Blessing The Highlander

by Coulter, J. Lee

  Seonaid considered what he told her as she snuggled in his warm embrace. She found his explanation to be plausible. “Tis a wise idea,” she yawned. “Husband?”

  “Aye wife?”

  “My thanks for being so longsuffering with me and taking the time to clarify things. I ken that it is nae the nature of most men.”

  Garrick gave her sleepy face a stunned look. She was right about that. It was not in his nature either… but when he thought about it, he had been explaining more to her in the last few days than at any other time he could recall. He scoffed to himself as he reasoned that he was doing so because of her memory loss. “There will be periods that I will nae do so, Seonaid. That is when ye will have ta trust me decisions. But ye are welcome.” He kissed her brow and closed his eyes for some well-earned rest.

  “Aye...I will always trust your decisions,” she mumbled as she finally dozed off.

  Seonaid stirred just before dawn and studied her new husband’s appearance… awestruck. He had a strong face she determined in accord to herself. She was fortunate that he was the one who had stumbled upon her. Her heart expanded as she reminisced their joining. She had feelings for this man...intense feelings. She was not certain what they were though. Was it lust? Desire? Or something more? She could not say. They were virtuous feelings though, of that she was convinced.

  She arose from bed since sleep evaded her and clothed herself. Her thoughts meandered over all that Garrick had attained for her up till now. Seonaid’s eyes sparkled as she settled on a splendid notion. I will have fare to break our fast fetched for him! It will be a pleasing surprise! With that decided, she silently opened the door slipping from the room.

  Seonaid located the innkeeper’s wife in the kitchen a short time later and gave her the request. She was returning to their chamber when grimy hands seized her forcefully by the waist covering her mouth. She gasped as he squeezed her bruised ribs triggering fresh pain through her. His putrid hand encompassing her mouth caused her to gag. She endeavored to scream as he picked her up with the arm about her waist. As her feet left the flooring she began thrashing and kicking at her unseen assailant. Her eyes darted wildly around in the dark passage searching for someone or something to aid her.

  “Settle yourself, little siren,” a rough voice whispered in her ear, “I just aim ta have a wee bit o’ enjoyment with ye.” He lugged her to a dark alcove as she struggled with all her might to escape. He clutched her breast and gave it a bruising squeeze as he propelled her against the stone wall, holding her there with his hard frame. She cried out behind his disgusting hand which sounded like a squeak. “Ye will enjoy this, lass,” he chuckled haughtily to himself as he began inching up her gown. “And, if nae, twill make nae difference ta me just so long as I do.”

  Garrick! Her mind screamed.

  Seonaid was in a panic! She was powerless as he pressed her hard against the rough stones. Frantic with the need to escape she sank her teeth into the disgusting hand encompassing her mouth. He roared in pain, blood coursing down his arm. With her mouth free, she prepared to scream as his weighty fist slammed into her jaw. Stars exploded behind her eyelids as she crumpled to the rushes. He leapt upon her, forcing his tongue into her mouth as he rent her bodice. He snarled at her as he hoisted aside his plaid baring his swollen tarse.

  He was crushing her with his bulk. She could not breathe. Then, of a sudden, her breath came back in a rush as the weight of him disappeared.

  Garrick’s eyes burst open in terror! Seonaid was in peril! He sensed her panic! He glanced toward the vacant side of the bed… seeing she was absent. He leapt up as he grasped that it had not been a dream. Seizing his claymore, he sprinted from the room in search of his wife.

  It took only moments to locate her. Her feelings drew him to her like a beacon! He overheard the man grappling with his wife release a painful yell, then saw him strike her. Garrick exploded in a mindless fury!

  He roared in rage as he flung his sword aside. Hoisting the beast off his wife… he hurled him into the stone wall! The man was stunned for a moment but rapidly recovered. He rolled from Garrick’s grasp and howled, “Hell mon, give me but a moment with the li’l hellcat then ye can ‘ave her after!”

  Garrick was livid with rage as he snarled, “I will gut ye for daring ta even behold me wife! But first I will slice out your vile tongue for polluting her mouth and lob off each extremity from your hands for fondling her. The fist that struck her will be crushed afore I hack off your hands! Ye will wish yourself dead long afore the deed is done!”

