Lass' Valor (The Pith Trilogy)

by Griffin, Kara

  “My father’s lands lay unprotected. The king has arranged an acceptable marriage for me and I must return.”

  “Do you know whom you’re to marry?”

  “Nay, but I am certain the king would marry me well. I shall ask him to arrange my marriage at the soonest so I will not have to return to my guardian. I will wish to speak to him about my father’s death.”

  “So you are wanting to marry?”

  “Aye, I need protection from … my guardian. I do have lands, and my husband will gain wealth, at least, I think he will. Lord Aldwyn de Guylet, my father’s overlord, all but said my husband would take over my father’s lands.”

  “What about your guardian?”

  “Aldwyn made him my guardian until he returns from the holy lands.”

  Julianna touched her shoulder affectionately. “Why did you not ask your guardian to contact the king and arrange for an immediate counsel?”

  “I was going to, but I seriously doubt he would have done so.”

  “Why do you say that? Did he tell you so?”

  Kate shook her head. “Because the night Bonnie and I escaped, he came to my room and told me to submit to him, that he was going to marry me himself. He said he would have my overlord tell King Henry that my betrothal was unacceptable. He uncovered himself and attacked me, but I hit him over the head with a book to get him off me. I had to tie him up to make my escape.”

  “That’s just awful. My poor bairn was held by such a monster. You don’t know why he had taken her?” Julianna’s expression turned to dismay.

  “Nay, I don’t. He didn’t say anything to me about Bonnie that night, only that he would have her brought to witness my downfall if I did not submit to him.”

  Brendan and Colin shared a heated look before returning their eyes to her.

  Kate began shaking from reliving that night. “That’s when I knew I had to get Bonnie to safety. If anything happened to me, her chances of returning were naught. We ran a mile or so before we made it to the horse. I arranged ownership of the horse that day because I planned to leave the next day. I carried Bonnie, and kept running until I reached the horse. I was so glad to get away from there.” She lowered her gaze and felt her cheeks heat with embarrassment.

  “What happened then?”

  “We rode for days. I had no idea where I was going, and traveled north hoping to find my way to Scotland. I couldn’t go to Londontown to see the king, because I would have had to pass by my guardian’s keep and I didn’t want to risk Bonnie’s safety and possibly being caught.”

  Julianna’s hand moved down Kate’s arm to her hand. She clasped it and gave her a reassuring squeeze. “So you rode into the night not knowing where you were going?”

  “I had to. Bonnie is an amazing child, you should be proud of her. She built a fire, and hunted a hare. She even showed me how to fish.” Kate’s tears streamed down her face. Why now, had her tears chosen to fall? She didn’t want to cry, but she couldn’t help it.

  Colin stepped around Kate and hugged her, not too gently either. “Aye, we are proud of her. Thank you, Kate, you saved our daughter. I don’t know what to say.” He stepped away from her, took his wife’s hand, and led her out of the room.

  Brendan looked taken aback by her confession, and he just stood there staring at her as if he was in shock. Kate considered kicking him to bring him out of his state, but she wouldn’t do anything so unladylike. He seemed to snap out of it a moment later. He took her hand and pulled her to the bench, where he set her on his lap. She continued to bawl in undignified sobs.

  “Don’t cry, Katie. I don’t like it.”

  Of all the harebrained things he could say, his words made her weep even more. He hugged her to him, and she let him comfort her. It felt good to be held and she wouldn’t release him. She cried, soaking his tunic, and when she’d calmed, she laid her head on his shoulder. He readjusted her on his lap, and tilted her face to look at him.

  “Katie, he’s the knave of a bastard. You’ve done so much for us, let me help you. You saved my niece, och I could never repay you for that. Give me the name of the guardian, and I’ll make him pay for causing you such pain.”

  “I cannot. I must get myself settled first. I have to see the king, it’s the only way I can … If you kill Lord … the king won’t—”

  “Tell me, Katie, be honest.” Brendan looked into her eyes, willing her to continue.

  “Are you done wooing Kate, yet, Uncle Brendan?” Bonnie came skipping down the stairs, and stopped at the bottom.

