Kara Griffin - Gunn Guardsmen (23 page)

As she lay upon the bedding, chilled from the cold night and her absent husband, she grew forlorn. How had she come to such misery? Her heart ached for Kenneth’s acceptance. He was too broken from his brother’s death to revere any kind of happiness. Now that he’d learned about her supposed betrothal to his brother that would only wedge more of a boulder between them.

She wasn’t thrilled by the news either and instead of comforting her, Kenneth the oaf, left her. Elisa was determined to lock him out of her chamber and her heart. It was becoming more difficult as each day passed, because he needed her more than ever. She’d heard him trying to enter their chamber and was tempted to open the door. But she thought he could use the time to realize she wouldn’t welcome him back with opened arms after being treated so horribly. He’d hurt her, deeply, and she wasn’t sure how long it would take for her to forgive him.

She wiped the tears from her eyes and berated herself for weeping over him. He’d do well to be hit over the head. Aye, with a large, heavy tankard to knock some sense into his senseless brain. Someone should tell him how blessed he was, though mayhap she wasn’t a blessing for anyone. At that moment, she felt as though whomever she came in contact with was destined for ill-boded tidings. All whom she knew were gone.

Elisa wanted to give her heart to Kenneth but he didn’t want her love. She would have to find a viable replacement to ensure her own happiness. She’d done so when she stayed in Domhnall’s village and she was certain she’d do so here at the McInnish holding.

Morning came and she wasn’t wont to see him or anyone for that matter. But she wasn’t about to lie about. Elisa rose and washed, and went through her morning ritual. She wanted to look nice this day to brighten her spirits, and dressed in her finest garments. She decided not to wear the tartan and instead pulled an overdress of green over her bliaunt. She coiled her hair and pulled it into a coif. Though decorum dictated a married woman wore her hair unbound, she didn’t feel like a wedded woman.

After she tidied up the chamber, she went to the hall. Helena greeted her and Elisa sat and ate her morning fare. She was content to eat in silence. Kenneth was nowhere to be seen, which suited her well. For she was sure to give him looks of disdain were he present.

“Do you wish to go over the chores this morn?” Helena asked.

“Later mayhap. I want to take a walk. I need to replenish my herbs and wish to search for the plants I need. Is the lamb out back and fenced off as I instructed?”

“He is. I set a lad to tend to him after he brings in water to the keep.”

Elisa was glad the lamb would be looked after. There wasn’t much more she could do for the animal since his leg was broken. It would take a while for it to heal. She finished the bread she’d taken and was sated. After waving farewell to Helena, she left the hall.

Outside the day greeted her with a pleasant mist and a gloom to match her mood. Elisa didn’t look for Kenneth as she walked to the gate. The woods were a distance ahead and she hoped to reach it before anyone noticed. She needed to find a way to ease her troubled heart and put Kenneth from her thoughts. Looking for plants had always calmed her. The undertaking was so absorbing because she had to concentrate on her surroundings.

Beneath the cool canopy of the trees, she looked ahead and noticed the denseness of the woods. Elisa found a nightshade plant and plucked several stems and added them to her satchel. As she continued to walk, she sensed an eeriness of the woods. Its silence took a foreboding mien. Normally such a place wouldn’t concern her for she was used to being alone in the woods.

She came across a hemlock plant and happily plucked its leaves, becoming giddy at her find. Elisa preferred to use hemlock instead of cowbane because the latter more deadly. Many died from overuse of the cowbane and she only used it in dire situations. She reached the loch and stood by the waters watching her reflection on the smooth surface. A face appeared on the waters next to hers and she turned abruptly and saw the Red Woman standing behind her.

Her heart thudded and she gasped in fright. As much as she wanted to move, she stood rooted. The Red Woman was fair-haired from what she could tell and had painted her face and arms with the reddened clay from a bog. She must have startled the woman and she hastened away.

Elisa was going to call out to her, but the woman fled. She tried to follow her but she all but disappeared within the woods. She gave up her search after a short time later and returned to her task and found three more plants to add to her collection.

As the day grew later, Elisa grew tired and sat beside a fallen log. She realized she was exhausted. After such a restless night and then traipsing about the woods most of the morn, she needed to rest a while.

