by B. J. Scott
“You’ll finish every bite and drink the mead too,” her cousin ordered. She crossed her arms over her chest and impatiently tapped her toe on the floor.
Laurel forced herself to swallow, then tore off a chunk of bread. Once she finished the food, Deirdre handed her the mug. She brought the vessel to her nose and inhaled deeply. The brew contained so many herbs, detecting poison was impossible.
After draining the tankard, Laurel placed it on the table, then went to the window and peered into the bailey. “You’ll release Angus from the pit and lighten Isla’s load?” she asked, but couldn’t bring herself to look at her cousin.
“I never said I would do either,” Deirdre replied, then laughed.
Laurel whipped around. “You said if I ate, you wouldna punish them.” With her hands fisted in her skirt, she returned to where her cousin stood “I did as you requested, now I demand you show them mercy.”
A sinister smirk curled Deirdre’s lips. “You’ll demand nothing, and you will continue to do as I command. That is, if you know what’s good for you. The next time I send a tray to your room, I expect you to empty it without argument.” She turned to leave.
Laurel clutched her cousin’s shoulder. “But you promised to—”
“I made you no promises.” She twisted free of Laurel’s grasp and continued toward the door.
Unable to contain her frustration, Laurel picked up the tray and threw it, the wooden trencher and mug landing on the floor at Deirdre’s heels.
“Clean up that mess,” Deirdre ordered as she grasped the door latch, then tugged.
When the door closed and she heard the lock catch, Laurel released the breath she’d been holding, then swiftly retrieved a washbasin from the shelf by the door.
Aware the food and drink was likely tainted, she put her finger into her mouth, forcing herself to gag and vomit. After emptying the contents of her stomach, she sank to the floor, cradled her head in her hands, and cried.
Emotions drained, she tried to rise, but her head began to spin and her vision blurred, confirming her belief that Deirdre had indeed put something in her fare. Using a nearby stool, she made a second attempt, and this time managed to stand. She took a wobbly step, then another, until she reached her pallet and lay down.
“Please hurry, Blair,” she said aloud. Then she closed her eyes.
Determined to reach Kilmorack as swiftly as possible, Blair pushed his trusted steed to the limits, riding for hours and only stopping long enough to give his horse a rest. Sweat coated his sleek, black coat, his massive chest heaving, but the powerful Destrier continued to give his all.
At this pace, they would reach their destination in good time, but he couldn’t risk running the animal into the ground. When they came to a village on the bank of the Beauly River, he decided to stop. Once he’d seen the horse fed and watered, he’d find a messenger to carry a missive to his brothers and let them know what had transpired. He had no doubt they would be worried by now, if not furious.
Blair halted in front of the inn, then slid from the saddle, just as a young lad barreled out of the stable.
“Can I take care of your horse, m’lord?” he asked as he stroked the animal’s forelock. “What a bonnie lad.”
“Aye.” Blair tossed him a piece of silver. “See he is fed and watered well, then give him a rubdown.”
The lad looked at the coin, then tucked it into his boot. “Oh, thank you, sir. I’ll take good care of him. Are you spending the night at the inn? We’ve got a small pasture behind the stable. After I’ve given him some oats, I could let him graze awhile.”
“Nay. I’ll only be here long enough to give the horse a rest and to get myself a bite to eat, mayhap a tankard of ale. I need to be in Kilmorack on the morrow, so I will ride through the night. Please see to the feed.” He tousled the lad’s red hair, then headed toward the inn.
Blair ducked beneath the low-hung doorframe. After taking a minute for his eyes to adjust to the dim light and the heavy haze of peat smoke, he approached an empty table near the hearth.
“Can I get you something to eat or drink?” a petite young woman asked. “My mother just took a pot of venison stew off the fire and she has a fresh loaf of bread cooling.”
His stomach growled. He’d forgotten how long it had been since he last ate. “The stew sounds good. Could you also bring me a mug of ale?”
“Right away.” She bobbed a curtsy, then disappeared into the kitchen.
Blair leaned back in his chair, then brought his hand up to stifle a yawn. Many hours had passed since last he slept. It was going to be a long night.
“I’ve not seen you in the village before,” the lass said as she placed a cup of ale on the table, followed by the trencher of food. “I hope everything is to your liking.”
“It looks delicious. And to answer your question, I’m just passing through.” He raised the tankard and drank deeply.
“We have a room atop the stairs if you wish to spend the night. My da just filled the mattress with fresh straw and changed the rushes on the floor. A far cry more comfortable than sleeping on the ground.”
“Thank you. As tempting as it sounds, I willna be staying. Not if I plan to reach my destination on time,” he replied, then tasted the stew.