  They looked up to see her watching them. She held her plaid bunched in her arms, the edge touched the floor.

  “What, lass?”

  “Are you done wooing Kate? That’s what you told Papa. You said you would woo her to get the man’s name. Remember?”

  Kate hastily retreated from Brendan’s lap. She slapped his face with as much might as she could muster. She ran from hall and kept running until she reached her cottage. The door slammed behind her and she ran to her bed. She looked around for Trixie and realized she’d left her up at the keep. Trixie always soothed her, and she needed her friend’s comfort right now. Her anger made her feel like screaming to the rafters. How dare he use her so? She thought that he was being kind, but all he wanted was Richard’s name. What she needed was the Goddess’ solace. She erected a circle and sat in the center, then began chanting the words needed to evoke the Goddess’ presence.

  At this moment, she was definitely not attracted to Brendan MacKinnon.

  Chapter Eleven

  She appealed even more to him now.

  Kate had courage, and if her beauty wasn’t enough to bring him around, her valor would. Brendan’s cheek burned from her slap and he rubbed his skin in disbelief. He’d stood there with his mouth agape in shock that Kate had struck him again. She didn’t seem the type to become so angry. His niece’s sobs drew his attention, and he realized that he might have upset her with his fierce frown. He immediately changed his expression and walked to Bonnie. She cast her gaze to the floor, knowing how upset he was. Now he had to comfort her, or there would be no living with the lass. Lord knew what she’d do to him. After hearing what she and Kate had done to that lady, he’d be beset with pranks aplenty.

  He picked her up and hugged her. “You weren’t supposed to tell about that.” Brendan sat in Colin’s chair and placed Bonnie on his lap.

  “Is Kate angry with you now?”

  “Aye, she’s very … furious.”

  “I’m sorry, Uncle, I didn’t know I wasn’t supposed to tell. Are ye angry with me?”

  She placed her wee face against his neck and cried. Brendan sighed, mindful that she was contrite. “Nay, fairy, I could never be angry with you. I’ll see you later.” He gave her a kiss on the cheek and set her on the punishment chair, hoping she would stay there. Colin came down the steps, and Brendan waved to him as he strode out the door.

  Colin stopped at the bottom of the steps, watching his daughter curiously. He noticed she sat in the punishment chair, and her sweet face was downcast. She was definitely upset about something.

  “Button, why are you sitting in my chair?”

  “Oh, Papa, I did something bad.” She wept softly.

  “You did? When? You’ve only been down a few minutes. Who told you to sit in my chair?”

  “No one, Papa, I knowed you would make me ‘cause …”

  “What did you do?”

  “I asked Uncle if he was done wooing Kate to get the man’s name.”

  “That is very … bad. What happened?”

  “Kate smacked him. She never gets mad, Papa, even when she saw my hurt back, she didn’t yell or scream. But I knowed she was mad ‘cause she turned red. She said she was going to get even with the lady for hitting me, that’s why we put insects in the lady’s bed and did those things.”

  “I see.” Colin couldn’t believe what his daughter had told him. He swallowed his ire, closing his eyes at the vision of it. It seemed he owed K
ate more than he realized.

  “Come here, Button.”

  She jumped from the chair and came to him. Colin lifted her, kissing her lightly on her lips, then he couldn’t help it, he hugged her tightly. He was so thankful she wasn’t harmed, and each time he thought about it, he’d tense again.

  “I’m so glad you’re all right. We have Kate to thank for that. She’s a woman of valor. Do you know what that means, Button?”

  Bonnie shook her head. “Nay, Papa, what?”

  “It means she’s courageous and brave.”

  “Is that good, Papa?”

  Colin chuckled. “Aye, it’s very good. I know a way you can make it up to her.” He caressed her hair and gave her a reassuring smile.

  “How, Papa?”

  “There, you see.” He pointed to the cat that lay by the hearth, licking its long fur. “I say you take it to her later. While you’re there, you will tell her you were mistaken. Brendan told me he was going to woo Kate. I asked him to try, try to get the man’s name. Now, tell me what you are going to do?”

