Highland Harmony: Avelina and Drew (Clan Grant Series Book 8) (7 page)

“Nay,” she whispered. “How could you have known? I am forever grateful you came to my aid when you did.”

The door opened and Jennie glided into the room, moving over to stand beside Drew.

“Lina? How do you fare?”

“She’s sore. Her head must ache something fierce. Can you not give her something for the pain?” Drew’s voice rang out in the chamber.

Lina squeezed his hand, only then realizing something.
She had been able to talk to Drew.
She closed her eyes and willed herself to continue, assuring herself that she could do this for the lad who had rescued her from that lout, Lachlan. This was an important moment for her, so much so that she closed her eyes before she parted her lips to speak. “I’m fine, Drew. ‘Tis not more than I can bear.”

Drew’s hand reached out as if to touch her cheek, but then he retreated. “I do not wish to hurt you.”

She smiled, a blush warming her insides, but somehow it did not stay her lips. “You cannot hurt me.”

“Lachlan said you’d agreed to marry him. ‘Tis true?”

Avelina gasped and tried to sit up. “Nay, I would never agree to marry him.”

Drew reached for her shoulders. “We believe you. ‘Tis just another of his lies.”

Jennie gently lowered herself onto the bed. “What happened, Lina? How did he find you?”

She stared up at the beams in the ceiling as she tried to remember. “I was on my way out of the chapel when he grabbed me. I tried to scream, but he hit me, and ‘tis the last thing I recall. The next thing I remember is being on the ground and seeing Drew pummel Lachlan. Naught else is there.”

“‘Tis better that you do not remember everything. Shall I give you a sleeping potion?”

“Nay, I do not need it.”

“If you change your mind, just say so. You may need help sleeping later.”

The door opened, and a buxom maid entered. She came to a stop next to Drew and held a tray out to Jennie. “Here is the food you requested, my lady.”

Jennie took the tray and set it on the other side of the bed on a nearby chest. “Thank you, Senga. ‘Tis all I need for now.”

Lina’s gaze flew to the maid’s face as the woman was the one who had been with Drew in the kitchens. She brought her gaze back to Drew, only to find him returning her gaze, a guilty expression on his face. Since she had no idea what to say, she decided to close her eyes and forget about what she had seen. Men had needs, and she had no claim on Drew.

Jennie said, “‘Tis all for now, Senga.”

“Aye, Mistress. My apologies if I forgot aught.” She left the room, and Jennie followed her into the passageway, leaving the door open behind her.

Lina was certain she was probably blushing a deep shade of red by now, and her inability to speak had returned. Drew mumbled something, but Lina could not understand him. Her eyelids felt heavy, so she decided she would take a wee nap. Just before her eyes closed, Drew leaned over to whisper in her ear, “Forgive me, Lina. I never meant for you to see us.”

Her eyes flew open and her gaze caught his. She thought she saw regret there. But what exactly did he regret?

Drew whispered, “Truly, she is naught to me. I got caught up in something I shouldn’t have. I’m sorry you caught us, but in a way, I’m glad.”

“Why?” she croaked, so glad the word actually came out.

“Because I don’t want her. I’m more interested in you.”

She struggled to stay awake, but was losing the battle. Just before her eyes closed, he kissed her forehead. Lina fell asleep, her dark knight fresh in her mind.

Chapter Seven

Lina sat in the chair by the hearth, next to Jennie, who was sewing a garment for her wee one that was due in several moons.

Jennie asked, “Lina, I know you have not wanted to discuss your problems, but are you feeling better?”

“Aye.” She was. Her head no longer pounded all day, but her fears had grown. Within a matter of weeks, she had been assaulted thrice. This last time, she had been assaulted in the chapel, no less, a place she had always believed to be safe.

Two other things muddled her mind. One was Drew Menzie, though she had seen little of him lately. She was thrilled that she had actually been able to speak with him, and she could swear he had admitted having an interest in her, but she feared every day they were apart threatened to send her back to her world of silence. The other thought that refused to leave her mind was about Erena, the faerie. She snorted and only realized it had been loud enough to be heard when Jennie raised her brow at her.

Jennie giggled. “Did that snort have a particular target? Drew? Me? The weather?”

Lina laughed, something she rarely did these days. “Nay, ‘twas about… about a dream I had one night.”

“Tell me about it. If it forced you to snort, I would love to hear it. You are so proper and ladylike all the time, ‘twas a wondrous sound to my ears.”

Lina blushed a shade of pink—would Jennie think her silly?—but she decided she could share the story of Erena so long as she called it a dream. “Surely this will entertain you.”

Jennie’s face lit up, prompting her to continue.

“I had a dream about a faerie visiting me.”

Jennie gasped, so Lina paused to see what her friend would say. She didn’t want to make herself sound foolish.

Jennie’s face lit up. “One of the fae? Do tell. My mother had a strong belief in the fae. She was convinced that they guide everything we do, and that they often appear to the chosen.”

