Charming the Shrew (26 page)

“No doubt. And I would think also a trap for the king, as he is known to be traveling these parts before his sister’s wedding. So what shall we do about it? Do we warn the king or stop the conspirators?”

Catriona noted the color rushing back to Ailig’s face.

“I would stop the conspirators,” he said, “and then turn them over to the king to do with as he may, but I fear we are outnumbered.”

Surprise rushed through Catriona, and suspicion. Only moments before these two had been prepared to battle each other and now, after Tayg’s wee tale, they were allies?

“I must agree,” Tayg said. “We must learn the king’s location and ride hard to his side.”

Gair cleared his throat and Catriona jumped. She had forgotten that the others listened to her clan’s shame.

“You will not be outnumbered, lads,” Gair said. “We will be seven—the two of you, John, myself, and my three oldest—to their five, and we can use surprise to our advantage.”

“And me,” Catriona said. “I’ll not be left behind.”

“And Cat,” Tayg agreed.

Gair nodded. “’Twill be short work with so many. I have no fear that Cat can stand against her brothers and this Duff—”

“Dogface,” Catriona said, her blood starting to run again at the thought of facing the man instead of running from him.

“Dogface, then,” Gair continued, “but can
you
, Ailig? Can you stand against your brothers?”

“Aye. I have stood against them one way or another my entire life. ’Tis only to do so more openly now. We must protect the king, and in doing so ’twill protect my clan and Triona from the ill that Broc would serve to us. But we cannot drag you and yours into this, nor my sister,” he added.

“Do you really think she will stay here meekly and let us slay her dragons for her?” Tayg asked. “Do you think we can keep her from her part in protecting the king?” He held her gaze for a moment and she was surprised to see hurt there. “She wishes the king to find her a husband, after all.”

“But she is already married to you!” Pol’s voice piped up, and all eyes turned to where his head hung down from the loft. “You did all that kissy stuff last night at dinner. I saw it!”

Ailig surged across the table at Tayg, pure fury on his face. Tayg jumped back just in time to dodge Ailig’s blow, toppling the bench.

“Stop!” Catriona grabbed Ailig’s tunic and hauled back hard on it. He staggered and turned his glare on her.

“You are married?”

“I would speak to you in private, brother.” She glanced at Tayg, who was standing, grim faced, watching them.

“What have you done, Triona? What were you thinking?”

Catriona felt anger spark to life within her and she hugged its heat to her. “Do not take that tone with me, Ailig. If you will come outside with me I will explain to you.”

“I’m coming with you,” Tayg said.

“Nay,” Catriona and Ailig said together.

“Aye. You cannot stop me. I am a part of this whether either of you like it or not.”

Lina clucked her tongue and smiled at the glowering men. “Come, mine, let us be about our tasks and let these three sort through the rest of the tale without our ears privy to their secrets. Pol, come down from there, you imp, and take yourself out to the byre. There is mucking needed there to be sure, and you have earned that task this day with your eavesdropping.”

“Ma!”

“Do not
Ma!
me or I shall haul you out of here by the back of your shirt as Cat has so aptly demonstrated.”

The woman quickly shooed even Gair and the friar out of the cottage, leaving Tayg and Ailig to glare at each other and Cat to ponder what to say next. When the door closed behind the last of Lina’s brood, Catriona crossed her arms and glared the two men back into their seats.

“We are not married. Nothing has happened between us except a bit of mummery to keep our identities secret while we traveled,” she said, daring Tayg to contradict her. When they both started to speak, she held up her hand and shook her head. “I’ll not listen to either of you about any of this for neither of you can be trusted.”

“Cat, I did not mean to hurt to you.”

“Aye, but how could you not? You are just like all the others after all. My mistake was in believing you were different—that I was different with you. ’Twould seem that I am just as stupid now as I was at twelve, trusting you, believing you were so much more than my brothers, than Dogface.”

