Page 72 of Bride Takes a Charmer
Once the children left the room, she turned to face Shaw. “Please, tell me why you will war with the Chattans. It is not because of me, is it?”
“Our war with the Chattans is about ye, sweetheart, och it is also about justice. That Geoff used my sister and her husband to try to murder us… Geoff also dispatched his brother in order to overtake several clans’ lands hereabouts. The clans want to confront him before he has a chance to call upon his allies. They seek retribution for Rodick, who dealt fairly with them.” Shaw sighed and pressed his hand under her chin to raise her face. “My allies have their reasons and I have mine.”
“If you come across a maid called Aela, can you send her here?”
Shaw tilted his head as if questioning why.
Sorsha’s shoulders tensed in consideration of her maid being amid a war. “Aela went with me to Tor when I first married Rodick. She cared for me and was my mother’s maidservant. There is also a lad named Lister who attends her. Rodick made him work in the stables. He too was sent by my mother to care for me after I left my family. They are all I have from home.”
“I vow that I shall find them and send them to ye.”
She took a soothing breath and nodded. “I just want them safe.”
“And all I want is for ye to be safe. ’Tis a miracle ye were not killed.” Shaw gave her a light peck of a kiss on her lips. “Now I must go because my allies await me. Try not to worry, Sorsha. I will return when I can.”
After he disappeared through the threshold, she wiped away a tear from her eyelash. The thought of Shaw going to war with the Chattans worried her far more than he knew. Her apprehension wouldn’t cease until he returned. She prayed that it would be soon.
Chapter Twenty-Five
As Shaw madeready 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 toBraigh 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. Apeacefulness 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.