Kara Griffin - Gunn Guardsmen (12 page)

As soon as she entered Bree’s chamber, she suspected something was amiss. Bree lay still with a look of pain on her lovely face. Her eyes wide and dark, and she had no smile.

“Are you unwell, Bree? I brought you a cup of brew.” Elisa handed the cup to her. Bree tried to shift her body upright, and Elisa hurried to assist her. “How are you feeling?”

“Well, but large. I can barely move.”

Elisa watched her face. “You’re a fine liar, Bree.”

At that moment a woman entered. She carried a folded pile of linens. The woman looked to be the same age as she and Bree, mayhap a year or two older. Her blue eyes were kind when she looked at her.

“I brought clean covers for the bedding. We’ll have you comfortable right quick. Oh, I heard about you. Bree told me you’ve come. You’re Elisa?”

Elisa drew a gasp, for no one was supposed to know she was there. Bree must have realized what had upset her.

“Not to worry, Elisa. This is Kait, my dearest friend. She would never betray you and always keeps my confidences.”

“Thank you, Kait. If Kenneth found out that …”

Kait smiled and took her hand. “Oh, Kenneth, bah. My thanks for getting Bree to rest last eve. I don’t know how you did it, but I am grateful. We all are. Lord knows I’ve tried, but she never listens to me and I’ve been her good friend she was wee.”

“I’m pleased to meet you. ‘Tis the brew that made her rest not I. It makes you nice and sleepy.” Elisa nodded satisfied the brew had worked as she’d planned. Chamomile was a good remedy for getting someone to rest even if they didn’t want to.

“I see you brought more. And now that I know your secret, I shan’t drink it.” But then Bree must have gotten a pain because she huffed and gripped the covers.

Kait took the cup from her and set it aside, and took Bree’s free hand.

“Aye, a wee liar, she is. She’s beginning her laboring, Kait. She must stay abed now. Given her size she could verily hurt herself if her legs give out. Do not let her out of it.”

“I shan’t. How long does she have?” Kait asked.

“It seems to me quite a bit of time. Birthing can be long, sometimes days. Bree, have you gotten many pains this day?”

Bree eased upon the pillows. “Nay, only two. Once in the middle of night and one just now. I’m uncomfortable, is all.”

Elisa handed the cup to her. “I would say mayhap a day, two at the most. Are you ready to bring your bairn into the world?”

Bree smiled brightly. “I’ve been waiting so long, too long. Pray don’t tell Grey. It’ll only rile him and he’s nervous enough. I don’t need him pacing outside our chamber door.”

“I shan’t speak a word. Drink this and save your strength. Kait, pray try to get her to rest. I must be off. Kenneth waits below and I’ve already tested his patience enough this day.”

Kait took hold of her arm, stopping her from leaving. “Bree told me you wed our Kenneth.”

“Aye, they made me wed him. They said making me a Gunn was the only way to protect me.” Why Elisa felt the need to explain was beyond her. She didn’t want to make enemies when she’d only just come and she wasn’t sure if Kait had feelings for ‘our Kenneth.’

Kait laughed and held her stomach. Her eyes watered and she couldn’t seem to stop. Elisa thought something might be wrong with her. The lady had gone addled.

Bree set her finished brew aside. “Don’t mind her, Elisa. She just finds what you’ve told her comical.”

“Why?” Elisa found herself smiling as Kait’s laughter turned to giggles and became contagious.

Kait took her hand again. “Those lads used trickery on you. You didn’t wed a Gunn. Kenneth is a McInnish.”

“Aye, but he’s from the Gunn clan?” Elisa’s confusion set in. She wasn’t certain what they were telling her. If he was a McInnish then why was he part of the Gunn clan?

Kait shook her head.

Bree took up the explanation, “Kenneth is from the clan McInnish, so truly he is not a Gunn. Pray do not worry, Elisa, for he is a Gunn where it matters most. In his heart.”

“Will the Gunns still protect me?” She now was vulnerable and insecure. Elisa’s panic began to set in, believing what she’d done was for naught.

“We shall. Grey would never allow any harm to come to you and neither will Kenneth.”

Elisa decided not to be alarmed by this news even though she should be angry with the lot of them for their trickery. And then she considered why they had tricked her? Did Grey only wish to have her wed to one of his men or was there another motive for his action? She should be irked that they had lied to her and until Kenneth explained, she wouldn’t let the matter concern her too much.

