“His Majesty will see ye.”
“’Tis about damned time,” Colin yelled.
Kneeling before the king again, Colin glared.
“A little anxious are ye?” the king asked.
“I’d like to be on my way.”
“Your wife went to the Shelmore’s keep. I made her promise to visit after she births her baby. Uh, oh.”
“After she what?” Colin felt like he’d been hit by a boulder.
“I do believe I had a slip of the tongue. You didn’t hear that from me. Give me your oath that you’ll bring her.”
“Why should I bring her for a visit?”
“Because she’s my niece, and I want to keep relations. I’m not sure you deserve her. You’ll bring her for a visit and prove to me you’re worthy of her.”
“For the sake of England … as English as she can be …” Colin’s mind reeled at the comments he’d heard her say. His mind snapped back. “She’s having my bairn?”
“That she is.”
“I have to go.” Colin turned to walk away.
“MacKinnon, before ye take your leave, I’ve a boon to ask.”
Colin wanted to run from the castle, he couldn’t believe the king detained him.
“Bentley escaped before he could be thrown in the tower. He attacked Julie’s because she suspected he killed her mother.”
“Is she well? If he hurt her—”
“She’s well, only a scratch to show for his effort. I sent many men with her, and she should have arrived safely at her aunt’s by now.”
“Why did you let her leave?” He couldn’t hold back his anger.
“Have you been able to get her to do what you want?”
“Nay, I haven’t. She’s a stubborn woman.”
John laughed. “I want ye to locate Bentley, dispatch him, and don’t go to Julianna until the deed is done.”
“You have my word.” Colin strode from the hall. He met his men at the gate, and Hubert ran from the castle holding a list of properties where Bentley might be hiding. The sooner he found Bentley, the sooner he could go to Jules.
Colin and his men rode throughout the English countryside, searching for Bentley for days. He grew agitated at the delay in finding him. The two properties he’d been to, hadn’t given a clue to Bentley’s whereabouts. He approached the last of the three holdings, called Heavenworth. The gates were closed.
A man came to the edge of the rampart, cupping his mouth. “What business have ye here?”
“I’ve come at the behest of King John. I’ve permission to enter this keep.” Colin raised the king’s decree.
“Lord Bentley is in residence and has forbid us to open the gates to anyone,” the guard said.
“We’ll have to take it by force,” Colin yelled.
The solider climbed down from the rampart, he held out his hand. Colin handed him the decree, and was amazed at the man’s courage. He didn’t appear to be intimated by Colin’s warriors in the least.
“All right, my lord. I shall open the gates. I ask that ye not kill us, the servants, and villagers who reside here. We have nothing to do with the lord. He came nigh on fortnight and took up residence. He never came afore, and we’re not loyal to him.”
“We shall see,” was all Colin replied.
Colin and his men made their plan of attack, before entering the keep’s walls. He walked calmly through the courtyard and entered the hall. There sat his adversary. Colin waved his men onward and listened.
“I cannot believe I’m stuck in this godforsaken place, held prisoner in my own keep.”
A lady sat next to him. “’Tis not so bad, Byron. We’ll get through this.”
“I don’t see how, Edwena. I know not why the king would help her. She’s only a bastard begotten from a whore. I’ve been his loyal vassal, giving him my knight’s service for his stupid wars. This is how he repays me.”
Noise from the second level drew Bentley’s glance, but he ignored it.
Banging came again, and Edwena’s breath hitched. “Byron, heathens!”
Byron turned to see what she was talking about and saw them.
“Bentley?”
“Who are—” Byron’s demand was cut off when Colin jumped off the steps and pulled him off the chair by his tunic. His feet didn’t touch the floor.
Colin yelled to the lady, “Leave us.” Edwena turned, running from the hall, shrieking.
Gripping Bentley’s tunic, Colin said, “You’re going to account for your sins.”
“Who are you and what do you want?”
“I’m the MacKinnon, ‘tis right ye know who your killer is.”
