Highland Sanctuary

by Jennifer Hudson Taylor

  Gavin cleared his throat. "Well, mayhap he's settled in now." He laid down the garment he'd been holding. "I'm not sure where to begin for a lady's wardrobe."

  "That's where I'll 'elp ye. What does she look like?"

  "Long, black hair. Fair complexion." An image of Serena came to mind, and he faded into silence, realizing he was about to describe her lips.

  "Go on. What color eyes? How tall is she?"

  "Green, like moss." He held up his hand, remembering that the top of Serena's head came to his chin when they had danced together. "About this high. She's thin around here." He patted his waist.

  "Hmm." The woman tapped her chin with a finger. Her brown eyes brightened. "I've just the thing. Yer lady will shower ye with kisses when we're done."

  Liking the sound of that promise, Gavin followed her at a quick pace. He kept telling himself that his flaming cheeks were due to curiosity and nothing more.

  Serena sat beside Gunna and her mother, reading by the evening firelight. She was thrilled to discover that Gunna's fever had broken earlier in the afternoon. Gunna ate supper with them at the table and talked about a dream she'd had of Serena being in a fire. To calm Gunna's fears and to occupy her mind, Serena offered to read.

  She turned to the first page of The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer. Before she began, Serena glanced at her mother. "I must admit, I began to wonder if Birkita ever intended to return this book."

  "Serena!" The scolding expression on her mother's face didn't discourage her.

  "Well, she kept it for the whole of winter. After I taught her to read a few years ago, she became as fast a reader as me. I canna imagine it taking longer than anything else she's borrowed." Serena turned it over and ran a finger along the worn spine. "Honestly, I wouldn't care except this is one of my favorites."

  "And so ye have it now, dear one." Evelina leaned over and touched her arm with a soothing hand. "Now read. We're eager to hear what the knight has in store for us."

  Clearing her throat, Serena began, "Here beginneth the Knight's Tale. As old stories tell us, there was a duke, Theseus, of Athens. He was lord and governor, and in his time such a conquerer."

  The wooden door rattled in the frame as someone knocked.

  "I'll get it," Evelina said, rising from her seat. The hinges squeaked as she opened the door.

  "Pardon me, but the laird asked me to bring these chests to Serena Boyd."

  "What chests? How many?" Her mother leaned her head outside.

  "Over there on the wagon. I believe he sent two of 'em." The man pointed over his shoulder with his thumb.

  Serena had seen him at the castle before, but had never conversed with him, as he mostly took care of the outdoor grounds. On occasion he travelled to town for supplies. Malvina often gave him the list.

  Evelina turned to Serena, her eyes wide. "Serena, do ye know aught about this, lass?"

  "Where would ye like me to put 'em?" The man's voice carried inside. "They're a bit heavy so ye might not want to move 'em again without a mon to 'elp ye."

  Leaning over, Serena laid her hand on Gunna's arm. "I'll be right back." She stood, setting her book on the chair and hurried to her mother. "I'm not sure."

  "Do ye know what's in them?" Serena asked, looking up at him.

  "Nay, lass." He shook his gray head. "Do ye need me to 'elp clear a spot?"

  Serena glanced around the small house. She pointed to an open spot by the far wall. "Over there will do."

  "Aye." He strode out and returned a moment later hauling a bulky cedar chest in his arms. He grunted as he set it down, the wood structure thudded against the compact dirt floor. "I'll be right back with the other one."

  "Dearie me, what's all this about?" Gunna twisted in her chair, her gaze following the man through the door as Evelina stepped out of his way.

  The next chest was larger. He pulled it by the handle on the side, dragging it across the floor. It made an indention line in the dirt all the way to the wall where he shoved it next to the smaller one. Serena recognized two chests from many more in the castle sewing room.

  "I'll be on my way." He straightened, nodded to each of them, and left.

  "Are ye not goin' to open it, lass?' Gunna rose to her feet, wobbling like an old wheel.

  "Exactly." Evelina spoke behind Serena.

  Dropping to her knees, Serena slid the latch and lifted the dome-shaped lid. It creaked and groaned like the howling wind against an ancient house.

  On top lay a folded piece of parchment paper. Serena picked it up, unfolded it, and read, "Dear Serena, I would like for you to have these garments to make a few special gowns. You may give the rest to your friends as you like. Iain MacBraigh."

  "Well?" Impatience laced her mother's tone. "Why did the laird send these things? Were ye expecting them?"

  "I told him I couldn't attend his feast because I didn't have a proper gown, and I didn't want to shame him." Serena thrust out the note to her mother. "Here, read it."

