Jake (The Highland Clan Book 4) (9 page)

Uncle Logan stood up and clasped his shoulder. “Wise choice. ‘Tis time to put our lads to the test, Grant. Bring them to the solar, and we’ll go over the plan.”

Chapter Ten

Aline had spent the entire morn scrubbing pots and was now cleaning the foul waste in the garderobe. Hew thought he could beat her, but he would learn how strong she was. When she finished, she trudged back into the kitchens, only to find Cedrica.

“Whew! I smell something ripe. Och, ‘tis you, Aline.” She cast a sneer Aline’s direction, laughing at her own jest.

Aline ignored her, moving into the next room to return the pail and scrubbing cloths to the storage. When she returned to the kitchens, she washed her hands, face, and arms, hoping to rid herself of the smell that seemed to have soaked into her pores and her nose.

“Scrub all you like, but you’ll not eliminate that odor, and you’ll be stuck with us for a long time. Hew will never come near you. But you know he just plays with you. I heard he told Lorna he’ll never take you back. He just wants to watch you grovel at his feet. He said he’ll kill you before he takes you back.” Cedrica narrowed her gaze at Aline, her head bouncing from side to side as if to convince everyone of how smart she was.

Aline, intent on ignoring her, made her way over to Cook to inquire about her next chore. “Cook, what would you like me to do now?”

Cedrica said, “I’d like you to clean my boots.”

Cook turned to Cedrica and pointed an accusing finger at her. “She’ll not be cleaning your boots, and I suggest you get back to work on that stew or I’ll be sending you away and reporting your behavior to our chief. I’ll handle Aline. I do not care how long you’ve worked in the kitchens.”

Cedrica grumbled and did as she was told, muttering under her breath, “Foolish whore.”

Aline wanted to reach for the wench and throw her down to stomp on her face, but she controlled her temper. If her mother only knew all the things she’d had to do to protect herself since coming to live with Hew. The lasses were so nasty here, all but Cook and Effie.

Cook waited for Cedrica to leave. “Lass, I see how hard you’re working, and I’ll pass this on to Hew. I know you wish to go to the chamber down below, but I do not know if he’ll allow it yet. Keep working, and I’ll keep standing up for you.”

Aline swiped away the tear that threatened to spill over her cheek. She didn’t know how she could work any harder, but she had to, she just did.

She’d never leave until she got back to the chamber down below.

***

“Jake, I cannot believe Da allowed this.”

“Jamie, you can be sure some of his guards are following behind us. That suits me fine. If something goes awry, we’ll have help.”

“Which of the lads do you trust the most?” Jamie did his best to keep his voice down so the others wouldn’t hear him. They chattered non-stop behind the two of them.

“Gregor. He’s the youngest, but the most serious. He’s always been a big protector, even as a laddie. But Gavin can blend in anywhere, can talk anyone into giving him information. Roddy and Braden are dependable and hard working as our uncles, but the creative thoughts will come from Gavin, and Gregor will see to it that everything gets done properly.”

“So which one do you send out first?”

“Gavin and I will go around to the back to see what we can determine. I’ll send you and Gregor to spy in the front. He will not get caught, and I’ll expect you to figure out your best approach. Roddy and Braden can travel the periphery to see if they see any activity on the walls or around the outside.”

Once they arrived, Jake gave his orders. It was almost dark, which helped him and Gavin to stay hidden as they headed around the back of the castle. He hoped the guards were big drinkers so they would be deep in their cups by now.

When they reached the back of the property, they dismounted and found a secluded place to tie up their horses. They crept closer to the gloomy fortress in front of them, and Jake had a hard time restraining himself from thinking about everything it represented. Inside that keep was a lass who’d been beaten and left for dead without remorse. Jake had to rein in all his instincts to keep himself from ramming through the front gates and beating Hew Gordon to a pulp with his bare fists. They found a spot in the trees and climbed the wall, staying hidden at the top, blocked from view by the tree branches. The wall was just wide enough for them to balance on.

