Her hand trembled, as if one part of her wished to reach for him and the other wished to run away. She allowed herself the small pleasure of enjoying the warmth of his touch. What was it about Braden Grant that was different?
“I’d not have you crying if you were mine. I know how to treat a woman kindly. My mother was abused by a cruel man. I would never touch a woman in anger.”
Then he did the oddest thing. He cupped her cheek with one hand and asked her a question. “May I kiss you?”
She nodded, wanting the words that had echoed in her mind to be true, that those words would have come from her beloved mother and father. How she wished they had chosen this man to save her. She knew her mind could be playing trickery with her, but she wanted Braden Grant to save her, to help her and Steenie. He was honorable and trustworthy. She knew it in her heart. This was the third time she’d seen him, and he’d never forced anything on her.
He settled his lips on hers in a gentle way totally foreign to her. Whereas Greer’s attentions were always rough and punishing, his teeth knocking into hers in his violence, Braden’s lips were soft and warm. He angled his mouth over hers and touched his tongue to the seam of her lips, encouraging her to part them, and she gave in, some strange force within her wishing to see how different things could be, how a relationship was supposed to be.
His tongue tasted her in a way that made her want more, so much so that she touched the tip of her tongue to his. He teased her tongue until they dueled a bit and he groaned, tugging her closer, wrapping his arms around her in a way that made her feel protected, desired, and special. He ended the kiss and she stared up at him in awe.
There was nothing brutal about this man. Instead she saw an honest, honorable man. Could she be wrong?
How she wished to believe in him. She’d never been touched the way he touched her, as though she were the most precious person in all of Scotland. His eyes were truthful, soulful, and so incredibly warm. She stepped back from him, wishing to regain some clarity of thought. “Steenie? How do I know you’re being truthful?”
“One of the things he loves the most is when you tell him about the special Muir holidays of your childhood. ‘Tis something he shared with me.”
Only Steenie would know that truth. She’d told him stories when she knew no one else could overhear them. Refusing to forget her parents and her heritage, she’d done her best to instill some of it in her son without telling him about their death.
This had come from her son. He was with the Grants. Her inner will crumbled.
She leaned toward him and he opened his arms for her, gathering her close as she fell against him, tucking her head under his chin. Steenie, Hilda, and Corc were the only ones she could talk to about her family, so she knew he told the truth. Her son was safely away from Greer Lamont. A torrent of sobs gushed out of her, and she clung to him as if she never wanted to let him go.
He held her until she had no sobs left inside her, rocking her just a bit. A few moments later, he kissed her forehead and said, “We need to go. I know not when the Lamonts will return. I’d like to get you away from here now. Trust me? Please?”
How could she not? He was the one man who could take her to her son.
“I trust you.”
He led her out of the chamber and down the passageway, but life had a way of keeping her from any happiness. As soon as they opened the back door in the curtain wall and stepped into the land behind the keep, a voice called out to them.
Greer bellowed, “Cairstine. Where are you? I’ll find you, you filthy wench!”
Chapter Thirteen
Steenie and Kenzie practiced with their swords until it was too dark to see anymore.
“Kenzie, you are the best swordsman of all,” Steenie declared. “Now I am a warrior just like you. And I’m ready to save my mama!”
He sheathed his sword and ran toward the gates.
Kenzie shouted after him as he chased across the bailey. “Where are you going?”
“I must find my pony, Paddy.”
The wee lad’s legs churned faster than should have been possible as he found his pony outside the stables. Several guards had just come in from patrol and they were mumbling about something and hurrying up to the hall, so the stable lads were busy taking care of their horses. They paid him no mind. He stood on a block and saddled his pet, then mounted just before Kenzie came around the corner. When he came charging out of the stables, there was no one there to stop him.
“Where are you going, Steenie?” Kenzie yelled again.
“To save my mama,” he replied. He held his sword in the air, nearly fell off Paddy, then sheathed it and spurred his pony onward.
“You cannot go alone,” Kenzie shouted.
