Who was he and why was he hiding on their land? Fiona knew this was hardly the time for questions. She needed to escape. Now! Still on her knees, she tried to scramble away, but he was too fast. And much too strong. Pulling her by the wrist, he lifted her to her feet in one smooth motion, hiding her from view behind the large tree trunk.
Tears welled in Fiona’s eyes at being manhandled so roughly, but it was his softly whispered words that drained the blood from her face.
“Be silent, lass, or we’ll gut yer man where he stands.”
Her captor’s steely blue eyes spoke his emotions as clearly as any words. Cold, remote, intense. A jolting fear slithered through Fiona’s slight frame, as she realized he would kill without hesitation.
In the line of trees ahead of her, a branch snapped. Panic coursed through her veins when she spied five more men hidden among the tall oaks. Dear God!
She fought to break free of the man’s grasp, but he anticipated her move, yanking her tightly with a bruising, iron grip. Fiona let out a strangled gasp as her body collided with his solid chest. Swift as lightning, his right arm snaked around her waist, gripping her like a vise, effectively pinning both her arms against her body. The moment she was secured, his other hand clamped tightly over her mouth.
“Fiona?” Henry called. “Where are you?”
She felt the fear rising, her heart thudding within her chest as she heard her husband moving toward them. God have mercy, he will be killed! I must warn him! With a renewed burst of energy, Fiona struggled to free herself; kicking, twisting, throwing her head frantically backward, banging it repeatedly against the chest of her captor. It made no difference. As if made of stone, the man never moved, his heavily muscled arms holding her as though she were nothing more than a pesky insect.
Still, Fiona fought to break free, refusing to give up so easily. Working her jaw up and down, she was able to catch the edge of her captor’s hand between her teeth. Heart racing, she summoned all her strength and bit down. Hard. Once, twice, three times.
She tasted the wet, dirty leather of his glove on her tongue, but ignored the discomfort and continued her assault, biting, then tugging, like a hunting hound with a captured rabbit. There was a split second of triumph when she heard a dull grunt from her captor—he had felt it. But despite any pain she caused, any wound she might have inflicted, he did not loosen his grip. If anything, it became tighter.
Helpless, Fiona watched Henry stride directly into the ambush. A muted cry of pain bellowed up from her chest as one of the brigands stepped out from his hiding place, lifted his sword and swung at her husband’s head. Henry reacted quickly, arching his own blade in a wide circle, effectively deflecting the lethal blow. Repositioning himself, Henry stepped to the side to avoid a second thrust before striking back with several short, heavy blows.
Advancing, he managed to drive his opponent against a tree trunk. Fiona’s heart remained frozen as she watched him battle a much younger, larger man, praying for a miracle.
The flurrying crash of steel on steel intensified, the piercing sound reverberating through the forest. She could see Henry’s muscles flexing as he swung his sword, proof of the many hours he spent with his men on the training field. But Fiona could also see that her husband was tiring, his endurance no match for a man nearly half his age and a full head taller in size.
Yet Henry would not easily succumb. He landed a blow to his opponent’s upper arm, drawing blood. Startled, the brigand stumbled and fell to the ground. Fiona’s moment of joy at her husband’s triumph was short-lived, however, as two other men immediately joined the fray.
Within minutes one of them struck a stinging blow that clearly drove the air from Henry’s lungs. She cried out as Henry fell, barely noticing that her captor had taken his hand from her mouth.
“No, please.” Fiona’s voice was loud and sharp, dripping with emotion. Her heart lurched at the sight of a sword pressed so menacingly against her husband’s throat. Instinctively protective, she tried to move forward, but she was pinned in place with a paralyzing force.
“Wait! ’Tis Arundel. Dinnae harm him!” Her captor’s voice rang out and the other men instantly obeyed, pulling away. They exchanged glances and Fiona watched in astonishment as Henry was helped to his feet by his first opponent, the man he had wounded.
“Release my wife.” Though hoarse, the level of command in Henry’s voice was evident.
