Page 12 of Bride Takes a Charmer (Highland Vows & Vengeance #3)
T here was trickery afoot. Shaw realized that when he’d been chosen to fight in the first two battles and was commanded to purposely lose.
The queen had bade him to do so, and of course, he couldn’t disobey her order.
That the king wanted to witness their combat also led him to believe that the king was only after entertainment and used the marriages as a way to do so.
Still, Shaw was more than incensed at his defeat, especially against MacKendrick and Cameron.
Now, there was one last opponent and Shaw decided to take matters into his own hands.
He wasn’t about to be routed by Buchanan or possibly lose Sorsha once again.
“Ye look like ye got run over by a cart.” Walen chortled a laugh. “I say ye can still take Buchanan even though he’s a wily fighter. Your face is no longer bonny. Make certain ye protect it, Laird, in the next bout. Can ye even see out of that eye?” He made a hissing sound and grinned.
Shaw disliked his comrade’s banter, but it was true that he wore the battering his adversaries doled out in the last bouts on his face. “Cosh, be quiet or I’ll skelp ye. I feel like I was run over by a cart. I need ye to do me a favor.”
Walen stepped toward him; his brows wrinkling, and his eyes squinting. He lowered his voice with seriousness and asked, “What do ye need?”
“Find Buchanan and tell him to come to me. I’ll await him here.” He pulled a golden cup from a small satchel he wore and handed it to his comrade. “After, take this and have it melted down.” He told him exactly what he wanted made from the melted gold.
“I’ll see to it, Laird.” Walen marched off with a purposeful stride.
Since Declan MacKendrick had won Lady Isabella’s hand and Magnus Cameron had won Lady Kendra’s, that only left two remaining brides—Eva Scott, and Sorsha.
In Shaw’s opinion, Sorsha was definitely a prize worth fighting for.
As he paced along the wall by the king’s garrison awaiting his opponent, Shaw considered how to sway Breckin Buchanan to agree to allow him to name his bride.
He wasn’t about to be further entertainment for the king and didn’t want to fight in another round.
He especially didn’t want to be saddled with Eva Scott.
Although Eva was beyond beautiful, she was rather young and from accounts, a spoiled willful lass.
Breckin walked next to Walen and when they reached him, his opponent grunted. Shaw waved Walen away so he might speak to Breckin privately. When his comrade was far enough away, he motioned to Breckin and they walked slowly along the wall.
“Ye know, Breckin, that we are being used for our king and queen’s entertainment.”
The Buchanan laird pressed the long locks of his blond hair back from his forehead and grunted. “Aye, I deem that is so as well, but what can we do about it?”
“I say we forsake the last bout and decide right now which brides we will choose.” Shaw studied Breckin’s face for a sign of his accord but the man kept his reaction in check.
“If the king wants us to accept his other terms, he will permit us to marry without the last fracas.” It was all Shaw could think of to get out of fighting with Buchanan.
Not that he couldn’t take the warrior, but he had been somewhat weakened in the last bouts and wanted no part in another fight.
Breckin seemed to be considering his proposal. He pressed his hands over his face and groaned as if he suspected the idea was worthy.
Shaw dipped his head as the queen approached. They turned to her and bowed slightly. Margaret walked regally toward them but did not smile.
“Your Grace,” they both greeted her at the same time.
“Lairds Mackintosh and Buchanan, I would have a word with you. As you know, there are but two brides left. Unfortunately, my dear Alexander was called away to meet with his council and the last bout is no longer necessary.”
“All is well?” Shaw asked, knowing that Alexander was still answerable to the council. He hadn’t yet ruled Scotland on his own and was accountable to the lords who oversaw his rule.
“Oh, all is well. Worry not. The lords only wish to ensure Alexander’s visit to England will not put them in jeopardy. They deem he might be easily persuaded by my father to concede to matters in which the lords hold interest.”
Shaw dipped his head as she explained. “I understand ye will soon visit your family. Are ye pleased by this, Your Grace?”
“Our nation is humbly looking forward to the birth of your bairn,” Breckin said.
“I shall be gladdened to see my family. The news of Scotland’s successor will reach you within days, I am certain.
” Margaret waved off the chamberlain who stood afar.
“Now, we should settle the matter of the brides. This night we will hold the weddings after the late meal and then have a bit of a celebration. Since you were amiable and conceded to my interference in the first two bouts, Mackintosh, what say you? Who do you choose?”