“Cat—”

“Nay, there is nothing more to say. I am going outside. If you still wish to kill each other, please do. I’ll not stop you again, but know this: I shall go for the king with you or without you. ’Tis the only way to prove to him that not all our clan are against him.” She pinned Ailig with a harsh look. “Not all of us are daft.”

She forced herself to walk to the door without looking back. She slipped out of the cottage and fled for the woods before anyone could see the tears coursing down her face.

“W
HAT DID YOU
do to my sister?” Ailig asked. His eyes were hard, but they were nothing compared to the confusion in Cat’s eyes as she left the cottage.

“I lied to her about who I was and why I traveled. I did not lie to her about aught else but, with good cause, she does not believe me.”

“Triona does not trust easily. She sees only your betrayal, not the reasons for it.” Ailig watched him for a moment, and Tayg tried not to squirm under the harsh consideration. “Do you care for her?”

“I love her.”

“I thought as much. You are very protective of her.”

“I have asked her to wed with me.”

“And her answer?”

“’Twas aye, though I doubt not that she will change her mind in light of today’s revelations.”

“Today’s? Surely she did not just learn the truth as you told it to me.”

“Nay, but not long before, and not the way I would have had her find out. I have made a mess of it, and I fear she will not give her trust to me again. ’Twas hard enough won the first time.”

“She has not had an easy time, but then she does not make it easy for the rest of us either.”

“Are you saying ’tis her fault she is treated so poorly by her own family?”

“Peace, man. I know only too well that her sharp words and quick temper are her armor against careless treatment at our brothers’ hands. And yet she is strangely quiet, subdued even. She loves you, does she not?”

It was more statement than question, but Tayg nodded anyway. “At least she did.”

“Will you fight to win back her regard?”

“Aye. Do not think to stand between us, for I’ll not let you.”

“I will not. I do not know all that has passed between you, but if she let down her defenses long enough to fall in love with you, then you are surely her best hope for happiness in the future. You will not let the king choose another for her, will you?”

“I will not.”

“And you will humble yourself in whatever way she requires to regain her trust and win her acceptance of your marriage proposal?”

“I will. Whatever I must.”

“Then I am convinced that she will be happy with you. And an alliance with you and your clan will only serve to strengthen our position against the MacDonells.”

“What of the MacLeods of Lewes? They are against the king. Are you not bound to them?”

“Aye, but we will approach that difficulty when we must. For now they seem content to tend to their own affairs and leave us to muddle through without their help or direction, which is all very well as far as I’m concerned. I must act to do what is best for my clan and my sister. She has had a difficult time, and I would see her happy.”

“As would I. I will do everything that I may to keep her happy, Ailig. This I swear.”

“Good, then let us turn our attention to the more immediate problem of keeping the king safe from my brothers.”

Tayg glanced at the door where Cat had disappeared. He knew Ailig was right. Protecting the king was the pressing need, but his heart pulled at him to follow Cat and settle this between them.

With reluctance he shoved his heart’s urgings away and concentrated on what Ailig was telling him of Broc’s plan.

B
EFORE LONG
T
AYG
had gathered up their belongings and was settling them on his horse. He had not seen Cat since he and Ailig completed their plan, yet every moment was filled with thoughts of her, thoughts of things he should have done, should have said, days ago if not when first they met. He played every scenario over and over in his head, yet all save the one he had taken seemed destined to keep him apart from Cat. Every other path he could have taken—physically or verbally—would have resulted in the shrew keeping him from Cat. Only by disguising himself as someone who did not threaten her was he able to coax her into shedding her bristly armor, into showing her true self.

And her true self was a marvel to behold. He had been so proud of her when Isobel had declared her friend, when Cat had fought through the night and the storm to bring him safely to their traveler’s hut. He had been humbled by her passion at Gair and Lina’s cottage and intrigued by the flashes of quick humor and intelligence she revealed over and over again.

And yet the very path that had led him to know her so well and so very intimately now led her away from him, back into the dangerous realm of Dogface and her brothers.

