Page 73 of Bride Takes a Charmer
“Lister… Ye are acquainted with my wife, Lady Sorsha?”
“Aye, I am. If that be all? My mistress expects my return.”
“I see. Well, ye shall be reunited with your lady soon. Await in my tent when my men erect it and I will send Aela to ye.” Shaw turned and traipsed toward the MacPherson soldiers.
Beyond them stood the laird’s tent. He nodded to the guards and entered to see a meeting in progress. Shaw approached a table where an unfolded parchment spread wide across the wooden top; the other lairds stood around looking at it.
“So, ye finally arrived, Mackintosh,” Alan MacPherson said. “What took ye so long? We have awaited ye for a sennight.”
“I was unfortunately delayed. Catch me up on the details of the siege.” Shaw listened to the men as each interjected and gave their view of how the attack should progress. While he waited for them to come to an agreement, he opened the parchment that Lister had given him and read:
Mackintosh, there is an imminent threat to Lady Sorsha’s life. I beseech ye to come at once so I can tell you what I have learned. I fear to put my name to this parchment lest it be intercepted. The lad will tell you who I am. Come at once to the village near Tor. I will be at the baker’s stall.
It was left unsigned. Shaw felt the pulling of his brows as he read the lines. What news did the woman have and what threat was made against Sorsha now? He would have to postpone the fray until he met with the woman to find out. There had to be a good enough reason to request a delay and he racked his mind to think of one.
He cleared his throat and called for quiet. “Listen, a moment… I say we await darkness and then we can ambush the Chattans when they least expect it.”
Alan MacPherson grumbled. “’Tis not a fair idea, Shaw. Surely they will spot our tents long before we march on to theirfief. Their sentry has probably already spotted us. ’Tis too big a risk.”
“I need a wee bit of time before we go forth. Maybe we can march on but await until I give the signal to attack. I will hasten back to Tor and will meet ye as soon as I can.” Shaw was about to leave when Alan stopped him.
“What is so important that ye must depart?”
“I received a message from someone inside Tor. It must be important and I mean to meet them before we take to arms. Go and get the men readied. I will come as soon as I am able. If ye need to call the men to arms before I return then do so.” He wouldn’t let the men be in jeopardy because of him. If it were necessary to fight, he wouldn’t be the reason they delayed. “I will go and try to make it back before darkness settles on the land and join the attack.”
Shaw rushed back to where his men set up their camp. He found his horse tethered with the other horses and quickly got him ready for the trek to the village.
When he mounted his horse, Trey trotted toward him. “Laird, where ye going?”
“I need to go to the village. Get the men ready. Follow MacPherson’s soldiers and I shall meet ye there, at Tor.” Shaw nudged his horse forward but Trey stepped in front of him.
“At least let me go with ye or take one of the soldiers.”
“Nay, I will be quick, Trey. Do your duty and call the men to arms. I will not be long.” He didn’t wait for his commander’s acceptance and rode away.
Night sounds allayed his restless spirit as he rode through the woodland. Shaw kept near the lane but moved covertly lest there be an ambush. Henny’s lessons had reminded him that he should be on guard. Although he trusted the message he received was from Aela, he couldn’t be certain.
On the approach to the village, Shaw noted the people milling about. It was early evening and most had closed their shops for the day or ended their business in the village. He searched for the baker’s cottage and peered at a sign that readBakery Goods. He rode around the building and dismounted at the back. There was an entry there and he decided it would probably be better if he used the back door.
Fortunately, it wasn’t locked and he opened the heavy door. Shaw stepped inside and the dark foyer led to the larger area of the bakery. Scents of bread and other goods reminded him that he hadn’t eaten and his stomach grumbled.
A tall, thin woman almost bumped into him when he passed through the small hallway. She gasped and set her hands on her chest. Her blue eyes widened in shock at seeing him.
“Apologies, Mistress. I am meeting a woman here by the name of Aela. Is she within?”
The woman nodded and without speaking, pointed to a door.
Shaw listened for the sound of others but heard no one. He approached the door but before he entered, he pulled a dagger from the sheath at his waist. Best be prepared for any eventuality. In a quick motion, he turned the door latch and thrust the door open. The sound of a woman’s gasp came but before he could speak to her, he inspected the small chamber. There was one lone worktable within, a large basket of bread loaves, and a small oven to one side. No one else was there and he lessened his guard.
“I am Laird Mackintosh.”
“Oh, gracious…” She bowed. “I…I am Aela and sent you the message.”
“I received it, Mistress. I bade Lister stay behind and he awaits ye in my tent. My Lady wife Sorsha is safe and well protected at my fief. Now, tell me why ye insisted that I comeand what threat do ye speak of?” Shaw’s stomach grumbled again at the heavenly scent of the bread but he ignored it.
Aela’s brown eyes lowered and she turned away from him. She grabbed a loaf of bread from a basket on the floor and took a knife. “You must be hungry for I hear your stomach bemoaning. Here, eat, and I shall tell you what I overheard.”
Shaw leaned against the table and took a slice of the bread. It was delicious and he almost groaned at the taste of it.