Highland Promise (27 page)

        "What!"

        Faith nodded. "I was shocked to learn this too, but I have done some ignoble things of late, so it must be true."

        "Who told you this?" he demanded.

        "Father Abernathy. I was twelve and guilty of enticing men. I did not mean to entice them. I wasn't even sure how I had. Father Abernathy had to flog me, which he said grieved him terribly. Then he said I must become a nun and live a life of penance, so I would not cause the damnation of other men."

        Father Cunningham's face contorted with anger, and a small vein throbbed in his forehead. "That is the most scandalous thing I have ever heard."

        Faith clenched her fists in her lap, making a point not to grind her fingernails into her hand shields. "I understand your outrage. It was an insult to such a holy man as yourself to have my sinful company foisted upon you." She began to rise. "I shall—"

        He placed a hand on her arm to stay her and gentled his expression. "That is not what I meant. The penance you were given is an abomination."

        "But I was guilty of the transgression. There were several accusers."

        "Lady Sutherland, you appear to be a good Christian woman who—"

        "I cannot let you think that." She knew she had to tell him everything and decided to get it over with. "I try to be good, but I sin all the time. I have always gone to confession and attempted to do my penance. 'Tis pointless now. I am bound for Perdition because I didn't carry out the biggest penance I ever received. Though I did try. 'Twas how I met Laird Sutherland. I wanted him to escort me to the convent at Saint Bride. Then there was a problem at court. Laird Sutherland had to spend the night with me. The king learned of this and made him wed me. Please stop me soon, Father. I tend to ramble when I get upset and—"

        Father held up a hand. "I can tell you believe you deserved that despicable penance, but you didn't. An innocent child of twelve summers cannot help how a few lewd men react to her looks. Women become nuns and lead a life of sacrifice for love of God, not for penance."

        "But surely—"

        "I gave you a chance to ramble, and now you will be still," he admonished. "While priests act for the Almighty, we are still human and can make mistakes. When that happens, the Good Lord may take a notion to correct our errors. In this case, God did not wish you to become a nun, so caused you to wed Laird Sutherland instead."

        Joy filled her heart. "That makes perfect sense!" She jumped up from her seat. "Brendan is my penance. I was thinking just the other day that life with him is surely akin to Purgatory."

        Father's eyes widened until they threatened to pop from his head. "Nay, milady, you misunderstand—"

        "Oh, thank you, Father. You have relieved my worries so much. I must find my husband right away and tell him I am not going to Perdition after all." She spun about and headed in the direction Brendan had taken.

        "Milady, wait!" Father called.

        Faith didn't stop. She hated to be rude, but she was too excited and wanted to share this wonderful news with Brendan. She dashed around the kirk and prayed she would soon find him. She clutched at her plaid. A pleat fell with every step.

~ * ~

        Brendan released his mount into a paddock while a young Ranald carried his and Faith's bundles into the keep. His stallion pranced and preened for Faith's dapple-gray mare in the next paddock. The mare turned away and moved to the opposite side of the arena. Probably the same reaction he could expect when he next saw his wife. Faith was bound to be angry about the way he had dropped her off with Father Cunningham. If the priest couldn't correct her thinking, Brendan didn't know who he would turn to.

        "Why so glum, Bren? I could hear your sigh at the keep."

        Brendan turned to greet his brother. Duncan Ranald's auburn thatch gleamed in the sun as he approached with a swift stride and welcoming smile. He was one of the few men in the world tall enough to look Brendan straight in the eye.

        "Wife problems," Brendan replied.

         "Did you find Lady Faith then?"

        "She found me." Brendan's lips quirked as he remembered Faith slamming into him in her attempt to flee his men.

        "Good God, Michael spoke true. You are smiling." Duncan chuckled. "'Tis such a rare occurrence that it surely means snow has fallen in Hell."

        Brendan favored his friend's wits with a severe frown.

        Duncan chuckled. "Come to the hall. We'll have a brew while you tell me about your journey."

        The men fell in beside each other on the path that led toward the keep.