A noise off to the side drew their gazes over to a different area. “Can you control your temper?” Gavin said. “Based on what I see, I believe it’s one of the chiefs, and he’s training his guards. We can gain much information here, but we have to listen and stay out of sight, even if you see Aline.”

“I know you speak the truth. I’ll stay up here and listen. ‘Twill be less tempting that way. One thing she said proved to be true. There are two keeps. Strange.” It was remarkable how much they could see and hear from their vantage point. There were few buildings other than the two keeps and the kitchen building. He saw another in the front that he guessed would be the armory.

Apparently, the chiefs did their best to stay hidden, since they did their practicing inside the curtain wall. The chief he could see wore a helm, and he treated his men with a brutality Jake had never seen in his sire or any of his uncles. Words and phrases caught their ears as they waited. Comments about attacks, killing, and sparring carried through the night. Most were the usual words one would hear in the lists except one comment that made them both stare at each other.

The chief stood in the center, sparring with another. He stopped and held his hand up to stop all the warriors. “Do you not wish to be known as the best in all the Highlands?”

They couldn’t hear the men’s responses, just the chief’s reply. “Then we’ll be working well past dark. Keep fighting!”

He had on a helm that covered his face. He battled guard after guard, cursing and spitting as he went. There appeared to be about thirty guards total practicing. There was a full moon, or they’d never be able to spar in the dark as they were doing. Finally, after another ten minutes, he tossed his sword to the ground. Jake hoped he’d remove his helm so they could identify him.

Instead, the chief barked at one of his men. “Find Gordon and tell him to get his arse out here. I wish to speak with him.”

“Aye, Chief.” The man took off at a dead run.

So, this was the chief Aline had told him about, the boss of Hew Gordon that she’d never seen. A few moments later, another man flew onto the field.

“What the hell is your problem? I was busy.” His hands sat on his hips, and as he made his way to the chief, four of his own guards trailed behind him. The two were about the same height, but the chief was broader and in better shape. Just as Jake had expected, Hew Gordon did not look like much of a warrior at all. Judging from his physique compared with that of the other men, there were few he’d be able to spar with on equal ground, which explained why he chose to beat on women. Bastard would pay someday.

“Busy swiving another? Get your mind away from wenches for a change. Try thinking about our goal.” The chief spat off to the side three times.

Jake started, his fists clenched at his side, desiring to knock out Gordon’s teeth at the thoughts circling through his mind, but Gavin held his wrist, holding him in place.

Calm down,” he whispered.

Jake knew Gavin was right, so he drew in a deep breath and let it out through clenched teeth. He forced himself not to think of this fool beating on women, or he would jump down and attack him for sure.

“Nay, my goal was never to take over the Highlands. I’m satisfied with what I have at present. You are the one who wishes to conquer all. You came here, looking for a place to practice and train your men, and I gave it to you. Apparently, you’ve forgotten our agreement. You protect me and mine, and I’ll finance your fight. There is naught more to it, so do not expect me to come out and join in your fun. Battle on your own.” Hew Gordon leaned toward the chief.

Jake could almost see the fury behind the helm. “When I came here, you agreed to support me in my quest. Otherwise, I would have killed you on the spot. Why should I keep you around if you’re not willing to help me? What benefit are you to me?”

Hew scoffed. “Twisting things around already? I’ll tell you what benefit I am. You cannot do this without me. Mayhap you have more warriors, but I have more riches, and I know the clans in the area. You know naught. How do you plan on feeding all those men without my coin? I didn’t see you arrive with cartloads of foodstuffs, so you’re dependent on me and my wealth. Stay with what you promised me, and don’t change it to suit your needs. I have plenty of witnesses.”

