The Crusader's Heart

by Kate Forrest

  “Your dowry?”

  “Did you not think I had one?” Now Isobel was surprised. “The king provided for me. It is a good sum. I should even be able to provide dowries for your sisters as well. They are not yet married, are they?”

  “Nae,” he said. “But Isobel, are you certain?”

  “I would not jest about such a thing.” She took his hands in her own again, squeezing gently to emphasize her sincerity. “Let me help. Let me be of use to your clan.”

  “They will be your clan too, if you will still have me.”

  “I will have you, Alex.”

  “It will not be an easy life, even with the coin to rebuild,” he warned.

  “I do not want my life to be easy. I want it to be full.”

  “That, I think, I can give you, Isobel,” he said, wrapping his arms around her.

  Isobel held onto him tightly. And, just perhaps, you can also give me love, Alexander MacKinnon.

  Chapter 24

  The next morning, Alex returned to Iona to bring Isobel back to MacKinnon Keep. He gathered his sisters in the great hall after the noonday meal and made the introductions.

  “Lady Isobel, I’d like you to meet my sisters. This is Flora,” he said, pointing to his youngest sibling. She stepped forward and bowed, just as he’d asked her to do. He then introduced Anna and Joan, who also stepped forward and bowed.

  “It is a pleasure to meet you all,” Isobel said.

  Alex took Isobel’s hand in his and looked at his sisters. “I have some news for you,” he said. “Isobel has agreed to marry me.”

  Flora and Anna cried out in joy.

  “That’s wonderful!” Flora exclaimed.

  “How exciting!” Anna said. “Congratulations to you both!”

  Joan remained quiet.

  “Are you not happy, Joan?” he asked.

  “Can I speak with you privately, Brother?” Joan asked.

  “Aye,” he said. He kissed Isobel on the cheek and left her to speak with Flora and Anna. At least they were happy about the marriage. Joan, it seemed, was not. He followed her outside into the bailey. The soldiers were taking a break from their training, so they were able to speak without an audience.

  “Why did you not congratulate us?” Alex asked.

  “Why should I?” Joan countered. “We know nothing of this woman. Could you have nae prepared us for your announcement yesterday?”

  “I thought it would be a nice surprise,” Alex said.

  “Alex, I am two and twenty. I dinnae want any damn surprises. I want to know what is going on,” she said.

  “Since when do you curse?” he asked.

  “Since I became the interim chief and chatelaine of this keep,” she said, with her head held high. “Now answer me. What is this marriage about?”

  Alex sighed. Since their father took ill, and perhaps even before that, Joan had stepped up and taken charge. It would be hard for her to relinquish that role, now he was returned home. He should have prepared his sisters for the announcement, but for some foolish reason, he thought they’d enjoy the surprise. At least Anna and Flora didn’t seem to mind.

  “Forgive me, Joan. I should have explained things before,” Alex began. “Isobel is King David’s daughter. My mission was to escort her to Iona.”

  “For what purpose?” Joan asked.

  “Well, she was originally destined to take her vows at the nunnery, but things changed.” Alex felt strangely embarrassed explaining the situation. “We care for each other.”

  “Wooed her with your heroic tales of battle, did you?” Joan asked.

  Alex frowned. “I didnae woo her.”

  “What is the real reason you are marrying her?”

  “I’ve just told you. I care for her, and she cares for me.”

  “ ’Tis not why people marry,” Joan countered.

  Pray to the kings of Alba, she sounds just like me. Alex had to grin. “ ’Tis why we’re marrying.”

  “Alex, I’m happy for you if you truly care for this woman, but does she understand our circumstances? You have little to offer her,” Joan said.

  “I know. She understands our situation.”

  “Then she must really care for you,” Joan said, and smiled. It was the first time he’d seen her smile since he’d returned home.

  “Let’s go back inside. There is more to discuss, and I want Anna and Flora to hear it.”

  “Alex, I still want to talk about some things,” Joan said. Her eyes were tired, not fierce and determined, as he remembered them being. He’d promised to speak with her, but there hadn’t been time yet.

