Lass' Valor (The Pith Trilogy)

by Griffin, Kara

  “Good Goddess, my vision in the flesh.” Had she said that aloud?

  Brendan threw back his head and laughed. She blushed in her embarrassment. When he ceased laughing, he released her and moved back a step. She would be all right once she got over the shock of seeing him. As she watched him, she tried to see kindness in his eyes, but only saw coldness in them. Several people entered the hall, but none disturbed the two of them surmising each other. The cool color of his eyes bespoke sadness and she almost empathized with him.

  Kate heard voices behind her, but she couldn’t take her eyes from him.

  “Uncle, please don’t let Papa make me sit in his chair.” Bonnie pleaded, coming down the stairs. She tugged on his tartan, and he snapped out of his trance to answer her.

  “Nay, bean-sith, I won’t.”

  Kate moved to sit at the table. Brendan sat across from her and resumed his staring. She stared back. The feeling of serenity overcame her as she stared at her living, breathing vision. Even though his cold gray eyes watched her, all those years of seeing him through her mind overrode his boorish manner. She swore he wouldn’t intimidate her, but he was more menacing now without his war-paint. She wanted to be courageous and appear so to him. Well, she was brave. Hadn’t she saved his niece?

  “You’re taller than most ladies I know, Lady Kate,” he said suddenly.

  She was taller than most ladies, but his comment irritated her. Nay, she certainly wasn’t a dainty lady, well as dainty as some. As if he knew many ladies, she almost snorted at that. He didn’t appear to be the type many ladies would get close enough to, since his frowns probably sent them running. Bonnie had mentioned something about him frowning on their journey.

  Kate didn’t know why she shivered; mayhap it was the icy glare Brendan gave her. She rubbed the chill on her bared arms. Her light-brown gown barely covered her, and showed too much skin. Lady Juliana insisted she wear it, and she even arranged her hair atop her head. But Brendan didn’t appear to notice her appearance, because he continued to scowl. She became bold, watching him, and wanted to smile. She wasn’t one to cower. Courage, she kept reminding herself. She cleared her throat, because it had gone dry. Had she lost her voice, as well as her nerve?

  Julianna entered and saw them engrossed in a staring match. She smiled, and broke the silence. “Brendan, she brought my bairn home, you be nice.”

  “Aye, I am being nice,” was all he said.

  Gil approached the table and sat on the other side of her. He grinned at Brendan, and then let out a bellowing laugh.

  “Well, hell.” Brendan cursed, giving Gil a formidable look.

  Kate heard Lady Julianna laugh.

  “What did you say, Brendan? Did you blaspheme in front of the ladies?” Gil asked.

  “Aye, so I did.” He tapped his finger against his cup. As if he were lordly, the servant hurried to refill his cup. His manner struck a chord of admiration in her, mayhap he could be considered highborn if he didn’t look so mean.

  “He said, well, hell,” Bonnie repeated happily. “Well, hell, he swore, Mama.”

  Everyone ignored her, and Julianna didn’t seem to have the heart to reprimand her when she’d only returned from her mysterious disappearance. Instead, she asked, “Did the men leave yet to get Colin?”

  “Aye, they left right off, taking the news to Colin in Londontown. I told Burk that Colin would be arriving home soon for good. I expect he should be here within a day or so.”

  “Good, I hope he—”

  “Julianna,” a man shouted, as he walked into the hall. Walt stood beside him, and they stopped upon seeing everyone at the table.

  Julianna stood, holding her daughter in her arms. “Colin, I’m so glad you’re home, Brendan found Bonnie.”

  The man drew a deep rasping breath. He looked at Julianna, and in a sprint, he ran across the hall and took Bonnie into his arms. He squeezed her tightly against his chest, and his throat grew thick as he uttered her name. One arm held her, and the other moved to caress her hair, arms, and legs.

  “I’m home, Papa.”

  The man appeared shaken to see Bonnie alive. He smelled her hair. His daughter held onto him, crying, and soaking his tunic. Everyone began talking at once. Colin held up his hand for silence. He looked as though he just wanted to hold his daughter for now. Kate thought he might start weeping like a woman, because his eyes grew misty, and he kept swinging Bonnie in his arms.

