One & Only (10 page)

Donal laughed. “That you don’t.”

Every speck of food was eaten by the
time the meal ended. Grey had never tasted food so well made. He’d beg Bree to
teach Anna how to cook when they reached home. Lord knows that lass could use
some help in kitchen. It was about time he’d had a decent meal.

“Adeline, you will now hear my
objections,” Donal said to his wife. To Grey he said, “Make yourself at home.
There’s two empty chambers at the end of the hall upstairs. Duff said he was
staying in the barracks, Grey, so ye shall have a chamber to yourself.” Donal’s
raised eyebrow gave testament that he didn’t believe for one minute Grey would
spend the night alone. “We shall speak on the morrow of Bree’s marriage to a
MacHeth.”

Donal and Adeline left the hall, arm
in arm. Grey knew their argument wouldn’t last long, not with the look in their
eyes. A few of the servants remained, clearing away the supper dishes. It was
too early to go to bed, and Grey felt restless.

“Would you like to take a walk,
Bree?”

She bid her maid to await her in the
upstairs room and then stood. Grey opened the door for her and waited for her
to move past him.

“What did Laird Ross mean about my
marriage to a MacHeth?”

Grey guided her along the path. “He
means to ask if you will refute your marriage.”

“I do refute it. You won’t let him
make me marry a MacHeth, will you?”

“Nay, I won’t. Donal wants to hear
your denial for himself.” He smiled, knowing she would press him to finish
their conversation. There was just one thing, he didn’t want to discuss it.
Once he started with the explanations, she’d be upset. The last thing he wanted
was to do was cause her pain by reminding her of the betrothal.

“It’s too fine a night to discuss
the past. Let’s just enjoy the present.” Grey took her hand and walked toward
the wall. The hot night caused everyone outside, most slept beneath the trees
and some by the stream near Donal’s keep.

Grey led her to a densely wooded
area on the opposite side of the stream and found large boulder to sit upon. He
motioned for her to sit and then joined her. Content to be near her, Grey
didn’t want to start a conversation. He’d imagined so many times this image—he
and his woman sitting together on a quiet evening, enjoying being with one
another.

“You make me nervous.”

“I do, lass? Why?”

Bree folded her hands in her lap and
smiled. “You are very tall, and well … handsome. Have you married, Laird Gunn?
Do you have children? A family?”

“Grey, lass, and no, I’m not married
yet.”

“Have you ever wanted to marry?”

“Not for a long time.” That was
about as much as he would admit, but he then let out more. Grey took her hand
and tried not to look so severe. “There was a lass I was betrothed to, and I
loved her with all my heart.”

“What happened? Why did you not
marry her? Did she die?”

Grey felt old emotions coming upon
him. “I can’t … I don’t want to talk about it. Tell me of yourself. I want to
know all, go back as far as you can.”

Bree pulled her hand from his. “I
was taken when I was a child to the Champlains, banished by my family. I only
remember seeing my lady’s face and then being taken to the kitchens for a bath.
Cait was there. She took care of me. I grew up well cared for.”

“Banished? Why do you deem you were
banished?”

Bree kept her gaze on her hands. “My
family didn’t want me and I had heard I was taken to Baron Thomas who was bid
to care for me.”

“You don’t remember who took you
there?” Grey couldn’t fathom what he was hearing. If what she said was true, it
could be possible that she was his missing lass. The coincidence of her
childhood was far too similar to his lass’, but he couldn’t hope.

“Nay. Mayhap I suppressed those
memories. I did not want to remember where I’d come from, I suppose. All I knew
was the lady was nice and the baron treated me with kindness.”

“That is honorable for an
Englishman. You don’t remember your father or mother?”

“I don’t remember them and hadn’t
wanted to. I was very young and I always suspected I’d done something terrible
to have been sent away.”

Her words deeply affected him and he
didn’t want to press too much. His heart tore at her despondent admission. She
thought she’d been banished. Grey shook an odd feeling away and decided to
cease his questions for now.

He stood and motioned to the water.
“Let us take a dip in the stream and cool off.”

“It is unbearably hot tonight. Do
you deem we shall have a storm?”

He led her toward the stream and
found a few people mulling on the opposite side. Though the stream was wide, it
wasn’t very deep, perhaps three feet at the middle. The clear water was cool
from the mountainous runoff.

“I doubt it. There’s a good many
stars starting to come out,” he said, pointing to the sky.

Bree kicked off her shoes and lifted
the hem of her overdress and skirts, and wadded into the water. “The water
feels wonderful. It was such a hot day.”

