Knight's Legacy

by Trenae Sumter

  “Gentle sister. Go to him,” Angus said. Roderic perceived the look given by the brother to be a veiled threat. His suspicions were many, and his inner voice called out a warning. Those in league with Mackay were plotting; he would watch his back. The great hall was filled with his armed men, and if Mackay attacked, he would be dead in an instant.

  Roderic turned to Cat as she came to stand before him. She made a brief, awkward curtsy, then leaned her head back to look at him. Raw hurt glittered in her dark green eyes. She was afraid of him, and it didn’t set well. He was immediately struck with the desire to take her in his arms, to comfort her, and convince her she need not fear him. He noticed the fullness of her mouth had a swollen cut on the corner. Had she been beaten? Was cruelty necessary for her to agree to this marriage? Her father despised him and the King. No doubt she had been told many lies about him. Mackay cared no more for his own daughter’s needs than he did for the rest of the women and children of the clan. Roderic felt a hot, boiling anger at the idea of the huge Scot beating this lovely creature.

  “Leave us,” he ordered. “I wish to speak to the lass alone.”

  “Nay! If ye have the priest here, get it done!” Roderic ignored Mackay and turned to Gavin.

  “Take the Mackay and his men to the next room. The two women may stay.”

  “Aye,” Gavin said.

  They were escorted from the hall at the point of a sword, and Cat sighed as she watched them stomp out of the room. Roderic read a wealth of meaning into her expression of amusement, seeing her father and brother in such a position. Her green eyes sparkled with it, and the beginning of a smile tipped the corners of her mouth. He offered her his hand.

  Her fingers trembled when she placed her small hand in his. He bent down and kissed the back of her knuckles. He didn’t imagine it. A soft trembling gasp escaped her when his lips touched her skin. She enjoyed his touch.

  “Did they hurt you?” His voice was tender. Cat hastily glanced at the older woman standing near before she answered.

  “No, no more than I am accustomed.” There was a gentle softness in her voice, yet it was lyrical. He enjoyed the sound of it. But, her answer did little to quiet his discontent.

  “Do not fear me, Brianna. I will never hurt you.” He could see in the depths of her green eyes that although she wanted to trust him, she did not. He would give her time. He squeezed her hand gently. Far from being soft as a lady’s should be, her hand was ridged with calluses. Roderic found even more evidence that condemned the Mackay men. She had worked very hard.

  “Tell me if you do not want this marriage,” he said.

  Her expression was cynical as she raised a brow.

  “Does it really matter what I want?”

  Roderic knew the question was not all bluster. A woman had little say in these matters. “The King wants your happiness, as do I,” Roderic said.

  She sighed sharply and glanced away from him. “It would make me very happy to have my sword back!”

  Roderic frowned inquiringly, shocked by her request. “Your sword?”

  The older woman Edna, shook her head and made warning gestures from where she stood. Cat ignored her.

  “Yes! My brother took it from me. I would like to have it back.”

  Roderic read the challenge in her gaze.

  “And do you know how to use your sword?” A gentle amusement lurked in the depths of his brown eyes. He made her angry, and her voice was clipped when she answered.

  “I do, sir.”

  He brought her hand up and kissed her fingertips.

  “Then you shall have it. It will be returned to you.”

  She pulled her hand back abruptly, and Roderic smiled. He could see it was not her anger that rattled her composure; it was the shiver of pleasure she felt. She was unaccustomed to the passion that had flared between them from their first glance, and Roderic found himself pleased.

  He wanted her. He wanted to kiss her until she begged him to take her, and longed to taste and suck her soft breasts so full under the green gown. Roderic could imagine the feel of her silken thighs around his waist as he plunged inside her. All this she stirred in him, all because of a simple kiss of her hand. Never having been so aroused at once by a woman, he was intrigued. All the favors she could have asked of him, and she asked for a weapon.

  “So, you will marry me?”

  She glanced about briefly as if the keep were on fire and she was trying to decide which way to flee. “Brianna.” His voice was compelling. “I … will,” she said.

