Julia slightly glanced at him and then looked away not wanting to even see a wound, let alone any blood. “Pray do not tell any of your friends what a wretched mother I will be. Finding a suitable husband is difficult enough as it is.” But the lad didn’t seem to hear her.
Catlin’s reaction to Vallam’s muscular upper body surprised her. It excited her and made her furious all at the same time. His body was the last thing she wanted to think about just now. She had not noticed before, but he was a fairly handsome man. His blond hair was naturally wavy, his eyes, which she only slightly looked at, were a dusty blue and his face was square.
Determined to hide her reaction, she forced herself to quickly examine the wound, take a step back and divert her eyes. “Julia is only without a husband, because she rejects all that are brave enough to ask.” She turned, looped her arm through Julia’s, and started toward the village again. “I am still hungry, if you can believe it. I fear I shall never be full.”
He watched her walk away, put his shirt back on and tucked it in his belt. Her touch on his arm was soft, he found it oddly pleasing and noticed she seemed unwilling to look him in the eye when she finished. He wanted just one up close look at her eyes in the sunlight, but she denied him and he reminded himself he didn’t care...but he did care and with that truth he was unhappy.
NEIL DID NOT HAVE TO guess how Thomas and the cobbler were getting along, the cobbler was beside himself with laughter when Neil knocked and then went inside. A few minutes later, he and Thomas walked out and headed up the path toward the Keep. “Have you been a distraction all day?”
“Not all day, perhaps.”
“Most of the day?”
“Not most of the day, perhaps.”
Neil rolled his eyes. “At least your stories cannot last forever. There are many MacGreagors who need shoes.”
“Fortunately, I have mastered the practice of telling stories and working at the same time.”
“It is not you that concerns me. Is the cobbler able to do the same?”
“I quite see your meaning, cousin.”
“Good.”
“Do you plan to fetch me every day?”
Neil stopped and looked at him. “Do you require it? I was under the impression you were old enough to manage on your own.”
“You do so remind me of my mother. I could never get away with a thing around her either.” A slow grin crossed Thomas’ face. “You heard I was getting out of hand, came to trample me to the ground and see that I do not do it again.”
“I came to ask you a question.” Neil continued down the path and looked away so the lad could not see his smile.
“Oh.” Thomas hurried to catch up. “What question?”
“My wife and I enjoy matchmaking. What sort of lad would make a good husband for Catlin?”
“Nothing short of a wild boar would do. I have offered to take on the dreaded responsibility myself, but she does not see the advantages of being married to me, a lad without a home, a trade and only one irritating sister for a family.”
Again Neil stopped to read Thomas’ face. “Do you love her?”
“I believe I first fell in love with her when I was five. She socked me in the eye and from then on I have been hopelessly smitten.” He studied Neil’s frown and decided his cousin was serious. “Oh, you mean do I love her more than any other? Nay, I love all women the same. It is a curse.”
“And Julia, what kind of husband do you believe she will need?” Neil asked as they started to walk again.
“I take it back; keep the wild boar for Julia.” He was hardly paying attention when they entered the great hall where Catlin, Julia and Glenna were talking.
To the amazement of both Neil and Glenna, Julia ran to her brother, threw her arms around him and planted a kiss on his cheek. “I missed you so.”
Shocked, Thomas instantly took hold of her arms and held her away from him. “Now you’ve done it, they will think we love each other.”
“Is that a blush I see, brother?” Her eyes danced with delight. “Finally, I have gotten the better of you first.”
He moved away, wiped her kiss off his cheek with the back of his hand, straightened his kilt and looked at Neil. “I begged mother for another brother, but she gave me Julia.”
Julia looked at Neil also and began to pout. “Mother said you would make me a different village to live in. When may I have my own village? I do not believe I am able to suffer this brother very much longer.”
“My dear sister, you remind me of why I have not yet taken a wife.”
“And you somehow think you have a say in the matter? Anyone can see why no lass will have you.”
FOR THE SECOND TIME in two days, Neil and Glenna were pleased with the company of the newest members of the clan for the evening meal. Neil maintained his place at the head of the table while Glenna sat across from the three, drank in every word they said and watched Catlin repeatedly roll her eyes when Thomas and Julia bantered about.
As soon as one told a story of their childhood, the other bettered it by telling another story. Before long, they seemed to run out of stories and the subject turned to Catlin, whom they were happy to say, might as well have been a sister, for one never went far without the other two.
Thomas sat up straight and squared his shoulders. “I promised Blair I would love and defend his daughter and that is precisely what I intend to do.”
Glenna quickly looked at Catlin and was surprised by her lack of any reaction at all.
When she realized everyone was waiting, Catlin leaned around Julia to look Thomas in the eye. “My father was ill when we made our pledge and we only did it to help him rest. I am grateful for your protection, but you need not marry me.”
Thomas shrugged. “Marriage ... protection, I fail to see the difference.”
“Of course you do,” Julia scoffed. “You are...”
“You took a pledge?” Neil asked.
Both Thomas and Catlin looked at him, but it was Thomas who answered. “Aye, but neither of us meant it. We only...”