  “I know I’ve been busy since I returned, but we will talk.”

  They went back into the great hall. Alex found Anna and Flora sitting around Isobel at one of the hall’s long tables. They seemed completely enamored by her. As he and Joan approached, he overhead their conversation.

  “And you would teach us how to read and write?” Flora asked.

  “Yes,” Isobel said. “Your brother has said you would enjoy learning.” Isobel looked at him and smiled as he joined them at the table.

  “But we have nae books. Do we, Alex?” Flora asked. Her lower lip trembled, and her face was pale.

  “Nae,” Alex said. He did not like to see Flora distressed, but they had no books and no means to acquire any.

  “I’ve sent for my trunks,” Isobel said. “There will be a dozen books here within a few days’ time.”

  Alex was surprised to hear she’d sent for her belongings. He assumed her location needed to be kept secret. Though, if the bishop already knew of the Rood’s location, it probably didn’t matter if he learned Isobel was set to marry Alex. Still, he would ask her about it later.

  “There are two more things to discuss,” Alex said, interrupting the lasses’ talk of Isobel’s book collection. He asked Joan to take a seat as well.

  “First, a man by the name of Robbie MacDonald will be arriving within the next few days. He brings with him his sister, Agnes, and brother, Murdoch. Agnes is unwell and will be treated by the clan’s physician.”

  “Why are they coming here?” Anna asked.

  “MacDonald is a strong warrior, and we need his help.”

  “For what?” Flora asked.

  “That is the second thing I want to talk about.” Alex straightened his spine and looked around the table at each of his sisters. “The Macleans want the MacKinnons to submit to them. They also want our lands. I believe it is the chief’s design to lay claim to the whole of the island.”

  “He spoke to Father last summer, but Father said he wanted to buy some of our lands. Not take them all or force us to submit to him,” Joan said.

  “Things have changed,” he said. “I am preparing the men to fight, but I wanted you all to be aware.”

  “We lost many strong fighters when Father took ill,” Joan said. “What if we lose?”

  “I’ve sent word to our uncle, and it is my hope he will bring a contingent of warriors with him. I am also working with the remaining soldiers, and I have seen some promising skill.”

  “There are always the terms to negotiate as well,” Isobel said. “Should the Macleans even try to attack, they will still present terms.”

  “I cannae see that we have anything to negotiate, Isobel,” Alex said.

  Isobel simply smiled, but he suspected she would have more to say on it later. Since he’d relayed all the news he needed to share with his sisters, he excused himself to take Isobel on a tour of the keep. He showed her the kitchens and, with pride, the growing store of food supplies. His few hunting and fishing trips had been successful, and the cooks were curing the meats in the cellar. He then took her upstairs, showing her the guest quarters, and finally, his room. Soon to be their room.

  “It’s plain,” Alex said, as they stepped into the room.

  “You may miss the days of it being plain,” Isobel said. “A woman’s touch is not always light.”

  “You are welcome to change anything you
like,” Alex said, finding he meant it. He was actually curious to see how she would put her touch on things, how she would make the keep her home.

  “My trunks should be well stocked with tapestries,” Isobel said.

  “You sent for them quickly.”

  “Yes, yesterday after you left.” Isobel frowned. “Was I being hasty?”

  “Nae. Of course not,” Alex said. “I was just concerned for your safety, but the bishop already assumes your location. It matters not if he knows we are to wed.”

  “David’s closest adviser, James, is in charge of dispatching my dowry. It is my understanding, from the correspondence the prioress has received, that he has gone back to Stirling, which is in fact where my possessions are being kept,” Isobel explained. “I was only meant to send for them if I married. I do not think the bishop is a threat to me without the Rood, though it is unlikely for him to have knowledge of our marriage as a result of my trunks being returned to me.”

  Alex nodded. It never occurred to him Isobel would have a dowry or trunks of treasures to bring to Mull. It showed how little he understood her relationship to the late king, though he knew she viewed him as a father figure.