  The man’s eyes widened in terror as this madman advanced on him. “Y-yer w-wife?” he sputtered in apprehension as he backed away. “I was told she was a doxie tha’ pleasured the travelers.”

  Garrick stopped in his tracks. “Who told ye that?” Was someone here that knew of Seonaid?

  The man eyed him warily. He was terrified of the cold-blooded blue eyes staring at him. “Jus’ a mon. Fair of face he was...aboot yer age...yellow hair.”

  “Still gives ye nae leave ta touch her...or any other lass if she be nae willing!” His fist came up smashing into the man’s snout. Blood spurted as it broke from the force of the blow. He howled in pain as Garrick persistently pounded him with his fists until beefy hands hauled him back. He drew his fist back to strike out at the interruption as he spun around!

  “Hold, m’laird!” Angus cried out as he put up his hands to block the blow. “Ye have near killed the man! And your attire is gaining a gathering,” he grinned as he glanced down Garrick’s form.

  Garrick shook his head to clear out the black rage that had engulfed him. He stared at Angus for a moment, collecting his wits about him, then looked at himself. He had failed to recall that he was naked! Angus supplied him a plaid to cover himself, his face all but bursting to say something he knew he would regret.

  “Seonaid!” he cried out as he hurried to her side. Kneeling next to her, he examined her injuries. She jerked back vibrating with fear not identifying him at first. “Shhh, mo gradh, tis Garrick,” he crooned tenderly.

  As her vision cleared, she propelled herself into his arms... immense sobs wracking her tiny frame. “Did he injure ye, mo cridhe?” he whispered in her ear. She shook her head. He procured her chin gently in his hand raising her gaze to his. “I ask again… wife,” more sternly this time. “Did he harm ye?”

  Seonaid’s tearful eyes widened as she realized what he was asking. “Nay, husband. He but struck me and added to my bruises. He did nae have time for more.”

  With a brisk nod he believed what she said as true. He cleared his throat as he drew her against him and kissed the top of her head. He was still very angry. With her for going about unescorted, with her attacker for assaulting her and for what he had said, and utmost of all, with himself for not safeguarding her.

  He rose, cradling her in his arms and strode toward the semi-conscious bloody heap on the floor. He kicked the man’s leg to get his attention and growled, “Ye live, thanks ta me lady’s accounting of your misdeeds. Ye will now apologize ta her and thank her for your insignificant life.” The man did so quickly and profusely. Garrick’s eyes narrowed on the man warning him, “Most significant of all, remember this...if ye ever, so much as gaze upon me countess again… I will have ye drawn and quartered after the aforementioned retribution I cited is carried out. Do nae doubt this!”

  With that threat he spun around bearing Seonaid back to their room.

  Chapter V

  Garrick was fuming. She required no gift to see that it was true. What she did not seem to fathom was why he was angry at her. His cobalt eyes glared at her as he growled to himself, ran his hand through his hair, and spun around walking ten paces. Then he repeated the same ritual again. He had been doing it ever since they returned to their room. He had spoken not one word to her. All he did was scowl.

  Seonaid decided it would be wiser to stay silent while he gathered his thoughts and calmed himself. She had tried to read his thoughts once but he had
shot her such a furious look that she backed off.

  Finally, he turned to her saying sternly, “Stay here. I will be back presently.” She opened her mouth to inquire where he was going but the look he gave her stopped her cold. Then he was gone.

  Her stomach rumbled in protest as their food seemed to have been forgotten in the chaos below. She wrung her hands as her thoughts ran rampant. He will nae want me now. I can see his regrets about wedding me. I am too much trouble. There was a wrenching pain in her chest at the thought of losing Garrick. He must be kenning that he has made a poor bargain indeed. If only I kenned of my clansmen...then I might have some value in his eyes. But I remember naught. Tearfully she lay down on the bed and curled up in a ball…crying herself to sleep.

