Grant Clan 06 - My Desperate Highlander (10 page)

Perhaps the bigger issue remained the improbability of getting her father’s blessing. A chieftain usually did not want his daughter married to a third son. Her father had wanted her to marry into nobility enough to agree to give his only daughter to an old baron of questionable ethics that the King of the Scots had approved. There was no title attached to Micheil Ramsay and no king nearby telling him to court Diana. He would need the king’s approval to continue.

He stared at the table of lads next to him. “Are the knights still around?”

The same man answered. “Aye, they are staying until the big wedding. None of them are as bad as the one you unseated today.”

Another said, “And you should have gotten that purse. Not him. What does the English boy need it for? He probably has plenty of money, plus his betrothed is wealthy.”

“Is she now?” Micheil asked. “It makes sense that the king gave him that purse. I was not supposed to take part in the tourney.” He pondered the lad’s words. “So the lass has plenty of coin?” That explained a few things about Baines—why he was marrying a woman who didn’t interest him, why he didn’t have any respect enough for her to stay away from others. Wealth, simply put—wealth.

“Aye, they say ‘tis why he is marrying her. He is too randy to settle.”

“Are any of the other knights with him marrying?”

“Nay.” One looked at the lad next to him. “From what I’ve heard, the betrothed is the one searching for the lassies, not the rest of them. Some came with lassies.”

Hellfire, that wouldn’t help. Since he knew Diana’s father would never accept him as a son, he needed to find another knight for her. So why did he not feel like asking any more questions?

Because none of them would be good enough for his Diana.

Diana awakened to a dismal morning. Micheil had disappeared, and she had only one more day to find a husband. Once Baines married on the morrow, the English would be leaving. Since she wasn’t invited to the wedding, it was imperative that she find a lad today. She knew she was running out of time. Baron Gow would not be agreeable to releasing his claim on her hand if she did not have a husband’s protection, and her cousin, Alex, would only be able to delay them for a while. She would be called to task soon for her actions, she was sure of it. A backup plan was essential, or she would find herself marrying the mean old man.

Once she finished her ablutions and broke her fast with Aunt Elspeth, she decided to go to the market with Elspeth. Within an hour, Clarissa found her and tugged her back behind a tent. She waved to Elspeth, who was busy bargaining for some bread.

“Did you see him last night? I know he wants you.” Clarissa’s eyes lit with excitement.

“Mayhap so, but I do not want him, Clarissa. I am no longer interested in discussing him, so please stop.”

“Why not? Do you not think he is handsome?” Clarissa looked at her as though she were daft.

Diana sighed. “Aye, I do, but he is marrying his betrothed tomorrow. I want naught to do with the lout. I want a knight who is unencumbered.”

“I thought you wished to marry?”

“I do, but he is already betrothed.”

“Perhaps he could find you another. He has plenty of knights who are his friends. Why don’t you ask?” Clarissa gripped her hand.

“Because I do not wish to ever see him again, Clarissa. Please stop bothering me about him.” Diana spun on her heel and left, locating Elspeth within seconds.

Diana walked and walked through the crowd. After a time, Aunt Elspeth grabbed her hand and said, “What are you looking for, child? You wander on and on. We must return home soon.”

“Nay.” She stopped in the middle of a courtyard and searched the crowd around her. “Nay, Auntie. Do you not understand? If I do not find a knight today, ‘twill be hopeless. The big wedding is on the morrow. Who will I find after that?”

Elspeth continued to walk with her until it was almost dark. “Come, child. We must go home. ‘Tis not safe for two females after dark.”

Diana hung her head and trudged behind Elspeth, feeling as if her world was crumbling around her. Where would she go? What would she do?

***

Micheil flew in from behind them and grabbed her around the waist. “Come, you need to get back to Aunt Elspeth’s. Gow’s men are in the courtyard today.”

Diana’s panic was obvious, but Micheil moved her forward at a steady pace, making sure his aunt was able to keep up with them.

“And as soon as we get home, I shall to teach you how to use a dagger. After last night, I would feel better if you had some skills.”

“What happened last night, Micheil?” Aunt Elspeth frowned.

Diana’s cheeks pinked prettily, but he stepped in to ease her shame. “It does not matter now, Auntie. She must be prepared to defend herself.”

As soon as they arrived home, they assisted Aunt Elspeth with her purchases, then Micheil led Diana back through the kitchens and into the small copse of trees behind the house.

