Legacy of the Mist Clans Box Set (98 page)

“Connell!” The smith bellowed, trying to stop the crate from falling on the lad, but a board ripped loose in his hands, leaving him holding nothing but a broken piece of lumber.

Connell snarled a curse. Instead of leaping safely away, he reached up and caught the crate, stopping it with only the strength of his arms before it fell on Marcus. Somehow Connell managed to get his shoulder under it, the bottom braced against the quivering stack. Steadying it, he grabbed a breath of air.

“Move!” he snarled to the lad still on the ground.

But just as the crate felt as if it came into balance, something else cracked and more wood shattered. Connell bellowed in pain and fury as the massive load shifted even more and threatened to drive him into the ground.

HHH

Mairi finished feeding Adam and put him down for his nap. He slept soundly, and she hoped she could get some work done around the house now. But a horrendous cracking noise from outside made her jump and wonder if something was trying to come through the wall of their home.

She flew out the front door, and her gaze locked on the trembling wagonload of heavy crates in the smithing yard. She spotted the lad on the ground staring at the collapsing load in terror. Then she saw Connell. She had seen him leap into battle without hesitation, but this time it was as if he had summoned the strength of Samson in order to keep the crates from killing the lad.

His body bowed under the great weight, and she heard his bellow clear across the yard. The load shifted yet again and Connell battled to keep it from crushing not only the lad under his feet but himself. Oh, dear Lord! From Connell’s description, she recognized Marcus immediately, and it appeared the lad had gotten himself into trouble again. But this time, Connell was in serious trouble as well. Other merchants on the street also heard the commotion. They dropped everything and ran to help.

Mairi was the closest. She fisted her skirts and ran as fast as her feet would carry her across the grass. She ducked her head, and in a very unladylike maneuver, darted between the rails of the simple split-rail fence. Then she straightened and sprinted forward. Before the blacksmith could scramble down from the back of the wagon, she was beside the young lad. She grabbed his arm and hauled him away.

“I’ve got him!” she cried. “Let it go, Connell.”

Connell snarled another curse, and his body bowed as he tried to shift away. The smith appeared at his side, catching the top part of the crate, but the one behind it was also trying to fall and had shifted too much of its weight onto Connell. The smith’s efforts still weren’t enough to stop the crates from crushing him. He couldn’t back away without losing his balance and the crates falling on top of him.

Mairi did not stop to think her actions through. She lunged forward and grabbed the back of Connell’s wide belt. She had just thought Connell displayed the strength of Samson, but now she needed that blessing and whispered a prayer to the Almighty. She looked up at the smith. He gave her a brief nod, and she pulled with all of her strength. The smith gave a mighty heave and flung the crate to the left as Mairi yanked Connell out from under it. It smashed to the ground where Marcus had just been and broke open, spilling black rocks of ore. The one behind it also followed, and the smith leapt to the side as it crashed downward where Connell had been standing.

Mairi flew backward and hit the ground, but just as she sat up, Connell plowed into her lap. He didn’t hurt her, but she was terrified for him. He blinked rapidly, his soft groan filling her with dread. He tried to roll onto his side, but Mairi’s terror mounted as he collapsed.

“Sweet Mary,” she whispered. With trembling fingers, she held his head in her lap and caressed his face. “Connell? Oh God, Connell.”

His eyes remained closed, and he didn’t move.

“Laddie?” the smith called as he knelt next to them. His eyes grew wide with alarm when Connell didn’t respond.

The other merchants gathered around them, their voices low, but worry and fear mounted as they looked at the young blacksmith so very still at their feet.

“Smith,” Dugal said. “Let me help ye take him inside.”

Mairi blinked, trying to think through her growing fear. She wasn’t a healer like Lia, but she had a fair bit of common sense. “Nay,” she said sharply, startling all of them. “I dinna ken how badly he be hurt.”

“Lassie,” the smith said, “we canna leave him on the cold ground.”

Cold ground was part of the problem, she knew. Connell had stubbornly insisted on sleeping on the floor. She knew he had been so stiff he could barely rise in the mornings. But the smith would have no idea about that. The smith wouldn’t realize that Connell had been in so much pain for the past three days he wasn’t able to eat or sleep.

“Smith,” she said urgently. “Ye saw how his spine bent backward trying tae stop that crate. We canna move him until I ken how badly he be hurt.”