  "That's more fabric in one place than I've ever seen afore." Gunna leaned over the open chest, a delightful smile showing her missing front tooth. She rubbed her palms together. "Dearie me, lass, ye'll look beautiful, ye will." Tears touched her brown eyes and her nose turned red. "I declare, but the laird must think highly of ye."

  "I agree, Gunna." Evelina bent to her knees beside Serena and sighed. "I must admit that this comes as a surprise. I've always known ye were special and would one day catch the eye of someone, but I thought it would be a common man, so ye'd be out of sight of people—here where ye're safe."

  "Why did ye encourage me about Gavin, then?" Serena turned, trying to understand.

  "I only wanted ye to start accepting the idea that one day ye'll wed. I thought Gavin could help draw ye out of the shell ye've created around ye. I know he'll return home and ye'll remain here, but 'is friendship will be good for ye."

  "Good in every way except for my heart." Despair twisted like a dagger in Serena's chest. She pulled out a bolt of lace and held it up to admire. "Ye can put yer worries to rest. I'm not going anywhere. I trust no one and love no one, save ye and Gunna." Using the chest as support, Serena leaned over and kissed her mother's cheek.

  "Ye love not—yet." Lines of concern creased her mother's brows, pitching Serena's heart in a sea of doubt.

  9

  Gavin hoped he had done the right thing in buying the fabric for Serena's new gown. She struck him as a proud lass, working at the castle to help her family. He prayed she wouldn't view his gift as charity and be offended. Gavin admired her too much for her to think anything else.

  The horses pulled the wagon at a slower pace now that it was weighed down with heavy supplies. Someone would need to return for the materials still on order. The stone and bricks, at least, would be delivered to Braigh Castle.

  "I know why ye bought all that fabric. Glad I'm here to witness the deed instead of Leith. He'd have no mercy with his teasing," Craig said, keeping his gaze ahead of them as he held the reins.

  Gavin wasn't so sure he agreed with Craig. Leith had already warned Gavin about Serena, and he wasn't teasing at the time. Once he learned of this latest purchase, he might accuse Gavin of losing his wits.

  "I won't be confessing my deeds." Gavin forced a lighthearted grin as he risked a glance in Craig's direction. "Are ye itching to see Leith torment me with his witty jests?"

  Craig smiled, tilting his head. "I admit, the lad is quite entertaining, but nay." He shook his head. "I think ye know me well enough. I prefer tending my own business, while others take care of theirs."

  "Aye, and that makes a trustworthy friend of ye," Gavin said. "Leith thinks I should leave Serena alone, but no woman has caught my interest since Lesley—until now. If I already have a secure inheritance, why should it matter about my bride's family and wealth? Do ye think me daft wantin' to break with tradition?"

  "It's crossed my mind." Craig leaned forward, settling an elbow on his knee, and grinned. "But I understand how ye feel.
A man wants to direct his own path."

  "Precisely." Gavin assessed his friend. Did he feel trapped by obligations? "But then I'd be married to Lesley, and I wouldn't have the opportunity to consider Serena."

  "Not necessarily," Craig said. "Ye might have been widowed. If it was her time to die. It was her time."

  "We're never really in control." Gavin shrugged. "Mayhap we're given some choices and the rest is up to God."

  Silence lengthened between them as Gavin turned his attention to the land and the late afternoon landscape. He had hoped to reach the village before nightfall.

  White clouds dotted the blue sky. The vast openness took some getting used to without trees. The moors and glens cast a purple-brown hue. From this distance the loch's surface glistened like shards of glass in the sun's waning rays.

  Another half-hour and they finally reached the cover of the forest hiding the village. The day's weather had been mild, but the cooler shade of the leaved branches above them made Gavin shiver. As they followed the narrow path, he blinked, waiting for his eyes to adjust to the contrasting darkness. The wagon wheels jostled them over roots and uneven ground, snapping a fallen branch. Barrels rattled in the back. Gavin gripped the wooden seat with both hands to keep his balance. He'd much prefer this part of the journey on horseback.

  A deep growl bellowed from the thicket. Gavin looked to the left, seeing naught, he swung his head to the right. Foliage rustled. Out leaped a wolf, his yellow eyes fierce with warning. The horses whinnied, reared up, and pawed the air. They pulled against the harnesses as the wolf barked.

  "Whoa!" Craig held the reins steady.

  Gavin jumped down, hoping that the animal was Phelan, and there weren't any other white wolves around. He could try and lure him away from the horses. "Keep them calm, while I see to the wolf," Gavin said, training his eyes on the animal.

  "That giant needs to do somethin' about him. He's a nuisance," Craig complained.

  "Easy, Phelan." Gavin inched forward. "What is it, lad?"

