by Ria Cantrell
Tom searched for Caleb inside the keep, but the place was enormous and unless he was in the great hall, it was hard to say where the man could be at the moment. Tom was quite shaken at the information he had unwittingly acquired and so when he saw Jenna still speaking with her brother, he calmed a bit. Just seeing her changed his frame of mind and he fixed a smile on his face. There was no point in worrying her right now. It was a matter that did not concern her anyway.
She smiled back at him and it had not gone unnoticed by her brother. He eyed the man warily and when Tom approached and took Jenna’s hand to place a chaste kiss upon it, he felt the cold glare of Jenna’s brother’s eyes upon him. Jenna was more than a little flustered at Tavish’s greeting and she felt certain that Ian would be able to tell that she had recently spent a good deal of time in Tavish’s bed.
Noticing that she was rather uncomfortable, Tom quickly averted the subject and asked about Caleb MacCollum.
“My lady, do you know where I might find your grandfather? I need to speak to him.”
“And just what could you possibly need the Laird for?”
“Oh, well, he and I had been having a discussion but we were interrupted. I promised him I would seek him out so we could finish our chat. He is most interesting and he was helping me with some of your customs and such.”
It sounded lame, even to him, but it was the best he could come up with at the moment.
“Really? My grandfather, the High Laird and Chief of the Clan has dainty ideas of customs to share?”
“Perhaps customs was the wrong word. I meant to say protocol. I have much to learn about things here and Laird Caleb has the insight I need.
“Ian, Master Tavish is a guest here. T’was bad enough that ye’ locked him in that room for no reason.”
Ian faced his sister and said, “How did you know about that?”
How indeed! She could not rightly say that she dreamed it and walked in her dreams to comfort Tavish. Stepping up to rescue her, Tom said, “I, I mentioned it to her.”
God, he was getting good at bending the truth. That notion did not sit well with him, but really what could he do? He wasn’t about to let Jenna take the fall for such a minor offense. Besides, there was more important fish to fry at the moment.
“I beg your pardon. If you do know where the Laird is, I would be quite grateful.”
Tom hated having to grovel before Jenna, but the last thing he wanted was to get into a scuffle with her brother. He was pretty certain he bore no great love for the man at the moment but he did not have to love Ian Brandham. He loved Jenna and that was all that really mattered right now. Well, that and the fact that he had to somehow thwart a plot to murder the king. He clearly could not tell Ian Brandham about the plans of Jerome McManus and Michael de la Pole. As a stranger to this time and these lands, Tom would be suspect in all of it. Yes, he had to find Caleb. He would know what needed to be done.
Jenna piped up, sensing the tension coming from her brother, “My grandfather is with my father. They are making some final arrangements for the wild boar hunt tomorrow. My father is not fond of boar hunting but it is what the king has requested, so he is willing to oblige.”
Tom found it very hard to mask his alarm at that news. “Boar hunt? Tomorrow? What time do they set out for this?”
“Usually at first light, I suppose. I wish they would let me ride out with them. I love a good chase and I need to practice my shooting with my archery skills. T’is been quite some time since I have been able to enjoy a good hunt.”
Both men turned and simultaneously said, “You cannot go.”
Ian cocked his head and looked at Tom. He knew he needed to explain himself. He had no right to prevent Jenna from doing anything; especially if her parents and brother were there to offer her guidance.
Jenna put her hands on her hips and she spoke for herself. “I have not agreed to any betrothal, despite what was told to the king. Tavish MacCollum, ye’ are nay my father or husband. I have been on many a hunt and am quite skilled with both sword and bow. I dunna’ need another man to tell me what I can or can nay do.”
Forgetting himself at her sudden tirade he said, “Love, I only meant that it is dangerous and with Kiera here entertaining the king in your stead, it would cause great trouble if you were to go along. I have no doubt you would be quite fierce in the face of the hunt.”
Ian did not like the way this man; this stranger, spoke to his sister with familiarity and a sense of intimacy. Something was going on between them and it was going to stop right now.
