The Crusader's Heart

by Kate Forrest

  Careful to keep his weight off her, he rolled his hips back, then forward, setting a slow easy rhythm. She moaned in response, and Alex had to kiss those sea-pink-colored lips. He bent his head and claimed her mouth.

  Soon the kiss grew hot. Isobel’s mouth opened, and Alex took the invitation, flicking his tongue against hers.

  He continued the rhythm but reached down to lift Isobel’s right leg up. She hitched it over his bottom. The motion gave him a deeper angle. He did the same with her other leg, angling her to receive him more fully.

  Isobel broke the kiss. “Faster,” she whispered. She urged him on with her hands, grabbing his flanks.

  Alex increased the rhythm, his breath becoming more labored as he bent his head to kiss Isobel’s neck.

  “Right there,” she said with a sigh.

  Alex had found her spot. Thank the kings of Alba. He did not know how much longer he would last, but he wanted them to reach that peak together.

  He maintained the same rhythm and angle; Isobel’s moans assured him she was close. He felt the pressure building—so acute, so close.

  He closed his eyes and focused on the rhythm. Wait for her.

  Then he heard her cry out and stopped holding back. A moment later, he found his release.

  ****

  Afterward, Alex lay on his side and Isobel lay on her stomach. He gently caressed her back as she slept. Alex could not put into words what had just happened, but he knew he’d never experienced the like of it before. The intensity was beyond compare. Isobel was beautiful—her body, her face, everything was exquisite. But he knew the experience had been about more than her physical form.

  What they shared went beyond the physical to a place where he’d never treaded with his partners in the past. He felt it deep inside himself, but he never let it come to the surface. Until now.

  I love her.

  He felt something for Isobel the first time he’d laid eyes on her at Stirling Castle, but Alex had dismissed it. He had pushed the feeling aside dozens of times on their journey here, but it kept coming back. Somehow, they seemed destined for one another, though Alex still felt guilt for how little he offered her. I’ve given her a home, but look at all she has given me. Alex did not want to think of the threat from the Macleans, but if the worst came to pass, then even the home he gave Isobel would be no more.

  Alex thought over their conversations on the way to Mull. Isobel spoke of Ireland and traveling there. This could be what I offer her.

  “That’s it,” he said.

  “What?” Isobel murmured. She turned on her side to face him, bending her arm beneath the side of her head for support. She blinked before opening her eyes completely.

  “I was just thinking aloud,” he whispered, continuing to rub her. “Go back to sleep.”

  “ ’Tis all right,” she said. “I’m awake now. What are you thinking on?”

  “Well,” Alex began. “I know you yearn to see new places. I thought we could travel to Ireland to see about recruiting some craftsmen for rebuilding the keep.”

  “Do you mean it?” she asked. She looked up at him in shock.

  “It is your coin, so I’ll leave you to decide how it is spent,” he said.

  “It is our coin now,” Isobel said. “And I’d love to bring in craftsmen to do the Celtic ornamentation like I saw on Iona’s stone crosses. The masons could do stonework in the great hall.”

  “We could tour the countryside until you find workmanship that you like,” Alex offered.

  “I’m sure I will like it all,” Isobel exclaimed. “It will be hard to choose.”

  Alex smiled down at her. She looked so happy. He could not wait until the business with the Macleans was settled so they could start building their new home together.

  Isobel raised herself up and kissed him on the lips. With a smile, she lay back down on her side, and Alex caressed her once more.

  “David and Mattie traveled to Ireland when I was young,” Isobel said. “I was too little to go along with them.”

  “Was it right after they took you in?”

  Isobel nodded her head.

  “I was frightened to be at Edinburgh Castle without them. I feared someone would turn me back out on the streets. No one did, of course, but I feared it every day until they returned.”

  “Isobel, will you tell me about it? About what happened before you came to live with the king and queen?”

  Isobel closed her eyes. Alex was afraid he’d asked too much too soon, but then she opened her eyes and started talking.