“Aye, it was.” Grey pulled off his
plaid and removed his boots. He walked farther out and stood in mid-thigh deep
water. Cupping his hands, he started to splash water on his arms. Bree stood a
few feet from him and as if he’d traveled back in time, he stood staring at
her, envisioning a small lass playing in the water.

He remembered the time when Albrey
had begged him to take her to loch. She ran straight into the water with all
her garments on, including her shoes. He had to fish her out of the water
before the sprite drowned. They’d gotten in trouble when they returned to the
keep soaking wet. Grey had been sent to the stables to do chores for the rest
of the day. Albrey had it easy and only sent to her chamber. There were many
times when the wee lass got him into trouble.

Jarred from memories, he felt the
water splash him. Bree kept up the attack, soaking him through. Grey chased
after her, lifting her in his arms. She squealed with laughter, a delightful
sound that made him grin. They were both wet now and as he looked at her face,
he realized how much she meant to him. For all he knew of her, in that moment,
he just wanted her to be his.

His lips sought hers, only for a
light touch, but Grey couldn’t tamper the flames that ignited within him when their
lips met. He found himself kissing her like he’d never kissed another. Desire
strong and pure rushed through him. Using his tongue to coax her response, he
felt her timid touch being returned.

Breaking off the kiss, he smiled,
knowing how good it was going to be between them. “You make me forget myself.”

“I fear I have forgotten enough for
the both of us.” Bree didn’t move away when he set her on her feet, but her
hands flattened against the hard muscles of his chest beneath his soaked tunic.
“Thank you for bringing me here, Grey. I’m much cooler now.”

“I’m hotter.”

“I should return. I can find my way
back to the keep. Stay and cool off.”

Grey immediately shook his head. She
wouldn’t leave his sight until they reached home. “Nay, I’ll walk you back and then
return.”

On their walk back, Bree kept quiet.
Grey made sure she entered the keep and bid her a good night. He then trotted
back to the stream and found no one nearby. Taking each and every piece of
clothing off, he walked to the deepest part and sank into the water. He was
hot, but more than that, he needed to cool his desire.

“How the hell am I going to keep my
hands off her?” Grey smiled to himself. “This is going to be the hardest thing
I’ve ever done.”

“What say ye, Grey?” Duff asked from
the bank of the stream. “Are ye going mad talking to yourself?”

“Aye, Duff, madder than I have ever
been and never happier.”

Duff joined him in the water minutes
later. He tried to drown him when he took hold of his shoulders to dunk him.
Grey came up sputtering.

“Aye, it’s been years since ye
smiled like that. We’re all used to you being a stern laird. Don’t know how the
clan is going to take to this change. I’m not sure I like this new Grey I’m
seeing.”

“You’d better get used to it.”

CHAPTER seven

Rising before the sun wasn’t
something she would ever get used to.

Before first light, Bree was
awakened and was told Laird Ross awaited her. Duff banged on her door and
wasn’t quiet about it. The man was rude by far, but she suspected that was his
nature. She and Cait dressed and readied to leave. Bree wasn’t looking forward
to answering Laird Ross’ questions or of another long, hot day of riding.

When she entered the hall, Adeline
hugged her goodbye. “Promise to make Grey bring you back for a visit. I shall
be glad to see you again.”

“I will. Thank you for your
kindness, Lady Ross.”

Bree watched Laird Gunn from afar.
He didn’t look pleased this morning and must be as cross as she to be awake at
this God forsaken hour. The sun wasn’t even peeking out yet.

“Adeline, keep the hall clear. I
wish to speak with Bree and Grey alone.” Donal pointed to the table and waited
for them both to take a seat before he joined them.

“Grey tells me you were taken as a
child and sent to the Champlains? Tell me of this, Bree. Don’t leave out a
single detail. Who was your family?”

She eyed Laird Gunn suspiciously.
“Why do you wish to know of my childhood? It bears no significance on the fact
that I do not wish to marry within the MacHeth clan.”

“Be that your wish, Bree, we shall
honor it. I need to know I am doing right by you. I cannot send ye off with
Grey without knowing how ye came to him.”

His concern and the reassurance in
his voice wore her down. Bree began her tale and she wasn’t fearful of
revealing anything. “I am embarrassed to admit my family didn’t want me. I
don’t remember much, my lord, but when I was small, a young child, I was
delivered to the Champlains. They agreed to keep me until Laird MacHeth came
for me. I thought I had been banished by my family and so I swore to be good. I
didn’t cause any trouble for my lord and lady in fear they would send me away
again.”

Why Laird Ross and Grey became
agitated, she didn’t know. Neither said a word. But she could hear their harsh
breath and see the look of disapproval on their faces.

