Mist Warrior (39 page)

She burrowed closer, burying her face against his neck.

Branan sighed, not wanting to leave the bed
,
but knowing he had no choice. He gently dise
ngaged himself, kissing her chee
k, and wrapped his plaid around him enough to dart into the garder-robe.

He returned a moment later
,
only to find Catriona buried under the blankets. He chuckled, moving them away to search for her face
,
but she remained lost in the mound.
“
Ye canna be that tired, lass.
”

“
Just incredibly sore,
”
she said, her voice muffled. Catriona
moved the blankets away and pulled him to her, kissing him intensely.

It seemed that now Catriona was allowed to give her passion free r
ein, she took full advantage. Branan
returned her kiss, feeling the first stirrings of desire grow again. He reluctantly pulled away.
“
Lass, I want nothing more than to stay in bed with ye
,
but there are things that need my attention. They canna wait.
”

“
Aye,
”
Catriona
said reluctantly. Her stomach rumbled.
“
I need to eat. I didn't touch any food yesterday.
”
Upon her words, Branan saw a shadow pass over her expression, the haunted look he had seen yesterday returned.

“
Hey, now,
”
he whispered, tugging her chin up so she saw only him.
“
Yesterday is gone. We canna do nothing to change it.
”

She wrapped her arms around him, holding him tightly.
“
Yesterday...aye...but last night...I would never change a thing.
”
Catriona
looked up at him, her sapphire eyes liquid.
“
It felt as if everything in the world was suddenly made right again.
t>
”

Branan’s
arms tightened around her and he squeezed his eyes closed. She had just put to words the exact same thing he had felt.

Unfortunately
,
Catriona
pulled away. She donned a robe and hurried to the garder-robe as well. Branan dressed then glanced at the bed, stopping the moment he saw the evide
nce of their joining. H
e had not allowed himself to think on it last night
.
Catriona's marriage had not been consummated. Although the man within him rejoiced that he had been the first
,
and only man
,
who had touched her
;
the warrior and laird knew it was a serious problem. Catriona was not truly Courcy's wife. Strickland could petition the bishop's court and request the marriage be invalidated. She would lose control of Courcy's holdings and Branan's would still lose his future.

An idea blossomed and he quickly stripped the bed. He called for a maid to redress
it
. B
efore Catriona returned,
Branan
thrust the linens into a small bag
,
then hurried downstairs.

Outside
,
he found Gavin and Jamie.

“
Morrow,
”
Gavin said with a smile.
“
How is my sister?
”

“
Just fine,
”
Branan replied.

“
Duguald stayed at the keep to make sure things are stable there. Now that Catriona is lady of Brackenburgh, we didn't want anyone attempting to usurp her position.
”

Branan was uncertain how much Gavin genuinely understood
,
but was not about to give him det
ails of Catriona's lov katrpan>
called for a page to fetch his horse.
“
I need to speak with Duguald
,
but I'll be back shortly. After that, we need to plan our next step. Strickland thinks he has dealt us a grievous blow, I want to hit him so hard
,
he will never
attempt
to do something like this again.
”

Gavin's humor faded, his blue eyes steely.
“
Aye, Branan.
”

At Brackenburgh, Branan found Duguald and Courcy's steward
,
Edmund
,
along with the surviving servants
,
standing over a fresh grave. Branan dismounted and approached, crossing himself and whispering a quick prayer as he spotted the temporary headstone with Courcy's name.

Edmund looked up at him, grief stricken.
“
I commissioned the making of my lord's bier in the chapel. Until then, he rests in a plain coffin in the earth.
”
Edmund
paused, his gaze searching Branan's, questions he desperately wanted to ask flitted across his expression
,
but he did not voice them.

Branan nodded and gently gripped Edmund's shoulder.
“
How are ye?
”

He shrugged
,
shifting his gaze to stare at the ground.
“
I pray the lady forgives me for this
,
but I had no idea when or if she would be able to return.
”
Again he looked up at Branan, his expression pleading.
“
How is my lady?
”
Branan had no idea if he suspected. Did he fear Branan would deny Catriona's status as lady of Brackenburgh?

“
She is well,
”
Branan
said carefully.
“
Safe at Thistlewood
,
for now. Edmund, if I may, I need to speak privately with ye.
”

Edmund nodded and guided them into the keep. The servants who were able
,
carried bodies out and tried to scrub the blood from the floor. Edmund led him to Courcy's study and closed the door. Without a word he poured wine from a carafe and handed a cup to Branan, keeping one for himself.

“
I pray you forgive me,
”
he said.
“
But I need a drink.
”

“
Aye,
”
Branan replied, taking a drink of the fine wine. He moved to a chair near the hearth, avo
iding Courcy's desk entirely. Branan
needed to find out where Edmund stood.
He took a second drink and
examined Edmund closely. The man appeared not only exhausted
,
but heart-sick and hopeless.
N
o one had been more devoted to
Courcy
than Edmund.

Praying he wasn't misreading the signs, Branan drew a deep breath.
“
Edmund, I need ye to speak honestly with me, without fear of retribution..
”

“
MacTavish, I served my lord faithfully for years
,
just as my father served his father. He was at odds with you only because he feared you'd steal his lady's heart.
”
A ghost of a smile tugged at his lips.
“
Her fiery spark absolutely discomfited him...he was beside himself at times...I never seen him in such a state. She was exactly what he and this household needed, MacTavish, a breath of fresh air. All of us looked forward to this wedding, to see our lord happy...and he would have been as soon as he realized he would not be able to cage her free spirit, she would have opened new doors for him.
”

“
And now?
”

Edmund's gaze returned to him, staring at him a long moment.
“
Brackenburgh awaits the return of our lady. We stand ready to follow her. We know she will never bow to Strickland. He is our enemy, MacTavish
,
and you belong in the Wardenship.
”

Branan nodded
,
satisfied with the man's words.
“
Edmund, has Courcy's solar been cleaned yet?
”

“
Nay.
”

“
What I have to tell ye doesna leave this room. I'd have yer vow on it.
”

“
I vow on the Rood to say nothing.
”

“
Ye may ken Strickland arrived before the marriage could be consummated.
”

Edmund's face lost all color.
“
Nay, that cannot be. If the lady be not my lord's wife in truth, my lord had no other surviving family. Brackenburgh will fall under Strickland's control.
”

Branan swallowed hard, he knew too well how Strickland brought castles under his control. He lifted the bag he carried.
“
The contents need to be placed properly in Courcy's solar so none need ken the marriage was incomplete.
”

Edmund gazed at the pack, his confusion obvious. He looked at Branan and abruptly understanding dawned.
“
Then the lady's marriage is valid and she controls my lord's holdings.
”
He took the bag, tucking it safely under his arm.
“
I shall make sure this is in
its
proper place, MacTavish.
”

Branan rose
.
“
Good
,
Edmund. I wish the lady to stay at Thistlewood for a time, to insure her safety. But ye and I will communicate by messenger. Ye will run the keep. Once we have Strickland on his heels and yer garrison here is stable
,
she will return.
”

“
Of course, my lord. My lady's welfare comes first and you, MacTavish
,
have my fealty in that regard.
”