Highland Grace

by K. E. Saxon

  The family, as well as a very beautiful raven-haired woman of evident wealth, were already assembled by the time Jesslyn arrived, but it quickly became clear that Bao had not been told of her condition as yet, for which Jesslyn gave a mental sigh of relief.

  She stood in the entryway a moment, the others not having noticed her arrival as of yet, and stared at Bao. Her breath caught in her lungs. He had grown more masculine in the passing moons, it seemed to her. More vividly beautiful. His black hair, that fell in a straight line down his neck and ended at his broad shoulders, shone with blue highlights that could be seen even from across the room. And that massive uisge beatha-hued frame. The well-thewed chest, the mighty arms, the trim waist. Fortunately for her thrumming nerve-endings, the green woolen tunic he wore hid the long, sinewy legs and thighs she knew he possessed, else she would surely melt into a puddle of desire where she stood.

  “I’d wondered why I’d not received a reply to my missive. You must have only just departed Perth when I sent it,” she heard Maryn say to him.

  He smiled. “Aye, tho’ knowing now that you’d threatened to bring the family to me would have brought me here to you in any case.”

  “And why is that? I believe I would enjoy visiting that town. After all, ‘tis near the abbey at Scone, where our king was crowned. There must be quite a bit to keep one entertained there,” Maryn replied.

  “Aye, there is!” Branwenn piped in. “We simply must make a journey there.” She turned to Daniel and said, “Can we? Please?”

  For a split second, a look of alarm crossed Bao’s countenance before he blinked it away, and Jesslyn knew why: ‘twas to do with the other trade in which he was secretly involved.

  “Have you forgotten my wife’s delicate condition?” Daniel asked her. “I don’t think a journey will be likely to happen for quite some time to come.”

  The woman saw her first and settled her hand on Bao’s shoulder, leaning with intimacy and familiarity into him as she whispered something to him and tilted her head in Jesslyn’s direction. The same carnal smile he’d bestowed on Jesslyn so often, darkened his features as he gazed at his companion. Jealousy, molten and quick, pounded through her veins. ‘Twas clear that the lady was much more than a responsibility to him. Was she one of the ladies who paid him for his services?

  He swung his gaze to Jesslyn. His eyes flashed with what she believed to be lust, but instantly disintegrated into a look of bored disinterest. It cleaved her chest like a sword. He gave her a nod. “Jesslyn.” Mayhap the friendship they’d managed to salvage last summer was an illusion on her part. Which told her that he would not be happy about the babe, and would be better off not knowing he’d fathered it.

  “G’morn,” Jesslyn replied shakily, with a quick dip of courtesy.

  “Come inside.” Daniel broke from the circle they’d formed by the hearth and walked over to her, placing her hand in the crook of his arm as he began escorting her toward the others.

  “I beg you, don’t say anything about my condition just yet, will you?” she said sotto voce as she walked beside him.

  Daniel narrowed a gaze at her, but nodded his agreement.

  * * *

  Bao stepped to the other side of Lady MacGhille, in hopes that Daniel would step into the void with Jesslyn, so that Bao could keep his distance from her. Unfortunately, Daniel chose to neatly tuck Jesslyn between them. Almost instantly, the scent of lavender assailed his senses, and brought forth a visceral memory of the glide of her silken skin against his abdomen, the cushion of her full breasts against his chest. Blood of Christ! He had to get a grip on this hunger for her. They’d parted friends the last they met, but his discovery of her brother’s perfidy—and her family’s own profit from that perfidy in specific regard to Bao’s mother—had killed those warm feelings he’d held for her for good. Now all he needed was for his body’s desire for her to die a quick death as well. He was here for only as long as it took to transfer Lady MacGhille to her husband, and then he would be off again. No Hogmanay festival, no rekindling of the flame between himself and the widow.

  Derek, Daniel’s lieutenant, came through the entry at that moment. “Lady MacGhille’s husband has arrived. He gives his thanks and his regret, but is pressed to take his wife immediately to their holding, as the King has requested his swift return to court on urgent business. I am to escort the lady to her palfrey.”

  Daniel stepped toward him. “I shall come with you and greet Laird MacGhille.”