Steenie glanced over his shoulder as he rode through the gates. He heard Kenzie shouting to his sire, “Papa, Steenie is trying to go after his mama. We must go with him.”
That was the last thing he heard. He was outside the Grant keep, urging Paddy into a nice gallop. After a short time, he heard horses following him, so he found a hiding spot where no one would find him. Several patrols raced by him, but then he snuck out again with a giggle. He wouldn’t allow anyone to stop him, not even the mighty Grants.
“Come, Paddy. We’ll rescue Mama,” he whispered as he patted his dear friend.
He hadn’t gone far when a horse pulled out in front of him, catching him off guard. The lad on the horse said, “Where do you think you’re going?”
He breathed a sigh of relief when he saw it was only Kenzie. “Come with me. We have to help her now. We can’t wait.”
Paddy tossed his head back with a whinny as if he was upset to be slowed on their journey. Steenie leaned over him to give him a hug. “Paddy is my new friend and he’s going to help me, even if you’ll not, Kenzie.”
Kenzie sighed and said, “I couldn’t find my sire. We really should wait for my papa to come along and help us.”
“I cannot wait for him. My mama needs me now. I know it.” He held his sword up again for emphasis. He liked handling it like the Grant guards did. Papa would be impressed, and surely he would be persuaded to listen.
Kenzie glanced over his shoulder. “All right. I’ll go with you.”
“Don’t come if you’re scared. I’m not going back without Mama,” Steenie said, pointing his sword at Kenzie. “Mayhap you need to stay behind.” He lifted his chin to let Kenzie know he was serious before he resheathed his weapon and tugged on Paddy’s reins. “Come, Paddy. Lead the way to my mama.”
Kenzie let out a huge sigh and pouted. “Go ahead. I’ll not stop you, but I will follow close behind. Just be careful. I don’t want a thrashing either.”
“Does your papa thrash you, too?”
Kenzie snorted. “Nay, but he threatens often. And this is definitely a thrash-worthy offense.”
***
Braden and Cairstine didn’t get far before they were dragged back into the great hall by a dozen Lamont men.
Greer grabbed Cairstine while Blair and two others held on to Braden.
“You were going to leave me, weren’t you? Even though I feed you, clothe you, keep a roof over your head, gave you a son, you would take off with another man, you slut. I’ll teach you who owns you.” His hand swung out and caught her across the face. “You’re staying with me, but you’ll no longer have the luxurious treatment you’re used to. Nay, this time you’ll get what you deserved all along.”
He slapped her again. Hard.
So hard that he had to catch her to keep her from falling, her hands going up to protect her head.
Braden noticed the swelling through her hair that he hadn’t seen before. “She has a head injury and you hit her again, you piece of shite?” Braden thought his own head would explode. “I’ll kill you with my bare hands when I’m free, Lamont.”
Greer chuckled. “I doubt you’ll ever be free to carry out your promise, Grant. What interest have you with my woman?”
Braden spat on the floo
r. “Your woman? You care for her so much that you never married her? Raped her and got her with child? Did you give her to your brother, too, arsehole?
Greer glanced at Blair. “He’s funny, is he not? Blair, do me a favor and find the lad. Send him along with the others going on the journey.”
Blair nodded but said nothing, glancing at Cairstine before he left.
Greer put his hand around Cairstine’s waist and tugged her to him so her back was against his chest. He moved in close so his lips were next to her ear, “You will regret whoring for another man. Am I not good enough for you?”
He grabbed her hair and yanked. “Answer me! Why were you trying to leave me? Am I not good enough to lie between your legs, wench?”
Braden could see Cairstine grit her teeth as the man tugged harder on her hair. How the hell had she survived six years with this scum? “Stay strong, Cairstine. I’ll get you away from him.”
“Answer me,” he ground out. “Or I’ll take you right here in front of your new friend.”
“Greer, you put me back in the cellars and locked the door,” she shouted as he yanked on her hair again. “You’re always holding me back, just like you are now.”
