by Kara Griffin
She nodded. “The king’s guard will return to Dumfries. Be sure to go there to relate the king’s regale and his decision.”
James bowed to her and left the hall.
She turned to Lady MacKintosh. “My thanks, Fiona, for your assistance. Without it, ‘tis doubtful James would have cooperated.”
Fiona smiled and chuckled a delightful sound. “If you think James is wretched, you should meet his mother. She is quite the harridan, but I adore my aunt nonetheless. We must go. I hope to see you again soon.”
“I shall always consider you my dear friend.” She hugged Fiona and released her.
“And I you.”
The men moved off to see the MacKintosh’s departure. Lillia had a moment to calm herself inside the empty hall. She waited for Heath’s return and skulked by the window casement, a beautifully designed glass that held the Fraser coat-of-arms in the center. The craftsman ship was remarkable, and she studied it so she wouldn’t think about the oncoming conversation with Heath.
“We must talk.”
She turned and found him walking a slow pace toward her. The deliberate movement resembled a big cat on the prowl. “Aye, we should.”
“I’ve bid all to stay out of the hall so we can have privacy. Come and sit with me by the hearth.” He took her hand and led her to the chair.
Lillia shook. A chill overtook her for she was certain Heath would agree to send her back to her father. That was the last thing she wanted, for she loved him so very much it hurt to look upon him. But if he wanted her not, she had to leave and would do so with honor. He tried to pull her upon his lap, but she freed herself from his grasp and sat in the chair across from him.
She folded her hands and tried to appear sedate. Her decorum teetered and if she wasn’t careful, she’d likely throw herself upon his mercy and beg him to stay with her. But his life was with God now, not with her. A calming breath did little to allay her dread.
“I understand, Heath, there is no need to explain your reasons. You never wanted to wed me. You only did so because of your … honor. Now that Roderick is here and you’re able to set out and join the clergy as you’ve sought to …”
“Lillia—”
“I’m certain the church will give us a dispensation if we both send for one. It may take time, but perhaps our father’s positions will persuade—”
He held up his hand. “You weren’t going to tell me?”
“Tell you what?”
He sighed. “About the bairn. I explained, Sweetness, that it only takes once.”
“Aye, and we’ve … many times. I was going to tell you, but now things have changed.”
“Nothing has changed. My brother refuses to be laird. He wants me to assume the role when my father passes. We agreed and I shall continue with the plan that when I can return and lead the Frasers, I will. Until then, my father will rule and my brother will assist him. John and Lagan will keep everyone in control.”
“So you are amiable to becoming laird? What of your desire to serve God? Can you put that aside? It’s what you’ve wanted for the longest time.” She wanted to reach out to him, to console the obvious choice that had been made for him.
“The matter is settled. My life it seems was meant to serve this clan. God will understand my reasons for my acceptance. We made peace with the MacKintoshs. I have you to thank for that. Why didn’t you tell me you saved Lady MacKintosh?”
Lillia gazed at her lap. “It was long ago, when we first came here. I’d forgotten …”
“We should stay here, especially with your … condition.”
She raised her eyes. “You don’t want me to go? To return to my father?”
“Of course not. Nay, love. I never have wanted you to leave. You’re the one that got it in your bonny head that our marriage was void. Do you not understand?”
She shook her head. “Understand what?”
“Since the day you kissed me beneath the willows I’ve been yours. And you’ve been mine.”
“Are you saying—”
“Aye, I’m saying I love you, Lillia Fraser, with all my being. You gave me your heart and I now give you mine.”
“You really mean it?” Lillia couldn’t stop her hand from shaking as she tried to tuck her hair behind her ear. His words brought the most joyous tears to her eyes.
“I do.” Heath leaned forward. “I have a way to prove to you I mean what I say.” He untied the tassel secured to his boot and tossed it into the fire. “I only want to serve you, if you’ll allow me to, for the rest of our days.”
