Mist Warrior (9 page)

Branan nodded, not trusting himself to speak.

“
Reigny,
”
Courcy said.
“
In light of your recent loss and the fact you will soon be my brother by law, I hope you know you may stay her as long as you need. I will do everything in my power to help you rebuild Newton Reigny.
”

Gavin stared at the signet ring he now wore and Branan clearly saw the grief in his eyes.
“
Thank you, Courcy.
”

They stood and Courcy summoned a servant.
“
Take our guests to their quarters and see that they have everything they need.
”

“
Aye, m’lord.
”

Branan followed the servant, still reeling with the shocking insights the past few days had wrought. He could scarcely comprehend it. Catriona’s future had been bartered because his foster-father wanted to guarantee Branan’s victory. Suddenly
,
he despised the man who had been well-meaning
,
but absolutely foolish.

The servant escorted them to a large, pleasantly furnished room with four simply made beds. Their bags had been brought in and the three men bedded down for the night. But Branan discovered sleep eluding him.

He sighed. His notion that he had found a place with the clan to live in peace had been foolishly romantic. At least he still had Catriona and Gavin.

John de Reigny had known Branan’s true father well. Lamed in the battle that had claimed his father’s life, John had told Branan of their many escapades together. Although he walked with a limp and needed a cane, John had once been a fine knight. He had instructed Branan on swordplay and battle strategies. Branan had learned well. Then the day came when a bear-like Scot, Uncle Duguald,
had
arrived and taken him to Scotland in the dead of night. Like a thief, he had stolen Branan away with only John fonh only knowing the truth. Duguald then
s
aw to Branan’s training.

After that, Branan
had
learned never to call one place home. Hidden among ou
tlying clan families, Branan had been
shuffled like an unwanted orphan–which he was. Every time Duguald feared Strickland’s spies might learn of his whereabouts, he appeared and took Branan to another home. Although Duguald visited often to train him in swordplay and battle tactics, every time he rode into view, Branan couldn’t help but wonder if this was the time he would be moved again.

When Branan
had
earned his spurs in a tourney at sixteen, Duguald brought him to the clan seat at Dun-Ardrigh as laird. When he entered the courtyard, the clan members had gaped at him…

...
”
Duguald,
”
one man said, plucking at the bear’s sleeve, his eyes wide.
“
Raulf stands in the flesh.
”

“
Aye,
”
Duguald said with a smile.
“
He be Raulf through and through, appearing more like his father than a son has a right tae.
”

“
Does my appearance offend ye?
”
Branan asked Duguald.

“
Nay, laddie. Does my heart true tae see so much of yer da in ye.
”

After that Branan discovered t
he keep where his father grew up to be a wonderful home. One he did not wish to leave. That was
until Gavin’s arrival once again turned his world upside down....

The Pact

Catriona curled under the blankets shaking, absolutely exhausted
,
but unable to sleep. Every time she closed her eyes
,
vivid images of that horrifying night pushed forward. She relived the terror and agony of watching her home burn with her parents trapped inside. Tears burned in her eyes and she forced herself to focus on Branan.

Finally
,
after years of waiting, of wondering, of agonizing over his mysterious departure, he had returned. She couldn’t deny her joy at seeing him again
,
but the pain of him leaving remained close to her heart. Why hadn’t he said goodbye? Why had he not sent a note? The uncertainty of not knowing if he was alive or dead remained a thorn embedded permanently in her soul.

Now
,
she was pledged to another and that knowledge nearly shattered her heart. Why had her father done this? Did he have no idea how she felt about Branan, how for the two years Branan had stayed with them
,
she had been certain her father would betroth her to him? Of course, when Branan disappeared, her father probably thought he would never return, so had no choice but to secure her future in another way.

But during those two years, Catriona had idolize
d the gangly
,
but handsome youth
–although she was careful never to give Branan a clue. He had a wickedly mischievous nature
,
but rarely gave it free rein. His silent brooding overshadowed it most of the time.

Yet she understood why. He was a young man who had no idea of his past except for heartbreak. What he thought was truth had been a lie. Branan needed to find himself.