He checked the cinch on the horse. Ailig thought they could get to his brothers and Duff in time, yet Tayg could not be sure if the man was to be trusted. He seemed truly surprised and appalled by the plot Duff and Broc had devised, and yet, if he had known of it would he have acted so very differently?

If he did lie, Cat would be devastated. Ailig was the last man she trusted. If he lied to her, she would feel she had no one. If she felt the last person had betrayed her, she would never again trust any man, and nothing Tayg could say would change that. He sent a fervent prayer up that Ailig was exactly what he seemed, for Cat’s sake, and for the sake of any future Tayg could hope to have with her.

But just in case he wasn’t to be trusted, Tayg wanted Cat on his own horse, whether she liked it or not. At least that way he could ensure her safety if trouble found them.

He sighed, made sure his horse was ready, checked to see that Gair, John, and the lads were almost prepared to depart, then went in search of Ailig and Cat. They must leave immediately. The sooner they finished this task, the sooner Tayg could turn his attention to convincing Cat to give him another chance.

A very short time later they were all mounted and set out upon the road to Linsmore. They traveled single file with Tayg and Cat, who sat in front of him, in the lead, followed by Ailig, Gair, and the others. He did not like having Ailig behind him where he could not keep a keen eye on him and his actions, but Gair would see the man behaved.

When they arrived in Linsmore they stopped briefly at a tavern to inquire if the king was present, but rumor had him arriving in Culrain that day. As they passed out of the village of Linsmore the midday sky was bright, the sun blinding off the snow. Tayg could hear the sound of the river where it rushed under the Linsmore bridge not far ahead in the glare.

Tayg slowed his horse, scanning about him for any signs of danger. The brothers were to meet farther down the trail and several hours hence, just outside of Culrain, but he was feeling wary. Catriona too seemed restless, as if his own unease carried over to her.

“’Tis sorry I am, lass,” he said quietly, his mouth near her ear. “I would not have withheld my true identity from you had it not been important.”

She took a deep breath but said nothing, neither to him nor to Ailig, not a word since she had left Gair’s cottage. Nothing.

They rode in silence a few more minutes. The road rose over a small hill and the river came into view, the bridge a pale swath across the rapid rush of water. Tayg stopped and surveyed the area. The shadows were heavy where the brilliant light could not penetrate the thick trees. Anything could hide along the road, and ’twould take someone with far keener sight than he held to see into the depths of the shadows.

“I will lead,” he said as they approached the bridge. “Gair, you will bring up the rear.”

Gair fell back behind his sons and the friar. Cat’s brother just nodded and fell into place behind Tayg. He seemed as alert as Tayg, whose every sense was on edge as they neared the river’s bank.

Tayg’s horse made hollow clopping sounds as it moved onto the bridge. Ailig’s was next, and before Tayg had reached the far side Gair, too, had ridden onto the wooden structure. He started to think about relaxing just as a shout came out of the deep wooded shadows ahead of them. An answering shout rang out from behind him.

“You son-of-a—” Tayg bit out as he glanced back. “Gair! Behind you!” He cursed as he could not draw his sword with Cat sitting before him.

“Ailig?” Cat’s voice was uncertain.

“I swear I did not know,” Ailig said. “I swear it.”

“Ho, there, brother.” Broc MacLeod stepped onto the far end of the bridge, blocking their retreat. The other three brothers, Callum, Gowan, and Jamie, stood in front of Tayg, grinning up at him. “I see you found Triona and the bastard who took her. I knew you could woo their trust where I could not. Well done, Ailig. You are good for some things after all, ’twould seem.”

Tayg desperately wanted to look at Cat, to see how she was faring, but he dared not take his eyes from the brothers. Her silence was ominous, and he feared this latest betrayal would seal his fate.

“Why are you here, Broc?” Ailig asked. “We were not to meet here.”