  Roderic had a hearty dislike for the reluctance with which she answered, but he overruled his bruised vanity as unworthy of his concern. It was crucial to see to her safety, and the way to do so was to get the marriage over and done. She would then be under his own protection and no longer subject to her cruel family. Roderic called to Gavin.

  Mackay’s men were brought back into the great hall. Father MacNair came forward and spoke to Cat.

  Roderic took note of the small sword in the unusual leather scabbard that hung from Angus Mackay’s waist.

  “Brianna has told me the sword is hers. Return it to your sister,” Roderic commanded.

  “It be easy to stand so tall and preening with a hundred daggers at my back. Think ye the courage to take it, English? Justly, with no help?”

  Roderic smiled and drew his sword, excited by the prospect.

  “Aye. If you are determined to die, in spite of the King’s clemency, I will oblige you.”

  The men from both sides stepped back to give them room, pushing the women aside. The Scots were anxious to see Angus spill the Englishman’s blood. It would be salve to their wounded pride, being driven from the keep in disgrace. Gavin stood near the women, smiling as if he were beginning a game.

  “You don’t seem worried.” Cat spoke softly to Gavin.

  “Dinnae fash yourself, lass. Roderic could best four of your brother and not be weary.”

  Roderic and Angus crossed swords, and soon it was apparent to all Angus was unmatched. He was unsurpassed in brute strength, but Roderic had more skill. He avoided most of his opponent’s thrusts by his grace and speed.

  Roderic was agile and strong, and Angus began to let his anger overwhelm him. It was a fatal mistake. Roderic caught the muscle of his upper arm with the first wound. It was not deep, but blood streamed down through his shirt. Angus countered with several blows hoping to weaken his enemy, but Roderic parried them and forced him off balance. There was a disgusted sigh from the Mackay’s soldiers when Angus stepped back and left himself vulnerable. Roderic caught his upper thigh with the tip of his sword. The men were aware Angus had been given quarter. Roderic did not press his advantage.

  It ended abruptly. Roderic disarmed Angus with one sweeping stroke that sent his sword flying through the air. Angus dropped to one knee as Roderic held his sword’s point at his throat.

  “No!” Cat cried. “Please … no more.” She appeared ashamed as she stared at the older woman, who was now weeping. She turned to Roderic. “Just let him go. I merely wanted my sword.”

  Angus favored her with an angry glance. He reached down, untied the sword and flung the weapon at Roderic’s feet.

  Calum Mackay was ashamed of his son’s defeat, and his voice held an undertone of cold contempt when he roared out his complaint. “Finish it!”

  Roderic lowered his sword while Angus stood up before him. He glared at Roderic with burning, reproachful eyes.

  “My father is right. Ye should have finished me. Ye will regret it, English. I’ll follow ye to hell to kill ye, now.”

  Gavin came forward and grabbed Angus by the scruff of the neck and hauled him to stand with the others. They were heavily guarded by the soldiers.

  Roderic picked up the small sword and turned to Cat. “Consider it a bride’s gift,” he drawled.

  She was married with it strapped to her belt.

  The priest began the ceremony, and Roderic watched his bride as the priest spoke. Her voice fal
tered only once when she made her vows to him. When it was done, Roderic turned to Cat and bent down to kiss her.

  He planned a quick gentle kiss, and was quite unprepared for the passion that instantly fired his blood when his mouth covered her own. She gave a little whimper, and he found the sound incredibly enticing. She opened her mouth to him, and he tasted her, rubbing his tongue against hers. They heard cheers and laughter from his men, and he pulled away and smiled at her bemused expression. He kissed her again quickly, seeming unable to get enough of her.

  Mackay demanded his clemency, and was given the King’s decree. Edna tended Mackay’s wounds , and when the task was done, Roderic’s men escorted him, his father, and twenty of their men out of the keep. Cat did not so much as glance at her father and brother when they were driven out.

  Roderic left Alec, his second in command, with Brianna, and began giving orders. The keep was to be cleaned, and Edna went to fetch women from the clan to help. When she began working and ordering his soldiers about, her boldness amused Roderic, and he spoke to the old woman briefly.

  “Is there a chamber in this castle that is not in filth and disarray?”

