Journey to the Highlands: Robbie and Caralyn (Clan Grant Series Book 4) (3 page)

Chapter Five

Caralyn paced back and forth not far from the path, making her way over every once in a while to see who was headed toward camp. She had tried to convince Captain Grant to take her with him, but to no avail.

Her concern was that he didn’t understand her lassies. Given her daughters’ experience with men, there was a chance they’d refuse to come back with the Highlanders, even if they managed to locate them. Thanks to Malcolm and his nasty friends, Gracie distrusted all men. When she mentioned this to Captain Grant, he had laughed and said, “How old is she? I think we can find a way to bring her back.”

So now she paced with worry. Even though her ankle pained her, she couldn’t stop her frenzied gait. One of the warriors had fashioned a large branch to help bear her weight, but she was too frantic with apprehension to slow down enough to use it. What would she do if he came back without her girls, what would she do next? What could she do?

This was all her fault. She did her best to be a good mother. Unfortunately, in order to take care of her daughters, she had been forced to make some difficult decisions. She had done some things she wasn’t exactly proud of, but her girls were doing well. They always had food in their bellies, and she had been able to keep up the small cottage they lived in until the Norse came along.

Her parents had died long ago, and her husband, Ashlyn’s sire, had been dead for several years, too. She had been on her own for a while. Life hadn’t been easy, but she did what she had to in order to survive. A cloud of dust stirred in the distance. Not moving from her spot by the path, she kept her eyes fixed on the movement until the horses came into her line of sight. As soon as she could tell Robbie Grant was in the lead, she held her breath, squinting in the sun to see if one or both of her girls was with him.

When she finally determined Gracie was in front of him, she jumped up and down, ignoring the pain in her ankle. Tomas was riding hard behind him, so Ashlyn had to be on the other horse. She hobbled down the lane, unable to contain her excitement. Tears of relief spilled down her cheeks as Robbie stopped his horse and handed Gracie down to her.

Caralyn sobbed. “Gracie, oh my wee Gracie.” She held her daughter to her chest, then tilted her head back so the wee one’s face was in front of her. “You are unhurt, my sweet?”

Gracie nodded, patted her mother’s cheek, and returned her thumb to her mouth. Ashlyn jumped down from Tomas’s horse and ran over to her mother. Caralyn clung to her eldest. “Lass, I am so proud of you. Thank you for taking care of your sister.”

After kissing her lasses several times, she made her way to Robbie Grant, who had tied up his horse and was already striding back to his officer’s tent. She grabbed his plaid from behind. “Captain Grant, please.”

Robbie stopped and spun around. “Caralyn, my apologies, I didn’t wish to interfere with your homecoming. I need to check on my men, then I’ll help you decide what your next step is from here.”

“Thank you, Captain Grant. From the bottom of my heart, I thank you for saving my bairns.”

Robbie smiled. “You raised them well, Caralyn. They managed to survive out there on their own.” Ashlyn had followed her, and he stopped speaking for long enough to pat the girl’s shoulder. “Your daughter did a fine job.”

Caralyn stared into Robbie’s gray eyes, struck again by his good looks. His brown hair was almost blonde, and he had a warmth in his eyes she was not used to seeing in men. His raw appeal caught her off-guard this time. Aye, there was something very different about Robbie Grant, though he would want nothing to do with her once he found out what she was.

***

Dundonald was displeased with Robbie’s plan, but ultimately he agreed to it.

The Highland warriors’ camp was presently northeast of Kilmarnock, and after discussing the matter with Caralyn, Robbie decided the best and safest place for her and the lassies was Glasgow. Dundonald had suggested a priory near the city. A known healer there could help Caralyn with her wounds.

Dundonald didn’t want to send Robbie with the warriors escorting the lass and her bairns. The high steward wanted him to be available to lead his men the instant fighting began. They received word there had been little movement by the Norsemen, however, so Dundonald allowed him to go. Robbie could ensure their safe travel to Glasgow, spend one night there, then return to camp within a day.