“Aye, ’tis indeed what I told you, but you see, I am not as stupid as you would believe. You are not the only master of manipulation in our household.”

Tayg glared at the sheep, then turned his head just enough to let his voice carry without taking his eyes off the bulk of Cat’s brothers. “And where is your master, Broc? Where is Duff MacDonell?”

“I have no master but myself,” Broc growled. No one said anything, and after a moment Broc added, “He is watching the king.”

“Ah, so he sent his minion to deal with the troublemakers…and perhaps to secure him an unwilling bride who will bind your clan to his.” Tayg grinned at the sheep and lowered his voice so only they would hear his next words. “Did you know that Broc intends to give over your clan to the likes of Duff MacDonell?”

“Nay, he does not,” one of them said.

“Do not listen to him, Jamie,” Broc yelled. “Get off your horses.” Tayg could hear him moving up the bridge.

“Take your hand off my horse,” Gair said, his voice low and dangerous.

“You have used me for the last time, Broc,” Ailig said.

“Aye, for any brother who would aid Triona in disgracing her clan is not deserving of the regard of his kinsmen. You are no longer welcome in Assynt, Ailig. Nor you, Triona, unless you agree to wed Duff. Do not dishonor me any further in this business.”

Cat twisted to face Broc. “I would slit your throat before I would wed Duff MacDonell, my brother,” she said. Never before had Tayg heard the words
my brother
sound so contemptuous, so filled with…not hate…nay, ’twas disdain. ’Twas as if Cat thought Broc the lowliest form of dung. He grinned and took the chance of glancing at her face.

’Twas a mistake, for in that instant one of the sheep leapt forward and grabbed Tayg’s leg, yanking him from his perch behind the saddle and tumbling him hard to the slippery wood decking of the bridge. A similar fate must have overtaken Ailig, for Tayg heard a familiar-sounding thump followed by a lively string of words to rival Cat in one of her more inventive moments. A scuffling told him that Gair and the others were joining the fray. Tayg shook his head and sat up, only to find a dagger aimed at his chest. He leaned back on his elbows.

“Fine, I’ll stay put, but do not hurt the—”

Before he could get the word
lass
out, a shout went up from Ailig. The brother standing over him glanced up and shouted Cat’s name. Tayg struck the man’s forearm with his own, knocking the dagger from his fingers and launching himself at his attacker. From the corner of his eye he saw Cat’s horse flying off the bridge, heading into the woods, away from Culrain.

Relief surged through him. She was away and traveling in the wrong direction. Duff would not find her, and he would see that Broc and the other brothers did not either. He reveled in the moment by landing several punches into the gut of the brother who had dumped him on his arse. A shout went up from the other end of the bridge, but Tayg was too busy paying back the MacLeod brother for the beating he had taken at Duchally for the words to make sense. Another punch and another, then suddenly someone was pulling him off the other man and shouting his name.

“Tayg, stop! Stop! The twins have him. Cat’s gone and so is Broc. We’ve got to go after them!”

Tayg shook his head, trying to clear it of the battle lust that had gripped him, fueled him. At last the words began to penetrate.

“She is away, into the forest,” Tayg said, “but not in the direction of Culrain.”

“Aye, but Broc went after her,” Ailig answered.

Fear slithered along Tayg’s spine, and he ruthlessly shoved it aside.

“’Tis no problem, that,” one of the sheep said from beneath the ample weight of Friar John, who sat atop him. “The lass could not find her own way out of a room with but one door.” The friar settled his weight a bit more, and the brother groaned. “Broc will find her quick enough. Get off me, man!” The friar grinned but did not budge.

“Aye,” Tayg said, rising to his feet. “But Broc must not find her.”

“He will not hurt her,” another of the sheep said. This one was held in Gair’s strong grip.

Ailig looked from Tayg to his brothers. “I do not think that is what Tayg is concerned about.”

“The lass has had about all she will take from men,” Tayg said. “I would not wish to be Broc should he catch up with her.”

