Knight's Legacy (5 page)

They walked downstairs, and within minutes she was presented to the man she was to marry. Suddenly, she knew what Merlin meant when he had told her to trust her heart.

She knew why this had happened to her. It was a strange, disturbing feeling as she met Sir Roderic de Montwain.

The first time she looked into his liquid brown eyes, she felt profoundly touched, as if he reached down inside her to blend with her soul.

She felt as if she had come home.

Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father is merciful.

~Luke 6:36

T
ell me again ye dinnae care if she be comely,” Gavin whispered.

Roderic turned to give Gavin a silencing frown.
He jests because he knows I am unnerved.
Roderic stared at the beautiful young woman and, for a moment, could not catch his breath. Brianna Mackay was exquisite. She was a goddess, indeed, with dark red hair and green eyes. Her skin was flawless and her mouth, dear heaven, her mouth could lead an archbishop to sinful thoughts.

He was grateful she had taken his mind from the desire to do murder. Calum Mackay stood smirking, his hatred for Roderic and his men evident.

“Ye must fetch a priest!” Mackay said.

“We need not. Father MacNair has traveled with us. He stands ready to perform the ceremony.”

Roderic did not trust Mackay to provide the priest. He meant to take care that the man who married them was truly a man of the church.

“Be on with it. Think ye I am pleased to lose all that is mine? The stench of ye English will fill my home, and I have no wish for it in my nostrils!”

Gavin moved to draw his sword, and Roderic reached out to stop him.

“No! By the King's order! We will not!” Roderic said. “Cease, Mackay, or ‘twill be your blood that stains these filthy rushes, in spite of your daughter.” His voice hardened ruthlessly as he addressed his enemy.

“Another word and you will have the King's clemency wrapped around your own bloody tongue, cut from your head!”

Angus Mackay stepped forward and glared warningly at his father. He took Cat by the arm, and though his touch was gentle, Roderic had an urge to step forward and fling off his hand.

“Gentle sister. Go to him,” Angus said. Roderic perceived the look given by the brother to be a veiled threat. His suspicions were many, and his inner voice called out a warning. Those in league with Mackay were plotting; he would watch his back. The great hall was filled with his armed men, and if Mackay attacked, he would be dead in an instant.

Roderic turned to Cat as she came to stand before him. She made a brief, awkward curtsy, then leaned her head back to look at him. Raw hurt glittered in her dark green eyes. She was afraid of him, and it didn't set well. He was immediately struck with the desire to take her in his arms, to comfort her, and convince her she need not fear him. He noticed the fullness of her mouth had a swollen cut on the corner. Had she been beaten? Was cruelty necessary for her to agree to this marriage? Her father despised him and the King. No doubt she had been told many lies about him. Mackay cared no more for his own daughter's needs than he did for the rest of the women and children of the clan. Roderic felt a hot, boiling anger at the idea of the huge Scot beating this lovely creature.

“Leave us,” he ordered. “I wish to speak to the lass alone.”

“Nay! If ye have the priest here, get it done!” Roderic ignored Mackay and turned to Gavin.

“Take the Mackay and his men to the next room. The two women may stay.”

“Aye,” Gavin said.

They were escorted from the hall at the point of a sword, and Cat sighed as she watched them stomp out of the room. Roderic read a wealth of meaning into her expression of amusement, seeing her father and brother in such a position. Her green eyes sparkled with it, and the beginning of a smile tipped the corners of her mouth. He offered her his hand.

Her fingers trembled when she placed her small hand in his. He bent down and kissed the back of her knuckles. He didn't imagine it. A soft trembling gasp escaped her when his lips touched her skin. She enjoyed his touch.

“Did they hurt you?” His voice was tender. Cat hastily glanced at the older woman standing near before she answered.

“No, no more than I am accustomed.” There was a gentle softness in her voice, yet it was lyrical. He enjoyed the sound of it. But, her answer did little to quiet his discontent.

“Do not fear me, Brianna. I will never hurt you.” He could see in the depths of her green eyes that although she wanted to trust him, she did not. He would give her time. He squeezed her hand gently. Far from being soft as a lady's should be, her hand was ridged with calluses. Roderic found even more evidence that condemned the Mackay men. She had worked very hard.

“Tell me if you do not want this marriage,” he said.

Her expression was cynical as she raised a brow.

“Does it really matter what I want?”

Roderic knew the question was not all bluster. A woman had little say in these matters. “The King wants your happiness, as do I,” Roderic said.

She sighed sharply and glanced away from him. “It would make me very happy to have my sword back!”

Roderic frowned inquiringly, shocked by her request. “Your sword?”

The older woman Edna, shook her head and made warning gestures from where she stood. Cat ignored her.

“Yes! My brother took it from me. I would like to have it back.”

Roderic read the challenge in her gaze.

“And do you know how to use your sword?” A gentle amusement lurked in the depths of his brown eyes. He made her angry, and her voice was clipped when she answered.

“I do, sir.”

He brought her hand up and kissed her fingertips.

“Then you shall have it. It will be returned to you.”

She pulled her hand back abruptly, and Roderic smiled. He could see it was not her anger that rattled her composure; it was the shiver of pleasure she felt. She was unaccustomed to the passion that had flared between them from their first glance, and Roderic found himself pleased.

He wanted her. He wanted to kiss her until she begged him to take her, and longed to taste and suck her soft breasts so full under the green gown. Roderic could imagine the feel of her silken thighs around his waist as he plunged inside her. All this she stirred in him, all because of a simple kiss of her hand. Never having been so aroused at once by a woman, he was intrigued. All the favors she could have asked of him, and she asked for a weapon.

“So, you will marry me?”