  “Aye. That be the tower room, the one Mackay himself used.”

  “Have it cleaned from bed to floor and make haste. Take my wife there and make her comfortable,” Roderic said. He turned and succeeded in knocking a young lad flat on his back.

  “Kenneth, watch where ye be puttin’ yourself! Dinnae be angry, milord.”

  Roderic looked chagrined, and apologized. “You are the boy that does not speak. I hope I didn’t hurt you.” He put out his arm to the lad.

  Kenneth got a mischievous sparkle in his eye and threw his body into Roderic as if wrestling in jest. Roderic’s voice was deep and warm when he chuckled. He easily countered the boy’s attack by hauling him up around the waist, and held him dangling like a sack of grain. Kenneth smiled, enjoying the game, hanging limp as cloth.

  “He is a gentle lad, milord. He does love to play. Forgive him,” said Edna.

  “Be easy, old woman. He’s done no wrong.” Roderic set the boy on his feet and tousled his hair. “We will follow the Mackay to see them off the clan’s border. You want to go on a short ride with us?”

  The boy’s face filled with joy. “Milord, Kenneth needn’t pester ye so,” Edna pleaded.

  “Be at ease, he will come to no harm. Come, Kenneth, let’s fetch you a horse.”

  Cat sat in a chair in the kitchens while Mary worked to prepare food to take to others who needed it.

  “So, do ye tell him the truth? Tell him ye willnae answer to ‘Brianna’?”

  “I can’t. He wouldn’t believe me. No one will come for me from my clan. It wouldn’t matter if I answered to Brianna Mackay or not.”

  “Edna tells me ye are not mad, but were knocked senseless in the water. Your speech be strange, but Kenneth favors ye. That boy … he has a gift of love in his heart. If ye be trustworthy to him, there be good in ye. I knew that by ye sparin’ Angus just to save Edna’s grief. I seen it in your eyes. Ye dinnae want to cause her pain.”

  “I don’t wish to cause trouble. Edna was good to me, and even Angus didn’t deserve to die for taking my sword.”

  “Sir Montwain be quite smitten with ye. Could it be ye fancy him just a bit?”

  Cat was astounded by the transformation, for when Mary smiled with a beaming sparkle in her eyes, she was pretty. No doubt the many hardships she had suffered induced the pinched, hard expression of fear which was so often present. Cat’s attraction to Roderic had not gone unnoticed by Mary, yet she found no humor in her plight. Cat put her head in her hands, leaned on the table, and sighed.

  “May I speak freely with you, Mary? You will keep my confidence?”

  “Aye, milady.”

  “I don’t know what to do. Edna said she would help me get away, yet …”

  “Get away?” Mary was shocked. “And how did she think to do this with hundreds of Montwain’s soldiers about? Think ye the man willnae see his wife is not in his chamber?”

  Cat was suddenly running her hand through her hair in apprehension.

  “That’s just it. The marriage bed. I can’t do this. How am I going to tell him I’ve never …”

  “If ye think tellin’ your husband ye be innocent will cool his blood, ye be wrong! Men love bein’ the first to lay with a lass. I saw the way he kissed ye. The mon willnae wait to bed ye. Is it the lies wearin’ on your heart?”

  “In part,” Cat admitted. She shook her head. “I had no choice but to marry him. Yet, I should try to make him understand that I’m not Brianna. Mary, someday I’ll have to go back where I came from.”

  “But not now?”

  Cat had searched the castle when she was alone after Roderic left with the others. She had found no clue, no hint of where the portal could be.

  “No, not now. I can’t.”

  “Ye never did answer me. Ye do fancy him?” Mary asked.

  “I’m confused. I can’t describe it. My friends back home would call it ‘falling in lust.’ But, it’s more than that. It’s frightening, Mary. The first time I looked into his eyes, I felt he owned me. Even Samuel never made me feel this way, and I thought I loved him.”

  “Samuel?” Mary said.

  Cat nodded. “He’s someone I knew long ago.”

  “Will he try to come for ye?”

  “No, that isn’t possible,” Cat said.

  “Understanding ye, lass, be like walkin’ through a fog. Did the mon have your father’s promise for your hand?”

