Trouble with a Highland Bride (6 page)

“Aye!” Gwyn clasped his hands in hers and squeezed tight. Her heart felt like it was taking a swift trip to the moon “Aye, I will be yer wife!”

David cleared his throat, interrupting the happy moment even as they were leaning in for a kiss. They both took the hint and returned to their seats on the bench.

“First, ye dinna ask Gwyn; ye ask me,” growled David.

“I’m asking you,” said Jack with a tentative smile.

“Second, we have yet to determine a price.”

“Name it,” dared Jack, and so David did.

Jack countered and David did the same until Gwyn was dizzy with negotiations, land, property, goats, and chickens.

David finally paused and turned his attention to Gwyn, speaking softly in Gaelic. “What do ye say to this?” His eyes searched hers.

“I love him.” A shiver went down her spine at such a confession.

“Ye just met him. And under circumstances most unusual. Do ye truly wish to be separated from yer family and marry an Englishman?”

“He is no stranger. He is cousin to Isabelle. Besides, he is the most handsome, most wonderful man I’ve ever met.”

David glowered at her. “I might have expected something like this from ye.”

Gwyn brushed away his words with a wave of her hand. “I wish to unite our families. To prevent this war.” Gwyn spoke in English to make sure both men understood her.

A slow smile spread on Jack’s lips. She smiled back at him and leaned closer, she couldn’t help herself. Jack leaned toward her until—

“Harrumph!” David’s eyebrows clamped down over piercing eyes.

Gwyn and Jack sat up straight. Her formidable brother was a good antidote to romance, but still her lips tingled to kiss him again.

“Do ye speak for the army outside our gate?” David asked Jack.

Jack paused, the smile fading from his face. “I should, but in truth, my uncles are more interested in war, particularly with the possibility that I might be a casualty.”

David raised an eyebrow. “What interesting uncles ye have.”

Jack shrugged. “They are even worse once you get to know them.”

“Then how do ye propose to honor this agreement?”

Jack took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. “I fear I do not know. I’m rather working this out as I go along. I can give you my word that if we make an accord, I will stand with you, even against them if need be.”

“How comforting,” said David in a dry voice. He shook his head and muttered to himself. He stood and went to the door, calling a gillie to fetch the scribe, the priest, and his lady wife.

“Does this mean ye accept our proposal?” asked Gwyn, forgetting she was supposed to be on her brother’s side, not the young English knight’s.

“Aye. ’Tis a fair one if we can win over yer uncles. Best to have the signed accord and the vows spoke before we meet them.” David walked to Jack and they shook hands.

Gwen’s mouth went dry and her stomach fluttered with more than just hunger. “Ye mean to see us wed now?”

“Aye!”

Jack smiled and was emboldened to put his arm around her shoulders. “I shall protect her with my life,” he declared.

“I know ye will. For if ye dinna treat her kindly, I shall slit yer throat.” David was all the more chilling for how calmly he spoke the words. It was not a threat, just the plain truth.

“Yes, sir,” stammered Jack.

“What is this about? What has been decided?” Isabelle swept into the room.

“We have made peace with yer cousin,” David announced. “Sir John and Gwyn will be married at once.”

“Now?” asked Isabelle.

“Now?” gasped Gwyn. She wanted to be married to Jack. She did. But everything was happening so fast, things seemed to be moving in a blur around her.

“Aye, as soon as the scribe can prepare the accord for us to sign.”

“But we must tell our kin to come,” said Isabelle.

“Nay. It will just be us.” David inclined his head toward Jack. “The fewer people who know we are harboring the captain of the army camped outside our walls, the better.”

Isabelle’s eyebrows arched in a graceful manner. “Ah, yes, I see. In that case, I shall take Gwyn to prepare her for the wedding.”

Isabelle took Gwyn by the hand and led her down the hall to the ladies’ solar. Gwyn followed, mute and stunned. She was getting married? She was getting married now? Right now?

“Darling, sit down. Are you well?” Isabelle’s eyes were filled with concern and she pushed Gwyn gently into a chair.

Gwyn sat down with a thud. “I dinna ken I would be married like this.” Her sense of peace was gone and the world seemed to be spinning before her.

“I somewhat suspected it would be something of this nature,” confided Isabelle as she unbraided Gwyn’s hair and took a comb to it. “You were always such a wild lass. I must own I thought you would have a wild courtship. And you certainly have not disappointed!” Isabelle laughed and Gwyn joined in. It was good to laugh.

