He passed through the gates and kept riding until he reached the keep. Inside, he found Grey leaning over parchments. When he didn’t look up, James cleared his throat, and made a sound to alert him.
“I’ve returned.”
“So I see. You didn’t stay long,” Grey said, and continued to shift the parchments and seemingly found the one he was searching for.
“Nay, I wanted to speak to you about Emlyn.”
Grey dropped the parchment he’d picked up and approached. “You do?” His brow furrowed with a look of concern and ire. “This is unexpected.”
James groaned. He knew that look and if he had to wager on it, he’d bet that his laird had done something he wouldn’t like.
“Aye, I have thought of a way to get her to return to me.”
Grey slumped into the nearest chair. “I’m sorry, James, but I doubt she’ll return no matter what you do. Not after the hurtful and disparaging things I said to Alexander about her. She was standing only a few feet away at the time.”
“What did you say?” He sat in the chair opposite of his laird, stunned by his admission. For one thing, it was unlike Grey to divulge anything to the king, and for another, he wasn’t aware his laird had been disgruntled with her.
Grey took a breath. “I didn’t know you’d want her back, so I told Alexander that she had no care for what she did to you and that we were glad to be rid of her. I spoke rather bluntly and practically called her rabble.”
James firmed his lips and rubbed his forehead. “What did she say to that?”
“She asked if it was true and I said aye. I’m sorry, James, och after the hurt she caused you, I just wanted her gone. And now you say you want her back? Why would ye torment yourself further?”
“Aye, I do want her, always will. I understand, Grey, why you said what you did, but it shan’t matter. She will return to me.”
“How do you plan to enact this miraculous feat and gain her accord?” Grey raised a brow and appeared skeptical.
James grinned. “I have a plan. I will tell you of it later. There’s something I want to ask of you. I’ll need your agreement before I can send my message.”
“What is it? I’ll do anything to aid you, you know that.”
“She’s skilled with weapons. I deem she has more patience than Duff. She’d make a good trainer for the young warriors-in-training.”
Grey’s eyes bulged slightly and James suspected his laird would balk initially at his suggestion. Now to assert his reasons.
“She’ll be a good teacher. After, that is, I speak with her and give her our convictions on how you like the young lads trained. I’m sure the position would suit her.”
“I’m not certain Duff will give up his position, och if he does then she can see to the new trainees if you deem she’d take to the calling.”
“Aye, Duff’s been griping for years about having to train the young ones. He does better with the seasoned soldiers.”
“If you deem this is the only way to keep Emlyn here, then I shall agree.”
“There is that and …” James wouldn’t divulge his entire plan at once. “I need to be off.” He stood but Grey stopped him.
“Wait, before you go, I wanted to speak to you about your position.”
James flinched and found his seat, becoming dejected. He knew his ability to guard was nullity and now the moment he’d dreaded in the last weeks was finally upon him. Yet he never expected Grey to actually remove him from his post. When he remained silent, James took it upon himself to ease his laird’s discontent.
“I cannot guard, Grey, and you wish to remove me from my post. Don’t be bothered for I’ve accepted it.”
Grey shook his head. “I want to raise your position, not remove you from it.”
James found himself frowning. “What do you mean?”
“We’ve wanted to replace the guard at the keep for some time. I need you to handpick six men. You will show them their duty; oversee them for I haven’t time to handle this matter. I never had to explain such duties to you, Duff, Sean, Kenneth, Greer or Colm. You all were with me since I was wee and you were raised to protect me.” His laird’s words pitched as emotion stole into his voice.
James was surprised by Grey’s request. It was something they had discussed in recent years, but with all that had happened they had never gotten around to it.
“I’m honored by your request, Laird. I will ensure the guardsmen are up to the task.”
“It is not a request, James. It is an order. There’s one more thing,” Grey said, and he pulled his book of parchments from his tunic. “I’ve been studying your drawings.”