“I do not know what is betwixt the two of you, but I can only guess. You are to remember your station, sister. This man has no lineage or ties and whatever it is that he has coerced you into doing, it must be stopped immediately.”
Oh boy, now the fireworks were really going to explode. Tom stepped back and waited for the fuse to catch. Jenna wheeled upon her brother and she said, “How dare ye’, Ian? Ye’ are not my father either, last I checked. This man has lineage; perfect lineage. Lineage our Mother would be loath to reject. Are ye’ forgetting whose son he is?”
“That fantastical story! Honestly, I think Nan is starting to fail in her thoughts and mind.”
“She is my mother,” Tom said blandly. It was as much admitting it to himself as he was to Ian. “I know it is crazy. It’s been hard for me to believe, but it is so.”
Ian crossed his arms over his puffed up chest. “Son of Nana Morag or no, we know nothing about you. You best see to it that you keep away from my sister.”
Tom really did not want to fight with Ian, nor did he have the time for it, but he said, “That is not for you to decide, I think Sir Ian. If the lady wishes to spend time with me, it is up to her to make her own choices. She is a smart and amazing woman and it is not for any of us to tell her how she must think or act.”
Jenna’s eyes widened. Suddenly she forgot to be angry at Tavish and her heart was filled with love. Tavish understood her. He did not want to think for her. He wanted to allow her to think for herself and to make decisions for herself. This was more astounding than the love and pleasure she experienced in his arms only a short time ago. Without thinking too rationally, she simply murmured, “Oh Tavish!”
And forgetting that anyone could see her, particularly her brother, she threw her arms around Tom and kissed him fully on his mouth. Ian stood there looking like he was going to murder someone and Tom was pretty sure who that someone was going to be. He untangled Jenna’s arms and he said, “Ahem, love, Sir Ian is about to separate my head from my neck. Why even now his hand is itching above the pommel of his sword.”
It was like his words had not even been heard. Instead she said, “Did ye’ mean what ye’ said?”
He smiled into her beautiful green flecked eyes and said, “Of course I did. Have I lied about anything to you so far?”
Those words broke the spell and Jenna pushed herself out of his arms. Blush filled her cheeks to nearly scarlet and she placed a hand to her throat with a gasp. She sheepishly looked at Ian and she said, “Oops. I dunna’ think I should have done that.”
“Do you not? Just what the hell is going on here? Out with it!”
Ian’s face was scarlet, too, but it wasn’t from embarrassment. It was from unmitigated rage and there was nothing that could be done about it now. It was all but out in the open thanks to his beautiful, but impulsive Jenna. Tom really did not have time for this right now. He had to find the Laird, but he stepped up and if he had to take a beating for his part in things, so be it. He said, “Ian, I mean no dishonor to your sister.”
“Seems a little late for that.”
“I am sorry. I would never compromise her.” Yup, another lie. He had already compromised her. He would not embarrass her further by admitting it though. “I care for Jenna very deeply.”
“Care for her is it? More like, you just want to get her to lie with you.”
Neither of them saw it coming, but Jenna’s hand shot out and slapped h
er brother squarely across his cheek. If he wasn’t red in the face before, a fiery imprint of her hand branded him. She was absolutely furious. She went head to head with him and she said, “Dunna’ ever say such vile things about me again, Ian. Ye’ may be older than me by a couple of years, but ye’ do nay get to speak like that to me.”
Tom pulled her arm gently and he said, “Love, that’s enough.”
“Nay, Tavish. T’is nay enough.” Turning back to her brother she said plainly, “I love him, Ian. I canna’ explain why I love him, but I do. T’is nay different than ye’ loving Marianna.”
Ian was simmering with tamped rage and he said quietly, but with a much more deadly tone than Tom was ever certain he had heard before. He really should be reveling in Jenna’s public proclamation of love for him, but he sensed the fight was going to be on in earnest now.
“Oh yes it is different than me loving Marianna. I grew up in Ragnorsen keep. I have known Marianna my entire life. My betrothal to her has taken years to foster. You don’t even know this man.”