“I do need to go. Bree, I must stay within our cottage. If you need me, please have Kait or someone fetch me.”

“I shall. It is a comfort to have you here.” Bree rubbed her belly and smiled at her as she reached the door.

“I will come by later and bring you garments and necessities.” Kate waved, and started to pull the coverings from Bree.

“That would be appreciated, Kait, I wasn’t able to bring any belongings. I do thank you.” Elisa waved farewell and left the chamber. As she distended the stairs, she heard raised voices in the hall. There seemed to be an argument amongst the men.

She wasn’t sure if she should intrude on Kenneth and the guardsmen. When she entered the hall their heated discussion abruptly ended. Dare she ask what they argued about? Judging from their expressions, she decided against it. For five angry men did not make for a joyful afternoon.

Colm tapped Kenneth’s arm and motioned toward her. She folded her hands and waited.

“Elisa, come and break your fast. You must be hungry.”

She approached her husband and sat next to him. Elisa took a few chunks of bread from Kenneth’s trencher and sat quietly. The conversation changed to farming and Grey told the men that he needed a strong lad to send to the Gurtey farmstead.

Sean pounded the table to get everyone’s attention. “Laird, you should send Gordy. He’s been caught many times in the past fortnight shirking his duties. Aye, is that not right, Duff?”

Duff, a large man with whom Elisa had yet to meet but had seen at the gatehouse, boomed with laughter. His laughter almost frightened her until Kait entered and sat on his lap.

“What, my husband, has you so joyous?” Kait asked the stout man.

Duff palmed her cheek and grinned. “Something Sean said. Aye, Laird, the lad has been in a wee bit of trouble of late. I deem Gordy would be the perfect man to help Gurtey with his labor. Would do him good to do heavy work, for he needs a bit of brawn added to his scrawny body.”

Kait pouted. “I deem you should make him one of the guardsmen, Grey, for he should be rewarded for helping Bree. If not for him, we can only wonder what would have happened to her.”

Kenneth focused on the discussion and she watched his staid expression. A debate ensued. From what Elisa could gather, the lad, Gordy, had gone with Bree on a mission for the king and was placed in a dangerous situation. Gordy’s bravery, according to some, deserved him a greater position within the clan.

Grey rose and cleared his throat, calling attention. Immediately the room silenced. “Kait, that is a fair idea and I will consider it. I’m likely to need a new guardsman.” He looked pointedly at Kenneth. “Speaking of duty, you all need to get to yours.”

The hall cleared within minutes and Elisa found herself alone with Kenneth and Grey.

“Elisa, eat. We won’t be returning to the hall again. I must bring our food to the cottage.”

“Is there danger? Has the king come?”

“Nay, he hasn’t yet. He may soon and Alexander is not one to announce his coming. I do not want us unprepared or be caught unaware. Kenneth must keep you hidden,” Grey said.

“But I promised Bree I would come when her time nears.”

Grey’s face lost all its color. “Is it her time?”

“Nay, not yet.”

“Kenneth will bring you. He knows how to get to the upper floors without being seen. I must go. See that she stays in the cottage.” Grey left, his heavy footsteps becoming distant.

When she finally looked at Kenneth, he gave her an ‘I-told-you-so’ look.

“Come. We must get back to the cottage.”

“What are we supposed to do all day?”

Kenneth, for the first time since she’d met him, grinned akin to a clootie in the night. Elisa smacked his hands away when he grasped her waist.

“I can think of several things we can do.” Kenneth took her hand and led her outside, back to the trail, but he veered off.

“Where are we going?” She enjoyed the way his hand firmly held hers.

“We cannot be seen. I am taking you behind the stable to a lesser-known path. None are permitted to use this path except for the laird’s guard, so use it if you must.”

Elisa followed on the trail which was bordered with high brush on either side. A large strange building appeared behind the bush just off the path. It was massive and looked circular and about three levels high. Elisa had never seen such an odd shaped building. She thought they might have stored their grains or other items in the barn.

“What is that?”

Kenneth stopped and allowed her to look at it at length.

“’Tis just the stables. Come, we must be hasty.”

He tried to pull her along, but she held fast, digging her heals into the ground. “Remarkable. May I see the inside?”