Robbie had to admit to himself that he wasn’t just leading the expedition because he could do it best. Having missed out on many of his brothers’ escapades, he now understood why saving someone held such meaning. He felt an unexpected and powerful need to protect Caralyn, Gracie, and Ashlyn. The feeling consumed him.

Ashlyn rode in front of Caralyn, and he noticed she kept an eye on everything Robbie did. Gracie had insisted in riding with him again, which had shocked Caralyn. The wee lass was asleep again on his lap, not the least bit concerned about where they were headed. After a time, Caralyn rode up next to him to check on her daughter, while Ashlyn made a point to peer at Gracie, too.

“Captain Grant,” she said. “If Gracie bothers you, please say so, and I will move her onto my horse.”

Robbie shook his head. How could such a wee thing bother him? “Och, she is no trouble, lass.” He suspected he knew Caralyn’s true motivation for making the offer. “You can trust me. I would hope you would know that by now. I have several nieces and nephews.”

She stared straight ahead, as regal as any queen. Her brown hair was neatly plaited, revealing a face exquisite enough to transfix a man, but her green eyes were keen and watchful for her girls. She didn’t allow the bruises to affect her countenance, though many of them must still pain her. She reminded him of a wild cat when it came to her daughters. How had she survived these hard times without anyone to protect her?

She heaved a sigh. “Aye, you have done much for me and my daughters. I just have trouble trusting men sometimes.”

“Understood, especially after your most recent experience, but I suspect ‘tis more than that. Anything you would like to share?” he asked, though he didn’t expect an answer.

“Nay, there is naught to tell.” Strands of hair escaped her plait and danced around her face. Saints above, she was a beauty. She seemed oblivious to her looks, or perhaps she just didn’t care. She wasn’t the type to search out a man’s attention.

“You have no family in the area? What happened to your parents?”

“They died a long time ago. I do really miss them, especially my mama. It saddens me that my girls have never known their grandparents. How my mama would have cherished her granddaughters. She was the sweetest woman.”

“Gracie’s sire? Is he the reason she fears men?” He watched her reaction to his question, and it was quick, too quick.

“What would you know about Gracie’s father?” The fury in her eyes let him know the lass had a temper. It also told him much about what she thought of the lass’s sire.

“Naught. I just noticed he isn’t around.”

“I can take care of myself and my girls. At least, before the Norsemen came.”

“You have done a fine job of raising your girls alone.” Robbie dropped the subject, not wanting to fire her temper in front of Ashlyn.

Aye, he was certain Caralyn had been misused in the past, and that thought sparked even more feelings in his gut. He understood his desire to protect her and the wee lasses, but this was more than that… more than he wanted to admit. He had men to lead into battle. This was no time for him to get turned around over a lass. But he had vowed to help her and he wouldn’t back down now.

In spite of the terrible timing, he felt the need to know her better. It wasn’t just about her appearance—though she had a face and body to die for—he had to applaud and admire a lass who was a fighter, one who did all she could for her family. She’d survived unspeakable adversity and come out stronger.

Darkness had descended about an hour past when they finally located the priory where Dundonald had sent them. Robbie stood at the gate and explained their purpose, Gracie sound asleep over his shoulder, before the guard opened the gates and allowed them in.

As they pushed open the gates, a nun came along and issued clear instructions. “Your men sleep in the stables, my lord. We will find you a chamber and arrange for some food for your men. We do not have much, but we will share.”

Robbie nodded his thanks and sent his men off in the direction of the stables. After helping Caralyn and Ashlyn to dismount, he handed Gracie over to her mother. He glanced at the surrounding area to see if all looked safe. Two or three guards were visible, but no one else stood out except a few nuns roaming the grounds.

The group followed the old woman inside the priory and down a drafty passageway, sparsely lit with dancing torches. Ashlyn moved closer to her mother and clutched her hand. Gracie continued to sleep.