Lillia wiped at her eyes. “Why did you do that? I know how much it means to you to receive forgiveness for those you’ve killed.”
He grinned. “I’ve decided to release myself of the quest. I’ve forgiven myself as will God. For all the killing I’ve done, I’ve atoned. I won’t hold guilt for taking lives when my hand is forced. There are times … When the clan or you are threatened that will force me to defend without remorse.”
She leaned forward, her heart heavy with his admission. “I don’t want to stay here without you. You will go with the guard when they return to the caves?”
Heath pulled her from her chair and settled her on his hard thighs. “I must go with them. Until the king releases us of our vow to protect him, we’re beholden. Are you certain you want to go with me? It has not the comforts found here.”
Lillia held his face in her hands and smiled. “Where you go, so shall I. And besides, I’m not bringing this bairn into the world without you nearby.”
He chuckled. “Lillia, Sweetness, you are fearless. Aye, fearless of loving, fearless of protecting, and fearless of living. I am naught if anything but impressed by you. You’ve loved me and I’m humbled by that.”
“I do love you, Heath, and always have.” She kissed his face and pulled back to see the many clansmen and friends trying to see inside the hall.
Heath forced her against his chest and grinned. “Promise me one thing, love. That your face is the very first thing I see when I awaken each morn.”
“I promise.” Lillia pressed her lips against his to seal her pledge. Life would be easier now. Now that she knew Heath loved her in return.
Epilog
Winter, January 1310
Dumfries, Scotland
Winter came, heavily coating the ground with drifts of snow. The lord’s year turned to a new one, and they rejoiced at being together at the caves, being blessed with food to eat, and with good health, and family. The men went out constantly to bring back wood for the fires, but wood was scarce and sometimes they had to trek for hours. Unfortunately, they couldn’t chop down the trees that hid their location from the paths and main road for the pines hid them well. Fire in the makeshift hearth continually set aflame all to keep the cave comfortable and warm.
Lillia sat next to Kerrigan, whose stomach was so large, the woman could barely move without assistance. She hoped and prayed that she wouldn’t get that big, but her bairn was starting to show itself with the bulge of her stomach.
Makenna sewed an adorable gown for Kerrigan’s bairn, and she finished the last of the stitches. Darcy, the sweet lass, sat upon her father’s lap, gleefully singing. That was when she wasn’t sneezing.
Since their return to the caves, Lillia hadn’t spent a moment away from Heath. Soon he would need to return to his duty to the king, but she prayed there wouldn’t be more battles. The friar’s news of late indicated both the Scots and English settled in their keeps for the cold season and likely no fracases would reestablish until the spring.
James Douglas appeared from between the vines they used to keep out the cold. “Comrades! Ladies,” he said, and bowed. “I bid you greetings and bring you plenty of bread for your stores.” He set the satchels on the table.
The man insisted on yelling his arrival, which awakened poor old Annag who slept in a chair by the fire. It was a nice change to see James jovial instead of full of bluster. The king’s guard repaired their discord with the k
night and all transgression exonerated because of their duty to King Robert.
Graeme waved him forward. “James, you are welcome to our table. Have food for it’s just been served and is still warm. What news do you bring?”
James smiled in his wily way, the indication he indeed had news to share. He turned to her and winked. “Lady Fraser, you’ll be pleased to ken King Robert will not seek you. He is contented by your missive and declared the Comyns fabricators. Word spreads that the Comyns scattered, some to England, most in hiding. Their supporters weakened. You should be safe enough for now.”
“My thanks, James, for taking my missive to King Robert.”
He sat at the table and pulled the serving trenchers forward, not bothering to make his own. “Robert is planning to send such a missive to King Edward. He wishes for an end to England’s threat. Since many English have fled and Robert has succeeded in retaking many of our fiefs, the English king will have to give in.”
Liam frowned. “Do you believe Edward will agree to release Scotland of its fealty? I highly doubt the devil’s kin would retreat and give up the fight.”
