Ashlyn (The Highland Clan Book 5) (3 page)

Ashlyn glanced over at her sister, her gaze catching all that took place in front of her. She hated bringing up the past to Gracie because she had been young enough to have no memories at all. It was best for Gracie if it stayed that way. She did not share her memories with anyone. “I have told you before that I watched the cruel Norseman beat you. ‘Tis why I do not wish to marry.” Ashlyn averted her gaze from her mother and sister, hoping her lie would not be apparent. Truth was that she’d thought about marriage and bairns frequently of late, but she would never admit it to anyone.

“Yet you continue to have nightmares.” She could tell by the look in her mother’s eyes that she didn’t believe her, but Ashlyn could not—would not—give her what she wanted. Why dwell on the past? Robbie Grant had saved them from all that, and she would always love him for it. Gracie had been so young she could not remember a life before Clan Grant, and though Ashlyn envied her, she was grateful her little sister could live a normal life.

Her mother whispered, “I’ll leave it be for now. But someday, I hope you’ll confide in me. Otherwise, the past will continue to haunt you.”

Ashlyn got up from her chair so she could escape that look in her mother’s eyes.

Her memories already haunted her. She hoped going on this journey would help wash them away.

Chapter Three

Magnus moved through the forest, surveying the twigs around him to find ones that were the right size. As soon as he had a handful, he strode out of the forest and into the strath. He loved taking his dogs into the wide valley so they could run freely. The trees were bare, waiting for winter snows to come in as they did every year. He wondered if Ashlyn had considered the fact that this trip could keep them out of the Highlands for a while if heavy snow fell while they were in Edinburgh.

His dogs eagerly awaited him. Though he threw two of the sticks in opposite directions, both dogs chased down the first one. He shook his head, chuckling at the dogs’ antics.

“Mada, Sim, can you not each chase your own stick?”

Sim made it to the stick first, and he hastily grabbed it in his teeth and ran back to Magnus. Mada seemed to droop in disappointment, but then he raised his head and searched the grounds for a second twig to bring to his master.

Sim dropped the twig at Magnus’s feet, panting with his tongue lolling out to the side. Mada rushed up moments later and dropped the puny stick he’d found next to Sim’s, who promptly bent down to take a sniff.

“Always competing against each other, are you not?” He picked up two larger twigs and heaved them in the same direction, sending both beasts off.

Magnus sat down on a nearby rock and watched his two beloved animals. Torrian Ramsay had brought them to him as pups after Rhona’s death. His friend’s intention had undoubtedly been for the dogs to help restore Magnus’s broken heart. That had seemed impossible at the time, but Magnus had been so very lonely. He’d agreed to take one; Torrian had refused to split the brothers up. So Magnus had kept the two Deerhounds with a grumble. Now he could not be happier to have them in his life. The dogs rushed over with the larger sticks and sat in front of him, awaiting his next command. Magnus patted his leg and the two rushed up on either side of him for their favorite, a rub behind their ears.

While the dogs had not come close to replacing his dear wife, they had filled a gap in his life, giving him a reason to get up every day, and forcing him to smile. Not that smiling was difficult for Magnus, he smiled naturally almost all the time, but with the two dogs around, his smile was more reflective of his actual mood. He was also glad that Torrian had forced two on him instead of one, because at least they had each other when Magnus had to travel with the warriors. There were two lads nearby that cared for his dogs when he was gone, but he did not feel bad about leaving the dogs alone together.

Mada barked, tearing Magnus’s attention away from his thoughts. Robbie Grant was approaching him. Robbie waved to Magnus as he made his way down the hill from his cottage, and the two dogs took off after him, recognizing the friendly face and anxious for more greetings and ear rubs.

Magnus leaned back on the rock, hoping the sun would emerge and warm his face. The cold nights of the Highland winters had started, though today was not bad. “Robbie, what brings you out to my area of Grant land?” His smile went from ear to ear, guessing this visit might have something to do with his Ashlyn.

His
Ashlyn? Had he really thought that?

Robbie came over to his side and plunked down on a nearby rock. “The rocks are getting too cold these days, are they not, Magnus? Or is your arse so tough that you have no feeling?”

“Aye, the rock is cold. Keeps me alert. I have to stay ahead of my dogs. Do you need help with something? Must be important to come all the way over here.”

“I’m here because my wife sent me. ‘Tis not that far, just down the hill.”

