Kara Griffin - The Pith Trilogy (18 page)

“Aye, training. Come now, lassies, don’t be mad. Ye know how we men like to fight,” Colin said.

“You’ll not be fighting outside my door. There will be no blood shed near my home.” Sara could barely contain her laughter.

Julianna noticed her friend’s eyes twinkle before she lowered them.

“Sorry, love, we are done in,” Steven assured her.

“Sorry, Lady Sara,” Colin said.

“You’re here enjoying yourselves, are ye? Where were you two all afternoon?” Sara dared to question Colin with her hand resting on her hip.

Colin’s eyebrows rose. “Jules and I went riding.”

“I know right well what ye were doing, Laird MacKinnon. Steven, you best handle this. I’ll have none of that in my household.” Sara yelled, threw up her hands and stormed off, making her unhappiness known to all.

Julianna didn’t know whether to run after her to assure her it wasn’t as it seemed, or stay where she was and make sure the men didn’t continue fighting.

“Colin, here.” Steven handed him a cloth given by a lady that stood by. The clans-people, knowing the fight ended, moved on.

Colin took the cloth and wiped his nose. “Finally learned how to fight, Steven? You almost gave me a challenge. I think ye broke my nose,” he said, laughing aloud.

“Serves ye right, you deserved it. I cannot have you here. You’ll have to leave, Colin. You won’t share covers with Julianna when you’re not married. My wife won’t stand for it. You’ll have to marry her.”

“I believe you shouldn’t talk about me as if I’m not here,” Julianna said, trying to get a word in.

“Whoa, Steven, I’m not leaving, and I won’t marry her.”

“Finally, he makes sense. Colin doesn’t have to marry me.” Julianna was pushed behind Colin’s back and he stood up to Steven’s shouting.

“Then you’ll be leaving today, even if I have to throw you on your horse, and take ye home myself.”

“You and what army?” Colin shouted.

“Please, don’t argue. I don’t have need of a husband, Steven.”

He ignored her. “Me, even though you’re bigger than I, I’ll do it. I agree with my wife in this instance. You will not sully Julianna’s reputation. People will talk, they’ll be mean-hearted.”

“Who would dare say a word against her? I don’t agree,” Colin replied hotly.

“Me either,” Julianna shouted.

“Colin, ye will marry her or leave today. If you were going to keep her, why not marry her? Besides, if you do, she’s no longer one of her king’s subjects. He cannot bid her to come.”

“I hadn’t thought of that. I do like her, but you know I never meant to marry.”

“You must marry her. Have you lain together?”

“Don’t answer that, Colin, please you’re both embarrassing me.”

“She just answered for you. Do ye really want your bairns born bastards? I should beat the cosh from ye, Colin MacKinnon.”

“I didn’t think about the bairns. I’ve sworn never to marry and …”

“You have an hour to decide. Either ye marry the lass or I escort you home,” Steven said, walking off.

Colin stormed off in the other direction, leaving her standing alone.

“Well, hell’s hounds, those two are absolutely confounding. I will not marry him no matter what Steven KirkConnell says.” Julianna walked inside the keep and decided to catch up with Sara. She stopped her in the hallway. “Wait, please.”

Sara turned her back to her, and began sobbing.

“Sara, please, I didn’t mean to make ye weep.”

“I cannot talk to you.” A fat tear slipped down her cheek. “Not now.”

Julianna took hold of her shoulder. “You must talk to me. I cannot let it be like this between us.”

Sara pulled away and entered Julianna’s chamber. She walked across the woven rug. “I have always loved this room and was saving it for my first daughter.” She seemed deep in thought, and Julianna touched her arm.

“I cannot let that man make dishonest propositions toward ye. You’ve been my friend far too long. You’re here in my husband’s care. Colin MacKinnon must leave. Even now, Steven is telling him.”

“Oh, Sara, please don’t make him leave. Steven will never forgive me. Colin is his friend and I don’t want to come between them. What must I do to prove that he didn’t proposition me?”