The woman ushered them into a small hall and they settled at a table while the nun left to summon the prioress, promising to bring back some food for Robbie. He smiled at Caralyn and she glanced away, running her fingers through Ashlyn’s hair.

“Mama, I am hungry.” Ashlyn slumped next to her mother on the bench.

“Hush, love. We will eat with the sisters in a few moments, I am sure. Captain Grant will eat alone after we are taken to our chamber for the night.” Caralyn glanced at Robbie. “I thank you for escorting us here, my lord.”

“Robbie, please. I am no lord, I am from the Highlands.”

“As you wish, Captain. You seem like nobility to me.” She looked up into his eyes as she said it.

“Caralyn, I must admit, I wish circumstances were different so we could get to know each other better.” He stared into her green eyes, hoping to see more than just appreciation for his role in saving her and her daughters.

“Captain Grant, I would like that as well, but you are from the Highlands, and I am from the Lowlands. You won’t be here long.”

He thought he caught a flicker of longing in her eyes, but it disappeared before it could take life. “I would love to show you the Highlands. Have you ever been?”

“Nay, but I hear it is lovely.” A hesitant smile crossed her face.

He reached over and brushed the back of his fingers across her bruised cheek. “I wish I had been there sooner.”

“You have already done more for us than anyone has.” She reached up and covered his hand with hers, closing her eyes as she leaned into his caress.

Robbie, totally puzzled, said, “How could that be? A lovely lass with two beautiful daughters? Ashlyn said your husband died a while ago. What happened?”

She shook her head, “A fishing accident.”

The door opened and the prioress strode in, followed by several nuns. A tall woman with a kind yet serious face, Robbie guessed one did not argue with her much. The nuns behind her stood quietly, awaiting her instructions. She bowed to Robbie. “Good evening, my lord. Sisters, please help with the bairns.” She stood back and waved her arms to hasten her assistants.

Robbie and Caralyn both stood. Caralyn gripped Ashlyn’s hand. “Nay, please. I would like to keep my bairns with me.”

The look of panic on Caralyn’s face made the prioress pause. She came closer, searching Caralyn’s face. “Did you say your bairns, my lady? Not you and your husband’s bairns?”

Caralyn shook her head and laughed nervously. “Nay, this man isn’t my husband. These are my daughters, Gracie and Ashlyn.”

The prioress clasped her hands in front of her. “Pardon me, your spirits are similar. I thought you a couple.” Her hand reached over and gently lifted Caralyn’s chin, turning her face so she could view her in the light of the nearby torch. “He is not the man who made these bruises, I hope?”

Caralyn blushed. “Nay, Your Grace, he saved me from the man who hit me. Our cottage has been burned to the ground and we have nowhere else to go.”

Robbie added, “I am Captain Robbie Grant of the Grant Highlanders. We came from the coastline. The Norse are in the firth waiting to land with thousands of men. Caralyn is a victim of one of King Haakon’s galley ships that came ashore south of Ayr. The safest place for her family right now is inland.”

The prioress’s voice softened. “And I see the young lady needs a healer right now. And there are many here to help you with the bairns while you heal.” The prioress clasped one of Caralyn’s hands in hers.

“Your Grace,” Robbie said, “I would be much obliged if you would take them in for now until she decides what to do next. I would also like to make a donation for your hospitality before I leave at daybreak.”

“Of course, lad.” She smiled and patted Gracie’s back before she lifted the bairn from Caralyn’s arms. “Please have a seat and I will return after I settle the lasses.” She turned to exit but stepped aside in order to allow entry to the original nun, who was returning with a steaming bowl of soup and a chunk of dark bread for him.

The steam from the soup warmed his chin as he gazed after Caralyn. Since he hadn’t eaten a warm meal in a long time, his sole interest should have been in the food, but he couldn’t take his eyes off the departing shapes of the comely mother and her two girls. At the doorway, Caralyn twirled back and whispered, “Thank you, Robbie.”

And with that, they were gone. Would he ever see her again?