“Aye,” he said and thought for a moment. “The lassie be right. Dugal, fetch some water and a clean cloth from the shop. We have tae get him talking.”

Dugal returned with a bucket of water and a cloth, handing it to Mairi. With the menfolk standing around her, she supposed it was because Connell had his head in her lap that they didn’t just toss the bucket of water over him. She dampened the cloth and gently cleaned his face. “Connell,” she called softly. “Connell, open yer eyes.”

It took a moment, but Connell groaned and stirred, blinking open his eyes.

“Connell,” she said as he finally focused on her. “Can ye feel yer limbs?”

“Mairi?”

“Aye, I ken ye hurt yer back, but can ye feel yer limbs?”

“Aye,” he said hoarsely. He seemed to draw his wits together and lifted his hands, flexing his fingers and then moving his legs. “Sweet Jesu,” he breathed. “I ken my spine be just fine because everything else hurts like bloody hell.”

A sigh of relief escaped her.

The smith also sighed in relief. “All right, laddie, we’ll get ye home.”

“Just give me a bit. I’ll be fine.”

“I vow if I hear ye say that one more time I’ll haul ye out of here by yer ears,” the smith growled. “Ye are no’ fine.” He looked over his shoulder. “Angus, Dugal, would ye take the fool lout home?”

Angus and Dugal hauled Connell’s arms over their shoulders. He snarled a curse and nearly collapsed between them as they pulled him up.

“Lassie,” the smith said. He reached a hand down to her and helped her to her feet, shaking his head as he watched them struggle to get Connell into the house. “Are ye sure ye dinna want one of my smithing hammers tae clout him over the head? That lad needs something tae knock some sense into him.”

“I just might, Smith,” she said, hurrying after Angus and Dugal. “I just might.” She hit the door just as they took Connell into the bedroom.

“Leave me be. I’ll be fine.”

“Connell MacGrigor,” she snapped, stepping into the room. “Cease. Ye be staying in bed.”

He glared at her and opened his mouth to argue.

“This discussion is over,” she said, glaring back at him. She folded her arms over her chest, daring him to say something more.

Connell snapped his jaw shut as the smith appeared behind her. He looked at Dugal, then Angus, and seemed to realize the discussion was indeed over.

“Tomorrow be Sunday,” the smith said, walking with her back into the main room as Dugal and Angus stepped out. “My wife and I will stop by after Mass and check on ye. And if he gives ye any trouble, lassie, I’ll bloody well nail his hide tae the wall.”

“I heard that,” Connell growled from the bedroom.

“Good,” the smith snapped, “because ye ken I’ll do it.” He sounded angry, but he grinned and winked at Mairi. “Reminds me of me when I was his age. He has more stubbornness than good sense in him right now.”

She rolled her eyes at him. “Ye dinna ken the half of it. Thank ye, Smith.”

“If ye need anything, please let us ken. My wife and I are verra happy tae have ye here.” He strode to the door then hesitated. “Dinna tell him I said this, but he was impressive stopping those crates. If it had been any other man, I fear Marcus would be dead. And ye, lassie, were quite impressive as well. I’ve ne’er seen anyone move so fast. If ye hadn’t yanked Connell out of the way, he would have been crushed under all that ore.”

“I heard that too,” Connell said, looming in the door frame. He leaned heavily against it, unable to stand on his own.

“Connell—” she declared as she rounded on him.

Connell held up his hand. “I’m going back tae bed,” he said softly. “I just wanted tae say the smith be exactly right. Ye were impressive, lassie.”

“Well, now,” the smith said with a grin. “That be a step in the right direction. Get some rest, laddie.” He strode out the door, closing it firmly behind him.

Mairi looked up at him and planted her fists on her hips.

“I ken what be coming,” he said, and his lips tugged upward ever so slightly. He studied her a moment then cupped her cheek in his hand. “I kenned the moment ye were there. I was so grateful tae ye for getting Marcus out of the way. But when the smith was beside me and we still couldna control the crates, that was when I kenned I was really in trouble. I felt someone take hold of my belt. It was as if the hand of God just plucked me backward. At first I thought Angus or Dugal was behind me. But I had an angel at my back. I’ll ne’er underestimate the lassie standing behind me again. When I needed ye most, ye ran tae my side instead of away. Ye saved my life.”