Sara gasped. “Do ye believe me ignorant? I know when a lady’s been compromised. The look on your face alone gave it away, not to mention the fact that you were gone for hours. Nothing you say will convince me otherwise. Your reputation is sullied.”

“You want to hear it?” Julianna asked angrily.

“Aye, say it, I want to hear it,” Sara said heatedly.

“Very well, Sara, he bedded me. I won’t regret it so don’t start in. That’s all there is to tell. It means … nothing.” Julianna’s breathing hitched.

“What about never getting married? You must marry him now.”

“I’m not getting married. He will take me to his land in a few days—he swore to protect me. That’s all I need,” Julianna said.

“What if you have a baby? He can make all the vows all he likes, but you need a binding contract for the sake of your children. Have ye any concern for your sins?”

“God will understand. What if I marry him and my father finds out? Have you thought of that? I will not have Colin harmed.”

“Julianna, Colin can handle your father. You’ll finally be safe and free. You must marry him, please say ye will. I can’t bear to think of you carrying a baby without a husband.”

“Sara, he doesn’t wish to marry, and I could never convince him. It’s not something I’ll have to consider since he shall never ask.”

“Worry not—he’ll ask, and you better say aye.”

“I tell you it won’t happen. I cannot talk about this any longer.”

Sara touched her shoulder affectionately. “You’ll make him a fine wife.” She walked out, and closed the door.

Julianna lay on Colin’s plaid that was bunched up on the bed. His scent lingered, and she pulled it to her face. It was soft and warm; she wrapped it around herself. Everything spiraled. Her father, the king, Colin, Laila, Sara, and Steven. Feeling the pressure, she realized she’d have to go. She would face her greatest trepidation. No one would suffer because of her cowardice.

It seemed the only way she could get to Laila and return to live in peace. That was, of course, if the king released her. He might imprison her in the dungeon as her dreams indicated. If she married before she met the king, he couldn’t marry her to someone else, nor could her father. Mayhap that was the answer she sought. If only Colin asked, it would solve her problem. Sara must know someone else who would marry her. Then she could find out what the king wanted and return to the Highlands with Laila. King John didn’t know who she was. It had to be her father’s interference. She fell asleep holding Colin’s plaid and didn’t dream or stir during the night.

The next morning, Julianna found herself alone with Sara at the table. She didn’t know what to say to her friend. Unable to eat, she barely touched her food.

“You were aright,” Sara said, looking up from her pondering.

Julianna moved closer and placed her hand on her arm. “About what?”

“The MacKinnon. He’s gone, Julianna, he left last night and hasn’t returned. He’ll not marry you after all. I’m sorry.”

Julianna stiffened. “I told ye that would happen, Sara. I never expected him to marry me.”

“I thought he would do the honorable thing, like all good Highlander men.”

“Not all Highlander men are good,” Julianna said.

“Nay, I see that. Steven said you can stay as long as ye like. He told me to tell you of the guise.”

“What guise?”

“That he didn’t want you here, but he would never have sent you away. Steven and I thought to motivate Colin in the marital direction.”

Julianna laughed, then sobered. “No one could motivate Colin to do anything.”

“It’s good to see you’re taking this well. I didn’t think you would rejoice at his departure.”

“I shall miss him, but what can I do? He’s gone, and I don’t believe there is anything I can do about it.”

“I am sorry, Julianna.”

“I was thinking about my problem last night after you left. I’ll have to go to England to see the king. I thought of a way to return here. If I were to marry, the king will have to honor that, and release me. My father won’t be able to do anything about it. Do you know of someone who would marry me?”

“Do I? Julianna, every man in the keep watches ye, but I would suggest Garrick.”

“Garrick? He did kiss me, and he seems likable.”

“He what? Julianna, you’ve done some naughty things. I wanted you to change, but this much?” Sara laughed.

