Knight's Legacy (17 page)

He chuckled. “She slipped away from me, but she willnae play that game with Gavin. Never was there a lass he could not bend to his will, be she five summers or twenty.”

It was a week before Cat ventured away from the castle. Arranging for Gavin to escort her to do a bit of hunting, she let Kenneth ride with her on her horse as they were to be gone a short time.

Cat pulled at the reins and stopped her mount beside Gavin to rest the animals. The hunt had been successful, and she grasped the satchel of birds behind her to feel that it was still safely secured and Kenneth had not dislodged it.

“I know there are other duties you would prefer,” Cat said. Gavin turned to her in the saddle.

“ 'Tis a fine duty, and I will not shirk it. Ye would balk to know my thoughts of ye, lass. Ye are a blessing to Roderic in spite of being a stubborn handful.” Smiling, he took a deep breath, exhaling slowly.

“Ye make him happy. Ye have penetrated that heavy shield of mistrust he holds for all. Do ye yet bear me ill, lady, for the strapping I gave Kenneth?”

“Nay, but I was angry at the time. He's such a sweet boy.”

“I was in a temper myself. I wished you were mine, so I could thrash you as Roderic did.”

Cat was tempted to mention the so-called thrashing was a ruse, but thought better of it.

“Ye are too soft, lass, for all your bluster. Ye would spare Cameron, and the boy. 'Tis a hard life we have here in the Highlands, and Kenneth wasnae cuffed about any more than Roderic as a lad.”

Cat looked troubled. “Because he was English?”

Gavin shrugged. “In part. In part for being so verra favored by the King. He took him in, and many coveted his place. The holy scrolls say envy is rottenness to the bones, and I agree, for I have seen its perfidy. Roderic was tormented as a boy, as was I, for I am a bastard. We joined together and sought to watch one another's back. Two staff rods coupled be more difficult to break.” Gavin winked at Cat.

“I'm happy you watched his back, Gavin. I thank you.”

“You're most welcome, Lady Montwain.”

“Methinks you are gifted with an abundance of charm, Gavin.”

“Aye. I, too, am a humble mon, as the Lord wants us.” His eyes were dancing with mirth. She laughed aloud. Cat could only guess how a woman would manage to resist him if he actively pursued her.

Kenneth fell asleep on her shoulder with his arms around her waist.

“It's time we returned to the castle, ‘afore this one falls off the back of your horse in a slumber,” Gavin said.

Cat shifted Kenneth to wake him, then urged her mount forward, following Gavin.

Graham entered the tent of Laird Mackay with little hope he would favor the message brought to him.

“Where is he?” Calum bellowed.

Graham smiled, trying to take the sting out of the message. “He hasnae returned. The boy went off for a bit of wenching. Too long has Angus been without a lady to give him ease.”

Calum growled deep in his throat. “There be whores a plenty in this camp. I need him here if I am to plot that mon's defeat. Sooner I would hold a serpent to me bosom than a child with no loyalty.”

“Angus is not disloyal to ye. Call to mind a priest once said that as arrows are in the hand of a mighty mon, so are sons.”

“Aye. Yet mine falls bent and crooked from my quiver! What of the emissary from MacKirdy?”

“He returned last eve, but he wants no part of going against Montwain.”

“Be he so rich he would turn down the gold offered?”

“Mind ye, he dinnae see the color of the gold ye promised, and your word be not one to take to Church in the Highlands. He wants no tuck with Alexander over this, Calum. MacKirdy kens the Scots in Montwain's army are sound and hearty warriors, some of the strongest men about, and if Alexander sees fit to give them your land, MacKirdy kens they willnae be crossing his own borders.”

“So he be content to let the English mongrel have a hold here? Have all the warriors of Scotland become women? To bow down forever to their English oppressors?”

“Nay, they merely heed their own King. Alexander wants peace with the English.”

“Aye, for he married Henry's sister. He beds an English bitch and gives that wolf pup my land, but his lair isnae safe. An ally I have; close to Montwain, one that wants him dead and the King sorry he gave such trust to an Englishmon. This mon sent me to find an army. We must find a clan to fight and move hence against Montwain. These clans could fill their coffers with enough gold for three winters, and have the pride of a victory against England. Did ye send a messenger north to Forbes?”

“Aye, but he hasnae returned. 'Tis a far way northeast to that clan.”

“Aye, then, so be it. We ride to the Sinclair holding on the morn. Sinclair be a true Scot, for the English killed his father. He kens there will never be peace in Scotland until we rid the English vermin from our soil.”

“Aye,” Graham said.

Graham turned to leave the tent, and Calum barked, “Graham!”

“Aye.”

Calum took a long drink of ale, then lowered his tankard. “Bring me that little cooking wench, the one with the long dark hair. She shall warm my bed tonight.”

When he arrived back at the castle with Lady Montwain, Gavin was informed by Nigel that he was needed outside the gates to settle a dispute. They had a visitor and he was causing trouble.

“He wears Gordon colors,” Nigel said.

