Page 59 of Bride Takes a Laird

“I want no strife between us, Lord Heatherington. To keep those who reside on Graham land safe, I insist you take the coins. My people will be unharmed and there will be no cause for you to attack us or take arms against any of our soldiers.”

“But My Lady—”

She wouldn’t allow him to speak. “Just take the coins and be gone.”

“I cannot take your coins.”

Kendra scoffed at him. “Why not? You wrote to me and threatened to besiege my home. You insisted that I return the coins and suggested that you would destroy us. Now I have returned the bride price as you bade. Why won’t you take them?”

“Because, My Lady, your husband already repaid the debt. He wrote to me some time ago and sent me the coins to repay the bride price your father accepted. I cannot take your coins because he told me that he would seek retribution if I did.”

“My husband…?” Kendra tilted her head to the side. “Magnus repaid the debt?”

Ellish grinned and nodded. His smile was filled with kindness and not his usual wolfish grin. “Aye, he did. There is no debt, My Lady, to repay. ’Tis the truth, I am not so angry about losing you now. Though I wish we had married for we would have made strong children. I have married another lass and I’m most pleased with the arrangement.” He turned and with a wave, walked to the exit.

Kendra followed him. “I am gladdened to hear that you are happily married, Ellish. I shall come to meet your wife when I can. It would be the neighborly thing to do, to offer a welcome.”

He took her hand and almost raised it to his lips. “I would rather you did not for she would be envious of your beauty.” She stood still and somewhat shocked at the manor’s entry and Ellish seemed to hesitate to leave. “If you ever need aid, as your neighbor, My Lady, Iwill be obliged to come. You have only to send word. I will leave you now.” He didn’t wait for her farewell but left hastily.

Kendra watched him saunter to his horse, mount it, and ride off. As she stood there, a light snow began to fall. She held out her hand and glanced at John when he stepped beside her. “Did Magnus tell you that he paid the debt?”

John shook his head. “Nay and I did not think he knew about it. How did he find out? Maybe Heatherington wrote to him or the king might have told him. You’ll have to ask him, My Lady, when next you see him.”

Kendra’s shoulders slumped. If she ever saw him again, she might ask him about it. When next she saw Magnus, she would force him to take the coins. The last thing she wanted was to be indebted to him for her father’s misdoing. It was only right that he allow her to repay him.

“Come, My Lady, the snow falls heavier. We should get inside. I think a storm is coming. I’ll see to the manor’s fires and ensure all is battened down.”

“Thank you, John.” Kendra returned to the table and finished eating. By the time she sought her bed, John had secured all the windows, refilled the hearths with firewood, and directed the soldiers to secure the walls.

Kendra opened the wooden shutter in her bedchamber and shook as the chill overtook her. She peered out into the night and shielded her eyes against the heavy snow that blew inside. The storm ramped up and the ground was now covered in white. There was no returning to Magnus now. Travel would be impossible.

Chapter Twenty-Four

As Magnus approachedLillith’s cottage, a cold wind blew and a light snow fell. He needed to make haste and get back home before it became too difficult to travel. He dismounted near the wall and released the reins of the additional horse he’d brought along for Jake. With a stomp forward, he reached the door, rapped on the worn wood, and the door was opened.

Lillith smiled in greeting. “Laird Cameron, I was wondering when you would darken my doorstep again and here ye are. My but ’tis cold enough to freeze your nose. Come inside and get warm. I just made a hot broth and bread.”

Hayden followed him inside and stood near the doorway.

Magnus looked for Jake on the cot where he’d last seen him but his brother wasn’t there. “Where is Jake? Has he…?” He couldn’t form the words to ask his question. A sense of despair washed over him. If he lost his brother, Magnus couldn’t fathom how his clan would react. They still mourned one of his brothers and the last thing he needed was to lose another.

“He’s gone to fetch water for me,” Lillith said.

“So he has recovered?” Magnus glanced at where the MacKendrick soldier had rested but he too was gone.

“Aye, he is still a wee bit sore but has made little complaint. I deem he is well enough to go home. He might take a bit more time to healcompletely though.” Lillith busied herself at her table and started to grind herbs in a small vessel. “If ye wish for broth and bread, help yourself.”

Magnus shook his head at her offer. “What of the MacKendrick soldier, Trevor, did he survive?” He hoped so because he admired Trevor and thought he was an amiable fellow.

“He recovered and returned home when his laird had the fall festival. I wanted to thank ye for sending along those herbs I had asked for. It was appreciated and helped a great deal in tending to the men. How are ye, Laird Cameron? I heard ye had married At least, that is what Jake told me. Is life treating ye well?”

Magnus grunted at her question. Though he was sound and whole, inside he was hollow and miserable. He still hadn’t found the two missing men after searching for them for many moon rises. Not only that, but he despaired at what to do about Kendra. He should have gone to her long ago when he’d first learned she’d returned home. Was his absence giving her the idea that he cared not? He certainly hoped that wasn’t the case. Yet there was no time to fetch her, not with his duty to his clan pressing upon him.

“Laird Cameron? Did ye hear me? I asked—”

“I heard ye, Lillith. I am well enough. I need to get Jake and return home before the snow hampers us. How far do ye think he went? I should go after him.” As he spoke, the door opened and his brother stepped inside, carrying a bucket of water.

“Magnus, ye are here. I thought I recognized the horses.” Jake set the bucket by the door, marched to him, and clasped his hand. “’Tis good to see ye, Laird.”