Mist Warrior (7 page)

Errant locks of red-gold hair brushed his cheek as she rested her head against his
shoulder
. He fought to keep from inhaling her sweet scent, a subtle odor of jasmine that enchanted him. He sighed softly, his arms tightening around her.

“
I missed you, Branan,
”
she whispered, burrowing closer.

He glanced down at her
,
startled, then smiled.
“
I missed ye too, lassie.
”
He released his breath.
“
Gavin told me about your betrothal.
”

“
Papa refused to listen to me. I thought I could talk him out of it. I detest Richard.
”

“
Why?
”

“
Oh, he’s handsome enough, many a girl would kill to marry him
,
but he’s an absolute beast. He’s rude, arrogant, andsizrrogant thinks I’m something to be coddled. If he had his way, I’d be locked in a tower for the rest of my days.
”

Branan felt his lips twitch. Confining Catriona would drive her insane.
“
I had hoped to talk to your father about this.
”

Her shoulders bowed.
“
He’s gone now.
”

“
I am sorry, Catriona.
”

She rubbed her eyes and he knew she fought back tears.

“
Still,
”
he said, trying to distract her from her grief.
“
Gavin is heir. He now has say in whom you marry.
”

She shook her head.
“
Right after Gavin left, my father signed the betrothal contract.
”
His heart crashed to his boots.
She shivered and Branan
’s arms tightened
around her. Betrothal contracts were difficult enough to break
,
but since her father had placed his mark, then died, dissolving the contract would be well-nigh impossible.

Branan’s
anger levered up a few notches and he silently cursed John de Reigny. He loved his foster-father
,
but how could John do this to Catriona? Why force her into the marriage if she cannot abide the man? He never thought John would do anything like this.

Jamie, one of Branan’s men scouting the road ahead
,
galloped back to the group.
“
Riders!
”
he called, drawing his sword and hefting his targ
é
.
“
About fifteen, heavily armed,
ridin
’ hard.
”

Branan cursed
under his breath. With Catriona in his arms, he could not fight
. His men immediately
moved into positions around
him.
Their first duty was to protect their laird and ultimately, the lady in his arms.

Gavin and his serjants formed a line in front of their group.
“
Wait for my order,
”
he snapped to his men.

The group galloped into view. Branan swallowed hard, many of them appeared to be stipendiary knights; hired swords.

A young knight, his armor finely made, rode a black destrier. He held up his hand, signaling a stop and glared at them. Then he saw Gavin and blinked.
“
Reigny?
”

Gavin put away his sword.
“
Aye, Courcy, we were just coming to see you.
”

Branan breathed a small sigh of relief; at least these were not Strickland’s men.

“
I just received word that the manor house was under attack,
”
Courcy said urgently.
“
I was coming to help your father.
”
He pulled of his helm.

Branan examined Courcy
critically. He was handsome; his mahogany hair pulled into a queue at the nape of his neck. His dark eyes glittered with intelligence and his body appeared lean and strong.

Gavin nodded, his back stiff.
“
I just returned to discover Strickland murdered my parents. Burned the entire household and village.
”

Courcy’s face paled.
“
Sweet Jesu. and Catriona...?
”
His gaze scanned their group, locking on Catriona as she peeked at him from under Branan’s plaid.

Relief flooded Courcy’s expression and he vaulted off his horse.
“
Praise the Saints,
”
he said and quickly approached.

One of Branan’s men looked to him. Branan gave him a brief nod and th
e man allowed Courcy to pass. Courcy
hurried to Branan’s mount and took Catriona’s hand in his, pressing a kiss against her fingers.
“
I was so worried about you.
”

Catriona’s expression eased.
“
I am fine thanks to Branan and Gavin.
”

Courcy looked up at him.

“
I am the MacTavish,
”
Branan said.

Courcy scowled in confusion
,
but Catriona stared up at him in surprise.
“
A laird?
”

He nodded.

“
MacTavish,
”
Courcy muttered
,
as if trying the name and not liking the way it tasted.

“
Branan killed three of the men trying to capture me,
”
Catriona said.
“
Gavin slew the other two.
”

Courcy’s brows flew up his forehead.
“
Then I owe you a debt of gratitude for saving my betrothed, MacTavish.
”

Branan’s anger at his possessiveness grew.

He reached for Catriona.
“
Ride with me, my sweet. You will be safe at Brackenburgh now that your home is gone.
”

Catriona shrank deeper into Branan’s plaid.
“
I am fine, Richard. Finally n Ird. FinI am warm.
”

“
Nay, lady, you will ride with me.
”

Catriona sighed and moved to untangle herself from his embrace. He helped her dismount, shocked she had given up so easily. Courcy wrapped his cloak around her.

“
MacTavish,
”
Courcy said his tone light.
“
As a reward for helping my betrothed, I’d like to invite you and your men to Brackenburgh.
”
He paused and leaned closer.
“
I believe we have a few things to discuss.
”

Branan nodded
,
although his gaze never left Courcy’s hand as he wrapped his arm around Catriona’s shoulders.
“
Aye, Courcy.
”

Courcy nodded and lifted Catriona into his arms. Branan’s throat tightened.

“
Honestly
,
Richard,
”
she said her voice harsh but weary.
“
I’ll be just fine.
”

“
Nonsense,
”
Courcy replied.
“
You’ve been through a terrible ordeal and it has given you a fright. I do not wish you to swoon.
”

Catriona shot at glance at Branan, over Courcy’s shoulder, and rolled her eyes in the most meaningful fashion. Branan had to fight down an unexpected grin.
Courcy, ye doona ken of the fyrdraca ye have drawn to yer breast
.

****

The large group arrived at Brackenburgh as the faint echo of distant church bells rang for Compline. Branan sighed and his belly gnawed at him, wanting supper.

Courcy led them through the gates of a large keep built on a grand scale. Branan cringed
,
thinking of his home in Scotland. This keep made his look like a peasant’s hovel. His gaze automatically found Catriona as Courcy dismounted with her in his arms. No wonder John had chosen this man to marry her. With his wealth, her future would be secure.

Courcy instructed one of his men to escort his guests inside while he saw to his betrothed. Branan heard Catriona protest again
,
as he carried her to the stairs
,
but couldn’t hear her words. He scowled. Her future would be secure but what of her heart? Catriona’s free spirit would find little comfort in Courcy’s overbearing nature. Many men did not approve of a woman having a spark of independence
,
but in the short time Branan stayed with the Reigny’s, Catriona’s fire entranced him.

Branan joined Duguald and Gavin. The rest of the men walked to the barracks and servants took their horses. Courcy’s steward escorted Branan, Gavin
,
and Duguald into the great hall.

Again the realization of Courcy’s wealth assailed Branan. A
massive fire roared in a
huge hearth in the cavernous hall. Expensive tapestries adorned the walls and a
giant
oak table filled the center. Branan paused simply to appreciate the craftsmanship of the wood. The chairs were equally as fine.

Duguald noted his gaze and chuckled.
“
’Tis a goodly piece of work.
”

“
Aye,
”
Branan replied.
“
It w
ould take us years to complete one like this.
”
He r
an
his fingers lightly along the grain.

The steward escorted them to a small room where they could refresh themselves. Branan removed his armor and donned a clean inar, trews, and wrapped his plaid over his shoulder, tucking it into his belt. Soon, the small group had rid themselves of dirt and returned to the hall.