Page 7 of Bride Takes a Laird (Highland Vows & Vengeance #2)

A s the gates came into view, Magnus’s first thought was that he could now get back to finding his brother’s murderer and seeking vengeance. He would settle Kendra and her father and then meet with his brothers and find out what they had learned, if anything, about Ned’s last actions and days. His brothers, Wyren and Jake, were tasked with asking questions of Ned’s closest comrades. They should have made some progress by now since it had been over a fortnight since he’d been gone.

Throughout the ride home, he’d thought he might have a run-in with the Chattans, but fortunately, they stayed on their lands. His wife kept to herself and spoke little to him. She was a demure lass and had such a grace about her. Magnus realized the more time he spent with her, the more he appreciated her reserved nature. He couldn’t help but also notice her beauty. She appealed to him with her fair hair, bonny blue eyes, and tempting body. Yet he couldn’t allow her to distract him. His duty was of the utmost importance and nothing would detract him from it, not even a wife.

With her father and his soldier along on the journey, he couldn’t do as he’d hoped and consummate their marriage. Did he want to now, with the vow of finding Ned’s murderer hanging over him? He’d been ordered by the king to make the marriage legitimate and—he nodded to himself—he would see to it and soon. Once that duty was fulfilled, he could attend to the pledge he’d made to his clan—finding Ned’s murderer.

At the gate, Craig, the gate watchman bellowed, Let Us Unite , bowed his head, and bade the others to open the gate. Magnus was gladdened to see they followed orders and kept the gates closed whilst he’d been away. He returned the chant they often used to greet each other or to call the Cameron soldiers to arms.

As soon as they reached the keep’s courtyard, Magnus dismounted. He helped Kendra from her horse and gave her a few moments to stand before he released her. Holding her lightened him and even though riding through the gates had tensed him, he felt comforted being close to her which was a strange sensation since he’d never sought reassurance from anyone.

“There is no room for your father in the main keep. He will need to stay elsewhere.” Magnus peered about his home, searching for Wyren or his closest comrades. He wanted reports as soon as possible and needed to find out what had happened while he was away.

Kendra took hold of his tunic sleeve and stopped him from moving away. “I don’t want to be separated from my father. Can we not stay in a cottage nearby?”

Magnus shook his head. “My wife stays with me.”

“But Papa will be confused. I will worry for him and cannot look out for him. He’ll wander off and get lost,” she explained in a tone that thickened with emotion.

“He will stay in a cottage near my grandda’s and has his attendant to look after him.” Instead of giving her the details, he motioned her forward. Magnus would command, need be, that his grandda would look after her father too. His grandda boasted about being bored since leaving the keep and the men would get on well together. At least, he surmised they would, given they were around the same age. He wondered briefly how old Kendra’s father had been when he’d sired her. Lord Graham had to be already aged then and appeared more akin to her grandfather rather than her father.

“I cannot agree to that,” she said softly. “I must look after him. He is my responsibility.”

“And ye are now mine. I am also now your responsibility, Kendra. Best ye remember that. He will be safe enough. Ye worry too much.” Magnus peered at her hand, still clutching his garment, and decided to explain. “My grandda, Hugh, is aged and lives in a cottage at the far end of the island but his mind is sound and he is spry for his age. He is more than capable of looking after your da and would be honored to be given the task. There’s an empty cottage next to his that your father and his attendant can stay in. Worry not for him.”

“I like not that you deem it a task. My father was once a spry man too and noble. Now we are asking your grandda to watch him as if he is a child.”

“I am only trying to relieve your concern. My grandda will befriend him and your da will enjoy staying in the cottage. They will do well together.”

“Will my father be safe?” Her eyes implored him. “I don’t want him walking off. He’s done so before and was lost. He is in an unfamiliar place, even so, he’d often become disoriented at home, and being in an unknown place will likely unsettle him.” She released his tunic and stepped back, lowering her eyes.

Magnus didn’t like the look of defeat on her bonny face. He raised her chin with the tip of his finger. “The island is mostly walled in and the exits are guarded. Your da cannot get out without someone seeing him or allowing his exit.”

A small smile settled on her sweet lips. “Very well, but can we ensure the guards keep him within the walls? Papa has been known to wander and when he wants to abscond…”

“Fear naught because my guards are most effective at their duty. Come, we’ll take him to my grandda’s now, and after, I will have my brother alert the guards,” Magnus instructed Winston to bring Lord Graham’s satchel and to follow. The attendant, John, rushed forward to take his master’s belongings from the soldier. Magnus walked along the lane with Kendra and returned the greetings from his clan with a nod. Behind them, her maid, Lord Graham, his attendant, and Winston trailed along.

