Kara Griffin - Gunn Guardsmen (32 page)

“Why would someone want to harm me? The only person I feared is dead. Sean, I am sure there is no reason to be concerned. Besides, I will soon be confined and you know how I feel about that.”

Sean scoffed. “You shouldn’t be traipsing about, Elisa, not in your condition. I wish you would let me tell Kenneth.”

“Nay, he made his choice when he left. He does not want to be wed to me, never did. I will not be the cause of his unhappiness.”

He pounded the table with his fist. “Do you deem he’s happy? I tell you, I’ve known Kenneth since the age of six, he’ll not be happy until you are back in his arms.”

“Nonsense, Sean. If that were so, he wouldn’t have left that day and honestly, he did the best thing by leaving for all of us.” Elisa didn’t care that she spoke an untruth, for she was miserable without Kenneth. The deceitful words were the only thing that got her through the day.

“Still, someone did try to kill him and Uma indicated you were in danger. Helena wrote to me,” he waved the missive, “She stated the urgency. I won’t let you out of my sight.”

“I see there is no way to convince you otherwise. I am off to the woods to find some soapwort. Come if you must.” Elisa left the cottage and saw Colm speaking with Kelsi not far from the gate. The two of them spent much time together and she thought they might be besotted.

As she looked around, she saw all the repairs that had been made to the village. Some of the MacQuarrie clan had returned, and she was sure more would come once the weather afforded travel. She was silent on her walk and Sean looked angry, so she wouldn’t try to converse with him.

She was concerned for Kenneth, but there was nothing she could do. Sadly, she knew she was right for he had made his choice when he left that day, the day Domhnall died. And now she was alone again, although she had friends who did try their best to keep her company.

Within a few minutes, she found the soapwort and dug until she could pull the roots from the hard ground. But they held fast. It hadn’t warmed enough to soften the ground, but had enough to help the vegetation grow.

“Let me.” Sean moved her aside and yanked the roots out. He handed them to her.

“Thank you. I should look for more, this won’t be enough.”

“We need to return.” Sean kept glancing around as if someone was about to bound out from behind a tree.

“I don’t know why you are so worried, Sean. None would harm me here. We shall return if it will make you feel better.”

When they entered the gate, she stopped when Sean spoke with the watch. Aiden rode up and dismounted near Sean. She thought it odd since another had come with word from the McInnish clan.

“Sean, good to see you, my friend.”

“Aiden, what do you here? Someone just came from McInnish clan a short while ago.” Sean looked at her and then back to Aiden.

“Aye, I know. I was riding along and stopped to take rest. How are you, milady?”

Elisa smiled slightly at the handsome warrior. He appeared to be in good spirits. “I am well, Aiden, thank you for asking. Is Kenneth well after his mishap?”

Aiden frowned. “Ahh, he seemed well the last time I saw him. When are you going to come to your senses and return home?”

She didn’t like the tone of his words, but dismissed it for Sean and Colm often berated her for not going to Kenneth too. “I shall see. Come, are you hungry? Kelsi made a fine stew for supper. You are welcome to join us.”

They walked toward the cottage she shared with Kelsi. Her friend was enamored of Colm, and Elisa smiled, for who wouldn’t be? He was a fine man and the two of them seemed to suit. Elisa was about to call out to her, but they appeared to be engrossed in an intimate conversation. She would hold supper until Kelsi came inside.

“I’ll just go and put these herbs away,” she said and dropped a few of the stems. “Kelsi, when you’re ready, we can have supper.”

Colm finished his conversation with Kelsi and gave a peck to her cheek. He looked oddly at Aiden and then at Sean. Elisa didn’t think Colm liked Aiden, for his scowl was fierce.

Sean retrieved the herbs she’d dropped and handed them to her. “I need to speak with Colm for a few minutes. You’ll stay within the cottage?”

“Of course. Where would I go to at this time of day? Oh, but I promised the stable master I would come by and check out the new horses before he’d stable them. I shall go and meet him after supper.”

Sean nodded. “I will go with you. Stay inside. I’ll return in a few minutes. Colm, come on. I’ve news to impart.”

Elisa watched the two of them walk away. Aiden stood not far from the cottage watching her. Kelsi saw a lady with whom she had befriended and walked away. Upon entering the cottage, Elisa set the herbs in a basket by the hearth so they would dry out from the heat of the fire. She started to set the table for supper and saw Aiden come inside. Something about him seemed off, but she ignored her instinct and went to stir the stew.