He gave her a push over toward Braden, but she didn’t move. “You want the man with the red plaid? You can go with him. I’ll let the two of you leave.” He began to pace, something that pleased Braden. He’d unsettled the bastard.
The man surely didn’t intend to allow them to leave. He was playing mind games with Cairstine. Braden knew better than to believe him, but did she?
One of the guards dropped his hands from Braden’s arm and nodded to the other one restraining him. Both of them let him go. He shook his arms because the little movement kept him from swinging at all the daft fools the way he wished to do. Roddy’s warnings stayed in his mind. His temper flared, and all he wished to do was beat that bastard to a pulp, but he took two deep breaths to rein it in. It was one man against at least a dozen. He needed to be calm and collected for Cairstine in order to get them out of the castle safely. He needed to be more like his uncle.
Restraint nearly killed him, but he thought of his sire’s words and held his tongue and his fists.
Cairstine stood between the two men, clearly torn. Aye, she knew better than to trust Greer at his word.
Greer crossed his arms in front. “Go ahead. Leave with him. I’ll let you go. I’ve had enough of your whining. I’ll find another pair of thighs to sink into, and it won’t take me long.”
“Where’s Steenie?” she suddenly asked, keeping her gaze on Braden rather than Greer. Mayhap she was wondering if he’d lied…or she might simply know Greer enough to guess what he was about.
“My son? If you walk away, you’ll not see him again, I can promise you that. I’ll be certain to tell Steenie that you have no interest in him at all. That you left him willingly.”
Braden held his hand out to Cairstine, then walked over to her when she didn’t respond. “Believe me, Cairstine. He’s safe at Grant Castle. Do not listen to him. He’s taunting you with words. Come with me and I’ll take you to the lad.”
She gazed up at him with such hope in her eyes, his knees nearly buckled. How he wished he could make this woman’s life better, that he would be given the chance to love her and show her how a woman should be treated. But she had to trust him first, and he knew trust could be a difficult thing to earn from an abused woman.
“Steenie’s at Grant Castle?” Greer asked, cocking his head. “Why, that’s odd. We found him out and about with another lad. Isn’t that right?” He turned to one of his guards who nodded in agreement. “What was the name of the lad who was kindly escorting him home? ‘Twas a new friend,” he said. “Do you recall?”
Braden’s heart began to race in fear. Who the hell had he grabbed?
Nay, he had to be bluffing. He had no name. He kept his gaze locked on Cairstine’s, hoping to convey the message that he would help her find Steenie even if the lad wasn’t at Grant Castle. If one of their own was missing, Clan Grant warriors would search the entire Highlands for him. But she wouldn’t know that. He saw the tears misting her eyes, knew that she was about to cave in to this fool’s theatrics.
The guard replied, “I think it was Kendell, Kenneth? Something like that. Or maybe Kennie?”
Shite. He tried not to let his worry show, but he failed because he saw his fear reflected in her eyes. The bastard had something he was planning, but he had to focus on getting her away from here. Steenie was not here, so she needed to go with Braden. He’d worry about Lamont’s intentions later. Don’t give in to him.
Greer clapped his hands. “Och, you’re right. His name was Kenzie. Nice lad around ten summers, I’d guess. But as I said. Steenie is clearly none of your concern any longer. You’re free to carry on as you wish at Grant Castle.”
He could see the fine tremors in her hands. Lamont was going to force her to make a choice. How he prayed she’d make the right one, but he would understand if she couldn’t. If the Lamonts had done anything with Kenzie and Steenie, the Grants were probably coming for them already, but she wouldn’t understand that. The only thoughts in her mind at present were about keeping her son safe. He couldn’t fight that.
Cruelty was all she’d known for the past six years.
“Go with him, Cairstine. Go with him and give up your son. I’ll take good care of him. I already have. I just sent him on a little journey with Blair, as a matter of fact.”
Cairstine asked, “Where is he, Greer? If he were here, I would know it.”
“He’s hidden, well hidden. And he’ll soon be far away from here.”