“Now just a minute here, I don’t even know ye—”
“This is for beating Julianna.” Colin punched Byron in his jaw, but still held him.
Byron’s jaw reddened. “What do you have to do with her?”
“I’m her husband. This is for trying to marry her to Devlin.” Colin punched his chest, causing him to grunt.
“She’s married to Lord Devlin, not you.”
“She’s wed to me, you priss-arse.” Colin punched him again.
Byron tried to retaliate in kind, but he fell backward. Released from his hold, he scrambled to his feet, pulling a dagger free.
“You killed your own wife and tormented Julianna. You will spend time in hell for it.”
“I killed her and I’ll kill her daughter,” Byron’s voice rose. He ran at Colin and tripped, releasing his dagger; it sailed through the air.
Colin wasn’t able to move fast enough to avoid it, and the dagger landed in his shoulder. Byron was now on him. Colin ignored his puny grasp. Grabbing Bentley’s neck, he skewered him in the waist with his own dagger. He shoved Bentley off him, and pulled the blade from his shoulder.
Exhausted, Colin lay back and closed his eyes.
“Are ye dead, man?”
“Nay, Brendan.” Colin sat up, holding his shoulder. He motioned to a man who slunk in the corner.
“M-my l-lord?”
“Have his body taken to the king.”
The man grabbed Bentley’s feet, dragged him, leaving a trail of blood in the wake. A servant handed Colin a cloth to bind his wound. He noticed her hesitation because she kept giving him glances.
“There’s no need to be afeard of us,” Colin told her.
“There’s a girl upstairs. She’s hid since she came.”
“I’ll see to her. Show me which chamber she’s in.”
The woman led him to the last doorway along the hall. He dismissed her, and opened the door. Seeing nothing but blackness inside, he went to a table and lit a candle. Searching the room, he didn’t see anyone. Something fell inside the wardrobe, and he opened the door.
Her raven hair protected her in the darkness, but Colin saw her form as he moved the candle about the chamber.
“Laila?” he called.
“W-who are you?”
“Colin. Come, lass, I’ll not harm ye.”
“Nay, g-go away.”
“I want to take ye to Jules, ah, Julianna.”
“You know where she is?”
“Aye, I’m her husband. She’s worried for ye. Come, I promise no harm.”
Laila stood hesitantly, but waited for him to exit. When she came out from the darkness, he saw the bruises. Her arms and face were covered with welts of black and blue. He whistled softly.
“Are you all right, lass? Are ye in pain?”
“These are old. My father did it when he first came, and I’ve been hiding since.”
“He’s been taken to the king and will pay for his injustices.” He didn’t have the heart to tell her Bentley had been killed.
“S-she married you?”
“Aye, she did,” Colin said, smiling.
“A-are you a good husband?”
Colin chuckled. “Nay, but I plan to be.”
“Where is s-she?”
“She’s at your aunt and uncle’s awaiting us.”
“Is s
-she well?”
“As far as I know. I want to get to her posthaste. Are you up for travel?”
“Aye, I can travel,” she said.
“Gather your effects, and, Laila?”
Laila backed away. “My lord?”
“You have nothing to fear from me. I love your sister.”
“Are ye finished here, Colin?” Brendan asked.
“Aye, Brendan, I am. We have one stop to make before we can go home.”
“Aye, we do, we must to get our women,” Robin replied.
Laila carried a satchel, and came through the doors of the keep. His men gave her sympathetic expressions.
“Who is this?” Brendan asked.
“Jules’ sister, Laila. These are my brothers, Robin and Brendan.” Colin indicated who was who.
“Good day, my lords,” she said, curtseying.
“Nay, Laila, Robin and Brendan. You don’t address them formally,” Colin said.
“What d-do I call you?”
“Laird. I’m the laird of our clan, the MacKinnons.”
“Thank you for instructing me. How long will it take us to get to Julianna?”
“A day or so. Are ye certain you can travel?”
“I won’t spend another day here,” she said.
