Torrian (The Highland Clan Book 2) (13 page)

***

Heather’s gaze locked with Torrian’s as she finished telling him about that horrible day. “Believe me, ‘twas the only good thing he ever did for me. He helped me find this cave and get settled. Then he left, and until the other eve at your keep, I had not seen him since.”

Torrian’s eyes had a vibrant intensity in them as he stared back at her. “What’s his name, lass?”

Chapter Fifteen

Heather cupped his face in her hands. “Please do not ask me, Torrian. I promised. He said if I told anyone about him, he’d steal Nellie away and give her to someone at his keep. ‘Tis why I returned to the cave. I just cannot risk losing her. The nights are a bit warmer now, and I thought we would be safe here until he leaves. Then mayhap we will return. Please?”

He nodded. “Aye. But someday, you will tell me.”

Heather kissed him lightly on his lips. “Aye. Someday. But you and I can never be together.”

Torrian caressed her back as she rested her head back on his chest. “Mayhap we can be. If I could, I’d marry you today if you’d have me.”

“But what choice do you have? You could be convicted of treason for countermanding the king’s will.”

“In all those years I spent alone due to my illness, Heather, I learned to use my mind more than my body. I shall have to outthink my opponents. I’ll return in the morn and take part in the pre-wedding festivities, set up some contests, and do aught else I can in the hopes I can uncover or overhear something about the Buchans to change the king’s mind.”

“But when does he leave?”

“The king leaves mid-day on the morrow. I shall not go against my king and my sire just yet, but know this…”

She picked her head up to gaze into his eyes, those glorious green eyes that beckoned to her like a torch in the dark.

He set his fingers underneath her chin and lifted it. “I love you, lass. And I mean to make you mine. If you can be patient, somehow I’ll find a way. I will not marry Davina of Buchan. I’m hoping to discover something that helps free me of my obligation.” He paused. “Before I go, I must ask you one more question.”

“Anything, Torrian.” She was suddenly so full of hope she wished to dance under the night moon.

“Will you have me as your husband if I can free myself from this betrothal?”

“Aye, Torrian. I love you, too. I’ll help in any way I can, but I must stay here for Nellie’s sake.”

“I understand. Much as I hate to leave you, I must go. I have much to do since the dawn is here.” He helped her sit up, and then did the same. “I’ll run for some water. Where’s your container?”

She stood and dressed quickly while he covered himself with his plaid. “You do not need to fetch water for me. I am quite able.”

He extended his hand for the jug. “I’m quite capable of taking care of the lass I love. Now, would you allow me the pleasure?”

She handed him the jug, loving the way his eyes sparkled as he took it from her. Suddenly, she felt like the most special lass in the world.

She was in love.

***

Torrian arrived back at the portcullis shortly after the king had left, much earlier than he had expected. He had no regrets.

Kyle met him just inside the gate after he left his horse at the stable. “Your timing is fine. There’s a big meeting inside the solar. I think you need to be there.”

“Good, I’ll head there now.”

Kyle winked at him. “And?”

He scowled at his second, “And what?”

“And did you have a good night?”

Torrian picked up a clump of weeds and tossed it back at his second with a grin. “I’ll see you later.” He marched through the courtyard and headed into the great hall. His uncle stood just outside the doorway of the solar.

“Perfect timing,” Brodie said with a grim smile. “We’re meeting to discuss your fate, lad. Please join us.” He held the door open, and Torrian stepped inside.

The chamber was full. His sire sat behind the desk, rubbing his knee, and Brenna sat on a stool next to him. Uncle Logan, Aunt Gwyneth, and Father Rab sat in chairs while his cousins stood around the outside of the gathering. Jake and Jamie were having a serious discussion with Braden, while wee Kenzie bounced back and forth between all the groups. Lily looked wrapped up in thought.

As soon as the door closed behind him, silence descended on the room and they all turned to stare at him.

“It pleases me that you could find time for us, son,” Quade coughed. “Problems we should be aware of?” His sire was not one to waste words.

“Nay, no problems. Please fill me in on what I missed.”