“The chosen?” Lina sat up straighter in her chair, wanting to hear everything Jennie had to say about the fae. Her mother had never mentioned the fae other than when she told tales by the fire. She had to know more. Where did the fae come from, and what caused someone to be chosen? She waited for her friend to continue.

“Aye. The faeries run the land, so the tales go, but sometimes they need assistance from us. ‘Tis said they will only appear in front of the strongest of all, and of course, those most likely to be able to assist them in their quests.”

“Did you say the strongest of all?” Lina tipped her head closer to her friend, unable to believe this. Aye, Erena had said she would be strong, but the strongest of all?

“Aye, ‘tis what my mother said.”

“What type of quests?”

“My mother told me they often fix tragedies such as boats capsizing or the death of a group of bairns, and assist humans dealing with natural calamities, leadership disputes, and the like. ‘Tis said they watch us all the time. Some faeries appear only near water, or during the night. Some have creatures with them. What did your fae tell you? What did she look like?”

“Her main goal for now was to help me grow strong. She knew about Lachlan and Keith, and said she would help me to grow strong against them. She told me that she had something for me to do, that there was an evil force that had uncovered something of value, and they had chosen me to help them to find it again, though she did say it was to remain in human hands. But they needed to have it in the possession of certain people. Her name is Erena, and she said she was the Queen of Peace, I believe. She was quite beautiful, surrounded by butterflies.”

Jennie gasped. “The Queen of Harmony?”

“Aye, that’s what she said, the Queen of Peace and Harmony. How did you know?”

“The queen ‘tis the one my mother heard about from someone she trusted. It was something about…” Pausing for a moment to gather her thoughts, Jennie chewed on her lip. Then her face lit up as the memory returned to her. “She just spoke of the fae wanting to keep peace in our land.”

Lina swallowed, her focus narrowing as her heart sped up. If what Jennie said was true, then it had not been a dream at all. She had actually met a faerie, and that also meant that she was indeed a chosen one.

“Lina.” Silence settled between them.

Lina brought her gaze up to her friend’s. Jennie whispered, “It really happened, didn’t it? You are a chosen one.”

Lina nodded, scarcely moving her head, as if the truth just settled on her.

Just then, the door burst open and a large group of wee ones flew in, all racing toward her. Shocked, she turned her head to see who it was.

Her brother and his wife stood at the door. “Avelina, we had to see how you were doing. You can see everyone wanted to travel with us.” Gwyneth held her arms out toward the group of young ones.

The group of
clann
surrounded her, and she wanted to hide her face, but it was too late. The boisterous group switched from loud excited voices to hushed tones. She knew why. Her nieces and nephews had all seen her bruised face and her swollen eye. Torrian, Lily, Bethia, Molly, Maggie, and Sorcha stopped dead in front of her, their expressions changing from excitement to confusion. Gavin and Gregor crept closer than the rest.

Logan and Gwyneth came up to her and clasped her shoulders, and then wee Gregor crept toward her and placed his hands on her lap. “Aunt Wina. We will help you det bettew.”

“We will find who did this to you and make sure he does not hurt you again,” Gavin added. His wee fist came up in a wide arc.

The door opened again, and Aedan and Drew came into the great hall, though they stood off to the side. Jennie strode up to her husband, and they wrapped their arms around each other as they watched the powerful demonstration of family love in front of them. Lina noticed Drew’s look changed from one of anger to something much softer. His gaze was on her, and he watched every interaction she had with the bairns, smiling particularly at Gavin and Gregor.

Torrian, the eldest of the group, said, “I’m sure Jennie’s husband has made sure Lina will not be hurt again. He will protect her.”

Lily, who had grown so much in the past few years, had tears running down her face, so different from her usual animated presence. “Why must people hurt our sweet Aunt Lina?” Lily threw her arms around Lina and hugged her tight.

Gregor turned to his cousin. “Dabin, we must dive Wina another tiss.”

Gavin nodded and the two clambered onto her lap, causing her to giggle at their sweetness as they leaned in to kiss her cheeks.

Gregor pointed to her bruised cheek and said, “Does it huwt you?”

“I’m much better now,” Lina insisted, shaking her head. “My thanks, lads.”

Once they climbed down, Gavin reached behind him and pulled out his wooden sword. “We are here to protect you, Aunt Lina.”

Lina noticed that Logan had settled a hand across his mouth as he glanced at Gwyneth, totally engrossed in their son’s sweet behavior. She suspected he was hiding a smile at the lad’s antics.

Gregor nodded, then mimicked his cousin by pulling out his smaller sword. “Aye, we will till him if he tomes neaw you.”

“Come on, Gregor. We must guard the door.” They chased over to the doorway and Gavin pointed to a spot. “You stay there, and I’ll stay here. Naught will get past us.”

“Aunt Wina!” Gregor shouted over to her, his small sword pointed toward the rafters. “We are your ‘tectors.”

Avelina smiled and then hugged each of her wee nieces in turn. Drew had made his way over a bit closer, though she wasn’t sure why. She had noticed he followed everything her clan had done.

