Love Letters from Largs: Brodie and Celestina (Highlander Clan Grant Series Book 3) (2 page)

BOOK: Love Letters from Largs: Brodie and Celestina (Highlander Clan Grant Series Book 3)
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She stilled
at that one word, not able to focus on anything else.
Beautiful?
Had he truly just referred to her as beautiful? She could be mistaken, but nay, she was certain he had given her a compliment, something she had never heard from anyone beyond her maid and her mother. “Answer me!” he barked.

The barbarian
grabbed her hands and covered them with his own calloused ones. She wrenched her left hand over, hoping to hide the marks her father had left there, too ashamed for anyone to see them. She could do nothing but stare up at the huge warrior in front of her, rugged and handsome, his gaze filled with concern, and all for her. The bronzed skin of his hand against her pale coloring was another reminder of how different they were. But didn’t she want to be different?

Celestina’s
instinct was to push him away, yet just by climbing up a tower and stealing into her room, this man had already done more for her than her father had ever done. And now the Highlander held her fingers in his as tenderly as if she was just a newborn babe.

She stared into his deep brown eyes,
at his chiseled jaw and his soft lips, and attempted to tell him to stop shouting at her. No sound came forth. He had affected her senses so thoroughly she could no longer speak.

He
let go of her hand and brought his fingers up, almost touching her face. She stopped breathing, waiting, almost begging for him to touch her. He hesitantly brushed her cheek with the back of his hand, a touch so light, it was but a wisp of air. Neither spoke, both paralyzed by their proximity, a feeling completely foreign to her. The lad was touching her as if there was something special about her.
What could it be?

His hand pulled back and her breath hitched,
at the loss of his warmth. She leaned toward him, seeking his touch again, her breasts now swelling and pushing against the light linen of her kirtle. He was so close, she could smell the mint on his breath, and she could think of naught but his warm lips on hers. He came closer yet, until they were almost touching. In that moment, nothing existed to Celestina except this lad, his breath warming hers as she leaned toward him, sighing in pleasure. She closed her eyes as his lips tilted toward hers, but a sound restored her to reality.

Her father’s footsteps echoed
against the tower walls as he ascended the steep steps. She pushed the tall Highlander back toward the window from which he’d entered. “Quick! Out or my father will kill me if he sees you.”

Just as he disappeared down the rope hanging out her window, her
father opened the door.

***

Brodie jumped onto his horse and charged in the direction of the coastline to reunite with his clansmen. Who was she? The lass’s sad eyes would haunt him for days. How had he gone from mere concern for her safety to almost kissing her in such a short span of time? Definitely a beauty, her blue eyes had bewitched him for sure. He’d had no thought of even touching her until he had stepped close enough to inhale her scent. Had her father not been near, he would have tasted her for certain. Hellfire, he wished he had so he could get her out of his head. He didn’t need a lass in his head when the Scots could soon be at war. The king would not have summoned his brother unless he needed a sizeable army.

King Alexander III was currently at his royal castle at the mouth of the River Ayr
in the west of Scottish territory. He had sent a messenger to Brodie’s brother, Alexander Grant, laird of the largest and most powerful clan in the Highlands, requesting his presence at the castle.

Brodie
caught up with Alex inside the gates of the castle after finding the rest of his men outside the gates awaiting instructions. His brother’s loud bellow could be heard across the burgh. “Do no’ get yourself wrapped up in any skirts here in town, Brodie. I do no’ intend to stay long.” The Grant laird tossed the reins of his horse to the stable lad. “We need to find the purpose of the king’s summons and make haste back home. You know I do no’ like to leave my wee wife when she is carrying. And she has three bairns in her care. I do no’ want her doing too much or fretting in my absence.”

Brodie smiled as he dismounted.
“Och, Alex. Calm your dirk. Maddie will be fine in your absence. She has many to assist her. You just can no’ handle being far from your wife.” Alex was known as the fiercest warrior in the Highlands, yet he would do anything for his golden-haired wife. Of course, his wee daughter, Kyla, had her own hold on Alex’s heartstrings.