His sire gave him a pointed look, but his mind was settled. He could not marry Davina. He simply could not. Waiting for someone to start, he turned an expectant gaze from one relative to another. None of them spoke.

“Suits me fine to start first,” Torrian said with a shrug. “I would like to inform everyone that I am not interested in marrying Davina of Buchan. To my mind, I have two days to come up with a solid reason not to follow the king’s orders. As I’ve said, they used trickery to gain what they desired, so ‘tis even more of a reason for me not to go through with the marriage. It is a sign of their dishonesty, and if they were dishonest in this, I believe it’s a sign of a greater problem. I do not trust any of them, Davina, her sire, her brother, or Ranulf of MacNiven. Would anyone care to assist me in this endeavor?”

Jamie, Jake, Lily, and Braden all shouted, “Aye!”

He couldn’t help but chuckle. “Terrific, I have four. Who else? Do any of the elders wish to assist me?”

“I think we’d like to hear your plan before we continue,” his sire said, rubbing his knee again. “If there is a solid reason for us to do this, I would like to hear it.”

“The solid reason stands before you, Da. I do not want to marry her. I love another.”

Lily clapped her hands and raced over to hug him before returning to her spot.

“I’ll ask again. Ideas?” Quade added.

“I’d like to have some contests,” Gwyneth replied, “archery, sword-fighting. You can tell much about a person’s character in a competition. No coin involved, just the glory of being declared the winner.”

Logan kissed his wife’s cheek. “Great suggestion, wife. Seems you wish to help Torrian instead of following the king’s orders?”

“Just because he’s king does not mean he is always correct. We shall help him fix his mistake by uncovering the truth.”

Several gasps echoed in the chamber. “What?” She glanced around at her kin. Even Father Rab, her brother, quirked his brow at her.

“Be careful where you say such things, wife. I do not care to have to free you from a dungeon.” Logan ran his hand across the stubble on his chin.

“I know a few of you have already voiced an opinion, but I’d like to ask again, and I am quite serious about this. Are you willing to risk the clan’s relationship with the king?” Quade asked. “I’d like to know if Logan and I are the only ones who believe in following the orders given by our king. Who wishes to assist Torrian by going against our king’s decree?” Naught was said.

A few moments later, Lily’s hand raised into the air. “I do, Papa.”

“I’m not surprised by that, Lily. You are too soft-hearted. And the rest of you?”

Gwyneth’s hand raised, followed by Jamie, Jake, and Braden. Brodie’s hand went up strong and straight. Then Father Rab raised his hand, but it was the last hand to rise in the air that surprised them all.

Brenna.

“Sorry, husband,” she said, “but you know how my mother and your mother both felt about this. ‘Twould be best for him to choose his own wife, and the lass is underhanded at the verra least. You cannot deny that.”

Logan said, “Aye” and raised his hand into the air.

Quade leaned toward his brother in shock. “You, too, Logan? But you work for the crown.”

“Aye, I’ll not deny I favored the wedding before the sly trick they played on the lad. There’s no doubt that the Buchans and their friends are planning something in the near future, and an alliance would help us control them. But after this last fiasco, my mind is made up. I know the king wishes for us to keep the Buchans in line, but I no longer think Torrian needs to be sacrificed to that wee bitch to do it. And ‘twould be wrong for his reputation to be ruined by this folly.”

Silence reigned in the room for a moment, but Torrian noticed a twitch or two around his cousins’ lips as they fought to restrain grins. Gwyneth moved over to her husband and plopped down on his lap. “Well said, husband.” She kissed him on the lips.

Logan continued, “The king seems to be the only one who doesn’t realize Torrian did not defile the girl. ‘Tis not in his nature. I’ll do my best to convince him of that. In the interim, I’d like to find more reasons for us not to trust the clan. And do not be so glad I’ve changed my mind. ‘Twill make our work for the crown more difficult.” He gave his wife’s arm a squeeze.

Gwyneth wiggled her nose. “But we can do it.” She stood, a satisfied grin on her face, and returned to her chair.

Logan sighed. “Aye, you are correct, wife. Stop looking so smug.”

