?”
His comrade chuckled. “I told him he would aid you in Makenna’s training. The lad was quite put out at having to attend a lass. His exact words were: ‘I’m to train with her? But she’s a girl.’ It’ll do him well. Perhaps he’ll think twice before he steals again.”
“I doubt that. Gilroy is crafty.”
Annag motioned to him and Liam set off to put Makenna to bed. He placed her gently on the pallet and gradually removed her cloak. Something hard set inside the lining. He pulled a sword free from the inset and frowned. The lass was definitely intent to learn to use it. Liam set it aside and covered her with his tartan.
“Sleep well, lass. You’re safe now.” With those words, Liam returned to the table and took up a cup of Annag’s special brew of mead and drank it down.
Graeme leaned forward. “This is a remarkable turn of events. I find it confounding.” His laugh was loud enough to awaken all those in the cave. “Be serious, Liam. You are not betrothed to her, are you?”
“I am serious. I find it hard to believe she found her way to me. My uncle arranged our betrothal before he succumbed at Falkirk. Apparently my uncle paid a hefty bride price. When I met with Micheol in the village, he told me he’d return my father’s lands if I completed the tasks my uncle bid of me which includes marrying Makenna. What am I to do?”
His comrade slapped him on the back. “Get married.”
Liam’s eyes narrowed. “Obviously.”
“I thought you loved another lass?”
“I did, aye, I was rash and young. Which is why my uncle made the arrangement. He wasn’t pleased with my choice of bride. In order to regain my father’s lands, he told me to wed the Mackenzie lass. Micheol won’t concede until I bring proof that I wed her. But I hesitate to mention my father’s lands to Makenna and that I intend to deceive her. I don’t want to hurt her tender feelings.”
Graeme chortled. “Tender feelings? I doubt she has any, Liam. You saw the way she held the blade at Gilroy’s throat. How are you going to deceive her?”
“I don’t intend to train her to use the sword the way she thinks. I can’t allow her to take a sword and seek her foe. She’ll get herself killed.”
Graeme’s lips firmed. “I agree, you can’t allow that. How do you plan to train her without letting her take the sword?”
“I don’t ken, but something will come to me.”
“Perhaps you should be honest with her and it’ll persuade her to reason.”
Liam let out a dejected sigh, for he was unsure whether he could sway her. “I want to be honest with her, but if she finds out the only reason I’m marrying her is to regain my family home, she’ll likely be wrath. No woman wants to be wed for such a reason.”
His friend chuckled. “Are ye certain that’s the only reason you want to wed her?”
He scowled because he didn’t want to consider the other reasons. At least, not now, now that he knew how bonny she was or how sweet. Once they wed, he’d take her to meet Micheol and then he’d allow her freedom. Except, he didn’t know much about her other than her desire to enact retribution.
“I’m weary, Liam. I am going to take to my bed and sleep all day on the morrow. If you need me …”
“I ken you’ve gotten little sleep lately.” He was about to pour another cup of mead when James Douglas bounded inside the cave. The Good James Douglas was the most formidable soldier in the king’s army. He’d become valuable in Robert’s efforts to thwart his enemies on Scottish soil, and those in the English army. James was brash and often difficult to deal with. They had experienced him at his worst when he’d thrashed Graeme and took Kerrigan to see the king against her will. Although he’d done it to protect him and his comrades, Liam wasn’t appeased by his excuses or his so-called protection.
“Comrades! I bid ye a good eve,” James shouted his greeting, and headed straight to the table. He snatched the cup from Liam and poured himself mead from the jug. James whipped back his black hair, and threw his feet upon the bench. “What, no welcomes?” He snickered with laughter until he perceived the mood in the cave was not jovial. “Has someone died?”
“Do not jest, James, for Liam has a woeful situation on his hands.” Graeme kept his expression from showing his mirth.
James’ smile widened. “Well now what’s this situation? Anything I can lend my hand to? I haven’t exercised my sword arm in some time.”
“He’s getting married.”