“Katie,” the innkeeper shouted. “See to your chores and let the man eat in peace. The fellows sitting at the table near the window need you to bring them more ale.”
She heaved a deep sigh, then wiped her hands on her apron. “I wish all the patrons were as kind as you. Those three have no manners and think they can fondle any lass they wish. The one they call Callum has pinched my bottom twice and tried to pull me into his lap.” She glanced over her shoulder in their direction and shook her head. “The more they drink, the worse they get.”
Blair narrowed his eyes to get a better look at the men, then almost choked on a piece of bread he’d just popped into his mouth. He recognized the scoundrels, the same men who attacked Laurel and Isla at the festival.
“Katie,” the innkeeper yelled again.
“Aye, Da, I’m coming.” She smiled at Blair. “If you need anything else, just let me know.” She turned and walked toward the keg of ale.
Blair fought the urge to intervene, but unless they did something totally out of line, it was not his place to interfere. Her father was there to protect her if need be, and he had to be on his way if he hoped to prevent the wedding from taking place.
He finished his meal, slid out his chair, preparing to depart, when he heard a woman squeal. He turned to see Katie pinned against the wall. One man used his bulk to hold her in place, his hands groping her breast, his face buried against her neck, while his companions urged him on.
“Nay. Please let me go,” she sobbed.
Blair tried to ignore her plea. But when tear-filled eyes flashed in his directing, he had no choice but to do something.
He strode across the room, then grabbed the assailant by his shoulder and spun him around to face him. “The lass said nay. Leave her be.”
“Well, if it isn’t the hero come to the rescue again,” the man growled, then spat on the ground. “When are you going to learn to mind your affairs?”
Blair palmed the hilt of his sword as he glared at the man. “I said let her be. I think it best you finish up your drinks and be on your way. Callum, isn’t it?”
Callum grunted, then looked to his two friends for support. Unlike their first encounter, they did not cower or back off. Instead, they stood with swords drawn, prepared to fight. “I think it’s you who should be leaving,” one said.
Blair tugged his blade from its sheath and broadened his stance. “I will tell you one more time to let the lass go.”
“Here, here, I’ll have no fighting.” The innkeeper stomped across the room. “Take your hands of
f my daughter,” he ordered.
When Callum released her, then stepped aside, she scurried toward the kitchen like a frightened hare.
“Now if it is blood you want to spill, do it outside. Otherwise, sit down and finish your drinks,” he said, pointing to their table. He turned and faced Blair. “And if you’ve finished your meal, best you be off before I have the lot of you arrested.” He tossed a cleaning rag over his shoulder and headed back to the bar.
“Better listen to the man,” Callum warned.
While Blair would have liked nothing better than to put these swine in their place once and for all, he’d honor the innkeeper’s request and leave. He’d tarried long enough and had a long ride ahead of him.
Chapter 11
Rather than pursue the issue further, Blair downed the last of his ale, then tossed payment for his meal on the table. Katie was fine for now, and there was nothing more he could do. It was up to her father to keep her safe.
He strode across the room and out the door, ignoring the taunts from Callum as he passed.
“Lad. I am ready for my mount,” he called out as he approached the stable.
“Aye. I’ll fetch him right away, m’lord.”
Judging by where the sun hung in the sky, Blair figured he had a few hours of daylight left and planned to make the most of it. If he traveled along the Beauly River, there’d be plenty of water and lush pasture for his horse to graze on if he decided to take a break.
“He had his fill of oats and hay, m’lord, so he should be good for a distance.” The lad led the horse to where Blair stood.
“Thank you. It appears you’ve taken fine care of him.” Blair tightened the cinches on the saddle, then inspected each of the animal’s hooves for pebbles or splits. Satisfied that his steed was fit to travel, he prepared to mount.
“Wait!”
Blair turned at the sound of the lass’ voice. “Katie, what are you doing here? I’m sure your father willna approve.”
“I dinna care. I wanted to say goodbye and to thank you for helping me. I will be forever in your debt.”
Blair shrugged. “I wish there was more I could do.”
“You’ve done more than most.” She handed him a small canvas sack. “I packed you a bit of dried venison and some oatcakes left over from the morning meal. It isna much, but it will tide you over until you reach Kilmorack.”
He studied the offering and smiled. “This is verra kind of you. I have a long hard journey ahead of me.”
“It must be something verra important that prompts you to ride through the night. Are you meeting your lady?” she asked, then dropped her gaze and kicked at a small rock. “She is verra lucky to have a fine gentlemen like you. I fear if I remain in this place, I will never find love.”
