Page 50 of Bride takes a Scot
“I will not forget.” Declan kissed her cheek before he left her at the family cottage. He walked with spry steps toward the training field.
Two hundred men stood facing Anse when he called their attention. Declan raised his hand, and all ceased talking. He proudly surveyed his warriors. There was much he wanted to say to them, and it was time he addressed them about a few pertinent matters.
“MacKendrick soldiers, you know I was accused of murdering Allan Campbell.”
His men’s voices rose and bellowed their objection at hearing his words.
“No murder was committed by me. I seek the truth and will find the knave who betrayed me. When I find him, we shall prevail. With your arms, we will take on whatever clan dared to insult us with such blatant lies.”
His men clamored and their cheers rose. Declan raised his hand calling for silence once again. “Ye also know that I recently married by the king’s order. I cannot say I am displeased with my bonny wife. Lady MacKendrick is now your lady, and ye will all protect her with your life. Any slight done to her is done to me.”
His men bowed their heads and placed their fisted hands over their hearts indicating their acceptance and vow.
“You have all trained hard these past months and your swords are ready to take up the fight against our foe. While I ferret out this miscreant, I bid ye to help the farmers. Reap the harvest, take time to rest but be ready to be called to arms.” Declan would tell those soldiers who needed additional training privately what he wanted them to do.
Anse raised his fist in the air and shouted, “Virtue alone ennobles.”
His men repeated their motto, and all bowed their heads when they passed by him.
Declan was pleased by their loyalty. After the men left, he stood with Anse and considered what else he needed to tend to. He thought of Rhona. That discussion would be difficult for him, and so he delayed it.
“What is wrong with ye? I asked ye two times when we are going to leave to meet with Robbie Campbell. The fortnight has almost passed. We should make plans to secure the keep and make ready to head out.” Anse shoved him.
“I…my apologies, Anse. My mind is elsewhere.”
“What plagues ye?”
“I did an unbecoming thing last eve to Isabella.” Declan never kept anything from his cousin and that he confessed to such a grievous sin to Anse tensed his shoulders. “I do not know how to make amends with her over it, och she does not seem as angry as she should be.”
“Women are a wonder, Laird. Mayhap she is not angry at all. I say leave it be. If ye apologized and she accepted it, then there is naught more to make amends over.”
He supposed what Anse said was true and yet Declan was angry with himself for letting his ire get the better of him. “We should leave for Campbell’s fief in two days. We will take about ten men with us. Select them and ensure they are ready. Whilst Iam gone, I want Isabella protected. Whoever put that rat in our bed has not been found.”
Anse nodded. “Lorcan will continue to watch her while we are gone, and I will leave Slone to look after the clan.”
“Nay, you should stay here. Slone should come with me, and you should stay here. I want someone here I completely trust.” He set his hand on his commander’s shoulder. “With ye here, I can focus on the matter at hand.”
Anse scowled and appeared displeased until he praised him. “Aye, very well then, Laird. Just promise me, if ye find our foe, ye will not attack without me. I want to be there when ye stick your sword in him, whoever the hell he is.”
His cousin spoke so fervently that it fueled Declan’s desire to settle the discord. He liked not that his clan was on alert, that someone threatened his sweet wife, or falsely accused him of foul deeds. Impatience caused him to be irate with everyone. Declan wasn’t usually so difficult or demanding and now it was worse because he was being so with Isabella. His irascible behavior was inexcusable.
Declan nodded to Anse and walked toward the keep. It was time to get his conversation with Rhona over and done with. On his walk toward his cottage, he spotted Isabella standing with Claude. His brother seemed much happier since he allowed his withdrawal from the army. Whatever they discussed made them laugh. Noah played at their feet on the ground, but happily. Isabella affected everyone around her. All seemed merrier since she’d come and a joyous mien had settled amongst his clan.
He gave a nod to Isabella as he passed and entered the cottage. It was quiet. He expected to find Helena in the living area, but she wasn’t there. Declan knocked on Rhona’s door and she bade him entry. He opened the door and found her sitting in a chair by the window.
“Sister…”
“I have not left the cottage,” she said in a low tone.
“Nay? I should not have punished ye so harshly.” When she didn’t retort to him, he sighed. “I have come to tell ye that I give my permission for ye to marry Willeli. I will speak to him and tell him of my decision.”
Rhona stood so quickly that the chair slid back. “Why…? What made ye change your mind?”
“My wife. She is far more intelligent about these matters than I am. She told me that ye are a grown woman now and that I should not refute your happiness. Will marrying Willeli make you happy?”
Rhona rushed at him and clasped her arms around him. “Aye, brother, more than ye know. When can we have the wedding?”
He set his hands gently on her shoulders and pressed her away. “I must go to the Campbells and am not certain when I shall return. Perhaps when we have the harvest festival. That would be a good time to take your vows, since all the clan will be called together. We can have the gathering by the loch where we used to have such celebrations.”