Her hands shook, but she reached for Braden’s hand. Relief showered over him as he wrapped his arm around her waist and led her over to the door. “We’ll find him,” he whispered, speaking low enough so she was the only one to hear him.
“Oh, Cairstine? I forgot to tell you. Do you remember the question you asked me when you were in the cellar? The noises you heard? They’ve all gone now, and they’re headed far away from here. No need to worry about the bairns anymore.”
She froze and pulled her hand out of Braden’s, turning her head toward the areshole with wide eyes. “What did you do, Greer?”
“What is it?” Braden asked.
“They’re no longer your concern,” Greer added. Just know that I added two more to travel with them. Steenie and his new friend, Kenzie, isn’t that right, Grant? It’s just a pity you won’t be able to say goodbye, but I’m sure he’ll grow into a fine man in time; that is, after he forgets his years of servitude, if he makes it past them.”
She pivoted, a slow turn, horror written on her face. Braden had no idea what the man was talking about, though if he had to guess, it sounded much like the Channel of Dubh. Anything that concerned innocent bairns or servitude brought to mind the secret network that Maggie and Will were trying to pinpoint and shut down.
Braden said, “Sounds as if you’re involved in something that you may regret. Where are the bairns headed?”
Lamont ignored him.
“What did you do, Greer?”
“It’s not what I did do, but what I will do. You’re more interested in spreading your legs than raising the lad, and I’ll not raise him myself, so I have no other choice. But by all means, go with your new man and forget about Steenie. He knows you’ve deserted him. Poor lad cried something awful when I told him you’d left without him. But if you wish to see him, I could take you there. Mayhap I’d even change my mind.”
“Take me to Steenie.” Cairstine insisted at once.
“Cairstine, nay. I know of what he speaks, and I’ll help you find him.” Braden clenched his fists, doing his best to hold his temper and not start swinging. He was outnumbered, and besides, he wouldn’t risk Cairstine getting hurt in a scuffle.
“Take me to Steenie.” Her voice was strong, and he was proud of her. She loved her son. He’d never fault her for her undying devotion to her bairn.
Braden had to keep her focused. Didn’t she understand the strength of Clan Grant? “Don’t believe him, Cairstine. He wouldn’t do that to his own son.”
“Wouldn’t I? She watched me plunge my dagger straight into her mother’s heart. She knows I have no conscience. Do you know what else she saw, Grant? Something verra few people get to see.” His eyes lit up with sick glee over whatever he was about to reveal. The man was a twisted bastard.
Braden glanced at Cairstine and reached for her hand, but she tugged away from him, tears now flowing freely down her cheeks. The door opened and Blair strode back in, alone.
“Her brother came straight at me after we’d killed her father. The big lout thought he’d kill me, but he was wrong, wasn’t he, Blair?”
Blair laughed but said nothing.
Braden did his best to distract Greer. “Where did you send the bairns, Lamont? Do you have any idea what you’re involved with?”
Blair jerked his head around to his brother. “What the hell did you tell him, Greer?”
Greer rolled his eyes at his brother. “Naught that matters. He has no idea what we’re about. He’s guessing, doing his best to persuade Cairstine to leave me.” He turned his back to his brother to return to Cairstine. “You recall how your brother died, aye? You saw me kill two of your family and it didn’t bother me. Do you think I’ll be bothered by killing you, or Grant? Or Steenie? He’s just another mouth to feed.” He waved his hand toward Braden. “Go ahead. Go with him. Make your choice.”
She stared at Braden, now sobbing, “My brother loved our papa that much. Said he’d get revenge for their deaths.” Her breath hitched, and the last words came out in a wail. “You know how I hate you, Greer. I only stay for one reason. For Steenie. I cannot leave him. He’s all I have.”
Braden had no words. What could he say to someone who’d watched her parents and brother murdered? She had to fear for her life every day.
“Take me to Steenie, Greer.” She turned around and walked over to him. “I’m sorry. I’ve changed my mind. I’ll stay.”
Highland Retribution Page 12