“Actually, the pledge saved my life.” Catlin interrupted.
Julia reached out and took Catlin’s hand, “You do not have to tell them.”
“I know.” Catlin lowered her eyes for a moment before she continued. “There is a particular Cameron who pestered me to marry him and did not let me be until I told him I was pledged to Thomas.”
Thomas put on a smug expression. “I was far bigger and much better trained, I am proud to say...”
This time it was Julia who rolled her eyes. “Never mind the scar on his backside that prevented him from sitting for nearly a month.”
“Sister, you are well aware I could not retrieve my sword without bending over. It could happen to anyone.”
Neil laughed. “Thomas, are you in need of training?”
In unison, Thomas said, “Nay,” and Julia said, “Aye.”
Neil laughed again and then finished his meal, pushed his bowl away and listened to them tell another two stories they had forgotten. Occasionally he glanced at Catlin who was again quiet although not in the least forlorn or upset. Still he could not help but think there was something more to the story of the man who wanted to marry her. Then when Thomas mentioned Laird Cameron’s son, he thought he saw Catlin shiver.
It was as though Neil read her mind and she was aghast when he asked how many they were forced to leave behind. Thomas and Julia immediately got quiet and waited for Catlin to answer, “Too many.”
Jessup was right, Neil thought, there was something regal about Catlin. He noticed she always sat up straight and when he began to talk to her, she set her spoon down and put her hands in her lap. “What do you wish to tell me?”
Catlin did not flinch. “We came to beg your assistance. The women are shamed repeatedly and the men who object are executed. You are our only hope.”
“Have you been shamed?”
Glenna gasped. “Neil, she is unmarried and...”
; Catlin reassured Glenna with her smile. “You forget I have Thomas to defend me.” She calmly turned to Neil again. “Will you help us?”
Neil stared into her eyes. “Are you asking us to go to war?”
CHAPTER VI
THOMAS ROSE OUT OF his chair, walked to the hearth, grabbed a stick and used it to stir the embers. “We have no right to ask you to risk your lives, but there must be a way to stop the madness. Friends...good friends have died trying to protect sisters or wives and perhaps I should have...”
“Nay!” Julia got up and hurried to her brother. “Mother was right, you are more use to us alive than dead. You got us here and without you, God only knows what might have become of the two of us.”
Thomas hugged his sister with genuine affection. “I would go daft if anything happened to you.”
“Is it that dreadful?” Glenna asked.
Catlin answered, “Lammond Cameron seeks to bed any women he can and puts lads in cages for sport. His father is laird and we are nothing more to either of them than entertainment.”
“Cages?” Neil whispered.
Thomas lowered his eyes. “They are too short for a lad my size and I do not possess enough words to say of the pain.”
“He put you in a cage like an animal?”
Julia walked back to the table and sat down beside Glenna. “Do not hate us; we have to ask for help.”
Glenna put a loving hand to Julia’s cheek. “I could never hate you.”
“I have a suggestion,” Catlin said. “Threaten to make the father’s nightmares of the MacGreagor ghost come true.”
Glenna grinned, “Frighten him to death?”
Catlin emphatically nodded. “It would not take much. Spread the word that a thousand MacGreagors are coming to seek their revenge and he would most likely succumb before you even leave home.”
Each of them laughed and tried to remain light hearted for the rest of the evening, but the subject was just under the surface. Neil often looked at Thomas, his own flesh and blood and tried to imagine him locked in a cage that was too short for him to stretch out. The very idea made him furious and going to war was no longer out of the question.
Neil had to know, so just before he sent them off to their rest he asked Thomas one last question. “How long did he leave you in the cage?”
Thomas lowered his gaze and did not quickly answer, “Eight days.”
“And for what were you punished?”
“For not killing him when I had the chance.”
THE NEXT MORNING, CATLIN found the rush of the water in the river soothing and decided to walk down the bank. But when she glanced back, a man was following her. His kilt was green, the same as a Cameron kilt and the way he kept coming toward her made her wary.
Luag was confused. Neil assigned him to stay close enough to protect Catlin, but he had done nothing to frighten her. She kept looking back at him and the expression on her face oddly changed to discomfort and then to terror. She began to walk faster so he walked faster and when she started to run, he chased after her. He had to if he was to keep her safe.
Catlin was not even aware she was screaming. There was a man in front of her too, and as she got closer she recognized him and ran into Vallam’s arms.
He looked at Luag and was just as confused. Luag would never hurt her, yet she was screaming, her whole body was trembling and she had both arms tightly wrapped around him with the back of his shirt clutched in her fists. “What is wrong, Catlin?”
She did not answer and a helpless Luag and Vallam stood there not knowing what to do. Then Vallam spotted Neil and Thomas coming at a dead run with other men not far behind.
Certain someone had hurt her, Neil was about to draw his sword when Thomas put his hand out. “Wait.” As soon as he got close enough, Thomas stopped, paused for just a moment more, and then slowly walked to Vallam’s side so he could see Catlin’s face. She was still screaming and just as he expected, her tormented eyes were wide. He quickly glanced at the other men, suspected what had frightened her and spoke softly. “Catlin, it is not Lammond. Do you hear me Catlin? Lammond is not here.”