Kendra, he noticed, smiled at the passersby but she held on to his arm in a death grip. “Your land is beautiful and serene. But are all within your clan of a stern nature? Why are they so angry? Or is it me that causes their displeasure?”

“Ye could not displease anyone, lass. Nay, there is another reason for their hostility.” Magnus hadn’t noticed the sternness of his clansmen and women until she pointed it out. He knew well why they were ireful. “They are not usually of foul temperment but they have good reason to be angry. One of our clansmen was killed recently and his death has not been avenged.”

“Your brother,” she said and turned her face to him. “I am sorry, Magnus, that you lost your brother. You don’t know who killed him?”

“Nay, not yet.” He didn’t elaborate or say anything else about Ned’s murder. The last thing he wanted to do was frighten her. Who knew if they had a knave within the clan? Until he found Ned’s murderer, he would be diligent and would ensure she was protected. He considered putting Winston on duty to see to his wife’s protection when he wasn’t around. Magnus had to give it more thought before he decided.

To lighten the mood, and to give her something else to think about, he took her hand and said, “My clan is large, but my direct family members mostly live within the fief. My mother and father live there, as well as my brother Jake. There’s a handful of servants who also reside within. Wyren, my other brother lives with his wife, Marny, and their bairn, Hale, in a cottage close by.”

“You are fortunate to have family surrounding you. It’s always been Papa, me, and Aston. Aston wasn’t ever home. My father either until recently.”

“Ye were left alone?” Magnus didn’t like hearing that.

“I had servants who looked after me.”

“Your mother?” he asked, knowing the possible answer, but still, he wanted her to tell him.

“She died when I was very young. Papa never remarried and said that no other woman would hold his heart. It had always been the three of us. Papa was often away but age recently has kept him at home. Aston travels now and offers his sword.”

“If it is family ye want, lass, mine is rather large and intrusive. I warn ye, my mother will be most attentive as she is with all her children, except me. I am certain ye will like her. My da too for that matter.” He released her hand when they had to divert around a tree that sat in the middle of the lane that led to his grandfather’s cottage.

The walk didn’t take long. Ahead, the one-room dwelling sat a stone’s throw from the wall’s back gate. His grandda sat outside with his back against a thick tree trunk with a stalk of wheat sticking from his mouth. Hugh Cameron was usually cantankerous, but this day, he appeared relaxed and agreeable.

“Grandda, I have brought you some company,” he said as he approached and helped his grandfather to stand by taking his hand.

“Magnus, my lad, ye are home at last. ’Tis sad tidings for your ma still mourns Ned. I doubt she shall come out of it anytime soon. How did your travel to Edinburgh go?”

He bowed his head to his elder. “The king insisted that I marry. Aye, this is my wife, Kendra. Kendra, this is my grandda, Laird Hugh.”

“Laird Hugh,” she said and genuflected to him.

“Married? Och, well this is wonderful news. Remind me to tell ye the one about the laird and his new wife,” his grandda said and grinned. He was always one for telling a jest and had the best stories, some of which were rather raucous and not for tender ears. His grandda tossed the stalk of wheat to the ground and stuck out his hand. Kendra placed her hand in his. His grandda raised her hand and almost kissed her knuckles. “What a bonny lass ye have wed, lad. Milady, please call me ‘Hugh’ for I have not been the laird for a good many years.”

“Only if you call me ‘Kendra’.”

His grandda chortled. “And who is this man?”

“This is my father, Lord Rupert Graham.”

“Lord Graham. Have ye come to see your bonny lass settled?” his grandda asked.

“Rupert,” her da said and extended his hand. “’Tis the truth for I know not why I am here or who these people are. Have I been summoned?”

Kendra took her father’s hand and seemed to try to soothe him. “Nay, Papa, you’re here to help get me settled before you return home, remember?”

“Oh,” Rupert said and his gaze meandered around him.

“I want him to stay in the empty cottage next to yours, Grandda,” Magnus explained. “There is no room at the fief and Kendra will be comforted to know ye will help his man look after him.” He motioned to his grandda and pulled him aside so Kendra and her father couldn’t hear him. “He is a wee bit maddened, disremembers, and oft wanders off. She worries for him. Will you look after him whilst he is here, as a favor to me?”

“Of course, lad, of course. I had a comrade once who had the same malady. Poor chap died only a year later when his memory faltered. Worry naught for her father. I will ensure he is kept safe.”

Magnus returned to Kendra. “Lord Graham, this is where you will stay whilst ye are here. There’s plenty of room for ye and your attendant. My grandda will show ye around, too.”

