Kara Griffin - The Pith Trilogy (21 page)

Chapter Thirty-Three

Julianna awoke with a frown, to an empty bedchamber. She slumped back upon her pillow, knowing she’d miss him. Had he heard her vow of love last night? He’d given no indication that he had. Wishing she could be honest and voice her feelings outright, she knew that he’d only married her to protect her. She could never get him to love her now that he was off warring. She ate her morning meal and noticed a few people in the hall.

Tess sat beside her. “Milady, ye look fair this morning. How was your sleep?”

“Oh, Tess, call me Julianna. I slept well, and you?”

“I slept well now that I have a room of my own. What would you like to do this day?” She sounded chipper.

“The hall needs cleaning. I’d like to bring in chairs. Do you know where we might find some?”

“Cuthbert be the woodsman here. All ye have to do is tell him what you want, he’ll impress you; he’s crafty.”

“Excellent. I’ll finish my meal, and then we’ll go see him. I cannot thank you enough for your help.”

“I’m happy to help, besides my duties are to assist ye.”

They finished eating and began cleaning the hall. Julianna went to George, grabbed his horns, and struggled to pull him out the keep’s front door. He stiffened and was still as stone.

“George, get out,” she yelled, pulling him harder. He yanked his horns from her grip, and she fell backward, landing on her rear. She laughed. “Seems you’re going to present a challenge, aren’t ye?” George, becoming bored, trotted out the front door. “At least he’s out of the keep now.”

“He’s a tough one. I’ll be back.” Tess quickly left the hall.

Julianna felt someone pick her up from behind. Scrambling away from the person, she glanced behind her. Colin hadn’t left after all.

He smiled at her foolery. “George is stubborn. If ye have your heart set on getting him out, I will assist—”

“Nay, Colin, I’ll do it on my own. You have other matters to see to. I thought you left.” Julianna didn’t want to distract him from his all-important feud, and besides if she befriended the beast, he might be more agreeable and stay out of the hall.

“I told you I’d leave in two days. You weren’t listening.”

“Two days? I didn’t hear you,” she said, pretending to be busy dusting the table.

“I’m going to the training field, wife. I’ll see you later.” He walked away.

But he didn’t get far before she called him. “Colin, will ye kiss me good morn?”

He stopped before he reached the door and returned to her. Pulling her against him, he kissed her without restraint.

Julianna wished with all her heart that he would carry her back to their chamber.

“Good morn,” he said gruffly, then he turned and left the hall.

Well, a woman could hope, couldn’t she? Julianna touched her broadened lips with the tips of her fingers. Tess returned and handed her a plaid. “What’s this?”

“Laird MacKinnon asked me to give it to ye.”

“Why?”

“Mayhap because you’re not wearing one?”

Julianna noticed her plaid was gone. He’d taken it off without her realizing it. Her laughter was contagious as Tess laughed along. It was a good way to begin the day.

She and Tess worked throughout the day, and both women were exhausted by supper time. Linen covers adorned the tables, and bankers placed on the two chairs, gotten from Cuthbert. Julianna sat in a chair, mending Colin’s tunic, feeling cozy. Tess sat on the other chair, keeping her company. She’d begun the keep’s transformation, and the men at the evening meal even applied what little manners they had. Tess ate beside her, and Julianna noticed the looks she gave Robin. She also noted the looks he gave her.

She finished eating the savory meal. Julianna hadn’t expected it, since the keep wasn’t cared for. How had they a cook with such skill? She placed her sewing in a basket and went to the kitchens which were located in a small building beyond the main keep. Standing at the kitchen’s entrance, she saw mostly women about.

“Where may I find the cook?”

“I be the cook, Milady. My name is Hester, and I’m happy to cook for you and my laird.” Dame Hester, a rather cheerful lady, glowed with pride. She had graying brown hair and a gentle look.

“Hester, I wanted to thank ye for such a wonderful meal. The food is tasty.”

“Oh, thank you, Milady,” Dame Hester beamed, praised so. “I haven’t received such praise since me husband died. I’m glad you married our Laird. I’ve never seen him so lighthearted.”

“Lighthearted? He’s—”

Dame Hester wouldn’t be interrupted. “Always were a rough one, and only had fighting on his mind. He’s never smiled much, even as a wee laddie. He be a earnest fellow.”