She studied him with the same intensity with which he regarded her. “I made myself a promise that I’d never run from ye again.”

He smiled. “I am verra glad tae hear that.” He started to lower his head, and Mairi thought he might kiss her, but abruptly he winced, grimacing against the pain.

She sighed. “I’ll ask ye once and I willna argue with ye. Will ye please sleep in the bed?”

“Aye, lassie, I will. Now, I fear I need yer help getting back into it.”

“Hold what ye love tae yer breast and ne’er let it go . . . tomorrow be a fickle thing.”

~
Connell MacGrigor

M
airi knew Connell was exhausted when he fell asleep moments after his head hit the pillow. She spotted his bedroll in the corner and was tempted to throw it out. Instead, she stashed it deep in the corner of the wardrobe. He’d never find it, which was her entire point.

She cooked dinner for him, and he roused when the bells rang at Nones, but he ate very little, and Mairi knew he was in pain. She suddenly wished she could send word to Lia. She didn’t know Laird MacGrigor’s wife very well, but in the short time they had stayed at the castle, Lia and Mairi had started to become friends. Mairi had helped her and Kenna when Aidan returned to Castle MacGrigor so terribly wounded. They had feared he might die, but Lia’s healing skills pulled him through—her skills and his love for Kenna.

It wasn’t much, but during that time Mairi learned a bit about controlling pain, especially for fool men who had more stubbornness in them than good sense, as the smith had put it.

Adam roused from his nap, and Mairi quickly fetched him from the cradle so he wouldn’t disturb Connell. She wished she could move the cradle into the main room, but it was solidly built and too heavy for her. Connell would be the only one who could move it, and she certainly wouldn’t allow him to even think on that right now.

She had not yet gone to market today and needed to get more items for supper. The cottage had limited storage and even less when it came to keeping food fresh. She had been so happy to see the garden next to the house, even though it was overgrown with weeds taller than she stood. She loved gardening, and in the spring, she could plant and that would help cut the expense of vegetables and herbs for seasoning at least. Perhaps they could get a few chickens too. She resolved to ask the bread merchant about selling flour and yeast so she could make their own bread.

But as to the rest, if she didn’t want to feed Connell spoiled food, she would have to purchase it almost daily. Connell slept, but she could tell he was still coiled in pain. His features were harsh, and his jaw tight even in sleep. In her few trips to market, she had heard mention of an apothecary in their little corner of Edinburgh. Since she had to go to market anyway, she resolved to ask Dugal about the apothecary’s reputation.

Mairi bundled Adam against the chill and prepared to leave but hesitated. She didn’t want to leave Connell alone, but she was loath to wake him. She ultimately decided to let him rest and resolved to return as quickly as possible. She would also stop by the smithing yard and ask the smith to have Marcus keep an eye—or ear—on the house. If Connell bellowed, they would be able to help him.

Lifting Adam into her arms and grabbing her basket, Mairi hurried out the door.

HHH

Fortunately, Mairi made her purchases quickly, even though it seemed almost everyone stopped her and asked if Connell was all right. She couldn’t help but smile to herself; already Connell’s work at establishing themselves in the community was becoming evident. She was also glad to see Angus at Dugal’s booth. Angus was a carpenter, and the building where he sold supplies and plied much of his trade was a bit farther down the road. It wasn’t as if she had occasion to speak to the man often, but while at Dugal’s booth, she was able to thank both men for helping Connell. She also didn’t miss how they gazed at her sympathetically when Dugal asked if Connell was giving her any trouble.

She assured them he wasn’t but used the opportunity to ask about the apothecary. Dugal told her he had a fine reputation but also warned her the man had a tendency to overcharge. Even if she thought the price was fair, she would be well served to haggle until she was blue in the face. She had done exactly that, and the man cut his price in half by the time she was done.

Mairi passed by the smithing yard and saw Smith and Marcus wave, but they didn’t move to speak to her. Good. That probably meant everything, including Connell, was just as she left it. As she approached her own gate, barked shouts in the market caught her attention, and she looked over her shoulder.

The English guardsmen again moved from their spot to see to a problem. It appeared two men had gotten into a fight in the square. Well, she had been fortunate to leave the area before that mess started. But then Mairi stopped short. She had just gone about her business without one concern as to the guardsmen. The thought had never entered her mind. She hadn’t been forced to think of the dog or pay any mind to anything other than what she was doing.