  Garrick was frustrated. He proceeded to the stables in search of Angus. Mayhap he had found the man that was spoken of by his wife’s attacker. He was fearful of losing Seonaid if her clansmen appeared. His scowl darkened. That he would not allow! He came upon William first and elected to send him on to Castle Brodie to apprise them that they would be delayed. He had noticed a storm rolling in and he did not want Seonaid to become ill. They would wait a day or two for it to pass. As William readied his horse to leave Garrick added, “Send out twenty men on the morrow for escort… and a few of me maither’s dresses for me lady. Inform the castle that they have a new mistress as well. I expect it orderly enough ta impress me wife.”

  “Aye, m’laird.” William mounted his prancing steed and ducking his head, proceeded for home. It would take him most of the day but it was a short ride for a seasoned highlander. Angus caught up with Garrick as William was riding off.

  “Did ye learn anything, Angus?”

  He looked at his laird speculatively, wondering how he would react to what he had discovered.

  “Nay, Garrick, nae one seems ta recall the mon that he spoke about.”

  What he had become aware of, though, was not good news. He was not certain if Garrick would be distressed by it and send his bride away.

  “Just how attached are ye ta your lady, m’laird?”

  Garrick visibly stiffened. “What kind of question is that, Angus? I wed her did I nae?”

  “Aye, but I ken plenty of nobles who do nae care as long as his wife is female.”

  “Well, I am nae one of them. There is a linking between us… like an invisible cord that seems ta tether us together. I awoke this morn convinced that Seonaid was in trouble even though I still believed her abed. I ken that it sounds peculiar but it is the truth all the same. Tell me, Angus, why ye ask such a strange question.”

  He looked at Garrick for a moment then said, “Come. Let us take a walk, m’laird.”

  Angus was silent as they strolled to the woods so their discourse would not be overheard. He needed to be certain of Garrick’s way of thinking about the death of his father before he revealed what he had heard.

  “Tell me true, Garrick. When your father died ye detested and accused the MacGregor did nae ye?”

  “Ta be truthful, aye, I wanted him dead. I lay awake every eve for a sennight conceiving diverse ways ta kill him. But, alas, nae death was satisfying ta me way of thinking.” He glanced at Angus and grinned. “I was young. After much reflection I grew up and recognized that Father caused his own death. There was nae necessity ta reive and he was thrown from his horse. Nae MacGregor blade touched him so how can I accuse him? But that does nae signify I would invite him ta sup with me...I just can nae shed blood over it.”

  Angus snorted. “That is well ta ken Garrick but ye may wish ta reconsider your opinion on supping with him.” He laughed and slapped Garrick on the back as he exposed what he had stumbled on. “It seems that ye be kin nowadays!”

  Garrick was stunned to silence. His mouth worked, opening and closing rapidly but no sound escaped him. His feelings whirled as he tried to grasp how his cousin had developed such a daft notion! “Ye have had too much uisge beatha, cousin!” he chortled in disbelief. “How could we conceivably...be...kin?” he said as he realized what Angus implied. He looked optimistically into Angus’ face and saw that he was in earnest.

  “What makes ye consider this?”

  Angus noted that he had judged rightly about Garrick’s good sense. He hoped the MacGregor was like-minded.

  “As I was asking round about the stranger a bit of gossip was told me. It seems that the MacGregor’s daughter went missing at about the same time that we stumbled on your lady. He has offered a reward for her return but most say twill certainly not be paid.”

  “Why nae? Is he a dishonorable man?”

  Angus laughed as he shook his bushy head. “‘Tis believed that nae one who kens the lass desires her return.”

  Garrick was outraged! How dare they slight his wife! “She is a bonny lass! How could they nae want her? I should strike them dead for their insult!” he seethed.

  “I do nae ken their logic but I thought ye should ken that there may be those who would steal her away. We must remain vigilant.”

  “Aye that we must.” Garrick sighed heavily as they approached the village.

  ”What is burdening ye, Garrick?”

  “I am going ta have ta bid Seamus ta the wedding feast...and keep down me meal. I will surely be tested on that day.” Angus commiserated with him.

  He sat in a chair across the room observing his beautiful young wife sleeping on the bed. He was charmed by her. He acknowledged that he should not have left her unaccompanied after the assault. She had needed him, he took note of as he saw evidence of dried tears. But he had needed to put some distance between them to get his thoughts back on a straight path. She befuddled him and he needed to get his logical mind functioning so that he could see to her protection.

