Highland Hellion (Blades of Honor #1)

by B. J. Scott

  “Lord knows what has gotten into you, Bryce Fraser, but if you dinna want to be sleeping in this hall on the floor with your men, your foul mood had better be gone by the time I return. I just hope your sister will listen to what I have to say.” Fallon raced after Arya, catching up as she was about to exit the hall and clasped her forearm. “Please, dinna leave. Hear me out.”

  “There is nothing more to say. Bryce said it all.”

  “My husband can be very intense when he feels strongly about something, but he isna usually so ill-tempered. Believe it or not, he is considered by most to be the jovial, lighthearted one of the three brothers.” Fallon chuckled. “When we first met, he had quite a reputation of being a smooth-talking lady’s man.”

  “I find that hard to believe.”

  “Give him some time. Get to know him, and I think you’ll be amazed how much alike the two of you are. And I mean that in a very good way,” Fallon added. “I guess he harbors his anger about the war and how it affected his loved ones more than any of us ever realized.”

  “He carries a very large chip on his shoulders, and I seem to bring out the worst in him,” Arya replied. “I think it best if I depart on the morrow. I dinna want to stay where I am clearly not wanted.”

  “But you are welcomed here. Besides, where would you go? Have you forgetting you are a fugitive?”

  “Things like that dinna slip your mind, but I will go home regardless. My mother needs me, and I should never have let Connor talk me into leaving her.”

  “But you will be arrested and executed if you go back without a pardon from Robert the Bruce,” Fallon argued.

  “I will have to deal with that should the need arises. Best you go back to your husband and bairns.” Arya glanced over her shoulder at Bryce. “He doesna look pleased that we are speaking. I am tired of this conflict and wish to get some sleep.”

  Fallon tightened her grip on Arya’s arm. “I’ll let you go to your room if you promise you’ll stay. At least, until we’ve had more time to talk, and you have calmed down. Hopefully after a good night’s rest you will see things more clearly.”

  “Nothing will change by morning, Fallon. But if it means you will release my arm, I promise not to depart until we speak further.”

  Fallon nodded and took a step back. “I’ll have Mairi bring a tray to your chamber. You havena eaten and must be starving by now.”

  “That willna be necessary. A night’s sleep is what I need.” Arya turned and headed down the hallway. Why had she agreed to stay? What she told Fallon was true. She’d not remain where she was not wanted, and she did not foresee Bryce changing his mind or his attitude anytime soon.

  Chapter 15

  Garrett paced from one side of the small croft to the other, uncertain what to do. He’d made a promise, one he’d meant to keep. But circumstances had a way of changing.

  “She grows weaker by the hour.” Isla peered up at Garrett from her seat at Scotia’s bedside. “I fear the end if very near. You must decide what you are going to do.”

  “I swore if Arya went with the Frasers, I wouldna leave Scotia’s side.”

  “Aye, but things have gone from bad to worse. And while there is no guarantee you could reach Arya and return before it is too late, you must try. She would never forgive herself, or you if her mam passes and she isna here to say goodbye. Despite the danger, Arya will want to be with her mother in her final hours.” Isla dipped a linen rag into a bowl containing cool water, comfrey, and willow bark, then lay it across Scotia’s brow.

  Garrett raked his fingers through his hair. “Scotia is delirious with fever and wouldna know if Arya was here or not. Besides, she wouldna want her daughter to risk her freedom on her account.”

  “She is a mother, Garrett. Of course, she’d sacrifice her own needs to save her bairn. But I know she’d pass much easier if Arya were at her side.”

  “Fraser Castle is almost a three-day journey if I dinna spare the horse. Two days if I ride through the night without stopping to sleep. I’m not certain Scotia has that much time left.” Garrett began to pace again. There was so much to consider. “Even if I do go, one horse will never run the distance. I would have to stop and barter for another along the way. I have no coin for the purchase and canna afford to delay my journey while I search for a new mount.”