  Bonnie repeated word for word, his instructions as she usually did when she had done something wrong. Colin nodded, satisfied that she knew what she must do.

  *****

  Later that night, Brendan walked with Colin and Bonnie to Kate’s cottage. He waited outside and watched Bonnie enter. If this harebrained scheme worked, he would owe Colin a cask of brew, and would have to beg Scottie Gordon, their ally, for it. The Gordon’s produced a drink finer than any other in the Highlands.

  Kate’s anger would delay him in obtaining the man’s name, and he couldn’t have that. He wanted revenge and wanted it now. Brendan paced impatiently along the pathway, waiting for his niece to come out. A few minutes later, she skipped through the doorway.

  “Well?” Brendan waited for her report.

  Colin laughed and picked his daughter up.

  Bonnie smiled at her father. “She said she wasn’t angry with me, Papa.”

  “See, Brendan, I told you it would work. She’s not angry anymore, right Button?”

  “She might still be angry with Uncle, ‘cause Kate said he was the last person that she wanted to see.” She placed her head on Colin’s shoulder and closed her eyes.

  Brendan chuckled. “Aye, it worked all right, I think to the minx’s own benefit. Better get her to bed, Colin. I’ll see you on the morrow.” He waited until they reached the hill before he looked inside the cottage. Once the inside darkened, he knew Kate retired for the night. He would wait a few more minutes before entering.

  What the hell was he going to do? She wanted to marry her betrothed, the damned Barclay, and would ask Henry to arrange it as soon as possible. He wasn’t good at wooing. Mayhap he should talk to Robin. Robin was a ladies’ man before he had married Tess. Brendan decided against talking to Colin or Gil, because they would just tease him. Colin had been able to get Julianna to marry him after she’d run out of the chapel on their wedding day. At least, Colin knew how to handle her. Nay, it was unthinkable, because Colin would tease him unmercifully.

  Lassies always followed Douglas around, but he didn’t have time to ride to his cousin’s land. For the first time in his life, Brendan had no idea how to proceed. Well, hell, he didn’t want her to marry another. She belonged to him. After all, just because the king decreed her betrothal to another, didn’t mean it was set in stone. At first, he couldn’t accept the king’s word about Kate’s betrothal to the Barclay, and now he was certain that it wouldn’t happen. He’d be a fool not to marry her himself.

  Now all he had to do was secure Katie’s agreement. But would she accept her fate?

  The king has arranged an acceptable marriage for me.

  He’d cringed when she had spoken those words. She was right, he was unacceptable, and he’d never be able to convince her to wed him. He needed to talk to Robin and soon.

  Brendan opened the door, quietly entering the cottage. A chill set the air, and she snuggled beneath her covers. The hearth lit the room in a light glow, and he could see her form as he approached the bed. He was careful not to touch her when he slipped beside her, but she slept soundlessly and wasn’t awakened by his movements. His blood simmered being so near to her. He noticed her creamy skin, her little ears and beautiful chin. Then his eyes moved to her breasts. Her breasts were perfect in his opinion, not too large, not too small. He cleared his throat, trying to get a hold of himself.

  Katie shifted on the bed, rolling closer to him, and ended up on her back. He leaned to kiss her softly on the lips, but she grabbed his head with both hands, holding him firmly.

  “What do you think you’re doing, Brendan MacKinnon?”

  “I’m kissing you.” He lowered his mouth, setting it on her soft lips. She weakened when his tongue fondled hers. Her warm mouth sent heat undulating through his body. He moaned at the pleasurable experience of kissing her. Timidly, she moved her tongue against his.

  Brendan was so into kissing her that he hadn’t realized her hands pulled his hair. Was she trying to push him away again? Nay, she pulled him closer. He pressed his body against hers, wanting and needing to be as close as he could get. His hand meandered toward her breast, and he felt the firmness of it under his fingers. He broke off the kiss before it progressed beyond his control. With a raspy breath, he searched her expression for a sign of a truce. He didn’t see one. Her eyes blazed, and he wasn’t certain if it was from anger or excitement. Brendan placed his head on her shoulder, his breath heated her neck and he felt her shiver beneath him.