“It wouldn’t be safe. We should move along.”

“For just a moment, Kenneth? I have never seen such a stable.” Elisa hadn’t lied, but there was an ulterior motive for wanting to go in.

Kenneth gazed into her eyes briefly before nodding

As she stepped through the massive doorway, the smell of manure and animals came at her. She started to amble through the first floor when Kenneth pulled her back.

“Nay, you don’t want to be walking around this level. All the animal droppings are pitched through from the upper floor.” He pointed upward to a large opening at the center.

“Remarkable.” She followed him to the stairs.

“We use the droppings for the crops.” He led her to the upper floor up a steep incline.

“I feel sorry for the lad who attends that task.”

A small smile reached his lips. “Usually the task is given to a lad who needs punishment. We never lack for stable attendants, because lads are always bent on trouble. Come along so we can see what you came for.”

Once she reached the upper level, she stood in the center near the opening to the lower floor and peered below. Along a short wall were rows of tack and harnesses. Then she realized all the stalls were located around the outer edge of the circle. There were many horses, far too many to count. Most stood docile, but some snickered and whinnied. Every color horse could be seen.

Elisa thought she’d died and gone to heaven.

“Kenneth, may I look at the horses?”

“Only for a minute. We need to be hasty.”

She barely heard him as she started off toward the very first stall. There stood the most beautiful chestnut colored horse, well over eighteen hands high. It had to be the largest horse she’d ever seen, a warhorse.

A lad approached, holding a bucket in his hand. He appeared scruffy and unkempt. “Kenneth, do you want me to ready your Black?”

“Nay, Jonny, the lady just wanted to see the horses. Elisa, this is Jonny. He’s one of the stable lads.”

“Good day, Jonny.” She smiled at the poor lad knowing he must have done something dreadful to be given tasks in the stable. Returning her attention to the horse, she noticed its food hadn’t been touched. “Why hasn’t this horse eaten?”

“Don’t know, milady. First time I seen ‘em since this morn. He didn’t eat?” He peered inside the stall.

“Can I take a look at him?”

Jonny opened the stall door for her and she stepped inside. Elisa assessed the animal, taking time to ensure it stood evenly on all its legs. The horse started biting and sticking its tongue out.

“Ah, I see what’s wrong.” She opened the horse’s mouth and checked all its teeth. Sure enough a hard piece of hay was stuck between two of its back teeth. “Keep his mouth open, Jonny.” He did as she instructed and Elisa gripped the piece of hay and pulled it out.

As soon as the blade of hay was removed, the horse went to his small trough and began eating. She patted his silky head and was satisfied that all was well.

Kenneth stood watching showing no reaction to her ability.

“Are there any horses that are ill, Jonny?”

“Don’t know, milady. I only feed them and give ‘em water. Stewart be the stable master and in charge. You should ask him.”

Kenneth entered one of the stalls down the way and Elisa continued on with Jonny in the other direction. Her attention was so focused on the horses inside the stalls she hadn’t noticed a man who had approached them.

“Jonny, ye wee wacker. Get your arse back to work afore I tell Stewart you’re slacking off.” He pulled Jonny’s ear and shoved him on his way. “And who do we have here? Who are you lass?”

The man approached and caused Elisa to step back.

“Are you wanting a kiss?”

The man stood tall, almost as tall as Kenneth, though he was lanky. Elisa’s panic began to get the better of her and she couldn’t speak. She thought of screaming for help, but her voice wouldn’t cooperate. The man lifted her from under her arms and set her against him. His lips were coming at her and she scrunched her eyes closed, too shocked to figure a way out of her predicament.

She considered kneeing him between the legs, but before Elisa reacted, the man was suddenly shoved away from her and she fell to the floor. She opened her eyes to find Kenneth advancing on the man, who had landed on his rear on the floorboards a short distance from her.

“Gordy, what the hell do you think you’re doing? Don’t ever touch her again.” Kenneth’s voice remained calm yet menacing. He picked the man up from the back of his shirt and pitched him over the rail, through the opening, to the lower level.

Elisa sat frozen in shock. She realized that Kenneth when angry spoke in a firm yet controlled voice. Definitely something to keep in mind should she upset him, which she was bound to do. He’d just killed the man for touching her and she couldn’t get over what he’d done.