“I shall come and see you on the morrow and make sure…” Kendra said to her father, but he disregarded her and stepped inside the cottage without a farewell. The attendant followed. Kendra’s gaze lo wered. She appeared to want to weep at having to leave her da and yet she forced herself to remain strong. A sense of pride hit him when he noticed her strength.

Magnus held out his hand. “Come, let us get ye settled and have some supper before we turn in for the night. I’m sure ye will want to rest after the long journey.” She walked beside him and he sensed she was tense. He would be too if he was going to a new home where he knew no one. With that, he wrapped his arm around her waist and slowed his pace. “I promise ye, sweetheart, my family will come to care for ye. They are loyal to me and all within our clan.”

“I am certain that I shall like them,” she said and kept her eyes lowered.

Her maid and Winston followed but kept a few paces behind.

“Winston, will ye show Mistress…” Magnus had forgotten what her servant’s name was.

“Linet,” Kendra supplied.

“Oh, aye, Mistress Linet where the maidservants stay. There’s a cottage behind the fief where the servants reside. Ye can find a bed there. And Winston, bring our satchels after and put them in my chamber.”

His attendant nodded and motioned to the maid to follow him.

Alone now, at the fief entrance, he opened the door and guided Kendra inside. At the hall’s opening, he noticed his parents at the large trestle table. Supper had just been laid in the center and the scent of pottage wafted to him. He was hungry and looked forward to a good meal.

“Perfect timing. We’ll eat before we settle in our chamber.” Magnus cleared his throat and called to them. “Ma, Da… I would like ye to meet my wife, Kendra.”

“Magnus, lad, ye got married? This is quite a surprise. Is that what the king wanted? Oho, dear lass, welcome. What a lovely woman ye are.” His father stood and extended his hand .

Kendra clasped his father’s hand and smiled.

His mother also stood but she wasn’t as pleased with his news. A solemness remained in her gaze. “Did the king know anything about Ned’s murder?”

“Nay, Mother, the king knew of it, though, and passed on his condolences. Alexander asked me to take this lovely lass’s hand in marriage, amongst other things,” Magnus said, but would wait to explain the other matters the king bade of him.

Kendra bowed. “Milady Cameron.”

“I am Lady Faye. All call me ‘Lady Faye’.” His mother dipped her chin but remained unsmiling.

“Lady Faye, I am pleased to meet you.” Kendra slightly curtseyed to his mother.

Magnus motioned to his father. “This is my da, Laird Stanton.”

“Laird Stanton, it is my pleasure,” Kendra said.

His father shook his head. “Stan will do well enough, lass, for I am not the laird any longer, not since my son recently took over. I’m gladdened for it.”

Magnus chuckled because his grandda had just retorted the same to her.

The door banged and his brother Jake entered. He had a falcon perched on his shoulder and grinned in greeting. “Magnus, ye finally returned.”

“Oh, dear lord, get that vile creature out of here!” His mother shrieked at his brother and frowned. “How many times have I told ye not to bring those foul animals and birds in here?”

The falcon flapped its wings but stayed resting on his brother’s shoulder. “I am not keeping him here but am taking him to Vincent. It has a wounded wing and cannot fly. I will leave right after supper.”

Magnus appreciated his brother’s care of animals and he’d often taken those that needed care or aid to Vincent, a healer of animals and the stable master. Even as a wee lad, his brother brought home any animal that he’d found. Usually, his mother forbade him from keeping them inside but if Jake had his way, he’d keep them all. He introduced his brother to Kendra, “And this is Jake, my youngest brother. He has recently become a seasoned soldier within our regiment of men.”

She bowed her head. “Jake.”

“Welcome, Milady. Magnus, it is good to have ye home.” Jake took a trencher and piled on bread, cheese, and pieces of meat he’d probably give to the falcon. “I am going to head to Vincent’s and then the garrison and will stay there this night.” Jake bowed to him and left.

“He’s been staying more oft in the garrison of late,” his da said.

It was time for explanations. His parents implored him with their gazes to explain what happened in Edinburgh and there was no time like the present. “Alexander married off several Highlanders to border lasses. I got to choose my bride,” he said and kept his gaze fixed on Kendra. “I was fortunate to win her hand.”

Magnus motioned her to the table. He sat next to her, and they ate and made small talk. He gave the details of his meeting with Alexander and what the king had asked of him and the clan. His father of course was inquisitive and asked Kendra questions about her family, where she lived, and how she was raised. Satisfied with her answers, he finally quieted. His mother spoke little which was so unlike her, but he suspected mourning kept her silent. Usually, she was the talkative one, and his father was the quiet one.