“Did you see Kenneth? I heard he was injured.” She tried to make small conversation because she felt awkward with him pacing around the table. Elisa wanted to inquire why he thought he could enter her cottage without permission, but he looked rather irked about something so she refrained. Although she had invited him to supper, hadn’t she? She wished she had not now, with him being so peculiar.

“Nay I didn’t see him. He’ll be well?”

Elisa stopped stirring the stew. If he had come from the McInnish holding he would’ve known if Kenneth fared well. He certainly wouldn’t be asking such a question. Surely he would have made sure his laird survived and was on the mend before attending to errands. Something about him did not seem right.

“I thought Sean mentioned that he was mending. Why did you not see him before you left? Haven’t you come from the McInnish holding?”

Aiden stopped pacing. “No one was allowed to enter the keep.”

“Oh, well you must be relived then to learn he’ll be well.” Elisa moved around the table, feeling stalked by him. He kept moving closer to her and she moved farther away.

Aiden reached out and grabbed her around the waist. He held a dagger at her throat. Elisa’s eyes widened in shock.

“What are you doing?”

He didn’t answer her, but held her too tightly. What would he gain by killing her? She tried to trip him with her foot and they both fell backwards until his back hit the floor and she landed atop him. Elisa scrambled away, but he grasped her leg and pulled her back. She saw the hearth poker on the floor and thanked God that Kelsi had not put it back. She had a habit of using it and forgetting to put it back in the stand.

Elisa grabbed at the poker but she couldn’t reach it. It was a mere few inches from her grasp. Aiden pulled her to stand, his hand wrapped around the locks of her hair. He tugged her tresses so hard and it hurt so badly tears came to her eyes.

“Why do you wish to hurt me?”

“You never should have wed the McInnish laird. He would never have returned if not for you.” His words spoken so harshly, his spittle hit her face.

Elisa tensed and tried to pull away but he held her too tightly. The door started to open and light shown inside the cottage. She heard Sean’s and Colm’s voices outside. They distracted Aiden and Elisa had only seconds to act. But before she could jerk from him to grab hold of the poker, Kelsi thrust the poker through his stomach and she was released. Elisa fell back on her rear. Her breath caught in her throat and she lay back, stunned from what she’d just witnessed.

Kelsi yanked the poker from his body, gasping for breath, and holding it in position should he try to move. Her eyes darkened with acrimony.

“Don’t move,” Kelsi said severely.

Aiden stumbled and knocked the table from where it sat and all the items atop had fallen to the floor. He held the spot where the poker jabbed, just above his stomach.

“Witch! You should be dead, aye just like Kenneth.” Aiden fell to the floor, his breath harsh. Within minutes he stopped breathing. He lay still, his eyes staring. Even in death he frightened her.

Sean and Colm ran inside the cottage.

Sean knelt next to her, looking over her body. “Are you hurt? Did he harm you?”

“Aye, my head hurts. My side hurts too, but other than that I think I’m well. See to Kelsi.”

Colm gently pried the poker from Kelsi’s firm grip and dropped it to the floor. He took her in his arms and consoled her even though Kelsi didn’t appear to need comfort.

Sean lifted Elisa in his arms and carried her to bed. Lightly, he set her down. “I’ll get the healer.”

Colm stayed with her. “Did he say anything about why he would want to harm you? I never trusted that villainous maggot.”

“He said Kenneth wouldn’t have returned home and that it was my fault.” She closed her eyes, trying to assess any pains she felt in her body. Other than the headache she now had and small stich in her side, she felt fine. She worried for her health more so these days and tried to be careful. Her body had grown larger by the day, and movement became somewhat cumbersome.

“Is the bairn unharmed?” Kelsi asked, concerned.

“I believe so, Kelsi. Not to worry. I am well and don’t have any pain.” Elisa smiled when Kelsi came to sit beside her. “You saved me. I shall always be indebted.”

Kelsi smoothed her hair. “I couldn’t allow him to hurt you. Nay, I did what I had to. As long as you are unharmed.”

Colm shook his head. “Ye killed him, Kelsi.” He couldn’t seem to get over that fact.

