Kara Griffin - Gunn Guardsmen (8 page)

But a wife? Never had he considered having one. Sure he liked women, many of them, spent a fair amount of nights lying with them. He’d make the worst husband. And yet he admitted he felt something for the woman. Mayhap that came from wanting to protect her. Aye, she needed a strong man to defend her from the bastard Domhnall and his king. Kenneth could do so, but was he willing to risk his peaceful life? Why shouldn’t he wed her? He grappled with the issue.

As they crossed the large hill near the keep at early afternoon, he saw the banners waving on the turrets in the bright blue sky. Home. The Gunn clan would be home to him no matter where he went. Kenneth didn’t want to leave the land that had always been a comfort to him. This land, barren is some places, yet bonny and green in others, a sea to take him wherever he wanted to go, always held him. It was where he belonged and where he was wanted and needed. Unlike the McInnish holding where bad memories were sure to torment him.

His horse pitched forward as they rode up the steep incline of the hill. They halted at the top when they saw a lone rider coming up the other side. Grey dismounted and stood waiting.

“Ah, Father Geoffrey, we were on our way to see you. Where are you off to?”

Father Geoffrey stopped his palfrey and dismounted. “Laird Gunn, good to have you home. God kept you safe and well, as with your men, on your journey, I see. I’m off to the Ross’ keep. One of the men fell off the wall they’re building and died.”

“Oh, I’m sorry to hear that, Father. Before you go, will you wed one of my men here to this woman?” Grey motioned to her. “It must be done this day.”

“Is there a reason for this haste?” The Father eyed him skeptically.

“She needs the protection of the Gunn clan.”

“Oh. Aye? ‘Twill have to be quick though. I’m in a wee bit of a hurry.” Father Geoffrey smiled at Elisa and waved to the rest of the men.

“You’re always in a hurry, Father Geoffrey,” Grey said.

“A burden of my profession I declare. Come now, let us pray.”

Everyone dismounted and Elisa was taken to Father Geoffrey. She stood silently watching him and Kenneth didn’t know what to do. He was beginning to be bothered. But sure as he lived and breathed, he could not let Sean wed her.

“Good day, milady. You’re to wed this fine day?”

Elisa curtseyed to him and had a look of confusion on her face. “Here, right here? On a hill? I’m not to even wed in a chapel?” She frowned at Grey and looked mighty piqued.

“Aye, why not? It’s as good as any a place.”

“I don’t want to marry him.” She pointed her long delicate finger at Sean.

Sean grumbled something under his breath, none of which anyone understood. For his Gaelic was rambled and quickly spoken and if Kenneth wasn’t mistaken a few curses were added indicating his displeasure. He’d never seen Sean so disturbed or flustered. Obviously Sean didn’t wish to wed the woman either. Should Kenneth save him from his misery?

“Nay, I shan’t marry him. I won’t marry a man who struck me and … and he doesn’t need me.” Elisa’s voice rose above the commotion.

“Sean struck you? Oh that is not good, lad. A sin that. A man shan’t strike a woman. He’ll have to confess his sin.” Father Geoffrey turned to Grey. “Before they can speak the vows.”

Kenneth wanted to laugh. Aye, given the hopeless expression on her face, she knew what was coming. Her clasped hands pressed hard against her chest, her face white with sheer distress. He found himself wanting to comfort her, to assure her she’d fare well.

“And here outside, on a hill of all places,” she repeated her position again.

“Aye, milady, there’s no finer place to wed than on a Highland hill.” Father Geoffrey waved his hand as if accentuating the land.

“Besides,” Grey said, “We don’t have a chapel. We all meet in the courtyard when Father wishes to perform mass.”

The Father bobbed his head. “Our lord will be looking down upon the union and you shall be blessed all of your days. ‘Tis the best chapel to wed in, beneath the bonny blue sky with the heavens above.”

That didn’t make her smile or appease her. She looked flustered. Kenneth observed the way she paced in front of Grey and the Father. Though she didn’t quite stand solidly on her feet and swayed every few steps. He’d have to take pity at some point or she’d fall to the soft grass. If he stood close enough, he might be able to catch her.

“Who be the bridegroom? Oh, aye, Sean, that’s right. Step forward, Sean,” Father Geoffrey called, becoming impatient and looked a wee bit flustered himself.