Julianna laughed, too. “It wasn’t my fault, he just did. I’d rather marry Colin, but I suppose I’ll settle for Garrick. Will he mind that I’ve been with another?”

“Probably. Oh, why couldn’t the MacKinnon keep his plaid on?”

“If not Garrick, we’ll find another. Will you ask Steven?” Julianna wouldn’t give up.

“Aye,” Sara replied. “I’ll ask.”

“Do you remember at your wedding, I thought someone watched me? You know, when I got the feeling? When I saw the warrior and we searched for him?”

“Aye, I remember. We didn’t find him though.”

“I thought myself lucky to cross paths with Colin again, but now, I’m not so sure.”

“Why did ye not tell me?”

“I didn’t think of it until now. I also didn’t tell you that I saw him by the pond that night after your wedding.”

“Ye did? What were you doing at the pond? What happened?”

“It was hot and I couldn’t sleep. He kissed me. The man makes me feel like one of those simple-minded women that used to hang about your hall.”

Sara laughed. “Aye, I recall ye saying you would never behave like them.”

“I suppose I’m like them now, and I don’t like it. I wish I didn’t care for him,” Julianna said.

“We’ll find a man to make ye forget Colin.”

Julianna spent the remainder of the day in a daze. He’d left, and this time for good. By the time she went to bed that night, she was in a sorrowful mood. She cried into her pillow. What had she hoped, that he was her path? She remembered Mother Superior telling her that she would find her path and that God would send help. Maybe Colin wasn’t meant to be.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Colin found himself in the KirkConnell chapel, sitting on a bench. It was the only quiet place he could contemplate. Being forced to do something he didn’t want to do infuriated him.

“Da, what am I to do? Should I marry her? I don’t know if I can stomach living with a woman like you did and be rejected in the end. I feel I’m destined to. Men shouldn’t have such concerns.”
Marry her or leave her.

“I cannot break my pledge. What’s the difference? Pledge or marriage? I’ve sworn to protect her and keep her.” Wasn’t that the same as marriage? He nodded his conviction. “I didn’t need her heart to make my pledge.” He hastily left the sanctuary and mounted his horse. He rode through the keep’s gates, leaving Steven standing beside the keep wondering where he was going.

Colin spent the night and next day roaming the woods, contemplating his decision. He knew he’d have to face the choice he made. He glanced ahead, betwixt the rowan trees and saw a fire.

“Hmm, mayhap they are the men Julianna saw.”

He rode toward the light. Jumping from his steed’s back, quietly forging ahead. Men talked around the fire, and hadn’t heard his approach. They jested about a woman, his woman. He wanted to run into the foray, but knew he couldn’t take them all. Though he only spotted four, he didn’t know if there were others. He returned to his horse, confident that they’d be there on his return.

Riding hell-bent to the KirkConnell keep, he didn’t dismount when he reached the gates. He saw Steven standing by the garrison, and motioned to him to stay where he was.

“Steven, I found them, the men Jules told us about. I need a few men to ride with me. They’re sitting as pretty as you please in your woods, and I aim to find out why.”

“Aye, I want to know myself.”

Colin waited while the men gathered and they were at last, able to ride off. They arrived at their foe’s camp, dismounting some distance away. The Englishmen who rested about their camp hadn’t heard their approach. Colin grabbed a man from behind and knocked him out with the blunt end of his dagger. He threw the man to the ground, where he lay like a heap of giblets. The rest of the warriors made their advance on the others. A man awoke before Brendan could subdue him, and he chased him into the nearby woods. At last, only one man remained who sat gazing into the fire, oblivious to the attack.

Colin held the tip of his dagger to his throat, his eyes bulged at the blade piercing his skin.

“What do ye want? I’ve no belongings worth taking.”

“What are you doing here?” Colin asked.

“We are riding through.”

“You lie. You’ve been here too long. We don’t allow people on our land. Now either tell me or I’ll spill your blood.”

