Page 52 of Bride Takes a Charmer (Highland Vows & Vengeance #3)

Castle Moy, Eilean Nan Clach

Inverness, Highlands Scotland

S haw stood beside the entrance to the main hall and watched his wife settle into a chair by the hearth.

Around her, the children listened intently as she told them a story about a mountain and a squirrel.

He smiled to himself because he’d heard her tell the tale countless times.

Still, the children listened as if they heard it for the first time.

He had just returned from going over the soldiers’ training regimen and ensuring duties were tended to by the watch.

Seeing Sorsha surrounded by their kin, reminded him of his grandmother.

How Mamo would have loved to be there, to hold Gillian and Luthor.

Likewise, his father’s namesake, Samuel, who waddled around with his unsure steps.

The wee lad was remarkable in his appearance with his light hair and Walen’s face.

When Luthor spotted him, he sprinted from beside his mother and hurried toward him. “Papa, can I go and train with the lads this day? Ye promised…”

His pleading look wore Shaw down and he nodded. “Aye, go and find Trey. He will put ye in with a group of fledglings. Listen well and learn. For God’s sake, do not get yourself injured. Your mama will never forgive me.”

Luthor’s grin widened on his face. “I will not get hurt, Papa.” Then he ran through the hall’s entrance to the outside before Shaw could change his mind.

“There you are,” Sorsha said and rose from her seat.

Gillian took hold of Samuel’s wee hand and guided him back to Niahm who sat at the trestle table speaking with Edra and Aela.

Sorsha’s gaze lingered on Samuel for a moment before it shifted to him.

Shaw grinned, for he knew well what she was thinking…

that perhaps by early next summer, they might have a wee son of their own.

That night, he planned to give the news of their expected bairn to the clan.

Gillian crossed the hall to get to Kathleen, a lass who Sorsha employed as a nurse for their daughter.

She picked up a stuffed doll that Enid had made for her and sat next to the chair Sorsha vacated.

She and Kathleen whispered and giggled together.

It brought him such happiness to see the lass playing and being carefree.

She had changed much since she arrived at the Mackintosh fief.

Clovis entered with Enid holding onto his arm. His gate watchman had recently married the lass and they were still in wedded bliss. Shaw chuckled to himself because he too, even after all this time, was still in wedded bliss himself. He was thoroughly contented with being married to Sorsha.

“Laird,” Clovis said as he approached. “The king’s man, his chamberlain, Edmund, is at the gate and wishes to be bid entry. Should we allow him inside the gate?”

“Edmund is here?” Shaw felt the pull of his brows as he wondered why Alexander’s man traveled from Edinburgh to see him. “Of course, allow him entry.”

Clovis left Enid with her mother and rushed out of the keep.

Shaw approached Edra and stopped next to the table. “Mistress, will ye have Cook prepare a good meal for we have guests? I should like to have a wee celebration this night.”

“Of course, Laird. I shall see to it at once.” Edra and Enid left the hall.

Aela sat with Kathleen and Gillian by the hearth.

Sorsha walked toward him with a slight hitch to her gait. Sometimes, when she walked on her leg a little too much, she limped.

“Sit ye down, wife, because I can tell ye are hurting.”

She walked in a slow gait until she reached him. “Just a little.”

Shaw pulled out a chair at the table for her and then one for himself. They sat and he poured them each a cup of ale. “I told Edra to have a feast prepared for this eve.”

She smiled and nodded. “Did I hear Clovis say that Edmund is here?”

“Aye, he is letting him through the gates now. Strange, because I can think of no reason why Edmund would come all this way. I hope nothing happened to Alexander or Margaret or that he means to call all to arms against Norway. I did not deem he’d do so this soon.”

Sorsha folded her hands on her lap and peered at them. “Lord, I hope that is not why he comes.”

Steps came from the hallway and Shaw rose from his seat. When Edmund entered, he approached and greeted him. “Chamberlain Edmund, this is a surprise visit. What do ye here?”

Edmund lumbered past him to the table and sat in his vacated seat. “Lady Mackintosh, ’tis good to see you. You look well. Are you still pleased with your marriage to Laird Mackintosh? If not, I can have our king remedy that for you.” He grinned teasingly.

“I am more than pleased, sir. How are you? You have traveled a great distance. I hope you do not bring bad tidings,” Sorsha said.

