The Viking's Highland Lass (16 page)

Relieved, she smiled up at him. “Thank you, Gunnolf.”

“Hopefully, if you raise him from a pup among other animals and feed him, he will not realize the livestock are for hunting.” He helped her onto her horse.

“If I return to my home, they willna let me care for Beowulf.” She was certain of it. Even if her da was in charge again, she believed her da would have the pup killed. He had been gone for nearly a year the one time she had raised a wolf pup, but knew she had to send him away before her da returned.

Gunnolf ran his hand over her horse's flank. “We will see.” Then he helped Lynette onto Rory's horse and Wynne onto one of Seamus's men's horses.

Wynne led the way as she asked Lynette to ride beside her, which left Brina riding next to Gunnolf quite a distance behind them.

“I must tell you something that Wynne confided in me,” Brina said, hating to have to bring this up now, but she had to. “Something that you will hate me for, but I dinna want you to even consider marrying me without knowing the truth.” Brina hadn't meant it to come out that way. What if he wasn't considering such a thing?

He raised a brow.

She hated to have to tell him the news because she knew how she'd feel if she had a brother and someone had killed him. And to think Gunnolf hadn't had the chance to see him, to reunite with him before it had happened made it even worse. She hoped Gunnolf wouldn't be angry with her. Not that he
was
considering her as a bride prospect, but if it did happen, he had to know the truth.

Gunnolf was watching her now, his brow furrowing a little.

“Your…your brother Hallfred lived near my da's lands.”

“He lives here?” Gunnolf asked, looking as though he was ready to search him out.

“Nay, listen. He died in battle with my da. His…your grandfather killed mine some years earlier in a Viking raid long before your brother moved here. When your brother settled near my da's lands, they had disputes over land and sheep and cattle. Then my da learned Hallfred was the grandson of the man who killed my grandfather, and my da couldna let go of the hate he had for your kin.”

Gunnolf looked back toward Craigly Castle. “Your da never mentioned that to me when he wanted me to provide safe passage for you.”

Would Gunnolf have changed his mind about protecting her, if he had known? “I dinna know if he realizes you and he were brothers. ‘Tis worse, Gunnolf. He didna just die fighting against my kin. My da killed him.”

Gunnolf's expression was a mix of disbelief and anger. “How did Wynne know?”

“She was friends with your grandmother in her…way. She never met her in person, but they shared visions. She saw what your grandmother saw. She knew your grandmother's husband murdered my grandfather, my da's da.”

“Wynne never told me. What about my brother? How long has she known he lived here?”

“She said she didna know until she sent you looking for the woman who needed help. Your brother was one of the men fighting my da in battle. One of the ones who died, Seamus said.”

“But you know for certain that your da killed him?” Gunnolf was frowning at her again.

She had been afraid he would hate her for it. “Aye. Seamus said at least Robard had avenged his da's death during the battle.”

Gunnolf's face was dark and angry. “How many of my people moved there? How many are left?”

“I dinna know. I am so sorry, Gunnolf. I didna know until Wynne told me after you went to find Lynette. I…I had to tell you.”

He let out his breath in exasperation, but then he shook his head at her, his expression softening a wee bit. “None of this is your doing, lass.”

“What are you going to do?”

“Where are they living, exactly?”

“I dinna know. Mayhap Wynne will. You are going to see them?” If she had been Gunnolf, that's what she would do.

“
Ja
. I must know who is living there that is related to me. I should have returned home. I should have known that my brother had moved here.”

“Mayhap you would be the one dead now instead of him.” Brina was annoyed with men and their need to kill each other for no good reason. Land, power, livestock. Nothing was worth killing another man over it. “You willna help my da, will you?” Or even consider marrying her now.

G
unnolf thought
of himself as a reasonable man. He remembered the last fight he'd had with his brother, four years older than him. It had occurred some months before the trip to the English coast at the time of the last raid they'd been on, which had been an attempt to rescue his brother from the Sassenach, and Gunnolf had been left for dead. His brother had always chided Gunnolf for his love of animals and took great pleasure in sacrificing them to appease the gods. Hallfred had only wanted Gunnolf to become a warrior. To accept their culture and realize Hallfred's offerings would bring plentiful crops to them or other gifts the gods could grant.