Torrian rushed over and hauled his uncle out of his chair, hugging him tight. “My thanks, Uncle.” Hands waved all about the room as his family members pledged their support, and he couldn’t help but smile. But the one hand that was
not
raised was the one he needed to see most. Finally, his sire joined the others.

“I’ll assist where I can, as long as everyone understands that the wedding will proceed if we turn up naught.”

The hands fell, but Torrian’s uncle whispered, “Leave it all to Gwynie.”

Her eyes sparkled as she tossed her plait over her shoulder. “This is what we’ll do…”

They all huddled around her except Torrian.

He was too humbled to move.

***

The final decision was to start with the archery contest. Jamie, Jake, Braden, and Kenzie were assigned to eavesdropping duty, but Torrian knew Lily would be everywhere today. His sister was so lovable, she could talk everyone out of their best secret.

A little while later, while the contest was being set up, Torrian stood at the side of the archery field watching her. Sweet Lily was no different than she had been at five summers. Her golden hair danced behind her, and her giggles drifted across the meadow. Aye, she was a beauty now, but to him she’d always be the wee lass who would visit him in his sick hut and talk non-stop. She had always been able to brighten his mood. All the lads in the clan pined for Lily, but she favored none in particular.

He noticed Dugald, Cormag, and Ranulf’s gazes oft followed his sister, a sight that sickened him, particularly since he expected one of them to be Nellie’s sire. It had to be one who was concerned about an heir. He dismissed Cormag for being too young. Nellie was four summers. That left Ranulf, Dugald, and—though the thought of it made him cringe—Glenn, with two heirs already.

He spent a few moments studying the three men, trying to identify any facial resemblance, but there was none. Nellie favored her mother. Clearing his head, he committed himself to facing one problem at a time. First, they must catch one of the Buchans in their deceitful ways. The more evidence against them, the better his chances would be to have the betrothal dropped. One step at a time.

To his surprise, Davina sauntered over to stand next to him. “My, but you are looking quite fetching this day, my lord.”

Torrian gave her a look that probably spoke his feelings better than words ever could. “Get away from me. You’ve done enough.”

Under her breath, she whispered, “Certes you are intelligent enough to comprehend this was not my doing. I’ve done only what I have been ordered to do.”

“Then follow
my
orders and get away. I’ll have naught to do with you,
my lady
.”

She reached for his hand, but he pulled away. “I do know how to please a lad, husband-to-be. I promise you will not regret our marriage.” She gave him her most demure smile as she parted her lips in a suggestive pose.

“Your wiles will never work on me. I know you for what you are.”

Her chin lifted and she spun on her heel, her mantle swinging behind her. She gave him one final glare and then stalked off.

The contest was about to begin. There were five on each team, and Kenzie would serve as the runner at the target.

On the Ramsay team were Jamie, Jake, Kyle, Logan, and Torrian. On the Buchan team were Dugald, Ranulf, Glenn, Cormag, and one of their guards. Unfortunately, lasses were banned from the contest, though the Ramsays and Grants all knew the rule had simply been made to prevent Gwyneth from being on their team. They’d conceded without reservation because Logan and Torrian were almost as strong as Gwyneth.

Of their competitors on the other side, only Ranulf was reputed to be a talented archer. They’d already practiced and the contest was almost ready to start. Torrian scanned the field and noticed Aunt Gwyneth was nowhere to be seen, and Lily had also disappeared.

Kyle stood next to Torrian. “You can do this, Ramsay. You deserve to be with your lass, and your clan believes in you. I wish I’d been at the family meeting earlier.”

“I must admit I was humbled and surprised, but I could not be happier that they have chosen to stand with me. Many thanks, Kyle.”

Logan came up behind him. “Trust your aunt, lad,” he said, clapping him on the back. “She was selected by Hamilton to work for the crown long before we married. ‘Twas because of her clever thinking, not her archery skills, though he had to know she could defend herself. She strategizes like no other, and has a way of understanding the male mind that I cannot fathom. And her best comrade in thinking is our daughter Molly. Have faith and focus on your archery. We must push the others to do something sneaky.” He clasped Torrian’s shoulder and strode off toward the field.