“I know enough about him to know I love him. It seems I barely know ye’, at the moment.”
She picked up her skirts and hurried from the place of confrontation. Tom wanted to go after her, but he needed to do something to ease the tension between Ian and himself. He said, “I understand your need to protect her. She is a remarkable woman. She is a true treasure to your family. I know that. But the thing is; she is not a baby any longer. She has been taught to be strong and independent. She is brave, courageous, and she knows her own mind. I want to nurture that in her. I never want to hurt her. My cousin told the king that Jenna and I are already betrothed. I have not asked her yet, because I want to get to know her better and to make certain she is comfortable with that decision. Jenna is not the sort of woman who can be forced to do anything. I know that is hard to understand, but in my time, women are very independent.”
Ian eyed Tom with quiet disdain. He did not like the man who was suddenly claiming to be a MacCollum, even if Nana Morag swore vehemently that he was her son. The entire situation was so peculiar that Ian could barely get his head around it. One thing was certain; this man wanted his sister. Aye, he could be all that they say, but he stood to gain a lot. Jenna was the second heir to his parents’ fortunes and lands. The outlying lands in MacCollum territory belonged to his mother and rightfully they would go to Jenna. This improbable stranger could stand to advance well upon marrying his sister. Then there was the other thing that niggled away at Ian. Jenna had lost her innocence to the man, he was quite certain. Even he would not have dared to bed his betrothed before their wedding night.
Neither Tavish nor Jenna had said as much, but it was obvious to Ian. For that alone, he would have liked to kill the man and he would probably have been justified. He had also been reprimanded by his Knight and liege, Sir Erik, for his part in detaining the man in the storage hold. When they had pulled him out, he was in a sorry state. This was not a man strong enough to protect his sister.
Gruffly, Ian spoke in answer to what Tavish had said. “You think you know my sister, but you do not. You think you know our ways, but you do not. If my sister was unwise enough to compromise her virtue with you, she will be dealt with accordingly by my father and mother. I, on the other hand, have sworn to protect her. Though you are not saying it, it is clear she has been seduced by you and if she has not, t’would nay be long for it to happen. You speak of women in your time. Are women in your time all harlots, then?”
Bloody Hell! He needed to find Caleb and he needed to go to comfort Jenna. He clearly did not have time to explain the social differences of medieval Scotland and women from the twenty-first century. This was ludicrous! He did not seduce Jenna. He wanted her, there was no doubt about that and he was glad she had taken the initiative to be with him, but she had come to him willingly and without any real seduction on his part. He wasn’t about to admit that either.
“Look, I do not have time to explain how women where I come from behave. Yes, it is different to now, I am certain, but women are strong and they make their own way in the world. We have different ideas about the roles of women in society. They are not considered harlots if they choose their own mates.”
“Mates are one thing, but you are not my sister’s mate. It matters not what that woman told the king. You are not Jenna’s betrothed.”
Tom felt his blood boiling in anger. He really did not wish to make an enemy of Jenna’s brother, but right now, he truly could say he disliked the man immensely. Without any further explanation or fuel to fire Ian’s disdain and ire, Tom said simply, “Look, I really need to find Laird Caleb. If you will not help me, I shall seek him out on my own. Now, if you will excuse me.”
Tom fairly pushed past Ian and left the man seething behind him. He could feel his irate emotions fanning as he strode off, but there was not much he could do about it now. He was absolutely glad he did not think to trust Ian with his information. Ian would think Tom was either mad or at the root of the plot himself. No, the more he pondered the dire situation, the more Tom knew that Caleb was the best person to seek advice on the matter. He would have to deal with Ian later. God, he thought. I may never get used to the short fuses of men in this century!