“Is this gown to your liking?” Isabelle laid out a stunning gown of blue silk.

Gwyn nodded. “’Tis beautiful, but it is no’ yers?”

“’Tis yours now, my love. I will help you dress so we will not alert the maids, but you must tell me everything.”

“I fear ye winna think well o’ me because of it,” said Gwyn.

“I once tried to escape David by hiding in a pickle barrel,” declared Isabelle. “It did not go well. Now tell me all!”

Gwyn smiled and poured out the whole story as Isabelle laced her into the beautiful pale blue gown and brushed her long, blond hair free.

Before long, she was standing in the chapel before the priest, hand in hand with the handsome English knight who would be her husband. Jack had been given a fresh surcoat, and was rather stunning. Someone had retrieved his boot, and he now stood, though only on his good leg, with both feet in black leather boots.

David and Isabelle stood beside them as witnesses; none other were present. A wave of panic flowed through her. What was she doing marrying some English knight? She must be daft! She avoided Jack’s face, and her eyes fell to the altar behind the priest.

And
the
greatest
of
these
is
love.

Peace once again swept through her. She looked up at Jack and smiled into his warm eyes. It would be well. Love would carry the day.

“I now declare ye husband and wife,” intoned the priest.

Without warning, without invitation, Jack drew her close and kissed her so sweetly her head swam.

David coughed, but Isabelle poked him in the ribs with an elbow.

“They are married now,” she whispered.

“Sorry, habit,” muttered David.

“We should get back to the tournament,” reminded Isabelle. “I wager no one will be back in our private quarters for several hours.” She smiled at the newlyweds and gave them a wink.

Jack took her hand. He smiled at her with a gleam in his dark eyes. Ripples of heat tingled down her spine as he led her back to the private solar. As promised, the bedchamber was empty, and from the muted cheers outside, Gwyn knew that they would have at least a few hours alone together.

“I canna believe we are actually married,” exclaimed Gwyn.

“I am rather surprised myself,” said Jack with something of a giddy smile. “There were a few times when I thought your brother was going to kill me.”

“I fear he may have considered it,” admitted Gwyn.

Jack’s eyebrows rose. “I’m glad he decided on a marriage and not a funeral. Especially when the funeral would have been mine.” He entwined his hands around her and pulled her close.

She rested her head on his shoulder and wrapped her arms around the neck of the man to whom she was now married. She still couldn’t quite believe it. They were married. They were truly married.

Jack shifted, and she realized his foot must pain him. He was also most likely exhausted from the excitement of the day and his illness of only the day before.

“Come, sit.” She motioned toward the large bed, and he did not have to be asked twice. They sat down atop an elaborate quilt.

He began to kiss her, first on her forehead, then trailing kisses down her cheek to her lips. Gwyn wrapped her arms around his neck to return the kiss. This was right. This was where she was meant to be. She closed her eyes and gave herself to the experience. She felt floaty and weightless, as if all of the burdens and cares she had carried over the past several days had melted away, and all that was left was her and her love.

He gently pushed her down on the bed until she was on her back. He lay down beside her, propped up on one elbow, his head on one hand, his other arm around her waist. Shivers ran down her spine as he slowly grazed one finger up the length of her arm and then down along the hemline of her bodice along her sensitive skin. She sucked in a deep breath as sparks coursed through her veins.

The smile had drained from his face and was replaced with one of exquisite intensity. “Are you ready for this?” he asked in a low voice. “We can wait if you would rather. If you need more time, I can give you time. Or perhaps you’d like to see whether or not my uncles shall kill me today before we take this any further?”

For once in her life, she was in complete peace. “I dinna need any more time, Jack. Ye are my husband, and I shall have ye.”

The smile flashed across his face. “I’m so glad,” he whispered. “I’m so, so very glad.” He pulled her toward him even as he covered her and kissed her until her head swam. Her only defense was to kiss him back, and in that, she would give no quarter.

She had long since stopped hearing the cheers of the crowd, but a new cry crashed into her consciousness most unwillingly, and she stopped to listen to what it was. Jack also paused, raising his head to listen to the strange new noise. It was the clamor of a crowd, but these were no longer cheers, these were angry cries—battle cries. Something was very wrong.

Jack was off the bed in a flash. He limped quickly to a window and looked out.

