Knight Protector (Knight Chronicles) (26 page)

Raeb nodded and turned to Robert.

“What is an Englishman doing this far north?”

The man shrugged and smiled. “I’ve shared interests with the earl.” He lifted his cup toward Colin.

“You are new friends then?” Raeb asked.

“Fairly so. Strathnaver’s earl played a large part in helping me win my bride.” Robert cast a sly glance at Colin. “For that courtesy, I owe him a great deal.”

“I canna imagine Brice playing Cupid.”

“’Twas nae quite like that.” Colin glowered. “Let us just say that challenges were exchanged at one point.”

Raeb raised his brows and opened his mouth to speak.

“At my wedding, he challenged me to settle the debt with a duel of drink,” Robert interjected.

Raeb grinned. “You must have been upset when he won.”

Robert colored. “Sadly, that bout ended in a draw.”

“Oh ho, I would have liked to see that.”

“When we came to the next day we decided that fate must want us to be friends, since neither of us could seem to best the other.”

Raeb saluted the man with his cup then drank. When he put his cup down he turned to Ranulf. “You are Ranulf of Clan MacFearann?”

MacFearann? ’Tis no possible. What is my brother doing
?

“Aye. You must ask Robert what resulted when they indulged in a fistfight,” Colin said.

Sorcha frowned. Was her husband trying to put Raeb off of asking questions? She certainly would do so if she were such a fool as to call a MacFearann friend.

“I will someday. Right now I’m more interested in how the eldest son of Finn MacFearann, the most hated man in Scotland, comes to be welcome at Strathnaver. ʼTis nae a, shall we say,
friendship
I as a brother should wish for my sister.” Raeb shifted, including Colin in the veiled accusation.

Colin shrugged.

The big man lowered his eyelids. “I am nae my father.”

Sorcha could feel the tension rising. She dinna ken who to support, but Colin’s tactic seemed to be the right one. “Come sit beside me, Raeb, and tell me of my sisters.” She begged with her eyes for him to agree.

Raeb studied her for a while then nodded to Ranulf. “You will pardon me, I am sure. I must attend my sister.”

“Of course.” Ranulf stood and left.

All through her conversation with Raeb, Sorcha was distracted, but she nodded and smiled or frowned appropriately at the antics he related of their sisters.

She’d had nae idea Ranulf was
that
Ranulf. Their introduction had been so hurried she could nae recall if his surname had been given. The MacFearann clan was small but justly feared for its violent reprisals against any who crossed or offended the clan, and the family wasna beyond using deceit in pursuit of its goals. With that history of violence and lies to his name, ʼtwas a wonder how Ranulf had earned a place as Colin’s loyal friend.

Had Colin always known Ranulf’s history? Did this news add weight to the suspicions they both had about the big knight?

• • •

ʼTwas much later when Raeb followed her and Colin through the now empty hall and up the stairs.

“I am glad to hear that all is well with our sisters.” Sorcha opened the door to the earl’s chamber.

“I am glad to report it.”

Colin showed Raeb to the armchair by the hearth and sat beside him on a stool.

Sorcha closed and locked the door then joined the men at the hearth.

“Enough about family and friends. Tell me what goes forward that Marr would willingly offer peace to MacKai, and how it is the Earl of Strathnaver counts a villainous MacFearann among his friends.”

She and Colin exchanged a look before she broke the silence. “Brice is dead.”

Raeb nodded. “So you wrote in your letters. ’Tis hard to credit, though. You do a verra good job of pretending to be him, Colin. Why?”

“The pretense has been necessary because Brice betrayed Scotland and allowed a nest of traitors to work from Strathnaver,” Colin said.

“You have evidence of this?”

Sorcha nodded and told him all of the events of the past weeks, including the threats Brice made against the MacKais.

“You’ll recall I forbade the marriage.”

“You could nae stop me.”

“Should haves and could haves are pointless. We must focus on how best to catch the traitors and find the letter from King Philip,” Colin said.

“Your messenger said Coillteach and MacBirnum are coming here?”

“Aye, we expect them at any moment.”

“Would either of them be able to help? They are both Guardians.”

And Colin believed MacBirnum to be the greatest spy of all. ʼTwas information she felt Raeb should know, but ʼtwas nae hers to tell. How much would Colin trust Raeb?

