Lass' Valor (The Pith Trilogy)

by Griffin, Kara

  “You mean Julianna. She’s tending to Kevin and will be down soon.” He smiled, and motioned his daughter back to the table. “Button, you need to finish eating.”

  A ruckus outside drew their attention. Colin stood, ready to go see to it, when Brendan strode in holding her cat by its nape.

  “Katie, I’ll have to ask you not to let your animal loose. The horses are afraid of small critters and Benjamin was unseated by his horse.” Brendan grunted. “He’s darned incensed, too, because it happened in front of most of your soldiers, Colin.”

  Kate frowned because of the way he held her, and she was about to tell not to be so brutish with her cat, when Bonnie tapped her arm.

  “Oh, nay, Kate, Papa’s going to make you sit in his chair,” Bonnie said low.

  “Bonnie, I can’t punish Kate or make her sit in my chair. She’s not my daughter,” Colin explained. “Finish your food.”

  “Oh, Kate, you’re lucky Papa cannot punish you.” Then she turned and asked her father, “Can anyone punish her, Papa?”

  “Nay, Button, not yet, anyway.”

  “Who gets to punish her?”

  “Her husband, when she marries.”

  “Kate, don’t ever get married.” Bonnie expressed her notion in a serious tone, which made her want to laugh at the sweet remark.

  “All right, I won’t.”

  Brendan scowled and dropped Trixie in her lap. He sat next to her and poured ale into a goblet, but he kept glancing at Colin. As usual, he crowded her with his large body. Kate couldn’t help but look at him. He was attractive in his own reticent sort of way. He moved closer, so much so that she could smell his wonderful scent. She closed her eyes and savored the aroma of his earthiness. You’re not attracted to him, remember that.

  “Button, have you recalled the man’s name?”

  Kate gasped when she heard Colin, but she watched Bonnie’s face, hoping she hadn’t remembered.

  “It’s D, we called the lady, Lady D, right, Kate?”

  “Now let me see? What was it? Dennison, Dunston, darned, I can’t recall. I’m sorry, Conway.”

  Colin glanced at his brother. “We’ll wait until you remember. Button, let’s go see your mama.” He got up from his seat and stretched his hand to Bonnie.

  “But I didn’t finish my food yet, Papa.”

  “It’ll be here when we return.” He lifted her from the bench, set her on the floor, and took her hand.

  Kate sat alone at the table with Brendan. His arms crossed over his chest and he leaned back against the chair. Lord, he was a handsome devil. A blush crept up her neck. Brendan seemed to be watching her again, too. At least, she felt pretty this morning, with her hair braided into rolls and pinned upon her head. She continued to eye him, and recalled how his eyes filled with passion when he’d kissed her the night before. When his eyes moved to her mouth, she instinctively licked her lips. Heat coiled inside her and seemed to wind its way to her heart.

  “What are you about today, Katie?”

  Kate was absorbed in her own thoughts and hadn’t heard him.

  He asked again, “What do you want to do this day?”

  “I thought to look around the keep. Why?” Kate listened to his gruff voice, which somehow had softened and almost sounded lyrical. Trixie stood, placing her paws on her shoulder, but Kate settled her back on her lap.

  “Would you like me to show you around?”

  “You don’t have to do that, Bryce. Don’t you have some training to do?” She had made her voice sound curt, and hoped he’d just leave. When he was near, she couldn’t think straight. If only she could keep the fact that she was attracted to him to herself, she might be able to avoid him altogether.

  “Brendan, my name is Brendan.” He sounded somewhat annoyed that she didn’t recall his name. Then she heard him say under his breath, “The lass is out of her mind.”

  She held in her laughter. “Oh, I’m sorry, I’m really terrible with names.”

  “I’ll walk you anyway.” He grabbed her hand, pulling her up from her seat. Trixie jumped from her lap just in time. She placed her hand against his chest to stop herself from falling against him. He was solid, she’d give him that.