Catriona had not helped matters much with her childish jests. She smiled as she thought of his words earlier. One chilly morning, she had caught young Branan swimming and hid his clothes. By the time he begged them from her, his lips were indeed turning blue. Then when he accompanied her father and Gavin on a short journey she had left a gift of a dead rat in his pack. How long had it taken him to find it? Mayhap it had grown quite ripe. Those were only two of the many pranks with which she had tormented him.

Seeing him today, how much he had grown and matured, had given her a sense that
he had found a part of himself
–to a certain extent. She wondered what the past ten years had brought to him in life. What were his joys and passions? What did he like or even hate? Was his favorite food still the honey cakes like her mother made for him? Did he still dislike sweet meats from when he ate too many and became terribly sick?

Did he have a lady waiting for him to return?

Them Garamonat thought knotted her stomach and she forced it away.

Branan was no longer the boy she had known
,
but now a man who was almost a stranger to her. Although Catriona kept trying to ignore it, she had thought him drawn to her...if she hadn’t ruined that with her childish games. Of course, it didn’t matter anymore. He had left and she was now promised to another. Still, what would it hurt renewing her friendship with him? It could go no further than that
,
but at least she could get to know him again. She could discover the man he had become.

Richard would probably try to keep her locked away in this fool solar. But the wedding wasn’t for another four months. Perhaps she could use Branan’s status as her foster-brother to her advantage.
I haven’t seen him in ten years,
she could tell Richard.
Do you mean to prohibit me from the only family I have left?
Aye, that was a good argument.

Sudden tears burned her eyes. It was a good argument since it was absolutely true.

****

Branan and the others rose at dawn, breaking their fast in the great hall with Courcy. He was disappointed not to see Catriona.

“
MacTavish,
”
Courcy
said pleasantly.
“
When we have quit our meal, I would like to show you around. I think you will be impressed with some of the projects. Then, if you do not mind a short ride, I will show you a new project I just started.
”

Branan nodded.
“
This sounds interesting.
”

“
Am I forbidden to enter the great hall?
”
a
distinct female voice shouted from above-stairs.

Those at the table fell into a shocked silence. Courcy scowled at the stairs.

“
Nay, m’lady,
”
the plaintive voice of a chambermaid replied.
“
But ye have been through a dreadful time. Ye will be much more comfortable breaking yer fast in the solar.
spafont>
”

“
I will break my fast with my betrothed and my brothers.
”
An instant later, Catriona swept down the stairs, with only a hint of a limp from her battered ankle. She looked regal in her soft blue dress...regal and infuriated.

Branan couldn’t help the grin that escaped him.

Her gaze locked on his for a brief instant. Her anger faded and her lips twitched as if to smile
,
but she lifted her chin and squared her shoulders, moving purposefully for the empty chair next to Courcy.

“
M’lady,
”
the maid said, hurrying after her.
“
Please
—
”

“
Leave me be,
”
Catriona snapped.

The men rose from their chairs as Catriona approached. The maid shot a pleading and somewhat fearful glance at Courcy.

Courcy’s expression darkened slightly
,
but he bowed to Catriona.
“
My lady, I appreciate that you wish to eat with us, but are y
ou certain
—
”

Catriona rolled her eyes.
“
Richard, please, I am fine.
”
She quickly sat.
“
I am sure you can understand that I wish to visit with my foster-brother and Gavin was in France for months. He only stopped at home for a span of days before he left again.
”

Courcy apparently decided discretion was the better part of valor and clamped his jaw shut, dismissing the maid with a wave, and returning to his chair.

Branan inclined his head to Catriona.
“
Ye are looking bonnie this morn. I am glad to see ye so well recovered.
”

“
Thank youn>
Than, Branan.
”

Branan returned to his meal
,
but noticed Catriona rarely took her eyes off him. He abruptly realized a part of the reason must have been his garb. She had never seen him wearing Scottish clothing. He grinned to himself.

Courcy remained silent, glowering at his food. Catriona took the opportunity to lead the conversation, asking Branan about his life in Scotland. She seemed very pleased in learning how much he enjoyed woodworking and training horses. It did not matter to her how much money he made in the ventures, only that he found happiness in his work.