Journey to the Highlands: Robbie and Caralyn (Clan Grant Series Book 4) (13 page)

Chapter Twenty-Five

Gwyneth took one look at her and held her arms out to her friend. “Caralyn, what is wrong? Aren’t you happy here?”

“Aye, but…Robbie doesn’t want me here.” Caralyn fell into her friend’s arms.

Gwyneth held her for a while before forcing her to look at her. “What do you mean, Robbie doesn’t want you? From everything I can see, the man is besotted with you.”

“I just came from his chamber and he turned me away.”

Gwyneth pulled her down to a set of stones built into the wall where they could sit. “Caralyn. You must realize he is much different than Malcolm. You’ll never be able to satisfy Robbie in the same way as you did Malcolm.”

“I don’t understand. All men want to rut. ‘Twas what my husband wanted from me, too. He wanted to rut all the time.”

“Did you have any feelings for your husband?”

“Nay. Well, I liked him for a time and he did protect me and catch food for us, but Robbie asked me if I had ever loved anyone before. I don’t understand love. I love my daughters, but ‘tis different.

Gwyneth brushed her hair away from her face. “Och, lass. I know where you are coming from. I recall the horrors you lived through. Makes me realize how glad I am I was able to fight off the Norseman who came at me on the ship. But ‘tis different here. I have watched all these husbands and their wives every day since we arrived.”

She glanced at Caralyn before staring up at the stars in the sky. “Alex, Brodie, and Quade, they all treat their wives different. They ask their opinions. They touch and laugh and do as their wives ask them to do. And the wives do things for their husbands with a smile on their face, as if they enjoy it. ‘Tis new to me, as well. But I don’t remember my mama, and I have little experience with married couples. As far as I can recall, I have said I would never marry. But you know what?”

Caralyn shook her head, trying to catch her breath.

“’Tis verra nice. Makes me almost want to be married. I didn’t think I would ever say such a thing. They are all happy.” Gwyneth stood at the wall and gazed out over the land. “Look at this, Caralyn. Have you ever seen a world like this? What are you going to do?”

Caralyn shook her head again. “I don’t know, but I want to stay. My lassies are the happiest I have ever seen them. Gracie is talking and doesn’t suck her thumb.”

“Mayhap you can contribute in some way and find your own cottage.”

“Och, what can I do? My only skills are when I’m on my back, and I don’t think Laird Grant would be agreeable. I can’t sew or cook. Mayhap I could be a maid. What will you do? Do you plan to stay?”

“Och, you know I have to finish something. I’ll hunt down the man who put me on that boat and kill him with my bare hands if I must. I won’t rest until I do.”

“Will Logan help you?”

“Logan is an admirable man. He is wonderful with the weans, and your daughters love him, but he’s too stubborn for me. I can’t ask him to come with me and settle my business. I have my bow and arrows and you know how much I’ve trained for this. I’ll be fine. He showed me how to mark my path back.”

“What if Malcolm comes for me? What if he brings a whole garrison of warriors and attacks the Grants? They’re so wonderful, I couldn’t stand to see anyone hurt.”

“The Grant has over four hundred men training in the lists, and others waiting to join. I think he can handle Malcolm Murray and his group of misfits,” Gwyneth snorted. “And did you see the size of Alex Grant? Brodie and Robbie aren’t small either. The three of them are massive, along with Quade and Logan. They grow lads big up here.”

The two of them laughed until Caralyn’s belly hurt. “Mayhap you are correct, but someone could still be injured. I should go, but I don’t have the heart to take my lassies away. When will you leave?”

“Soon. I’ll head back down to Glasgow and mayhap, back to Ayrshire. Depends on where I will find that lousy bastard, Duff Erskine. The man killed my father and my brother in front of my eyes. He needs to pay for what he did to me and my family.”

