Page 48 of Bride Takes a Charmer (Highland Vows & Vengeance #3)

A s Shaw made ready to leave for his meeting with his allies, he secured his sword and other weapons he might need.

Although he detested the thought of fighting with his cousin, his wife’s honor and that of her former husband sat upon his shoulders.

He sought vengeance for them both, not to mention poor Gillian who was kept from her mother for months.

Fortunately, his allies forced his hand and Shaw wasn’t too put out about that.

“There ye be,” Walen said as he approached. “Trey has assembled most of the men. There will be a good number of soldiers left for the protection of the fief.”

“Good. Ye will stay here too.”

Walen’s brows furrowed. “Och, Shaw, I would rather go and protect your back. This is a risky venture.”

“And I would rather ye stay here and protect my wife. Besides, your woman is heavy with a bairn. Ye should be here for her in case her time comes. Worry not about my back. I shall be surrounded by my soldiers and my allies.”

“Very well, och I should remain for Niahm. Still, I wish to seek justice with ye and protect your back on this mission. The Chattans are not to be trusted.” Walen retrieved a saddlebag from the ground and handed it to him.

“What are ye going to do about Corliss? She is still being held in the cell in the garrison. At least she no longer shouts for her release.”

“She will remain there until I am ready to deal with her. ’Tis the truth, I never wanted to hurt a woman in my life…until that day when I found out she pushed Sorsha over the cliff. I seek vengeance for Sorsha, and yet, I know not how to gain it without ending my sister’s life.”

Walen set his hand on his shoulder. “My friend, all I can say about that is vengeance will gain ye naught but a heart full of regret. On your head, be it if you execute your sister. There are other ways to make her pay besides taking her life.”

“Aye, I know that, och, I need more time to consider what I will do.” Shaw was completely disheartened at the thought of Corliss’s potential demise.

Yet his sister had no care about his wife’s life when she’d purposely set out to kill her.

Now he had to think about how to best go about her punishment.

“I must go. Ye will keep watch over Sorsha?”

“Of course, I will. Worry not for her. Edra and the healer will tend to her. By the time ye return, she shall smile at your unsightly face.”

Shaw bellowed a laugh at his comrade’s banter.

“Hopefully, I will return before I am missed.” He took the reins of his horse and led it toward the awaiting soldiers.

At the gate, he mounted, shouted his clan’s war cry ‘ Loch Moigh ’, and led the procession of men toward the crossing.

Walen signaled a farewell and commanded the gates to be opened for the men to pass by.

He waited for the men to cross the gate’s threshold before he rode through. Shaw tipped his chin to his friend and was grateful that Walen stayed behind. He wouldn’t worry about Sorsha so much and knew she was in capable, protective hands.

Along the route to Braigh Loch Abar , Inverness’s beauty held him spellbound.

The elevated land that surrounded the lochs looked as if it met the sky.

All seemed still as no leaves fell from the nearly bared trees, no wind fluttered their garments or bushes, and the puffy clouds in the sky appeared motionless.

A peacefulness settled within him as if the oncoming war would right the wrongs and bring tranquility to the region.

Shaw, regardless of how he felt about his cousin, had to side with his allies. Peace would reign.

His horse reached one of the higher hillocks and as Shaw overlooked the landscape, he noticed the speckle of a large encampment.

No pennons or indication of who made camp could be detected, but Shaw was well aware of who had settled there.

His allies would not give themselves away too easily by raising their banners.

It was best if the Chattans were surprised and remained ignorant of their presence.

He and his men reached the camp and Shaw dismounted.

Before he located MacPherson’s tent, he was approached by a tall lad.

Two of his soldiers hastened forward to intercept him thinking he was a threat.

Shaw waved them off and motioned to the lad to come forward.

By the look of him, he posed no danger and held no weapon.

He was almost grown to manhood and was as tall as Shaw’s shoulders. Yet his face showed no whiskers and his short cropped hair was neither brown nor blond but more of a reddish-streaked mess. He held something in his hand and didn’t speak.

“Ye wanted to say something to me? I am listening.”

He took a step forward and held out his hand. “I have an urgent message for you.”