“Go after her, Tayg,” Ailig said.

“He will not,” the three sheep said together, each struggling against his captor.

Ailig stepped closer to his brothers. “This man has kept our sister safe. He has helped her where none of us ever has. Go, Tayg,” he said over his shoulder. “Keep Broc from finding her before you do.”

“Nay, Ailig. She does not wish to see me. You go after her. She is your sister. I must ride for the king before Duff finds him and brings harm to all of us.”

“How may he bring harm to us?” one of the sheep asked. “He but seeks the king’s blessing on his marriage to Triona.”

“
Cat
will never marry the bastard,” Tayg said. “She would kill him first—if I did not beat her to it.”

The sheep surged but did not break free. Ailig drew his sword and aimed it at the belly of the largest brother.

“You would side with that bard over your own brothers, Ailig?” the man asked.

“Aye, Callum, I would, even were he but a simple bard.” He glanced at Tayg and Tayg nodded. “He is Tayg, the heir of Munro, late of His Majesty King Robert’s army and traveling on the king’s business. Duff does not seek the king’s blessing. He and Broc seek to harm the Bruce and bring ruin upon us all.”

There was an uproar among the brothers, but Ailig just waited. Tayg waited too, but less calmly. Duff only awaited the arrival of the MacLeod brothers to spring Broc’s ambush upon the king, and Cat was somewhere in the woods feeling betrayed by every man she had ever known, with Broc on her heels determined to bring her to Duff. By the time Tayg could find and warn the king, Broc would have found Cat, who would—who already had, as her brother so eloquently pointed out—get lost and require finding. He had no doubt she could hold her own with Broc, but he had doubts about her if they should join up with Duff.

“We have no time for this!” he yelled at the brothers, effectively silencing them all. “Ailig, you must go after Cat. I must ride for the king, and these… Gair, will you ride with me to see them safely to the king’s keeping in Culrain?”

“Aye, Tayg. ’Twill be a pleasure,” Gair said, scowling at the brother he still held captive.

“Gair and his sons can see to my brothers, but let me ride for the king, Tayg. If I take the truth to him, he is more likely to feel lenient toward my clan, if not my brothers.” He glared at them. “You must go for Cat.”

“You cannot let him go, Ailig,” the smallest of the three said.

“I can, Jamie, and indeed I must or our sister will be destined to a fate she does not want and will not accept. She loves this man and he loves her. He is the only one she will listen to at this point.”

“I do not know about that,” Tayg muttered just loud enough for Ailig to hear.

Ailig glanced over his shoulder at Tayg. “She will not trust me after this. She certainly will not trust that lot.” He stabbed a thumb in the direction of the muttering sheep. “She may be disappointed with you, lad, but you can change that with time.”

Tayg nodded. “Aye, but the king—”

“The king will hear the full tale from my lips. You heard Broc. I did not lead you into an ambush on purpose, though Broc will never get away with such a ruse again, you may be certain. I am loyal to the king, and Gair will be there to ensure I tell your tale well. Go now, quickly. Cat needs you.”

Tayg was torn between his duty to the king and his need to see Cat safe.

“When were you to join Duff?” he asked the sheep.

“At midday today,” the shortest one said.

Alarm raced through Tayg. He glanced at Ailig, then made a swift decision. He reached into his pouch, pulled out the two missives, and handed them to Ailig. “If you cross me in this I will see that you and every one of your brothers dies a painful death. Gair, keep those wee idiots with you, but do not look to their comfort. Ride fast to the king. Find out from them—” he stabbed a finger toward the sheep “—where Duff is and avoid him. The king’s guard can find him once the king is warned. I must find Cat.”

“Go!” Ailig said. “I will not fail you.”

Tayg raced off the bridge following the trail Cat had taken. Ailig was yelling something to the brothers, and Tayg found himself praying that his trust in Ailig was justified. His king’s life hung in the balance, as did his love’s. He only hoped Broc had not had a horse on this side of the bridge.