“I’m not meeting my woman in Kilmorack.” He gently placed his fingers beneath her chin and lifted. “You are still verra young. Someday, a man will come along who is swept away by your beauty and sees all the wonderful things you have to offer. When that happens, you will feel it here right away, and so will he.” Blair thumped his chest with his fist. “I knew Laurel was the one for me the first time I laid eyes on her.”
“Do you honestly believe that will happen for me?”
“I do, lass.”
“Is Laurel the name of your wife?”
“Nay, but the Almighty willing, we will be wed,” he replied.
“I can tell by the way your eyes light up and your face brightens when you say her name that you love her verra much.”
Blair felt the heat rising in his cheeks. “I dinna know it showed.”
“It does. I—”
“Katie! Where are you?” Her mother stood at the back door of the inn.
“I come anon, Mam.” She waved.
“You best hurry. You know how your father gets when he is kept waiting,” her mother cautioned.
“My da is a good man. But ever since the war began with England, things have been hard, coin scarce. There are many days when he fears he willna be able to provide for his family. So he tolerates swine like the three men you tangled with, and allows them to drink to excess. They are paying customers, so he is reluctant to turn them away. Unfortunately, things sometimes get out of hand.”
“You have the right to say nay, Katie.”
“I am his only daughter and must do his bidding.”
“Honoring your da and Highland custom is one thing, but being forced to endure inappropriate advances is unacceptable. I have been at odds with those three in the past. They are bad to the bone, and best you stay clear of them.”
“Katie,” her mother shouted again, then crossed her arms over her chest.
“When riled, our mam can be even tougher than our da,” the lad said.
“My brother is right. I must be on my way.” She stood on her toes and kissed his cheek. “Thank you, again,” she said, then raced toward the inn.
“My sister is a bonny lass.”
“Aye, she is. She will make some man a verra good wife when she comes of age,” Blair replied.
“Too bad you’re betrothed. Katie has a good heart, can cook, and clean. She is a sturdy lass and could bear you many sons,” the lad boasted.
“You know a lot about the ways between men and women for a bairn of your age.”
His face reddened, but he puffed out his chest with pride. “I’m old enough to know more than people might think. I overheard my da telling a man who came intae the inn the other day, those verra things about my sister. He was a brawny warrior and a fine catch according to my mother. He asked to spend some time with Katie, but he wasna interested in a wife, only a woman to warm his bed. I told my father if the man was cold, all he needed to do was add more pelts to his pallet. Da laughed and told me I would understand when I’m a man.”
Blair covered his mouth to hide a grin. “Your father is right.” He patted the lad on the head, then handed him two coins. “One for you and one for your sister. Let this be our secret.” He grabbed the horse’s mane, then threw his leg over the animal’s back. “Take care of Katie,” he said as he dug his heels into the steed’s flanks.
Three hours into the journey, Blair decided it was time for a break, a chance to stretch his legs and rest the horse. He dismounted, then led his mount to the river’s edge to drink. He squatted and dipped his hand into the clear, cool water, then splashed some on his face before filling his wineskin.
The last hues of twilight, rich orange, purple, and gold illuminated the horizon. He stared up at the cloudless sky. It was going to be a good night for travelling. After a short rest, they’d continue on to Kilmorack.
He chewed on a piece of dried venison while his mount grazed in a patch of clover, but when the animal snorted and raised his head, Blair slid his hand over his sword. It took a lot to spook the battle-hardened warhorse.
“Did you hear something?” he whispered and slowly began to rise. It could be a wild boar, a wolf, or bear. When a branch snapped behind him, he was certain they were not alone.
He whipped around, but not quickly enough to dodge the hilt of someone’s weapon. Struck squarely in the jaw, he tumbled backward. He saw stars when his head struck a rock. The wind knocked from his lungs when he landed on with a thud on his back. He gasped for air.
“Not so cock-sure now, are you, Hero?” His assailant hovered over him with a blade in hand.
Blair recognized Callum’s voice immediately. When his two friends joined him, he deduced they’d followed him when he left the inn.
“Take his coin and let’s be on our way, Callum, before someone comes along. You’re a better man and have made your point,” one of his companions said.
“All in good time,” he hissed. “The two of you get his horse, he’ll fetch a good price. I still have a score to settle.
The hero here has interfered twice when I was about to have my way with a comely lass, and it willna happen again.”
He swung his sword in a large arc before bringing it down in Blair’s direction.
Blair rolled to the right, just as the blade struck the ground. Callum cursed at the near miss and swung out again, this time slicing into Blair’s left shoulder. Blood streamed down his arm, but he ignored the pain and staggered to his feet with his weapon in hand. When he spied the other two men racing toward his horse. He shouted, and on command, the animal darted off, leaving the men in a cloud of dust.