Alex shook his head in disagreement.
“Aye, I know your thoughts, but the twins are exhausting. They have more energy than you, Robbie, and I combined. Poor Maddie. I can no’ handle the guilt of leaving her alone for long.” Alex’s pace never faltered as he headed toward the cobbled steps leading to the enormous door to the great hall.

Brodie ran to keep
pace with him. “Cease your fretting. Robbie will tire the lads in the lists. And Jamie and John love being with their uncle. Our brother will make sure they are too tired to drain your wife.”

“Mayhap so, but I still say do no’ get your
breeks twisted over a lass here. ‘Tis too far from home in any case.” Alex strode up the steps.

“The lass was about to jump, I swear it.” Brodie followed his brother
closely. Now he was ready to admit to himself that he would not give up on the lass. Something told him she was in grave danger. “By my sword, she only stopped because we arrived.” He continued, hoping to convince his brother he was not losing his wits. “Alex, when I gained an audience with the owner of that house and his steward, they denied the existence of any lass in residence. Then I scaled the tower and found her inside the chamber. They lied. They must be keeping her imprisoned for some reason.”

“And what did she tell you when you gained entrance to her chamber?”

“Naught. She told me naught because she was frightened and her father banged on the door.”

Alex turned to him at the entrance to the hall. “Then
you must find out who she is. The only way you will do that is to talk to the king or his men. ‘Twas foolish to attempt to gain entrance to her chamber as disheveled as you are from riding.” Alex glanced down the dirty, dusty front of his clothing. “I would have been frightened of you, too, looking the way you do. We have been on the road for almost a sennight and you are hardly presentable to a member of nobility. Clearly, the size of that home indicates the status of its owner.”

The door swung open
. Before stepping inside, Alex said, “Settle our warriors and meet me inside. I am in dire need of a bath and ale. And I recommend both for you as well.”

Brodie managed to stifle his frustration and spun on his heel to head back to the stables.
Hellfire, his brother was stubborn. All his life, he had followed in both brothers’ footsteps. Brodie was now eight and twenty; while his brother, Robbie, was a year older; and Alex, the eldest of the Grant lads, was one and thirty. They had two sisters as well, Brenna, who had just married, and, Jennie, who was currently visiting her elder sister at the Ramsay keep not far from Lothian.

Their parents had been so in love, they had died within a short time of each other.
Their mother had passed first and their sire had been lost without her. Alex, as the firstborn, had been trained since birth to step up as laird upon their father’s death. No one had expected it to happen as soon as it had, a mere five years ago.

Alex had married Maddie, the
lass of his heart, just two years after becoming laird. He was still as infatuated with her as he’d been on their wedding day. Brodie had to admit he was jealous of their relationship. Most of the lasses he met were more interested in him as a way to get to Robbie or Alex than they were in getting to know
him
. Everyone knew Alex would never stray, but the lasses continued to act as if they could entice him. And Robbie had the fairest hair of all of them and a bright smile which caused the lasses to squeal each time he glanced at them.

Brodie was ready
to be seen as a person of value on his own, not just for being the third Grant brother. He was so wrapped up in his thoughts that he almost charged into his best guard and friend, Nicol, who was awaiting his instructions inside the gate near the stables. Alex had brought ten warriors for their journey to the king’s castle. He’d left most of his men at home to protect his family.

Nicol grinned from ear to ear, his trademark
expression no matter what the situation. “Och, you do no’ like what your brother told you? He did no’ promise to storm the gates of that tower home with his sword in search of the fair lass?”

“Nay, his
breeks are always too tight when he is away from Maddie.” Brodie snorted as he thought about how his brother had changed since his marriage.

“Did you n
o’ remind him how it felt when he held Madeline in his arms for the first time after she had been beaten? How many times have we heard the story of how Maddie grabbed his heartstrings even when her eyes were closed?” Nicol chuckled.

“What in hellfire does that have to do with my situation?” Brodie glared at his friend.

“Seems the same to me. One glance and you’re smitten, just as Alex was with Madeline. Must be the curse of the Grants.”