  Phelan stopped growling as he lowered his lips over his fangs and barked. Encouraged, Gavin stepped closer, but kept his hands to his sides. Phelan barked again and turned in a full circle, then whined.

  An odd action for a wolf about to tear them apart only moments ago. The wolf stepped back into the woods. He popped his head through the leaves and whined again.

  An eerie presence slithered up Gavin's spine, and he rubbed the back of his neck. His keen senses aware, he listened and watched, but saw no sign of an ambush.

  Phelan barked, tilting his head, his yellow eyes never wavering. Gavin studied him. No beastly ambition lurked within those eyes as he'd thought, only a quiet intelligence that couldn't speak words.

  "I think he wants me to follow him," Gavin said over his shoulder. "Stay here with the wagon. I'll be right back."

  "What?" Craig twisted his mouth in disbelief and shifted in his seat. "Have ye gone mad, mon? That wolf can turn on ye in an instant!"

  "If he wanted to attack me, he would have." Gavin turned back to Phelan and stepped toward him. He barked again and retreated into the woods. Gavin hurried after him.

  He ducked below branches and leaves, leaning right, then left. His chest pumped in rapid breaths as he struggled to keep up. Phelan departed through the rough bushes. Gavin parted the leaves and peeked through, more woods greeted him. He listened. A flutter brought his attention upward to a bird flying from one tree branch to another.

  A howl startled him back into action. He followed the sound, until he heard a weeping female. Fearing for Serena, he charged through the thick leaves, his hand on the hilt of his sword and his heart beating like a battling lion.

  The lass in question screamed, cowering in a ball against the trunk of a tree. She crawled on her hands and knees away from him. While the blood in his head eased that she wasn't Serena, his heart lurched at the cuts, bruises, and distress of the young woman.

  "I won't hurt ye." Gavin soothed. "I'm here to help. The wolf led me to ye."

  In mad fear, she reached out trembling hands to feel her way as she hastened to her feet to run. Sobs shrilled as her breath caught in her throat, and she choked.

  Cara! The realization hit him. He was determined to help her before she injured herself further.

  "It's Gavin. Let me help ye."

  She wasn't listening. The lass ran toward a tree branch unaware that she was in danger of busting her head. Gavin lunged after her, grabbing her around the waist before she could get away. She fought against him, pounding his chest with her tiny fists.

  "I'll take ye to Serena."

  "Serena?" The hopeful name hung like a lingering promise. She relaxed, the will to fight evaporating. Violent tremors shook her as silent tears streamed over the blood-stained gash on her right cheek. A bruise thickened under her left eye. "Ye know Serena?"

  "Aye." Gavin held himself still in an effort not to alarm her. "It's Gavin. The wolf led me to ye."

  "Phelan saved me." She sucked in air. "Someone was chasing me. Is he gone?"

  "Who?"

  "I don't know." She shook her head, her tussled brown hair everywhere. "He nary spoke a word."

  "Then how do ye know it was a man?"

  She touched her swollen eye, the cut upon the corner of her lip. Her fingers shook. "He had the strength of a brute, the arms of a tree trunk."

  Crumbling in Gavin's arms, she burst into tears. "I thought he would kill me . . . or worse."

  Not knowing what else to do, Gavin stood there, giving her the time she needed to collect herself. He scanned the forest for signs the man might return with others.

  "Lass, do ye know if he was alone?" Gavin asked.

  She took a deep breath, sniffled, and wiped her cheeks. "I heard no one else, but I canna be sure."

  "We need to get out of here. I left Craig with the wagon. We need to go back in case there are more of them to ambush him."

  "Craig?" She lifted her head, shivered, and stepped back. Brushing her hair from her face, she gulped. "I must look a fright."

  "Ye're alive. That's all that matters." Gavin gathered her plaid and pulled it around to cover her. "Yer dress is torn."

  She gasped. "Thank ye."

  "Can ye walk?"

  "Aye." She nodded, grabbing his arm. "I ran so far, I'm lost. God must have been looking out for me to send Phelan and then ye."

  "Indeed, God is always with us, even when things look hopeless." Gavin led her back toward the wagon. Phelan followed close behind. The moment they emerged from the woods, Craig looked up. His eyes widened. He dropped the reins and hopped down.

  "Cara!" Craig rushed over.

  Gavin released her.

  Craig pulled her into his arms. He took her face between his hands. He traced a tender finger over her wounds, swallowing hard. Gavin met his gaze over Cara's head. The intense pain in Craig's eyes was clear.

  In that one expression, Gavin now understood the deep feelings his friend had for Cara. There'd be no teasing about Serena. Gavin's gut clenched. What if it had been Serena? An image of her smiling and dancing tugged and twisted at his desire to protect her.