“Allow me to guess. I’d wager she’s worried about Ashlyn traveling with the warriors.”

“Aye, she is, as am I.” Robbie scratched his head. “But we trust you, Magnus, and I told Caralyn that our laird made the right choice for Ashlyn. You will protect her.”

“What concerns the two of you if not her safety?”

“Caralyn’s worried about how Ashlyn will treat you.”

Magnus leaned back on his elbows to stare up at the sky. “I appreciate your concern, but I think I can handle a wee lass like Ashlyn.”

“I would not call Ashlyn wee, and I can tell you she’s got some muscle behind her punch.”

Magnus sat up. “Her punch?”

Robbie cleared his throat. “I do not wish to talk much about my wife’s past, but I can tell you this much. Caralyn, Ashlyn, and Gracie were all around some unsavory characters before Caralyn met me. Gracie remembers naught, but some of Ashlyn’s memories still bother her.”

“I know, we all know, she does not like to be touched, and I respect that. Is there more I should know?” Magnus threw the sticks again to keep the dogs busy, then pushed back on the rock.

“She often wakes up in the middle of a nightmare swinging.”

“Swinging?”

“Punching. As her protector, you will likely sleep close to her, so I must warn you that when she awakens from one of her night terrors, she’ll swing her fists at anyone who comes near her. And I can tell you from experience that she has some strength behind those punches in the middle of the night.”

“And she’s never said what ails her?”

“Nay. We’ve tried many times, but she always blames it on the Norseman who attacked her mother. Caralyn thinks there is more to it, and so do I.” He wiped a hand over his face. “‘Tis horrible to see. She swings her arm over her head as though she were stabbing someone.”

“Hellfire, how can the lass sleep restfully if her sleep is that disturbed? Does it happen often?” Magnus couldn’t imagine what it would be like to have recurring dreams about an enemy for years. He’d vowed to find out the truth of what had happened to Ashlyn, but did he have any chance if she wouldn’t tell her mother or her sister?

“Do not worry, my lord,” Magnus said. “I vow to help Ashlyn, and am not worried about how hard she hits me. If I can take Jake and Jamie’s pummeling…”

“And Loki’s?”

“Aye,” Magnus laughed. “And Loki’s. They’ve all pummeled me before.”

“True, because you are older, and you grew before they did, and your arms are the size of tree trunks. They would not have lasted long in one-on-one combat if you’d fought back.”

Magnus guffawed. “It did amuse me when the three of them would try to take me down together. But then they grew up, and I had to admit I could no longer handle the three of them at once.”

“That was one of Jamie’s favorite days,” Robbie said with a grin. “He loved that they’d finally beaten you.”

“Aye, but Jake still tried to beat me on his own. He can best me with a sword or a bow, but not hand-to-hand combat.”

Robbie stood up. “My thanks for reminding me of that. The lads tried to get you to spar with them every day, did they not?”

“Sometimes. But sometimes the bruises would worry my Rhona, so I would back away for a while.”

“You still miss her terribly, aye?”

Magnus sighed. “Aye. The dogs are company, but ‘tis not the same.”

“Mayhap you should think of taking another wife. Rhona was taken from you way too young. I cannot imagine how difficult it was to lose both your wife and son.”

Magnus leaned his elbows on his knees and stared at the ground. “I wish I dared to love another, but the truth is I’m afraid. The loss was too painful for me to bear it again.”

“I hope you will feel differently with time. Caralyn completes me.” Robbie brushed the dirt off his clothing.

They both stared at the dogs as they chased each other across the meadow. “My lord…” Magnus began.

“Magnus, I am not your lord, so there’s no need for such formality.”

“Aye, but you deserve the respect due the laird’s brother. My lord, I promise to handle Ashlyn carefully. She cannot hurt me with her fists.”

“Her mother and I both hope she will not hurt you with her words either. She can be quite harsh at times.”

“I appreciate the warning, but I’ll wager Ashlyn and I will get along quite well.”

Magnus had a feeling this trip would prove to be quite interesting.

***

Ashlyn closed the door in the messenger’s face and turned toward her mother. “We’re wanted in the solar. Uncle Logan is here.”

“I know you are excited, Ashlyn, but you could have treated the messenger a wee bit better. He traveled all the way out here in the cold wind.” Caralyn gave her a stern look.

She swung the door wide open, but the lad had already jumped on his horse and departed. “Forgive me, Mama. I was not thinking.”