Shaw reached the table and took the seat on the opposite side of the table. He poured Edmund a cup of ale and set it before the man.

Edmund immediately snatched the cup from the table and drank. When he finished, he gave them a look of dismay. “I am afraid my news is not good.”

“Is Margaret all right? She fared well birthing the baby?” Sorsha asked.

“Indeed. She is well and gave our sire a daughter at the end of last winter. ’Tis rumored that Alexander might betroth his daughter to Haakon’s son but as yet has not made a decision. It could be years afore he gives her hand.”

“I am pleased though for Margaret, and that she is well. Please, forgive me for being forward, Edmund, but what is your news?” Sorsha sat forward and her eyes seemed to send a pleading urgency.

Shaw suspected that his wife was impatient because the man wouldn’t have come all the way to the Highlands for a simple visit and he’d said his news wasn’t good.

“My news is for you, Lady Mackintosh. You received the news of your parents’ presumed deaths?”

“I did. My thanks for sending me the news. I am sure it was a difficult task to send such a disparaging message.”

He bobbed his head. “I kept my missive short at the time because I was unaware of the facts and until I could confirm the truth of the matter… I’m sorry to say that your parents indeed perished in the sea.

Your father, mother, and his brother Ottuel traveled with King Henry’s heir William Adelin aboard the White Ship.

They unwisely left the harbor against sound advice and the ship capsized and sank near an embankment.

’Tis stated by witnesses that all drowned and none could be saved because the channel was quite rough.

You have the king’s condolences, My Lady. ”

Sorsha’s gaze fell to her lap and when she looked up, she had a sadness in her eyes. “I am sorry to hear that so many died. Who will be my father’s heir be? He has a vast shipping business and earldom.”

Edmund drew a heavy breath. “That is being decided by the king himself. There is only one male heir, your cousin Ranulph, your father’s nephew. If your husband objects to running your father’s business then it shall be passed on.”

Sorsha turned her face to him. “What say you, Shaw? Do you want to be in the shipping business?”

“Hell, no. I am pleased enough with my lot in life here in the Highlands and being laird to my clan. Besides, I know naught about shipping. Give it to my wife’s cousin.”

“I will convey your rejection to Alexander on my return. There is another matter though and that is the trunks of coins that were left to My Lady by her father and mother. I was told to deliver them to her at the soonest.” Edmund called out and his attendants marched forward, carrying trunks of various sizes into the hall.

“These are filled with coins. Your father wanted you to have what he deemed to be your dowry and since he did not have to provide one when Laird Chattan agreed that there be no recompense. ’Twas unlike him but for some reason, Rodick professed that he did not want to take coins from your father.

Lord Richard, your da, wanted the trunks sent to you upon his death. ”

Sorsha’s eyes widened but she said nothing until he cleared his throat.

Shaw stood and was astounded by his wife’s father’s gesture.

Such wealth would never be rejected. He disbelieved his good fortune.

Not only had he won the hand of the loveliest lass in the land, a woman whose tender heart rendered him completely enthralled, but she brought him wealth beyond his wildest dreams.

“I wonder why Rodick refused her dowry. That was unlike him but then his brother Geoff stated that his brother was weak and gullible.”

“I am told that Lord Richard and Laird Rodick had a verbal agreement that if ever Rodick needed his aid or ships to travel upon he would provide him with such.” Edmund refilled his cup and drank again.

“I do not know what to say…” Shaw’s eyes roamed from trunk to trunk, ten in all likely filled with enough coins to see his clan through many a winter.

“Say you accept,” Edmund said.

“Of course I do…that is if Sorsha accepts too.”

Her shoulders rose with a sigh but then came the slight movement of her chin as she nodded. “I feel horrible because I cursed my parents for forcing me to leave my home and demanding I marry Rodick.”

“There is one trunk that is from your dear mother, My Lady. She wrote a note to go with it.” Edmund handed her the parchment.

Sorsha took it from him and opened it. She read aloud:

Dearest Daughter, if you are reading this missive that means that I am gone.

I want you to know that I despaired the day you were taken from me.

However, I could not rebuke your father’s will when he bade you to marry the Chattan laird.

Know that I held you in my heart for all my days.

I pray that you have found a happy life and that you have borne your own children, to give you the joys that you had brought to me.