He took the bound pages from him and set them on the table. “Aye, what of them?”
“I want you to be the only person who tends the wounds of our soldiers. Whether they get them on the training field or in battle, only you will care for them.”
James glanced at the parchments, when an unpretentious feeling came over him. He wasn’t wont to look at Grey. “I never …” He couldn’t explain.
“You know more about such injuries and we could use your skill, James. I’ll even give you an apprentice so you won’t have to devote all your time to it. Say aye and I promise to reward you.”
“I don’t need a reward, Grey, ‘tis just … I never wanted to be a healer and …” He could never say nay to his comrade, and nodded. “If that is what you need of me, then I am pleased to aid the clan.”
Grey rose. “Come with me.” He led him outside. “Can you walk? Does your leg still pain you? It’s a ways.”
“Aye, it does pain me, but I can walk. Where are we going?” James ambled beside his laird and tried to keep pace with him.
Grey kept silent on their walk. He led him to the lesser-known path that the guardsmen used. They strolled by the round stable and James nodded to Jonny, the stable lad, as they approached and passed. At the end of the lane, James noticed several men erecting a building. They walked past the cottage where Emlyn had stayed, and for a moment, James looked at it, wishing she was still within, wishing he could enter and find her there. But he knew she’d gone.
“What are they building?”
Grey stopped and peered at the structure. He didn’t speak, and James made out the size of it. It was a good sized building, constructed of stone. The timber was erected for the roof, but the thatch hadn’t been set yet.
“Your home.”
James turned back to Grey. “Why would you have this built for me?”
“Because you have always served me without ever asking for anything in return. I want to reward you. Don’t reject my reward, James, because I swear, I’ll knock ye on your arse if you say nay.”
“When will it be finished?” He grinned at the gesture and was pleased by it.
“It is nearly complete. I would say a sennight, mayhap a fortnight if the weather doesn’t cooperate. There’s one more thing …” He pulled a pouch from his tunic.
“Is that …? James raised a brow. “… the pouch Llywelyn gave me? I gave it to you, Laird. I’ve no need of it, especially now with …” He waved a hand at the cottage.
“Nay, it was given to you and you shall keep it. Emlyn’s father paid a good bride price for his daughter’s marriage, James, accept it.”
His hand waned from the weight of the heavy sack of coins. “Can I live in the cottage you and Bree use until mine is ready? I need to be to bed.”
Grey laughed and shrugged his shoulder. “Don’t ye deem you should wait for her return before ye take to bed?”
He chuckled at his laird’s jest. “I’ll be there after she returns too. But nay, I promised Muriel I would stay bed-ridden until my leg properly heals. She gave me a salve and believes it will help. And I’ll need to have Gell bring me eggs. Will you ask Bree to come and see me? She’ll know what I need.”
His laird nodded. “Aye, I’ll tell her. You best get off your feet then.” Grey started to walk toward the keep.
“Before I take t
o bed, I must stop in and talk with Norman.” James turned and headed in the opposite direction.
“Why do you need to speak with the smith?” Grey shouted, as he got farther away.
James grinned. “I need to see him about a sword.”
*****
The journey to the Ross’ keep was more difficult as the weather hadn’t cooperated. Emlyn rode through three days of rain which hampered her progress. It was bad enough they’d been delayed because Griffen had to gain their father’s approval, which he gave after her brother had beleaguered him with all the reasons why he should be the one to take her.
What was worse was she didn’t feel well, and she admitted her fear that the Ross chieftain would turn her away. If that happened, she would very likely end up foraging somewhere in the woods akin to an old crone.
She stood inside the entrance of the Ross’ keep and winced at the water that dripped from her garments. She remembered Donal telling James that Adeline would be ireful over it. Donal was apparently out of the keep and his man-at-arms had gone to fetch him.
Griffen stood next to her silent and brooding. “Are ye certain about this, Emlyn? What if he doesn’t allow ye to stay? I know not where to take you.”