Perhaps there was hope for her yet.

HHH

Connell’s pain and exhaustion hazed reality. Something prodded him awake, and he slowly pried open his eyes, expecting another cup to be held to his lips and a soft voice encouraging him to drink the vile draught. He wondered if Lia was vexed with him for some reason and that’s why the potion she was forcing on him tasted so foul. It took him a moment to realize there was no cup, and what had awakened him was the sound of his bairn crying.

“William?” he called. “What’s wrong, laddie?”

William kept crying.

“Hey now,” he said gently. He pushed himself up, but every muscle clenched in agony, hazing his vision even more. He groaned. Why was he in so much pain? He must have injured himself, that would be why Lia was dosing him with her potions.

William continued to cry.

“Ina?” he called.

He frowned. For some reason, that didn’t sound right.

“William, laddie, it be all right.” He focused on the cradle at the foot of his bed, his vision tunneling strangely. Forcing himself to move despite the pain, he scooped his wee bairn from the cradle.

“There, there, laddie,” he said gently, holding William in his arms. “Yer da be here.”

William immediately stopped crying, and Connell felt him grip his finger tightly. “Ye will have a strong sword arm,” he said with a grin. But the room was spinning around him. He didn’t understand what was wrong, but he knew he needed to lay back down. Listening to William coo and burble next to him, Connell returned his head to his pillow.

“’Tis all right, William. Yer da be here,” he whispered and quickly fell back asleep.

HHH

Mairi stood at the door of the bedroom, tears streaming down her face. She had placed Adam down for his nap earlier and had started working on preparing the food for the day. Even though it was Sunday morn, and a day of rest, Mairi still had work to do. She was reasonably certain the Almighty would understand since it was His miracle that kept Connell from being crushed by the crates. It was their first Sunday in Edinburgh, and they would have made their initial visit to church if not for the accident. It was only a few blocks away, but there was no way Mairi would attend a church for the first time without Connell with her. Besides, everyone knew what had happened to him, so they probably did not expect them to attend.

She had gotten so caught up in her work that at first she didn’t hear Adam when he roused from his nap. He rarely awoke crying. Most often he would burble and coo to himself, then after a bit if no one came for him, he would grow fussy and build up to crying from there. If Mairi had her hands full, like the other day when Connell came through the door, Adam grew angry and his crying would grow louder. Since he couldn’t talk, crying was the only way for him to convey his anger at being ignored, and he was able to do so quite clearly.

The moment Mairi had realized Adam was awake, she hurried to fetch him before he disturbed Connell, but as she approached the door, she heard Connell call William’s name. She stopped when she him lift Adam from the cradle and hold him with practiced ease

’Tis all right, William. Yer da be here.

Even injured and exhausted, Connell did not have a harsh word for the bairn who had roused him. He did what she would have and brought the bairn to bed with him so he could continue to rest.

I wasna strong enough tae hold on tae
them. Now they rest in the arms of the Almighty.

It was one thing to grieve over terrible tragedy and loss, Mairi knew that truth all too well, but this weighed so heavily on Connell. It was as if he faulted himself for their deaths, that he thought himself responsible. She blinked, and sorrow made her tears burn even hotter. That had to be it; it was the only thing that really made sense. What in the Holy Mother’s name could have possibly happened to make him blame himself?

As she watched Connell hold Adam close, Mairi was certain of one thing. William had been the most precious thing in the world to him.

HHH

“Nay,” Connell protested as he felt hands tug William away from him. Pain still assailed him and muddled his thinking. He couldn’t focus. Where was he? What had happened?

William was awake but content for Connell to hold him, so he was no longer crying. Hands continued to try to pull the bairn away. “Nay,” Connell said, his voice growing stronger.

“I’m just going tae feed him.”

The voice didn’t belong to Ina or Lia. Who was it? He battled to open his eyes. “Dinna take him from me just yet.”

“I dinna want his cries tae bother ye.”

“He be no bother, Ina.” Wait. That still wasn’t right. Damnation. He blinked furiously and saw the blurred outline of a face. Slowly, it came into focus.

“Mairi?” He was completely confused. How could Mairi be here? Where was “here” anyway?