“I hope you can find resolution to this, and I hope Logan helps you, whether you want him to or not. Will you come back after, at least for a visit? I understand why you must go. You handle things differently than I do. But I hope someday our paths will cross again. Thank you for all you have done. I know how hard it must have been for you to travel alone with three men, but I felt so much better knowing you were with them.”

“They were all gentlemen. Even Logan can be quite decent. He taught me a few things. If I run into Malcolm on the way, I’ll take care of him for you.”

Caralyn hugged her friend. “Godspeed, Gwyneth. You know I will worry about you.”

“And I, you.”

“Do you think Malcolm will come for me? ‘Tis a long way.”

Gwyneth leaned over the ledge again and peered out over the land. Caralyn stood next to her. “For most men, I would say nay. But Malcolm? ‘Tis a competition for him and he must always land on top. I fear he will come, but mayhap not until spring. ‘Tis a long trail in the winter. I’ll see what I can discover in Glasgow.”

“Gwyneth, are you sure you can’t stay here? I’ll miss you. You can have a fresh start here. You were a true friend when I really needed one. Mayhap the only true friend I have ever had.”

“Och, we’ll meet again. Don’t worry.”

***

Two days later, Robbie sat at the table in the middle of the solar while Alex sat behind his desk with Maddie seated close to him. “Why did she wish to see you, Alex?”

“I don’t know, but I granted her request. Do you wish to give us a little background on your relationship with Caralyn before she joins us?”

Robbie shrugged his shoulders as he walked over to pull the fur back from the window. “I found her after a Norseman beat her until she was unconscious. She was in bad shape and didn’t awaken until the next morning. I brought her to my camp, then went back and rescued her daughters. Tomas and I took them all to the priory near Glasgow right before the Battle of Largs.”

“And that’s all?” Alex’s eyebrows lifted as he watched his brother.

“That’s what is most important.” He turned back around from the window to face Alex and Maddie.

“Then how did you end up bringing her to our clan?”

“Och, ‘tis a long story.”

“We have the time.” Alex glanced at his wee wife, methodically rubbing her rotund belly. “Is aught wrong, sweeting?”

Maddie smiled. “Nay, I am fine. Just a wee bit tired.”

Alex leaned over and kissed her cheek.

“Would you two like me to leave?” Robbie asked.

“Nay! You will stay until you answer my questions.” Alex glared at him.

A soft knock sounded at the door.

“Enter,” Alex said.

Caralyn stepped in hesitantly before closing the door, pausing for a moment when she saw Robbie standing by the window. “Should I come back?”

“Nay.” Alex stood and ushered her over to a chair. “I have asked my brother to attend. Is this agreeable to you, Caralyn?”

She nodded and smoothed her skirts as she waited for a prompt to begin.

Alex settled back into the chair behind his desk and nodded for her to begin.

“My laird, I have come to explain a bit about myself and to ask a favor.”

Robbie couldn’t guess what she was about. Nervous, he started pacing in front of the hearth.

“I have two things I wish to discuss with you, if I may.”

“Go ahead, lass.”

“My mother always taught me to be honest, so I feel the need to give you an explanation of my background. I don’t know what Robbie has told you about me.” She glanced from Robbie to Alex Grant.

“Verra little. You tell us whatever you need to tell us,” Alex said.

Caralyn’s hands gripped her skirts before she started. Robbie wanted nothing more than to walk over and hold her in his arms before she started, but he could tell how much it had cost her to come here to speak with Alex, and he needed to let her stand on her own.

“I have a verra different background. While I was married for a time, for the last five years I have been a mistress to a man who sometimes gave me to his friends.”

Robbie barked. “What are you doing? They don’t need to know this.”

Alex held his hand up to his brother before taking his wife’s hand. “Maddie, would you like to leave?”

“Nay, Alex, I am fine.”

“Continue.” Alex nodded to Caralyn.

Caralyn glanced up at Robbie before she spoke. “I realize it may not be best for me to be around all your weans due to my background, so I wanted to be completely honest with you. I would like to stay at your keep, if possible, but I realize I’m an imposition. Still, I wondered if you might have a cottage near the loch where I could stay with my daughters.”