“He must. It is the only place I could think of unless you deem I should go to Marshall. But then I heard he was traveling with his king so I couldn’t even gain his aid.”
“Do not jest,” Griffen said with affront, and ran his hands through is hair, unsettling his locks. “He is the last person I’d allow you to go to.”
She fixed the errant strands that stuck out at the top of his head. “Quiet, someone comes.” Emlyn turned and saw Adeline and Anne approaching. “Good day, my lady.”
“Princess Emlyn, you have returned. Come, rest yourself and tell me who this handsome man is.”
She curtseyed to Adeline and followed her into the great hall. “This is my brother Griffen. He was my escort.” Emlyn noticed the blush that crept upon Anne’s cheeks and the grin her brother wore when he looked at Ross’ daughter.
“A prince. I do say we haven’t ever had a prince visit us before,” Lady Ross said.
Several servants came and set about refreshments. The hall busied with people coming and going, but Adeline paid no attention to any of them and kept her gaze on her.
Emlyn took a breath before she spoke of her problem. “I am not certain your husband will welcome my return, but you see, I haven’t anywhere to go for I’ve been banished—”
“Where is she?” Donal’s voice bellowed.
She heard Laird Ross’ heavy footsteps before she saw him. The moment she’d dreaded the entire journey was upon her. Emlyn swallowed and her shoulders sagged, for she knew he’d send her away.
“Adeline, what is she doing here?”
“Donal, cease being surly. Princess Emlyn has come to seek our aid. She was just speaking of her predicament.”
His brows furrowed. “Nay, she cannot stay, not after what she did.”
Adeline drew nearer to him and smoothed a hand down his arm. “I will not send the lass away. She has nowhere to go and has been banished, Donal. Have some sympathy for her.”
“Is this true?”
Emlyn raised her eyes to his, wary and uncertain what he’d do. She swallowed and a pain throbbed in her throat. A flush came over her and she felt warm. Whether the heat was due to Laird Ross’ piercing gaze or her own shame, she wasn’t certain.
She finally nodded in response to his question. “Lady Ross, I thank you. I understand why Laird Ross won’t give me aid, but in my defense I never meant to hurt James. I shall go if that is what you wish …” Emlyn took two steps toward the hall’s exit and the floor met her face. She groaned as her body hit the hard surface.
“Princess—” Adeline was at her side. “Anne, fetch the healer. The lass is burning with fever. You, ah, Prince …”
“Griffen,” he said.
“Aye, come and carry her.” She looked irefully at her husband. “We cannot send her away, not in her condition.”
He mumbled a blasphemy under his breath. “I suppose we cannot.”
Griffen carried her to a chamber up the stairs and set her upon the bedding.
Emlyn’s head felt hollow and she sneezed. “I shall be fine. I won’t be a bother.” She wanted to get off the bed, but her body became lethargic and all she wanted to do was close her eyes.
“Rest easy now. We’ll take care of you.” Adeline patted her shoulder, offering comfort. She moved about the chamber and lit a fire in the small hearth.
Griffen stood beside the bed. “She was complaining that her throat hurt. Are you not fearful? She has the fever.”
“We’ll need to send the children away. They’ll stay with Donal in a vacant cottage. But nay, I am not fearful. I’ve tended many a fever.”
“Griffen, if you see him, tell him I loved him.” Emlyn closed her eyes and discerned the worst was yet to come, for she wasn’t well and might not recover.
“Emlyn,” Griffen called, and shook her. “Answer me.”
But she couldn’t respond as her throat felt aflame and even if she wanted to, she couldn’t speak. Her last wish would be that James knew her feelings for him, even if she couldn’t speak of it herself.
Chapter Thirty
Griffen spent two days by his sister’s side. She was in the thorough of her fever and he paced the chamber with worry. But the maiden, Anne, assured him Emlyn would recover as did her mother whenever she tended Emlyn.