“I am n
o’ smitten, fool. I am concerned about a wee lass who was about to take her own life. ‘Tis all this is. And you’d be wise to remember that.” Brodie grabbed a stone from the ground and fired it at the tree next to the gate, splitting the bark on impact.

“And you’d move heaven and earth to find the lass at this verra
moment, would you no’?” Nicol winked at him, still smiling that wretched grin of his.

Without responding, Brodie
shot another rock at the tree, grumbling to himself about his situation. Then he froze, realization smacking him right between the eyes.

Nicol turned around and headed for the rest of the
warriors. “Been waiting a long time for this, Grant,” he yelled over his shoulder. “I have no doubt ‘twill be verra entertaining.” His chuckle echoed in the distance.

Brodie stared after his comrade with a sinking feeling in his gut.
Hellfire, Nicol was right.

He
was
smitten, and he was about to move heaven and earth.

 

Chapter Two

The Western Isles of Norway

 

The door slammed behind her father immediately after he stepped into her chamber. Celestina stood next to her bed, her hands folded demurely in front of her as she had been instructed to do so many years ago. She awaited his derision; he never had anything else to offer. He paced the large room, sparsely furnished with the few belongings she still had. The white coverlet, threadbare but still beautiful, bore a beautiful Nordic design sewn by her mother’s nimble fingers. The stone walls washed in dingy pink were cracked in many places after many years of aging. The rushes on the floor needed changing. Her father would never replace anything—a fact for which Celestina was grateful. These were the few things in the house that reminded her of her mother.

He
r father paced with his hands clasped behind his back. His stature, always ramrod straight, never wavered—the better to intimidate her. The heels of his shoes clicked in the silence, another move meant to bully his prey. After years of observation, Celestina understood all his moves. She also knew which to fear most.

He finally stopped
a short distance in front of her.

“Who is he?” He stared down his nose at her, his lips wrinkling in distaste.

“Forgive me, Father. I know not of what you speak.” She stared at her feet.

“The
ruffian. The dirty scum who came to my door asking for you. Who is he?”

Celestina’s heart lurched.
She noticed how her father’s voice had risen in the middle of his sentence—never a good sign. Someone had asked for her? It could only be the lad who had scaled her tower to speak to her. He had gone to the door to search for her? She attempted to hide her confusion, but failed. “Father, I do not know any young men. I am never allowed outside the house. How could I know...?”

Her father’s hand arched out and connected with her cheek
in a resounding slap that echoed through her chamber. The force of his hand jarred her teeth. Holding her breath, she closed her eyes and pulled from her gut the strength to keep from yelping in pain. If she did, he would strike again. If she yelled three times, he would hit her three times. It had happened often enough for her to learn the patterns. Six quick breaths spent trying to remember her mother’s smile, and then she was back in control. Her head tilted slightly away, a trained reaction to help her deflect the worst of the pain. She forced the tears back inside, knowing that tears were never allowed. Never.

“How dare you talk back to me
,” her father’s voice whispered near her ear. “You are nothing, a foolish girl of no value to me but one. Finally, I will have you out of this keep and away from me. I warn you now there is not to be any interference with this wedding. Do you understand?”

He grabbed the flesh of her upper
arms, lifting her off the floor, bringing her close enough to smell his rancid breath. “Do you?” His hands tightened as he spoke.

“Yes, Father
—,” her gaze dropped to the floor, “—I will not cause any problems.”


This scum thought you were planning to take your own life? You were not considering such foolishness, were you?”

“Nay.”

“Excuse me?”

“Nay, Father, I was not considering taking my own life.”

“Just in case your idle mind has entertained such a ridiculous plan, I will make sure you do not have the opportunity to embarrass me by throwing yourself out the tower. You will sit in this chamber and do as you are told. You are not to step outside this room except to use the facilities. And you are not to so much as look out the window. The furs are to remain in place. You have plenty of candles for light. Am I clear?”

“Yes, Father.”

