Lucerne stood with a scowl that would rival Cree’s and left the Great Hall.
Sloan turned to Cree. “She is a formidable woman.”
“Who will learn her place,” Cree said as if decreeing it. “As soon as I’m done fortifying myself for the morn we’ll go see what the trackers have learned. I don’t care for the fact that someone has been spotted. Who would dare travel in this weather?”
“Those who are up to no good,” Sloan answered.
“Rem’s warning troubles me,” Cree said. “To think that men will keep coming after Dawn until one of them succeeds in taking her life makes no sense. The only way to stop them is to discover who hired them.”
“Not an easy task”
“But not impossible,” Cree said. “Also, it’s time to bring my sister home. As soon as the snow stops, send a troop of men for her.”
“Having two women to deal with aren’t enough for you; you’re going to add your sister to the lot?” Sloan chuckled.
“We had once been close,”—Cree’s brow knitted as if recalling troubled memories— “circumstances forced us apart and it’s time for us to be a family again. It’s time she had a home. Send a sizeable troop to the Abbey to bring her here.”
“I will—”
A piercing scream had both men jumping out of their seats as Lucerne rushed into the Great Hall. Her face was flushed, her cheeks cherry red, and her chest heaved as she stopped in front of the dais.
“The insolent man insulted me. Punish him, he deserves a whipping,” she all but screamed at Cree.
Sloan turned and sent Cree a pleading look. They both knew what this was about and Sloan, as usual, worried about losing Turbett.
Cree leaned over the table slapping his hands down on it. “You come screaming in here like a harpy, demand that I heed your command and you are yet my wife. Is this rude manner of yours what I am to expect from you when we wed?”
“I may not be your wife yet, but I see no reason why I should be abused by that insufferable man when all I’m trying to do is learn the workings of your keep so that when we do wed I have my duties firm in hand.”
“Did I not tell you that Flanna would deal with Turbett?”
“See,” Lucerne said with a shake of her finger. “You know who I speak of without me having mentioned his name. Therefore he must be a difficult servant to deal with. I know well how to handle an insubordinate servant. I will have him obeying me in no time and besides it’s my duty.”
“We have yet to exchange vows. Until we do you are not to dictate to any of the servants. If you have a problem with any of them you will report it to Flanna and she will deal with it as she sees fit. And you are not to disturb Turbett again—”
Lucerne went to interrupt and Cree cut her off.
“Never interrupt me when I am speaking and never make me repeat myself. My word is law, understand that and obey me or suffer for your insolence.”
Lucerne’s blue eyes stormed with anger, her chin went up and her shoulders back. “I understand perfectly, my lord.” Her chin went up higher. “Though I must inquire as to what you expect me to do all day if I am not to see to the running of the keep.”
“You will be busy tending our children.”
Her eyes turned wide. “That is a servant’s chore.”
Cree stood straight, his shoulders wide, his chest impressive in its muscled girth. “It is a mother’s caring love I want my children to know.”
Lucerne looked ready to argue then seemed to think better of it and calmed. “Of course a mother loves her children, but their care is left to the servants. It is the way of things.”
“It is not my way.”
Lucerne said no more on it, though it was obvious that the matter was yet settled. “Will you at least reprimand your cook for speaking to me and treating me like a lowly servant?”
“I will tell him that you will not disturb him again.”
“You sound as if you apologize for me.”
“You disobeyed me, therefore you leave me no choice,” Cree said.
Lucerne seemed at a loss and could do nothing but stare at him. Cree had the feeling that she was accustomed to having her way. And since her brief tirade didn’t have the results she was used to, she did not know what to do.
It didn’t surprise him when she pressed her fingers to her temple and said, “My head pains me, I believe I will rest.”
“Would you like me to send the healer to see you?” Cree asked, though doubted that she needed the woman, the headache nothing more than an excuse to take her leave and be left undisturbed.