~~~~~
After searching throughout the keep for Caleb, Tom finally had to give up. He had looked in all of the rooms that were open but there were many areas that were private. One could virtually hide and not be detected if a person wanted to be hidden in a place this big. There seemed to be a maze of corridors that twisted and turned and Tom had to admit defeat an hour or so later. He could not find Jenna, either. Kiera was sitting for the painting and Tom was starting to feel quite alone amid the castle teeming with humanity. He sat down miserably with an ale and he nursed it. It was different than the beer he enjoyed in modern times and while he wouldn’t have minded getting a little buzz on, he knew he had to keep his wits about him. He tried to remember everything he had read about this time and to discern what had transpired according to the history books. He swore to himself that he needed to get a new hobby because this was probably the most dangerous situation he would ever encounter just because he was a freakin’ book loving nerd.
Tom actually was looking forward to sparring with Sir Erik in the lists that afternoon. Something about wielding a big lethal sword made Tom feel less helpless in the situation, but that would be a few hours away, still. Perhaps he could go to Erik with his knowledge.
As he took a big gulp of the drink from his tankard, he felt a hand on his shoulder. The grip bespoke of strength and turning to face the person, Tom found himself looking into the visage of the man he had been pursuing for the past two hours.
“I heard ye’ were lookin’ fer me, lad.”
“Laird Caleb, yes. I mean aye.”
“Well, here I am. What do ye’ need to speak to me about?”
Tom’s eyes darted about the hall. There were many people sifting in and out and Tom knew well enough that this was far from the place he wanted to discuss anything.
As Tom hesitated to speak, Caleb teased and said, “Did ye’ think upon my words about the lass?”
“Yes, I mean, well Jenna is an extraordinary woman. But that is not why I have needed to speak with you. It is very important actually.”
With a mischievous grin, Caleb said, “And just what would be more important than the heart of my granddaughter?”
“Oh, Laird Caleb, before today, I would have agreed, that nothing could tempt my thoughts more than that beautiful girl. I mean--Oh bloody hell.”
Caleb clapped Tom on the back and it nearly sent his drink spilling out onto the trestle table. There was still quite a bit of strength in the old man. He said, “I know ye’ like her. T’is no’ so hard to miss.”
“Oh, I love her, Laird,” Tom blurted out. Caleb’s grin grew wider.
“Well, well, when did ye’ come to that conclusion?”
“I-I uhm, well probably, I guess a few hours ago
, actually.”
Caleb raised one eyebrow and he said, “Ah, when they were lookin’ for the lass, I take it? Am I going to have to beat ye’ to a pulp, lad?”
“Oh no, not you too,” Tom murmured miserably. He was totally screwed. “And how did you know….”
“Lad, I have nay been a laird all these years without honin’ my skills of makin’ the whereabouts of people my business. Do ye’ have something to confess?”
“No, I mean, well probably, but there are more important matters which are at hand. The beating me to a pulp part will really have to wait.”
With his still-strong arms crossed over his chest, Caleb said, “Very well. What is worryin’ ye’ besides realizin’ ye’ love my granddaughter?”
Looking around again to see who was near enough to hear, Tom said plainly, “There are too many ears. I need to speak to you in private, if you please.”
Caleb nodded thoughtfully. The lad was deeply worried about something and Caleb had to believe it was more than just realizing he had fallen in love with Jenna. He said, “I can see something is troublin’ ye’ deeply. Come with me. We will talk privately, as you wish.”
The two men walked side by side until they found a private room unlocked. Other rooms were being used by the king for a privy council and by the Royal Guard for a briefing of the king’s itinerary in the next few days. As Caleb shut the door and lit a lantern in the small, rarely used room, Tom’s eyes darted back and forth. It was a pretty small space and in light of his recent “freak out” in the store room, Tom needed to be assured that he was not going to embarrass himself in front of Caleb. He needed to meet the man on his own ground as a warrior and not as a wimp. Funny, how he had not thought of himself as a warrior until now, but it was like Sir Erik had said; it was something that may have been bred within him. Taking a deep breath, Tom said, “There is a plot to murder the king.”
“Well, lad there is no beatin’ around that bush, is there?”
“No. I knew about it before today, but Morag told me I should not interfere with things of history, else there would be dire consequences. The thing is, that I actually heard the two people plotting with my own ears, here in this time, so even though I had knowledge of it before, nothing I have done has caused what I overheard today.”