“Micheil, I do not know how to use a dagger at all,” she said, her voice soft. “I’ll surely cut myself. I do not even possess a dagger.”

“Which is exactly why I bought one for you at the market. ‘Twill fit nicely in the folds of your skirt. You can sew a pocket to hold it.” He held it out for her to examine.

He had purchased the nicest one he could find. The handle had a smooth black finish and was encrusted with small gemstones.

She fingered the beautiful stones, then stared into his eyes. “Micheil, ‘tis beautiful. My thanks for your gift.”

He stood close enough to inhale her scent, but vowed not to let it distract him from his purpose. Gow’s men were in the area. She needed to know how to repel them if she were attacked.

She stood up on her tiptoes and placed a chaste kiss on his lips. “I love it.”

Micheil couldn’t resist. He cupped her face in his hands and kissed her tenderly. Their first kiss had been too rough for her. Her lips were soft and warm, and she tasted as sweet as he remembered. She opened for him, touching her tongue to his with an innocence that threatened to unman him, but he maintained control. Wee steps. If he had to court her slowly to convince her she did not need to wed an Englishman, he would.

He stood back and saw how flustered she was, but kept himself from puffing his chest out like a peacock. She liked his kisses, and if the smoldering heat in her gaze was any indication, this one had been even better for her. He turned her around and tucked her in close to him.

“Now, your right hand is stronger?” he whispered in her ear.

“Aye.” Her voice came out in a lusty moan, and he smirked. Mayhap he did stand a chance with her.

“Then the pocket in your skirt must be sewed on the right-hand side so you can reach it quickly. It comes with a cover, if you wish to use it, to keep you from slicing your hand. This is the move I want you to practice.” He showed her how to grip the dagger in such a way that she would be able to pull it out and use it fast. “This is a small knife—you won’t kill anyone unless you plunge it into their neck just so.” He showed her the cut he meant.

“I don’t want to kill anyone.”

“You will if they’re trying to kill you. Even if you cannot get to their neck, embedding a dagger in a man’s belly will cause enough pain and bleeding to slow him. To wound your attacker in the chest, you must be lucky enough to miss the rib, and until you are practiced, I wouldn’t recommend it. Remember that any strike from a wee lass will take a man off his guard, possibly giving you the time to run away.”

“But men are so much bigger than me.”

“You fight and kick as hard as you can, just as you did with the baron and with Randall. You don’t want to make it easy for them. Even a slice under the arm can catch a major vessel and cause severe bleeding.”

***

Diana leaned back against Micheil, wishing she could just stay in his arms like this forever. Micheil was strong and protective, just as her mother had said her knight would be. He smelled like leather and a scent she had come to recognize as Micheil, one that made her want to rub against him just to absorb more of him.

She wiped the sweat from her brow. “Awfully warm out here, is it not?”

He grinned. “Aye.” It was a deep, throaty answer that ran a path down her spine and into her core, making her want to curl into him and never move.

He turned her around to face him, grasping her shoulders. “Diana, I know I am taking a chance here, but would your father ever consider someone who wasn’t nobility or a knight? Would he ever allow you to marry a man like me?”

Her eyes widened, shocked but beyond pleased at his backwards proposal. She nodded and smiled. “I think he would consider it. Truly, Micheil? You would want me?”

Hope blossomed in her heart. Micheil was someone she could depend on, someone who made her heart stir. Would he truly consider it? “I thought you never wanted to marry?”

“Well, I never did before. But you are changing my mind. I’m afraid I don’t wish to let you go. May I court you to see if we suit?”

She threw her arms around his neck. “Aye, Micheil. Naught would make me happier.”

He kissed her soundly, then the door opened and a servant came outside. The kiss ended sooner than Diana would have liked.

It did not matter. Micheil had just made her blissfully happy. Now there was hope for her…and for countless more kisses.

***

It was early the next morning and the wedding was not set to take place until noon. Even though he had promised to court Diana, and she had agreed, Micheil decided to head into the market again to see if he could learn anything more about the baron’s men. He also sensed something was off about the wedding—both the groom
and
the bride—so he decided to keep an ear open to see what he could discover. But his primary purpose was protection. He had to make sure Gow’s men were not on to their location. He left one guard at the house, took a couple with him, and sent a few out to scout the area.

Starting at the market, he found one vendor selling animal furs who was quite eager to chat. “What say you about the lass betrothed to Baines? I never saw her at the tourney. Is she fair?”