  Kate watched Colin MacKinnon’s reunion with his daughter with a heavy heart. Colin was a handsome man, his hair was lighter than his brother’s, and his eyes were green, unlike the gray ones that seared her, even now. She chanced a look at Brendan, and saw him turn to watch his brother. He remained expressionless with his standoffish manner.

  “Papa, I’m sorry that I didn’t—”

  “Nay, shhh, lass. I love ye, Button, and missed ye. Are you all right, unharmed?” Colin whispered against her ear, but the hall had grown silent and everyone could hear him.

  “Aye, Papa, I’m well ‘cause Kate saved me. She brung me home.” Bonnie placed her hand on his face, turning it to look at her. Colin searched his wife’s face for an explanation. “Papa, don’t make me and Kate sit in your chair.”

  “Nay, lass, I wouldn’t make you or Kate sit in my chair. Why would I do that?” Colin’s shock must have addled him because he suddenly seemed to want to laugh at her request. “Did I hear you correctly? My Button is home safe and sound, alive and well, and yet you’re concerned about having to sit in my chair?”

  “‘Cause me and Kate, we were bad lassies, Papa. We did bad things to um, the lady—”

  “Nay, you’re never bad, Button. Now, who is Kate?”

  They spoke in Gaelic, and though Kate didn’t understand them, she heard her name. Her heart lightened, seeing father and daughter hugging and whispering closely. Their closeness made her miss her own father and her eyes dampened with tears. She wanted to bawl, but she fought to keep her lips from trembling.

  “That’s Kate.” Bonnie pointed at her.

  “Kate, I’m Laird MacKinnon. You’ve my thanks for returning my daughter.” Colin’s voice was deep and rolled with a heavy accent, yet it cracked with emotion that snuck into his gratitude.

  Kate blushed, shaking her head. “That is not necessary, Laird MacKinnon, we should all look out for the children.”

  “You’re right about that.” He placed Bonnie back on her mother’s lap, and then kissed his wife. “I’ve missed ye. Are you well? Kevin?”

  “Aye, we’re all well, now.” She smiled.

  “It’s good to be home. We need to send word to Henry. He was very depressed when I left him and blames himself.”

  “Aye, I’ll take care of it and send him a missive. Brendan sent men to let you know Bonnie has returned days ago, you must have missed them,” Julianna said.

  “I was on my way home for a visit when I ran into them, and they told me about Bonnie.” Colin looked at his brother and Gil. Brendan scowled at him and Gil had a fat smile placed on his face. He glanced back at Kate, and she heard him whisper to his wife. “The woman’s beauty must be causing problems. I’ll give up my plaid for a month in a wager that these bucks are taken with her.”

  Lady Julianna nodded at him. Kate blushed, but didn’t know what he said in the unknown language. No one in the room spoke, and everyone looked at her, even Colin MacKinnon. Kate grew abashed at their attention. Bonnie took pity on her, the sweet child, drawing their notice when she began talking.

  “Papa.” She tugged on his tunic. “I was too a bad lass. I left the tent ‘cause I wanted to see the stick men. I looked for ye and Mama, och a man picked me up. I tried to scream, even though I wasn’t supposed to. I remembered, you told me no more screaming.”

  Colin’s look became appalled as she recited the happening. He retook her in his arms, waiting for her to continue, and petted her head.

  “But I tried to scream anyway. The mean man put me on a horse and ridded away. He took me to his
home and his wife was mean too. She didn’t like me ‘cause I was Scots, and she spanked me ‘cause I wouldn’t eat. I didn’t eat it ‘cause I was a scairt. I’m sorry, Papa.”

  No one spoke or moved during the girl’s reminiscing. She continued with the retelling after sighing. “I was there for a longed time afore Kate came. She heard me crying and came in my room. She became the ward of the man that took me, and she brung her cat to me. She told me I could hold it and pet it. Kate said Trixie was good at keeping secrets. And, you know what?”

  “Nay, what, Button?” Colin’s voice shook.

  “She was aright, ‘cause she didn’t tell anyone my secrets. Kate took care of me. She’s good, Papa, och the lady, she was mean. But Kate and me, we got back at her. Papa, I’m sorry I was a bad lass and did those things to the lady.”

  “What did ye do, Button?”

  “Oh, no one wants to hear about that, Bonnie.” Kate tried to get her to stop talking by shaking her head, and hoping she wouldn’t continue. Of course the girl’s admissions were spoken in English for all to hear.