“It is not necessary, my lord,” she said and bowed before turning to walk away, though after a few short steps she stopped and turned. “Is this healer skillful?”
“She is extremely knowledgeable,” Cree assured her.
“Then perhaps she could help me. I will await her in my chambers.” She left the room, her servant scurrying out of the shadows to follow behind her.
“Summon Flanna,” Cree said to Sloan.
“I am here, my lord, Flanna said stepping out of the shadows and bobbing her head.
Cree scowled. “This room needs more light. It seems that the shadows harbor eyes and ears that I am not aware of.”
“I may hear and see things, my lord, but I speak not of them.”
“Then why were you lurking in the dark corner?” Cree asked.
“I waited so that I may defend Turbett if necessary.”
“You witnessed the exchange between my future wife and Turbett?”
“I did.”
“Tell me about it,” Cree ordered.
“Turbett and I were discussing the meals for the next few days when my lady entered the kitchen demanding to speak with the cook. Turbett, of course, proudly stepped forward. My lady then proceeded to tell him that his meals were too flavorful and that she would instruct him on how the food was to be prepared.”
“Too flavorful?” Sloan said stunned. “She prefers bland?”
“My lady says that spices are expensive and that Turbett was not to be generous with them.”
Cree’s brow furrowed as his eyes darkened. “Turbett’s response?”
“He told my lady that there was only one master that he answered to and that was... Cree. Then he told her to leave his kitchen and never return.”
Lucerne hadn’t been here one full day and Cree wished he could tell her to leave and never return. “Turbett is correct. Lucerne is never to return to the kitchen not even after we wed. You will notify me if she should attempt to disturb Turbett again. And you have my permission, if it proves necessary, to remind Lucerne that she is not permitted in the kitchen”
Flanna smiled. “As you wish, my lord.”
“Send one of the servants for Elsa and inform her that my lady has requested her help in healing a headache.”
Flanna bobbed her head and waited to be dismissed.
“One other thing,” Cree said lowering his voice. “Keep me abreast of any incidents concerning my future wife. That is all.”
Once Flanna left the hall Sloan asked, “I take it that means I should keep a careful eye on m’lady too.”
Cree nodded. “She arrived like a whirlwind that has yet to settle.”
“A whirlwind has a way of scooping things up in its wake and depositing them God knows where.”
“Her whirlwind way will settle or else,” Cree warned.
“Not that I think you can’t do it for I have seen you do many things I thought impossible—but—how can a whirlwind possibly be controlled?”
Chapter Four
Cree had just finished speaking with Taggart the miller in regards to the few repairs that the mill required when one of his warriors approached and informed him that the snow had made it impossible to follow the tracks. However they were able to determine that there were two separate tracks and therefore two men. The search continued, though it didn’t look promising.
As Cree finished giving orders that he was to be made aware of an
y strangers seeking shelter for the winter, he spotted Dawn leaving her cottage. He wondered what she was doing out in the cold, she should be resting, regaining her strength, especially after he had robbed her of some last night and this morning. He almost smiled at the memory of her naked in his arms, though caught himself and scowled. It wouldn’t do for the infamous Cree to be smiling for no reason and yet there was a reason... there was Dawn. He had been smiling more often around Dawn. She brought a joy out in him that had been buried for as long as he could recall. It reminded him of the time he was loved so unconditionally. And that kind of love was worth everything.
He finished issuing further precautions that were to be taken, then left Sloan to see to it, and then caught up with Dawn and her guard a few steps from her cottage. With a nod to his warrior Neil, the man drifted off, though kept them in view as they walked side by side.
“You are feeling well enough to be out?” Cree asked worried that she would worsen and hoping she had recovered. He missed her greatly and grew annoyed at himself for the constant thought of having missed her.
She nodded and breathed deeply.
“It’s fresh air you are hungering.”