  Bao stepped forward. “I’ll come as well.”

  The two men left with Lady MacGhille on Daniel’s arm.

  * * *

  A half-hour later, all were gathered once more in the great hall.

  “The meal should be ready to be served in a few more moments,” Bao’s grandmother said to him. “I’ve requested a bit heartier of a fare than we usually have at this time of day, since you’ve been traveling for so many days and are in need of meat.”

  Bao grinned down into her unusual eyes, one blue, one green, and put his arm around her waist, giving it a squeeze. Was she thinner than she’d been a few moons past? She somehow seemed more fragile to him than she’d been before. And her hair seemed even more gray than it had been then, as well. But her cheeks were rosy, and that boded well for her health, surely. “My thanks to you for that, Grandmother. Oat cakes and ale have been our main sustenance for most of our journey. I believe I could eat an entire sheep, were it placed before me now—hooves and all!”

  “Bao, if you ate the hooves, I’d swallow a toad!” Branwenn said.

  “Alive or dead?” Bao replied, a sinister gleam in his eye.

  Daniel and Maryn laughed.

  “Boiled or raw,” Branwenn rejoined, the devil in her eye.

  Maryn laughed so hard she snorted, which caused his brother to howl even louder.

  Jesslyn’s hand flew to her mouth, hiding a smile that sent warm sunbeams through Bao’s center, which he viciously squelched.

  “Now, now, my wee bairns, no one is eating hooves or toads, so cease this silliness and find your seat at the table,” his grandmother said as she pressed her hands into the curve of both their backs and urged them forward. “Daniel, will you escort your wife and Jesslyn to the table?”

  Bao reached around his grandmother and tugged on his sister’s straight black locks that had grown past her shoulders in his absence.

  “Ow! Stop that you buffoon!” she yelled and slapped at his hand.

  His grandmother halted and grabbed a fistful of each of their outer clothing, forcing them to stop their forward motion as well. “Branwenn, that was extremely unladylike. Beg forgiveness from your brother for raising your voice.”

  “But Grandmother Maclean, he started it! He pulled my hair!”

  “You are my ward and I’ve promised to train you to be a lady. A lady may not have control over another’s actions, but she most assuredly has control over her response. You have just shamed me with your behavior.”

  Branwenn’s eyes got misty as bright flags of fury—and no doubt mortification, Bao was sure—slashed across her cheeks, but she blinked away the tears and turned to him. “I’m sorry I yelled at you, Bao,” she said in a strained voice.

  Bao felt horrible. He’d just been so happy to see her and had fallen easily back into his life-long habit of teasing and tormenting her. But, his grandmother was right. He’d asked her to train his sister so that she could make a good match for husband, and he must learn to treat her differently, at least in front of others. “‘Twas I who was wrong to treat you as a bairn, when ‘tis so obvious that you are a young lady now. I beg your forgiveness.”

  Branwenn nodded.

  Bao looked into the sad, purple pools of his sister’s eyes and resolved to spend some time with her alone as soon as they could arrange it. He needed to soothe his niggling worry and conscience that his sister was not settling in here.

  His grandmother lifted her hand to his sister’s fiery cheek and pressed a kiss to the other one. “
That was as gracious an apology as I’ve ever heard. You’re a beautiful young lady, I simply want your behavior to match your appearance.”

  “Aye, Grandmother,” she said and leaned into her embrace.

  “Shall we join the others at the table then?” Bao asked. Maryn, Daniel, and Jesslyn had discreetly left the three to their discussion and had already settled at their places.

  “Aye, let us dine,” his grandmother said. “Otherwise, we all may become so hungry we’d eat hooves.”

  Bao and Branwenn grinned at her jest. This time, Bao moved between the two ladies and led them toward the others. He gently held his sister’s delicate-boned, tiny hand in his beefy, calloused one and the warm glow that filled his heart expanded further.

  After seating his grandmother, he settled his sister onto her stool and bent low, whispering in her ear, “Will you take a walk with me after we break our fast?”

  Branwenn nodded. “Aye.”