Her faux spouse pressed his lips together, and his hands formed fists on his lap. “Coillteach is the head of the Scots who work to spoil England’s attempts at subterfuge, and those who search out traitors supporting Edward Plantagenet. I have been working for him since I left here ten years ago. That work has given rise to suspicions that MacBirnum’s loyalties are nae with Scotland.”

Raeb leaned back, his eyes wide. “ʼTis disturbing news to hear that King John’s own family plots against him.”

“Aye, which makes discovering the traitors at Strathnaver all the more urgent. For they may be persuaded to offer the proof Coillteach has been unable to obtain of MacBirnum’s treason.”

“Regrettably,” Colin continued, “my work at Strathnaver has forced Sorcha into a dangerous position. I hoped you would accept the invitation primarily for Sorcha’s sake. You can protect her against any Marrs who might still resent having a MacKai as their countess, but you canna keep her from harms you have nae knowledge of.”

Raeb placed a hand on Colin’s shoulder but looked at Sorcha. “Then you and I have more than peace and friendship between us. We have love for my sister and her well-being as our first concern.”

Love
?
What does Raeb see that I havena?
Certes, Colin has said naught of love.

Colin’s eyes shuttered. “I must keep Scotland safe, and canna think beyond that or I may fail.”

Raeb’s gaze hardened. “Do you tell me you will nae wed Sorcha? You would dishonor her and Clan MacKai mere moments after Marr and MacKai have sworn peace?”

Her brother’s voice rose in volume as he stood, and his hand went to the sword at his side.

Colin leapt to his feet with hand on sword hilt. “I will always do what I believe best and right where Sorcha is concerned and would never cast shame upon her.”

Sorcha, too, stood and stepped between the two men she loved most. Placing a palm on each chest, she pushed with all her might. “Sit! Down!”

She’d taken them off guard, so her stratagem succeeded. They sat like lads scolded for misbehavior.

“Sweet Mary, Queen of Heaven, how dare you both!” She imbued her voice with all the cold fury she felt. “I am nae a toy to be bickered over, especially when I am standing right here and can verra well speak for myself.”

Two pairs of eyes stared at her with varying degrees of surprise, confusion, and shame. ʼTwas almost funny to see these two hulking men put in their place so quickly and nae know what to do about it.

“I’m sorry,
muirnean
. Please forgive me.”

Raeb’s brows twitched as he cast a glance at Colin then stilled when he returned his gaze to Sorcha.

“Raeb?” She crossed her arms before her and tapped her foot impatiently.

He rolled his eyes. “Verra well. I am sorry too. But you must see that marriage to Colin is the only way to keep your honor.”

“I will retire to a nunnery before I enter another forced marriage.”

Raeb’s expression turned pleading and truly sorrowful. “Sister, you know we canna afford the tithe required for you to live sequestered.”

“Hmpf.” She tossed her head. “Strathnaver has enough, and ’tis the least he can do to show his gratitude.”

“I suppose, if he is willing.” Raeb looked at Colin, who studied his fingernails with head bent.

Sorcha sighed, and her shoulders slumped as she resumed her seat. “We can decide that later. Right now we must speak of the horses stolen from Clan MacKai.”

Raeb’s ears perked up, and he looked again at Colin, who lifted his head. “Your letter said you would return them.”

Steeling herself to the pain she must cause Raeb, Sorcha captured Colin’s gaze before he could speak and raised her palm to stop him. “I will tell him.”

Colin nodded, no doubt relieved that he would nae have to be the bearer of bad news, though his expression revealed naught.

“Tell me what?” Raeb’s brows met.

“That Dungarob’s livelihood canna be returned.” She twisted the end of her braid.

“Why?” Raeb fired the question at Colin.

Sorcha touched her brother’s arm and brought his attention back to her. “Two days past, the herd was stolen from the valley where they winter. Colin and I were caught in a frenzy started by the thieves to kill us or at least harm us enough, most likely, to keep us from following.

“Colin was shot and has just this day left his bed. I was unharmed but stayed to help Colin and so could nae follow the herd. By the time we returned and saw to Colin’s wounds, the thieves were long gone.”

“We’ve had men searching every possible moment, but the trail is lost,” Colin added.

“More than thirty horses and the men to guide them canna have vanished into thin air.”

Colin shrugged. “If we could have found them, we would have.”

Raeb’s jaw clenched. “Do you know who did this and why?”