  “Katie, if we don’t stop right now, I’m not going—”

  She shoved him. “You better leave. I’m sorry, Brendan, for making you want to woo me.”

  “You’re doing more than that, lass.” Brendan kissed her again, but she pushed him away this time. “Are you still angry with me?”

  “Aye.” She declared it with such spirit that he couldn’t help but grunt.

  Briefly, he wondered if he should just tell her that he knew her betrothed and declare his own intention. Nay, he needed more time to figure out a way to convince her that he meant to nullify the king’s decree.

  “I’ll see you on the morrow, fairest Katie.” Brendan left, feeling better about the situation. Only now instead of fearing her wrath, he dreaded the fact that he couldn’t keep his hands off her. He stood outside her cottage and heard her mumbling to herself.

  “You’re messing with fire and you’re going to get burned. Madam Serena was right, the warrior is causing turmoil. Her prophecy came true. I did meet the vision of my dreams because of the child. A child I rescued, who caused me to take a somber mission.”

  Brendan tried to understand her words, but they didn’t make much sense to him. He wondered what she was talking about. Who was Madam Serena, and did she refer to him as the warrior? Had the lady made a prophecy about him? Her words unsettled him, and she continued to mumble to herself.

  “Well, if I have to deal with turmoil, then I will at least cause him some grief.”

  He looked through the window and saw her snuggle contentedly in her bed.

  “I’ll drive him crazed, and I’ll begin at sunup.” She smacked her pillow and settled down to sleep.

  He stood there for a long time, just listening to the quiet of night, thinking about her words. When he finally started off toward the keep, he smiled. So she wanted to drive him crazed, did she? He’d have to wait to see what she planned. If it was anything like what she’d done to that lady, he was sure to have some laughs. One thing he did know, he had to be alert and stay on his toes.

  The next morning, Brendan found himself flat on his arse. He’d gone to the training field early that day, so he could get to the hall early enough to keep an eye on Katie. His training session didn’t go as well as it normally did, mainly because his attention wasn’t focused on his opponent. Nay, his mind wasn’t on his task at all. It was certainly a good thing he’d sparred with a seasoned soldier, instead of an inept beginner. He left soon
after and trotted off toward the hall.

  He stalked her most of the day, not letting her out of his sight. Guilt plagued him throughout the night because she thought he was wooing her for the guardian’s name. What would she say if he told her the truth—that he wooed her because he wanted her? He also felt contrite because the deception hurt her. Before she slapped him, he’d gotten a glimpse of the hurt in her eyes. Once she accepted their fate, he would make it up to her. How, he had no idea.

  She sat across the hall, and he continued to follow her with his eyes.

  “He’s driving me mad, Janice. Can’t you send him from the hall?”

  “Kate, my name is Julianna.”

  “Oh, my apology, Julianna, but if he shan’t leave, then I will. He keeps watching me.”

  Julianna grasped her sleeve. “Stay, I’ll send him on an errand.”

  Brendan wanted to laugh when Julianna approached him and asked him to go on the errand for her, but he nodded. All the same, he decided to give Kate a few minutes of peace. His hearing was beyond exceptional, and he’d heard their every word. He quickly left and went to the stables, where he’d been told Bonnie was. She was where she was supposed to be, helping the wolf hound master with the litter of pups. His promise kept, he intended to stop at Robin’s on the way back. He hesitated in knocking, but Tess opened the door before he could change his mind. She almost fell over seeing him, and seemed awkward, because he stood silent. He willed her to leave, by setting a stern look.

  “I’m going to the keep to see Julianna,” she said.

  Brendan thought she would never leave. He wasn’t one to visit, and felt bad about causing her departure. She smiled, before she closed the door.

  “What are you doing here?”

  Brendan knocked Robin back a step with a shove to his shoulder, their customary greeting. “I stopped by to say hello. Can I not do so?”