Elisa listened to the sounds of the woods. A bird squawked nearby and the wind rustled the leaves overhead. She heard the scurry of a hare or some such small animal close by which concerned her. But as spooked as she had been upon meeting the Red Lady, she wasn’t fearful. The sounds soothed her and she took a contented breath and closed her eyes.

Someone touched her face and startled her. She huffed and opened her eyes ready to make off, but when she focused, she saw Kenneth kneeling next to her.

She closed her eyes again, her alarm departing.

“Elisa, you had us worried. Sean,” he called, “I’ve found her.”

Kenneth sat on the log and watched her. “Is this where you’ve been all day?”

Elisa noticed it was dark now, mayhap close to supper. Her stomach agreed and grumbled. She must have slept a long time for she could barely see ahead of her. “Aye.”

“When you didn’t return for supper, Helena sent for me. We’ve been searching for you for hours.”

Dare she hope he would have realized on his own that she was missing? He didn’t have a care where she was or what she was about. Elisa’s shoulders sagged at that realization.

“I suppose we should be getting back.” She rose and brushed her skirts and waved to Sean as she passed him.

He lifted his brow and looked put out. “Did you find what you came for?”

“I did. I’ve more than enough plants now. Thank you, Sean.” She walked along keeping her thoughts to herself. Kenneth tried to take her hand a few times, but she wouldn’t allow him. Elisa wasn’t about to let him off so easily. He’d hurt her and she wasn’t in a forgiving mood. Horses would fly akin to birds before she would forgive him.

They entered the hall and each took a place at the table and it seemed supper had been delayed for her. She was gladdened because her stomach attested to her hunger.

Helena sat in a chair on the left side of the table, across from her. “I hope you didn’t mind that I sent the men to fetch you. You were gone long and I … deem you forgot the time?”

Elisa smiled a little at the lady’s gesture. “Aye, I did forget the time. I’m sorry to have worried you, Helena. I fell asleep.”

“Oh dearest lass, I thought something similar. I am happy you have returned safe and sound. I had … nothing to do this day so I had the keep cleaned.”

Something had changed the old woman’s mood, because she certainly seemed friendlier. A sense of excitement brightened her eyes, too. Elisa gazed about the hall and noticed the hearth no longer filled with ash. There were new candles, a good many, on the scrubbed table. The room illuminated with its glow. New chairs had been set about the room and hides had been hung on the window casements. No cold air blew inside. The room appeared much cozier.

“Thank you, Helena. You worked too hard though. You shouldn’t be doing such tiresome tasks, for you’ll overwork yourself. I should have helped. I’m sorry I wasn’t here …” She became crestfallen at her self-pitying mood of late and reasoned that even if Kenneth didn’t need her, Helena did.

“Some of the lassies came. Kenneth had them come and help.”

Her guilt erased by Kenneth’s commands.

“I amended your bedchamber too. And Kenneth had my belongings moved to my new chamber.”

“I hope you weren’t troubled, were you?” Elisa couldn’t help but be concerned for Helena’s feelings. The aged woman had occupied the keep a long time and must consider it hers. She didn’t want Helena to feel unwelcomed. Her oaf of a husband should have taken that into consideration.

“Kenneth had a lad come and help me set my new chamber to right. I do like it much better than that large chamber. It’s much warmer. And I am comforted by the gifts Kenneth bestowed on me.”

She glanced at him and when he saw her looking, she quickly lowered her gaze. Elisa tried to occupy herself with eating so she wouldn’t have to watch him. A bowl of soup was placed in front of her and she checked it, ensuring there was no meat in it. It tasted as if made with broth and various vegetables: carrots, onions, and parsnips. She dunked her bread in the bowl and finished the soup within minutes.

“That was delicious. Did you make that, Helena?”

“Oh nay, Kenneth had Winifred come to the keep. She’s the best cook in the clan. I never seen Winifred so chuffed. She was overjoyed to be selected by Kenneth to come serve the great manor.”

Elisa tweaked her lips in hearing that. Kenneth could give a woman he didn’t know a place within his household but he couldn’t give her one.

Helena smiled, and seemed to be pleased to give her the news. “Aye, and he also chose his council. Men, when I say you’re name, stand so Lady McInnish knows who you are. Unless you want to introduce them, Kenneth?”