  “I truly have no memory of my parents, but I remember the relatives who took me in,” she said. “They were my father’s cousins—exiles from the Campbell clan. They lived as thieves, never trying to find an honest way of life.”

  Alex just listened and continued to gently rub her side and hip as she spoke.

  “They taught me about thieving too,” she said. “But I was old enough to know sin, so I refused. They beat me for being disobedient. One time the beating was so bad I passed out and did not wake for over a day.”

  Alex reflexively tightened his fist. Isobel must have noticed his reaction, for she reclined on her back and looked up at him. She took his hand in her own and kissed his knuckles.

  She is the one telling me of her painful past and here she is comforting me, Alex thought as she held his hand with care.

  “I am ashamed that I did not run away, but I was so young at the time. I did not know how to survive,” she said. “But then one day, while we were living on the streets in Edinburgh, they took me to a part of the city I had never seen before. They led me up the street to the castle and told me to wait; then they left. I waited all day and night, but they never returned. The next day, I was still waiting. But by that evening, I knew they’d abandoned me.”

  Isobel’s voice waivered as she spoke. It broke his heart to know her past.

  “I survived for a few months, living off scraps and pocketing fruit and bread from the market. I was so little, few noticed me. But then the weather began to turn. Winter was coming and I knew, even as small as I was, that I would die,” Isobel said. “But then, just as the snow began to fall in the city, a man on a steed appeared before me. I remember his polished black boots and then his face as he peered down at me. He commanded a nearby guard to give me his cloak. Within seconds, I was bundled up and riding up to the castle. He truly saved my life,” she finished.

  Suddenly, Alex understood so much. This is why she risked everything to take the Rood to safety. She owed David her life.

  Alex wrapped his arms around her, holding her close to his chest. He could not take away her past, but he would give her every happiness within his power. He had to tell her how he felt. He did not want to live another moment without her knowing where his heart was.

  “Isobel, I—”

  But he never got to finish, for the chilling sound of the MacKinnon battle horn thundered in the air.

  Chapter 30

  The horn sounded again; Alex jumped off the bed and searched for his leather trews and war coat.

  “You must get dressed!” he shouted, when he realized Isobel was still in bed.

  “What’s going on?”

  “That was the alarm for an impending attack,” Alex said. “The Macleans must be approaching our border.”

  “But I thought we had more time,” Isobel said. She quickly dressed as Alex donned his armor. “Do you think Ewan said something to his father?”

  “Nae,” Alex said. “But I think he knows more than he shared.”

  After Alex had strapped on all his weapons, he led Isobel from their room and down the corridor, checking on each of his sisters and Agnes along the way. Alex instructed Anna, who was still in her fine gown, to come down to the great hall; he then instructed Joan, Flora, and Agnes to stay in their rooms and await further instruction from the guards.

  By the time Alex and Isobel reached the great hall, Robbie and Murdoch were already waiting by the main doors to the ba
iley.

  “Is it the Macleans?” Alex asked, approaching Robbie with Isobel at his side. His friend looked exhausted; no doubt Alex looked the same. He feared half the men were still drunk but prayed the battle horn helped to sober them.

  “Aye,” Robbie said. “A rider spotted them; they’ll be here within the hour. Your uncle is preparing his men while Donald prepares the MacKinnons.”

  “Where is Ewan?” Alex demanded, looking around the hall.

  “I’ll go in search of him,” Robbie offered.

  “I’m here,” Ewan called, approaching from the bailey.

  Alex squeezed Isobel’s hand. “Wait here.”

  He, Robbie, and Murdoch met Ewan outside. “What are you doing?” Alex asked.

  “I went to see what was going on,” Ewan said. “My father is on his way.”

  “You wouldn’t have a hand in that, would you?” Alex drew himself up against Ewan, staring the man in the eye. They were almost equally matched in height, but Alex had more muscle on him. “Your father said I had until the full moon.”

  “He did,” Ewan agreed.