James nodded. “Robert deems it is worth a try. Edward has many problems of late and his vassals are verily displeased with him. They’re intent to get their king’s companion exiled.”
Brodin chuckled. “Aye, ye mean Gaveston. I’ve heard tell Thomas, Earl of Leicester and Lancaster, the king’s cousin rebels and wants Gaveston removed from England altogether.”
Lillia chuckled. “Tis rumored the king favors Gaveston in an unmanly way. Though we ought not speculate on that matter.”
Makenna laughed. “Aye, the swine shit, English king would take up with a man for no woman would have him. His poor wife. I’ve heard she is a fair and just queen, one with a kind heart.”
The men laughed at her jest. James cleared his throat, calling their attention. “I have other news to impart. I stopped to see Rohan before I made my way here.”
Graeme set a cup before James and filled it with mead. “Aye? And what news from Rohan.”
Lillia had yet to meet the man, but Heath explained how fortuitous they were in knowing him. The mead hall keeper often aided them and sent them employ.
“Seems there’s a woman asking for the king’s guard. From what Rohan says, she’s a bonny woman. Well, those weren’t his exact words. Nay, he said … the fairest woman in the land, a dark-haired beauty with violet eyes came to call upon you. He bid ye to come at once.”
The men laughed.
Graeme snorted. “If she be that bonny, I’ll eat my boot for my wife is the fairest in the land.”
Liam groaned. “Christ Almighty, Graeme, ye cannot say that for I have the fairest woman in the land for my own wife.”
Heath glanced at her.
Lillia shook her head. He spoke not a word, which she was gladdened he didn’t join the banter. As much as they needed employment, she suspected Graeme wouldn’t go because Kerrigan was close to birthing their bairn. Likewise, Liam wouldn’t go because he was concerned for Darcy, since she’d caught a case of the sniffles. That left Heath and Brodin. She looked at her husband and hoped he would stay at the caves.
“Brodin and I will go. We agreed we’d never venture forth without at least two of us on the journey.” Heath inclined his head to his comrade.
Brodin pounded the table. “I suppose I will go. I should see what the lady wants. Mayhap we’ll gain coin for the duty. Lord knows we could use some additional coin come the spring. Besides, the woman’s description sounds akin to the woman who got me sent in service to the Bruce. If it is her, you can be assured I’d gladly refuse her aid.”
“Are you saying you wouldn’t want anything to do with her, even if she was in trouble?” James asked.
“If she’s in trouble, serves her right. Mayhap we should let her stew in the village. Aye, for the snows came. I don’t wish to trudge through it all to help a wayward lass.”
Lillia shared a look with Kerrigan and they laughed. Brodin wasn’t of a forgiving nature.
Heath leaned back in his chair and grinned. “Snow or not, the lass is in apparent trouble. We should leave at the soonest. Besides, we still need to search for Gilroy. I cannot believe the lad took off again. He’s making a habit of disappearing.”
Liam chuckled. “Best check the gallows, for he’s been there before.”
Graeme scoffed. “Let him stay wherever he might be. The lad was told to stay at the caves and learn of news from the friar, not hail off on a god-forsaken adventure. Honest to God, he tries my patience.”
Brodin set a hand on his comrade’s arm. “Graeme, we know not what happen to him and should at least ensure he’s well. I’ll wager the coin he’s taken to thieving again.”
Heath laughed heartily. “I’ll see your wager, for I deem he learned his lesson the last time he stole coin from the English.”
Brodin nodded. “We’ll look for him, see to the woman searching for us, and we shall bring back some of Rohan’s brew to celebrate our return to the caves.”
Lillia joined her husband at the table and thought to be near him before he left on the trek to the village. With all her dilemmas behind her, she was solaced to know the king no longer pursued her. The king’s guard needed to continue to hide from the king, their oaths and allegiance undeterred, and their troubles would endure.
