Forbidden Highlander (Highlander Trilogy 2)

by Donna Fletcher

  “That’s a wee bit of a bother, nothing more,” he assured her after glancing at it. “You’re not hurt?”

  The man stood with an arrow in his arm more worried about her than his own injury. She shook her head and shooed him to the door with one hand while pointing to the arrow with the other.

  “I’ll have Elsa tend it as soon as Cree arrives and I finish telling him about the incident.”

  She shook her head furiously, stomped her foot, and pointed to the door.

  “No use in arguing with me; I take my orders from Cree.”

  Dawn was never more relieved to see the door open and Cree enter along with Sloan and Elsa. Cree walked over to her while Elsa went directly to Neil.

  She had been asked enough if she was all right and so she stopped Cree before he could repeat it and patted her chest and held up her hand assuring him that she was fine. She then pointed to Neil and demonstrated how he threw himself in front of her and knocked her to the ground shielding her.

  Cree ran his hand along her face as if ascertaining for himself that she spoke the truth, that she was unharmed. The gentle gesture was her undoing. She swayed and pressed her brow to his chest. His arms went protectively around her and he drew her tightly against him.

  “You’re safe,” Cree whispered and then looked to Neil. “Tell me what happened.”

  While Elsa examined the wound, Neil explained. “I saw movement in the woods to the side of the cottage and I didn’t wait, I stepped in front of Dawn and took her to the ground. I wish I could report that I saw the culprit, but it was movement that stirred me into action.”

  Elsa interrupted. “I need to get this arrow out and the wound cleansed and bound. And he needs to remain at my cottage for the night so that I can make sure that the wound shows no signs of rotting and he no signs of fever.”

  “Go on with you,” Neil teased. “You just want my hulking body in your bed.”

  “Dreams do come true, Neil, that they do,” Elsa teased right back.

  “Take good care of him, Elsa,” Cree said. “He is to be rewarded for what he has done here this day.”

  “I have my reward, my lord... a home after years of constant battle.”

  Dawn felt her chest swell seeing the teardrop that lingered at the corner of Neil’s one eye. The man would do anything for Cree and all because Cree had made certain that his men had been provided with a home. And at what cost?

  “You will be rewarded, Neil, and I’ll hear no more about it,” Cree ordered. “Now go with Elsa and you will not return to your duties until Elsa says you are well enough.”

  Neil looked ready to protest; a look from Cree stilled his objection.

  Elsa hustled him out the door, the two arguing like an old married couple.

  Cree turned to Sloan. “You know what to do; I will join you in a moment.”

  Dawn couldn’t hide her disappointment that he would be leaving her. She didn’t want him to leave; she wanted him to stay there with her and hold her tight and let the whole world disappear for the rest of the day. But that would not be, no matter how much she wanted it.

  He lifted her chin, Dawn not realizing it had drooped. He brushed his lips over hers and then kissed her ever so gently, as if he was afraid she’d break. It sent a shiver of passion through her and she wished again that he would stay.

  “I must see to this,” he said and this time kissed her, not with a fiery passion but with a taste of temptation, almost as if he purposely teased her. “I will return later, after supper.”

  She placed her hand over his heart.

  He smiled and stole a quick kiss. “I promise. Nothing will keep me from you this night.”

  She nodded and forced a smile, praying that it was true and he would return to her this evening.

  “You will not leave this cottage the rest of today,” Cree ordered.

  She crossed her heart.

  “You promise me?” he asked as if shocked. “You know I will hold you to it.”

  She nodded and crossed her heart again, then narrowed her eyes and pointed her finger at him.

  “Is that a but I hear?”

  She grinned and nodded. He would never know how very much he pleased her when he spoke with her, as if he could actually hear her.

  “I’m listening,” he said, pushing a stray strand of her hair behind her ear and giving her a playful kiss.

  He was not taking her seriously and this was important to her. She frowned and scolded with a shake of her finger.