  “Does he know of my father’s passing?” His motivation for moving up the timeline could mean he suspected the MacKinnon forces were even weaker because of the loss of the chief.

  “Aye,” Ewan said. “Two riders brought news of his death from Fionnphort the day you departed Duart.”

  Those were the men Isobel and I saw in the valley on our way to Iona, Alex thought.

  “But that is not why he moves against you.”

  “Then why?” Alex demanded.

  “He is concerned you are strengthening your defenses. He is no longer convinced you will submit to him.”

  “No clan ever willingly submits to another, Ewan. You know this. Your father knows this too.”

  “In truth, I convinced him you would agree to submission.”

  “What?!” It did not make sense. “Why?”

  “My father’s cruelty has grown.” Ewan’s eyes clouded over.

  What has the chief done? Alex’s face remained impassive, but a chill ran down his spine at Ewan’s words.

  “I wanted to protect you and your clan for as long as I could,” Ewan continued. “I was searching for ways to change the chief’s fixation on expanding his lands. When you saw me that night at Duart Keep, I’d come from the Isle of Man. I was seeking a marriage alliance in hopes of appeasing the chief’s desire for more connections and control.”

  “You were unsuccessful?”

  “I am free to form a contract with your sister, MacKinnon, if that is what you are suggesting. I am bound to no one else.”

  Alex nodded. “I do not think the dowry we offer will tempt your father alone.”

  Worry passed over his friend’s face. Ewan had the same concern. “I will do everything I can to convince him,” he began.

  “Nae. I will meet him first. When I whistle twice, ride out to join us.”

  Ewan nodded.

  “I must know, Ewan, why do you do this for me and my people?” Alex and his clan gained much from this alliance, and Ewan gained a wife and a fair dowry. He did not want to diminish Anna’s value, but he wanted to make certain his old friend would not come to regret the match or hurt Anna in any way. He needed to know his true intent before he went out to negotiate with the chief.

  “We were friends once, Alexander. You know I desire peace. If this brings peace between our clans, then I will be happy,” Ewan said, then frowned and studied Alex’s face. “I will be a good husband to Anna. I promise you this.”

  “If we survive this morn, I’ll hold you to that, Ewan.”

  Alex tasked Robbie and Murdoch with keeping an eye on Ewan while he went to the armory to check on the progress there. He found his uncle handing out the last of the clogadan and shields to soldiers who would be on the front line. The clogadan, strong iron helmets, offered extra protection for the men who would be most vulnerable. The rest of the soldiers were armed with axes and bows and arrows, and a select few had swords like Alex and Robbie.

  “The men are ready,” his uncle told him.

  “You remember the signals?” Alex asked.

  “Aye,” he said. “We’ll be in position and ready for battle before the Maclean shows himself.”

  The men reached out and grasped each other’s shoulders. “For the MacKinnons,” they said in unison.

  They parted, and Alex went back into the keep in search of Isobel. He found her standing with Anna near the hearth where a fresh fire had been lit. The great hall was still strewn with platters of food and empty ale tankards from the night’s festivities.

  He drew her away, out of earshot of Anna, and whispered, “Everything will be all right. But if something should happen…if the negotiations fail…”

  “Alex, you don’t have to say anything,” Isobel whispered back. “We will get through this.”

  “Nae. Listen,” he said. “If the keep falls, take my sisters and as many of the women and children as you can gather and make the crossing to Iona. There are over a dozen boats in the harbor. Seek sanctuary at the nunnery. Maclean will not harm you there.”

  Isobel nodded, her face solemn.

  The battle horn sounded again. The Macleans are within view.

  “Stay with Anna.” Alex reached out and touched the side of Isobel’s face. She placed her hand over his and leaned into his palm. “Remember what I said.”

  “I will.”

  With one final look into her violet eyes, Alex dropped his hand and strode from the great hall. He went directly to the stables and mounted one of the horses he’d taken from the English. Alex’s uncle had wrapped the horse in protective chainmail, a grandeur that was not afforded to any of the other horses in his small contingent.