She glanced about briefly as if the keep were on fire and she was trying to decide which way to flee. “Brianna.” His voice was compelling. “I … will,” she said.

Roderic had a hearty dislike for the reluctance with which she answered, but he overruled his bruised vanity as unworthy of his concern. It was crucial to see to her safety, and the way to do so was to get the marriage over and done. She would then be under his own protection and no longer subject to her cruel family. Roderic called to Gavin.

Mackay's men were brought back into the great hall. Father MacNair came forward and spoke to Cat.

Roderic took note of the small sword in the unusual leather scabbard that hung from Angus Mackay's waist.

“Brianna has told me the sword is hers. Return it to your sister,” Roderic commanded.

“It be easy to stand so tall and preening with a hundred daggers at my back. Think ye the courage to take it, English? Justly, with no help?”

Roderic smiled and drew his sword, excited by the prospect.

“Aye. If you are determined to die, in spite of the King's clemency, I will oblige you.”

The men from both sides stepped back to give them room, pushing the women aside. The Scots were anxious to see Angus spill the Englishman's blood. It would be salve to their wounded pride, being driven from the keep in disgrace. Gavin stood near the women, smiling as if he were beginning a game.

“You don't seem worried.” Cat spoke softly to Gavin.

“Dinnae fash yourself, lass. Roderic could best four of your brother and not be weary.”

Roderic and Angus crossed swords, and soon it was apparent to all Angus was unmatched. He was unsurpassed in brute strength, but Roderic had more skill. He avoided most of his opponent's thrusts by his grace and speed.

Roderic was agile and strong, and Angus began to let his anger overwhelm him. It was a fatal mistake. Roderic caught the muscle of his upper arm with the first wound. It was not deep, but blood streamed down through his shirt. Angus countered with several blows hoping to weaken his enemy, but Roderic parried them and forced him off balance. There was a disgusted sigh from the Mackay's soldiers when Angus stepped back and left himself vulnerable. Roderic caught his upper thigh with the tip of his sword. The men were aware Angus had been given quarter. Roderic did not press his advantage.

It ended abruptly. Roderic disarmed Angus with one sweeping stroke that sent his sword flying through the air. Angus dropped to one knee as Roderic held his sword's point at his throat.

“No!” Cat cried. “Please … no more.” She appeared ashamed as she stared at the older woman, who was now weeping. She turned to Roderic. “Just let him go. I merely wanted my sword.”

Angus favored her with an angry glance. He reached down, untied the sword and flung the weapon at Roderic's feet.

Calum Mackay was ashamed of his son's defeat, and his voice held an undertone of cold contempt when he roared out his complaint. “Finish it!”

Roderic lowered his sword while Angus stood up before him. He glared at Roderic with burning, reproachful eyes.

“My father is right. Ye should have finished me. Ye will regret it, English. I'll follow ye to hell to kill ye, now.”

Gavin came forward and grabbed Angus by the scruff of the neck and hauled him to stand with the others. They were heavily guarded by the soldiers.

Roderic picked up the small sword and turned to Cat. “Consider it a bride's gift,” he drawled.

She was married with it strapped to her belt.

The priest began the ceremony, and Roderic watched his bride as the priest spoke. Her voice faltered only once when she made her vows to him. When it was done, Roderic turned to Cat and bent down to kiss her.

He planned a quick gentle kiss, and was quite unprepared for the passion that instantly fired his blood when his mouth covered her own. She gave a little whimper, and he found the sound incredibly enticing. She opened her mouth to him, and he tasted her, rubbing his tongue against hers. They heard cheers and laughter from his men, and he pulled away and smiled at her bemused expression. He kissed her again quickly, seeming unable to get enough of her.

Mackay demanded his clemency, and was given the King's decree. Edna tended Mackay's wounds , and when the task was done, Roderic's men escorted him, his father, and twenty of their men out of the keep. Cat did not so much as glance at her father and brother when they were driven out.

Roderic left Alec, his second in command, with Brianna, and began giving orders. The keep was to be cleaned, and Edna went to fetch women from the clan to help. When she began working and ordering his soldiers about, her boldness amused Roderic, and he spoke to the old woman briefly.

“Is there a chamber in this castle that is not in filth and disarray?”

“Aye. That be the tower room, the one Mackay himself used.”

“Have it cleaned from bed to floor and make haste. Take my wife there and make her comfortable,” Roderic said. He turned and succeeded in knocking a young lad flat on his back.

“Kenneth, watch where ye be puttin' yourself! Dinnae be angry, milord.”

Roderic looked chagrined, and apologized. “You are the boy that does not speak. I hope I didn't hurt you.” He put out his arm to the lad.

Kenneth got a mischievous sparkle in his eye and threw his body into Roderic as if wrestling in jest. Roderic's voice was deep and warm when he chuckled. He easily countered the boy's attack by hauling him up around the waist, and held him dangling like a sack of grain. Kenneth smiled, enjoying the game, hanging limp as cloth.

“He is a gentle lad, milord. He does love to play. Forgive him,” said Edna.

“Be easy, old woman. He's done no wrong.” Roderic set the boy on his feet and tousled his hair. “We will follow the Mackay to see them off the clan's border. You want to go on a short ride with us?”

The boy's face filled with joy. “Milord, Kenneth needn't pester ye so,” Edna pleaded.

“Be at ease, he will come to no harm. Come, Kenneth, let's fetch you a horse.”

Cat sat in a chair in the kitchens while Mary worked to prepare food to take to others who needed it.

“So, do ye tell him the truth? Tell him ye willnae answer to ‘Brianna'?”

“I can't. He wouldn't believe me. No one will come for me from my clan. It wouldn't matter if I answered to Brianna Mackay or not.”