Journey to the Highlands: Robbie and Caralyn (Clan Grant Series Book 4) (18 page)

“Robbie.” Caralyn couldn’t catch her breath, she sobbed so. “I’m fine, but I was so afraid when I saw him hurt you.” Her breath hitched again and again. “You’re bleeding so heavily. Where are you cut? Will you heal?”

He glanced over her shoulder to see Brodie walking toward him, guiding his horse behind him. His opponent lay in the middle of the meadow, unmoving. Robbie heard a wee voice yell, “Papa!” and watched as Loki ran into Brodie’s arms.

“Papa, Captain Robbie is bleeding bad. Is he going to die?” Loki asked as he clutched his sire.

Caralyn pulled back and held Robbie’s face, kissing his lips and whispering, “I love you, Robbie Grant.” She ripped a piece of her skirt off to mop at the blood still pouring down his face. “How frightened I was when I thought I was going to lose you. The thought of leaving the Highlands and never seeing you again broke my heart in two. Then I had to worry about you dying. Never do that again!”

“Och, my sweet, I’m fine.” He kissed her sweet lips again, but she shoved him away.

“Nay, you’re not fine. You have blood all over you.” She continued to mop, searching for the wound.

Brodie came up next to Robbie and pulled Loki’s head away from his side so the boy could see his uncle. “Look, lad. Captain Robbie will be fine.” Brodie took the cloth from Caralyn’s hand and wiped at Robbie’s forehead. “I think ‘tis up here, lass.” Caralyn and Loki both looked on with wide eyes. “See, ‘tis in his forehead. It’ll bleed like a river up there, even when ‘tis just a wee cut.”

When Brodie finally slowed the bleeding down, Loki whispered to his father, “Papa, ‘tis not a wee cut.”

Robbie overheard him, smiled and ruffled Loki’s hair. “Don’t worry, lad. I don’t plan on dying anytime soon. All warriors must get a scar now and again.”

Taking Robbie’s hand in hers, Caralyn rested her head on his shoulder, and wrapped her other arm around his waist. “Robbie, that was too close.”

“Aye, but your troubles are over, lass. He will never bother you again. And I do believe I have to thank someone for saving my life.”

Loki’s brow furrowed as he stared at Robbie in confusion. “Who?”

“You, lad. You don’t remember yanking on his leg and unbalancing him enough that he fell off his horse? I could barely see through the blood at that moment. You had mighty good timing, because you tugged on his leg just as his arms flew in the air. At any other moment, you wouldn’t have been able to move him.”

Loki’s face lit up. “I did?” There was a puzzled look on his face for a moment, followed by a grin. “Aye, I did, now I remember. Caralyn and I unseated him. Aren’t you proud of me, Papa?”

Brodie patted him on the back. “Aye, I am verra proud of you. Now let’s get ourselves together so we can head back. Robbie, can you get Caralyn on your horse?”

“Och, I can manage.”

Chapter Thirty-Four

Before they mounted, Caralyn grabbed his wrist. “Robbie, my girls. Are they well?”

“Och, aye. Gracie has a few wee cuts, but she wasn’t crying and Ashlyn begged me to go after you.” He tucked a stray lock of her hair behind her ear. “Your daughters were heartbroken.”

“But I didn’t leave them because I wanted to. I had no choice, ‘twas the only way to keep them safe.” Her face fell.

“I think Ashlyn needs to hear that from you. She knows ‘twas all Malcolm’s fault, but she was quite upset.”

Once Robbie mounted and she settled in front of him sideways, he asked, “Do you wish to tell
me
why you volunteered to go with Malcolm?”

Her head was settled on his shoulder. “You know why. ‘Tis the same reason I wouldn’t leave his keep with you when you first asked me.” She clutched his bicep as they rode, not wanting to let go of him, hoping she would never have to let go of him again. The agony she had gone through when Malcolm’s sword grazed his face was something she never cared to experience again.

“Would you mind repeating it for me?” His voice was barely a whisper above the sound of the horse’s hooves on the rocks.

“Because of my lassies. You know that. When the brute had Gracie in his hands, I wanted to vomit. I had to do something.” She played with the plaid he had partially wrapped around her.

“Is that the only reason?”

“I didn’t want anyone else to get hurt. Tomas was already on the ground and I didn’t know if he was dead or alive. Gracie was on Growley’s back in the woods, while Ashlyn was sprawled across one lout’s horse and Loki was being chased by the other. Quade saved Ashlyn, but then the brute grabbed Gracie again and…” She buried her face in Robbie’s chest again. “I couldn’t handle all the people I love at risk. Quade could have been hurt, ‘twas two against one.” There was another reason, of course, but she didn’t feel ready to admit it to him.

