Page 36 of Bride Takes a Charmer
“Of course not, lass. The chapel is for all within the Mackintosh clan and is not usually kept locked. I am gladdened that ye find it as comforting as I do.”
“You do?”
He nodded. “Aye, not many make use of it because the chapel is rather small but I often find peace there. Now tell me, what think ye about your daughter’s homecoming?”
Her smile widened and she pressed him back against the door. “I have never been so surprised. How…When did you…How did you get Geoff to release Gillian?”
“It was not too difficult. I told him that we’d married and he spoke of our alliance. He had to know that if he wanted to keep our support, he would have to release Gillian.”
“I…do not know what to say and am eternally grateful.”
“It is my duty, Sorsha, to protect ye and our daughter.” He tilted her head back and set a gentle kiss on her lips. “Aye, the day I wed ye, Gillian became my daughter. I mean to see that she is protected.”
“I prayed for so many days that she would be safe until…”
“Ye will tell me now…and I will hear the truth, Sorsha, what happened at Castle Tor, to Rodick, and why Geoff kept your daughter from ye. If I am to protect not only your daughter but ye as well, I must know the truth.” He felt her sigh when her body shifted. Shaw pressed her back so he could see her eyes and took hold of both her hands. “There should always be honesty betwixt us.”
“You are right. Of course, I shall tell you.”
Shaw put his arm around her and pulled her against him. He hoped to comfort her, especially when she peered off and wouldn’t look at him.
Her voice came quietly, “On the day of the winter festival, I took Gillian for a day of merriment. On our return, I put her to bed and heard Rodick arguing with someone in his chamber.When I opened the door, I saw Geoff strike him with a dagger. Rodick fell and I tried to get to him to give him aid, but it was too late. He only lasted a moment before he succumbed. Geoff forced me to keep his secret by taking Gillian away. He told me that if I bespoke one word of what happened that night, I would never see my child again. Of course, I never spoke of it to anyone.”
“Not even the queen? I know that ye are good friends…”
“Nay, I told no one. I could not tell Margaret and only divulged that my husband had died. She added my name to the marriage list and I’d only found that out when I arrived. Before I left Geoff proposed marriage as a way to keep his brother’s murder from becoming known. If not for the king’s list, I would have had no choice but to become his wife.”
Shaw’s eyes burned with anger. The man was a knave, not only because he used a child to gain Sorsha’s agreement to keep his vile secret but also because he was going to force her to wed him. If he’d gained his wish, Geoff could have easily thwarted Sorsha by declaring coverture and she’d be unable to testify against him should the sheriff or other lawful entities charge him. Now his entreaties to remind her of her vows to him and the warning not to listen to whatever Gillian told him made sense.
“Shaw, please… Say something.”
He held her close and leaned his head against hers. “I make this vow here and now, Sorsha, that ye will never have to contend with that knave. Not only do ye have my protection, but every living, breathing Mackintosh soldier will guard ye and our daughter.” He didn’t tell her that he was sure Geoff wouldn’t give up such a lovely woman as Sorsha or her daughter so easily and he wondered what his cousin would do to win her back.
Would he overtake his clan and try to kill his followers? The threat was there, real, and certain. He needed to make sure hiswalls, clan, home, and family were secure and guarded against his blackhearted cousin. Shaw would direct his guards to allow no one entrance and ensure that he kept his vow to Sorsha to keep her safe.
Chapter Thirteen
There was muchto make ready in preparation for the May Day celebration that would take place that day. Sorsha had been up well before sunrise and with the aid of Edra and Enid, the hall was looking quite festive. Fortunately, the children had remained sleeping while she hurried through her tasks. Sorsha smoothed her hand over the tablecloth she’d placed on a serving table near the buttery and admired the fine cloth.
She heard someone approaching and turned to see Clovis standing nearby, shifting shyly from foot to foot. He was confident with Shaw but seemed to feel out of place here in the fief. Still, he cleared his throat and said, “Milady, I am sorry to disturb ye, och the laird left before I could stop him. He went to sanctify the fields with a handful of soldiers.”
She smiled at him. “You are not disturbing me, Clovis. Good morn. What does ‘sanctify the fields’ mean?”
He chuckled. “The priest came early this morn to bless the peat. ’Tis when the head of each family carries burning peat around the fields and crops to bless them. The smoke carries God’s blessing and ensures good crops. When the men return, they will put the peat in their hearths to bless their homes and bring good fortune to them.”
“Oh, that is lovely. Was there something you needed?” She set a bowl on the table and placed a small cloth inside it. Once Edra brought the bread, she’d cover it to keep it warm.
Clovis cleared his throat. “Milady Maven has gone to the graves again. Usually, the laird goes to retrieve her but since he’s gone…”
“I shall go. Worry not, Clovis.” Sorsha heard the patter of footsteps on the stairs. The children were awake! Their sweet faces stared at her as she approached the exit of the keep where Mamo’s cloak hung on a peg. “Ah, you finally awakened. Come, you shall eat your morning fare in the kitchen with Edra while I go and retrieve Mamo.”
Clovis bowed to her and hurried from the keep.
Sorsha took her daughter’s hand and then Luthor’s. “Let us find something to fill those bellies of yours.” She grabbed her cloak and Mamo’s from their pegs and shuffled the children through the doorway into the kitchen. But there was no one inside. Both Edra and Enid were likely seeing to the May Day celebration chores.
It left her in a quandary. She needed to take care of Shaw’s grandmother but couldn’t leave the children alone in the kitchen. So she lifted Gillian onto a stool and did likewise to Luthor before filling two bowls with pottage and setting a bowl before each of them and bidding them to eat.
As she watched her daughter, Sorsha was saddened. Gillian had always been a quiet child but now she was even more severe. She didn’t smile and no mirth shone in her eyes. The lass hadn’t yet spoken since her return to her.