The Brightest Star in the Highlands: Jennie and Aedan (Clan Grant Series Book 7) (2 page)

Chapter Two

When Jennie awakened, she sat up and brushed the sleep from her eyes. Relief washed over her as she stared at Nicol, who lay on a pallet across the room. His chest rose and fell in a slow but steady rhythm. The sun was high enough in the sky for her to rise, so she swung her legs over the side of the pallet. Today, she would apologize to Alex for her temper, but not for her words. She had meant every one of them.

Pulling the covers off, she found a pitcher and washed her face and hands, then found a cloth to clean her teeth. Squinting, she noticed Nicol’s two lads had slept in his arms, one on either side of him. The eldest was four summers, and the youngest three. Nicol had one arm wrapped around each, and they slept soundly.

She glanced at Inga, who knelt beside them, noting the dark circles under her eyes. “Has he awakened, Inga?”

Inga shook her head, her breathing hitching. “His fever continued through the night, and the lads wanted to sleep with their da. I saw no harm in it. ‘Tis acceptable?”

“Aye.” Jennie made her way around the chamber, checking the other three pallets and their occupants. “Any new wounded warriors?”

“Nay. I’ve tended the others, but they slept most of the night.”

Jennie pointed to the spot she had just vacated. “Rest, Inga. You’re exhausted.”

“Nay, I cannot take my eyes from him. I may not have him much longer.”

Inga twisted her skirts in her lap so much, Jennie feared she would twist a hole through them. How awful it must be to watch one’s husband near death.

“Inga, go find something to eat. I shall keep a close eye on them.” Inga nodded and stepped out of the room.

Jennie sighed, a bit of jealousy in her heart. She had often hoped of a marriage and bairns much like Inga, but could she handle losing them? Her heart broke for poor Inga. She made her way around the chamber, lighting tallows, picking up basins and dirty linens. She took the dirty materials into the passageway in a basket and returned with clean linens to cut into strips for binding any new wounds. Her next task was to check her supply of salve, but she heard one of Nicol’s lads speak to his brother, so she turned to check on them.

A wee red head stuck up on one side of Nicol, staring at his brother on the opposite side. “Stop pushing, Fergus,” Finlay whispered.

“I’m not pushing him, Finlay. ‘Tis you pushing Da. Don’t wake him or Mama will be angry. Leave him be. He’s sick.”

“I’m not doing aught to him. ‘Tis you moving around in the bed, Fergus.” Finlay wiggled until he found a new position.

Jennie smiled as she watched Finlay, the younger of the two, position his bottom just so. Would she ever have the blessing of a wean of her own?

One wee hand reached across Nicol’s chest to shove at the other. “Stop, Finlay, you are moving again.”

“Nay, you stop, Fergus. You are pushing me and Da.”

“I am not. I just want you to stop bothering our papa.” Fergus crossed his arms with a scowl.

“Keep your hands to yourself.” Finlay placed his hand on Nicol’s chest to lean toward his brother, a fierce expression on his face. “‘Tis what Da always says.” He pursed his lips and nodded his head for emphasis.

A booming voice interrupted their squabble. “Lads!”

Jennie jumped, for the voice was Nicol’s. Inga raced over to the side of the bed, having just entered the chamber.

“Cease your fighting. You have given me an ache in my head that will surely split it in two.”

Both lads stared at their sire.

The eldest said, “Papa?”

Nicol’s eyes opened and stared at his boys. “You’ll drive your mother daft if you continue with your bickering.”

Inga fell onto the stool at his side. “Nicol?” she gasped, her voice a soft whisper.

“Aye?” His gaze caught his wife’s. “What is it, Inga? Where am I?”

Inga squealed and kissed her husband, then grabbed one of her sons. “Get down, lads. Your da is better. Give him some space.”

The younger boy hopped out of the bed. “But Fergus was pushing me, Papa.”

Fergus retorted, “Nay, ‘twas all Finlay’s fault. ‘Tis always his fault.” He climbed over his father and jumped to the floor. “I was only trying to help.”