  “But about my dowry…” Isobel began. “When I spoke of the terms between you and the Macleans…”

  “Aye?”

  “Does the Maclean have a son?”

  “Aye. Ewan. What of him?” Ewan would not negotiate on his father’s behalf, even though he was a reasonable man or, rather, he’d been fair-minded in his youth.

  “A peaceful way to resolve this conflict could be through marriage,” Isobel said.

  “Who would marry Ewan?” Alex was confused.

  “Perhaps Joan or Anna,” Isobel said. “Both are of age.”

  “Even if I wasn’t completely against marrying off one of my sisters to those bastards,” Alex said. “What incentive would they have to take her anyway?”

  “I told you I could provide your sisters with dowries. I think the right sum could be enough to subdue Maclean’s ambition.”

  Alex had been so busy, he’d forgotten of Isobel’s offer to supply the dowries. How much she offers me and my family and how little I can give her in return. “Isobel, I dinnae think—”

  “I do not mean to imply I wish to force your sisters’ hands,” Isobel interrupted. “But if this Ewan is a kind sort, perhaps one of your sisters could find happiness with him.”

  “Ewan is kind,” Alex said. “At least, I remember him being so.” He would not force one of his sisters to marry a man who was anything like the Maclean chief. He hoped the son did not take after the father.

  “Then perhaps it could work?” Isobel asked, coming to stand beside him.

  “Aye, perhaps,” Alex said. “But it would only work if Anna agreed. Ewan and Joan would not suit.”

  “We should speak to her about it tomorrow, after I start their lessons.”

  “Lessons?”

  “Yes, I promised to teach the girls about geography. Anna said your father has a collection of maps. I thought it would be a good place to start,” Isobel said.

  Her eyes sparkled with such excitement; she was beaming with joy. Her words to him a few days ago came back. She wanted to use her knowledge and gifts, and she was finally getting to do so. He had no doubt she’d be an excellent tutor.

  “Aye, he does have some fine maps,” Alex said. “And you are welcome to them.”

  “Thank you, Alex.”

  “ ’Tis I who should give thanks,” Alex said. “You are willing to give so much. I cannae say how grateful I am.”

  Isobel reached out to him and took his hands in her own.

  “You are giving me a home, Alex. The exchange is equal. We both gain much with this marriage,” Isobel said. “I only hope that with time—”

  “What, lass?” Alex said.

  Isobel shook her head. “ ’Tis nothing.”

  Alex did not press her, but he wanted to know what else she desired. Whatever was in his power to give would be hers.

  A knock sounded at the door, and Isobel released his hands.

  Alex answered the door. A man said, “Forgive the interruption, Chief, but the supplies have been gathered, and the men are ready.”

  “Thank you, Fergus. I will be down in a moment.” Alex closed the door.

  “Who was that?” she asked, as he turned back to face her.

  “Fergus. He was, still is for the time, in charge of hunting and fishing,” Alex said.

  “Are you planning to go out with the men to fish?” Isobel asked. Being so close to the ocean, she imagined the clan all but lived off the sea.

  “Nae. Today I am showing them how to build boats,” Alex said. “We only have two seaworthy crafts, and we are shy one since I sent men to Ireland in search of my uncle. Fergus says a half-finished fishing boat is sitting near the bay. If the wood hasn’t rotted, I aim to complete it today.”

  “It will be good for you to build something with the men,” Isobel said. Though she grew up near the North Sea, she knew little about fishing. The talk of the boat reminded her that she also knew very little about Alex and his past. “Did you fish as a child?”

  Alex shook his head. “Surprisingly, nae, but I learned how on Crusade. That is also where I learned to build boats.”

  Now wasn’t the time to focus on his past. She wanted him to feel confident about the task before him.

  “Your clan is fortunate then,” Isobel said. “Your experiences give you invaluable knowledge and skills.”

  “I dinnae know that the men see it that way,” Alex said.

  “They will. In time,” Isobel said. He needs to be patient. The chief just died, and the new chief has been gone for six years. Alex had not endured what his people had suffered during his absence. The clan’s people would naturally have strong feelings about everything, but such feelings would fade with time.