I give you everything I cherish. ~Your devoted mother, Lucia, House of d’Avranches

Aela rose from her seat across the hall and watched them. Her hand rested on her chest and she appeared to have shimmery eyes.

Edmund pushed a small trunk across the table. “She wanted you to have this trunk but I fear there is no key to open it. Perhaps your husband can have his blacksmith open it for you.”

Aela gasped. “Sorsha, here,” she said and pulled a key that hung on a golden-woven rope from around her neck. “Your mother told me to hold on to this for you and to give it to you when the time was right. I suspect that she knew that one day you would receive the trunk.”

Sorsha held out her hand and peered at the key. She placed it inside the ornate plate where the lock was held within and turned it. A click sounded. Sorsha turned and glanced at him.

Shaw approached to stand beside her. “Go on, sweetheart, open it.”

She pressed the lid open and her eyes widened.

Inside were jewels and trinkets that her mother had collected throughout her life.

There was a small piece of parchment. Sorsha held it and read: Within are the memories of my life.

Some belonged to your grandmother. Keep these treasures in the family and I hope one day you give them to your daughter. LD

Tears gathered in Sorsha’s eyes and Shaw set his arm around her to offer comfort. She leaned against him and wiped at her eyes, unspeaking and full of distress. Gently, her fingers perused the objects within the trunk.

“Well, now that task is handled, I can be on my way,” Edmund said.

“Has the king decided what he shall do about his quest to expand our lands? Has he declared war against Norway yet? I am beholden to send him soldiers when that time comes,” Shaw said readily.

“The king and queen returned to Scotland in early spring to get back to their royal duties. I am certain Alexander will eventually go ahead with his plans but as yet he has not spoken of the matter.” Edmund rose from his seat and stood next to Sorsha.

“Chamberlain Edmund, I invite you to join us for a feast this night. Rest a day or so before you head back out.” Shaw put forth his words as a directive rather than an invitation.

Edmund rejected his offer by shaking his somewhat flabby chin. “I am afraid I cannot stay for entertainment, Laird Mackintosh. I have other news that I must deliver here in the Highlands. I must travel to Buchanan land. God help me.”

“What news do you take to the Buchanans?” Shaw asked. “I hope it is not unpleasant.”

“I can only divulge my news to Lady Eva, I’m afraid. Nay, I must go to her at once. She will be distraught to learn what I must tell her. That is if I make it past the ornery Buchanan sentry to deliver it.”

Shaw understood. Not many confronted the Buchanan soldiers.

Though the Mackintosh soldiers were fierce, the Buchanans were practically barbaric in their fighting tactics.

They allowed no one to pass through on their lands, even their allies.

He commiserated with poor Edmund because his task was of a most difficult nature.

“I shall go. I bid you both my wishes for good health and I shall tell Alexander how pleased you both are with your marriage. He will be gratified to hear such. Pray for me that the Buchanans welcome me.” Edmund bowed to them and hastened from the hall with his attendants following.

Shaw helped Sorsha to a chair and lowered her into it. “Are you all right, Sorsha? The news ye received was most troubling. I am sorry to hear what happened to your parents and they are really gone. I had hoped the report was false.”

She sniffled back her tears and nodded. “I am well but sad to know they are really gone too. There is only one thing that consoles me, Shaw, and that is I am now here…with my family, with the people I love, with my charming husband, and the Mackintosh Clan.”

“Aye, but, sweetheart, we are the fortunate ones.” A smile widened on her lips and he leaned back admiring her bonny face. “What are ye smiling about?”

“I just remembered… On the day that Rodick died, Gillian and I were at the Yule festival in Blarmacfoldach. We visited a fortune teller and for once, the seer spoke true.” She looked far off and laughed.

“Why what did the seer say?”

“She said that something dreadful would happen to me that day and it did…Rodick died. She also said that I would be reunited with someone from my past—you. I thought that I was destined for hardships for the remainder of my days, but I only hoped for prosperity.” Sorsha raised her eyes to his.

“I think our lives are destined for goodness going forward.” With a press to her stomach, her eyes shone with love.

Shaw leaned toward her and placed a gentle kiss on her face. The Mackintosh Clan would thrive, not only from the wealth they received from Sorsha’s family but with the love that would endure for a lifetime. Prosperity would be theirs.

The End