  They walked outside and he continued to hold her hand, not that she had the strength to get him to release it. He introduced her to the clans people they passed by, even though she wouldn’t remember their names, he told her anyway. The people greeted her with friendliness and smiles. Most she couldn’t understand, because they spoke to her in Gaelic, but she nodded and returned their smiles. He showed her where she could walk and where she couldn’t. Obviously, she wouldn’t walk on the training field. Did he think her totally without sense?

  Brendan led her away from the courtyard. The farther away from people they walked, the more nervous she became. “Where are we going?”

  “Down to the loch. We can rest beside the water.” He led her through broad-leafed trees that extended to the bank of the loch. They continued walking for several minutes, and he became silent as they stepped under the shaded terrace of trees.

  She didn’t know what to say to him either, so she kept quiet. Once they reached the loch, she was startled by its pristine beauty. Various trees: pines, birch, and oaks, all towered into the sky. Water moved seemingly at its own pace, flowing rapidly in some places, while stilling in others.

  “It’s beautiful here.”

  “It’s not as bonny as you.”

  She swallowed, suddenly feeling shy, being alone with him. Had he just given her a compliment—the scowling warrior? “What?”

  “I said you’re beautiful. I haven’t thanked you for bringing my niece home. You’re a brave lass, you know that?” Brendan pulled her to the embankment, then pushed her down gently and sat next to her. He watched her eyeing the loch, and she had no idea what to say to him.

  “Thank you, Bryce, for saying that, but truly, I’m glad I was able to help Bonnie. It’s very serene here. I feel relaxed and—”

  “Brendan, lass, it’s Brendan, say it.” His eyes narrowed at her gall, and his lips pressed together and looked hard.

  She knew she’d angered him. “Say what?”

  “My name, say my name.”

  “Brendan.” She conceded only because she wasn’t certain what he’d do if she willfully disobeyed him, and not knowing him well enough, she didn’t want to test her lot.

  “Aye, say it again.”

  “Brendan.”

  “Now I know you’ll not forget it again.”

  “Nay, I shan’t.” She smiled at his cranky spirit. Why he got angry over her not knowing his name was beyond her. She considered it for a moment then concentrated on his nearness. Why did he have to sit so close?

  Brendan leaned toward her, and she shimmied back a few inches. He leaned closer, she fell against the grass. He placed his arms on each side of her body, and she couldn’t get away. He didn’t seem to want to talk. Was he going to kiss her senseless again? He moved his mouth above hers, hovering as though he was. When he touched his lips to hers, she tried to move her head away, but his hands stilled her.

  She allowed him one kiss, and returned it with as much passion as she could muster. She whimpered into his mouth at the way he overwhelmed her. It must have edged him on, and he pressed his body against hers, willing her response. Her breasts crushed against his chest, and her body betrayed her. She’d never experienced such passion before.

  Realization struck Kate. She panicked at the erratic feelings that overcame her. Something told her to be afraid and she listened. She jammed her knee between his legs, pushing him off her. She stood up, facing him, with her back to the loch.

  “How dare you? Don’t ever do that again.” She hoped the fury in her voice would make him understand that he’d frightened her and that she didn’t know how to react.

  Brendan groaned, trying to adjust to the pain that she’d just inflicted on him. He sat up slowly. “Lass, ye—”

  “Don’t you lass me, Bren
dan MacKinnon. I’m not a … You can’t maul me and think to—”

  “Lass, you’re going to—”

  “Nay, don’t speak to me. For the love of the Goddess, I’m betrothed and will not do that with the likes of ye.” Kate couldn’t help yelling and pointing her finger at him accusingly. She needed space, lots of space. He’d overpowered her with his overbearing kiss, and his domineering nature. She stepped backwards to do just that.

  Brendan started to rise, but she backed up another step. She didn’t realize she was close to the edge. Before he could reach for her, she lost her footing and fell backward, right into the loch. Kate gasped and sucked in water, and she flailed her arms trying to reach the edge. The weight of her garments pulled at her, making it difficult to keep her head above the water. As she rose above the water line again, she heard him laughing.

  He fell back onto the grass, laughing his arse off, but he stopped abruptly as if he didn’t want anyone to hear him. His pain was obviously forgotten—her reaction to falling must have been beyond hilarious.