Robbie chuckled. “Aye, those odds are good odds for Highlanders. The enemy can outnumber us two to one and we will still win. We know how to fight, love. Didn’t you trust me to come save you? I’m sure my brother has over a hundred warriors mounted and ready to head this way.”

“But you weren’t there and once Tomas went down, Quade was fighting on his own for three bairns. Is Tomas alive?”

“He was moving when I left. He has a tough head, so he should be fine. He’s more embarrassed than anything.”

A moment of silence hung between them, then Caralyn said, “Mayhap it would be best if I wasn’t here. My girls love it, but all I seem to do is draw trouble.”

Robbie kissed the top of her head. “Your trouble is now dead. So do you wish to stay at Clan Grant? Or is there something else you need to tell me?”

She shook her head. “Nay, I just wish my girls to live a happy life.” Moving her fingers back and forth on his arm, she couldn’t bring herself to look at him. If she could just think of something of value to offer his clan, mayhap she would feel worthy of being his woman, his wife.

Robbie stopped his horse and forced her gaze to meet his. “Caralyn, your daughters need you. No one is more important to them than you. And after losing half my remaining years when Malcolm aimed his sword at your heart, I realize how much I need you. All three of us love you. Why can’t you accept that? We would be lost without you.”

Caralyn shook her head in confusion, but then kissed him on the lips because he was so dear to her. She knew she needed to say what he wanted to hear. “I love you, too. I find I am always thanking you and you don’t like it, but I must thank you again. My mind will rest better now that Malcolm is gone.”

“Och, good. ‘Tis what I was hoping to hear you say. You can stop worrying about the bastard coming after you and your girls. ‘Tis done.” He kissed her cheek and kneed his horse to move on.

She leaned her head back against his chest and closed her eyes. Aye, she did love Robbie Grant; he was all she could ever ask for. He would make both a wonderful husband and father. But she, Caralyn Crauford, daughter of a fisherman, was not worthy of his love…and she didn’t know if she ever could be.

Maddie ran the largest keep in the Highlands with the ease of any queen. Robbie’s sister, Brenna, was a healer whose talents were lauded across the Highlands. Jennie, younger than Caralyn by far, assisted Brenna frequently and rarely became flustered at all the blood and gore. Celestina created the most wondrous bath oils and fragrance. Even Ashlyn had become a trusted assistant to Maddie and Brenna with their bairns. But what could Caralyn do?

Naught. She could do naught. Actually, she had two skills. She was able to bone a fish and cook it, and she knew how to see to a man’s needs—hardly a skill she wished to advertise or put to use with anyone besides Robbie.

As soon as they traveled a bit further out of the narrow path, ten rows of Grant warriors came toward them. It was a powerful sight. Angus was in the lead. “Grant, you need any help? Did you take care of him this time?”

“Aye, Murray is dead. Probably wouldn’t be a bad idea to search the area for any others who may be in hiding. We left the bodies if you wish to take care of them.”

“Aye, I’ll take care of the buffoon.” Angus grinned and cantered around them, followed by the others.

When they arrived back at the keep, the others clustered around them, concern etched on their faces. All Caralyn wanted to do was find her lassies. Robbie held her hand tight as they searched the hall for her daughters. As soon as Celestina saw them, she took them to the chamber Brenna used for healing.

They entered the chamber and Caralyn noticed Brenna was busy working on a couple of warriors, while Tomas slept on a nearby pallet. Her heart broke when she saw wee Ashlyn on a pallet in the corner. Her eldest daughter was crying, her hand clutched around Gracie’s even though the wee lassie was asleep. “Mama!” Ashlyn screamed as soon as she saw her mother. She tore across the room and threw herself into her mother’s arms. “I was afraid you would never come back. Why would you say such a thing? We could never let you go.”

Caralyn kissed her wet cheeks and said, “Hush, lass. I am here now. I’ll explain later. Just know that naught makes me happier than to be back with my lassies.”

Ashlyn clung to her skirts as she cried.

“Come, sit over here with me while Gracie sleeps.” She ran her hands through her daughter’s hair, surprised at how upset she still was. Ashlyn was usually the strong and courageous one, the one who always protected Gracie. Yet Gracie was sound asleep and Ashlyn was sobbing. Had her eldest daughter always been strong for her wean’s sake?

Caralyn sat and patted the spot next to her, but Ashlyn couldn’t sit. She ran over to Robbie and hugged him tight around his waist. “Thank you, Captain Grant, for saving our mama.” Tears continued to flow down her cheeks. And Caralyn noticed something new. Ashlyn didn’t want to let him go anymore than she did. He had won her over, too.

***

Robbie knelt down and wiped the tears from Ashlyn’s cheeks. “You are welcome, lass. You know there is nowhere else your mama would rather be than here with you.”