No matter how hard Gunnolf had tried to live with the notion, to justify the right in it, he had hated his brother for it. Hallfred could have just as easily offered up any other animal to appease the gods. Not Gunnolf's own orphaned animals that he had fostered. Their father had been just as adamant that Gunnolf gave up caring for animals that wouldn't have survived if he hadn't raised them as his own—a goat, a sheep, a puppy once, and a falcon.

That was one of the reasons he had decided to stay with the MacNeills. When he had first arrived at Craigly Castle, sorely wounded, he refused to sleep in the castle and instead slept in the stables. He had befriended a momma cat's kittens, though the mother was wild. Lady Akira had finally convinced Gunnolf to live in the castle and stay with her sons, but she allowed him to take the kittens with him. He had believed she would eventually insist the kittens live outside once he had become friends with her sons. But she didn't. She truly was the most good-hearted woman he had ever known. He'd had as much fun raising the kittens as did James and his younger brothers and sister. And Lady Akira saw in him something good and kind. She didn't see him as a man who was weak because he cared for those unable to care for themselves.

Though James had jested oft enough that Gunnolf was doing so to gain Lady Akira's favor.

“You are not at fault for what your father or anyone else has done, Brina,” Gunnolf finally said. “Set your mind at ease concerning the matter.”

“What about my da?”

“I do not know what the difficulty was between my brother and your father. I will see my people and make a judgement then.”

“But you must learn my da's side of the story also or you will only have one version.”

“What do you wish me to do, Brina?” Gunnolf studied her for a moment.

“I want you to hear both sides.”

He raised his brows a little. “By wanting me to hear both sides, does that mean you wish me to do what your father bids if I am in agreement?”

“Marry me?” Brina's whole body heated in mortification after speaking the words. She thought it sounded like she was asking him to marry her. And then she realized he might not even be talking about that, but about helping her da regain his position as chief.

Gunnolf looked darkly amused.

She let out her breath. “You meant to help my da become chief.”

“Your da would insist I marry you, has in fact already, so that would be part of the deal. I would not wed an unwilling bride no matter how much your father tries to convince James that I stole you away and I must now make you my wife.”

“I told you my da wasna to be trusted. I dinna wish to wed Seamus no matter what though.”

“Nor me,” Gunnolf said.

She felt her face heat. She always assumed when the time came, she wouldn't have any choice in the matter. So she didn't expect a man, any man, to ask her opinion on the subject. And she really appreciated him for it.

“I am…sorry that my grandfather killed yours,” Gunnolf said finally, switching the subject when she didn't say she wished to marry Gunnolf either.

It wasn't that she didn't, she realized. But that she knew he had to find closure concerning his brother and what had happened. If he didn't first, he might change his mind about her and she wanted it to be a surer thing.

“I miss my grandfather. When most men are no' that interested in playing with a female bairn, my grandfather was the exception. He bounced me on his knee when I was little. And when he saw Lynette watching us, he bounced her on his other knee. I think now he must have known we were sisters, and had he been my da, he would have told our people to treat her as such. But he wasna in charge of our family and my da ruled over us.”

Gunnolf nodded. “My grandfather was just like my father and my oldest brother. They were warriors, believing in the old ways. Family meant everything to them, and children were highly valued.”

“For clan ties, aye?”

“
Ja.
”

She sighed. “You are good of heart, but you and your people and mine have been at war with one another from the beginning, so it seems.” She could see more trouble coming if they were to marry, and all parties were not agreeable. “Do you think the warring will ever end between our people?”

“
J
a
.
I do, if the parties want it enough. ‘Tis a way to end the strife in some cases.” Gunnolf wasn't sure it would in this case.

In any event, until he learned why her father had killed his brother, he wasn't making any decision one way or another. Yet he couldn't help but think about what it would be like being wed to the lass. She was sweet and yet spirited. She seemed to have a penchant for taking care of orphaned animals like he had, even if it could put them in danger, though her reasoning that the pup could throw Seamus and his men off their trail had been good. She had managed the household staff at her own castle, though he wouldn't know how well unless he lived there for a time. And she had protected herself from Seamus's man, not wilting like a plucked flower, waiting for him to take her hostage, or worse. She reminded him of some of his kinswomen who served as shield maidens and fought against their enemies, except instead of using a sword and shield, Brina used a bow. She was bonny and he certainly couldn't deny he desired her like a man desired a beautiful woman.