  “Katie?” Brendan looked to where she’d falling in, but he couldn’t see her. He called her name a few more times. “Well, hell.”

  He ripped his plaid off his chest and dove into the loch and swam toward the bottom. The loch had to be at least twenty feet or so feet deep. He felt around the murky depths for her gown and grabbed it, then encircled his arm around her waist. He pulled her to the water’s surface, pushing her onto the embankment.

  She lay unmoving, shocked at what had happened to her. A strange numbness came over her, yet she could hear him breathing.

  “Damn, she’s drowned,” he muttered.

  He pulled her arms away from her body, and used his hands to compress her stomach, then her chest. “What the hell should I do?” He started to push on her chest again, when she started to cough from the force he used.

  Kate gasped, trying to fill her lungs with air. She rolled over and spit out the taste of the water. “Eww.” She wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. “Get off me.”

  He stayed right where he was.

  “I saved you. You were drowning. You don’t know how to swim?”

  “Nay, I never learned. I never had to …” She coughed again.

  “Are you all right?”

  “Aye, oh you’re all wet.” Kate groaned when she realized how attractive he looked with his wet hair hanging in his face, and his muscles covered with droplets of water. “Thank you for saving me. I probably would have drowned if you hadn’t jumped in. I do apologize.” Her tone suggested she really was sorry. She hoped he understood.

  “I tried to tell you that you were in danger of falling.”

  “Nay, not about that … for hitting you … there, I apologize if I hurt ye.” Her cheeks burned acknowledging such a thing.

  “Are you blushing because you almost drowned or because you struck me there?” Still leaning over her, his face was but inches from hers. He looked at her in disbelief that she’d apologize for hurting him. Droplets of water from his hair dripped on her breast and he looked at it then returned his gaze to her eyes. She wasn’t sure what the look meant.

  Kate moaned, trying to push him off her.

  “It’s already forgotten, just do me a favor, hmm? Next time you want to strike me, hit me anywhere but there.” He smiled when her cheeks brightened even more.

  Kate giggled. “I am truly sorry, but you made me feel funny. I didn’t like it.”

  “You didn’t?” He sounded incredulous, but couldn’t refrain from being surprised by her comment.

  “Nay.” She looked up at him, her eyes now shining with laughter.

  “You sure as hell will.” Brendan stared into her eyes, making her realize he was serious.

  “I doubt that.” Kate moved her legs and groaned from his weight, she shoved at his chest, trying to make him move. “Will you get off me?”

  Brendan grunted at the way her hands pushed him away. “I never laugh, and here I am laughing for the second time this day. Aye, I’m not sure I like that.”

  She narrowed her eyes at his comment, was his grunt a laugh? Why didn’t he laugh? She supposed it wasn’t something a warrior would do.

  He helped her up, and she shivered from her now soaked garments. He grabbed his plaid from the ground and wrapped it around her.

  “T-thanks,” she muttered between her now chattering teeth. He placed his arm around her shoulder to provide warmth and they walked back to the keep.

  When they entered the hall, Colin and Julianna gasped at the sight of them.

  “What the hell happened to you?” Colin approached them when they strode in.

  They stood in the hall, dripping water on the floor. Brendan stood bare-chested, and Kate had his plaid wrapped around her. What did his brother think happened? Kate tried not to let her teeth chatter from being cold, and she decided to let Brendan give their excuses.

  “Katie fell into the loch.” Brendan gave Kate a gentle look.

  Kate lowered her face so they couldn’t see how embarrassed she was. She did notice Colin looking at his wife, who just smiled at them.

  “Are you all right, Kate?” Julianna asked.

  “Aye, Brendan saved me.”

  “How is it you can remember his name?” Colin placed his arm around Julianna, grinning at Brendan oddly, and he didn’t seem to like it.

  She spoke up. “He made me say it several times so I wouldn’t forget.”

  Colin nodded and moved his eyes to Brendan for a second. “Why didn’t I think of that? How did you fall into the loch, Kate?”

  “I um … lost my footing—”

  “She was upset because I kiss—”

  Kate covered his mouth with her hand. “I lost my footing, Brendan, that’s all.”