She smiled happy that he understood her and happy to see him. While his absence had been her doing, she had realized last night how very much she had missed him beside her in bed, not that she hadn’t missed his lovemaking more. It was just that she found peacefulness when he rested beside her all night and woke to his loving touches in the morning. She was glad she was already smiling, for she would have burst with a foolish grin at the remembrance of how tender he had been when making love to her. It was almost as if she could feel how much he cared... possibly loved her.
She chased the maddening thought away. It had only served to cause her heartache and she had suffered enough of that when she had learned he would wed. The reminder wiped the smile off her face.
“Are you all right?’ he asked anxiously, her smile vanishing much too fast and her face paling a bit.
She nodded and smiled again, though it lacked zest.
“Perhaps a visit with Elsa would prove wise,” Cree said and offered his arm to her.
Dawn knew it wasn’t a suggestion and had no choice but to take his arm and do as he commanded. At least she would not be deprived of the walk she had been eager to take.
“You slept well?”
Dawn’s smile grew when she caught just the hint of Cree’s lips turning up in what she suspected would be a wide grin if he let it. She gestured with her one hand pointing to her left and slowly drawing it in front her and pointing down.
He nodded and couldn’t help but let a smile slip out, but only for a moment. “Better than you have slept in a while.”
She nodded, her eyes lighting bright along with her smile.
Good lord, but her smile could steal his heart. He leaned down and whispered, “Me too.”
“MY LORD!”
The screech started them both and had them turning around. Dawn didn’t realize that her hand grasped more tightly to Cree’s arm as she watched Lucerne hurry toward them.
She stopped in front of Cree, ignoring Dawn as if she was not there or was too insignificant to acknowledge. “You have a miraculous healer. My headache is gone and I thought that perhaps you now have free time to show me around the village.”
It was hard not to notice that villagers were lingering around them and Dawn was certain that they were curious as to how the notorious Cree would handle the delicate situation. Dawn wondered herself and so she waited, her eyes on Cree.
Lucerne gave a haughty lift of her chin and spoke before allowing Cree to answer. “Is this poor peasant in need of help that she dares to keep hold of your arm?”
Fear of punishment would have had Dawn removing her hand immediately but she had no fear of retribution from Cree and for some reason, she found surprising, Lucerne did not intimidate her. What had surprised her was Cree’s reaction. He had placed his hand over hers. Was he warning her to remain as she was or was he making it known to Lucerne that Dawn belonged to him?
Cree finally spoke. “I have matters to see to.” He gave Neil a nod and the warrior walked over to them. “Neil will escort you back to the keep.”
Lucerne’s blue eyes turned stormy and she appeared ready to protest when suddenly she turned a brilliant smile on Cree. “Another time, my lord, though could I be so bold as to ask for an introduction to the woman who obviously takes you away from me.”
Dawn waited. It would be rude of Cree to ignore her request so sweetly asked though laced with sarcasm and with so many villagers watching curiously. Though if there was one thing that she had learned about Cree it was that he did not care what people thought of him or if he was mannerly.
“You will meet everyone in good time,” Cree said.
Lucerne stiffened and looked to Dawn. “I’m sure the peasant wouldn’t mind telling me her name.”
“Another time,” Cree commanded so sternly that Lucerne took a step back. He nodded to Neil, and then turned forcing Dawn along with him since his hand rested even more firmly over her hand.
A shiver ran through Dawn and her stomach churned, for she realized at that moment Cree had made a difficult situation worse. Once Lucerne found out that she was Cree’s mistress there would be no telling what she would do. Cree’s wrath was one thing; it was there for all to see and fear. Whereas a woman’s wrath could be secreted away until she decided to let it loose and still one might not see it coming until too late.
Dawn wanted to glance back and see if Lucerne watched them, but she dared not give the woman the satisfaction to think that she had been disturbed by the exchange. And furthermore she intended to find out what she could about Lucerne and the one person who could help her do that was Flanna.