“What is it? What do you see?” Gwyn slid off the bed and ran to him.

“I cannot see anything from this window.”

“This way.” Gwyn grabbed his hand. “Up to the tower.” They ran as fast as they could with Jack’s injured foot to the top of the tower and looked down in the valley below. It was the English. They had formed a line with the mounted knights in front, the foot soldiers in back, and archers to the sides. They were marching on the castle, making a terrible roar. The castle was under attack!

“What is this?” David stormed the stone stairs of the tower and came toward Jack, his fist raised. “Was this a ruse to buy time so ye could attack the castle while I was distracted?”

Gwyn jumped between her brother and her new husband, intent to protect them both, but Jack swept her behind him.

“No!” defended Jack. “I told you my uncles wanted war. They must have given me up for dead and decided to attack the castle. I will speak to them and tell them we have made an accord. I’ll need my armor and my sword.”

“Nay!” shouted David, stepping close and looming over Jack. “How do I know if I can trust ye?”

“Because I love your sister. More proof than that I cannot give.” Jack did not back down.

More Highland warriors ran up to the tower to see what was happening on the grounds below.

“Is it time for battle?”

“They are marching against us!”

“Prepare for war!”

“Armor up!” commanded David. “But we go to counsel for peace. I have made an accord.”

“Ye think they want peace?” Thick, black eyebrows clamped down over the fierce eyes of Laird Douglas. With his large stature and bushy black beard, he was the most fearsome of all the Highland warriors. “We should prepare for battle and meet them on the field of honor. And who is this?” He pointed to Jack.

Gwyn held her breath. Jack had been discovered. What would they do?

David gazed at Laird Douglas with an admirable calm. “This is Sir John Lockton with whom I have made an accord.”

The Highlanders turned as one from the approaching army to stare at Jack Lockton.

“Then we hold him for ransom. We have their leader. We have won!” cried Laird Douglas.

“Sir John is also my brother.” David’s words were spoken in a low growl. “He has married Gwyn to seal our contract. None shall harm him.”

Gwyn’s older brothers Finn and Gil pushed their way onto the tower. It was getting rather crowded.

“What’s this? Gwyn married?” cried Gil, a happy smile on his face.

“Congratulations! And what a handsome Englishman ye’ve found for yerself. Always stirring up trouble. That’s our lass!” Finn gave her a hug. The effect of the twins’ arrival and their perpetual good humor cut the tension.

“But the English are still marching against us,” reminded Laird Douglas.

“Armor up. We try for peace,” said David in a grim voice. “If the English will not have it, then it is war.”

Laird Douglas shrugged, mollified he at least had a chance at battle. David shouted commands and a plan was quickly formed to run a party out to meet the English under a flag of peace. They would leave the front gates locked and instead leave out the cistern gate.

Gwen grabbed Jack and ran with him down to where she had hidden his sword and armor. She helped him as best she could back into his English armor. While Jack was wrapped in her plaid, she could pretend he was one of her people, but in his armor and surcoat, he was naught but an Englishman.

“Go now. Stay safe,” said Jack, hauling his chain mail hauberk over his head. Gwyn paused, wanting to say something profound at such a momentous occasion, but was instead jostled by the stable lads bringing in the mounts, and Jack disappeared from her view.

Clearly, she could not let Jack go with such a poor farewell. Besides, this affected her more than anyone. In a flash, Gwyn ran back to the solar to change into her man’s garb. Isabelle intercepted her and Gwyn expected protest, but instead Isabelle assisted her out of the blue gown and into her makeshift armor.

“You be safe,” was all Isabelle said.

Gwyn ran to the entrance of the cistern gate and grabbed the reins of a horse brought by the stable lads for the warriors. She almost got her hair tucked into her helmet before she was spotted by David and Jack.

“Stay here!” they both commanded.

“Not bloody likely,” swore Gwyn, swinging herself up into the saddle.

Jack cursed, but David just rolled his eyes. “Yer problem now,” David told him with a malicious grin.

They spurred forward down the passage to confront the English at the gate. Jack led the charge, guiding them away from where he had dropped the caltrops, followed by David, Finn, Gil, Laird Douglas, Laird Grant, and several other lairds and Highland knights. It was an impressive party, but no match for the army that slowly marched forward. If the English did not choose to honor the flag of peace, they would all be dead.