  Colin and Julianna laughed.

  Brendan took her hand away from his mouth and kissed the delicate skin on her palm before he released her. She felt strangely aware of the looks his brother and sister-in-law gave her.

  “I would gladly stay and torment you further, Kate, but I need to change.” Brendan gave his brother a glance before leaving.

  “I better change, too.” Kate picked up Trixie and followed him out.

  “Did you see that?” Colin asked Julianna after they left.

  “Aye, his eyes shined as if he was going to laugh. Will wonders never cease? I believe she was sent to us for other reasons, other than bringing Bonnie home.”

  “Aye, it seems so. My brother doesn’t know how to react to her.” Colin had seen the edges of his brother’s mouth move. Had his brother smiled? Well, hell, the lass affected him. He chuckled, knowing his brother was taken with her. The woman’s betrothal to Barclay was definitely off as far as Brendan was concerned. Now all he had to do was make Brendan realize his good fortune.

  Colin recalled a time when his brothers provoked him, and he became entangled with Julianna. Though, now he was happy about it, at the time it had caused much contention. He knew his brother must have the same reservations he’d had. Their parents’ misguided relationship certainly had deluded them, but with each others help, they would prevail. Brendan never opened himself to anyone. The one and only time he had, he’d only done it to save Colin from losing Julianna. Still, Colin decided he would need his help. After all, what were brothers for?

  Chapter Ten

  Kate returned to her cottage and changed her clothing. She had forgotten that she promised to help Julianna with the planning of the celebration, and she hurried back to the keep. Trixie trailed behind her with her fluffy fur waving in the breeze. Julianna was directing a few women in the hall when she entered. For the rest of the afternoon, she helped clean and prepare food. They worked hard, scrubbing the floors and tables, not that they appeared to need cleaning. Julianna insisted her hall be spotless for the celebration, it was a habit she’d learned from her aunty, she’d said. Later that day, they stood by the hearth.

  “It’s much cleaner and smells good. Thank you for helping, Ka
te.”

  “It does smell good in here.” She set a broom next to the hearth and waited while Julianna finished her chore of cleaning the cinders from the threshold.

  “It won’t for long, not with those warriors spilling ale on my floor this night.”

  Kate laughed at her remark.

  “So what do you think of Brendan?”

  “Brendan, oh, he’s nice, I suppose,” Kate said absently. She wasn’t paying attention to what Julianna had said and realized what she’d asked a moment later.

  Julianna burst out laughing. “He’s been called many things, Kate, nice wasn’t ever mentioned. I’ll let you in a wee secret, he has a big heart, and rarely shows it, but it’s there all the same. You won’t break it, will you?”

  “Break it? I have no intention of trying to capture that warrior’s heart. Why ever would I do that?” Kate stepped away from the hearth, and avoided looking at her new friend.

  “He’s never acted so strangely before. I think he’s enamored of you.”

  “He is not attracted to me and I’ll not let him close again.”

  “Kate, you will not have a choice. If a MacKinnon wants you, he’ll have you.” Though she thought Julianna was jesting with her, she looked quite serious.

  “I don’t want to be taken or anything of the sort. I just want to return to England and see the king so I can show him the…”

  “Colin sent off my missive to King Henry and I made sure to mention your wish for his counsel. Why do you want to see Henry? Show him what? You mentioned that you wanted to tell him about your guardian. I get the feeling there’s more you’re not telling.”

  Colin and Brendan walked in and stood behind them, neither made a sound and listened attentively.

  Kate had her back to them and hadn’t seen them enter. She didn’t think it would hurt to tell Julianna a few details, but she knew sooner or later she’d have to return home. Regardless of whether she was attracted to Brendan MacKinnon, she had to think of her father and her people. There was no sense in letting her feelings for the scowling warrior interfere with her plan. Even if she could get the king to put aside her betrothal, Brendan wouldn’t leave is homeland. She couldn’t imagine him living in England, running her father’s lands, and befriending their crofters. When she returned to Henry, she would continue with her plan and secure her father’s holdings.