*Author’s Note*
Dear Readers,
I hope you enjoyed Heath and Lillia’s story as much as I enjoyed writing it. As is typical, I always try to follow history’s timeline but in some cases must tweak a smidge. And in the case of Yolande’s bairn, King Alexander’s wife, she did bear him a child after he died. Unfortunately, the bairn was stillborn. How I wish Lillia was really her child. I wonder had that child survived, if the plights of the Scots would’ve differed. They surely wouldn’t have fought over the crown thereby leaving England out of their turmoil.
In my story, Heath wanted to be part of the Knights Templar. At the time, their renown must have been remarkable because the Templar were wealthy, pious, and involved in many business dealings throughout Europe. Someone as devout as Heath would’ve wanted to join the order, but unfortunately we know what happened when France’s king decided he’d like their wealth and took it for himself.
Robert the Bruce had lands in Cardross/Dumbarton, but no castle was built until later years, which is why I indicated the home was more of a small fief. There are accounts of him spending time there in the winters when most armies sought refuge from the cold and harshness of weather.
Join me in the next adventure of the Legend of the King’s Guard and we shall find out how Brodin Grant confronts his UNDENIABLE HEART when he meets Dallis Buchanan.
Happy historical reading.
Fondly,
Kara Griffin
Coming Soon
UNDENIABLE HEART
The Legend of the King’s Guard
Book Four
Here’s a sneak peek:
Brodin Grant is sent to serve the imminent King Robert after he’s embroiled in a downtrodden affair, one he wishes he’d never favored. Now mistrusting of women, he’s must aid the bonny lass who searches for the King’s Guard.
Dallis Buchanan never envisaged her sojourn to England would bring her and her deaf grandmother such turmoil. In the hands of one of England’s most daunting warlords, she is sent to bring the renowned King’s Guard to their knees or to his dungeon. For her compliance, she’ll gain the freedom of her grandmother and safe passage back to her clan. But there’s one wee problem with this mission, and that is the undeniable feelings she has for the blue-eyed Highland devil.
As Scotland’s wars intensify to win their freedom, Brodin loses his heart to the winsome beauty. Battles ensue, bringing about Brodin’s alliance with the Buchanans. Unfortunately, it also brings him the misfortune of having to accept Dallis as his own. Their undeniable hearts cannot withstand the love that has joined them forever more.
Excerpt to follow…
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br /> ~ Exclusive Advanced Reader Copy Excerpt ~
Excerpt may differ from published version
Prologue
Village of Drumnadrochit, Scotland
August, 1303
In one fell swoop, Brodin Grant released the tartan around his waist. Once disrobed, he dove into the pristine waters of the loch. He swam out a good distance and dunked his head. Beneath the tranquil water, he floated, allowing himself to revel in the quiet and serenity of the abyss. The water soothed his aching muscles and gave a respite to his restless soul.
At the behest of his uncle, Brodin took command of their clan’s soldiers. Though he was younger than most he trained, he gained the respect of his men-at-arms, older brothers and uncles. They were still trying to gain the freedom of their chieftain, Randall, his father, who was taken prisoner in the lord’s year 1296, along with many other clans’ leaders after the battle at Dunbar.
With the ongoing turmoil between Scotland and England, Brodin suspected fighting would become intense and prolonged. Not only was he talented with the use of his sword, he also had the benefit of being the son of the laird. Their followers deemed him more valuable than his two elder brothers who were more political in nature than their skill at taking to arms.
Brodin came up and drew a breath before sinking again in refreshing waters. Thoughts of Alexia came and he grinned, sputtering the water as he surfaced. Being the third son, his father was least concerned with the woman he took to wife. His eye no longer wandered and he reasoned Alexia would make him a good wife. She was as fair to behold and as dark as he. For her hair was strewn with black strands, as black as the devil’s. He wondered if his children would have his light blue eyes or their mother’s dark brown. Regardless, their children would be strikingly handsome and resilient.