“I’m sure there are some warriors here who know the clans as well as you do, so I can easily replace you, and we are quite capable of hunting for our own food.” The chief had an air of haughtiness about him that Gordon clearly did not appreciate. Jake’s sire would be happy to hear that the two chiefs did not get along at all. It meant they were ripe for dividing and conquering as Uncle Brodie would say.

“And if your men are hunting, how will you train them? And allow me to remind you again that you do not have the wealth I do. You have no funding. The men will not stay around without food or coin. You must have promised big coin in order to get this many men deep into the Highlands. What were you planning on paying them with?” Gordon crossed his arms in front of him, smiling, clearly happy with the way the conversation was going.

“I’ve heard much about your riches, but I have not yet seen them. Show me what you have.” The chief now stood directly in front of Gordon, so close that if Jake were nearby, one swing of his sword would take them both out.

“And if I show you where I keep my wealth, you’ll have no reason to keep me around.” He snickered, and the chief responded by putting his face in Gordon’s face.

“I need money now,” the man snarled. “You need to come up with some coin for me. If you cannot, I’ll be sending you on your way.”

“You’ll have your coin. Keep up with your end of the agreement and see that my keep is not harmed in any way. There are plenty of reivers and wild Highlanders in the area. Keep them at bay, leave me to do as I wish, and I’ll pay you your price.”

“Send your men out to train with us. I plan on moving before the next moon, and they need to start training. How many do you have?”

“How many do
you
have? Because I have thirty, but I haven’t seen enough with you to go on the attack. Do you know how many guards the Grants have? Close to five hundred. One hundred guards are not going to do any damage. You don’t stand a chance against them, especially with Alexander Grant leading their warriors. He’s still one of the best swordsmen in all the land.”

“You worry about your wealth, I’ll worry about my guards. I have another group on their way to join us now. I’m forever expanding, but that’s why I need your coin. I promised to pay them, and I need more swords. If we’re going to attack Alexander Grant, we need more weapons.”

Jake gave Gavin a pointed look, but he never moved. He did what his sire had taught him:
Take in all you can about your enemy
.

He was thankful he’d listened to his sire and scouted the castle before attempting to barge in and rescue Aline. There were more guards here than he’d expected, and they’d now heard that this chief would attack the Grants for sure.

They needed to return to Grant land before the new group of warriors arrived. It was time for the Grants to make their plans.

***

To Aline’s surprise, she was called to Hew’s room a couple of days later. Cook had told her that Hew was quite happy with Lorna, so she had advised Aline to work as hard as she could. The oddest thing was that Cedrica had disappeared. The lass was mean and nasty, so Aline would not miss her, but where had she gone? Was she now with Hew?

The air around the keep had changed. There were more guards wandering about whenever she walked outside. Even in the kitchens, there were whispers that the chief was planning an attack. That meant there would be fewer guards left behind and mayhap Hew would be gone as well. If so, it could be the perfect time to plan an escape…and not just for her. But she would have to execute it flawlessly. If she failed, there was no doubt in her mind that Hew would kill her without regrets.

Shaking the thoughts away—she did not want him to know what she was planning—she knocked on the door and did her best to calm her trembling, hating to let Hew know his effect on her. The door opened and Hew stood before her. “Look who is at my door. The lovely Aline is back. Are you ready to mend your ways?”

“Aye, Hew. I’ll do aught you like in return for …”

“I know what you want, and if you do my bidding, we’ll talk about it.”

For the first time in a long while, a small surge of hope blossomed in her heart. She could heed him for a short time if it meant getting what she wanted. What she needed.

Hew stood back to allow her entrance to his chamber. He barred the door behind her. “I want no interruptions this time.”

Aline’s gaze searched the area for Lorna, but there was no evidence of her. She wished to ask, but Hew did not like it when she asked about his business.

“If you’re looking for Lorna, you’ll not find her. She overstayed her welcome, so I got rid of her.” He took her hand and led her to the bed in the center of the room. “Remove your clothes. I have plans for you.”