Inga fell against her husband’s chest and cried, while Nicol’s hand reached up to massage her neck. “I’m fine, lass.” He kissed her brow.

Sensing that they needed a moment alone, Jennie held her hand out to the lads and said, “Come. We’ll find Lady Madeline and see if she’ll not find you some porridge.” Now that Nicol was awake, she was sure he could fight off the lingering effects of the poison in his blood. How she wished she understood the workings of the body. She would be a much better healer if she could comprehend how all the fluids moved through the vessels. Her sister, Brenna, who had taught her all she knew about healing, just shrugged her shoulders at many of Jennie’s questions. She was content to adhere to tradition, but Jennie wanted to know everything.

As soon as they entered the great hall, the little boys went running off to the kitchens. Jennie headed for the dais, where all three of her brothers, Alex, Robbie, and Brodie, sat with their porridge, deep in conversation.

“Good morn to all,” she dipped her head before she sat on the bench.

Alex quirked an eyebrow at her. “Have your spirits improved this morn, lass?”

She took a deep breath before she continued. “Alex. I’m sorry I lost my temper with you last night, but I meant what I said. This needs to end. There are too many wounded.”

They were the only ones in the hall presently, except for the few servants cleaning the trestle tables from the early meal. Alex sat up in his chair before he answered. “I wish it were that easy. If I could end this by nightfall, I would, but every time we quell one attack, another one pops up somewhere else. I know not who is behind this offense, but ‘tis neither the usual reivers nor the typical Highland manner of overtaking land. ‘Tis a new group—and a young one, at that. Worries me.”

Jennie persisted. “Why must we get involved? ‘Tis not on our land. Why not let each clan handle their own problems? Then our men would not be dying and losing limbs.”

Robbie drilled his fingers onto the table. “And if we do that, the attackers will win our neighbors’ land. And once they are larger, they will move on to attack
us
. We cannot allow these marauders more power. Besides, our neighbors are good clans. And other than the Camerons, they are able fighters. We should not have to do much to send the invaders back whence they came.”

“Where do they come from?” Jennie looked at each of her brothers in turn, but naught came forward.

Finally Alex spoke. “We have not discovered their origin or their purpose, though the few we have caught have told us they wish to dominate as much land as they can. None will discuss their leader.”

“Alex, please.” She folded her hands in front of her on the table, hoping it would give weight to her plea. “Can we not end our part in this? We need to be at peace. I can’t handle this pain.”

“I do what I must. I’ve vowed to protect my clan and my neighbors, Jennie. I’ll not go back on my word.” Alex reached over and squeezed her hand. “My apologies, lass, but our help is needed and welcomed.”

Maddie entered the hall with Nicol’s two lads and two bowls of porridge. Once they were settled at a separate table, she told them, “Here, lads. Eat up and have some goat’s milk.” She patted each tousled head and made her way to the dais. “I couldn’t help but overhear, Jennie.”

“Maddie, do you not agree? In a few years, it could be Jake and Jamie going off to battle. This needs to stop. Alex loves to fight too much.”

Alex growled, but he held his tongue as they all waited for his wife’s response. Though he was laird of their clan, capable of making decisions for all of them, Maddie was the one person whose wishes and thoughts he never ignored. Jennie should have thought of this tactic before. Maddie would definitely agree with her. She held her breath and waited for the set down his wife would surely give him.

Maddie reached for Jennie’s hand and held it tight in hers. “Jennie, I don’t agree with you. I don’t want these invaders to come any closer to our home. I’m sorry that men are hurt, but ‘tis exactly why Alex and your brothers require the guards to train in the lists for days on end. They must be able to protect themselves and their clan. ‘Tis not just their job, but their duty. They must protect the young, the feeble, and the infirm.”

“But Maddie, have you not seen the blood and gore that has come through that door lately?” Jennie could hardly believe her ears.

“Aye, I have. There has been an occasional injury, but you’re very talented and can heal the men. ‘Tis your gift. My husband’s responsibility is to protect this clan, all of us, and he does what he thinks is best.”

Jennie stared at Alex for a long moment and then turned her attention to her other two brothers. “Do you not agree with me, Brodie?”