“Is your land afar?”
He glanced up at the beautiful maiden and nodded. “Aye, it took us days to travel here, nary on a sennight. Do you know the guardsman my sister traveled with?”
Anne continued to dab Emlyn’s brow with a dampened cloth. “Aye, I’ve known the Gunn guard and know James well. He’s an honorable man.”
Griffen scoffed. “If he were honorable, he would’ve wed Emlyn as my father bid and not allowed her to return home.”
“Mayhap she didn’t want to wed him. Although I don’t know any lass who would reject him, for he’s perfect. I heard my father speak of her rejection when she was last here. She broke James’ heart.”
“She broke his heart? Nay, for certain he broke hers. I have never seen my sister so distraught. She is not one to be melancholy over such matters, especially those of the heart or a man.”
Anne shook her head. “I tell you if anyone did the heartbreaking, it was her.”
“I will find out for myself.” Griffen walked to the door.
“Wait, what do ye deem to do?”
“I’m going to confront the man in question.”
Anne laughed. “All by yourself? You don’t know where you are going. Besides, the Gunn’s would know the moment you stepped on their land and they would refuse you entry to their keep.”
Griffen returned to her side. “If only someone could aid me … mayhap be my guide, and get me into the Gunn keep. Do you know anyone who might be willing?” He flashed a smile at her, knowing his charm would work.
She giggled when she took his hand. “I would.”
Griffen laughed. “Would ye? I never would’ve guessed.”
“Besides, I want to see your face when you learn the truth. Come, we’ll have to sneak out the back exit of the keep for my mother would never allow me to travel unescorted with you.”
He followed Anne to the back gate. Night had come and they had the cover of night to hide them. At least it had ceased raining, and the night wasn’t too cold.
“I don’t want to bring you trouble, lass. Mayhap you can tell me what direction to head. I don’t deem your mother will be pleased when she realizes we’re gone.”
“I’ve been to the Gunn keep many times, Griffen, and know the way well. My mother will get over her anger. Do you not want my help?”
He pulled her near the palisade wall, after they passed through the gate. Griffen took her face in his hands and looked into her soft brown eyes. “Aye, more than you know.”
As much as he wanted out of bed, James kept his promise. He hadn’t left the cottage for a fortnight and tried to count his infirmed time instead of how much remained. He didn’t lack for company for throughout the days, he had visitors aplenty.
James lay back, flipping through his parchments. The black etchings were beginning to fade, and he’d asked Grey to procure ink so he could make the images permanent. He’d just finished the last one and blew on the ink, but it was taking forever to dry.
A knock came and then he saw Norman’s head peek through the opening. The smith had shown him three swords so far and not one was good enough for his purpose.
“James, I wanted to show you the latest version.” Norman pulled back the swath of material and revealed the gleaming blade. “I made it as plain as ye asked and the pommel is a wee bit heavier, the guard lighter.”
James took it from him and held it up, studying the sword from its hilt to the tip of the blade. There were no elaborate details on the blade itself or on the handle. The leather wrapped around the handle was blackened and as he requested, a small metal heart was attached to it and dangled. The heart was a tiny thing, smaller than his fingernail.
“It is perfect.”
Norman let out a relieved sigh. “Finally, you’re a hard man to please.”
“My thanks, Norman. I will have Grey bring your payment on the morrow.”
The smith inclined his head and left.
James wrapped the sword in the material and set it aside. It was time to rub salve on his leg, for night had come and he was tired after a long day of doing nothing. He unwrapped the egg-soaked fabric which had hardened, and he decided he’d leave it off this night for his leg itched. The salve reeked of a pungent smell and he couldn’t wait until he was finished with it. The first thing he planned to do when he completed the treatment was to soak in the sea for at least an hour. He laughed to himself because although he had company throughout the days, they never stayed overlong.
In Love With A Warrior (Gunn Guardsman (Book 4)) Page 26