  “I want to hear it. Bonnie?” His face immediately expressed that, you’d-better-do-as-I-say look. Unfortunately, Bonnie complied.

  “We put all kinds of insects in the lady’s bed. Kate said I was the best insect catcher. You know why? ‘Cause I catched the biggest insects. Then Kate poured her basin water on the lady’s head. Her hair looked pitiful, at least that’s what Kate said. Then we put powder in the lady’s porridge and it gave her pains, but we weren’t finished, were we, Kate?”

  Kate was mortified, and couldn’t believe Bonnie told them all the things they had done. “Nay, Bonnie, we weren’t.” Remarkably, she sounded proud.

  “We catched fifteen toads and put ‘em in the lady’s ale barrel. That was fun ‘cause the toads were hard to catch and were slimy, right Kate?”

  Kate nodded.

  Colin, Julianna, Brendan, Gil, and Walter, roared with laughter.

  “Lass, you weren’t bad at all, the lady deserved it.”

  “Papa, that’s not all. Then Kate put the leaves on the lady’s chair, and she got a rash all over. We laughed ‘cause she itched and looked pitiful, just pitiful.” Bonnie scrunched her face.

  Colin turned to Kate. “Our clan owes you a great debt for brining our daughter home.” He returned Bonnie to her mama.

  “Nay, truly, Laird MacKinnon, I just wanted to get her home safely. Now that she’s here, I can be on my way. It was a pleasure meeting you all.” Kate rose to take her leave, she didn’t know why, but she felt she had to get out of there.

  “Not yet, I need to know who took her,” Colin said low.

  She stiffened at his hard words. “I’m uh … sorry I can’t … I can’t recall his name. You see, I’m terrible with names and um … I shall send word if I recall. I really must be leaving.” Kate stepped around her chair and walked to the door. When she reached it, Brendan MacKinnon stood in the center of it. How had he gotten there so quickly? And she hadn’t even noticed he move from his seat.

  “Katie, sit back down.” Brendan spoke low so only she could hear.

  She colored at the way he’d said her name. “I must leave, sir, please … move out of my way.” She began to panic, because they weren’t going to let her leave. Her chest tightened, and she didn’t know what to do.

  “How far do ye think you’re going to get, lass? You have no horse and no escort. Are you planning to walk back to England? You’ll likely get lost.” Brendan’s snide voice stiffened her spine.

  She hadn’t anywhere to go and the likelihood of reaching Henry was slim, especially if she had no way of traveling or no knowledge of where she was headed. A sob tore from her mouth and she wanted to cry. She felt a rush of dizziness wash over her.

  “You’re not leaving, come back to the table. You look as though you’ll fall to the floor.” He took her arm, and seemed surprised when he didn’t have to drag her back.

  “Lady Kaitlin, please, you must stay here. You have just traveled a great length. At least rest yourself for a time before you return to England.” Julianna kept her eyes on Kate until she nodded her agreement.

  Kate retook her seat, trying to maintain dignity. “Laird MacKinnon, I would appreciate the rest and you are right, the travel will be great. I should take time before returning, but I must return and to King Henry and relay… I need to get myself settled, because I can’t go back to Lord …” She stumbled over her words, muddling her explanation badly.

  “I would be happy to send a missive to King Henry for you, Lady Kaitlin. I’m sure he would be honored to help you.” Julianna looked at her husband. “Colin will have someone take it to him, when we sent the news of Bonnie’s return.”

  “Where was Bonnie taken?” Colin asked hotly.

  “I’m terrible with directions. Why, I’m certain it took us many more days to get here because of my bad sense of direction. I can’t tell you where or who, I’m sorry.”

  “Our clan must repay the bastard for what he caused our family. You must tell me who he is and why he took my daughter.” Colin shouted and slammed the table with his fist.

  “Colin, please don’t yell at Lady Stanhope. If she says that she doesn’t know the name or the direction, you shouldn’t press her.” Julianna touched her husband’s arm to soothe him.

  Something strange happened then, because Colin’s demeanor completely changed. He looked at her oddly then he began laughing as though he’d gone addled. He hastily wiped his eyes, from laughing so hard. She didn’t know what had come over him.

