Page 32 of Bride Takes a Charmer (Highland Vows & Vengeance #3)

A disturbing night’s sleep caused Shaw to yawn repeatedly upon leaving his bed that morning.

Throughout the night, he couldn’t help but be concerned for Luthor’s acceptance of their news or Gillian’s acceptance of her new family.

He’d tossed and turned, envisioning the lad’s reaction to hearing of his parents’ deaths.

After finding his mamo at the graves earlier and escorting her back to the keep, Shaw ambled around the island.

He agreed to meet Sorsha later that evening before the children’s bedtime so they could tell Luthor their news.

The lad would be sad and there was no way to know how he’d react to the death of his parents.

Together, they would break the news gently.

When he reached the training field, he watched some of the men spar with swords and fisticuffs.

There were fewer than the usual number of soldiers on the field and he wondered where the rest of them were.

Additionally, he didn’t see Trey there either.

He’d have to have a word with his commander about being absent from his duty, and tell him that he had to set an example for the men.

On his walk back to the keep, he stopped at the stables and visited his warhorse. He hadn’t ridden much in the past fortnight. Though he was gladdened he needn’t travel because there was much to do at home.

“Laird, I already fed him and filled his trough,” the stable master, Jonah, said and pressed back the long strands of his brown hair. The horseman was no older than he was and yet far more muscular from lifting heavy bales of hay and working with the horses.

“Aye? He needs to be exercised soon. I’ll take him for a ride later this day or on the morrow,” Shaw said absently, more to himself.

“He has been a wee bit ornery stuck in his stall,” Jonah grunted. “Och, I can put him in the pen for a while if ye cannot get to ’em.”

“My thanks, Jonah, and also for taking Luthor in hand. Is he attending to his chores?”

“He be a good lad, Laird, and is keen to do his duty. I sent him back to the keep a short while ago since he finished mucking out the stalls. The lad could do with a bath for I swear he might’ve rolled around in the muck and hay.” Jonah chuckled. “Och, ’tis just like a wee lad to do so.”

Shaw snickered because he’d been the same as a lad, always getting into a wee bit of mischief.

He nodded to the stable master and left.

There was some time before he needed to meet with Sorsha and so he didn’t rush back to the keep.

His steps slackened and he greeted his clan’s men and women as he passed.

Ahead on the lane, he spotted a group of people.

Curious as to what the trouble was, Shaw picked up the pace.

In the center of his soldiers, Trey had Idris in a headlock and held him bent over.

Soldiers clamored about who was winning the fight.

The men grunted in their effort to be free of each other.

Trey held a dagger in his hand but Idris prevented him from striking when he twisted his body and jumped back a step or two.

“What is going on here?”

Everyone quieted and Trey shoved Idris’s chest and he fell back but scrambled to his feet.

“I asked, what is happening?”

“Laird,” Trey said as he returned his dagger to its sheath, “This man spoke ill of ye and Milady. I heard his affront and challenged him.”

“Is this true, Idris?” Shaw stood rigidly and folded his arms over his chest.

His brother-in-law took his time answering and eventually shook his head. “Nay, I know not what this man thought he heard, but I did not speak ill of ye. Why would I, when ye have been gracious enough to welcome me here?”

Shaw motioned the man away. “Go on and return to the keep.” He waited for Idris to walk away and then stared hard at his soldiers who got his silent message and returned to the training field. “Trey, halt. I wouldst speak with ye a moment.”

Trey turned back and glared. “He speaks falsely, Laird. I heard the man and ye know my hearing is sound.”

“Did anyone else hear him speak ill of me?”

Trey shook his head. “Nay, none were close enough. Idris spoke to one of his followers.”

“He brought followers?” Shaw was unaware that Idris and Corliss had brought men-at-arms with them. He’d have to ask his sister about it.

“I vow, Laird, that I do not accuse him falsely. Idris said that ye were weak and that our clan could easily be defeated and overtaken. That he would see to it that the breaches were remedied. I do not know what he meant by that but I suppose he thinks to insert himself in helping to guard us. He also said that milady is simple-minded and of no value to ye.”

Shaw sighed at his commander’s accusation. He wasn’t overly fond of Idris but the man was married to his sister. He was family, even if indirectly, and deserved some respect. “Maybe he is right. Maybe I am weak and perhaps our clan could be made stronger.”