James chortled loud enough to wake those in the distant village. “This is cause for celebration, not mourning. Come, Liam, we shall toast to your nuptials. To the poor lass whoever she might be.” He raised his cup and swigged the contents.
Liam was surprised to see James’ expression light. He’d never seen such a merry look on his friend’s face. Usually James was ready to hail off to war or oft wore a murderous expression. He too raised his cup, but decided against drinking any more mead. His head was befuddled enough.
“It is good to see you, James. I didn’t consider you’d come until the weather warmed. What news have you? Will there be a battle soon?” Liam wanted to get on with the war, for they’d held up many months through the cold season, awaiting Robert’s return.
Even with his newfound situation, he was anxious to get back to their main purpose in protecting the king. The sooner they expelled the English, the sooner they could get on with their lives. What that life entailed, he wasn’t sure, but he was ready to return home.
James glanced at him before chugging more mead. He set his cup down with a bang. “Robert is at Turnberry Castle. The king wants to gather as many supporters for a clash next month. I will join him soon and give him guidance for he holds up upon his lands in Carrick. You’ll follow when I send word?”
Graeme remained at the table, now interested in the conversation. “We will come, James, when ye send word. We’ll see to Robert’s safety.”
“I only hope word does not spread of Robert’s return for his enemies will want to strike him unawares. If he can gain enough supporters, he may want to plan an attack. We would do well to be ready when the time comes.”
Liam didn’t like hearing the king took such risks, but eventually he’d have to face his enemies. He hoped Robert amassed a large enough army when the time did come. “Where do ye deem the battle will take place?”
“The king has not said as yet. Verily, I haven’t received any message indicate a locale. I’m doubtless that Robert has concluded his next target.” James frowned as he gazed about the chamber. “How is my lady Kerrigan?”
Graeme kept his scowl well placed; a tactic to intimidate James. But Liam knew their surly comrade wasn’t easily intimidated. “She’s well, for she’s just birthed our bairn and is still confined to her bed.”
“Another toast then. To the wee one, may he be as brave as his mother.”
“What makes ye think she bore a son?” Liam asked.
“Kerrigan is the finest woman in Scotland. She’d bear her husband a son. Here’s to the only lass to capture my heart.” He raised
his cup. “And to her bairn, may he have long health.”
Graeme looked to want to thrash James, but he continued to sit back lax in his chair.
“Where are Brodin and Heath?” James pulled forth a trencher of leftover chunks of bread from supper from the center of the table.
“They’re off on a mission.” Liam gave Graeme a quick glance to signal their silence when it came to the parchment matter. They didn’t trust James for his sole purpose right now was to aid the king. He’d reveal all and any matter if it directly pertained to Robert, and they couldn’t have that.
“Ah, gaining you more coin. I heard the most remarkable story in the village earlier. Seems one of the king’s guard came and bested a man before all. You wouldn’t know anything about this, would you?”
Liam laughed. “Aye, well, the friar bid me to retrieve the man’s wife, so I … I took care of the matter as I saw fit.”
James bellowed a laugh. “The sheriff was chuffed that one of the renowned king’s guard blessed them with his presence. Rohan’s hall was filled with chatter about it. You best take heed and continue to hide, for the more Robert hears of this legendary guard, the more interested he’ll become.”
He and Graeme remained silent on the subject of Robert’s interest in the legend of the king’s guard. They’d taken too many risks as it was and needed to ensure their safety when handling matters to gain more coin.
“So who is this bride of yours, Liam?”
“Makenna of Clan Mackenzie. We were betrothed years ago.”
“Ah, is she not the daughter of Alexander? I heard tell he was captured last year with a handful of Robert’s supporters. King Edward has them imprisoned in Londontown and refused to negotiate a release. There’s not much we can do presently to gain their freedom.”
Liam didn’t like hearing the news about her father. No wonder the lass was distressed. Did she deem the king of England her foe? He shouldn’t assume such an unlikely conception. He’d learn who her foe was and what the lout did to inflict her ire. Then another notion came to him and he frowned at his thought. Was she ireful with a lover?
Unbreakable Heart (Legend of the King's Guard Book 2) Page 7
