The Pirate’s Angel

by Lee, Caroline

  He smiled. “If my wife can forgive me, and my King can forgive me, who am I to say different?”

  “Good. Now kiss me afore I fall asleep.”

  Chuckling, he did.

  Beneath him, the birlinn rode the swells through the darkness, a risky endeavor when an inexpert mariner tried it. But for the first time, Tav wasn’t in command, and didn’t have to worry about it.

  He held his family and thought of the future.

  * * *

  “Find my sister and tell her Lady Isabel has returned…successful.”

  The guard Tav was speaking to blinked in surprise. “We were told Lady Isabel was ill in her chambers—”

  “Just do it, man!”

  As the guard hurried off, Isabel stepped out of the shadows, clutching the hands of her two young charges.

  “Ye laid the credit on me?” she asked, as they hurried toward Charlotte’s office.

  “Aye, love.” Tav jerked his head, and Dane—his arm supported in a sling, although his color was much better after a sennight of lounging on the birlinn—followed at a jog. “Ye were the leader of this mission.”

  The grin she sent him over her shoulder told him she understood what he was telling her and appreciated it. The last few days had been spent planning for their future, and he’d done his best to prove to her what a brave and successful leader she was, and how she’d already been a good model for the young earl.

  And in the evenings, as Tosh entertained Alex and wee Princess Margaret with tales of piracy and adventure, Tav had managed to sneak his wife away to the dunes for some privacy under the stars, where he’d shown her something entirely different.

  “I hate all this sneaking around,” Isabel gasped, as they darted into Charlotte’s office. “I look forward to—”

  “Tav!” When his sister burst through the door, they all wheeled to face her. “Dunvegan’s messenger arrived only last night, and the Majesties are overjoyed to learn Margaret is safe. Tell me ye brought her—”

  When she saw Princess Margaret peeking out from behind Isabel, Charlotte breathed a sigh of relief. “Thank the saints.”

  “Hello, Auntie Charlotte.” Margaret stepped forward, still wrapped in the MacLeod plaid they’d used to disguise her. “I’m pretending to be a lad.”

  “I can see that,” Char answered with a worried grin. “Ye are unhurt?”

  Before the princess could answer, two men pushed their way into the chamber. One was Tav’s brother-in-law, Liam Bruce, and the other was…

  “Yer Majesty,” Isabel murmured, offering a little curtsey.

  Tav remembered his manners in time to bow to his King, but the man didn’t notice. Instead, the dark-haired man, gray at his temples already from the rigors of leadership, dropped to his knees in the middle of the room.

  “Margaret!” he choked out; his arms open.

  The little girl raced to him and threw herself at him. “Da!” she squealed, clutching him in happiness. “Auntie Isabel saved me! Alex kept me safe!”

  Over his daughter’s head, Tav saw the Bruce meet Isabel’s eyes and nod gravely.

  Isabel blushed and pulled her son closer, taking his hand in both of hers.

  “What news?” This time, when the door opened, ‘twas Queen Elizabeth who stepped through, and when she saw her husband lumbering to his feet, holding the princess, she whispered thankfully, “Bless the saints.”

  The two women who slipped in behind her—two who’d been here when Charlotte had given the assignments—moved around her to cluster on either side of Isabel, murmuring support. The dark-haired one was frowning, while the redhead was smiling, and Tav guessed they were fellow Angels.

  As the Queen reached her husband and encompassed both him and the princess in a hug, Charlotte caught Tav’s eyes. “Report.”

  And Tav cocked a brow at his twin. “Isabel had command of this mission. She should report.”

  “Isabel?” Charlotte mused. “Ye are certainly intimate.”

  Tav relished this moment, his grin slowly spreading as he exchanged a glance with Dane, before folding his arms over his chest and smirking at his twin sister. “I am indeed. I married the lass, did I no’?”

  “Married!” his sister burst out, as Queen Elizabeth gasped, her gaze swinging to Isabel.

  Isabel, for her part, was glaring at Tav. “I would’ve announced that with a wee bit more grace.”

  He shrugged. “Aye, love, ye would’ve. But I’ve been waiting to make my sister speechless for a long time—”

  “Why, ye clot-heid! If I find out ye married my Angel because—”

  The Queen cleared her throat, interrupting them all. “I think someone had better start at the beginning.”