“We suspect Lady Agnes, the dowager countess, and her lover—a man known as Sir Broc MacAba—for they disappeared at the time of the theft along with some valuables from the stronghold.”

“Lady Agnes may have learned of our plans to give the horses back to you,” Colin said. “Or she may believe we suspected her of being a spy for England and of trying to pass off a peasant’s bastard as the son of her union with my father. We have the boy’s confession, and he told us she found forged letters among her private papers incriminating her of treason against Scotland.”

Sorcha leaned forward. “We have evidence that someone else wrote the letters that had been placed among Lady Agnes’s things. She may be a bitter, greedy, deceiving woman, but we doubt she spied for either England or Scotland.”

Raeb ground his teeth. “If she’s greedy, she’ll wish to sell the horses quickly and for a high price. Only a few men in Scotland or England could purchase so many horses for even half their worth. If we canna follow the trail, I at least know where to look. The difficulty would be getting the horses back once they were found.”

Colin straightened. “If you’ve a plan, I’d like to hear it and help. I’ve no doubt that the MacKai herd is destined to end up with Edward Plantagenet. We must prevent that at all costs. His coffers grow thin, and his nobles are impatient with his constant demands for money and arms. A gift of horses with the quality of the MacKai herd would be of more help to Edward than a hundred spies.”

“’Tis pleased I’ll be if getting Dungarob’s wealth back benefits Scotland, but benefit or nae, I willna longer see my people in poverty. I will have the MacKai herd before the year is out.”

One corner of Colin’s mouth kicked up. “’Tis a noble vow, but you must find them first. Would you be willing to take a gift from Strathnaver to see to your clan’s immediate needs?”

Raeb considered a while. “I would be offended by the implication that I canna care for my clan, if it were nae true. And I might accept the offer, if ’twere a bride price for your marriage to my sister.” He cast a sidelong glance at Sorcha. “But she seems disinclined to marry, so I canna accept. Neither my clan’s pride nor mine will allow it.”

“What of our sisters?” Sorcha protested.

Raeb cocked his head. “What of them? They have clothing, shelter, and food enough to survive.”

Her lips thinned. “They could have more.”

Raeb locked his gaze with hers. “And they shall. You will no be forced to marry. I will no be forced to take charity from a man who owes me a debt greater than any alm could expunge.”

They were at an impasse.

Raeb turned to Colin. “As for the horses, I will get them back, and I will start with Lord Du Grace of BlancMer near Lancaster. He was once Edward I’s Master of Horse until they had a falling out. Du Grace is still the best breeder in England and has been trying to get his hands on MacKai stud for almost as long as I have been alive.”

Sorcha sat upright. “You said Du Grace, right?”

“Aye.” Raeb nodded.

She turned to Colin. “Doesna Sir Robert know someone of that name?”

Colin, smiling broadly, echoed Raeb’s nod. “Aye. We may be able to get Robert to strike the deal that will get the MacKai herd back to Dungarob.”

“Think you so?” Raeb worried. “Lord Du Grace is a canny man for an Englishman and has no weaknesses to exploit that I know of.”

“’Tis why we must speak with Robert, who is acquainted with the man and can help us design a strategy.”

A knock sounded. Sorcha rose and went to the door.

“The chamberlain tells me that Lords Coillteach and MacBirnum have sent word they will arrive by midday tomorrow.”

Colin and her brother stood. “Raeb and I will speak with Robert.”

Sorcha yawned. “I will seek my bed then. I must rise early to see to the last preparations for our guests and the celebration to follow the next day.”

And what would that day bring? Discovery of the traitors, she prayed, and an end to the tensions of the past weeks. ʼTwould also bring an end to her pretend marriage to Colin. He could at last reveal the truth to his clan and give Brice a proper burial. She would leave. Although most likely not to return to Dungarob. Raeb seemed determined on her marriage to Colin before he’d forgive her past defiance. She’d have nae part of that. One forced wedding in her life was one too many. Where she would go she wasna certain. She no longer felt compelled to live retired from the world. Strathnaver owed her. With that she could set up her own household, or hire out as housekeeper in some grand home, perhaps in Perth or Inverness. She could even ask escort of Earl Coillteach and be on her way all the sooner. Once settled she might marry some quiet prosperous merchant and even have the family she’d always dreamed of.