  A MacGregor! He was having a hard time believing that she was a MacGregor. But Angus’ conclusions were sound. Garrick just must accept it and go on. It changed nothing. He still would have wed her. He had wanted her and he took her. Her parentage would not have stayed him...even if she were common born.

  What baffled him was how they could hear each other’s thoughts. He shook his head. In all his thirty years he had never heard tell of such. Was Seonaid a witch? He did not believe in witches. But, if not a witch, then what was she? He pondered the question for a time until...Nay. Nae a witch! She must be Fae!

  He was startled at the revelation. He did not trust the Fae. They played with men as if they were baubles, just to toss them aside when they grew tired of them. He had one bedeviling him a few years back, but when she saw that he would not play her game she ultimately left him alone.

  Garrick shook his head again in skepticism. No. He trusted her memory loss was genuine and he had never heard of such a thing happening to Fae. There must be another explanation. One thing was certain...he must come to know how to hinder this thought-sharing between them. At least until he ascertained if she was trustworthy since she was a MacGregor.

  Besides, he did not like the idea of her probing into his feelings and memories. He had no wish for tender feelings sprouting up like weeds in his well-ordered life. He would enjoy her body, treat her well and get some heirs on her. She cannot expect more than that in her life. He had no time for such inanity as ‘love’ to play havoc with his structured life. Tis better to keep things simple.

  A scratching at the door disturbed his contemplations. Garrick rose… giving entrance to the proprietor’s wife who was heavily laden with a tray of food. She was shadowed by her husband bringing a jug of wine and two mugs. They set their burdens down on the table near the hearth. Perceiving his sleeping wife, they left unobtrusively without speaking a word, nodding to Garrick as they departed.

  Garrick poured some ale as the aroma from the venison stew wafted past Seonaid’s nose, causing her stomach to rumble as she stirred from her slumber. She stretched her stiff muscles, stopping short when she realized that she could still smell the delicious fare.

  She sat up peering in the direction of the table and detected Garrick scrutinizin
g her. Seonaid self-consciously plucked imaginary lint from the fur coverlet, her green orbs cast downwards, awaiting an invitation to share the repast. She may well just be detecting the remnants of his meal, after all, and she did not want to embarrass herself further after the humiliation of that morn.

  She had been flaying herself for most of the day at her imprudent jaunt to the kitchen. She was in unfamiliar lodgings full of individuals she did not discern. What she had done was unwise and the attack was her shame to bear. It would not happen again.

  Seonaid elevated her chin to encounter Garrick’s steely blue gaze.

  “My Laird, after giving my actions of this day considerable thought, I have come to ken that my activities initiated the assault on my person this morn. Twas my error alone and I ...I humbly ask for forgiveness for forcing your hand.” More softly she added, “If…if you grant me another chance I vow twill nae happen again. But I will abide by your decision...even if you wish me to go.”

  Garrick’s eyes widened in disbelief for a flicker of a moment then were shielded from her. She was apologizing to him? Was she daft? An admission of guilt he had not anticipated, although she was right to do so. What actually troubled him, though, was that she believed he would wish to be rid of her over such a small matter. Mayhap this is how her clansmen treated her so she expected it from him as well. His jaw clenched forcefully. It all but confirmed the rumors of her family however. She must be a MacGregor for certain to assume this kind of treatment!

  “Our meal grows cold, wife, and your stomach sounds a mite peckish.” he responded gruffly.

  Seonaid nodded docilely, arising and walking toward the empty chair near the table. As she passed by him, he reached out and seized her by the hand, drawing her closer.

  “I accept your apology, Seonaid. Most people would nae perceive the situation in that light. But there is something ye need ta understand.” He gave her a stern unwavering look. “Nae one is flawless. We all err once in a while...even me. But ye are nae one of them, mo cridhe.” He turned over her hand placing a kiss on her palm. “And I will never send ye away just because ye may have stumbled...or for any other reason. I gave me vows ta ye yester eve and I do nae give them flippantly nor do I break them, once given. I do nae expect ye ta be perfect. All I ask of ye is ta be honest with me and try ta do your finest. Now eat, wife, before ye swoon with hunger.” He flashed a wide grin releasing her.