  “It is important.”

  She pressed her finger once against his arm confirming that it was.

  “You have my attention,” he said, his dark eyes steady on hers.

  She pointed to him and then to herself and then tapped her mouth.

  “We need to talk. About what?”

  Dawn pointed around the room and then held her wrists together as if shackled.

  “You are no prisoner,” he said adamantly.

  She pointed to him, and then to her and tapped her mouth again and waved her hand.

  “You want to discuss this later but I tell you now that you are no prisoner.”

  She titled her head and placed her hands on her hips.

  “You’re going to be stubborn about this aren’t you?”

  She nodded, her expression softened and her hand reached out to rest against this chest.

  “If it is that important to you we will talk.”

  Dawn nodded and tapped his chest thanking him.

  “I will see you later,” he said and gave her a brief kiss before heading out the door.

  Dawn slipped off her cloak and after hanging it on the peg, she went and retrieved the comb she had hid behind the baskets the first day she had entered the cottage. She unwrapped the cloth she kept it in and admired the intricate design carved along the top of the bone comb. It had been her mum’s and she had kept it hidden these many years. Her mum had warned her that if she showed it to anyone someone would accuse her of stealing it for a peasant should not own such a fine item. But her mum had assured her that it had not been stolen that it had been given to her by a generous person who felt that a mother should have something to pass onto her daughter.

  Dawn took it out to look upon every time she felt the need to feel her mum near. Her mum had taught her to be strong and brave even against great odds. She supposed that was why she had held onto the possibility that Cree would someday love her enough to wed her.

  However, she had spent enough time on dreams. Her life was in danger and it made no sense why. She was a peasant, an insignificant lass. Why would anyone want her dead?

  She needed to find out for herself what was going on and she knew where to start and who could help her.

  A knock sounded at the door and it opened. Dawn smiled as the person she was thinking about walked in.

  Chapter Five

  Flanna placed a fresh pitcher of cider and a basket covered with a cloth on the table, then reached out to take Dawn’s hand. “Are you all right?’

  Dawn smiled, nodded, and gave Flanna’s hand a reassuring squeeze. It wasn’t only this incident today that had people wondering over how she faired. She had hid herself away, feeling sorry for her circumstances instead of staying strong like her mum had taught her. She did not know what fate she would face once it was known that she carried Cree’s babe, but she intended to keep her courage no matter the outcome.

  She was suddenly hungry and eagerly snatched the cloth off the basket.

  “I will do that,” Flanna said chasing her hands away. “You sit and rest yourself.”

  No more rest, Dawn thought. She had had enough of it.

  Flanna placed bread and cheese on the table in front of Dawn and filled a tankard with cider as she talked. “Cree is furious that more men have been sent to do you harm. He worries greatly over your well-being and well he should. There is talk—” Flanna stopped and shook her head as if silently scolding herself.

  Dawn was pleased that Flanna spoke f
reely in front of her and curious why she suddenly stopped. She patted Flanna’s arm, shrugged, and wrinkled her brow in question.

  “I do not wish to add to your ailing. You have enough to concern yourself with.”

  Flanna worried about her as did others and it pleased Dawn to know that people cared for her, though she wanted no one feeling sorry for her. Dawn thumped her chest and grinned as she threw her arms wide.

  Flanna laughed. “You feel better.”

  Dawn threw her hands up and around as if forming a big ball.

  “Much better,” Flanna corrected and Dawn confirmed with a nod.

  Dawn pointed to the chair across from her, tapped her mouth, and then waved her hand and Flanna understood that she wanted her to sit and tell her more and she obliged.

  “There is talk that Rem, the culprit who saved your life, had told Cree that the attempts on your life would not stop until you were dead. And it puzzles him as it does many as to why someone wants you dead.”

  Dawn tapped her chest.