Cat dismounted from her horse and a soldier came to take the animal to the stable. She felt a tremor of alarm when she realized the messenger could be the Gordon Laird. Cat hoped fervently that he was not going to demand Glyniss and Meggie return south. The child Meggie carried was indeed his grandchild, and blood ties were very important to the Scots. Many a bastard was given the entire responsibility of a clan at the death of his father. Cat said a quick prayer that the Gordon clan would not make war on Roderic.

“Go inside, Lady Montwain,” Gavin said. Seeing that he was troubled, she forgave him his harsh tone.

Gavin turned to Nigel. “Take me to the messenger now!”

He returned to the keep within the hour, accompanied by a young man, tall, handsome, and wide-shouldered. The boy had bright, red-blond hair and deep brown eyes. When Cat gazed upon him she could find no other word for it; the young man was beautiful. His features were perfect; nose straight, jaw strong, and his brown eyes had long black lashes. He wore a plaid of dark blue, yellow, and green.

Glyniss and Meggie sat near Cat by the fire, Meggie handing Glyniss threads to work on her tapestry. When Meggie caught sight of the young man, Cat, for the first time, heard the young girl's voice.

“Douglas!”

Cat's heart wrenched at the desperation and hope in the one word. Meggie threw down the thread and ran to him. He stepped around Gavin and swiftly met the lass to hold her in his arms.

“Meggie, my Meggie.” He kissed her again and again then lifted her off her feet, holding her tightly.

“My love, my own. I feared ye were lost to me forever.”

The young man spoke in between kisses, joyful kisses. He held Meggie effortlessly and swung her around and around in pure joy. Glyniss stood, setting aside her tapestry, and walked forward, her movements stiff with anger.

“Be at ease with the lass! And her big with your babe!” Glyniss was angry, but the young man seemed unconcerned. He even smiled at the older woman as he set Meggie down to her feet, arms still holding her fast.

Bending to kiss her forehead lightly, he spoke. “Sheathe your claws, Glyniss. I could never hurt Meggie. I love her.”

“Ah, ye be a wee bit tardy with that declaration, lad! Pretty words be easy to some, like a troubadour, but it takes a mon of integrity to stand up to the havoc he has wrought and make it right!”

“Aye, ye speak the truth, and I am here to do so. ‘Twas my father's plan that I marry Jane, for she be prosperous, and would bring many a coin to the clan.” Holding Meggie close, he gently stroked her huge belly.

“I had hoped our child would alter his plans and move him to let us marry, but relent he would not. I have beseeched him all these weeks for leave granted to come to Meggie. He held steadfast, thereupon I have come for her, and I'll take care of her. We will go to England and be married.”

Roderic entered the chamber, but said nothing, silently observing the scene.

Gavin lifted a brow and smiled. “It seems the young lover seeks his lady.”

Glyniss interrupted. “You will take that child not one step from this keep!”

Meggie bristled at the older woman's decree. “I will. I will go with him to England if that is the only way we can be wed!”

“That be brave talk, young lass! When ye stand weak as a sapling!”

The young man suddenly frowned with concern, as if he only at this moment noticed Meggie's body, so thin. “What has happen to ye, love?”

“Your own betrayal happened to her. She had all but given up on living,” Glyniss said.

“Did ye not hope that I would come to you?” A devastated hurt was manifest in the young man's eyes.

“Truly, I did give up hope when your father sent Glyniss and me away.” Her voice broke with emotion.

“Please believe me, Meggie, he told me not of his plot. Why do ye think he sent ye away when I was in Edinburgh? I would never let ye leave the clan had I been there. When I returned, ye had been gone many days.”

Roderic suddenly spoke. “Young man?”

“Aye, sir?”

“Are you the son of the Gordon Laird?”

“Aye, sir, 'Tis true.”

“Are you the father of Meggie's child?”

“Aye, and I wish to marry her.”

“And will your clan sanction this union?”

The young man sighed heavily before he answered. “Nay, sir. They will stand with my father. Yet, I will pay ye for her keep, she and Glyniss, if ye may grant us consent to stay until her babe is born. Once they both become strong enough to make the journey, we will go hence to England to be wed.”

“And if I give it, would your clan accede to this?”

The young man paused and shook his head. “Nay, sir. I fear not.”

In spite of the ladies present, Gavin shook his head and cursed. “Ahh! Another war!”

He that deviseth to do evil shall be called a mischievous person.

~Proverbs 24:8

T
hree days of hard riding brought Mackay to the Sinclair holding. The Laird would not bid them leave to enter his lands, so he arranged to meet where the Mackays had camped near the border. He came with ten warriors to council.

As they filed into the tent, the Laird, a large man with a dark red beard, spoke to Calum.

“Best ye have a fine purpose for this council, Mackay, for I near sent all my warriors to rid ye like a scourge.”

“The scourge be the Englishmon! I will make a gift of gold to ye, if ye fight him with me!”

The big man folded his arms and looked down at Mackay.