Mist Warrior (48 page)

“
He would not survive a journey to Brackenburgh. Hell, Branan, I fear the wound will claim his life.
”

“
Aye and Beth, what will happen to her when she learns of his death?
”
He resolved to give Beth one of the silk bolts. Yet he knew it would be poor consolation.

What if it had been me? What would happen to Catriona?

“
Gavin.
”

“
Aye?
”

He pulled his foster-brother out of earshot.
“
I would have an oath from ye.
”

Gavin frowned.
“
Of course, Branan, you know I will do anything for you.
”

“
I...
”
He paused and took a deep breath.
< {/spe="+font size="+0" face="Garamond">“
I ken of yer da's oath to mine, that John swore to guard my da's back the day he was murdered.
”

Gavin's jaw tightened and he looked away for a moment
,
only to return and spear Branan with the intensity in his blue eyes.
“
Aye. You know I will always guard your back, Branan. You are my foster-brother and best friend.
”

“
I'd have yer vow ye will not.
”

Gavin stared at him, stunned.

“
I'd have yer vow that no matter what may happen to me, if I should fall, ye will get out alive and protect Catriona.
”

“
What?
”

“
I ken ye well, Gavin, I ken ye'd do all ye could to guard my back. But what would happen to Catriona if she lost both of us?
”

“
Branan, I
—
”

“
Yer vow on yer da's soul, Gavin, I'll have nothing less from ye.
”

Gavin stared at him a long moment.
“
All right,
”
he said softly.
“
I vow on my father's soul, if you fall, I will protect Catriona.
”

Branan managed a grim smile and gripped Gavin's shoulder.
“
Thank ye,
my brother. Now, let's be seein
' to the wounded.
”

****

Catriona pressed her fingers to her temples, praying her headache didn't get any worse. Although her fever had passed, her headaches had not. She fought to listen to the herald as he related yet another offer of marriage from Strickland.

“
His lordship has instructed me to present the benefits of marrying his son. Although
,
the loss of your new husband on your wedding night was tragic, his lordship would like to point out the obvious advantages of the joining to two powerful houses.
”

Catriona gritted her teeth, fighting
to control her anger.
Branan had announced to all she was handfasted to him
.
Strickland apparently chose to ignore that fact. He either did not realize how much weight it carried with the Scottish Church
,
or did not care.
“
His bastard son is the reason why my husband died,
”
she snapped.

The herald's jaw tightened and Catriona reminded herself that
anger was not the answer here–
cool, polite, but firm refusal was.

The herald forced himself to smile.
“
Lady,
”
he said gently.
“
His lordship told you before, the arrival of his son was simply to congratulate you on your marriage. Unfortunately, a supposed insult caused the situation to escalate, tragically.
”

She
gulped a deep breath and sensed Edmund and
Greystoke
move closer to her in silent support. Normally, she could handle Strickland's foolishness in stride. But she grew weary of this nonsense
. Catriona
had not seen Branan in two
month
s
and every few days
,
the herald reappeared with Strickland's marriage proposal. Catriona was just plain tired of it.

“
Please tell his lordship that my answer is what it was before. Nay.
”

The herald gave an exaggerated sigh.
“
Please reconsider, my lady. His lordship has instructed me that due to the extensive cost of continued raiding, the fees against the landholders will increase. If you are wife to his heir, his lordship can protect you from that increase.
”

Catriona stiffened, glaring at him.
“
And how much is this increase?
”
she asked, her voice cool and detached
,
but inside
she
screamed in rage.

“
Twenty percent.
”

Her control broke.
“
What?
”
s
he cried, bounding to her feet.

“
My lady,
”
Edmund said quietly.

But she had had enough. Ange
r surged within Catriona
and she clutched the folds of her skirts to keep her hands from trembling.
“
Tell your lordship
, my answer once again is nay. Tell him also that t
he fee from Brackenburgh will remain what my deceased husband mandated. I will not be manipulated in this fashion.
”
She turned and glared at Edmund.
“
See to it this herald has supplies for his journey and escort him to our gates immediately. And furthermore, no one bearing Strickland's banner will be welcome at Brackenburgh.
”

The herald blinked in shock. Always, Catriona had firmly refused him
,
but granted him every bit of courtesy.
“
My...my lady, surely you realize my lord will not be pleased with this.
”

“
Out,
”
Catriona
growled.
“
Now.
”

Edmund squared his shoulders and stepped forward.
“
My lord,
mond {ram" face=
he said
,
gesturing for
the herald
to move away.
”

“
Lady
—
”

Edmund's expression turned flat and he looked to Sir
Greystoke
.

The knight stepped forward, his hand on his weapon.

“
Escort him to the
gates and close them behind him,
”
Edmund said.

Seeing
Greystoke
, the herald bowed then turned on his heel, striding out of the keep with
Greystoke
only a pace behind.

Catriona sank into her chair, suddenly exhausted.

“
My lady,
”
Edmund said gently.
“
Are you sure that was wise?
”

“
Probably not,
”
she replied ruefully.
“
But I am so weary of this foolishness. I will not allow Strickland to intimidate me thusly.
”

Edmund's lips twitched and he inclined his head.
“
As you wish.
”

Catriona rubbed her temples again.
“
Has there been any sign of Jaime with the missives from Thistlewood yet?
”

“
Not yet, lady, but I'm sure he will arrive soon.
”

Greystoke
returned and spoke with Edmund. Catriona took the opportunity to have a servant fetch a cup of wine. Gl {p oont sizeory, she wished her head would stop hurting.

Edmund scowled and faced her.
“
Lady, there is a Scotsman requesting to see you. He entered before we closed the gates.
”

She scowled. If it was Jamie he would have been ushered in immediately.
“
What goes?
”

“
He claims he is from Clan MacTavish and he traveled from Scotland seeking his laird.
”

Catriona's heart lurched. From Scotland? Was something wrong at the clan? Or was this another one of Strickland's ruses to get someone close to Branan?

“
Gather the guard,
”
she said softly,
“
and send him in.
”

Edmund's brows flew up his forehead.
“
Are you certain, lady? What if this—
”

“
Is a ploy?
”
she finished for him and nodded.
“
'Tis possible, Edmund, but it is also possible something happened to the clan and Branan should know about it. Send him in.
”

She waited a moment while the guard gathered and then
Greystoke
escort
ed the man through the door. Catriona
surveyed him critically. He dressed as Branan did and appeared rather travel worn. His hair was long and tangled, dark auburn in color, and a scruffy beard grew from his jaw. But his green eyes glittered vibrantly. He stopped a few paces before her and bowed.
“
My lady, I be Liam of Clan MacTavish, I bear messages from our clan tae our laird
,
but I fear I canna locate him. I had heard ye may ken of his whereabouts.
”