“Why is that, Hester?” Julianna’s heart cried out at that.

“His ma died when he was young and she … well, that is not for me to say. When the laird’s da passed five years later, he became a stern man. Och he had ‘es brothers to look out for. Our Laird has had a time of it. He keeps himself separated, even from ‘es brothers.”

Julianna nodded. She didn’t know much about Colin’s past. It saddened her to hear that his parents died when he was young. She’d had the love of her aunt and uncle when she’d been young, and Bleeth. Colin, it seemed, hadn’t had anyone. She sighed at that.

“Good day, Dame Hester.” Julianna left the kitchens.

The hall quieted when she returned. Julianna followed Colin to their chamber early that night. She heard the patrol outside the window and was reassured by their presence.

During the night, Colin made love to her twice. When he finally left her to sleep, she did so soundlessly. Morning came all too quickly, and Julianna went to the hall. Robin told her that Colin had left a day early, and that he had taken a hundred men, leaving the same amount to guard his treasure. She knew Robin lied because Colin wouldn’t say that, but she appeased him and smiled.

Tess entered the hall and noticed Robin at the table. She hurried over and asked, “Julianna, would ye like to ride with me?”

Robin smiled. “May I join you lassies?” Before he could finish asking, Tess hurried out the door.

“Robin, I wish to spend time with her. Do you mind?”

“Nay, Milady,” Robin replied, frowning at the doorway.

Julianna hurried and found Tess by the stables. “What troubles ye?”

“Nothing,” Tess replied.

Julianna snorted. “We’re friends now. Believe me, I shall tell you my worries soon enough. We better address yours presently, because mine …”

“You’re married to the laird, so you have nothing to worry about.”

“I do have worries, and Colin won’t be able to help me sort them out. Are you going to answer?”

Tess gripped the reins as if she wanted to strangle someone. “Robin won’t leave me be, and I don’t like his attentions.”

“You don’t?” Julianna stammered, finally seating her horse.

“He always bothers me.” Tess, now seated on a mare, rode next to her.

“Why don’t ye like him? He’s very handsome, and I believe gallant. Why, one time, he rescued me from a lecherous oaf.”

“I find that hard to believe, Julianna. He never talks to me, only grabs me, and kisses me without my consent.”

“He’s enamored of ye, Tess. Talk will come later.”

“I don’t want his attention. He never said he cares about me, only that he wants me, and such nonsense. He is without gallantry.”

“That’s how men are. Why don’t you try talking to him? Mayhap if ye—”

Tess chimed in, “Nay, I’ll keep my distance. What are you worried about?”

Julianna sighed, realizing the change in topic. She steered her horse on a trail around a hut. “I shan’t trouble you with it now. I wondered if you would … never mind.”

“What is it?”

“I want to remove the weapons from the hall. Do ye think Colin will be angry?”

Tess laughed heartily. “’Tis the laird’s ritual to place war instruments in the hall. We can only wait to see if he’ll get mad. We’ll do it later when none are in the hall, when the men are training.”

“As long as we don’t get caught, but if we do, I’ll explain that Colin gave me permission.”

“Did he?”

Julianna giggled. “He did tell me to make his keep into a home.”

“He didn’t exactly give you permission to remove them.”

She raised an eyebrow at her new friend. “But he didn’t exactly say I couldn’t.”

Julianna and Tess rode back to the keep. It was early afternoon; they had tarried overlong on their ride. They waited for the hall to empty and when the men finally left for the training field after supper, they ran to the wall. Julianna lifted two swords and carefully held them so she wouldn’t injure herself. Tess picked up two shields, which were so weighty she had difficulty carrying them. They took the weapons upstairs, and put them in a vacant room. Tess dropped a shield, and it made a loud clank against the wooden flooring.

A soldier yelled, “Lady MacKinnon?”

“All’s well, I dropped something.”

With several more trips up the stairs, all of the weapons had been removed. When they finished, they sat at the table. “There, that looks much better. Colin is going to pitch a fit.”

“You’ll have to take his mind off the hall when he enters. You must know how to distract him.”

Julianna shook her head. “I haven’t the faintest idea.”