“Lady Sorsha is sweet,” Breckin said.
Shaw flinched when he named Sorsha. He’d hoped the man didn’t have a hope to win her hand.
“Aye, she is sweet, but she was recently widowed, and lest ye forget, Lady Sorsha bore a child for her husband, my own cousin. We hope to keep the child amongst the family. I heard that she was a willful minx who oft causes discord in the home, although I had not witnessed such when I visited the Chattans.” He almost detested speaking such disparaging things about Sorsha’s daughter, untruths to aid him.
He cared about Sorsha and her daughter but he had to do something to sway his rival’s interest. Hopefully, the falsity about Gillian aided him.
“Her child is a wee terror?” Breckin moaned. “Ye know that I have younger brothers who try my patience and I have enough trouble keeping them in line…”
Shaw set his fisted hands on his hips. “Eva might be willful as well, but she’s young and ye won’t have to get her with child right away. Besides, she is beautiful. Have ye ever seen such a face or such bonny hair on a woman?”
“She is comely and bedding her would not be too much of a hardship,” Breckin said and chuckled. “And aye, she’s young enough to train to my tastes. If ye want Sorsha then I suppose I am not too put out to take Eva’s hand.”
Shaw glanced at Breckin who gave a slight nod. “I choose Lady Sorsha then.”
Margaret clapped her hands together and squealed.
“Oh, this is marvelous. She was hoping you’d choose her.
Of course, there always was something betwixt you two, was there not?
Since Declan and Magnus have already taken their vows, we shall commence with your weddings shortly.
Make your way to the hall in a short time and I’ll have the Chancellor fetched. ”
“Aye, Your Grace. I’ll be off then so I might tell Sorsha the news.” Shaw bowed to her and gave a nod to Breckin before he turned and marched away.
As he approached the castle, he saw Walen by the corral, brushing his steed.
“We will leave on the morrow at first light. Be ready.”
“I am always prepared, Laird. Will ye wed this night?”
He nodded. “Aye, I will, and happily. I must make haste because the ceremony is soon to begin.”
Walen grabbed his arm, stopping him from moving on. “Shaw, I know ye did not want this marriage, but since ye have been reunited with Lady Sorsha, I have not seen ye happier. I am gladdened by it. The clan will rejoice when we return. It shall be a remarkable surprise.”
He didn’t know why, but emotion snuck into his retort. “I never thought I would be as pleased. Lady Sorsha is everything I have ever wanted in a wife. How am I so blessed?”
“Ye are blessed and deservedly so, Laird. I shall bring the trinket ye asked for when the goldsmith has it ready. He says it shouldn’t take much time to make it. Enjoy your night for I am a wee bit envious.” Walen’s bellow sounded and followed him as he walked away.
Shaw went back inside where he asked several servants which chamber Sorsha occupied, then walked with spry steps through the castle corridors until he reached the door of his beloved. He knocked and waited. Sorsha opened the door and smiled at him but her brown eyes held a concerned gaze.
“Shaw, I did not expect you… Is everything well? I thought the next bout was taking place. I could not stand to see another brawl and so I…” She stammered and ceased in mid-speech. “Could not watch again…”
“There will be no more brawls. The king has been called away and Queen Margaret has called a halt to the bouts. She is permitting us to marry. We will do so before the late meal. But first, I must ask ye—are ye certain ye wish to marry me?” A tenseness tightened his shoulders as he waited for her to answer.
“Of course I do. I shall get ready and will meet you in the hall shortly.” Sorsha reached out to set a gentle caress on his face. “You haven’t changed your mind, have you?”
He shook his head. “Nay. Ye know how much I want ye…how much I have always wanted ye.” Shaw leaned toward her and set a light peck of a kiss on her soft lips.
Shaw wanted to kiss her deeply, especially when he tasted the sweet honey from the mead she’d drunk on her lips.
He was sure their kiss would send him to the brink and he couldn’t wait until he could take her and make her his. “I shall see ye soon.”
She closed the door and he ambled away, his heart lighter than he could ever remember. His future—their future—shone brightly before him.
Shaw entered the chamber he’d stayed in while he was in the castle. He shared it with the other Highlanders but all kept to themselves. Breckin entered a moment later and approached.
“How did Mistress Scott take your news?” Shaw asked him as he collected clean garments and gathered the items he needed so he could wash his body.