She wished she could speak to Cree about his forthcoming marriage but when he had told her that he was to wed, the arrangement having been made; he also decreed that they would speak of it no more. It had been settled; he would wed and she’d remain his mistress.
Her churning stomach grew worse possibly because of her growing concerns or perhaps it was the babe protesting the bit of food she had eaten before leaving the cottage. It seemed that he did not like particular food or perhaps he was just as contrary as his da. She thought to tug on Cree’s arm and have him stop a moment but they weren’t that far from Elsa’s cottage where she could sit and hopefully calm her protesting stomach.
They were a few steps from the cottage when Dawn realized that she could not keep her stomach from heaving. She let go of Cree’s arm and ran around the side of the cottage to the edge of the woods to let her stomach relieve itself.
She hadn’t expected him to follow or have his arm go around her waist or his hand to pull her hair away from her face as she retched. And when she was done he scooped up a bit of clean snow and wiped it gently across her mouth. After tossing it aside he lifted her into his arms and shoved Elsa’s door open with his shoulder and carried her inside.
Elsa pointed to the bed in the corner. “What is she doing out in the cold?’
Cree scowled at Dawn after placing her on the bed. “I should not have listened to nonsense of fresh air.”
The door flew open and Sloan rushed in. “An issue that needs your immediate attention, my lord.”
Elsa shooed Cree to the door while assuaging his concerns. “Go and see to your duty. I will see to Dawn and not let her leave until her guard arrives to see her home.”
Relief flooded him and knowing that Elsa would keep her word, he left Dawn in the healer’s care.
No soon as the door closed then Elsa was at Dawn’s side. “I know you carry Cree’s babe and he is not an ignorant man and will surmise for himself soon enough.” Elsa pulled the folded blanket at the bottom of the bed up and over Dawn to tuck around her. “Do not wait too long to tell him. Now rest, the babe tires you.”
Dawn didn’t need reminding that Cree was no fool. She knew he’d realize soon enough that sh
e was with child, but she wasn’t ready yet to tell him and she wasn’t tired. She wanted to go back outside and let the cold air sting her cheeks, watch the children at play and the villagers busy at their tasks. She wanted to talk with her friend, visit Old Mary and not be a prisoner anymore.
She turned on her side wishing there was some way she could escape and freely roam the village a bit before returning home. The heavens must have heard her. A young warrior hurried into the cottage demanding Elsa go with him. His wife was having their baby right now and he wouldn’t be surprised if the babe hadn’t arrived already.
Elsa was quick to calm the frantic man who no doubt had gone into battle with less fear than he was experiencing now and just as quickly gathered her things to leave. Dawn waited a moment after they left and was glad she did since Elsa popped her head back in a few moments later, as if checking to see that Dawn still slept. After she heard the door close again, she waited to make certain Elsa hadn’t planned another surprise return and when several silent minutes followed she got out of bed, grabbed her cloak from the peg and peeked outside.
Neil stood there smiling and she grinned and nodded at the warrior who guarded her throughout the day. She should have known that Elsa was too faithful to Cree to leave Dawn alone at the cottage. It also gave her pause to think that Elsa might not keep her secret about the babe from Cree much longer.
She walked through the village with Neil now eager to get home, eager for solitude once more. When they were only a few feet from the cottage, Neil suddenly jumped in front of her letting out a roar similar to the one she had heard Cree cry out, though Neil’s was not as ferocious, and then he pushed her to the ground shielding her with his body.
They were surrounded by warriors in minutes. Neil issued orders for some of the warriors to search the woods in the back of the cottage, and then he yanked her up off the ground and quickly shoved her into the safety of her cottage. It was only then that she noticed he had an arrow sticking through his arm. He had taken the arrow meant for her.
“Are you hurt?” Neil asked.
Her eyes turned wide and she frantically pointed at the arrow sticking through the muscle in his upper arm.
Forbidden Highlander (Highlander Trilogy 2) Page 3