Sean returned and stood next to Colm. “The healer is on her way.”

“Sean, help me remove him.” Colm knelt and took Aiden’s limbs and started to drag him out of the cottage.

Sean opened the door for him.

Elisa held Kelsi’s hand. “Truly I am unharmed. He pulled my hair though and I have a slight headache. That is all. Worry not.”

“Shall I get you anything? I can get a remedy for you.” Kelsi held her hand so tightly.

“Nay, I don’t need it. I am concerned about Kenneth. When Sean returns will you tell him I wish to speak with him?” She closed her eyes and tried to ease her breathing which still exerted from the excitement.

When next Elisa opened her eyes it was dark and only one candle was lit in the cottage. There didn’t appear to be anyone about. She called out for Kelsi who rolled to her side in the bed opposite of hers.

“You’re finally awake. I thought you would sleep through the night.”

Elisa frowned. “What? How long have I been asleep?”

“’Tis near midnight. I thought you would never awaken. You worried me.”

“It is so quiet. Where are Sean and Colm?” Elisa threw off the covering, having grown heated.

“Sean left the holding. Colm is outside the cottage keeping watch. They trust no one now, not even those within the clan.”

“I see. Where did Sean go?” Elisa could guess. But she hoped he did not go to McInnish land. The last thing she wanted to do was to cause Kenneth concern especially after learning he had been injured himself.

“He didn’t say. I would say he went to get Kenneth. You should prepare yourself. What are you going to tell him about the bairn?”

Elisa closed her eyes. She hadn’t really thought about what she would say to him when he learned of her condition. Many debates occupied her thoughts on whether to tell him or not. He was the father and had every right to know about his child. But Elisa thought she had plenty of time to decide.

“Elisa? Did you hear me? What are you going to tell him?”

“I don’t know, Kelsi, honestly I don’t. It may not matter for I doubt he will come here. I will send a missive to him explaining when the bairn is born. No sense in rushing with the news when it has yet to happen.”

Kelsi snorted. “Hah, I doubt you will. You’re afraid to tell him, aren’t you?”

“Aye, I am being cowardly. After how he ended things, I didn’t think he would ever return to me. I doubt he will now. I will send him word, but when I wish to.”

“You deem he won’t come when he gets your missive? I tell you, Elisa, I vow he’ll come sooner than that. Once Sean tells him of the happenings, he’ll come a running.”

“I don’t wish to discuss this.” Elisa rolled to her side and set her hands on her swollen abdomen. If Kenneth came running, she’d be a whey-faced-Fionn!

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

The closer Kenneth got to MacQuarrie land, the more anxious he became. Still unsure, he couldn’t reason the words he’s say to her. He knew he’d come up with something and his time was growing short. And he admitted he was happy knowing he would soon see her. How he missed her bonny face, her winsome voice, her scolding green-eyes.

He didn’t speak to Sean much during the trek, but now he had questions he wanted answered. When Sean had regaled him with the tale of what had happened with Aiden, he’d been angry and concerned for Elisa. How had none of them suspected him of foulness? Aiden never let on that he was displeased with his return and the more he thought about it, he hadn’t done anything untoward until after the incident at MacQuarrie land. Except for his shirking his duties and the fact that he’d left his post from time to time … Kenneth hadn’t thought the man capable of such misgivings.

“Do you deem the king had something to do with Aiden’s actions?”

Sean slowed his mount. “I’ve been thinking on that. I didn’t note anything odd about Aiden. I thought he was just a quiet sort and didn’t enjoy reveling with the men. Mayhap he was angry and couldn’t act on it until ye returned.”

“He had been left in charge. Grey sent him after my father died. I say he was used to being the leader and didn’t want to give up his role.”

Sean nodded. “Seems so. Grey trusted him and didn’t believe it either when I told him. He feels badly that he sent him to your land now. Och I told him to be cautious around Alexander too.”

Kenneth was glad he’d sent Sean to relay the happenings to Grey, after he’d delivered the news to him. If Alexander had anything to do with Aiden’s actions, he didn’t know what he could do to appease the king. Mayhap Alexander was still angry with him over the fact that he’d lied to him about Elisa.

The walls of her home came into view and Kenneth stopped his horse. He sat staring ahead knowing the moment of truth was upon him. Sean stopped beside him and waited.