Kenneth shook his head and continued eating. Elisa wanted to kick him under the table, but she couldn’t reach him. He should be the one introducing her to his council.

The old woman continued, “Simon is son to my Joseph’s man-at-arms, Herbert. Herbert died in battle some years ago. Kenneth was right to give him such an honor.” A man with such light hair, it appeared white, stood. He was young, mayhap a few years younger than Kenneth.

“And Duncan is the best at training the men. He’s from the Gunn clan but now calls this home. He’s continued his duties since my dearest Joseph died. He is very loyal to our clan.”

Duncan, a tall man, taller than any of the Gunn’s, stood and bowed his head to her. Elisa bowed her head in return. He looked like a bull as large as he was. Though he looked akin to fierce giant, his eyes bespoke kindness.

“And lastly, Aiden has been chosen by Kenneth to be his commander-in-arms and in charge when he is away. All the clan will revere him, for he has always taken his duties to his heart. He is also from the Gunn clan and came with Duncan.” Helena finished the introductions and nodded to the men.

Elisa bowed her head again when they bowed to her.

“I am pleased to meet you,” she said and to Kenneth, “You’ve been busy.”

Kenneth didn’t retort.

Sean looked oddly at her. “Elisa, what did you do this day besides find plants?”

“I saw a Red Lady.”

All in the hall stopped talking and looked at her.

“You saw the Red Lady? Many believe she’s a fairy or ghost come to hex us for our misgivings. Did she speak to you?” Helena asked.

“She did not. But she stood close to me. I tried to follow her, but she disappeared within the forest. At first I was frightened of her, but then I realized she meant me no harm. For if she had, she would have done something. Yet she ran off when I tried to converse with her.”

Helena pursed her lips. “She never allows anyone to get close to her. Many have only seen her from afar. You must be blessed.”

“That may be. I should bid you a good eve.” Elisa rose and went to her chamber. She hastily donned her nightdress and started combing her hair when she noticed the changes.

A large bed sat upon a dais in the center of the room, covered with a woven fabric and curtains above on each side. The tormentil shade was rich and warm and the room gleamed from the firelight in the hearth. Two chairs flanked the hearth in the same fabric.

A large trunk was added to the end of the bed and a smaller one beside the chair near the window casement. To the window was added a shutter and a large drape which was pulled aside.

Elisa crawled upon the bed, astounded by the changes in the chamber. She quickly closed her eyes feigning sleep when Kenneth entered the chamber. He moved about the room and then she felt the weight of him shift the bed.

“So this is the way of it? You are still angry.” He sighed an exasperated breath.

He touched her face, his roughened hand caressing her cheek. Elisa didn’t want to want his touch, didn’t want to need to give her heart to him.

Kenneth pulled her into his arms. “I hoped you liked the chamber. It was my way of making amends.”

She didn’t reply, but gazed into his dark brown eyes. His expression tore at her sense of empathy for it was the same look she’d seen when she had met him at Domhnall’s keep.

Kenneth kissed her and she didn’t pull away as she was wont. Elisa let him have his way when his kisses affected her more than she’d admit. Throughout the night he would pull her to his side when she moved away.

By morning, he was gone. Elisa rose and went about her morning chores and wanted to get outside. She took a few sweet cakes and wrapped them in a square of fabric and took her satchel from where it hung on a hook by the entrance.

As she walked along the path leading to the gate, she sensed someone watching her. When she quickly turned to see behind her, she saw an old woman waving to her.

“There you are.”

Elisa stopped and waited for the woman to reach her. The lady took her hand and held it tenderly.

“I have wanted to meet you. Helena said she would bring you by but she has not.”

“I apologize for we’ve all been a little busy. I am Elisa. We haven’t met.”

The lady’s faded blue eyes shone with a smile that reached her wrinkled lips. “Lady McInnish, ’tis been a long time, I’ve waited for you. Come to my cottage so we can have a nice visit.”

Elisa didn’t see any harm in it so she agreed. The woman’s cottage wasn’t afar. As they walked along, she thought to assist the aged woman, but she didn’t seem to need it. “I don’t know your name.”

“Most don’t call me by name. Och you are not akin to most, are you, lass? You may call me Uma. That is what my mother called me. Be at least fifty years since anyone called me by name.”