  “Why are you so certain of things?” Alex asked, wrapping his arms her.

  Isobel leaned her head against his chest. “I’m not certain of everything,” she said. I’m not certain if you love me.

  Chapter 25

  Alex stood atop a small wooden podium in the bailey. Before him were all the clan’s soldiers, farmers, hunters, and fishermen. The men selected represented not only the strongest of the MacKinnons, but also every man and lad able to lift an axe or a bow. It did not matter what their skill might be, for in the fight against the Macleans they were all needed. He’d already worked with the soldiers and evaluated their skill, but today, he would begin training all the men and start to reestablish the clan’s small fleet of boats.

  “Why are we all training for battle?” a man from the crowd shouted. “We are nae soldiers!”

  “You will train to be one,” Alex said. “We need every able-bodied man to ready themselves for a fight.”

  “Just submit to the Macleans!” another man shouted. “Or we will all be dead!”

  “No MacKinnon will ever kneel before a Maclean. Not so long as I am chief,” he shouted at the crowd.

  “What about our women and children?” the clansman who originally challenged him demanded.

  Alex understood their concerns. There was much to lose if the Maclean army attacked. His sisters and Isobel were among those who could die in enemy hands if he didn’t defend the keep. Surely his people knew that, but as he looked around at the faces staring back at him he saw only one thing—downtrodden men. They had lived through dark times that Alex could only imagine. But he knew their fate would be worse serving a tyrant like the Maclean chief. Alex understood the necessity of maintaining relationships with the neighboring clans. No one wanted bloodshed, though it often came to that. His clan had been fortunate to experience a long time of peace, especially given their reduced circumstances. But that peace was threatened now, and it was time for the MacKinnons to stand up. They needed to give all they had for the welfare of the clan.

  “Maclean is concerned with domination,” Alex said. “Once he control
s these lands, your daily lives will be controlled by him. Your women and children will be his to do with as he wills. He can discard you as though your life is meaningless.”

  “Ye dinnae ken that!” The man that last spoke challenged him again.

  “What is your name?” Alex asked.

  The man looked around the crowd before answering. “I am Neil.”

  “Neil, I just broke bread with the Maclean chief a few days ago,” Alex began. “You must trust me when I say he is nae a man you want to rule over your children.”

  And yet I ask my sister to wed the bastard’s son. The thought wore on Alex’s conscience. The only hope was that Ewan was different from his father and that the old chief would not be in power for much longer.

  “More men will be joining us,” Alex said. “We will have help, and God willing, no man here will have to draw a weapon against a single Maclean. But we must be prepared. And we all must be willing to step up and help wherever it be needed. That is the only way we nae only survive, but thrive again.”

  He looked back to Neil, finding the man’s sun-worn face in the crowd. “Neil, I know I ask much, but I ask no more than I myself am willing to give. Will you help me protect our people and our home?”

  The man looked around again; all eyes in the crowd were on him. He didn’t respond, so Alex continued.

  “I am your new chief,” Alex said, looking out over the faces of all the men that gathered around him. He took note of their tattered clothes. Many were far too thin. This is why they dinnae trust me. He could not change the past though—no man could.

  “I cannae take away the last six years, but together we will build a better future.”

  He took his time, looking each and every man in the eye. He wanted to give them hope, but he also had a warning.

  “For those of you who are nae willing to give me your full allegiance, I bid you a safe journey for you are nae welcome here.”

  Alex waited; not one man budged.

  “Then let us get started,” he said. “Today, we build a new fishing boat. Tomorrow, we train to fight.”

  ****

  The next morning Alex and half a dozen of the MacKinnon men carried the finished boat down to the water. They were fortunate the frame was strong, with the wood showing no signs of rot. The task was simple to complete, with the logs cut, dried, and waiting in storage to be used. The builders in the clan had left for Ireland long ago, when Alex’s father took ill, and so, like the keep, projects were left unfinished. That was finally changing.