Stunned, Fiona felt her captor’s arms slip away. Fighting to control her shaking, she stumbled forward to stand at her husband’s side.
Astonishingly, the brigand who had held her captive bowed gracefully in a gesture of supplication. “I beg yer forgiveness, baron, fer our inhospitable greeting. But I dinnae realize who ye were until my men attacked.”
“Kirkland?” Henry huffed with indignation, his arms moving briskly as he brushed the dirt and leaves off his chest. “God’s bones, I should knock you on your arse for this,” he shouted.
“An understandable, though unwise reaction, my friend.” Fiona’s captor took a step forward and his men moved in closer, forming a protective ring behind him.
Lightheaded, Fiona struggled to release the breath she was holding. Who was this fierce stranger? Someone Henry knew, yet hardly the friend he claimed. Though their weapons were lowered, there was no doubt this man called Kirkland would fight if challenged. Or insulted?
Fiona pushed away the newest fear that had taken root in her brain, knowing it would be foolhardy to add more drama to an already puzzling situation.
“You’re on my land,” Henry declared flatly. “I would have thought that would be a clue to my identity, forgoing the need to attack.”
“We dinnae attack, we surprised ye.” Kirkland’s lips rose into a slight grin, but the hardened glimmer in his eyes revealed he felt little mirth.
Henry let out a snort. “You frightened my wife,” he persisted, and Fiona nearly groaned. Why would he not leave the matter alone? They were outnumbered and vulnerable. Did he not realize the danger? “Are you hurt, Fiona?”
All eyes turned toward her. It would be madness to admit the truth, so instead Fiona lifted her chin and smiled. “I’m fine,” she lied, ignoring the throbbing of her wrist.
“I fear I was too harsh in my treatment of ye, Lady Fiona. ’Tis not my usual way to accost a gentlewoman.”
The words were spoken with a gentle flourish, and accompanied by a courtly bow, but the Scot’s face remained stoic and impossible to read. Fiona felt her cheeks turn hot and she silently cursed her keen eyesight. If she had not caught a glimpse of the feverfew from the road, they never would have stopped and gotten into this mess.
“Why are you here, lurking in my woods?” Henry asked. “’Tis hardly our usual method of contact.”
“We had to come farther south than we intended in order to avoid some nasty business at Methven. I can assure ye, we willnae be here much longer. Just until we know it’s safe to return home.”
Henry’s eyes filled with surprise. “You fought at Methven?”
“Aye.” Kirkland’s upper lip twitched. “My men did me proud.”
“We were defeated,” one of the brigands declared bitterly.
“We were deceived,” another protested hotly, before spitting on the ground. “The English refused an honorable challenge to meet us on the field of battle, preferring instead to act like cowards, invade our camp, attack at dawn and slaughter us while we slept.”
Henry’s eyebrows rose. “No quarter was given?”
“None,” the earl replied, his tone flat. “Most of those who escaped have fled to the Highlands. But I must return home, to defend my lands and protect my people.”
Henry stroked his chin thoughtfully. “So, you’ve finally decided to pledge your sword to the Bruce? ’Tis a gamble.”
The earl shrugged. “An abundance of caution has kept us under England’s thumb fer too long. I might not always agree with his methods, but I believe the Bruce is Scotland’s best chance fer freedom
. At the very least, we deserve to have our own king.”
Fiona was surprised to see the hint of sympathy in her husband’s eyes. It was a well-known fact that King Edward was determined to exert his authority over Scotland and expected the Scots to pay homage to him. As a loyal subject of the King, Fiona had always believed that Henry supported that position.
“Not all your countrymen are in agreement that Bruce is the man who should wear the Scottish crown,” Henry said. “I heard the MacNabs and the MacDougalls fought alongside the English at Methven, against King Robert.”
“’Tis true.” The earl shrugged again, his brows pulling together in a frown. “Led by John MacDougall of Lorne himself. He’s driven by blood vengeance and means to have it. Ye’ll not find a more formidable foe in all the land.”
Henry snorted. “Sacrilegious murder of one’s nephew in a churchyard will do that to a man.”