  “Aye,” her husband growled. “I would ken who to punish for stealing my lassie.”

  “Da, that nasty Laird MacNeil dinnae take me,” Princess Margaret piped up from her father’s arms. “He wanted Alex. Remember I was dressed in one of Alex’s plaids? I was good at being a lad, because he thought I was!”

  The King hummed dangerously. “And when he found out who ye really were?”

  “He didnae, ‘tis what I’m trying to tell ye! Alex kept treating me like a lad, although I cried a lot.”

  Her cousin stepped forward. “I told ye, lads cry sometime too,” Alex whispered.

  Margaret bobbed her head. “Aye, and he didnae let them ken who I was, although I was verra scared.”

  Her father gathered her close. “Ye were verra brave,” he corrected. “And so was Alex.” He nodded to the lad, then returned his attention to his daughter. “For what ‘tis worth, lads do cry sometimes, but I like ye as a lass just fine.”

  Charlotte was clearly hating the delay, and Tav smirked, knowing it.

  His sister folded her arms, seething. “Might someone start at the beginning?”

  Isabel took a deep breath, straightened her shoulders, and began her report. She told of their journey to Dumbarton, then to Barra and MacNeil’s ultimatum. The Bruce seethed when he heard of the laird’s treachery, but when Isabel explained Tav’s guile in convincing MacNeil to relinquish Margaret, the King nodded his appreciation, which made Tav flush.

  “It seems I owe the Black Banner another thanks.”

  Before Tav could correct him, the Queen spoke up. “And ‘twas then ye decided to marry Isabel? Because if she were already married, MacNeil would have nae power over her?”

  Isabel answered before he could. “I proposed the scheme to him, Yer Majesty, for that verra reason. He was reluctant at first—”

  “No’ because I hated the idea,” he hurried to assure those gathered. “ ’Twas just…”

  “She’s the mother of an earl,” Charlotte reminded him blandly.

  And he was the Black Banner.

  But nae longer.

  The Queen drew his attention when she stepped toward her Angels, reaching out to take Isabel’s hands. Alex moved to stand beside Dane, and Isabel met the Queen’s eyes with a small smile.

  “Isabel, are ye pleased with this match? ‘Twas made for the sake of yer mission, I understand, but ‘twould be possible to have it annulled, especially if naught binding has occurred.”

  Isabel’s smile grew as she glanced at Tav and back. “We are well and truly bound, Yer Majesty.”

  “I see.” The Queen studied her. “And ye dinnae look pained by this. Ye are pleased with this marriage?”

  “I love him,” she said simply.

  As Tav started beaming, his twin sister rounded on him, her hands on her hips. “And ye? Did ye marry her just for—”

  He interrupted her. “I would’ve married her under any conditions,” he snapped. “And if ye dinnae see why she is so worthy of love—even from someone like me—then ye dinnae really ken her.”

  Charlotte’s frown eased, and her husband stepped up beside her to nudge her with his shoulder. Something passed between them, and then she sighed and rolled her eyes. “Ye have my blessing.”

  “Thank ye,” Tav said grav
ely, hiding the sarcasm as he placed his hand over his heart. “That eases my soul greatly.”

  “Oh, shut it,” Char snarled good-naturedly.

  The King cleared his throat. “Now that matters of the heart have been addressed, might we get on with what yer Angel learned?”

  Isabel made short work of telling the rest of their adventure, with input from Tav and occasionally Dane, who flushed under the praise for his brave actions. By the end of the telling, Charlotte was taking furious notes, Queen Elizabeth was gripping both Isabel’s hands and her daughter’s, and the King was pacing.

  “The fact the bastard didnae ken he’d taken my daughter doesnae excuse his actions,” he growled. “He still sent his men to steal into the royal gardens and kidnap two bairns! I am pleased ye showed restraint, MacLeod, because I want to be the one to skewer his cowardly heart!”

  Tav exchanged a glance with Isabel, and he could see her relief MacNeil wouldn’t be a threat to Alex again. But then the King rounded on him, piercing Tav with a demanding stare.

  “I ken ye’re newly married, but I’ll need the Banner’s boat readied immediately. I’m thinking ye can harry him while I— Why are ye shaking yer head?”