  He took the place his grandmother indicated, the same place he’d had when he’d been here last summer. Next to Jesslyn. All right. After the meal, after the walk with Branwenn, I’m gone from here. Before he could stop himself, he stole a glance at her. Why did she have to wear the same damned gown she’d worn the day he’d plundered her?

  As if his sister had read his mind, she leaned around him and said to Jesslyn, “The silvery-blue of your gown makes your eyes even bluer. You look lovely.”

  Jesslyn’s gaze lifted from her seemingly intent study of the trencher. “My thanks. Malcolm, my late brother bought the material for me with his earnings in the holy lands and sent it to me. He wrote that he’d purchased the cloth with that precise thought in mind.”

  Every muscle in Bao’s body went rigid and he was sure the hate he felt showed in his gaze when he moved it over the garment.

  “Then your brother was a very wise man,” Branwenn said.

  His sister’s voice brought reason back and he turned his attention to the trencher. Leaning forward, he inhaled deeply. “The rabbit stew smells good, Grandmother.” With effort, he brought forth some semblance of manners for the others’ benefit, and glanced at Jesslyn again, saying, “The meat is in quite large portions; shall I cut it a bit more for you?” tho’ he couldn’t keep the ribbon of steel from underlaying the polite words.

  Confused by Bao’s cold, distant behavior, Jesslyn replied, “Aye, that would be quite helpful. My thanks.” Why? It seemed to be more than just disinterest. There was brooding displeasure there as well. And that venomous look he’d just given her. What was that about?

  * * *

  “Mama! Mama! Is Bao really home?!” A loud boom sounded following the query, and ‘twas clear to Bao that Jesslyn’s son had thrown the door to the keep so wide it banged against the wall. He stood and turned. No matter his feelings for the mother, the lad had found a permanent place in his heart. When Alleck finally entered the great hall, Bao stepped off of the dais and strode toward him. “Good morn, Alleck. I wondered where you were.”

  Just as he’d done so often before, Alleck flew at him, wrapping his arms around Bao’s lower legs and holding tight. “Bao!” He looked up into his face and said, “You said you wouldn’t come back here for Hogmanay, but I’m glad you did anyway.”

  Deciding not to disabuse the lad of the false notion, he said only, “I’m glad I came back as well. Have you been at Niall’s then?”

  Alleck nodded his head with vigor. “We’re buildin’ a big”—he thrust his arms out wide—“fortr’ss around this ol’ cart outside the blacksmith’s.”

  “‘Tis a sound undertaking, I trow. Will you show it to me when you’ve finished building it?”

  “Aye.”

  “Come, have a seat at the table and we’ll break our fast together.” Turning, Bao placed his hand on the lad’s back and pressed him forward.

  A stool was placed to the right of Jesslyn. “You’ll sit next to me, Alleck. We’re having rabbit stew—are you hungry?”

  “Aye! How come we get to eat stew so early, Mama?” He squirmed and fidgeted on his seat.

  “Because Bao’s been traveling for days now and needed something a bit heavier than bread and cheese for his meal.”

  “How is the fortress building coming along, Alleck?” Daniel inquired.

  Alleck chewed faster and swallowed his bite of stew with a loud gulp. Bao grinned. Clearly Jesslyn had tutored the lad not to speak with his mouth full. “Good. But we hafta find somethin’ we can use to make our mang’nel.”

  Lady Maclean’s gaze sharpened in alarm. Looking from Alleck to Daniel and then back to Alleck, she said, “Mangonel! I hardly think you lads need weapons. You might hurt yourselves, or someone else.”

  “I agree,” Jesslyn said. “I thought you two were building a privy place for you and your other friends—that hardly requires a missile-lobbing engine.”

  Alleck’s brows slammed together. “But how are we s’pose to keep the lasses out of our fortr’ss if we can’t blast stuff at ‘em?” He crossed his arms over his chest and pursed his lips in a defiant pout.

  “You’ll simply have to think of another plan, laddie,” Jesslyn said. “And straighten up. No more of your peevish behavior or I shall send you to your bedchamber.”

  Alleck huffed a loud sigh and Bao hid an even broader grin behind his fist. “Aye, Mama,” the lad replied sullenly. After another moment, he dug back into his meal, the episode seemingly forgotten.