  “No, he didn’t want me. I’m sorry, Mary, I know this is confusing. I won’t speak of my home. There’s no point, because I don’t know if I can ever go back there.”

  “Thereupon ye best be Brianna, until the day ye leave us. If Sir Montwain has his way, ye will be a wife to him. If ye fight him, it will change nothing. Men live to fight. I don’t think he would be cruel to ye as many a mon would be. Yet, if ye leave, he will come after ye.”

  Cat said nothing in response. It was not as if she could explain the portal was an escape that would leave no trace and no trail to follow. Her thoughts raced to what she had left behind, her own century, her own life.

  Samuel was twenty years older than Cat, and she had been fascinated with him from the very first class he taught her at UCLA. She had been determined to complete the hours needed for her degree. He had a brilliant mind, and she was attracted to him from the very beginning. Cat had met him the first week she had arrived in LA, incredibly naïve. His brutal honesty had saved her innocence. Samuel used intellectualism as a weapon, making sure she understood their relationship was temporary. The experience had devastated her, and she went back to the ranch in Texas. It was one of the many times in her life she needed her mother. Her father knew she was in pain, but never asked why.

  Howard Terril was a fair man, and she knew he loved her deeply, but there was a part of him that was extremely distant emotionally. His was a world of exhausting work and rough men, a third generation cowman from Texas, and he had worked diligently all his life to care for his family. Cat was determined to give the same effort on the ranch as those who worked for her father, and it was her talent with horses that was instrumental in securing her fist job as a stuntwoman. She studied choreography, then found it easy to combine the two careers. After the disastrous episode with Samuel, Cat had a fear of depending on a man too much. She was intelligent and self-sufficient, but when she fell in love there was a longing to immerse herself in the relationship, having done so with Samuel. Once he made it clear he felt smothered, Cat made every effort to bury that part of her as if it didn’t exist, and she rarely dated. Taking extensive classes in sword fighting and fencing, she worked single-mindedly on her career. Finding an antique cutlasss at a flea market, she began to collect them, and took classes in medieval history to learn more about the weapons.

  Her first job as a stuntwoman was on a television series, and it was there she met David. He offe
red her a job since his company contracted work from film to film, and she got to travel on location. She would miss her job, and although the movie work took her away from home, she seldom saw Howard when she was at the ranch. He was much too busy, and she was strangely bereft at the realization that she rarely had a conversation of any length with her father. The closeness, the connection, the feeling that she belonged, did not exist, neither with Howard, nor Samuel.

  Roderic returned late in the evening, and Edna visited Cat to tell her he would soon come to her.

  “Please forgive me, child. There is no way to sneak you away. There be too many of his soldiers about. I wanted to save your life. The Mackay is a viper! Montwain will care for ye as his wife. He has mercy in his soul. He let Angus go, though he could have done as he pleased. He called me ‘old woman’ as if I were honored, not scorned. He willnae mistreat ye. Does your heart belong to another? Is that why ye be so troubled?”

  There was guilt and compassion in the old woman’s expression.

  “No. There is no one else,” she replied, and let the memory of Samuel go. “Don’t fret, Edna. I will find my own way out of this tangle.”

  Roderic had just finished his bath and was donning his boots when there was a knock at the door. He stomped his foot down into his boot and opened the door to see Mary with a tray of food.

  “Ah, Mary, enter,” he said. She walked swiftly into the room and set the tray down on a small table by the window. She moved back and watched him warily as he sat down to eat.

  Roderic took a drink of ale as she stood silent, wringing her hands. “Fear me not, lady. May ye have peace.”

  “Aye, Sir Roderic,” she said, raising her gaze to his hesitantly.

  “Your child continues to fair well?”

  “Aye, she is no longer hungry, and I thank ye for your forbearance with Kenneth.”

  “How long has it been since the death of his mother?”

  “Kenneth is four and ten summers. Edna decreed that he would stay at the keep when Judith died. Edna runs the keep and saw to Mackay’s comforts, so he dinnae deem the child worthy of courting her displeasure. How I wish she could have stopped his interest in wee Judith ‘afore it became a danger to her.”