“Was it the MacHeth who took you
there?” Laird Ross asked.

“Aye, it was. I heard my father say
such and my maid heard my father speaking to my mother about it before I left.
You see, I considered Baron Thomas and his wife my father and mother, since I
had come to them at such a young age.” Bree was baffled by their questions, yet
she wanted to make sure Laird Ross agreed to let her go on her way.

“You don’t remember where you came
from or who your parents were?”

“Nay. Sadly I cannot remember them.
I am sure they did not want me.”

Grey leaned forward, his gaze so
intent on her, his jaw tensed before he spoke. “How old were you when you were
taken to the Champlains?”

Bree leaned back. Their stares so
intense, she wasn’t sure why they were irritated.

“I was young, mayhap four or five.”

Grey closed his eyes and groaned.
“Are ye certain MacHeth took you there?”

“I was told that my father, that is,
my lord Champlain, made the pact with the MacHeth until he was ready to war, he
would return for me. I am not certain with whom he wishes to war or how I am
involved, but I shan’t want to find out. What bearing does this have on
anything?”

Grey became heated then and stood
with a growl. “Bree, if what you are saying is true then—” He let his words
trail off when Laird Ross shook his head.

“Bree, await Grey outside. I wish to
speak with him before he leaves. I wish you a safe journey to his home. And
fear not, we shall not let the MacHeth near ye.”

Relief lightened her. She wasn’t
about to look a gift horse in the mouth. Bree stood and curtseyed to Laird Ross
and hastily left the hall before he changed his mind.

* * *

“Good God Almighty!” Donal poured
himself a drink and downed it. “I cannot believe what I just heard. Grey, if
what she says is true then the MacHeth abducted her from your land and took her
to England.”

“That is what she said. She is
Albrey Mackay. I cannot believe this either.” Grey kept his seat, knowing if he
stood he might lose his footing. He was quite knocked on his arse. Every part
of him shook with rage. After all these years, he hadn’t expected to find her
and yet she had somehow found her way to him. “I have found her, Donal, I’ve
found my lass.”

“That ye have. I do not like hearing
the MacHeth plans war. I need to look into this matter and find out what he is
up to. I should send word to Alexander. I deem MacHeth has a plan to take the
crown. How does Albrey fit into his scheme?”

Grey got a sick feeling in his
stomach. “I don’t know, but the swine-cosh will pay for stealing my betrothed.
I knew he was involved, Donal. When Albrey was young, she told me of her fear
of him. I told my da, but he didn’t take it to heart. If only we had listened
to her. Now that I found her again …”

Donal nodded. “Aye, but you were
honor bound and would do any duty asked of ye. Your da told me you never
questioned the betrothal. Do you still feel the same? Will you still honor the
betrothal?”

“Why wouldn’t I? If my da thought
she was good for me, I would take her to wife. Donal, duty was important to me,
but she grew on me as she does now.”

“Grew on ye?” Donal laughed. “She
ran you in circles and bribed you with sweet cakes. She was a smart lass even
at the age of five. Hell, I would have gladly taken her to wife too, even at
that tender age. She was a pretty lass, but has grown into a bonny woman.”

Grey sobered. “I never expected to
lose her or be without her. Now she might not want to be married to me.” He had
never felt so torn up inside; well except for the day Albrey went missing. This
vulnerable feeling didn’t sit well and he wasn’t used to it in the least. Let
alone admitting such foolishness to the one man he held above his own da.

“Grey, as hard as that is, you need
to be honest with her. You will never know until you tell her. Let there be
truth amongst ye and you will have no regrets.”

“That may be, Donal, but I want to
give her time to get used to the idea. In time she will come to accept me.”

His friend laughed, and not just low
chuckle, but an all-out burst of laughter. “Accept you? Grey, you’re a tough
man to get to know. For God’s sakes, I’m your champion and I hardly know you.
Ye have never been open to anyone. Are you sure you wouldn’t rather just tell
her she’s betrothed to you? I can go get the priest now. You can be married
before you leave my hall.”

“Nay, I won’t be dishonorable. Bree
doesn’t deserve that. She needs to accept who she is first … was … and then
I’ll see to the claiming.” Grey wanted assurance that she’d accept him before
he told her of their betrothal. She’d been through enough without adding his
claims.

“That reminds,” Donal said abruptly,
“We’ll be having a wedding celebration. Aye, my brother is marrying a Campbell.
I expect you’ll be here in support. You will bring Bree too. I’m sure Adeline
will want to see her again.”

“Nay, Bree won’t be attending.” Grey
stood next to Donal shaking his head. “She will not leave Gunn land until I’ve
dispatched the MacHeth. I doubt I shall be able to come as well. Tell Maurice
why I couldn’t attend.”