His soldier scowled with an offended gaze. “Nay, Laird, he is wrong. Ye are not weak and nor is our clan. I asked Idris why he would say such a thing and he offered no excuse. To insult us by saying we can be defeated irked me. He affronted both ye and milady. ’Tis the truth, I wanted to end him.”

“Then go on to the field, Trey, and ensure our men are trained properly and are strong enough to defend us. Make them ready for war and leave Idris be. He is my brother-in-law and I cannot have my soldiers threatening him.” Shaw normally wouldn’t allow such disrespect but he had to be patient with his sister’s husband.

In time, Idris would understand the Mackintosh men better. At least, that was his hope.

“I would watch your back, Laird, because I trust him not.”

“Worry not for me. I do not need to watch my back when I’m on my land. There are nearly one hundred soldiers who see to my protection. Go on, get back to training, Trey.”

Trey lowered his head and trudged off toward the field. On his way, he stopped and spoke to Henny, who nodded. Shaw couldn’t hear their discussion but from what he could tell, both men adamantly agreed.

At least Henny and Trey were no longer at odds with each other. At one time and for quite a while, Trey had been upset that Henny chose to attack him and the other soldiers. Now, if anything, his commander’s dislike for his brother-in-law brought forth a truce betwixt him and Henny.

Shaw had lost track of time and hurried back to the keep. As he traipsed along the hallway to the great hall, he heard Luthor teasing Gillian.

“Ye cannot jump as high as I can. Aye, ye be a wee lass.”

His eyes met Sorsha’s when he got to the table. She set aside something she was sewing and rose. “I’m gladdened you are finally here. I was about to send someone to find you. Are you ready for our discussion?”

He nodded but didn’t say anything. Gillian sat near the hearth on the floor and Luthor skipped around the trestle table. He stuck his tongue out and teased Gillian as he passed by.

“Oh, here is Enid now.” Sorsha rounded the table and met the maid halfway.

She spoke low and Enid called to Gillian.

Then Sorsha moved to stand with Shaw and she grabbed Luthor’s hand as he passed.

“Lad, we need to speak with you. Go and sit by the hearth.” He skipped away and sat on the raised stone that butted the width of the hearth. He peered at them questioningly.

She leaned close to Shaw. “Enid will watch Gillian whilst we have our discussion with Luthor. I shall tell her later what has been decided. And, Shaw, do not push him to accept us. We mustn’t cajole him but allow him to consider it. The news will be troubling enough.”

“Aye, it will. Och, the lad might be pleased by our offer.” He approached the hearth and sat in a vacant chair.

Sorsha moved with him but she took Luthor’s hand again and raised him from his spot on the hearthstone. She then sat and settled Luthor on her lap. “Luthor, do you remember that I promised to write to the king’s chamberlain to find out what happened to your parents?”

He nodded. “Aye, Milady.”

“We heard back from him and I am terribly sorry to tell you that your parents were sickened whilst being imprisoned and they perished.” Sorsha set her arm around the lad’s back and rubbed him, offering comfort.

Shaw waited for his reaction but the lad scowled and said nothing. “Do ye know what ‘perished’ means?”

Luthor shook his head but remained silent.

“It means that they died. We are sorry, lad, for your loss.” Shaw leaned forward and waited for the lad’s reaction.

His wee voice was filled with sadness, “Do ye mean they are in heaven now?”

Sorsha leaned her head against Luthor’s. “It does. But they are watching over you from there and I am sure they are happy to see that you are here with us, looking after you. You do like living here, don’t you?”

“Aye, Milady. My mama and papa are not coming back, are they?” Tears welled in Luthor’s eyes as realization came.

“I am afraid they cannot return to you.” Sorsha pressed her hand on his head and sighed. “I know how sad you must be because I too lost my parents. As has Shaw. But we must always hold them in our hearts.”

“Lad, ye know that we care about ye. Milady Sorsha hopes that ye will find it acceptable to consider her your mama. But we will give ye time to think about it. Will that suit ye?”

Luthor peered at them and his chin slowly bobbed. He got off Sorsha’s lap and faced them. “I do need a new mama and papa. Maybe… Will my mama and papa be ireful if I say aye? Will they think I forgot them?”

Shaw knelt in front of him and set his hand on his shoulder. “Nay, lad, not at all. If anything, they would understand that ye are trying to accept a new family. They would not deem ye forgot them. I am sure of that.”

Sorsha wiped at the tears in her eyes. “Your parents would want you cared for and protected. We want to give you a home, Luthor.”