“Och, they say she is a beauty. She should be since she is King Alexander’s cousin, but no one has seen her. We all thought she was yellow-haired, but the one in the stands yesterday appeared to be flame-haired.”

“Was she fair?”

“Who could tell? Her face and hair were almost completely covered and hidden. As you know, the Scottish tradition would be for her to show her face at her betrothed’s jousting tournament, especially. But she never allowed anyone the full view of her beauty.”

Micheil stroked his chin. “‘Tis true, that is unusual. Many have come from far and wide to set their eyes on the married couple. Has she not been out with the king at all? Has she not appeared on the steps of the great hall to greet the Scottish guests?”

“Nay, I have not seen the lass, and I have not come upon anyone who has. Some suggest ‘twas planned that way so more will attend the ceremony. Apparently, King Alexander fears the Scots will not attend an English wedding ceremony or greet the newly wedded couple after they take their vows.”

A scowl felt permanently engraved on Micheil’s face after their conversation. Something was not right, and there were too many uncertainties. Alex would go direct to the king and ask him questions. Unfortunately, he had no idea where Robbie and Alex were, and the king would probably not see him, but he did know the location of someone else who might help.

Logan. It was time to send for his brother, the expert at ferreting out information. Gwyneth had given birth to their wee daughter not long ago. Would he be willing to travel without Gwynie?

He had to try. He sent a messenger after Logan.

***

“Please, Aunt Elspeth, please? There are so many vendors at the market for the wedding.”

Elspeth glared at her charge with her hands on her hips. “Micheil said we were to stay in. He’s worried about Baron Gow’s men.”

“Aye, but we can take the guard with us. I just want to go to the cloth vendors. I’ll never find such fine cloth in Crieff. If Micheil and I marry, wouldn’t you like me to have the best possible gown?”

Elspeth sighed. “Lass, you know how to play at my heartstrings. Agreed. The guard goes with us, one hour, and cloth and ribbons only.”

“And slippers?”

“Only if we pass one.”

Diana squealed and hugged Aunt Elspeth. Now that the possibility of marrying Micheil was on the horizon, she had to be prepared with a gown. They would have to marry quickly to dissuade Baron Gow’s suit, but she still wanted to feel beautiful.

“All right, but this is the last time. I would like to see the wedding procession later. Mayhap we’ll run into Micheil, and he can help us carry home our packages, though he promised to shop for food in case Logan arrived.”

So they headed off to the market again toward the wares with one guard behind them. An hour later, she had found one bolt of cloth and some ribbons, but no slippers. “Come along, my dear. We are running out of time. We must go. ” Diana, happy with the cloth but disappointed that she hadn’t found her slippers, trudged along next to Aunt Elspeth, sniffling all the way.

They almost made it back to the cottage when something hard struck Diana in the back of the head, and her entire world went black.

***

Micheil had almost reached his aunt’s home, his arms full of purchases, when he saw something that was like a fist punching him square in the gut. Straight ahead, a woman he thought to be Aunt Elspeth lay prone on the ground in front of him. Diana was nowhere to be seen. He dropped the goods and knelt down next to his aunt and rubbed her shoulder. “Auntie, Auntie, wake up, please.”

He was relieved to feel a pounding on the side of her neck, but though her heart still beat, she would not awaken. Searching the area for the guard, he finally noticed another lump not far away. The guard was arousable and able to move, though he admitted he had no idea what had happened. Micheil shook his head and returned to get his aunt. He picked her up in his arms and made his way back to her house, hoping he would find Diana inside. A sinking feeling in his gut told him otherwise. Diana would never leave her like this. Something must have happened. He settled Elspeth onto her bed in her small chamber, while the guard assisted with the packages. He managed to get his aunt to sip on some ale, enough to wake her up sputtering.

“Diana? Where is she? I saw someone hit her in the head, but I do not remember anything afterwards.” She grasped Micheil’s hand. “I must see her, please, or I will not rest.” The words were like a knife stabbed into his heart.

He shook his head. “I was hoping you would tell me she wasn’t with you. There was no sign of her either in the street or here in the house. I don’t know where she is, Aunt Elspeth. Try to remember as much as you can.”

Thank goodness he had sent a message to Logan and Gwyneth earlier. Though he did not fully understand the situation, he did not like what was going on here, and he no longer felt he could handle it on his own.