Fiona crossed herself. She remembered well hearing of this abomination against man and God. Robert the Bruce was one of several claimants to the Scottish crown. He had disposed of his main rival, John “the Red” Comyn, by calling him to a meeting at a church and then killing him.
This barbaric act served to solidify in Fiona’s mind what the English believed for decades about their northern neighbors—for all their profession of faith, the Scots were a heathen people. Yet somehow Henry had befriended one?
“The Bruce’s cause was just,” the earl admonished. “He and Comyn had signed an agreement to unite the clans and gain independence. To secure the crown fer himself, Comyn saw fit to share a copy of that agreement with the English King. A clear act of treason.”
“Perhaps,” Henry conceded, though his expression remained skeptical. “Though it is now Bruce, and his followers, who are labeled traitors after being defeated in battle. Still, I believe that all men must choose their own path in this life, though it behooves them to remember they will answer to God in the next.”
“My conscience is clear,” Kirkland said coolly, an unmistakable edge in his tone.
Henry was silent as he studied the other man. Finally he spoke. “What do you want from me?”
“Safe haven in yer forest fer a few days—a week at most.”
Henry nodded and a chill swept through Fiona. Knowingly harbor wanted men on their land? Was he mad? If it were ever discovered, such an act would surely bring the full wrath of the king down upon them all.
“Henry, we cannot—”
“Quiet, Fiona.”
The sharpness of his tone stung, but she obeyed without further comment, knowing in her heart she needed to trust in Henry’s judgment. He was wise and worldly and caring and would do what was best.
Fiona reached down and grasped her husband’s hand, squeezing tightly. Her faith in him was unconditional. Yet as she gazed at the broad, powerful shoulders, hard eyes and stonelike expression of the Scotsman who had brought this turmoil into their lives she realized why she was so frightened.
’Twas indeed true that her loyalty and trust in her husband was steadfast. Her opinion of this heathen Scot, however, was another matter entirely.
Gavin McLendon, Earl of Kirkland, tried to ignore the play of emotions that flitted over Lady Fiona’s face when she realized her husband was going to aid them. He swore he could almost hear the spirited objection that sprang to her lips, but somehow she kept it at bay and held her tongue. Gavin could not help but be impressed at her self-control.
He vaguely recalled hearing that the baron’s second wife was considerably younger than her husband, but somehow he had not expected her to be so pretty. Beautiful, really.
She had a buxom figure with lush breasts, perfectly curved hips and an angelic face that looked as if it had been carved from marble. Her head was uncovered and a long, thick braid of honey blond hair trailed down the middle of her back, ending at the base of her spine. It made her appear maidenly, innocent; an odd occurrence for a married woman.
Her eyes were an unusual shade of green, vibrant and sparkling with intelligence—a trait he did not often ascribe to the female sex. His own wife, though not a simpleton, would never have grasped the enormity of this current situation on her own.
And if by some miracle she did, she would never have been so calm. Or cooperative.
“How many men are with you?” Henry asked.
“Twenty-five. But most are wounded,” Gavin answered readily, then cursed his loose tongue. After being on the run for nearly two weeks, exhaustion was finally starting to overtake him. Though his relationship with the baron was of long standing, it was never wise to be so trusting.
The tension in the small clearing subtly began to rise. Gavin saw his men look warily from one to the other, their hands drifting down to the weapons at their sides. From the corner of his eye, Gavin noticed Lady Fiona give her husband an anxious glance.
“I will do what you ask of me,” the baron declared. “And provide whatever medical assistance I can for your men. But in turn, I expect a boon from you.”
Gavin stifled a curse. He had never assumed the aid would come without a price, but at this moment in time he had little to give. “Aye. Name yer price.”
“Before the end of summer, I expect you to lead a raid on my village and steal my cattle.”
For the first time in many days, Gavin felt his lips move into a smile. “I’ll take the entire herd, if ye want.”
“Most obliging of you, my lord. And don’t forget to steal some grain,” Henry added, his broad face breaking into an answering grin. “Though I expect it to be promptly returned and my fields left as they stand.”