After the meal, Magnus stood and waited for Kendra. “I will show ye where we shall sleep.”

She followed him to their bedchamber on the second level of the fief. Magnus had a spacious solar and was given it when he was named the laird. He often held meetings within the antechamber and attended to many of his duties there. To the one side, the vastness afforded a large bed, trunks, a good-sized hearth, and a table with a chair. An arched opened wall led to the area that had an extensive table where he handled correspondence or met with Wyren, or previously, with Ned, to go over clan matters. He opened the door for her and motioned her inside.

Kendra was quiet and he suspected that she was apprehensive. He crossed the chamber and when they reached the bed, he pulled her to sit next to him. “No one ever comes in here. Ye will have some privacy. If ye want to put your things in a trunk, there is an empty one there,” he said and pointed to the one next to the hearth.

“What is all that?” she asked and rose. She motioned to the numerous manuscripts that sat on the table in the antechamber. The manuscripts were piled high and overtook the surface of the table and among them were varied-sized coffers in which their coin was kept.

“The keep’s accounting.” He said no more, but seeing the manuscripts reminded him that he needed to go through them. Now that his clan was without a steward, he needed to replace Ned at the soonest because he had no time to devote to such a tiresome task. Until he could do so, he would keep the records in his solar for safekeeping. The weight of such a momentous task caused his concern. He should see to it soon because it was important to know where his clan stood on their wealth.

Kendra crossed the chamber and turned back to him. “It is a pleasant room.”

“Would you like a bath? I can have the servants bring a large tub for ye to…” Magnus didn’t continue his words when she nodded. “I will see to it. Why do ye not get settled and take your rest? I must go and meet with the clan.”

Her voice came low, “I shall see you…then.”

He didn’t understand why she suddenly became coy, but then she was in his private room, in an unknown place. He supposed it would make a woman anxious. He crossed the floor and reached her. Magnus pulled her against him. His mouth found hers and he gave her a sensuous kiss. He didn’t want to cease kissing her soft lips, but he’d never finish his duty if he stayed. There were too many things he needed to do before he sought his pleasure or rest.

Magnus pulled away from her and smiled. “I shall see ye soon, sweetheart.” As he walked to the door, he chuckled to himself and shook his head. His wife’s kisses would definitely be a distraction. Whenever he touched her, his body came alive. Desire almost overrode his good sense because he was willing to forgo his duty just to spend time with her. Even now, he didn’t plan to be long at his tasks.

On the way to his brother’s cottage, he stopped at the kitchen, an overly large stoned building that was divided into various rooms. The large, main room held two hearths for cooking, tables, stools, and all the tools needed to prepare meals for the fief and their soldiers. The scents of meat and stews wafted through the chamber. He stopped before Ellen and directed a bath be sent to his chamber. Kendra’s servant stood with Ellen and said she would see to her lady. He thanked them and didn’t waste time in his effort to get his duties completed.

Outside, Magnus headed for Wyren’s cottage. He rapped at the door and waited. He could hear his infant nephew’s wails from within. His brother opened the door and waved him inside, but Magnus shook his head. “’Tis probably better if we speak out here where we can hear each other.” He had jested but his brother frowned.

Wyren stepped through the doorway, with his bairn in his arms, and closed the door behind him. He turned to him and yawned widely, covering it with a quick hand. “Take him for a wee bit.” He thrust Hale at him.

Magnus grunted at being forced to hold his nephew. Hale squirmed in his hold until Magnus told him to cease. At once, the bairn’s wails ended and he peered at him as if he knew who he was. “Aye, he already obeys his laird.” He chuckled at his jest and still, the bairn remained quiet.

“Can we make this hasty? I need some shut-eye. ”

“Is Hale still keeping ye awake at night? What is wrong with him? Is he sickly?” He held Hale in the air and eyed him. “He appears healthy.”

Wyren scowled and pressed his hands over his face. “There is nothing wrong with him. He is a bairn and just a wee bit fussy. All bairns are fussy. He shall settle down soon. I just want him to sleep through the forsaken night.” He yawned again. “God willing.”

“I sure hope he does for your sake,” Magnus said as he leaned against the large stone that abutted his brother’s cottage and settled Hale in the crook of his arm.

“Aye, so ye have returned, eh? Ye were gone longer than I expected. What did Alexander want?” His brother pressed his eyes and then rubbed his palms over his face.

Magnus grunted. “More than I was willing to give. He forced me to take a bride.”