Sean shoved his way between Colm and James who stood grinning, and approached them. He didn’t look as pleased as he had the night before when he jested about being a husband. Kenneth thought Sean might be panicking, but he’d never seen him apprehensive over anything. Sean was too pragmatic for his own good, which wasn’t serving him now.

“Now see here, lass, I’m not really wanting to wed you neither. But I do my duty,” Sean said evenly.

“Duty? I don’t understand why I must wed.” Elisa turned and glared at Grey.

“I explained, lass, we must protect you and the only way to do that is to make you a Gunn. The only way to become a Gunn is to wed one of my men. If you want, you can choose another.” Grey looked at each of the guardsmen, before turning back to her.

Kenneth thought she’d scream, for her face turned a mite red.

“Let us begin, shall we. Do either of you wish to make your confession before you take the vows? Sean, seems to me you have something to confess. Why I haven’t seen a lass this angry since …”

Elisa tilted her head. Befuddlement in her eyes. “Must we make confession beforehand?”

Father nodded politely. “It is usually customary. Many wish to confess any sins they’d committed so they’re forgiven before they take the holy sacrament of marriage. Have you sinned and need forgiveness, milady?”

Her intake of a gasp attested that she hadn’t. “Nay, I have not, Father.”

To Kenneth she didn’t appear to be able to commit a sin, as angelic as she looked. But he was contradicted a breath later.

“Aye, you did too sin. You committed an atrocity when you kicked your husband,” Sean said derisively. “Aye, Father, she needs forgiveness, too.”

“And you, Sean, have you need of confession? Other than for striking the lass?” Father Geoffrey raised a doubtful brow at Sean.

“Damned right I do.” Sean’s pride heightened when he folded his arms across his chest and glowered.

Father Geoffrey shook his head. “For shame, lad, to boast of such ill deeds. I shan’t be offering any sacrament to you until you confess your sins. This could take a while and I’m in a hurry, Laird.” He began pacing.

Elisa turned and scrunched her eyes at Grey, folding her arms over her stomach. “You wish me to marry a sinner?”

James and Colm shouted their opinions on the fact that Elisa couldn’t commit a sin and that Sean was definitely a sinner. The tumult was enough to make everyone’s heads spin.

“Enough!”

Everyone looked at him because Kenneth had shouted loud enough for the damned English to hear him. He shoved Colm and James hard before standing next to Grey. He gazed at Elisa, wishing he knew what to say to her.

“Kenneth? Have you changed your mind then?” Grey asked.

He nodded. “Aye, damned me, I guess I have.” Kenneth turned a heated look to Sean. “I’m saving your arse. Remember this.”

Sean gave a firm nod and moved to stand with James and Colm.

“Father, Kenneth will be the bridegroom,” Grey told him. And then he turned to give the men a nod, while motioning them back a few steps.

“What say you, Laird? We’re replacing bridegrooms? I’ve never been so confused in all my days. Very well then, Kenneth, have you need of confession? Nay, don’t tell me because I haven’t time.” Father Geoffrey looked as put out as Elisa did.

“I don’t understand what is happening,” Elisa said. “You are all brutes. I shan’t wish to wed any of you. Can we not just leave? I see the keep there in the distance. I wish to leave. I don’t need to wed a Gunn for protection. You’re all released of your vow, for I deem I’d rather be in danger.”

Kenneth knew her panic was setting in, hell his was too. “Elisa.”

She gazed at him, her pretty dark eyelashes so stark against her fair skin. He realized how deep green her eyes were, akin to the sea when it was angry. How she had a smattering of freckles across the bridge of her pert wee nose. Aye, she was bonny. He kept a blank look on his face as he continued to assess her. She was taller than most women he knew and barely reached his shoulders. She was somewhat slim and yet had a good bit of flesh on her, enough for a man to hold during the long cold winter nights.

“Kenneth,” Grey called.

He noted how long her legs were given the length of her skirts, and how dainty her feet were. Aye, if there were a perfect woman he was looking at her. Someone from behind him shoved his back.

“Elisa, I will wed you. I’m the oldest and have that right.”

She scowled like an ornery hawk. “You have the right? Never in all my days have I heard such nonsense. I’m sorry, Laird Gunn, but none of these men will do. This is unacceptable.” She stomped the grass with her lovely foot and walked away.

James chortled, watching the fray with his hands on hips. “She’s got a wee bit of fire in her. Och, red-haired and green-eyed. You’ll be beset with torment all of your days, Kenneth, but at least the nights will be pleasurable.”