Ashlyn nodded her head and then leaned over to whisper to him. “Can’t you marry my mama so we could stay forever? I don’t want to go back to the place where we lived before. There were too many mean men. I hate Malcolm.” She stopped as her sobs forced her breath to hitch. “He was mean to my mama and to Gracie. Please? Gracie and I promise we will always be good. I can take care of Gracie so she won’t bother you.”

“Malcolm will never bother you again. I think I would need to talk to your mama about marrying first. And now I have this ugly cut on my face. Do you think she’ll still like a scarred man?”

Ashlyn tipped her head to get a better look at his face. “’Tis still bleeding a bit.” Her face twisted into a grimace of concern. “I think you need to get it fixed.”

Startled awake by the noise, Gracie hopped off her pallet and toddled over to her mother. “Mama!” She kissed her mother and then stepped back to show off all her wounds. “Mama, I have cuts. See? But Bwenna fix dem.” Her wee finger pointed to her neck, where a couple of small scrapes were covered in salve. “And I ride Gwowley. Gwowley save me.” Growley came up behind her, from where he’d been curled up in the corner of the room, and snuck a lick onto Gracie’s face, causing a burst of giggles to erupt from her. “Gwowley lu me.” She wrapped her arms around the big deerhound’s neck and gave him a kiss.

Caralyn smiled as she petted Growley. “Aye, I will have to find you a big bone, my friend, for saving my lass.”

Leaning over, Robbie kissed Caralyn’s cheek. “I need to go see my brother. Will it bother you if I leave you here alone?”

She gazed up at him and shook her head. “I’m fine, but shouldn’t you get that cut fixed first?” Not waiting for an answer, she rushed off and said something to Brenna. When she returned, she mopped his forehead with a dampened cloth.

Robbie grinned. “I have to say I could get quite used to you tending my needs, lass.”

Caralyn’s eyes sparkled. “I like it better when you tend mine.”

Robbie laughed before giving her a quick kiss on the lips. “I’ll have to remember that.”

Moments later, Brenna came over to check his injury. “Och, Robbie will be fine. I’ll put some salve on it to stop the bleeding, but I don’t think it needs stitching.”

***

While Brenna applied the salve, Caralyn glanced around the room at the different men who were being treated. Tomas was still sound asleep on his pallet. Another lad sat on a stool with his boots off, waiting for Brenna to wrap his swollen foot, while another held a piece of cloth to his bloody arm.

“Brenna, how is Tomas?” Robbie asked.

“Och, he’ll be fine. He has a nice bruise on the back of his head from the club, but I think once he sleeps a bit, he’ll be able to return to everything.”

A commotion sounded at the door and Alex Grant stepped in with a bundle wrapped around the front of him. His arm was around a dazed and bloody warrior, clearly the victim of an injury in the lists. “Brenna, Tavish was dreaming about a lass out in the lists. Could you take care of him please?”

Brenna let her hand fall away from Robbie’s forehead and shook her head. “Alex, what are you doing out there? Can’t you slow down? I will never get home at this rate.”

A smile spread across Alex’s face as he turned his attention to his brother. “Och, Robbie, all is taken care of?” Then he peeked inside the bundle strapped to his chest and kissed a wee blond head.

That was when Caralyn realized he was carrying Connor bundled up against his bare chest. The bairn was sound asleep, even with all the loud noises his sire was making. She couldn’t help but smile.

Alex returned her smile. “Never too early to have a Grant lad hard at work in the lists. Maddie says I keep him warm with my blast of heat, and this helps ease her burden.” He rubbed Connor’s head as he spoke.

“Aye, all is fine,” Robbie answered. As soon as Brenna finishes with my head that does not really need tending, I’ll explain everything to you.” He pointed to the girls. “The lasses want it tended.”

Alex smirked and headed out the door. “Brenna, take good care of my warriors. Robbie, I’ll be in my chair by the hearth as soon as I check on my wife. Nice to see you are safe, Caralyn.”

As soon as Brenna finished her ministrations and moved on to Tavish, Robbie kissed Caralyn’s cheek. “I need to talk with my brother,” he said in an undertone.

Caralyn nodded and sat back on the pallet. She couldn’t take her eyes from the lad with the gash on his shoulder. “Brenna, may I be of assistance?”

“If you don’t mind. You could wrap Gavin’s ankle or just clean up Tavish’s blood so I can have a look at the wound underneath.”

“Aye, I can clean him up for you.”

Brenna moved on to the lad with the swollen ankle. “That would be wonderful. As soon as I finish wrapping Gavin up, I’ll check to see if Tavish needs stitching.”

After finding a stool for Tavish, she grabbed a cloth and basin. Gracie played with Growley, but Ashlyn stood at Caralyn’s side. “Mama, may I help?”

Caralyn stayed and helped Brenna for another couple of hours. All the time she worked, she thought about how nice it was to actually feel useful, to be giving and not just taking. Where did she fit in?