Donal nodded, though he didn’t look
pleased about it. “I’ll check in on you in a few days. I just may even bring
Maurice so you can explain to him yourself.”

“I’d rather ye not. Your brother can
be insufferable.” Grey laughed and headed to the door. He wanted to escape
before Donal laid into him again about his desire for Bree.

“Grey, wait. If she doesn’t agree to
the betrothal, ye need to return her here. Ye know that, don’t ye?” Donal
waited for his response, but Grey hunched his shoulder.

“She’ll agree.”

Once outside, Grey went to let Duff
and James know to be on alert. “Be extra vigilant. I want Bree safe and on our
land posthaste. We will travel at a quick pace.” He assisted Bree upon his
horse and gave the command for Duff to lead.

He noticed Bree’s maid smiling at
Duff and she hurried to ride next to him. What he found ironic was Duff didn’t
seem pleased by the woman’s attention. It wasn’t like Duff to turn his head
from an attractive woman. For some reason his friend seemed chaffed by her
attention.

“Do we have much further to ride?”
Bree asked wearily.

“We’ve only just begun the ride. But
not much longer, another day’s ride.” If he hadn’t had the women along, the
ride would only have taken a half a day or so.

“Mayhap not for you, but my body is
killing me. Tell me about your home. Is it made of stone like Laird Ross’?”

Grey tightened his hold on her,
making her give him more room. He closed the space between them and kept his
arms at her waist. Holding her eased the tension that had built during his
discussion with Donal. Then he smiled, for he held his own Albrey in his arms.

“Nay, ours is mostly made from wood,
some stone. Our walls are made of stone though at least twenty feet thick. We
live close to the sea and need the protection.”

“I have never been to the sea
before. What does it look like?”

Grey looked ahead as he answered,
“It’s vast with water as far as the eye can see. When the sun shines upon it,
it looks like the water is aflame. Do ye not remember?”

“Remember? Nay, but that sounds
lovely.”

“Quiet now. I hear someone ahead.”
He gave a low whistle to Duff, who pulled his horse back into the high brush.
Grey followed suit and they were hidden within seconds beyond the tall pines
and briny brush.

He tried to see who they were, but
he could only hear the sound of horses and from the noise, it sounded as if
there were many. Grey touched her face and she looked at him. He gave a silent
command for her to be quiet. He didn’t say anything, but continued to look at
her. Her bright blue eyes seemed to penetrate his mind, for he swore she could
tell what he’d been thinking. And exactly what that was, he didn’t know because
all he could do was stare back.

Grey envisioned her eyes when they
were young and innocent. How the pureness of them gazed at him when she’d told
him her secrets. Then he remembered the one secret she wouldn’t speak of. She’d
told him the MacHeth bade her not to bespeak the secret and he hadn’t been able
to get her to tell him. At the time, he didn’t consider it important, but now …

The sounds became further away and
Grey started moving again. This time they took the lead and Duff, James, and
Cait followed. Throughout the rest of the day, they didn’t see anyone. Toward
early evening, Grey stopped and helped her down from the horse. He kept his
hands on her waist, but what he wanted more than anything was to take her in
his arms.

As he stood beside her, he couldn’t
help but remember their last time together. “I knew ye as a child, Bree.”

A look of shock came upon her bonny
face.
“You did?”

“Aye, y
ou were the sweetest lass.”

“
That is kind of you to say, Laird Gunn. I am quite
taken aback. I want to know how you knew me. Did you really know me as a child?
Did you know my parents?” She gripped his tunic tightly, pulling him toward
her.

Grey gently removed her hands and
held them. “Aye, you were always getting into trouble. My da, Laird Mikal, put
me in charge of watching you when you came for visits. You always brought me
gifts. It destroyed me when you disappeared.”

“I am sorry. I sense a deep sadness
in you. I would never cause anyone such distress. Do you know why I was sent
away?” Her eyes shone with tears.

“’Twas no fault of yours, Bree. You
were not sent away, but abducted.”

Bree drew a deep breath. “Abducted?
Why would anyone take me from my family? Who would do such a thing? Is this
MacHeth a monster?”

“I know not why MacHeth took you,
Bree, but I’m going to find out. Aye, ye thought he was a monster when you were
young and I believe his is. Come, let us stretch our legs. Can you walk?”

Grey walked alongside her while she
worked out the soreness in her legs. The night sounds came and he kept his
thoughts to himself. He didn’t want to relive the heartache he’d endured when
she disappeared, but if she wanted answers, he’d make sure she got them.