“Good. As you know, your betrothed has insisted on meeting you tonight. We will be in attendance at King Alexander’s great hall this eve. You will be polite and agreeable. You will not speak unless spoken to. You will be within my view at all times. Understood?”

“Yes, Father.”

“Do not embarrass me, Celestina. I know this will be a trial for you, but try not to sully our family’s good name. I do not want your betrothed, Fredrik Ivarsson, to find out how dull witted you are. This wedding must take place. I will have my reward for all the grief you have caused me.”

He flung her onto her bed and left the room. His bellowing could be heard as he
descended the tower staircase. “Inga, do see if you can do something to hide what an ugly cow of a daughter I have.”

Celestina rubbed her face first, then the underside of her arms. Her embarrassment
at how her father treated her ran deep. Over the years, it had worsened, as if every day she lived caused him to hate her more.

Inga
snuck in the door and closed it quietly. She rushed to Celestina’s side and winced. “He told me he hit you again.” She had brought a basin of cool water with her. Squeezing a cloth into the water, she held it against Celestina’s cheek. “He wants me to keep you from bruising. How can I make miracles happen?” She was quiet for a moment, then she asked, “Did something set him off?”

Celestina sighed. “
He was upset because there was someone at the door asking about me.”

“Aye, he speaks true. I saw him. Who is he?” Inga
searched her face for an answer.

“I do not know! I never
leave the house. You know that, Inga. How could I come to know anyone?”

“But he asked
after you. Well, not by name, but he mentioned a young lass in the tower. He was very handsome and young. A bit dirty, but nice. He said he thought you were trying to jump. Is this true?”


Aye, and had my kirtle not tangled, I would be dead and with my mother right now.”

Inga’s shock was evident in her sharp intake of breath. “Celestina, how could you do such a thing? Och, nay! You can no’ take your own life. Do no’ leave me here alone! Besides, the church looks down upon such a thing.”


I do not believe I would have gone to hell. God has seen all my trials, and I know in my heart he would have allowed me to be with Mother in heaven. Then those foolish Highlanders came down the road and startled me. I did not want a witness, but the one lad stopped and came back for me. Otherwise, my time in this hell would be over.” Tears gathered in the corners of her eyes.


But yet you did no’ try again?”

“Nay,” Celestina swiped at her eyes. “The Highlander shattered my bravery and my self-control.”

“Aye, that must be the lad who came to the door. He was afraid for you.” Inga rubbed her arm softly as she spoke. “Mayhap he is the one for you.”

“The only thing I want from him is to
stay away. I do not want to live my life as my father has chosen for me. I must find a way out, and the only way out is death.”

“Och, please do no’
think this way, my pretty friend. You are too young. You are getting away from your father. Things could get better for you.”

“And instead, I will be married to the man with the worst reputation in
the west. Since he is originally from Norway, I had hoped he would take me to my mother’s people, far away from my father, but now I hear he hates women. Perhaps he will beat me. And the marriage bed scares me.” The sobs she’d been holding back tore through her throat as she grasped her friend.

“Nay, wee one.
Marriage is meant to be wonderful, ‘tis what my mama told me. Mayhap he will treasure you as he should.” Inga hugged Celestina as she sobbed.

“Or perhaps he will do me a favor and kill me quick.”

***

“I am pleased you arrived so quickly after my summons, Grant.” King Alexander III sat in the solar
of the castle with a small group of men. After washing, Alex and Brodie had been immediately called into a meeting with the king. The king’s brother, Walter Stewart, who was the Earl of Menteith and the Sheriff of Ayr, was also in attendance, along with two other lairds who had pledged to support Scotland: the Boyd of Kilmarnock and the Mure of Rowallan. “Sit, please,” Alexander waved his arms toward the hearth. “‘Twas a long trip, nay? Sit and relax with an ale.”

Alex had been
at the royal castle at least once in the last year to keep Alexander informed of business in the Highlands. He had been happy to report that he had confidence in the young king, so Brodie had been excited to be included in this trip.

“You k
now you have our support, Your Grace. What is the current need that is so urgent?” Alex Grant made his way to a chair by the hearth, resplendent in his red plaid, taller and broader than all the others by far.