“We must ride hard, lads. I have a lot of explaining to do.”
“Aye, you do.” Brendan grinned at Colin’s tone.
“Cosh,” Colin cursed. He knew he would have a difficult time, and the men enjoyed baiting him.
“Mayhap, Douglas could give ye advice. You know how charming he is,” Brendan suggested.
“That’s befitting, Colin, I remember ye telling me Douglas was good at giving advice,” Robin joined in.
“To hell with that, I’ll get her back my way. Nothing Douglas tells me will help.”
“Now, Colin, I say ye keep her in the woods until she agrees to stay with you,” Douglas advised, smiling devilishly.
“What kind of fool advice is that? I’ll figure something out. What, I’ve no idea.” Colin nudged his horse into action, and the others followed.
“My lady, Laila, you are well?” Bleeth asked, approaching her.
“Bleeth, how come you’re with these men?”
“I have been with Julianna. You are not hurt?”
“I’ll be well, once I see my sister,” she whispered.
Bleeth nodded and moved aside.
Colin watched him and felt contrite for being jealous of him. Bleeth protected the girls as best he could, and Colin was thankful that he had stayed with them throughout their childhood. He rode swiftly, longing to end the journey. He finally concluded how he would get her back. With Laila seated in front of him, he was on his way to his wife, at long last.
Chapter Forty-Two
Julianna entered the hall and saw many guests. Mathilda had planned a gathering to cheer her, but Julianna didn’t want company. She longed to be alone. Even Tess couldn’t cheer her. She wasn’t up to the gay revelry, and missed the Highlanders, but she didn’t belong there. Her path meandered this way and that. Spiritless and confused, she suffered through the night. She pushed her tray aside then sensed it. Someone stared at her. The feeling came, the familiar streak ran up her spine. MacKinnon warriors filled the room.
“Why are they here?”
“I best find out, they don’t look happy.” Mathilda rose from the table, and approached.
He watched her; she felt it. She searched, but couldn’t find Colin in the crowd. The men parted and there he stood. He looked tired and indignant. Her heart fluttered. She watched him march to her, his eyes never leaving hers. He stood next to her chair and she waited for him to speak, knowing he was angry by his stance.
“Julianna MacKinnon, you lied and … you left me. Come.” He pulled her from her seat.
The hall grew silent, and all watched their exit. He led her into the night. She ran to keep up with him. Pushing her upon a stone bench, he frowned.
Colin sat next to her, keeping his eyes averted. “I’m displeased.”
“I know you’re angry, Colin.” Julianna couldn’t bear his ire. She turned away, but he moved to her other side.
“I came home to find ye gone. I pledged to keep you safe.”
“Is that all you care about, your pledge?” Julianna asked harshly. “I can keep myself safe. I don’t need you, Colin MacKinnon.”
“You do need me. Then I gather my men and make for the king, only to find ye gone again.”
A sob escaped her. “You went to England? I didn’t think you would.”
“You told me I was the love of your heart. Did you think you could say that and leave me?”
“I did love you, but you don’t … You’re only beholden because of your pledge. I release you of your pledge, Colin.” She cried harder, and couldn’t control her tears.
She heard him sigh. “Not only did I pledge to keep you safe, but if you remember, I pledged to honor you until death takes me. I did not take that lightly, Jules. I care for ye, and I—”
“Not once did you tell me you cared.”
“Jules, you mean everything to me. Each time I was with ye, I couldn’t control myself. I always loved ye, since the day I saw you at Steven’s wedding.”
Julianna’s eyes widened. “You do?”
“Aye, I do.”
She kept herself from hugging him. “You remember that night at the wedding?”
“Aye, it was the night I was visited by a faerie.”
“What about never marrying, and your vow to your father?”
“I became enlightened on the vow I made to my da. I’ve taken it back.”
“Taken it back, but you said you never break your pledges. Why?”