Jennie and Aedan made their way over to greet their visitors, and Jennie said to Gwyneth, “I’ll get some fruit and bread for you, and goat’s milk for the weans. You must be hungry after your trip.”

Logan added, “Molly, you and Lily can go with Lady Jennie to help bring some food out. Maggie, take the others over there, please. You can settle at that table while we speak to Avelina.”

The wee ones did as they were bade.

Lina’s eyes misted as she stared at her brother who had knelt down in front of her. She loved Logan so much. He was such a tough man, yet so gentle with his family. She so admired his relationship with Gwyneth.

“How do you fare? As soon as word of the incident arrived, all your nieces and nephews insisted on coming to see you. Quade and Brenna stayed back since Brenna has had some trouble with this babe, but they send their love.”

She swiped at her cheek and said, “You’re all verra sweet. I’m better now. Tell me about Brenna’s troubles.”

“She’s just been nauseous with this bairn,” Gwyneth replied. “She was with Gregor, too.”

“We’re more concerned about you. Are you sure you’re all right? Would you like to talk to Gwynie alone?”

“Nay, I’m fine.” Suddenly embarrassed that they had all come to Cameron land because of her troubles, she looked down into her lap.

Logan said, “Good, then I only have one question.” He paused, giving Lina a chance to clear the tears from her face. Then, in the commanding voice Avelina knew quite well, he asked, “What’s his name?”

***

Drew arrived in time to see the group of children run to Avelina’s side. Everything they did and said spoke to how much they adored their aunt. He couldn’t imagine having that many people look up to him. If his father would just admire one thing he had ever done, he would be grateful. She deserved their affection and more, though, and he was especially grateful to the two wee lads who climbed onto her lap to kiss her cheeks. They made Lina giggle, and that was a sound he hadn’t yet heard from her.

Over the past few days, he had forced himself to stay away from her. In part, he had made that decision because the sight of her bruises enraged him and made him want to finish what he’d started and kill Lachlan Burnes. But the other reason he had stayed away was he was afraid Aedan would discover how important Lina was to him. And he wasn’t ready to completely admit that to himself yet, much less to his friend.

He had gone home, hoping that being away from her wouldn’t bother him, but Lina was all he had thought of on his way to the keep. As soon as he stepped into his great hall, his father called him out in front of everyone eating the midday meal, accusing him of being lazy, unreliable, and untrustworthy. Since seeing his parents together only reminded him of why he would never marry, he decided it wasn’t the best place for him at present. Now that he was developing true feelings for a lass, he did not need a reason to stay away from her.

His parents tended to send him in that direction.

So he turned right around and left again. His mother followed him down the pathway crying, so he hugged her once, peeled her arms away from his neck, and walked away.

He had been too worried about Lina to stay away anyway.

Now he leaned against the stone wall of the Cameron keep and watched Lina’s brother. This man had the type of reputation he had always yearned for himself. Considered one of the fiercest Highlanders in the land just behind Jennie’s brother, Alex, Logan was feared by most men. It was also a known fact that he worked for the Scottish crown. How did a person become so strong?

Drew decided to pay close attention to everything Logan did this week so he could model his behavior after him. Drew wanted to be important. He wanted to be respected. He wanted others to believe him fierce and noble and loyal, a man who could be counted on to fight for what was right, who would protect the innocent.

He took a few steps toward Lina, and immediately found two wooden swords aimed at his belly.

“Dabin, do no’ wet him near Aunt Wina.” Gregor’s expression let Drew know just how much the wee lad meant it. While he could easily push them away, he decided to give into the lads’ sense of honor, especially since they were bent on protecting someone verra special to him.

Gavin, the elder of the two, held his sword in two hands. “You’ll not go near our aunt. We are her protectors.”

“Aye. Hew ‘tectors.” Gregor’s fierce scowl made Drew want to smile, but he managed to refrain. He knelt down in front of the laddies and said, “I promise not to hurt your aunt. In fact, I was the one who saved her from the bad lout who hurt her.”

Gavin raced to Lina’s side, Gregor right behind him. “Is that true, Aunt Lina? Is he the man who saved you?” Gregor bumped into him from behind.

Gavin turned to his cousin, clearly irritated. “Gregor, you’re supposed to be watching that man while I talk to Aunt Lina.” He used his sword to point at Drew.

Gregor tore back over to Drew. “I will teep him hewe.” The laddie’s wooden sword quickly swung back toward Drew’s belly.

“Gregor, ‘tis this man who saved me. Let him be,” Lina said. “His name is Drew Menzie.”

Gregor let his sword arm fall to his side and headed back toward the door, Gavin close behind him. They both nodded, stepped back, and held their swords pointed toward Lina so Drew could pass safely.

Drew headed toward the hearth, nodding to Lina as he came closer.

“Is this true?” Logan asked, now leaning against the hearth. “You saved her?”

Drew nodded and tried to make eye contact with Lina, but she stared at her hands, kneading the linen square there.