Page 54 of Bride Takes a Charmer
He kissed her passionately and groaned softly when she responded ardently. Shaw forced himself to pull back. “I am leaving the keep and shall be gone longer than I thought. My allies plan to meet and the discussions may take some time. Och, I want your promise not to worry.”
She pressed her hands on his shoulders. “I will not worry.”
“I shall leave Walen and Henny here to protect ye, along with a score of soldiers. We’ll have the gates closed until my return. That might upset Mamo.”
“I shall explain to her why the gates are closed. Do we expect trouble whilst you are gone?”
“There is no reason to believe we would expect trouble, but ’tis better to be prepared.”
Sorsha set a light kiss on his mouth and shifted back. “Safe journey and return hastily, Shaw.”
“I will, Sorsha.” He grabbed a satchel from the peg by the entrance of the keep that he kept there in case he ever needed to make quick travel. Shaw pulled the large strap over his head and hurried to the kitchens. Inside, he rummaged through the shelves and packed some foodstuff for his journey. Mistress Edra entered and after he explained about his departure, she handed him two flasks of ale and an empty one for water.
“Worry not for Milady or the wee ones. I shall watch over them,” she said as she walked him to the door.
“My thanks, Mistress. Ye always take good care of us.” Shaw bowed to her and left, walking quickly on the lane toward the gate. Walen and Henny approached and stopped him.
Walen said, “Trey told us that we are leaving.”
“Aye, except I wish for ye and Henny to watch over my family. Will ye stay?”
His comrade groaned. “I would do as ye bade, Laird, but och ye know that I want to get away for a bit. Can we not have my brother stay? I will take his place.”
“I would feel better if ye stayed and kept Sorsha safe for me.” Shaw suspected he’d receive some backlash from his comrade. He’d told him earlier that he wanted to get away from his emotional wife. Still, Walen was the fiercest fighter within the Mackintosh clan and he wanted such a man to protect his family.
“I am not pleased, Laird, but of course I obey. Henny and I will ensure Milady and the children are kept safe. I wish ye safe travels but hurry the hell back.” Walen gripped Henny’s arm and they walked off.
Shaw was about to retreat to the stable to retrieve his horse when Trey came forward holding his warhorse’s reins.
He mounted his horse but didn’t wait for his soldiers. They’d catch up to him. His horse cantered ahead and he enjoyed the peacefulness of the late summer afternoon. The sun shone in its brilliance, with rays streaking through the leaves of the overhead trees. Shaw often found peace in such a view, on such a ride, but this day, he hoped the meeting didn’t hold bad tidings. Then he debated the issue of whether to tell his allies about Geoff’s crime of murdering not only his chieftain but his own brother. Such a thing was not condoned in the Highlands. Honor above all held its weight, especially with allied clans.
Shaw decided to wait until the meeting to rationalize whether he should reveal such a dreadful happening to his comrades. Perhaps his allied brethren already found out about Geoff’satrocious deed. If that was the case, then he might have to decide whether to go against his cousin and side with the coalition. Family or not, Shaw would have to side with the alliances.
He slowed his horse to a trot and most of the soldiers caught up to him. Trey remained silent but watchful on the ride. It took them almost half a day to reach the border of his land. By the time they approached the crossing of his land and MacPherson’s, the sky had dimmed to dusk. At the bottom of a hill surrounded by large crags, fires lit the fabric of tents that speckled the landscape. It appeared many had shown themselves for the apparently important gathering.
Shaw stopped his horse and dismounted. When Trey jumped from his mount, he handed him the reins. “I will go and find out what’s going on. Make camp and have the men be watchful.”
Trey nodded and shouted out commands to the soldiers.
He marched off to find MacPherson and passed by many clans aligned with his: the Mackenzies, the Campbells, and the MacPhails. None of their leaders sat with the men which gave the notion that the meeting was being held without him. Shaw quickened his steps and found the MacPherson men a short distance away. He hurried toward the tent of their leader and was stopped by two guards.
“I am Laird Mackintosh.”
As soon as he spoke his name, the guards rushed to pull back the tent opening. He was waved inside and Shaw ducked beneath the overhead flap. Inside, many candles lit the confines. It appeared cozy and calm. No voices were raised in the debate and the conversation was amiable. That was a good thing, Shaw suspected, since he had time to figure out how to dissuade them from attacking the Chattans.
Shaw spotted Alan MacPherson who sat upon a thick cushion at a short-legged table. Supper had been served and all seemedto be enjoying the fare. Most drank and chatted. On his approach, all were silenced and their eyes fell on him.
“Ah, ye decided to join us, Laird Mackintosh.” Alan waved him forward. “Come, there is a spot near me. Someone get Laird Mackintosh a trencher and a cup of ale.”
Before he sat at the designated place, a servant rushed forward and set a full trencher of food on the table. Then a cup of ale was thrust into his hand. Shaw dipped his chin in thanks to the servants and sat upon the cushion. He folded his legs and sipped at the ale, waiting for Alan to begin his questioning.
When most had finished the meal, Alan used his cup to bang on the table. He cleared his throat and called everyone’s attention. “Comrades, we have come together this day to discuss what we are going to do about the Chattans’ blatant force and their desire to take over our lands. The Camerons have reported that the Chattans have threatened to build a wall on their land so their damnable sheep might graze upon the fertile grasses that belong to the Camerons.”
Voices bellowed objections.
“Now, not only have the Chattans tried to overtake the Cameron land, but they have threatened to encroach on our lands as well. We must put a stop to it. Then there are the rumors that Geoff killed his brother to put his plan of overtaking us into motion. Mackintosh is finally here and we can put the question to him. What say ye, Mackintosh?”
Shaw had just taken a sip of his ale and gingerly set his cup on the table in front of him. He took his time, eyeing each man around the table. Most were allies except for MacPherson and the Frasers, although they weren’t allied, they weren’t rivals either. There had been no discord betwixt their clans—but that didn’t mean he trusted any of the men sitting around the table.