  “Because, Yer Majesty”—Tav released a breath—“I am nae longer the Black Banner.”

  Isabel gasped. “Ye’ve passed on the title? No’ Dane!”

  He loved how quickly she understood. “Nay, love. Did ye no’ notice Tosh was in command on the way home? He’ll make a fine Banner, and he looks forward to continuing his work on the Crown’s behalf.” He offered the King a little bow. “I’d be happy to arrange a meeting between the two of ye.”

  While the King hummed thoughtfully, Charlotte looked up from her desk. “And ye’ll…what? Just retire peacefully in Carrick? I remember ye speaking of being the Banner when we were both Alex’s age; ‘tis been yer dream for years.”

  Tav shrugged and smiled over at his two sons. “Aye, but dreams change.”

  “Tavish was good at what he did, Yer Majesty,” Isabel spoke up quietly, “but he’s a good father and will ensure Alex is raised to be the kind of earl who will help ye lead Scotland with strength, compassion, and bravery. Carrick will be lucky to have him.”

  Holding Alex’s serious eyes, Tav shook his head. “Lad, always remember yer mother is the bravest, strongest woman I ken—”

  “—except for yer sister!” Charlotte called out.

  “—and she would’ve raised ye to be a fine earl, all on her own.”

  Slipping between them, Isabel took his hand and Alex’s as well. “Ye are sweet to say so, my love.”

  “What can I say? I’m a sweet sort of man.”

  As his sister snorted, the Queen turned a laugh into a cough. “And you, my Angel? Can I assume this means you’re planning on leaving court to take up residence at Carrick?”

  Smiling up at Tav, Isabel nodded. “Aye, Yer Majesty. ‘Tis where we all belong.”

  Epilogue

  Isabel tightened her cloak around her and moved closer to the battlements to peer down at the field below. This wasn’t the highest tower or wall of Carrick, but ‘twas one of her favorite places to walk because of the views.

  Nay, not the views of the rolling hills or the distant Firth of Clyde, but something much closer to home.

  “That one got down my shirt!” screeched Alex, bending to scoop up a handful of snow. “ ’Twas cold!”

  Dane, who crouched behind one of the archery butts, called back laughingly, “ ’Tis because of yer weak Lowlander blood, little brother! A Highlander is never cold!”

  He was too busy laughing to notice Alex’s sneak attack, and when the snowball hit him in the side of his face, he leapt to his feet. “St. Frances’ tits, that’s cold!”

  As Alex ran away, laughing, and Dane bolted after him, Isabel leaned against the crenellation, one hand drifting to her not-yet-swollen stomach thoughtfully.

  When ye arrive, wee one, I’ll have to caution yer brothers about their language.

  Sometimes, she wanted to chastise Dane for the curses he used around Alex, but the lad was no worse than his father, and Alex seemed to understand when ‘twas inappropriate to say such things. Besides, she was still learning how to properly parent a young man like Dane and didn’t want to do anything which would cause the friendship she was watching below to falter.

  There would be times, in the coming years, when she imagined things would be strained. Alex, as the earl, was already beginning to notice how Carrick was run and was asking questions, despite her best attempts to allow him to be a child. But he was a serious lad, and she was secretly pleased he was so interested in what would one day be his domain.

  And now that Dane’s arm had healed, he seemed to enjoy learning all the things denied to him on the birlinn: archery, riding, and ranging over the hills and rocks with his pipes slung over his shoulder. She still wasn’t certain what role he would play at Carrick as he grew, but she knew ‘twould be a magnificent one, for he was a special lad.

  “There ye are!”

  At the sound of her husband’s voice, Isabel cocked her head to watch his approach without losing sight of the lads tussling in the snow below. Tavish picked up his pace as he allowed the door to swing shut behind him, his snow-dusted cloak swirling around his knees.

  “I wondered if I’d find ye up here. I’ve been looking—”

  “No’ for too long,” she interrupted with a smile, shifting to lean against him as he reached her and wrapped her in his arms. “I just saw ye leave the field a few moments ago.”

  “Och, so ye were watching my humiliating defeat?” He burrowed his face in her hair and inhaled. “Our lads trounced me.”