Gwyn was not generally troubled by worry, but now her stomach twisted into knots, concerned for Jack’s safety. His uncles were not his friends, and the Highlanders behind him would think nothing of killing him if the need should arise—and possibly even if it didn’t. She was determined to stand by him. He was hers, her husband. She would not lose him on their wedding day.

Jack galloped before the castle to meet the approaching army. One man against a tide of soldiers. “Good news! I bring tidings of hope and joy. I have made an accord and the Scots have agreed to give over the castle!”

“It is a trick!” called one of the English knights. “Kill him!”

“No!” cried Gwyn and tried to urge her mount forward to defend her man, but Gil deftly grabbed her reins while Finn blocked her approach.

“Calm yerself, Sister,” said Gil with an easy grin.

“Let the man stand before his people,” chided Finn.

Jack flung off his helmet. “It is I, Sir John Lockton.” He rode along the line of the English troops so everyone could see it was truly him. “My good men, you served well my father before me. Now I ask you to serve me. Let us put down our arms and speak of peace and English victory. We have come for Alnsworth Castle and I have delivered it to you.”

Gwyn’s heart swelled. He was a brave man, her husband.

The English knights said nothing. Four of them rode together to parlay and Gwyn guessed his uncles were debating what to do. They might not wish to listen to Jack, but they had given fealty to him. Could they risk giving an order that would be disobeyed?

“Let us withdraw and return here in an hour’s time to negotiate a peace,” shouted Jack for all to hear.

“We will meet you and your barbarian friends,” shouted one of his uncles. “Though it appears you have forgotten which side you are on. We also must agree to these terms, or there will be war!”

The English knights turned and galloped away, the English foot soldiers tromping back to their camp in the valley. Gwyn grabbed back her reins and broke free of her brothers, galloping to meet Jack.

“Ye did it! Ye turned an English army on yer word!” Gwyn reached out and they clasped gloved hands.

“Go back inside, Gwyn.” His eyes were clouded. “I will go with my uncles and meet yer brother and the lairds back here.”

“Nay!” Gwyn’s stomach churned at the thought of Jack back in the hands of his uncles. “Nay, yer place is here. This is yer castle. I am yer wife. Ye must stand by me.”

A small smile broke on Jack’s face and the clouds cleared. “I confess I was not looking forward to meeting my uncles. I will go with you for now. But you must know, they will oppose this accord. They may have backed down now because they were unsure, and they rarely do anything unless victory is assured. But they want war. They cannot gain without it.”

“Then we must find a way to make this their victory as well,” said Gwyn.

The Highlanders, Gwyn, and Jack rode back into the castle by the cistern gate. They had little time to prepare.

***

Jack attempted to prevent Gwyn from going to the negotiations, but Gwyn was resolute. The outcome of the negotiations affected no one more than herself and she would not be shut out. Both sides approached a white tent, erected in the middle of the valley between the castle and the English camp. The sun was setting in the west, casting long shadows over the orange glow. Torches were brought, and they burned steady in the calm evening. It was a beautiful night, but the stillness was almost oppressive with the knowledge that the night might end in bloodshed.

By agreement, only a few entered the tent, with the rest of the English knights and Highland warriors remaining outside, ready to fight if it came to it. Tension was thick and Gwyn’s heart pounded, and yet she would not be anywhere else. Why did she feel so much alive when she crept close to death?

She followed David, Gil, Finn, and Jack into the tent. She kept her helm on and attempted to appear as a younger Campbell brother. On the other side stood four English knights, all large and in their prime.

Jack quickly made the introductions. Gwyn glared at the uncles, a pointless exercise through her visor, but they were the enemy and she wished them to feel her full hatred. They did not appear to be men who cared a whit for her disregard.

“Here is the accord I have signed with Laird Campbell.” Jack held out the parchment scroll.

“It is unacceptable,” said Reginald without touching the offending scroll.

“I suppose it is pointless to mention you have not even read it,” said Jack.

“There is nothing to negotiate. They are trespassers on our land. They will be destroyed.” Ralph’s voice was low with threat.

“Ye are the trespassers here,” growled David.

“Is there anything that can dissuade you from this course of war?” asked Jack.

The four uncles shook their heads. “You need to choose your course, boy. Are you with them or us?” Herbert crossed his arms before him.