  Isla reached into a pouch that hung from a cord suspended around her neck. “Take this. It is all I have left from Duncan—a gift on our wedding day. But it might fetch you a fine horse.” She held out a ruby-encrusted Brooch.

  “I canna take your jewelry,” Garrett said. “If I decide to go, I will find another way to procure a fresh mount.”

  “Take it.” She placed the pin in Garrett’s hand, then closed his fist around it. “I have no use for such finery, and I would be happy to know it helped you to bring my dear friend’s daughter home to her.”

  Garrett opened his fist and stared at the brooch. What Isla said was correct, but he remained torn. If he did not make every effort to get Arya home before her mother crossed over, she’d never forgive him. But if he left Scotia unattended and something happened to her in his absence, she’d not forgive that either.

  “I keep praying for a miracle, hoping she will rally and regain some of her strength, but alas, it appears to be quite the opposite,” Isla said. “I know you said you’d not leave Scotia’s side, but you must try to bring Arya home before her mam passes.”

  “But I made a promise to Arya.”

  “Then you must break it.”

  Garrett shook his head. “I canna. Look what happened the last time I broke my word to Scotia. Arya was captured and almost executed. How can I take that risk again?”

  “Life isna without risks,” Isla said. “And this isna the same thing. You are not trying to prevent a strong-willed lass from doing something she is determined to do, rather doing what you know in your heart is best.”

  “Aye, but the result is still the same. What if the Campbell’s men come back and are not so understanding this time? If they were to harm Scotia as a means to get to Arya—”

  Isla raised her hand, silencing him. “You can come up with many arguments for staying here, but there is only one clear choice. They willna bother with us. Harassing two old women serve them no purpose. If the Campbell meant to do us harm, he’d have had us arrested and punished the first time he came looking for Arya.”

  “True, but several days have passed, and they have yet to find her. Campbell may now see things in a different light. And it is not only you and Scotia who could be in danger. Arya is a fugitive, and if they catch her here, I shudder to think what will happen.”

  “Then you must make certain they dinna find her.”

  Garrett scrubbed his hand across his chin. He had to decide and he had to do it fast. “I need to go somewhere. Stay with Scotia. I willna be long.”

  Isla nodded. “Of course.”

  Garrett left the croft, raced down the path, and into the clearing. “There you are, Logan. Thank the Lord I found you here.” He bent over at the waist, huffing and puffing to catch his breath.

  “Calm down and tell me what has you so riled.” Logan placed his hand on Garrett’s back.

  “I need a boon.”

  “Ask away, cousin. You know you can count on me to do anything. As long as it is humanly possible.” Logan chuckled.

  “Scotia has taken a turn for the worse.”

  “I’m sorry to hear that,” Logan replied.

  “I want you to stay with her while I ride to Fraser Castle and get Arya. She would want to be with her mam in her final hours if possible,” Garrett replied. “I promised her I wouldna leave her mother’s side, but I also know she willna forgive me if Scotia dies and she is not with her.”

  “You have quite a dilemma.”

  “Tell me
about it. I hate to break my word given what happened the last time I did.”

  “You must stop beating yourself up over Arya’s capture, Garrett. You had no more chance of convincing her to stay behind the night of the raid than you did of flying like a hawk.” Logan pointed a bird of prey circling overhead. “Scotia had no right to put that burden on you either. So you must let it go.”

  “Will you stay with Scotia?” Garrett asked.

  “Aye. I will remain by her side until you return, and guard her with my life,” Logan replied.

  “Let’s hope that willna be necessary, cousin. But if you are here to protect Scotia, Arya canna possibly be upset when I show up at Fraser Castle.”

  “When do you leave?”

  “When I can get a horse and some provisions ready. The sooner I depart, the quicker I’ll get there. You will stay by her side the whole time I am gone?” Garrett asked again.