“You will remember your manners, whether you are traveling with the guards or not. I raised you right. Do not lose sight of that.”

“Aye, Mama. Do you wish to go to the keep with me?”

Caralyn stared at her daughter, her arms crossed. “I know not what I should do, daughter. We are verra different, though I do not love you any less for it. Mayhap I should let you go alone. ‘Twill only worry me to hear what your uncle is planning.”

Ashlyn frowned at first, but it was true that she and her mama had dissimilar interests. And her mama had said she loved her. “Mama, I must know I have your support, but you need not go to the keep with me if you’d rather stay here.”

“If I understood the dangers you shall face, I would not be able to sleep at night. Yet I know ‘tis best for me to allow you to do what you must.” Tears misted her lashes. “Ashlyn, I just wish you would confide in me. I know there is more than you tell me.”

“Mama, I’m fine. Do not worry. Please.” She hugged her mother before she grabbed her small satchel and mantle. “I shall return.”

“I will await you here. I’m sure your da will be there.” She hugged Ashlyn, then spun around and reclaimed her chair near the hearth.

Ashlyn headed out the door toward the small stable where they kept their few horses. She hoped Uncle Logan had come with answers. Her sleep had been troubled by worry about those lasses who had disappeared from Castle Dubh. True, Aline had said they were not the nicest people, but everyone deserved to be safe.

What had happened to Lorna and Cedrica? What was MacNiven doing with them?

She rode to the keep, her head full of thoughts of what was to come. Would she be accepted as a true warrior?

Once inside the great hall, she drew a deep breath and found her way to the solar. She knocked, and when she heard her laird’s voice, she opened the door.

Uncle Logan addressed her first. “Good morn to you, Ashlyn. Come in, sit and chat with us. You may have insight into this conversation.”

She moved to a stool at the edge of the room, glancing at the others who were present. Some she had expected to see; some were a surprise.

Uncle Alex said, “Lass, are you still interested in traveling with our guards?”

She nodded quickly. “Aye. Is there news?”

“Aye,” Uncle Logan said. “King Alexander wants MacNiven found. I have assured him that the Grant warriors have already searched the area with no success, so he has asked that we assign a special team to flush him out of hiding, even if we must travel back to Edinburgh and the Buchans. He said he’ll hang the man himself, especially if the blackguard has harmed any women and children.”

Jake stood up and said, “We’ve chosen a team of eight to follow Uncle Logan. Jamie will be the lead, the others are Magnus, Ashlyn, Braden, Art, Coll, Osgar, and Tormod. We shall send more if more are needed.”

“Good choices, Chief,” Uncle Logan smiled. “Ashlyn, Jamie, and Magnus will be invaluable for their previous dealings with the bastard. We leave by dawn because we wish to get as far south as possible before the deep snows prevent it. Be ready to go. Any questions?”

Uncle Logan scanned the group. “I’d also like to add to prepare your families for the possibility that if we spend much time in the south, we may run into enough snow on our way back to prevent us from coming through until spring.”

“The lass goes with us?” Coll asked with a furrowed forehead.

“Aye,” Art added. “Will she not be a hindrance?”

Osgar snorted. “For sure.”

Alex Grant stood and stared down at them from his great height. “You speak of my niece who works as hard at archery as any of you. The next man who questions my judgment shall be relieved of his assignment and replaced. Now, I’ll ask again. Any questions?”

Ashlyn somehow managed to contain both her outrage and her smirk.

“Nay,” Coll said, his face reddening.

“Nay, my laird. My thanks for the assignment,” Tormod said.

“I accept your decision, my laird,” Art added. “No disrespect was intended.”

“Nay,” Osgar said. “No more questions.”

“Fine. Ready yourselves to meet at the stables at first light.” Uncle Logan nodded toward the men, dismissing them. The guardsmen all left, but each of them cast a glance at Ashlyn on their way out. Only family remained in the room—Ashlyn, her stepsire, Magnus, Jamie, Jake, Uncle Alex, and Uncle Logan.

“You left Gwyneth behind?” Uncle Alex asked.

“Aye, we’ll meet up with her at the royal castle. She has gone to Ramsay land to retrieve Sorcha and Molly. My plan is to search every sign of activity on the way south, and to travel to Edinburgh if we need to do so. I do not expect to see MacNiven in Edinburgh because he would be easily recognized, but we must be open to any possibility. ‘Tis quite possible that he has gone to Buchan for protection.”