Tess laughed. “When he comes home, throw your arms around him and kiss him.” Tess giggled. “Kiss him until his mind is only interested in taking you. He’ll not notice his hall is removed of its weapons. I tell you—”

“I’ll do it. How do you know this?” Julianna laughed.

“My ma always said interesting things aloud, I always listened.”

“She sounds marvelous.”

George came inside the hall, his hooves clopping the wooden flooring as he ran and butted his head against her chair. “George, you beast! You’re not allowed in here. Be gone.” Julianna pulled him to the door, struggling to push him out. The goat eventually gave in, letting her lead him out.

“I’ll never keep him out if no one closes the door.”

“I will get one of the men to close it,” Tess said.

The door, like everything else, was made for a warrior’s use. Julianna didn’t have the strength to close it. If the door was closed, she’d have to exit through the back. Thinking of it, she went to see how big it was. When she reached the back exit, she noticed the door, but unlike the massive twenty-foot one at the front, it was only ten feet high. She pulled the handle, and stepped through the opening. Steps led to a gated garden in desperate need of work, like everything else. She walked through the gate.

The castle sat upon a meandering hill, but the slope at the back wasn’t as high as the front. The sight before her amazed her. A village, bustling with activity, sat at the bottom. Smaller buildings and cottages dotted the hills. People waved to each other, and offered greetings. She was sure they were MacKinnons, seeing that they wore the same plaid. The feeling of belonging tightened her heart. She smiled, sitting at the top of the slope, watching the villagers, and feeling as though she was home.

Chapter Thirty-Four

Those damned McFies! Two months had passed since Colin began his search and he hadn’t found a single one. Short of going to their holding, he wouldn’t make progress. The cokenays hid. The MacKinnons made camp and Colin contemplated his next move.

Brendan flipped a log into the fire with his sword. “Colin, why do ye think they hide?”

“They’re cowards. Somehow, I will ferret them out. I always do.”

“What if it takes too long?”

“I’ll wait,” Colin said, heatedly.

“Even if it takes months? You should go home to your wife.” Brendan stood and went to the other side of the fire.

“I must finish it.” Colin pounded his fist on his knee, becoming irritated by elusive Ellic.

“You destroyed them, there’s not many living on their land. Why not let it go?”

Colin looked up to see Walter standing before him. His commander sat next to him, and took a swig of ale.

“It will end with Ellic’s death. My da’s honor is at stake.”

“It’s been years since his passing and it’s pointless to go on like this. Put the feud behind ye and start living your own life. Go home to your wife and beget sons.”

“Why are you willing me to give up now? It cannot be because I’ve married. Nay, it’s something more.” Colin grasped Walt’s tunic, pulling him close. “What the hell is it?”

“Colin, I …” Walt hesitated. “’Tis nothing.”

“What do ye want to say, Walt?” Colin released him.

“Your father was mean spirited and cruel. I saw how he treated your dear mother. Though I only saw him strike her once, I know he beat her often. She hid in her chamber and did a fair job of keeping her bruises covered so you lads wouldn’t see.”

“Why are ye telling me this now?” Colin’s hands shook; he clenched them closed, disbelieving his da had beaten his ma.

“Don’t avenge him, Colin. He doesn’t deserve it.” Walt spat on the ground.

“The McFies killed my da. Whether he deserved it or nay, I must keep my vow. Why haven’t ye told me this before?”

“Would you have believed me?”

“Nay, Walt, I suppose I wouldn’t have, but now …” Colin lowered his eyes. Any man that beat a woman was considered barbaric to his way of thinking. Now that he’d met Julianna, and having seen her face, he couldn’t fathom how a man could be so cruel. Perhaps his own da was such a man.

“Ye loved your da, but you didn’t see the things he had done. I say ye forget your pledge.” Walter walked away.

Colin swallowed his anguish. His da had beaten her. She’d hid? She had scarcely showed herself when they were young. His da had been cruel-hearted. How could he honor him, now knowing that? He didn’t remember his ma being bruised, but she’d hid and stayed away from her children. He’d never seen his parents argue. Of course, he’d stayed in the barracks with the men oftentimes when he’d begun training.

He didn’t remember her dying, and had only been told by his da about it. Memories of him holding his brothers, when told the news, came to him. Colin had believed his da to be a loving parent and good husband. He still had to contend with the McFies, whether his da deserved avenging or not. But for now, he’d go home to Jules.