Kara Griffin - The Pith Trilogy

by Warrior's Pledge

  Julianna didn’t know what to say. “Uh … she’s well.”

  “I wasn’t happy having to await our wedding because of your ailing aunt, but I’ll tell ye; I’m pleased you’ll be my wife.”

  Julianna assessed him. His face was filled with holes, he was slight, dark-haired, and weak chinned. She wanted to laugh, him being so feeble. Now that she saw him, she was glad she’d run away. Perhaps she’d pretend to marry him, and once on their way, she could escape. She felt the dagger in her seam. Aye, it would be easier than scaling the manor’s wall.

  “I shall see you in the hall. Don’t make me wait, Lady. I’ve waited long enough,” Lord Devlin said over his shoulder.

  “Aye, my lord, I look forward to our wedding,” Julianna replied, curtseying.

  Tess gave a look of confusion. “Why did ye tell him you would marry him?”

  “I am going to marry him.”

  “But you’re married to Laird MacKinnon.”

  “Devlin doesn’t know that. Once we are on our way, we’ll escape. I do believe we can take him. He didn’t bring men with him. We shall travel alone with him.”

  “Oh, I see, it shouldn’t be too difficult. We should bring the ropes we made, tie him and leave him in the wood,” Tess suggested, laughing.

  “Put them in this satchel. I’ll go now so we can leave.”

  Julianna went to the hall where a priest awaited. She was surprised to find a man of God because of the edict imposed by Rome. It had been lifted, but not many clergy had returned yet. The ceremony was quick; Lord Devlin told the priest to skip the mass because he wasn’t a religious type. When the priest told him he could kiss the bride, Julianna thought she’d be ill. He gave her a peck—thank goodness, he didn’t maul her. After the brief ceremony, he gave her a minute to say farewell to her father.

  “You won’t endure his company long. You shall be back in my care soon,” her father whispered.

  She wondered what he meant by that, but decided not to ask. Her sister’s whereabouts concerned her, and she hoped to find out where she’d been taken.

  “Where is Laila?” Julianna asked.

  “My daughter is none of your concern,” her father said as he left.

  When she was safe, she’d find Laila. They started for a keep that Lord Devlin told her was the prize of her dowry. As they rode along, Julianna noticed the tree’s stillness, how no wind stirred the dirt on the trail. It was as good a place as any to do the deed and she glanced at Tess. Tess smiled, knowing what they would do, and nodded. Julianna urged her horse next to Lord Devlin’s, throwing her elbow into his side she knocked him off the horse. The man was a weakling, and he tumbled onto the ground.

  “You dare strike me?”

  Julianna jumped from her horse and held her dagger to his throat. He wailed like a baby. Tess came forward and bound him.

  “I’m your husband,” he cried.

  “You’re not my husband. If my husband ever finds you, you’ll be sorry. He’s a Highland warrior who would kill you in an instant.”

  “You lie, you’re married to me.”

  “I wed a laird of Scotland first. You were a fool to believe my father. He was going to kill you to get the lands.”

  “Ye lie. He beseeched me to marry ye.”

  “You fell for his scheme and for what? Land? He planned to visit and kill you. I’m sorry to leave you like this, but in a day or so someone should find you, if you yell loudly enough. Good riddance, Lord Devlin,” Julianna said.

  “You better hide, lady, because when I find ye, I’m going to run the blood from your body. I’ll slit your throat. You’ll be sorry ye did this.” Devlin fumed, rolling on the ground, trying to free himself.

  The day grew darker as the night wore on. Julianna slowed her mount, breathing hard. “I haven’t had that much fun in a long time.”

  “He deserved it. I pity the person who finds him. He’s like to be angry when he’s released.” Tess laughed.

  “I hope we’re at the palace by then. That man is a fiend.”

  “Was it true?” Tess asked. “Did your father really tell ye that he was going to kill him?”

  “Nay, I lied. My father planned something though. He said I’d be back in his care.”

  “I’m glad we got away. ‘Twas a good plan to marry him to escape. What are you going to do? You’re married to two men.”

  “We must get to the king, and it’s going to take longer since we backtracked.”