  * * *

  Maryn leaned into Daniel’s side, needing the added support now that the babe had grown so big in her belly, and said softly, “Have you noticed the way Bao and Jesslyn keep looking at each other when the other doesn’t see? There is definitely an attraction between them.”

  Daniel looked over at the two and watched them a moment. “Aye. ‘Tis almost palpable, is it not? Although, my brother does seem to be fighting against it awfully hard.” He narrowed his eyes, his mind filled with new possibilities. “‘Twould certainly make things easier if Bao would wed Jesslyn. The babe would then be a legitimate Maclean.”

  “That’s a fine idea!” she said. “But do you think he’d wed? He’s been so set on keeping his life free of further involvements.”

  Daniel shrugged. “He asked to speak with me in privy later this afternoon. I shall broach the subject then and try to overcome his objections.”

  “Will you tell him of her babe?”

  Daniel nodded. “Aye. And I shall tell him who I believe the father of the babe to be.” He looked directly at her then and continued, “He’s family; he should be told for that reason alone. But, because of our blood tie, ‘twill also allow him to see the importance of keeping the babe within the family as well.”

  * * *

  “Would you like more water?” Bao asked Jesslyn, still all politeness but no warmth.

  “Aye. My thanks,” she replied.

  Alleck leaned forward and looked past Jesslyn at Bao. “Mama’s got a babe in her belly, jus’ like Maryn.”

  Jesslyn sucked in a sharp breath and squeezed her eyes shut. Oh, God! He’ll know. He’ll know and he’ll hate me.

  The tense silence that followed pressed down on her like a slab of granite.

  “Al—” Daniel began.

  “I’m gonna have a wee brother soon.”

  Jesslyn expelled the breath she’d been holding. When she finally managed to force her eyes open, they were instantly captured by the shocked and horror-filled eyes of her babe’s father.

  * * *

  “Is that so?” Bao said, dread, fascination, and disgust warring inside him. “And when will your brother arrive, Alleck?”

  “Mama says the babe should be ready by Bealltainn.”

  Bao’s stomach did a flip.

  “But you mustn’t tell anyone about it, yet.”

  Out of the corner of his eye, Bao saw Alleck nod his head in emphasis. “Mama says so.”

  Bao turned his gaze on the lad and took in a deep breath. “Mayhap, if ‘tis a secret, you weren’t supposed to
tell me either.” Was that his voice? It sounded higher than normal.

  The lad’s eyes widened and he swung his gaze to his mother. “Is it all right that I told Bao, Mama? You didn’t tell me I couldn’t tell him ‘bout the babe. And Branwenn knows.”

  Jesslyn turned her gaze to the lad. “Aye, ‘tis all right. We were going to tell him about the babe after the meal.”

  Branwenn leaned into Bao’s side and whispered in his ear, “She will not tell anyone who the father is.”

  Bao nodded once, but said naught. He knew who the father was. Him.

  His grandmother motioned to one of the servants and requested another stool be placed next to her. “Alleck, come sit by me. I’m quite curious about this fortress you and your friend are building.”

  While Alleck made his way around the table and settled himself on the stool, Jesslyn said in a quick whisper, “I need to speak with you as soon as possible after the meal. Alone. Can we meet in the wood, at the place we first met?”

  He frowned as he studied her a moment before slowly nodding. “Aye. I asked Branwenn to take a walk with me, but I shall delay that until later in the day,” he whispered in reply. His jaw tensed. “And wear a different gown.”

  Her brows slammed together in both perplexity and annoyance, but she nodded. “Aye, all right.”

  The remainder of the meal was spent catching up on events and planning for the coming celebration in a few sennights’ time. Both Bao and Jesslyn were relieved when the meal finally ended.

  “Alleck, I’ll walk back with you to Niall’s house. I’d like to speak with his mother a moment,” Jesslyn said as the others went their separate ways.

  Bao watched her leave. When she took her son by the hand as they strolled from the great hall, he fought hard against the feelings of wonder and tenderness that threatened to overtake his other, more logical feelings of disgust and betrayal. But even with that, there was only one thing for him to do. And he would do it. No one would ever say that Bao did not know and do the right thing, no matter how vile the thing he did might be to him.