“I shall choose my own course,” declared Jack. “I do not know why you, my kin, have taken me in such dislike, but I can only say that any discord between us was never my desire. However, since you will not be content without a battle, I will fight each one of you, one after the other.”

Gwyn stifled a gasp. It was not what she had expected Jack to say.

The uncles stared at him. He had their attention at least.

“You cannot deny that you have been trying to find a way to dispose of me since my father died,” continued Jack with surprising calm. “Since it is your fondest wish, and since I will not have any peace until this is settled between us, I will fight each one of you if need be.”

“And ye said this negotiation stuff would be dull,” whispered Finn to Gil.

“Looking better by the moment. Best idea ye’ve had yet,” declared Gil.

“Wheesht!” hushed Gwyn. “There must be a better plan.”

“Who is that?” demanded Reginald, and Gwyn realized her voice was not of a rough Highlander.

She removed her helmet and her blond hair cascaded down. She stepped forward to the amazement of the uncles. “I am Gwyn Campbell.”

“My wife,” added Jack. “You would know this if you read the accord. We are one family now.”

The snorts and rude noises from the uncles spoke of their disdain for this union. “So you found yourself a little bit of muslin and…” Ralph’s voice trailed off as David, Gil, Finn, and Jack all stepped forward, equal looks of death in their eyes.

“Got a better plan,” said Gil with a evil grin. “Four o’ them, four o’ us. Let’s all have a go. Winner takes the castle.”

“Nay!” Gwen stood between the uncles and her family. She needed to do something to keep her family, the ones she loved most, from going into mortal combat with the English knights. Her brain raced and she took a breath, trying to calm herself enough for rational thought. The only thing that popped to mind was a remembrance of the calm she felt in the chapel with the verse on the altar.

“Love!” she cried to the surprise of all. “The greatest of these is love! We need to love each other.”

“Gwyn.” Jack spoke in a low voice. “My uncles are not the loving sort. Stand aside.”

“I winna move. I will love ye all till ye come to yer senses.”

“Gwyn.” Jack’s voice was threaded with warning.

“Nay. I love ye, Jack, and I winna lose ye on my wedding day. And I love ye, David, and ye, Gil, and ye, Finn.”

“Your wife is quite daft,” observed Herbert.

Jack drew his sword, and the uncles and her brothers followed. “Get out of the way,” he hissed at her.

“Nay! I winna stand aside.” Gwyn turned on the uncles. “I dinna ken ye well enough to have true feelings for ye, but I will love ye because I love my husband. I love ye, Reginald, ye, Herbert, ye, Ralph, and ye, Eustace.”

“Get your woman under control, Jack,” demanded Eustace.

“I fear I am rarely in anyone’s control, including my own,” admitted Gwyn. “I ken we only just met,” she appealed to the uncles, “but now that we are kin, mayhap we begin afresh and grow in mutual affection. It must have been a difficult loss when yer elder brother died.”

“Leaving us to babysit his boy,” grumbled Ralph.

Gwyn was working hard to love these unlovable men. In a flash, she was filled with insight. “Ye had been supporting yer brother for years, even through battle, I warrant.”

“Many battles,” grunted Reginald.

“And then his son, who has done nothing to help, who has no’ fought beside ye or earned his place steps up to take command and inherit everything for which ye labored.”

“Not helping,” hissed Jack.

But Gwyn’s eyes were on the uncles, and she saw them give brief nods. At last, something they agreed on. “Seems unfair to give the castle to such a young, untested man.”

“Not right,” grumbled Ralph. “We work for years and get nothing.”

“All he ever did right was get born to the eldest brother,” snarled Eustace. “Only bit of backbone he ever showed was just now, promising to fight us for the castle.”

“Quite right,” agreed Gwyn. “Ye should be compensated for yer efforts.” She pinned Jack with a look that she hoped conveyed what she was trying to say. He glared at her until his face softened, understanding beginning to dawn.

“My wife is correct,” declared Jack. “My uncles have dedicated their lives to serving the family. It is time the Locktons looked after their own.”

“What did you have in mind?” asked Reginald, crossing his arms but without the usual insult at the end. Finally, Jack was talking of something of relevance to him.

Jack sheathed his sword and Gwyn hoped he knew what he was doing. “We brought many resources to maintain a large army for a long siege. If we form an accord today, these resources will not be used. Instead, they will be shared among my uncles; I denounce any claim on it. Leave me Alnsworth and my wife, and take the bounty for yourselves.”