“Walter told me what my da did, and now I realize he didn’t deserve vindication. He killed my ma. I thought my ma wouldn’t give her heart to him, and that’s why my da loathed her. It was much more than that. I always believed if I gave my heart as my da had, I’d be let down as he was. I was wrong. Walt and my ma had a bairn together. Brendan is his son. I cannot tell him. It’s killing me. I know I can trust you’ll keep that secret.”
“I’m sorry about your ma. What about the feud with the McFies?”
“Ellic McFie told me the truth. ‘Tis finished. I want to go home, have bairns, and love you.”
“I do love you, Colin. I was disheartened because I didn’t think you’d come. As to bairns, I am …” She had now idea how to tell him. Julianna wasn’t sure how he would react.
“I know about the bairn.” He frowned then forced a tight smile.
“You know?”
He nodded. “Which reminds me, how could you leave me while carrying our bairn?”
“I couldn’t let anything happen to Sara.”
“Why didn’t you tell you were the king’s niece?” he demanded.
“I didn’t know. My mother had a friendship with him and I thought … he was my father. As it turns out, he’s my uncle. I had heard stories, and couldn’t face him. I thought he would put me in the Tower. My mother implied he wouldn’t help me, but I had to face him for the KirkConnell’s sake.”
“You’re a brave lass, but ye should have explained.”
“Bentley captured Tess and me, he forced me to marry Devlin. I married him even though I was married to you, Colin. It was the only way I could escape.” She didn’t dare look at his expression. “What happened when ye met the king?”
“He kept me waiting for two days before he’d tell me where you were. I was impatient to get to ye and he well knew it. Before I could leave, he sent me on a mission.”
“What mission?”
“He sent me after Bentley. The king said he’d hurt ye.”
“Aye, his dagger struck my arm, but it healed.”
Colin grasped her arm, then the other. Looking at the small scar, he rubbed his thumb over her delicate skin.
“I couldn’t sleep and went to my mother’s room, where she stayed the night she was killed. He attack
ed me and I couldn’t get away. He pulled me to the bed and tried to stab me. It was strange; I thought I saw my mother’s ghost. I felt her presence, Colin. A candelabra struck Bentley and a painting fell off the wall. There was no one else in the room. It really frightened me because it was unaccountable. I believe she protected me.”
Colin hugged her. “I believe ye. I’m sorry that banshee killed your ma, Jules.”
“He confessed. Did you find him?”
“Aye, we went to three of your keeps, and found him at Heavenworth.”
“Did you kill him?”
“Damned right I killed him.”
“I’m glad he’s dead. Are you happy?”
“About what, lass?” He trailed his finger along her chin.
“The bairn. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you.”
Colin jumped from the bench and lifted her, swinging her around. “Julianna MacKinnon, you’ve made me the happiest man in the whole Highlands. I cannot believe you’re having my bairn. I saw you hold wee Jamie. You looked beautiful holding him. I remember thinking it would be nice to see ye holding our own.”
She giggled, then sobered. “Colin, you saw me that morning? Then you heard me talking to Sara?”
“Aye, and I hoped it would be to my advantage, if you spoke Gaelic, but you never did let anything out.”
“I’m glad you’re happy about the baby, Colin. What about my uncle? I’ve come to care for him. He’s asked me to visit.”
“Jules, I’m happy about the bairn, but not … I cannot believe you’re related to the king.”
“That’s exactly what I am,” she retorted.
“For God’s sakes, how is this possible?”
“My grandmother had a liaison with his father. My mother was King Henry’s daughter. They met when King John was in hiding, before he took his crown, and they formed a friendship. Now that he knows I’m his niece, he’s a little over protective.”
“Over protective, cosh! Now he’s my relative, faigh muin.”
“It’ll be all right, Colin.” She laughed.
“He was different from what I thought he’d be. Do you know what he’s done to my people?” He sighed. “How can I let that go?”
“We won’t go to England often. My mother would want me to keep relations with him, and I did promise to visit. My father, Lord Acton, died during the crusade, and never knew about me.”
Kara Griffin - The Pith Trilogy Page 28