“Nay, I uh …we were sent to …”

“Sent for what?” Colin’s patience wore thin, tensing his hand on the handle of the dagger, pressing it a bit further into his skin.

“… bring back a lady,” the man said.

“What lady?” Steven asked him.

“Julianna Bentley. We were going to return her to the lord.” The man blubbered in panic.

Colin pressed his dagger a smidgen into the man’s neck, making a stream of blood roll down his enemy’s neck. Steven saw his blade pierce the man.

“Don’t kill the shanty, Colin. Send him back with a message,” Steven suggested.

Seeing Steven’s knowing look of wisdom, Colin nodded.

“Return and give Lord Bentley my message. Tell him I don’t want to see him or any of his men on my land again. Julianna Bentley will never return to England. If anyone attempts to abduct her, I’ll kill him.” Colin shoved the man toward the ground.

Colin signaled to his men to standby the trees to await their departure. Only the sound of the wind whipping through the forest could be heard. His warriors blended into the trees.

“Almighty Lord,” a man yelled, holding his neck, trying to stop the blood flow. “Thank the lord I’ve only been nicked and not bludgeoned.”

Minutes passed before the others came to. They held their heads and joined the man beside the fire.

“What happened, Horace? Me head is banging like a drum. Did ye hit us?”

“Nay, you fool, the Highlander’s were here. Look at the wound on my neck. The behemoth told me to relay his message. If Lord Bentley comes or sends men after Julianna Bentley, he’s going to kill him.”

“Damn me. Are we going to give ‘em the message?”

“Nay. We’re leaving all right, and we’re not going back to Bentley.”

“He did say that we bring her back or not return. I aren’t wanting to give ‘em that message.”

“Let us get out of here hastily. This is definitely not worth the small fee Bentley promised.”

One of the men stood and screamed.

“What wrong with him?”

“Get ‘em off. Get ‘em off,” the man screamed.

Horace pushed him to the ground. Midgets swarmed the man, the vile insects which could only be seen when in mass seemed to cover him. The men began brushing the insects off.

“What were they? They bit me, look at me blood,” the man cried.

“We must go, this place gives me the willies. There be ghosts in these woods, or witches. Bad enough the savages came. We’ll never make it home.”

“Where’s Samuel?” Horace asked.

“I know not, maybe he’s run off. Should we look for him?”

“I won’t leave him behind, find him,” Horace replied. He gathered their belongings while the others looked for their comrade. They found him knocked unconscious lying face down in a bog a short distance from the fire. It took several minutes to rouse him.

Samuel groaned and said, “A demon was after me.”

Horace gripped his tunic and slapped his face. “Get a hold of yourself, man.”

Once the man calmed, they hurried to their horses, their only thought, to get out of hell.

Colin watched them flee from the spot he’d taken vigil. With them gone, he felt better about Julianna’s safety. Now that that matter was settled, he had one more chore to do before he went to his wedding.

When he reached the garrison, he didn’t join those who celebrated their wee skirmish with the English, instead, he malingered along the keep’s wall. Men sat around, drinking ale, jesting, and seemed to be having a good time. He stalked outwardly not wanting to reach them, but knowing he had to tell them his decision.

“Robin, Brendan, I’ve something to discuss.”

“Have some ale,” Robin said, offering him a tankard.

“Nay.” He pushed it back. “I’ve made a decision about Jules. You’ll need to prepare Walter.”

“You are going through with it? You are keeping her?”

“Nay, Brendan, more than that.”

Robin said, “Colin, you’re not jesting?”

“Nay, tomorrow night in the chapel, I’ll wed her. I’ve been told by Steven either that or leave. I pledged to keep the lass safe. What else am I to do, Robin?”

“You must uphold your pledge. It’s the right thing to do.”

He leaned against the wall. “I hope I’m not making the biggest mistake of my life.”

“Why would ye think that? How could it be a mistake?”

“Am I doing right by our clan? I want to keep her, but marrying her is so permanent.”