        "Make it strong brew," Brendan said. "I've got news. You will never believe who I met."

        Duncan cocked a brow. "Michael's wife perchance?"

        "How did you know?" Brendan asked, halting so they could finish this conversation before they ran into to anyone else.

        Duncan stopped beside him and grinned. "She was here—brought along Rauri and nearly a thousand mounted troops just in case Alera wanted to leave and she had to fight for her. The lass is an exotic beauty. Wouldn't allow Michael's name mentioned in her presence either."

        Brendan chuckled. "Can't say I blame her. Michael should have gone for her years ago. She called him 'The Imbecile.'"

        "Did you tell him you met her?" Duncan asked.

        "You jest. I want to see the look on his face when he learns that she is not only not English, but a virago queen commanding an army nearly as large as all the warriors in the Highlands combined."

        "Isn't that the truth. I want to be there too." Duncan shook his head. "The lass gave Alera entry rank among her viragos."

        "And you let her accept?" Brendan asked, unable to believe his brother would allow his wife to hold rank.

        "There was no stopping it without insulting both Alera and Michael's wife. Fortunately, Rauri told me that no virago can fight unless she can prove she is not with child. I told Alera to expect a large family."

        Brendan didn't smile. He grew somber. "Duncan, do you ever wish to throttle Alera?"

        "At least once a day. Then she smiles at me and I decide to let her live awhile longer."

        "I was hoping I could train Faith to be a dutiful helpmate, but…"

        Duncan cocked a sardonic brow. "Let me guess. The lass isn't cooperating?"

        "She tries."

        "Let me tell you what I have learned since wedding Alera," Duncan said in an authoritative tone. "Women are obstinate and have too many opinions. Wives will smile and act like they agree with us in front of others even when they do not. Then they will lambast our ears in private about how wrong we are. No matter what we order, they are going to smile and pretend to comply. Then they will do as they damn well please the moment we turn our backs." Duncan grimaced in a self-castigating manner. "If you are not careful, they will even make you agree with their disobedience as if it was your idea to begin with. You have to be sharp and stay one step ahead of them at all times. And be firm, Bren. I cannot begin to tell you how important firmness is."

        "Is that why you refuse to leave Laidirkin until the bairn arrives?" Brendan asked, trying to get at least one gibe in.

        Duncan snapped his brows together and came to a halt about twenty yards from the rear of the keep. "Who told you that?"

        Brendan grinned. "Geddes mentioned it to Michael."

        "Geddes talks too damn much." Duncan plowed his fingers through his hair. "Did I mention women have moods that shift without warning?"

        "Faith can go from docile to belligerent quicker than a bee can sting."

        "Probably leaves the stinger in too, I would wager."

        "Aye, she does."

        "Just wait until she becomes angry and you haven't a clue why. You cannot ask her the cause, or she'll become angrier."

        "That is ludicrous."

        "I know, but 'tis the way women are. She'll quit speaking to you until you apologize for the purported affront and expect you to ask pardon without ever knowing the cause."

        "I'll not have that problem with Faith. She enjoys telling me why she is angry. Loudly, too."

        "She is a woman, so it will happen sooner or later." Duncan sighed. "The making up after is a benefit though. Women become passionate after a good argument. I sometimes rile Alera just for the rewards it brings."

        Brendan laughed. "No doubt she does the same to you."

        "'Tis a form of mutual seduction." Duncan grinned. "Did Lady Faith turn out to be as bonny as Alera suggested?"

        His wife chose that moment to appear. Brendan sighed over her semblance. Her cheeks flushed a becoming rose hue, and her raven tresses floated behind her, half-free of her braid, while she clutched her jumbled plaid. "Judge for yourself. She just rounded the kirk and runs toward us like an untamed urchin rather than a well-mannered lady."

        Duncan turned and looked at Faith. His jaw dropped and his eyes widened. "She is a veritable nymph."

        "I cannot believe she has lost her pleats again." Brendan chuckled. "Is Alera in the keep?"

        "Aye."

        "Faith doesn't know Alera is here. I saved her presence as a surprise."