All laughed except for Father Geoffrey who reproached James’ jest with a stern frown. The Father didn’t remark on it, but looked at him expectantly.

Kenneth was unsure what to do. All stared at him and he wanted to laugh or shout or do something equally ridiculous. So he punched James’ upper arm and marched off.

Elisa stood next to a large boulder that had embedded itself in the hillside. He caught up to her a few seconds later. Kenneth thought she might be crying, but she had no tears. He’d rather deal with an angry woman than a weeping one any day. So he was thankful she wasn’t the latter.

“How am I to marry you when I don’t even know you? You could verily be an abuser like your friend.” She seemed calm even though she pointed out what was bothering her.

“Many a bride weds without knowing her groom. We Gunns are honorable and would never hurt a woman that I vow. Sean didn’t mean to strike you so hard, but you were giving us a wee bit of trouble. Women are revered in our clan and are the heart of all we hold important, our children. Elisa, you must wed if we’re to protect you.”

“Must you all make it sound like a death sentence? Aye, like you’re going to meet the executioner,” she said in a weak voice. “I won’t make us both miserable.”

His heart thudded. They’d insulted her. Her pride was bruised and when a woman’s pride was involved there’d be hell to pay. Kenneth knew what that felt like because his pride had been bruised many a time, and he’d be damned if he’d be the cause of her affront.

“I’m sorry, Elisa. We didn’t mean to make it sound that way. You don’t like Sean do you? If you would rather wed him …” Kenneth hoped not, because he’d be a fool for trying to rescue her from Sean.

She clasped her hands in front of her and leaned against the boulder, looking distant. “Nay, I would rather not. He is … he is insufferable. But why would you sacrifice yourself for my safety? Are you all so honor-bound and willing to do whatever your laird bids you?”

“Mayhap, we are. Aye, I vowed to protect him and the Gunn clan. And you’ll be safe on Gunn land after this day. I won’t let any harm to come to you.” Kenneth didn’t know what else to say.

“And I’m supposed to want to wed you because you wish to protect me?”

He nodded, and leaned against the rock next to her. He considered her question for a moment, tenseness coming over him. “There are worse reasons to wed. There’s something about you that I…” Kenneth leaned close. He didn’t realize he was going to kiss her until his lips found hers. His mouth hovered for a slight second before taking full possession of the sweetest lips he’d ever kissed.

The softness of her lips moved against his. Kenneth didn’t mean to ravish her, but honest to God, that’s what he was about to do. The soft mewling sound she made deep in her throat hardened him and he wanted nothing more than to keep kissing her. He embraced her in his arms, feeling all of her curves cuddled next to his hardness. With his hands splayed on her lower back, he pulled her close. God, how she could kiss. He liked the way she tried to control him. His tongue melted with hers akin to a summer storm that wouldn’t let up. He wouldn’t allow her to shrink away when she pulled back.

“Gracious, Kenneth, I … I don’t know what you think you were doing but …”

Kenneth didn’t like that she flustered. He took a lock of her hair between his fingers, admiring the brightness and texture. He set the tress on her shoulder and let his hand rest upon it. The distraction seemed to settle her. Aye, she was a red-haired temptress.

“Elisa, we need to get back. You will wed me, won’t you? I won’t have you harmed. And Grey won’t give up until you wed one of us. You must decide right now.” Kenneth hoped he’d gained her accord, but women weren’t so easy to read and he was uncertain.

“If I have to wed one of you, then I am glad it will be you. But I make no promises to be a good wife, for I don’t know what is required.”

He frowned. “Then that makes two of us, for I have no idea what is required of a husband. I will make no promises.”

He took her hand and led her back to where Father Geoffrey waited impatiently. She ran to keep up with him, so Kenneth slowed his pace. He stopped short before the group and tugged her to stand by his side. No one said a word and watched eagerly as if something miraculous was happening.

“Father, we’re ready. Let us finish it.” Kenneth took his tartan and wrapped their clasped hands together. He took a quick glance at his friends and not seeing any opposition, nodded.

“We shall dispense with confession until I return. For I must hasten and don’t have time now. Kenneth, will you speak your vow?” Father Geoffrey made the sign of the cross and bowed his head. “Repeat after me.”

“I, Kenneth McInnish of clan Gunn, take thee, Elisa, daughter of the clan MacQuarrie, to be my wedded wife. To have and hold from this day forward, for better or worse, in sickness and health, till death us do part, according to God’s holy ordinance, and thereto I plight thee my troth.”