Wyren chortled loud enough to be heard by the clansmen and women in the nearest cottages. “A bride? Ye jest? And what did ye say to that? Did ye outright laugh in his face?”

“What the hell do ye think I did? I married the woman and I am…” Magnus took a breath to settle himself and glared hard at his brother who continued to laugh. He shushed his brother and inclined his head to Hale who had closed his eyes.

“Och, laddie, ye be blushing. I take it ye find this woman that Alexander married ye to, to your liking?” Wyren grinned as if he thought their conversation was comical.

“Aye, liking is putting it a wee bit mildly. There was also the benefit of no tax for a year though we must supply the king with soldiers when he deems to take Haakon’s lands. I do not suppose that will be for a while though since the king will be traveling to England for a long visit.”

“Your travel to Edinburgh was of importance then. Are ye happy ye are married? Ye did not answer me.” Wyren shoved his shoulder .

“Aye, Kendra is a bonny lass, reserved, graceful.”

Wyren raised a brow. “That is not what I meant. Are ye attracted to her?”

Magnus scoffed. “When ye see her, ye will get your answer. Now tell me, have ye found anything out about Ned’s disappearance or his murderer whilst I was gone?”

His brother shook his head. “’Tis strange. I questioned all of Ned’s friends, the watches, the sentry, and others. None recall him leaving the fief around the time he disappeared. I tried to gain a sense of his last days here and no one remembers who he was with or what he was doing. ’Tis as if he vanished until ye found him by the mountain. Whatever happened to Ned took place outside our walls. I have had the entire keep’s lands checked for any sign of blood or scuffle. I plan to head to the village to find out if anyone saw him there.”

“That is a fair idea. I will go with ye when ye trek to the village.”

Wyren laughed. “Are ye not going to be too busy with your new wife?”

“Is there anything else?” Magnus asked, ignoring his brother’s banter.

“Nay, nothing much happened whilst ye were gone. Ma has not been herself and mourns. Da told me that she hasn’t left the keep and stays within. He worries that she will make herself ill with her bereavement.”

“I noticed the sadness in her eyes,” Magnus said lowly. He was distressed that his mother was brokenhearted and knew she would remain so until he could enact vengeance for Ned’s death.

Wyren leaned against the low-lying wall and crossed his ankles. “The crofters continue the seasonal planting. We began the shearing of the sheep, about half were done and the wool will fetch a good amount of coin, the wall has been fortified, and the soldiers trained. All was quiet.”

Magnus leaned against the wall next to him. His brother handled his duty well and that surprised him because Magnus didn’t like giving up control. Yet he’d had no choice and the clan hadn’t fallen apart during his absence. “I see that the gates were kept closed.”

His brother nodded. “Aye, we kept them closed as ye bade. They were only opened for the sentry but otherwise remained shut. On market day, we allowed the clan’s men and women to exit the back entrance.”

“I will meet ye on the field in the morn to see how the training is going. Is Jake doing well? That lad has grown and surpassed us in height.” Magnus chuckled.

“Jake is a toughened soldier now, likely our fiercest. He is getting proficient with the sword. Perhaps we should promote him now that he’s a seasoned soldier and put him over some of the younger lads.”

Magnus agreed with a nod. “He could do with the added responsibility. I’ll consider it.”

“Aye, I have a few lads that could do with his guidance.” Wyren pressed his hands on his face and yawned again.

Magnus turned and had almost forgotten that he held Hale. He set his nephew in his brother’s arms and nodded. “I hope ye get some sleep this night.”

Wyren chortled and opened his cottage door, jarring his son. “Unlikely, not with my son’s wailing. I hope ye get some sleep this night too but with a new bride in the marriage bed, I doubt ye shall.” Wyren bellowed with laughter and slammed his door shut behind him. Hale’s wails began again the moment the door closed.

By the time he finished his conversation with Wyren, the sky had darkened. Magnus left his brother and strode back to the keep. It was quiet and his parents probably sought their beds. Inside the hall, he retrieved a pitcher of water and two cups. Taking the steps, he hurried to his bedchamber. He was impatient to see Kendra again. It had taken all his will to leave her while he gained his report.

He thrust the door open and expected to find Kendra in bed. Instead, she sat in a chair and he startled her. She nearly shot to her feet but then, seeing it was he, eased back in her seat. Magnus set the pitcher and cups on a small table near the bed and crossed the chamber. Being married was going to be a great disruption especially since he couldn’t, or rather, didn’t want to keep his hands off his lovely bride. The thought of consummating their marriage tensed his body. But before the night was through, he would get to touch her as he pleased. Finally.