Brodie shook his head. “If you saw the deranged attackers, you wouldn’t ask such a thing. I protect my clan, my family, and most importantly, my wife and sons.”

Her gaze turned to Robbie, but he nodded before she could ask him. “Lass, you don’t have weans as we do. Now that Brodie and I have bairns, it changes everything.”

“It shouldn’t.” Tears welled in her eyes. “You should not enjoy killing others.”

Alex’s booming voice shook the rafters. “Who said we enjoy it? You mind your tongue, lass. Do not insult us when we fight so hard to protect you and everyone else here.”

Jennie jumped to her feet, tears now running in rivers down her cheeks. “I appreciate all you have done for me, Alex. You’ve been like a father to me, but I can’t condone this violence. I wish to be taken to Lochluin Abbey.”

“What?” Robbie asked, his eyes wide.

“I cannot continue on here as the clan’s healer. Please arrange for my escort to Lochluin Abbey.”

Maddie gripped Jennie’s shoulders. “You know not what you ask, lass.”

“Aye, I do.” She spun around to face Maddie. “I need to get away from here. I want no part of battling, of wounds, of bandages. I am finished with this. Do you hear me? Finished!”

Alex whispered, “And what if one of your brothers is wounded, lass? Will you turn your back on them, as well?”

Jennie closed her eyes, unable to believe what she asked. Perhaps she was wrong to leave. They were her family, her clan. Even if her nightmares persisted, and the pain in her head worsened, she needed to stay to heal her family. “All right, I shall stay. Alex, do all you can to end this. Please, I can’t handle it much longer.”

Alex stood and moved to her side, wrapping his arms around her and tucking her head under his chin. “I promise to do what I can to end this. I wish it were that simple. We need your talents during such times.”

“I know.” Tears drenched Alex’s tunic.

His finger lifted her chin. “Is there naught you can do for your head pains and your nightmares?”

She shook her head. “I know not what to try. ‘Tis hopeless, Alex, but I will stay.”

***

Aedan Cameron paced behind his desk in his solar, raking his hands through his hair. He hated these decisions, just hated them. A chieftain should be decisive and assertive, two things he was not. His head of the guard stood awaiting his instructions, and his brother, Ruari, lingered behind him.

“Neil, gather fifty of our men. We will attack this enemy, whoever they are. We cannot stand by and allow them to overtake our keep. We leave shortly.”

As soon as Neil left, Ruari asked, “Can I come, too, brother? I can handle myself with a sword.”

Aedan sighed. “Aye, we’ll need as many warriors as possible, though I may leave you at the rear to tend to injuries and such.”

“I’ll do whatever you need me to do, my laird.” Ruari straightened his shoulders, eager to take on any task.

Aedan couldn’t help but wish for a wee bit of his brother’s drive and ambition. His brother was his exact opposite—the lad loved battling. He had hoped to avoid this moment, but to no avail. Moving over to the hearth, he stared at the weapons above before reaching up to pull down his sire’s sword. It was his now, and he would need it for the battle ahead. No matter what happened, Aedan would at least die a hero’s death. He would not sully his sire’s name by refusing to fight. Since he was a terrible swordsman, he decided he would hold up the rear rather than joining the front line of the attack. He wouldn’t be the only chieftain to do so—many warriors insisted on going ahead of their leader to protect him.

Could he protect himself?

Once readied for battle, he left the solar, only to find his mother waiting by the door to the keep.

“Mother.” He nodded to his mother, noticing immediately that she was fighting tears.

“Come back, my son. Otherwise, I will tear myself apart with the guilt of knowing I have encouraged you in this endeavor.” She cupped his cheek and kissed his brow.

“Mother, there are many others to protect me and Ruari. We shall return.”

“Who is doing this?” She stepped back and kneaded her hands in the fine cloth of her skirt. “I don’t understand. The abbey has always saved us from attack. Who would threaten a house of the Lord in the land of the Scots? These invaders have no sense of right and wrong. Even reivers would not pose an attack so close to the abbey. These men have lost their minds.”