  “Laird MacKinnon, I don’t know why he did it. I’m sorry, I can’t tell you who he is because I have to … If you don’t want me to stay, I shall be on my way.” She tried to leave again by rising, but felt Brendan’s hand on her shoulder. She turned and gave him a get-your-hands-off-me look, but he returned his attention to Colin. He squeezed her shoulder firmly and forced her to sit back down.

  “Lady Kaitlin, I apologize for yelling. Please stay, you are welcome here. Julianna will set you up in a cottage. Stay as long as you like. Also, I would like you to call us by our given names. My name is Colin and my wife is Julianna.”

  “Oh, thank you, Conner. I’m so happy you’re letting me stay.”

  Colin ground his teeth. “It’s Colin, lass, not Conner.”

  “Forget it, Colin, it won’t do any good,” Gil told him.

  “What do ye mean?”

  Gil grinned. “I’ll tell you later.”

  Kate looked at him skeptically, wondering if he knew her game.

  “Julianna, we’re in for a celebration. We’ll make it for two days from now. Will that give you enough time to prepare?” Colin motioned to her for Bonnie, but Julianna wouldn’t let her go.

  “Aye, but will you send word to Steven and Sara? They’ll want to come.” Julianna leaned toward her. “Kate, Sara, my closest friend, is married to Laird KirkConnell, whose land borders ours.”

  “Aye, get Kate settled. Let me have Bonnie for awhile, I want to hold her.” Colin took his daughter from his wife.

  Julianna motioned to her to follow, but Kate held Brendan’s eyes for a moment before nodding, and leaving. She could feel him watching her when she walked through the doorway. She definitely didn’t want to be attracted to him.

  Chapter Eight

  Bonnie settled on Colin’s lap, seemingly asleep. Colin rejoiced at his daughter’s return, and now that she was safely home, he would make certain she stayed there. His family was once again together, which he hadn’t believed would ever happen. He’d thought he lost his wee Button forever. When his men told him that Brendan had found her and that she was home, he couldn’t believe the news. When he walked in and saw her, he didn’t know how to react. Fortune assuredly befell on their clan.

  He smiled smugly, watching Brendan, and contemplated how he’d break the news to him. When he heard Julianna speak Kate’s full name, he realized who she was. Before he’d left London, Henry had told him he’d settled the i
ssue over Julianna’s land and decided to gift it to Angus Barclay, now betrothed to Kaitlin Stanhope. Henry wanted the Barclays to cease their raids on the borderlands, and decided maybe if they had land of their own, they would heed his warning.

  Colin was sure this news would cause his brother’s ire, but perhaps not.

  “She’s something, is she not?” Gil waited for the ladies to leave before making that comment.

  “Aye, she’s very bonny.” Colin whistled. “But you didn’t notice that, did ye?”

  The men laughed.

  “If I were a younger man,” Walt said, smiling.

  “She drove me daft on the way here. Brendan found her at the crossing, near the Gordons’ holding. They were ragged. She’s bad with names and called me Gerald, George, and God knows what else along the way. ‘Tis likely she doesn’t know the name of the man she was warded to.”

  “I see that you couldn’t handle one wee woman.” Colin laughed.

  “Damned if we didn’t try. The lass was not impressed with me, because she gave Brendan a look see and hasn’t looked at me since. You should have seen him—”

  Brendan cut him short. “She held my look longer than any other lass. She’s got guts, you know how the ladies’ run—”

  “Aye, Brendan, we know,” Walt said.

  “I deem Brendan’s been doing a little running himself, but that’s about to come to an end. Is it not?” Colin couldn’t help baiting his brother. Hell, before Brendan could walk he’d teased him. Now, however, the teasing was going to aid him in gaining Brendan’s agreement.

  “What are you talking about, Colin? Just what am I running from?” Brendan sat back and folded his arms over his chest. Though he appeared relaxed, he had that rigidness about him that Colin knew well.

  “I have news from Londontown and from Henry.”

  “Oh? What does the king have to say?”

  Colin grinned at his brother’s surliness. If there was one person whom Brendan didn’t get along with, it was King Henry, not that his brother got along with many. Brendan could often be found fighting with men at whatever keep they visited. Yet he and Henry had somewhat of a rivalry, the two of them harassed each other when Henry had come for a visit. Although, now that Colin thought about it, Brendan and Henry seemed to respect each others talents. Henry was known for being diplomatic and entertaining, and Brendan was known for his fighting skills and perseverance.