Robin’s mouth set a thin line. “Colin, you should put yourself first for once. As far as it being permanent, were ye planning to keep her until you grew bored with her?”

“That’s not what the lass deserves,” Brendan said.

Colin glared at Brendan; his brother rarely made an observance, but now he stated his position. “I suppose marrying her won’t be so bad when you look at it like that.”

The men boxed his back. Robin told him he’d hightail it home and make it back for the wedding. Colin began strolling away in a sullen mood; both brothers knew he felt disheartened. He heard them talking.

“Our plan worked,” Robin said, smiling broadly.

“Aye, it did, Robin,” Brendan said bluntly.

“What plan? What are you lads up to?”

Neither of his brothers would answer. The rest of the night, he sat outside the garrison, waiting for the hour in which he could go to Julianna. Rain dampened his plaid and made his hair slick, but he didn’t care. As each minute passed, his resolve weakened, thinking about how he’d go about it. He wasn’t sure he could go through with it.

Rather than be cowardly and let his apprehension rule him, he went inside the hall determined to get the matter settled. He passed Steven and Sara, having their morning fare. Colin didn’t bid them a greeting, but quickly took the steps and knocked at Julianna’s door.

“Who is there?” she called.

“Open the door, lass, I need to talk to ye.”

She opened the door and looked oddly at him. “You left, and I didn’t think you would return. Now you demand I attend ye? I think not.” Julianna turned her back on him and peered out the window.

“I didn’t mean to overlook you, Jules. ‘Tis too fine a day. It has stopped raining. Do you want to ride?”

Julianna turned and frowned. “That would be pleasant. I do need air.”

He clasped her hand, and remained silent on their walk to the stable. Colin readied a horse for her, and as they rode to the loch, he felt somewhat better.

“Jules, you know I’m laird to a large clan and have important maters to see to. I didn’t mean to ignore ye.”

“I do know that, Colin. You need not explain.”

When they reached the loch, they dismounted, walked to the water’s edge, and sat on the grassy slope. Julianna seemed content to gaze at the scene.

He took hold of her hand and began …

“Jules, I—”

“Shhh. ‘Tis beautiful here. I want to remember this place always. If the king puts me in his dungeon, this is where I’ll imagine I’ll be. I want to memorize every rock, every tree.”

“Don’t say that, Jules. The king wouldn’t do that, why would he?”

She didn’t answer. Colin looked at the scenery and tried to see what she saw. The deep green trees and rocky gorge were captivating; the grayed muted colors made it appear more entrancing. Deep in thought, she didn’t pay attention to Colin. He watched her face alight with affection. How could he ask? He’d thought about it most of the night, and still came to no decision. Vulnerability was not something he was used to feeling. How would he explain that he changed his mind about marriage?

“I have something to ask, Jules.”

“Hmm?” She wasn’t paying attention.

“You know I mean to keep you, don’t ye?” When she didn’t answer, he said, “Julianna?”

She looked up from the loch, not saying anything.

“We’ll do it this night.” She wasn’t listening, and didn’t respond. “We’ll leave later in the week for my home.” He could probably ask anything, her mind seemed miles away and he chuckled.

He’d made the right decision, and felt lighthearted that the asking was over, even though he hadn’t gotten an answer. It wouldn’t matter, he’d get her agreement when the time came. He leaned forward, placing a kiss on her cheek. He had to admit he might care for her, a wee bit.

A merl flapped its wings, ascending into the sky. The mist made it appear magical. Sitting beside his intended wife, he placed an arm around her, and looked at the scenery.

“We better get back. Everyone will be waiting.”

“Thank you, Colin, for brining me here.” She remained quiet the rest of the ride.

When they reached the KirkConnell keep, Sara waited by the door. As soon as Julianna’s feet touched the ground, she led her away.

Steven smiled. “What happened?”

“I asked her to marry me.”

Steven laughed. “What did she say?”

“She didn’t say nay.”