“It’s all right, Connell,” she said, gently caressing his cheek. “Ye need tae rest.”

“Just let me hold him a bit longer.” Connell was certain he was at Glen Gyle. He had to be if Lia was dosing him with medicants. He looked at Mairi again. It must have been a strange dream. Mairi was his wife, not Ina. Aye?

Nay. That still didn’t feel right, but his muddled brain wouldn’t work. He tried to remember . . . he felt . . . he had to leave again. That must have been it. That was probably why everything was out of sorts for him. He reached for Mairi, but muscles grabbed and he froze, a soft groan escaping him.

“Connell, let me take him. Ye need tae rest.”

“Nay. I’ll miss ye and the laddie when I’m gone.”

“Gone?”

“I have tae leave tomorrow. I’ll be gone for several weeks.”

She gave him an odd look. “And just where do ye think ye be going?”

He opened his mouth to reply but suddenly realized he had no idea. He desperately tried to shove the fog away and think, but he couldn’t find the answer. “I’ve ne’er done that afore. I have ne’er forgotten my duty. Ronan will ne’er let me hear the end of it.”

She sighed softly. Why did he see tears in her eyes? The sensation of everything being wrong increased so much he glanced around the room, trying to determine what was causing it.

“Peace, Connell, ye be just a bit confused right now,” Mairi said softly. “Ye were injured. Don’t ye remember?”

“I be fine. Ronan needs me tae complete a task—” He bit off his words as her expression seemed to grow more worried.

“Nay, Mairi, please. I dinna wish tae argue with ye this time.”

“Argue?”

“I ken ye dinna want me tae leave. I dinna want tae leave ye either, but I must.”

“Connell—”

“Please, dinna take him from me. Just let me hold him a bit longer.”

“All right,” she said, continuing to caress his cheek. “Just a bit longer, then I want ye tae get some rest.”

He smiled and returned his head to the pillow. “Thank ye, lass. I ken ye always be vexed with me when I leave, and I ken that’s why we fight. But I dinna wish tae fight with ye, I dinna wish tae argue, I just want tae hold ye close, just like I’m holding William right now.”

“Oh, Connell,” she whispered. “Ye be terribly confused.”

“I am no’ confused. I said I want tae hold ye, and I do.”

“Do ye even ken who I be?”

“Ye must think I be truly daft tae ask that question. Ye be Mairi, my wife, and William be our son.”

“That cracks it. I must speak tae the apothecary about yer medicant.”

“Apothecary? There be no’ one in Glen Gyle, but why would ye want tae do that? Just ask Lia and she’ll tell ye what ye need tae ken.”

She blew out a breath, but she no longer appeared upset, just a bit flustered. She was adorable when she was flustered. Connell found himself wondering why he had never noticed that before.

“Please, lassie, will ye let me hold ye for a spell?”

She nibbled on her bottom lip, and an intriguing spark appeared in her eyes. “I tell ye what,” she said softly. “Ye stay just like that.” She settled in bed on her side facing him with William between them. She was so very close. Even though it hurt to move, he was able to lean forward just a bit and place a gentle kiss on her brow.

She reached out and ran her fingers through the hair at his temple. It was a simple action but one Connell found wonderfully soothing. William was awake, but he was making happy sounds, and Connell was content to hold him while he could. He closed his eyes and simply savored the sensation of Mairi’s fingers roaming through his hair and once again of holding a bairn in his arms.

Now, if only he could shake the odd sensation that something was wrong. But what? For the life of him he couldn’t figure out what it was.

HHH

She was crying again. That’s what was wrong. And it was no
t Mairi, but Ina. Connell bowed his head before the door. “Ina, please, let me in.”

“Nay!”

“Ina, please, I dinna wish tae leave ye like this. Please let me in.”

He could still hear her sobs and his heart twisted, but to his surprise, the door rattled and she opened it. Her face, with its dusting of freckles over her cheeks and nose, was rather pale, her green eyes red-rimmed from crying. She barely reached his shoulder, and her body was as thin as a rail.

Ina glared up at him but stepped back from the door, allowing him into the room. Connell stepped inside. His gaze fell on William’s cradle as the bairn slept. He hated arguing with her, but he hated arguing with his son in the room even more.

“I dinna understand. Why do ye always do this?” she asked.