  “Aye.” Logan nodded. “Now be off with you. I will get my things and be at Scotia’s croft before you go.” Logan planted his hand on Garrett’s shoulder and shoved him in the direction of Scotia’s hut.

  Garrett gave his cousin’s forearm a hardy shake, then ran down the path, relieved to know Scotia and Isla were protected. Now he just hoped Arya would not be angry to see him. He missed her so much and could not wait to see her, to hold her in his arms. But breaking the news about her mother was a task he did not look forward to.

  Arya donned her tunic, trews, and boots, then fastened a baldric on her back, a dirk at her side, and tucked one in her boot. Her father taught her to be prepared in case of an attack. She also fastened a length of rope to her belt. Something she would transfer to her saddle, along with a length of plaid. Fall days were chilly in the Highlands, but it was downright cold at night.

  She glanced around her chamber. While she hated to admit it, a couple of days spent in luxury with food in her belly and a soft bed on which to sleep with both eyes shut was a treat.

  “Arya, are you awake?” Cailin rapped on the door, but didn’t wait for an answer. She entered the room. “Where are you going?”

  “Home. I’d hoped to be away before first light, but am ashamed to say, I slept later than I planned.”

  Cailin frowned. “You were about to depart without saying goodbye?”

  “I left a parchment on the table by the bed, thanking you for your kindness.”

  “But you promised Fallon you’d wait until she’d had a chance to talk with you again,” Cailin said.

  Arya picked up a piece of fruit, a stale oatcake, and some cheese from a tray on the table and dropped them into a small canvas sack. “Fallon isna here, and I must be away.”

  “Fallon is with the bairns and will be here soon. She asked me to come in her stead while she fed Jeanne, but we both prayed you’d had a change of heart. We also hoped you might come down to break your fast.”

  “I had no desire to see Bryce this morning, and knew you would try to persuade me to stay,” Arya replied, then tried to change the topic of discussion. “You and Fallon are very dedicated mothers. I always thought a laird’s wife had a nurse to tend to her weans and a wet-nurse for her babes.”

  “Aye, it is common practice, but not in our home. Both Fallon and I feel very strongly about raising our own bairns, having them know both their parents equally, never questioning if they are loved and cherished. Something I never knew as a bairn and Fallon lost at a very young age.”

  “I’m sorry, Cailin. I may not have grown up wealthy, but always knew my parents loved me. In fact, that is another reason I must go home. I had a vivid dream last night in which my mother kept calling out to me. I need to go to her. Before it is too late.” Arya hung her head, then wiped away a stray tear with the heel of her hand.

  “This has all been very difficult for you.” Cailin placed her hand on Arya’s shoulder and squeezed. “But you must know that if you go home before Connor returns, you run the risk of being captured by the Campbell.”

  “As I told Fallon, last night, I havena forgotten, but it doesna change the fact my mother needs me. I should never have left her to begin with.”

  “Did you not ask someone to stay with your mam? Alasdair said your young man offered to protect her and to let you know if her illness worsened.”

  “I dinna have a man in my life. Garrett is my friend.” Arya hesitated, cursing the heat that rose in her cheeks whenever she spoke his name, the warm tingle in the pit of her stomach and beyond.

  “Alasdair told us there was more than friendship. A betrothal perhaps?” Cailin asked, smiling. “There is no shame in admitting you fancy the man.”

  “Alasdair is mistaken. We are not betrothed, and I fancy no one. Certainly not an arrogant, overbearing man who wishes to own me,” Arya replied, a little more harshly than she intended.

  “Is he handsome?” Cailin asked, then chuckled.

  “Aye, but what has that got to do with anything?”

  “Nothing really, but it does help if you find your mate attractive.” Cailin lowered her voice to a whisper. “Is he a good lover?”

  Arya shook her head, shocked by Cailin’s bold question. “I wouldna know. We have never been intimate, aside from a few shared kisses.”