  “How long will it take?” Tess sighed.

  “Perhaps another day or so.” Julianna nudged her horse into a gallop. One day before she would confront King John. Her hands shook as she flicked the reins. With a calming breath, she knew she had to meet her fate head on. God give her the courage to see it through.

  Chapter Thirty-Eight

  Lord Bentley eluded Colin. He wanted to confront him and send him back to England where he belonged. He would insist the baron give up trying to contact Julianna. That he, being her husband, wouldn’t allow her return, but he’d had no luck in locating him. The clootie must not have stayed in Scotland long.

  He missed Julianna, being off on this useless search. A vision of his keep and how it looked like home came to him. When he returned, it would be for good.

  Colin heard a rustle in the brush, and thinking it was an animal, he paid it no heed. He sat beside a stream, trying to ease his agitation. They’d made camp a short distance away, and he wanted to be alone. Being beside the stream reminded him of Jules. The brush gained his attention again when he saw a man crawl from beneath it.

  Ellic McFie is braver than I thought.

  “MacKinnon, I came because I need to speak to ye in private,” Ellic said.

  “Why?” Colin noted Ellic’s bedraggled look. His enemy looked like a beggar.

  “Hear me out before you grab your sword.”

  “I’m listening,” Colin said.

  “That’s honorable of ye. I’ve come to plead with ye to end the feud.”

  “Go on,” Colin said.

  “I know why ye plagued us these many years, and heard the tales. One said we killed your father, another, that we killed your mother. We’ve done neither.”

  “So you say, McFie,” Colin retorted.

  “I have important information to impart, but I hesitate.”

  “Spit it out, Ellic,” Colin was becoming impatient.

  “One of my clansmen came forward a few weeks ago. He knew I called our people home since we heard you were on the hunt again. Anyway, he told me something you’d find interesting. Said he was asked by my man Claude to go on a raid. This happened years back, the same year your father died.” Ellic’s hands moved as he spoke and he looked anxious.

  Colin silently watched him. Someone asked McFie to raid the MacKinnons?

  He continued after a pause. “My man told me they rode to your land. He heard the man give Claude instructions. They were to kill the MacKinnon, your father. They injured him, raided your keep, and returned home. My man said they’d been paid generously even though they hadn’t killed the laird.” Ellic sighed.

  Colin’s blood boiled. “Who went to Claude?”

  “Walter Ross,” Ellic said.

  “Walter!” Colin shouted.

  “Aye, it was he. My man wouldn’t lie, and he told me he felt it wrong. Claude paid for his crime and is no longer. Walter told them it had to be done whilst he was raiding. That was the year you stole all our crops.”

  “I recall it being too easy. There were no guards posted and I wondered about it at the time.”

  “The men who were supposed to guard the stores were those that did the deed. Walter knew there would be no watch.”

  “Christ almighty! He took my brothers and me so we wouldn’t see our da killed?” Colin shouted.

  “I believe so, MacKinnon.”

  “Why would he do that?”

  “I’ve no knowledge of the whys,” Ellic said.

  Colin tried to abate his ire. He remembered how young h
e and his brother’s had been on that raid.

  “MacKinnon, I ask ye now end the feud. All of my people have suffered, and most left or are getting ready to leave. If I assure them the feud is over they’ll stay. That is why I risked my neck coming to ye. If you kill me, at least my people can live in peace. My clan has done nothing to deserve this. Although we were involved, we didn’t initiate it.”

  “Nay, you didn’t,” Colin said low.

  “You’ll stop raiding us?” Ellic asked.

  “I won’t raid ye. You’ll not be troubled further.”

  Ellic McFie nodded and walked away.

  Walter wouldn’t live to see another night. Colin ran to the camp and jumped on his horse’s back.

  “Where ye off to, Laird?” Benjamin asked.

  “Home. You’ll go to the KirkConnell’s. We can’t let Steven down, not when it’s my fault the English are bearing down on him.” To himself he said, “I’m going to kill a cokenay.” He rode from the camp, riding hard, wanting to confront Walter with questions plaguing him the whole way.