        Faith launched herself at Brendan and threw her arms around his neck while her plaid fell to the ground.

        "I have joyful news!" she declared.

        "It can wait." Brendan wrapped his arms around her to keep her from tumbling to the ground. "I have a birthday surprise for you first."

        "But I want to tell—"

        Brendan set her down and placed a hand over her mouth. "Have you no manners? Greet our host, Laird Ranald."

        Faith faced Duncan and blushed. "I apologize for my rudeness, Laird Ranald." She dipped into a low curtsey worthy of a king and spotted her plaid at her feet. Her blush deepened, and she grabbed the end of the fabric.

        Duncan's emerald eyes twinkled with mingled mirth and admiration. "No need to apologize. And call me Duncan. Your husband is my brother, so you shall be my sister."

        "I appreciate your kindness, Duncan." She leaned closer to Brendan and whispered, "Why do you not have pleasing manners like your brother?"

        Before Brendan could reply that his manners were damn fine just the way they were, the rear door of the keep banged shut. He glanced beyond Faith. Duncan's wife pressed a hand to her slightly rounded belly and hastened toward them. Her long chestnut tresses, caught up in a leather string at the top of her head, allowed the riotous mass of curls to flow to her waist. The look of joy on her face enhanced her beauty.

        "Faith, your surprise is here. Turn around."

        "Must you word everything as an order?" Faith grumbled as she turned.

        Both women released high-pitched squeals, ran to each other, and embraced. Brendan was tempted to rub his ears and worried some of his hearing might have died with their elation. He enjoyed Faith's pleasure. It struck him that her happiness lifted his own spirits. How had such a slip of a woman become so important to him in such a short time?

        "You are not dead!" Faith exclaimed.

        "You are finally here!" Alera cried at the same time.

        Faith gasped. "You are...rounding."

        "Aye, and you are not a nun," Alera chuckled as she patted her belly, her sapphire eyes gleaming.

        "True. But I have just spoken with your Father Cunningham. I believe my new penance may be worse. I am determined to live with it though. I have no intention of suffering perpetual hellfire."

        Brendan scowled. He certainly hadn't taken Faith to a priest so he could watch her fret over another penance. "Of what new penance do you speak?"

        "You," Faith said with an exuberant smile.

        "What!"

         Duncan burst into laughter.

        Brendan wanted to slam his fist into his brother's jaw, but suppressed the urge and wiped a hand over his face instead. "Where is that damn priest?"

        "Father Cunningham is not a damn priest, and you should not curse in front of Alera," Faith chided with a smile. "Besides, Father did not give me the penance. The Almighty did. Is this not wonderful? I do not have to go to Hell for not being a nun. You are happy too, are you not, Brendan?"

        "For the love of..." Brendan clenched his jaw until his cheek throbbed. "Where is that priest? I'm going to serve him a penance he'll never forget."

        "Now, Bren," Alera placated. "I'm sure Faith misunderstood. She did not mean that you are her penance, did you, Faith?"

        "Aye, he is." Faith's jubilant expression made her whole being glow. "I'm so happy, and I don't even have to wear a wart or cut my hair."

        "You wore a wart?" Duncan asked, a perplexed frown drew his brow.

        "I did until Brendan tried to tear the flesh from my face." Faith shook her head, then shrugged. "I suppose that is when my penance began. Brendan, your cheek is twitching. Why are you upset?"

        "Duncan, go hide Father Cunningham," Alera ordered.

        "No need," Duncan replied, obviously not concerned. "I'm sure Father has already gone into hiding. He'll not return until Bren is gone."

        "Brendan, why do you not say something?" Faith asked. "You are fashing me."

        Even with words of worry for him, she couldn't wipe the smile from her face. She looked so damn happy about this insult to him that he couldn't bear to remain in her presence.

        "Stay with Alera," he ordered and stomped in the direction of a brook that ran to the west of the keep. The cold water should give him a little perspective so he could laugh at this ludicrous situation.

        "Where are you going?" Faith called after him.

        "Far enough away to keep you safe."