At length, she closed her eyes, stopped screaming and took two urgent breaths. She did not let go of Vallam, but she did turn just enough to search the faces of the men and assure herself Lammond was not there.
Her body was still violently shaking and Thomas gave her a few more moments to calm down. “May I touch you now?” When she nodded, Thomas gently pushed the hair away from her face and then leaned over and kissed the top of her head. “We are safe here.”
Again, she drew in a deep breath but she was still trembling and not yet ready to leave Vallam’s embrace.
“What upset her?” Neil asked.
Thomas had pure disgust in his eyes when he answered. “Lammond likes to hunt the women.”
Neil’s mouth dropped. “Hunt them?”
“Aye, she is quick and he especially likes to hunt her.” Thomas turned his attention to Luag. “If you talk to her, she will not be frightened of you. But you must tell her every move you intend to make. Julia is the same, although not quite so violently affected.”
“Neil wants us to protect her,” Luag said.
Thomas smiled and put a hand on Luag’s shoulder. “I do not envy you your task. She is head-strong and not easy to protect.” Then he turned back to Catlin, “We should have told Neil last night. I fear you have frightened the greatest of his warriors out of half their wits.”
At last, she released her grip on Vallam and stepped back. “I do apologize. I am not yet fully rested and my mind played tricks on me.” Still she did not look into Vallam’s eyes and did not wait for his reply before she headed back down the river bank. This time she was the one who was humiliated and by her own actions. Of all the men she chose to go to for safety, why did it have to be that one?
Neil watched her go and then turned back to Thomas. “I have never seen a lass that frightened. What can we do to help her recover?”
“When last we were in the Cameron village, he caught her and she cut him before she got away. We could not stay, you see, and all of us fear the revenge he has taken on those we left behind. I promised Catlin I would go back and kill the sop once she and Julia were safe. It is a promise I intend to keep.”
“And I will help you,” said Neil.
IT TOOK LESS THAN AN hour for every ear to hear how the Camerons came to them for sanctuary and how someone named Lammond liked to hunt the women like animals. The men were enraged and the women were heartsick. Some still had family living with the Camerons.
An hour after that, most of the men were gathered in the courtyard volunteering to tear this Lammond, whoever he was, limb from limb. But Neil was not ready to go marching off without a plan and told them to wait until one could be worked out.
Upstairs, Catlin and Glenna stood in the second floor window watching. “I did not mean to cause such a stir,” Catlin whispered. She could not seem to take her eyes off of Vallam, the man whose arms she could still feel around her. “What is his name again?”
“Who?” Glenna studied her eyes to see where she was looking and then smiled. “Ah, his name is Vallam. You stitched his arm.”
“Is he a good lad?”
“I believe so. Do you prefer him?”
“I do not think I am in a position to prefer anyone. Besides, I am so terrified of lads I cannot seem to relax around them. Even Neil frightens me a little and I know he would never hurt me.”
“Yet you ran to Vallam,” said Glenna.
“You will think me daft, but I thought he was my father.” she smiled at her memory of him. “Come to think of it, you need no longer wonder, I confess I am quite daft.”
“I can understand why. Oh look. See the lad standing next to him with a clean-shaven face? That is Luag, the lad who frightened you.”
“Has he removed his beard for my sake?”
“I suspect he has. Neil asked him to protect you and you should be honored. Luag goes e
verywhere with Neil and is his second when they are away from the village. My husband is determined to see nothing happens to you.”
“I am honored.”
“Catlin, you must promise not to go for walks without one of the lads.”
“I promise.” Just then, she noticed Vallam watching her. She slightly nodded and then moved away from the window. “It is time.”
Glenna followed her out the door and down the stairs. “Time for what?”
“To shed myself of the fear.”
CHAPTER VII
VALLAM KEPT WATCHING but she did not return to the window and at length he looked away. He understood finally why she attacked him and how she learned to strike quickly and without hesitation. Her skill was remarkable and probably kept her alive. The image of her being hunted made his blood boil. For as long as he lived, he would never forget the terror in her voice, and he wanted nothing more than to hold her close and make her fear go away. He doubted there was a man in the clan who did not feel the same.
Even though Neil told them to go back to their duties, several of the men still lingered in the courtyard, discussing suggestions they would make. Mostly they were just expressing their rage, but sometimes the best battle ideas were borne out of rage.
There was some sort of commotion among the men and Vallam raised up to see what it was, but then the men began to part and he saw that Catlin was walking toward him. As she passed, she touched the men near her on the arm or the hand as if to let them know she did not fear them.
Catlin first went to Luag. She touched his face and smiled. “Grow it back. If you cut yourself trying to trim it daily, I will be forced to put stitches in your face and I assure you it will hurt.” She returned his smile and then turned to Vallam. “Did I hurt your arm?”
Marti Talbott's Highlander Series, Volume 5 Page 12