  Colin reached home by early morning, and after jumping off his horse, he strode into the barracks, hoping to find Walter. His angst had lessened slightly, and he decided to give him a chance to explain.

  “Has anyone seen Walter?”

  “He went out yesterday, Laird. Said he was going to meet ye. You must have passed him on the trail.”

  Colin growled in frustration. “Cosh!”

  He went to his horse, mounting in one fluid motion. The men at the guard post by the entrance tried to stop him, but he waved them off. Whatever they’d wanted to tell him had to wait. He rode most of the day, but couldn’t find Walter. He was tired and hungry, mayhap he should return to his holding. Walter had probably headed home. Nay, he wouldn’t have returned home so quickly. The men said he went in search of him, so he had to be there somewhere.

  All these years, he’d believed Walt to be a good man, but now he knew the truth. He’d set the MacKinnons up to kill their own laird. Colin wanted justice, and felt sick to his stomach. When he caught up with Walter, he’d make him pay tenfold.

  He came across a sentry making their round, who’d seen Walter on the rise, toward the border of the McFie’s land. Colin took off in that direction. It was near dusk when he finally spotted the fire, and he advanced without hesitation.

  “Walter,” Colin roared.

  “Laird, how goes it?”

  “How goes it? What do ye want to talk about first? My da’s killing or my ma’s?”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about, lad.”

  “Don’t call me lad, I’m your laird.” Colin drove his fist at Walter’s jaw and knocked him back a step.

  “Damn, why’d you do that?” Walter shouted, rubbing his jaw.

  “You had the McFies kill my da.” Colin yelled.

  Walter hesitated. “How did ye find out?”

  “Never mind how, what I want to know is why?”

  “I hated Donald because he killed your ma. I cared for her and she didn’t deserve his cruelty. What was I supposed to do? Let him get away with killing Maggie? Aye, I arranged to have him killed. I talked Donald into taking you lads on a raid. I paid the McFie men to do it because I couldn’t let my clan be ruled by your devil of a father.”

  “Did he really kill her?” Colin asked, incensed.

  “Aye, I saw it with me own eyes. I wanted to kill Donald then, but I couldn’t, not with you lads about. You were young, and I didn’t want to risk your safety. I had to wait until ye were old enough to be laird.”

  “Why?” Colin restrained himself from becoming emotional.

  “Because I promised your mother that I’d see you become laird.”

  “She cared for us?” Colin asked solemnly. She bore the beatings and waited until I was old enough to become laird for justice. He rubbed his head in agitation. God, he wanted to weep.

  “She loved her children, but your father kept her from you lads. She kept quiet and incurred his wrath. She did it for ye, though you lads never knew.”

  Colin was stunned. “You have to go, Walt. I can’t let you remain, knowing you had the laird killed, regardless of whether it was right or wrong.”

  “I’ve kept my pledge to your ma, but I cannot leave, Colin. I can’t leave my son behind. My son is a MacKinnon. I must ask you not to send me away. I’ll stand down from my post.”

  “Walter, I … What?” Colin felt downhearted. His son, who the hell was his son? Walt was too important to him; he couldn’t send him away, not from his own son, and the clan.

  “Aye, I promised never to let on about him, as your ma asked. She and I were together after she married your da. I don’t want ye to think that she was contemptible. It was your da’s fault; he drove her away. I … loved her. Donald found out about her bairn and killed her for it.” Walt kicked at the dirt forlornly.

  Colin’s mind reeled at his words.

  He remained silent, and Walt continued, “I honored Maggie by keeping my oath. She made me promise not to inflict justice before ye were old enough to become laird, and to make sure our son stayed with his brothers. She knew Donald would kill her. I didn’t. If you send me away, I will take my son.”

  “I cannot hold it against you, Walt. You were only honor bound to avenge my ma. For that, you’ve my thanks. I can’t banish ye, Walt, but you must tell me who your son is. Is it me?”

  Walter shook his head. “Nay, ‘tis like a son to me, you are. Och, your are not my son.”

  “You must tell me,” Colin demanded.

  “I promised your ma that I would never tell a soul.”