  “Of course it puzzles you as well since it makes no sense at all. No one wishes you ill will, except...” Flanna frowned and shook her head. “The soon-to-be lady of the keep is one to watch out for, a nasty one she is, barely a day here and she has already raised her hand to her one servant several times. And such a lovely lass Bree is, with bright curly red hair and a pleasant smile for all. I feel sorry for her other servant Magda. The poor woman’s hands are gnarled from years of stitching and must certainly pain her, yet Lucerne has her busy stitching away day and night. The woman has enough garments to last her forever. The servants worry that she will do the same to them, work them until they’re gnarled with pain, once she weds Cree and takes over the running of the keep.” She smiled. “Though there was an incident between Turbett and Lucerne and Cree has forbidden Lucerne to enter the kitchen and he has given me orders to remind her if necessary. He also told me to report any problems concerning Lucerne to him.”

  She shook her head again. “I digress. We were discussing the attacks, which started before Lucerne arrived and she has yet to learn,” —Flanna paused— “your status in the village. And she won’t be hearing it from any of my servants, I can tell you that. I warned every one of them that they’d answer to me if their tongues wagged. ”

  Dawn placed a hand to her chest and nodded her thanks, then tapped her finger to her temple.

  “You have a thought,” Flanna confirmed.

  She gestured with her hands as if two mouths talked and then tapped her brow.

  “We can learn from wagging tongues.”

  Dawn nodded, patted her chest, and tapped her brow.

  Flanna leaned closer. “You want to learn what’s going on.”

  Dawn nodded, pointed to Flanna and then to herself.

  “Of course, I’ll help you. If it wasn’t for you I would still be putting up with that bear of a man, Turbett.” She smiled. “Once I became his equal and he could no longer dictate to me in the kitchen he changed.” She sighed. “Or perhaps I changed and realized that his constant badgering had been his inability to show that he favored me.”

  Dawn patted her chest rapidly and smiled.

  “You are happy for me.” Flanna sniffled back a tear. “I am grateful to you. You have been a good friend and I will help you all I can.”

  Dawn pointed to her ear.

  “You want me to listen,” Flanna nodded. “A good tactic since most nobility think servants hear nothing, though Cree is more cautious, lowering his voice when a servant drifts near. I have noticed that recently Cree and Sloan often seek the privacy of his solar and it makes me wonder if plans are being made.”

  A questioning gesture from Dawn had Flanna responding.

  “Plans for what I don’t know, though I will do my best to find out.”

  Dawn pointed to her and back to herself, and then locked her hands tight.

  “I will tell no one about what we’ve discussed. It will be our secret.”

  For a moment Dawn wondered if she was being fair to Flanna. If Cree discovered that the woman helped her she would certainly suffer for it.

  “I see the worry in your eyes, but what is it that I truly do?” Flanna said with a shrug. “I listen and gossip. It is what everyone does.”

  Dawn smiled and nodded. Flanna would prove a good ally and not only for this matter. Already she had learned from Flanna, without asking, that Lucerne had the habit of striking her servant, which told Dawn that the woman cared little for those beneath her.

  “I have to go and tend to my duties,” Flanna said standing. “I will see what I can learn and return with your evening meal and hopefully some useful information.”

  Dawn pressed her hand to her chest.

  “No need to thank me; I look forward to the challenge.” Flanna smiled and hurried out the door.

  Dawn decided to busy herself with adjusting one of the gowns in the chest. It required only a few tucks here and there and she would leave it loose so that it would eventually hide her rounding stomach. And with her hands busy her mind would idle. She could use the rest from the constant worry of late.