“’Tis the usual agreement. The plundered grain returned and the fields left trampled, but not burned.”
“The usual agreement?” Lady Fiona’s voice rose to a high, wavering pitch and her chest rose and fell with quickening breaths. “So, you have done this before? And yet, you both act as though it means nothing. I can’t imagine that our people share your opinion, Henry. How terrified and helpless they must feel when they are attacked.”
“We attack no one, shed no blood,” Gavin insisted. Her obvious dismay rankled, though he wasn’t sure why. He and the baron had done nothing wrong. On the contrary, they had found a way to live in peace and harmony and avoid any suspicion over their secret alliance by outwardly appearing as enemies.
“We devised this agreement years ago. The McLendon clan come under the cover of night,” Henry explained. “They are rarely seen by the villagers.”
She shot her husband a startled look. “And that makes it acceptable?”
“That makes it safe,” Henry countered, his voice rising with impatience. “For all concerned. Our people suffer no injury and nearly all of what is taken is eventually returned. It would look suspicious if we were the only estate along the border to suffer no raids from our thieving northern neighbors. King Edward does not look kindly upon the Scots, but I do not share his belief that they must be conquered.”
“As if ye could,” Duncan said tersely, stepping forward, his hand moving down to the hilt of his sword. “Damn English. Yer a bunch of dishonorable cowards.”
“Duncan!” Gavin pinned his cousin with a cold, hard stare. Duncan was a fine soldier and a loyal retainer; a man not inclined to run from a battle. It had been harder on him than most to accept this defeat, but Gavin could not allow him to jeopardize the one alliance that could save them now.
Duncan did not wilt under his glare. For an instant he looked confused and then he mumbled something beneath his breath. His manner still proud, the chastened man released his grip from his sword handle and took several steps backward.
Fortunately, the baron took no offense at Duncan’s remarks. Gavin slowly exhaled, blessing whatever reasoning had pushed the Englishman to propose a truce between them, along with a radical plan to ensure its survival. It was a rash act on Gavin’s part to agree, but one he had never regretted. Especially now.
“At nightfall for the next five days, I will bring food and drink for
you and your men and leave it at the base of this tree.” Henry pointed at the massive oak. “You can hunt for game in my northernmost woods to supplement the fare. I shall keep my men away from the area for the remainder of the week, so you won’t be discovered.”
“We will keep to the north.” Gavin attempted a smile of thanks, yet failed, for there was one more thing he needed. It galled him to ask, but it was necessary to improve the chances of survival for several of his more severely wounded men. “Clean linen bandages would be useful, along with some medicine.”
Lady Fiona bit her lower lip. “I have just begun to replenish our supplies,” she said quietly, her voice anxious. “I can give you some linen, but our stores of medicines are low. ’Twould be a waste—”
The baron held up his hand and Lady Fiona quickly fell silent. “My wife will send what we can spare.”
“The medicine will be of little use if none of you have the skills to properly use it,” Lady Fiona snapped.
A glance from the baron had her looking contrite at her sudden outburst, but Gavin wasn’t fooled. The firm set of her jaw bespoke of her true feelings on the matter.
“We know enough to drink the potions and put the salves on our wounds,” Gavin offered, attempting to break the tension.
The baron chuckled, along with a few of Gavin’s men. Lady Fiona bestowed an obliging smile in his direction, but the look in her eyes was hardly hospitable.
A prickling sensation of guilt washed over Gavin. She had a right to be upset, afraid. They were taking precious supplies, putting yet another burden upon the baron and his household. Gavin wanted to tell the lady that she would not regret her part in this, that in these uncertain times, when loyalties were tested, there was comfort to be found in acting bravely and honorably.
But the sad truth was, he could not.
Chapter Two
Summer, one year later
“Are you certain you wish to leave tomorrow, Lady Fiona? I’ve heard rumors that the King’s army will soon be marching north again. Tis hardly the safest time to venture across the border into Scotland.”
Notorious Deception Page 31