  Alex rode through the gates with Robbie and Donald. They rode out some fifty paces in front of the gates and waited. To their right was the sea. To their left was a steep hill. The Macleans could only attack from one direction—the grasslands before them. A short time later, the Maclean soldiers came into view. As they marched on, line after line of Maclean soldiers filled the southern horizon.

  God help us. There had to be a thousand men.

  “They are too great in number!” Donald cried. “We’ll all be slaughtered within the hour.”

  “Hold your damn tongue!” Alex warned.

  “Chief, ye must surrender,” Donald begged. “Death is certain.”

  Alex had heard enough. He spun on his horse and faced Donald. “I am the chief! You will do as I command! Hold your ground, Donald, or I will throw you into the sea myself!”

  Wisely, Donald stayed silent. Alex spun around again and faced the approaching army.

  Soon, the Maclean army stopped. It looked as though the sea had swallowed the land for the dark figures of the Maclean men stood so close together that Alex could not see the ground beneath them.

  Within moments of halting the army, the Maclean chief rode forward with his top men at his side. When he came within ten paces of Alex, he held up his hand, and the Maclean men fell back. Only the chief approached.

  Alex instructed Robbie and Donald to wait and went out to meet the chief on his own.

  “Maclean,” Alex said, nodding at the old chief.

  “MacKinnon,” he said. “A fine morning for battle, but let us hope it does not come to that, aye?”

  Alex said nothing. Best to let the Maclean talk first to gauge the situation.

  “Many MacKinnons deserted your clan when the old chief took ill,” Maclean said. “I know you’ve less than two hundred men behind those walls. Submit to me now, and no one will die.”

  “My force is much greater, Maclean.”

  “Expect me to believe ye have amassed a thousand men from thin air?” He laughed.

  “Aye.” Alex whistled over his shoulder and from behind the hill, next to the keep, came the sound of soldiers marching. Feet pounded over the granite earth as soldiers crested the hill. The Irish mercenaries wore their black lea
ther war coats, the whites of their eyes visible in the predawn light. Because the hill was flanked by the keep and a steep granite face, the men were squeezed into a narrow area, giving the appearance of a greater force. The Irish mercenaries let out a war cry.

  “Do you doubt me still?” Alex asked the old chief.

  “There may only be a few hundred men on that hill,” Maclean said.

  Alex whistled again, and MacKinnon archers appeared above the keep walls, arrows nocked and bows raised. The Maclean frowned at the growing display of force before him.

  “Are you willing to take that chance when you could still leave with a fine prize?” Alex asked.

  “What prize?” The old man’s gray brows knitted together.

  Alex whistled twice, signaling Ewan to ride out.

  “What the hell are ye doing here?” the chief demanded of Ewan when he rode up to join them.

  “I am here seeking a marriage alliance.”

  “What?” he shouted. “The MacKinnons are impoverished. They’ve nothing to offer us.”

  “That is nae true, Father.”

  “I have just married Isobel Campbell, King David’s daughter,” Alex said.

  “The lass ye brought to Duart is King David’s daughter?” the Maclean chief asked, seeming confused.

  “Aye,” Alex replied. “I am now able to give each of my sisters a fine dowry.”

  “Chief, think on this,” Ewan urged him. “We could lose many men to the MacKinnons, or we could gain coin and strengthen our alliance with our neighbors.”

  The old chief’s expression transformed from anger to thoughtful contemplation. He’s considering it!

  The Maclean gazed up behind Alex and Ewan, taking in the sight of the MacKinnon force. The Irish wore impressive armor, and the archers had finely crafted bows. By all appearances, they were unmistakably warriors. Alex knew Maclean was smart; he could not risk the loss, especially if what Ewan said was true about Maclean’s plan to extend his reach beyond Mull. He would need a large force. He knows he cannot risk it. Alex felt confident, but his face remained expressionless. He could not show concern. He had to hold his bluff.