Shaw took it from him but didn’t allow him to scamper away when he turned. “Before I read this message, tell me who ye are.”

“I am Lister and you are Laird Mackintosh. My mistress bade me bring you a message from her. I will return to the keep.” Lister tried to turn away again and Shaw blocked his path.

“Lister… Ye are acquainted with my wife, Lady Sorsha?”

“Aye, I am. If that be all? My mistress expects my return.”

“I see. Well, ye shall be reunited with your lady soon. Await in my tent when my men erect it and I will send Aela to ye.” Shaw turned and traipsed toward the MacPherson soldiers.

Beyond them stood the laird’s tent. He nodded to the guards and entered to see a meeting in progress. Shaw approached a table where an unfolded parchment spread wide across the wooden top; the other lairds stood around looking at it.

“So, ye finally arrived, Mackintosh,” Alan MacPherson said. “What took ye so long? We have awaited ye for a sennight.”

“I was unfortunately delayed. Catch me up on the details of the siege.” Shaw listened to the men as each interjected and gave their view of how the attack should progress. While he waited for them to come to an agreement, he opened the parchment that Lister had given him and read:

Mackintosh, there is an imminent threat to Lady Sorsha’s life. I beseech ye to come at once so I can tell you what I have learned. I fear to put my name to this parchment lest it be intercepted. The lad will tell you who I am. Come at once to the village near Tor. I will be at the baker’s stall.

It was left unsigned. Shaw felt the pulling of his brows as he read the lines.

What news did the woman have and what threat was made against Sorsha now?

He would have to postpone the fray until he met with the woman to find out.

There had to be a good enough reason to request a delay and he racked his mind to think of one.

He cleared his throat and called for quiet. “Listen, a moment… I say we await darkness and then we can ambush the Chattans when they least expect it.”

Alan MacPherson grumbled. “’Tis not a fair idea, Shaw. Surely they will spot our tents long before we march on to their fief. Their sentry has probably already spotted us. ’Tis too big a risk.”

“I need a wee bit of time before we go forth. Maybe we can march on but await until I give the signal to attack. I will hasten back to Tor and will meet ye as soon as I can.” Shaw was about to leave when Alan stopped him.

“What is so important that ye must depart?”

“I received a message from someone inside Tor. It must be important and I mean to meet them before we take to arms. Go and get the men readied. I will come as soon as I am able. If ye need to call the men to arms before I return then do so.” He wouldn’t let the men be in jeopardy because of him.

If it were necessary to fight, he wouldn’t be the reason they delayed.

“I will go and try to make it back before darkness settles on the land and join the attack.”

Shaw rushed back to where his men set up their camp. He found his horse tethered with the other horses and quickly got him ready for the trek to the village.

When he mounted his horse, Trey trotted toward him. “Laird, where ye going?”

“I need to go to the village. Get the men ready. Follow MacPherson’s soldiers and I shall meet ye there, at Tor.” Shaw nudged his horse forward but Trey stepped in front of him.

“At least let me go with ye or take one of the soldiers.”

“Nay, I will be quick, Trey. Do your duty and call the men to arms. I will not be long.” He didn’t wait for his commander’s acceptance and rode away.

Night sounds allayed his restless spirit as he rode through the woodland. Shaw kept near the lane but moved covertly lest there be an ambush. Henny’s lessons had reminded him that he should be on guard. Although he trusted the message he received was from Aela, he couldn’t be certain.

On the approach to the village, Shaw noted the people milling about.

It was early evening and most had closed their shops for the day or ended their business in the village.

He searched for the baker’s cottage and peered at a sign that read Bakery Goods .

He rode around the building and dismounted at the back.

There was an entry there and he decided it would probably be better if he used the back door.

Fortunately, it wasn’t locked and he opened the heavy door. Shaw stepped inside and the dark foyer led to the larger area of the bakery. Scents of bread and other goods reminded him that he hadn’t eaten and his stomach grumbled.

A tall, thin woman almost bumped into him when he passed through the small hallway. She gasped and set her hands on her chest. Her blue eyes widened in shock at seeing him.

“Apologies, Mistress. I am meeting a woman here by the name of Aela. Is she within?”

The woman nodded and without speaking, pointed to a door.