  Colin pictured his brother’s faces. “’Tis Brendan.” Walter’s eyes widened at his conjecture. “My eyes are green, like our da’s, and Robin’s are blue like our ma’s. Brendan’s are grey—they’re your eyes.”

  “You cannot tell him,” Walt insisted adamantly.

  “Why the hell not?”

  “You know how he is. He’s severe and he wouldn’t take it well. He’s always been hard on himself, and always tried to best his brothers. If ye tell him, it will destroy him.”

  “’Twould destroy him, Walt. Nay, I won’t tell him.”

  “I couldn’t bear his learning of it, but I couldn’t leave without him. Your ma wouldn’t have wanted me to take him away. I told Maggie that I’d always look after you and your brothers.”

  “Aye, you shall keep looking after us, Walt,” Colin said. He shoved Walt on the shoulder in an affectionate gesture.

  “I’m glad ye finally know all. It’s been tearing at me for years.” Walt resisted his watering eyes.

  “I’m glad I now know what my da did. I’ve wasted years avenging him. Ellic told me ye paid his men kill my da.”

  “Aye, it was the only way, Colin. I had to make sure you and the lads were safe. I didn’t want you there when the raid took place. Mayhap I should have told you the truth.”

  “My poor ma. How did he kill her?”

  “Are you sure ye want to know?”

  “Aye,” Colin said, lowering his head somberly.

  “He strangled Maggie. I entered her chamber when he let go the belt. She was already dead. I was enraged, and we fought. I should have taken her away, but she wouldn’t leave her children.”

  “What a rotten banshee. Ye should have told me, Walt. I would have believed ye. Remember when the clan made me laird? I thought about her, and thought she never cared about us.”

  “She loved ye and was a good woman. Don’t hold it against her for being with me. She deserved happiness. Lord knows, she didn’t get any from him.”

  “I don’t hold it against her. God, I wish we could have saved her from him.”

  “I’ve felt guilt for a long time, not coming to her aid. Are you going to reveal this to your brothers?”

  “Aye, when I can think how to, I will. We must go to Steven’s then I want to go home. I miss Jules.”

  “Seems to me you’re beginning to care for the lass.
”

  “I thought my ma couldn’t give her heart to our da, and I swore I would never give my heart because of it. Now, I’m sure I have,” Colin said.

  “Have what?”

  “Given my heart to Jules.” Colin couldn’t believe he’d said that. He’d keep his promise of not telling Brendan who his father was. His brother was too important to him, and he didn’t want to upset Brendan’s life. His own life took a turn toward peace. He could go home, live with his wife, and be content.

  *****

  Colin and Walt made it to Steven’s as the morning dawned. They sent sentries around the KirkConnell land to survey the English’s coming, the warriors camped in the darkened wood.

  “Where are they, Colin?” Steven asked, disgruntled.

  “Mayhap they’re not coming?”

  “Why would the king say he’d send men and then not? It doesn’t make sense,” Steven said.

  “Mayhap he bluffed. We’ve been sitting here for days. I say we go home and keep watch.”

  “Aye, I’m for that,” Walt said.

  “Why do ye think he sent for her?” Steven asked.

  “I’ve wondered about that. I believe it has to do with Jules’ ma. She deems her da killed her mother at the king’s castle. Mayhap the king wants to see her—after all, her own ma died in his castle. I don’t believe he would hurt her. I don’t know why I think that, but if he didn’t send the regiment, that is the only conclusion I can make.”

  “Sounds reasonable, her king wants to talk to her about her mother. Are ye going to take her?”

  “Hell no, she’s not stepping foot in England for any reason. I won’t have her endangered, I uh ...” An overwhelming emotion came over Colin.

  “What?” Steven prodded.

  “I might care a wee bit for her. I don’t want to have to find another wife.”

  Steven roared with laughter. “Find another? But she found you.”

  “Nay, I found her at your wedding. She snuck out of the keep that night during the meeting.”

  “She did?”

  “Aye, I thought she was a spy for the English, but she went and swam in the pond beyond Richard’s home. She had me enthralled then as she does now.”

  “You met that long ago?” Walt asked.