Robbie stopped pacing and crossed his arms.

“I apologize if this upsets you, but I can’t change who I am.” Caralyn kept her eyes fixed on Alex Grant as she spoke.

After taking a moment to reflect on her words, Alex cleared his throat. “Is this what you wish to do? Do you wish to continue to be a mistress to someone while you are at the Grant keep?”

“Nay!” Caralyn bolted out of her seat, but then sat down again. “Your pardon,” she whispered.

“Was it your choice to be this man’s mistress?” Alex asked.

“Nay.” Caralyn shook her head adamantly, then bowed her head. “I was forced. We were desperate for food, and the man made his price clear. Then he held my daughters and threatened to hurt them if I didn’t comply with his instructions.”

“Then I don’t see its relevance to this discussion.”

Caralyn’s head jerked back up, and she glanced from Alex to Maddie.

Maddie stood and walked around the desk to her, grasping her hands in hers. “It does not matter to us what you have done in the past. I disagree with you. You
can
change who you are. What would you like to do to contribute to the clan?”

“Well, ‘tis part of my problem. The only thing my husband taught me before he passed was how to fish. I thought if we lived near the loch, I could catch and clean fish for you. Ashlyn loves to fish, as well.”

Alex nodded his head. “I see. And the second thing you wished to discuss with us?”

“The person who forced me has been searching for me. He followed us out of Glasgow, but Robbie and his men fought off his men. He was able to escape back to Glasgow. I fear he may come for me and I don’t wish to risk any of your clan being hurt by him.”

Alex turned toward his brother. “Robbie, the man got away?”

“Aye, he threw Caralyn on his horse while we fought off his guards. By the time I followed, he was far enough ahead to force me to use my arrow. I struck him in the shoulder and he pushed Caralyn off his horse down an incline. I had to make a choice, and it was more important to me to make sure she wasn’t in danger.”

Alex quirked an eyebrow, then returned his attention to Caralyn. “If he comes for you, you are safer here inside the keep than in a cottage.”

“But I don’t wish to endanger anyone here.” Her voice was firm.

Maddie returned to her chair in time to hear Alex whisper to her out the corner of his mouth. “Hmmm, where have I heard that before, wife?”

Alex stood. “Thank you, Caralyn. I will give some thought to your request. Until I make my decision, I expect you to stay in the keep.”

Caralyn stood and thanked both Alex and Maddie. She opened the door to leave and Logan rushed in, stopping in his tracks when he recognized her. “Where’s Gwyneth?”

Caralyn shrugged her shoulders. “I’m not sure. I haven’t seen her yet today.”

“Did she tell you she was leaving?” His tone was persistent.

Caralyn nodded. “She said she planned to leave shortly.”

“Where was she going?”

“In search of someone in Glasgow.”

“Who?” Logan inched closer to Caralyn, towering over her.

Robbie jumped in front of him. “Stay away from her.”

“She has information I need,” Logan declared, hands on his hips.

“Then ask her politely and mayhap she will answer.” Robbie glared at his friend.

“Slud. Have it your way, Grant. Caralyn, would you please tell me where Gwyneth has gone?” He tipped his head back with a smirk, looking over Robbie’s shoulder.

Robbie stepped back, satisfied Logan was treating Caralyn with the respect she deserved.

“She has gone after Duff Erskine, the man who drugged her and forced her onto the boat.”

“She left alone?”

“Aye. She has her bow and arrows.” Caralyn glanced from Robbie to Logan. “Gwyneth always travels alone.”

“And what is her purpose?”

Caralyn stared at her feet, nervously shuffling them.

Robbie took a step toward her and tipped her chin up so their eyes met. “Caralyn?”

“She’s gone to kill him.”

Logan growled. “Foolish lass.” He cursed a couple of times before he turned away.

Caralyn stopped him. “Logan?”