  Cailin grasped Arya’s hand and patted it. “No wonder you are so against having a man in your life. Once you’ve known the pleasure of joining, you may change your mind.”

  “I have no intention of—” Arya began, but was interrupted when Fallon burst into the chamber.

  “They’re gone! I have searched everywhere and I canna find them,” Fallon cried out, then buried her face in her hands.

  “Canna find who?” Cailin grasped Fallon by the shoulders and gave her a shake. “Tell me who is missing.”

  Fallon peered up at her sister-by-marriage through tear-fringed eyes. “Leslie and Elise. They are not in the castle and I fear a rival clan may have taken them, or perhaps they have wandered off and gotten lost. It wouldna be the first time the daughter of a laird was taken as they sleep and held for ransom, or worse.”

  “Elise and Leslie were in the great hall to break their fast this morning. Along with their brothers.” Cailin said. “They canna have gone far. Perhaps they are playing a game. Hiding and waiting for you to find them,” Have you told Bryce they are missing?”

  “Aye, and he will have both their hides tanned if he finds out if this is a jest. But my gut tells me this isna a game. They are in danger, Cailin. I feel it here.” Fallon thumped her fist against her chest.

  Bryce stormed into the room with several of his men in tow. “Have you located them?” he asked, eyes wild.

  Cailin wrung her hands. “Nay. But they were here first thing this morning. They ate their meal with the rest of the clan, then said they were going outside to play with Andrew and Keenan. I told them not to venture far.”

  Bryce turned to one of his men. “Find the lads and bring them to me. Perhaps they can shed some light on this.”

  Arya wanted to ask questions and to help locate the bairns, but she was leaving and decided it was best to leave the clan business to Bryce.

  The man returned, accompanied by the lads, Andrew and Keenan. “Here they are. I found them playing in the great hall.”

  “Have you seen Leslie and Elise?” Bryce asked.

  “Aye,” Andrew answered, “we broke our fast together and then they followed us outside. Keenan and I dinna want them to come, but they never listen. We planned to go into the woods hunting for hares, so told them to stay put at the castle where they belonged.”

  “Did they follow you?” Bryce raked his fingers through his hair.

  “Aye.” Andrew bobbed his head. “They tagged along for a wee bit. But we told them to go back to the castle and leave the hunting to the men of the clan. Elise got angry and wagered she could find a hare
before we could, then she and Leslie ran off into the woods.”

  Bryce pinned Arya with an angry stare. “This is all your doing. Had you not put such foolish notions about women into their heads, they would never have gone off on their own.”

  Fallon squared her shoulders, standing toe-to-toe with her husband. “Dinna blame Arya for this. She did nothing wrong. If anyone is to blame, you are. After spouting off last night about how women were not able to do the things men could do, it is no wonder they were confused. If anything happened to Elise, it is on your head, not your sister’s.”

  Cailin stepped forward. “This is not the time to lay blame. We must find them and time is wasting. I wish Alasdair were still here, but he left after the evening meal for home. If Connor were here, he’d know what to do.”

  “Standing around debating who is at fault or is best suited to lead a search party is getting you nowhere,” Arya interjected. “The longer you talk about this, the farther from the castle the bairns will stray. Gather as many people as you can find to join in the search. Men, women, and bairns, it doesna matter as long as they can help. I will get a bow and meet you downstairs. I have already saddled my palfrey and am ready to ride. However, if they left on foot, they would not be too far, and horses may be more of a hindrance.”

  “We dinna need your help, Arya,” Bryce snapped. “I am quite capable of finding my daughter and her cousin without advice or interference from a woman.”

  Arya threw her hands up in frustration. “It is that sort of ridiculous logic that got them lost in the first place.”

  “If you wish to stay here and wait with Cailin and Fallon in the event the lasses return, fine. If you wish to leave for your home, that is fine too. But you are not going with us to find them, and that is final. I dinna need another lass lost in the woods.” Bryce turned on his heel and dashed out of the room. His men followed.