King
Alexander chuckled. “Och, anything that takes you away from that beautiful wife of yours does not set well, does it, Grant? Marriage has changed you. How are the twins and the wee lass?”

“All are well
, Your Grace. Maddie is carrying again, so I do prefer to make haste where I can.”Alexander’s eyes twinkled as he stood to face Alex. “Aye, with a stallion such as you for a husband, the lass will probably always be carrying. After she births this one, give her a break and come see me for a few moons, aye?”

Boyd and Mure chuckled in support of their king, but Alex’s demeanor didn’t change.

“I take proper care of my wife.”

Brodie couldn’t
keep himself from grinning. Loving and protective, his brother wouldn’t stand for even the most innocent jesting at the expense of his wee wife. The king had been fully aware of this when he’d prodded him.

The
king waved his hand. “Och, Grant, relax. As King of the Scots, I would be a fool not to make sure you take proper care of the lass. Think of all the Highland lads she will give you and the country. The future is in her womb.” He laughed at his own prodding.

The group
sat around a table in front of the hearth, patiently waiting for their king to inform them of his purpose in gathering them together. “Lads, I need you aware of some changes. As you probably know, I am continuing my father’s quest to gain back the Western Isles for the Scottish. I am tired of having our land run by Norsemen. They have been there long enough. They may keep Orkney and the Shetlands, but I have offered to purchase Kintyre and the Isles back from King Haakon of Norway.”

“’Tis only right, I agree,” Alex offered. “Should have happened long ago. ‘Tis our land, full of Scottish chieftains and people
along with the Norse.”

“Aye, and many
who live there have agreed to give their allegiance to the Scottish crown,” the king said. There were several nods of agreement.

Alex looked at
the king, obviously awaiting more information. None came, so he ventured his thoughts. “And the response from Haakon?”

Alexander
shoved his chair back and strode over to the window crossing his arms as he stared out over the River Ayr. “He has rejected my offer again.”


I am sure you made him a fair bargain.” Alex stated.

When the king
turned from the window, there was a harsh look on his face. “Of course, it was fair, Grant, but he refused. Word is this is the last time he will refuse. Apparently, he was not happy with the warriors I sent to Skye not too long ago. My informants tell me some of the chieftains of the Outer Hebrides and Mann have requested his assistance against me. True, my lads did get a bit carried away on the isle, but what’s done is done.”

“Carried away?” Boyd asked.

“Aye, they were a tad more aggressive than they should have been. But the fact is this: I want the Isles back and I expect all your clans to aid me in my quest. If we need to fight, we will. Any men lost in our quest will die as heroes, the most honorable way to die. What say you all? Will you support me? Aye or nay?”

Brodie glanced at his brother to gauge his reaction. A queasiness settled in his gut as the implications of the
king’s statement forced their way into his brain.

So his suspicions were valid…The king was ready to go to w
ar with Norway? The Norse had a fierce reputation as fighters.

Alex’s words
remained level, no emotion breaking through, a gift he had that Brodie envied. “My clan supports the crown, Your Grace, but can you no’ continue to negotiate with King Haakon?”

The
king’s eyes searched all the men in the room. His brother, Walter Stewart, coughed. “We have not told you the worst of it. My men tell me King Haakon has dispatched a fleet of ships headed this way. He is no’ happy that some of the chieftains have changed their allegiance to the Scottish crown. Haakon himself is commanding one of the galleys.”

No one spoke for several moments.

“Rumor has it he left Bergen with the largest fleet of galleys ever seen, perhaps even one hundred ships. Among them is the largest ship ever built. He is probably on Orkney now. It is said he will stay to celebrate St. Olaf’s Day there at the end of the month, then set sail for the Hebrides, hoping to gain men and chieftains as he travels.”


But many of those chieftains have pledged allegiance to you, Your Grace?” Mure asked. “Is that no’ why he has a bee in his bonnet?”

BOOK: Love Letters from Largs: Brodie and Celestina (Highlander Clan Grant Series Book 3)
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