  Chuckling, she pressed her check against his warm chest. “Ye allowed them, dinnae pretend otherwise.”

  “If ye tell them that, I’ll deny it. Besides”—he straightened and shifted his weight against the stone, pulling her against him—“both of them beat me soundly when it came to climbing the tree. Did ye see that? Even with Dane’s weak arm,” he finished proudly.

  “I kenned ye’d be a grand father, Tavish.”

  He hummed and snuggled her closer. “Ye have nae idea how happy I am to get to prove it to ye, my love. All Dane needed was a chance, and seeing him with Alex…” His voice deepened with emotion. “They are good for each other.”

  “They are indeed. I thank the saints daily for sending ye to me and Dane to Alex.”

  “Och, I’m worth a prayer of thanksgiving?” Chuckling, he dropped a kiss to her temple. “Ye’ll give me a swollen head.”

  “Hmm. ‘Tis no’ all I think I’m giving ye when it comes to swelling.”

  He burst into laughter and thrust his hips forward in the most wonderfully crude manner so his hardness pressed into her belly. “Ye noticed that, did ye? What can I say, wife? ‘Tis cold, and ye ken a way to warm a man’s blood.”

  “Only yers,” she murmured, tilting her head back and offering him her lips.

  After several months of marriage, it was remarkable how right this felt. She wasn’t the naïve young lass she’d been when she’d met Edward; now, she was experienced enough to know what she liked and how to get it. And Tavish had no qualms about giving it to her, which he proved now, deepening the kiss and sliding one hand down to cup her arse through her wool cloak.

  The movement thrust her core forward to rub right where she needed it, and she gasped against his mouth.

  Chuckling, he pulled away from her. “Well, Lady of Carrick, mayhap we should retire early. Ye ken, leave Alex with Dane and allow the castle to run itself for the rest of the day?”

  Reluctantly, she shook her head. “With the court descending upon us in less than a sennight, I still have to sit with Cook to finalize the menus.”

  He dropped his head to hers with a groan. “Who would’ve thought, when we invited Robert and Elizabeth for Hogmanay, they’d bring the entire world with them?”

  She chuckled. “They’re royalty, of course the court wi
ll travel with them. Luckily, Carrick will sustain them all. I’m just pleased Elizabeth is willing to bring Margaret and Maud before she settles in for her confinement.”

  Isabel, like the rest of the kingdom, said nightly prayers for a healthy male heir to the throne.

  “All I ken is the damned visit is distracting my wife when I need her most.”

  The way he flexed against her left no doubt what kind of need he meant, and her resolve wavered. “Ye were distracted yerself, no’ a quarter hour ago! Dinnae tell me ye find it a chore to play with yer sons?”

  Chuckling, Tavish shook his head and relaxed against the crenellation once more. “Becoming Alex’s father has reminded me of everything I loved about having a wee lad around. Dane is fun, but Alex is fun in a different sort of way.”

  Mayhap ‘twas time…

  “And bairns? Do ye think them fun?”

  “Och, nay. They’re tiny and squalling and delicate. Ye cannae play with them; ye just hold them and marvel at the tiny miracle God has granted ye. ‘Tis no’ until they grow up a bit and can sit on their own that they become fun.”

  Miracles God has granted ye.

  Aye, that sounded about right.

  Under her cloak, Isabel folded her hands over her stomach. “I hope ye still think that come next summer.”

  His lips tugged down into a frown as his gaze swept over her features, as if searching for her meaning. ‘Twas not until his eyes dropped to her stomach that his expression went slack with understanding.

  “Isabel?” he whispered hoarsely.

  When he met her eyes once more, she grinned. “Aye, husband. I think we’ll have our own wee miracle from God right around then, and we can start having fun all over again.”

  Was it her imagination, or did his hands shake slightly when he lifted them to her arms?

  “Isabel, a bairn? Ye’re going to have a—my—bairn?”

  The wonder in his voice didn’t leave any question if he was pleased, so she just nodded. “Hopefully, another son for ye to—”

  “Nay!” In one swift movement, he crushed her to him. “Nay, Isabel. I have two sons already. I would have ye give me a daughter.” His hand stroked her back, then her neck. “One with beautiful blonde hair and soft eyes and a strong will, one brave enough to keep up with her brothers, and ken her worth.”