Page 24 of Bride Takes a Charmer (Highland Vows & Vengeance #3)

Even his horse seemed affected by the menacing atmosphere of Tor and slowed its pace.

Shaw pressed its sides a little to encourage his horse to move forward.

With his men riding on each side of him, he glanced at them to silently command their duty.

Henny would leave him once they entered the castle.

He would make his way to the rampart where the pennon hung to await the signal from Trey.

His commander-in-arms would stand guard by the great hall’s entry where Shaw’s meeting with Geoff would take place.

Now to enact the plan.

In a short time, he entered the hall and found no one within.

His boots thumped across the rush-covered floorboards until he reached the hearth where a fire had been banked.

The peat sent warmth to him as he waited for his cousin’s appearance.

He didn’t wait long for Geoff. His cousin crossed the hall and he stopped near him.

“Shaw, ye finally came, and ’tis good to see ye.” He set a hand on his shoulder and smiled. “How long has it been since I laid eyes on ye? Too long. Come, sit with me for I have much to tell ye.”

He ambled to the long table and sat on a bench. Geoff poured him a cup of ale and set it in front of him before taking the bench across from him. “Ye have my condolences on the death of your brother. I confess that I was shocked to receive such news. How did he die?”

Geoff grunted and sipped at his drink. Then held his cup and shook his head.

“It is a sad affair, but och…someone entered the castle and murdered him in his bedchamber. His poor wife found him… We are still searching for the culprit but I am also trying to put to right our clan’s wealth and stores.

Rodick was a terrible leader. I hope to reconfirm our alliances, which is why I asked ye to come.

The Chattans have long since been connected to the Mackintoshes.

We wish to maintain our relations. After all, we are family, blood, and have always been. ”

Shaw stole a glance at the door to ensure Trey stood in view then reverted his gaze to Geoff. “There is no cause for us to end our alliance, so aye, if ye wish to reconfirm it, we shall continue as we have.”

Geoff banged his cup on the table and grinned. “I am gladdened to hear it. Now, tell me what took ye so long to come? I sent my missive ages ago.”

“I, ah …” Shaw had to tread carefully and swallowed hard before he spewed out his news. How would Geoff take the news that he’d married his former sister-in-law? “I was called to Edinburgh by Alexander.”

“And ye ran off to do the king’s bidding? I’m not surprised to hear that, since ye always were Alexander’s pet.” Geoff scoffed and eyed him warily.

“We Mackintoshes support the king as well ye know. Of course, I left with haste when he called.” Shaw hesitated in the telling and his shoulders tensed.

“What did he want?” Geoff picked up the nearby pitcher and refilled his cup. He offered to do the same for him, but Shaw shook his head.

“He wanted me to marry.”

Geoff snorted a laugh and then bellowed with mirth.

“Bollocks, the king betrothed ye? Tell me that Alexander is not playing matchmaker for his followers now. No man should ever allow another to make such an important decision for him. A man’s wife is sacred.

Tell me ye did not agree to such a farce. ”

“I did… Sorsha and I were married over a fortnight ago.”

“Sorsha?” Geoff’s brows furrowed as the news rendered him shocked. “ Our Sorsha? Lady Chattan? My own brother’s wife? Tell me that is not so, Shaw.” He struck the wood of the table with his fist and rose slightly.

Shaw noted his aggressiveness and pushed back the bench should he need to defend himself.

With a quick glance at Trey, he waited to give the signal.

In moments, the army that awaited beyond the Chattan walls would advance, if need be.

“I cannot tell ye that because aye, the Sorsha that I married was the former Lady Chattan. Now she is Lady Mackintosh, my wife. I hope, as my ally, that we have your support.” He purposely alluded to the fact that if Geoff didn’t support them then he could forget any pact between them.

“Are ye telling me a wanker? Ye skelp me in the face with this news. Aye, for I am well galooted.” Geoff straightened and set his hand on the hilt of the sword hanging by his side.

Shaw didn’t retaliate by showing his willingness to fight with the man.

He kept his hands on the tabletop and peered at his cousin.

“I wish to keep our alliance, Geoff, and pray ye do not give me reason to retract it. If ye do not support my marriage to Sorsha then perhaps we should part ways now. Maybe ye do not need the Mackintosh army at your back, and have enough allies should ye be faced with war.”

Geoff snatched his cup from the table and raised it high. “Then I shall offer my heartfelt slàinte on your marriage.”

Shaw rose and lifted his cup and his cousin clinked his. “My thanks. Sorsha tells me that her daughter is still here in your care. I have also come here not only at your summons but to collect her. My wife misses Gillian.”

“She is here. Has Sorsha shared with ye what happened the night she found Rodick murdered?” Geoff raised a brow but otherwise didn’t show much regard for their conversation.

“Nay, she has not spoken much about it. About our marriage… do not hold it against her, Geoff, because Sorsha had no say in her marriage to me. The king commanded that she wed and she did her duty. Now, I mean to make her happy and the foremost thing I can do is to return her daughter to her.”

“Aye, her daughter misses her and it is only right that she be returned to her mother. Speaking of family… Your sister is soon to arrive. She nears and should be here within a day or so. Will ye await Corliss? Ye are welcome to stay. Surely, ye wish to be reunited with her.”