  She gathered what she needed and sat on a chair by the fire to spend the afternoon stitching and waiting for night and Cree to visit and for them to talk.

  ~~~

  The hour grew late and Dawn was brought no meal and she wondered what was amiss. Flanna had said she’d return and if for some reason she wasn’t able to she would have made certain that someone brought her meal. She could very well cook herself but after having a taste of Turbett’s delicious fare, she much preferred it to her own.

  Dawn had given Cree her word that she would not leave the cottage or she would have walked to the kitchen to see if there had been a problem and fetched food herself. She would have also liked to see how Neil was doing. She understood that Cree worried for her safety but she could not remain confined; she needed to be free.

  There was a stirring outside the cottage door, then a rap upon it before it swung open to admit Dorrie, a basket on her arm.

  “I am sorry that your meal is late but there has been a terrible mishap at the keep,” Dorrie said hurrying to spread out the food on the table. “Cree took ill during the meal and took to his bed chamber. Elsa is with him now. Lucerne carried on endlessly that it was the cook’s fault and that the fool had poisoned Cree.”

  Dawn’s heart hammered in her chest. She grabbed Dorrie’s arm needing to know how Cree was and yet her hands trembled so much that she feared Dorrie would not understand her gestures.

  Dorrie patted her hand. “Cree is doing well. From what I hear Elsa purged his stomach and he is now resting, though not before he spoke to Turbett. I don’t know what was discussed, though I do know that when Turbett returned to the kitchen he got busy preparing a special meal for you. He would not let anyone touch the food and chose me to bring it here since Flanna was busy.”

  Dawn wanted desperately to run to Cree’s side and see for herself that he was all right, but she couldn’t. And it angered her. She should be there for him as he was for her this morning when she had retched.

  “I have to hurry,” Dorrie said. “Turbett has us busy discarding the old meal and preparing a new one.” She turned to go, then stopped, and lowered her voice. “I thought you should know that they caught another warrior who meant you harm. Talk is that he died before telling them anything. A brave one he must have been to suffer such torture and not confess.”

  Dawn paced the room after Dorrie left. Worry and anger churned in her. She did not know how she would be able to live this way, being part of Cree’s life and yet not being part of it. She so badly wanted to be by his side, be there for him whenever he needed tending or caring.

  She would get no rest this night. She would worry until he came to her and she could see for herself that he was all right. This would not do, not do at all. If Dorrie hadn’t brought her meal she would not have known that Cree had taken ill. And then there was Neil; she had yet to hear if
he was doing well.

  Anger spewed up inside her and she wanted to scream with frustration but she couldn’t even do that. This day had taught her one thing and given her more determination than ever... she would be a prisoner no more. She did not care if someone was out to harm her. She would not hide away. Tomorrow she would visit with Elsa and see what she could learn about Cree, she would visit Lila and then Flanna and she would stop at the kitchen and thank Turbett for the meals he sends her. She would make her presence known in the village and to hell with the consequences.

  She dropped down in the chair her anger suddenly spent and worry consuming her. A tear spilled form her eye and she wiped it away. Elsa would take good care of Cree; he would be fine. He would return to her soon and she would see for herself.

  Dawn got up and paced again and that was how she spent the next few hours pacing, sitting and thinking, and pacing again. Her worry would surge and then be replaced by anger and then she’d shed a tear or two in frustration.

  No one came to take the food away which worried her all the more. Could Cree have worsened? Or perhaps the kitchen servants were being punished. But why? What had caused Cree to take ill? And why were others not ill as well if it was the food? And why had Turbett prepared a fresh meal for her after speaking with Cree? Did he fear someone might try and poison her? So many questions and not a single answer.

  Finally, after endless hours Dawn collapsed on the chair to pace no more. Anxiety and anger had exhausted her, though it was feeling so helpless that brought her the most concern. She could do nothing to help Cree and that was something she found the most difficult to deal with.

  When the door opened slowly, she jumped up hoping Flanna had managed to get away and let her know what was happening. Her eyes rounded when Cree stepped into the cottage. He looked pale and tired, though his stance was as imposing as ever.

  She flew to his side and threw her arms around him. He hugged her tightly and rested his cheek to hers. She felt his exhaustion and was quick to react. She kept an arm around his waist and walked him to the other room where she quickly began to undress him.