Page 5 of Bride Takes a Charmer

“Och, it seems that day is not this day.”

“I’m gladdened, Mamo, that it is not. Come, let us get ye back to the keep. ’Tis freezing this day and we should get ye near a warm fire.” Shaw was pained by the despondent mood of his grandmother of late.

Over three scores in age, she had lived beyond most of those she cared about, longer than anyone he knew. He did his best to watch out for her but his grandmother was headstrong and never listened to his commands or heeded his cautions—especially his warning about going to the graves in the middle of the night.

“I fear that I shall never be with my Fergus.”

He set his arm around her shoulder and guided her back toward the keep. “God has his reasons for keeping ye here, Mamo.”

“Aye, aye, He does. Perhaps my sins prevent our Good Lord from taking me? Do ye deem that I am cursed?”

He chuckled lightly. “Who would ever want to curse ye? Nay, whatever the reasons, ye will remain here until God calls ye home. Besides, what sins could ye have committed?”

She lowered her gaze and didn’t answer his absurd questions.

Shaw kept hold of her as they meandered over the small hills of the forest and the wooden bridge that led to their home. When they reached the gates, she walked ahead of him and Shaw grew grim at the thought that one morning she would be with her husband. He suspected he would find her gone to the hereafter, her cold lifeless body a mere remembrance of the woman she’d once been. How he dreaded that day.

“Laird, missives came for ye.” Clovis held out the sealed parchments.

He took the missives and scowled at them because he hadn’t received so many messages in quite a while. “My thanks, Clovis. Has the sentry gone out this morn?”

“Not as yet, Laird.”

“Close the gates after they leave.” Shaw ambled forward and shoved the parchments inside his tunic. He’d read them later while he ate his morning fare.

On his approach to the fief, he saw glints of the morning sun shining on the waters. He spotted several of his clansmen just starting their day. They headed off toward where they practiced arms.

A shadow passed by the tree near him and he steeled himself, ready to face his adversary. He chuckled to himself, knowing who approached. His comrade jumped out from behind and grabbed him. Shaw took hold of the assailant and flung him over his shoulder. The man’s body thumped on the ground. Shaw used his knee against Henny’s chest to hold him on the ground and the man groaned.

“Do ye give?”

Henny grunted and ceased trying to gain his release. His bulky body stilled and then he chortled. The soldier’s dark eyes, as black as night, peered at him with mirth. “Bollocks, ye saw me coming, did ye not? Aye, aye, I give.”

Shaw shoved his soldier’s black-haired covered head against the ground, released him, and bellowed, “I admit that I saw ye coming. Go on, ye best get on the field before Trey reprimands ye for being late.”

His soldier trotted off and passed his commander-in-arms. Trey shouted at Henny but waved him onward and approached.

“Did he attack ye again?” Trey asked and shifted his hands through his blond locks as he side-eyed him with his green eyes and had a smirk on his face.

Shaw nodded. “Aye, as he does every morn. I am beginning to think Henny has something against me. Och, I know what he is up to and cannot fault him for it.”

Trey cackled. “Och, ye do? What might that be, Laird? Ye mind telling me because I have yet to figure out why Henny attacks ye and our soldiers.”

“He means to keep me and the soldiers on our toes. I appreciate his effort.” Shaw laughed to himself because Henny was a devoted soldier. On a night when they’d both imbibed too much potent ale, his soldier confessed why he’d battered his clansmen. Henny maintained that he did so to keep him and his soldiers from losing the skill of awareness when there was the possibility of imminent threats from foes.

“What are we going to do about him? Several soldiers complain that he sneak attacks them. He needs to be stopped before he hurts someone.” Trey walked alongside him, but he kept his gaze ahead. “Or someone wounds him.”

Shaw pressed his hands to his face and then lowered them. “I do not want him to cease. Truth be told, he is keeping all of us aware. There may be a time when having such skills is beneficial. For now, we will put up with his attacks. Tell your men it’s for their good and part of their training. But, best warn them that they may defend themselves but they are not to do irreparable harm to Henny.”

Trey grimaced. “The men will be displeased by your order. Och, ye are the laird, so I suppose we will have to put up with him.”

Shaw turned to his commander. “Aye, I am the laird and ye will learn to appreciate what Henny does. Our soldiers will gain valuable experience from this, as will I. So nay, I do not wanthim to cease his attacks. We will let him continue to strike when we least expect it.” He reached the keep and turned to Trey. “Was there something else?”

“I should get back to the field.” His commander turned. “Do ye want me to come and meet with ye later to go over the training regimen?”

“If I have time, I’ll come to ye. See that the men train hard.”

Trey turned back to him. “Why, Laird? We are not warring with anyone and the weather is still cold. I do not see the importance of it.”