Shaw wasn’t about to spend more time than necessary at the Chattan castle.

He pressed his lips and considered Geoff’s invitation.

“I am beholden to ye for your offer, och I was away for some time recently. I should return to my land this day. Not only because I want to take Gillian to Sorsha, but there are clan matters I should attend to—as a laird now yerself, ye’ll understand. ”

Geoff bowed his head. “Understandable, Shaw, for I know what ye mean. Since my brother’s death, I have been called to remedy many clan matters.

Very well, I will have the lass fetched for ye.

Convey my greetings to Sorsha and remind her of what we spoke about before she left for the king’s castle.

” He twitched a finger at a servant who lingered by the buttery.

“Have Gillian brought to me, as well as her belongings. She will be taken to her mother.”

The maidservant’s mouth hung open and she nodded vigorously before running off to do the laird’s bidding.

“I shall, and Sorsha will be happy to see Gillian again.” As Shaw waited for the lass, he sipped his ale and found himself somewhat perplexed at Geoff’s words.

What did he want Sorsha to be reminded of?

What had they spoken about before she left?

He wasn’t about to ask Geoff to elaborate on his baffling comment though.

“If ye will, convey to my sister when she arrives that we are looking forward to her visit. Tell her to come home and not to dally.”

“Ye know Corliss. She shall come when she is ready to and no sooner.”

“True enough. My sister is stubborn. Och, I have missed her. She wrote to me about some distressing news of her home being burned out by the Cummings.” Shaw studied his cousin’s face for some recognition of his knowledge of the matter but Geoff remained aloof.

“She only relayed that she was stopping here on the way to your keep. Idris is a close comrade of mine and an ally. I suspect that he means to visit for a time since he is now landless. The poor man was routed from his land and his clan all scattered. But no matter, for I will send Corliss and her husband along as soon as possible.”

It seemed that Idris was in league with Geoff.

He’d been unaware of Idris Dunbar’s close association with the Chattans and it gave Shaw pause.

He wasn’t overly fond of Idris, but his sister coveted their marriage.

Her happiness meant a good deal to him and so he’d agreed to the betrothal.

Now, realizing Idris’s relations to the Chattans, Shaw needed to be mindful of his brother-in-law.

Shaw shifted on his feet and grew weary with waiting for the lass.

The awkwardness of having to blather with Geoff made him uncomfortable and nothing more came to mind of what to say to him.

He kept quiet and when sounds came from outside the great hall’s entry, he turned and was stunned at the vision before him.

Gillian resembled her mother in her looks from her long, flowing brown hair to the rosy hue of her skin, to the shade of her bonny brown eyes. But Gillian was wee and couldn’t be as high as his waist. Her wee steps drew her closer and her movement was graceful.

She quite enchanted him so much so that he’d almost forgotten to take a breath. Sorsha’s daughter was beyond beautiful.

As she walked forward, she folded her hands in front of her and kept her gaze on Geoff.

There was something in her gaze that drew his interest. Her brown eyes were widened and unblinking as if she tried to see everything around her.

Gillian was afraid. Worse, as she drew closer, her fear was evident, not only in her eyes but also in the rigidness of her shoulders and gait.

That a child of her age would fear Geoff suddenly angered him.

Shaw wanted to chastise his cousin for scaring the lass.

When she reached them, she stopped and continued to keep her gaze fixed on Geoff. Shaw waited to hear her voice, knowing she’d sound as beautiful as the angels in heaven, but she said naught.

Geoff’s voice was as gruff as if he addressed one of his men, not at all as gentle as one would use when speaking to a wee lass. “Gillian, this is Laird Mackintosh. Ye will go with him now.”

That was all the explanation his cousin imparted. What an arse. The terrified child had to wonder why she’d go with him or who he was. Shaw knelt on his knee before her and she returned her gaze to him.

“I am Laird Shaw, lass, and am your ma’s new husband. She wishes for your return to her and I am here to take ye…” For a brief moment, Shaw thought he noted a twitch of her lips as if she wanted to smile, but she remained staid and still.

“Ye be a good lass and listen to Laird Shaw,” Geoff instructed. To him, he said, “The lass oft tells falsehoods so do not listen to her if she tells tales.”

Shaw disbelieved Geoff would say such, especially about someone the man deemed insignificant.

He was certain his cousin held no regard for his niece.

Shaw motioned to the lass. “Come, Gillian, we shall leave. I am certain ye wish to see your mother and I know she is anxious to see ye too.” He held out his hand but she made no move to take his.

With a sigh, he took her hand and gently forced her to walk with him.

Before he left the hall, Geoff called out, “Remember our pact, Shaw. If I need your support, I expect ye to come and give aid.”

He nodded but didn’t retort. As quickly as he could, he left the castle and his men met him in the courtyard. Shaw mounted his horse and motioned to Trey to lift Gillian to sit before him. He set his arm around her small body to protect her and to keep her from falling.

“Your ma was worried for ye, lass. Are ye happy to be going to her?”

Gillian said nothing, but her wee body tensed.

Shaw wondered why she didn’t reply but then he realized the lass didn’t know him. Perhaps she was shy and rarely spoke at all. In time, Gillian would come to trust him. He’d make certain that she did, and one day, he hoped that she would be her winsome self.