Most of all, he believed she was interested in him in a marriageable way if he could live with the fact that their clans were fighting. He had wanted to laugh when she'd put the question to him about marrying her. What if he had said he would, even though he knew she wasn't asking him to marry her in truth.

When they reached the castle, Lady Akira greeted the three ladies and ushered them up to her chamber.

James took Gunnolf aside. “We will be having a feast and then what are your plans?”

Gunnolf told James what had happened concerning his brother.

“I am sorry to learn he was here and that you knew naught of it. And this other business…” James shook his head. “So, you have no intention of marrying Brina then.”

Gunnolf wasn't sure how that would play out. If he wed the lass, would that strengthen ties between his people and hers? Or cause more trouble?

“For now? Nay.”

E
veryone greeted
the ladies with great cheer and welcoming, to Brina's surprise, when she and her companions arrived at Craigly Castle. She believed the people would act as though Wynne was someone to be feared. But they didn't. Brina did worry that they would treat her and Lynette ill because of their mother's situation, but again, they didn't. She thought a lot had to do with the way Lady Akira greeted them as though they were her long lost daughters, and Wynne was her best friend. James's wife, Lady Eilis, the woman often affectionately called Mikala, pearl of the sea, was just as generous with her friendship. Brina saw that she was with bairn and wondered when the baby would come. She treated Brina and Lynette like they were her sisters, and everyone fell in love with Beowulf. Eilis's cousin, Fia, was there also, and just as dark haired as Brina and a real beauty. Brina wondered why she was not yet married.

Even a man called Eanruig, James's senior advisor, made them feel especially welcome.

The wolf pup likewise had fun playing with some of the hunting dogs and a litter of pups, the older dogs making him behave when he got too rough.

Brina wondered if the wolf pup would be allowed to play with the hunting dogs at home, if she were to return. If Seamus was to continue in her father's stead, she knew she could never go back. Yet, even though all were welcoming here, this still didn't feel like it was home. Despite the way her da had acted toward her, she knew in his heart, he thought he was doing right by the clan, making them stronger, more invincible, less likely to be overrun by another clan. So, though she'd hated the notion of marrying Seamus, she knew her father had not chosen him to spite her, but in an effort to ensure the clan remained powerful.

With all the greetings from everyone, Brina was caught up in it for a moment, but then she couldn't help herself and looked around for Gunnolf. He and James were observing them, smiling, appearing glad that the ladies had been accepted by everyone.

She smiled at Gunnolf, and his mouth curved up even more as if he was pleased she had acknowledged he was there. Then she realized not only had he been watching her, but Lady Akira, Laird James, and Lynette had. Brina wanted the floor to swallow her up.

Eilis's and James's three-year-old son, Ian, took her hand and smiled up at her. “You wanna play with me?”

She would love to. But Lady Akira motioned for all the ladies to follow her up the stairs and so Brina took Ian's small hand, glancing over her shoulder to see if Gunnolf had left, but he only winked at her, as if he knew she couldn't keep her eyes off him. Her body heated with embarrassment, the rogue.

The ladies provided Brina and Lynette sewing materials so they could work on something while they talked in Lady Akira's chamber before the meal was ready as they settled down on cushioned benches.

“You must have been shocked when Gunnolf ran into you as he did. James was quite upset with him for no' telling us what he had intended to do,” Lady Akira said.

“Nonsense,” Wynne said. “He's a warrior. A Norseman. A little snow would never slow him down.”

“Well, we are glad both of you, Brina and Lynette, made it here safely and truly hope you will stay with us,” Lady Akira said. “Now, as to this matter with Gunnolf, we all understand that your da insists he marry you, but while you stay here, your da has no say in the matter. We wouldna want you to wed anyone you dinna want to.”

“Aye,” Brina agreed, looking down at Eilis's young son, his dark curls the color of James's hair, as he ran his hand over her gown in a shy way, dark brown eyes glancing up at her, dark lashes framing them beautifully. She suspected he wanted to sit on her lap. Animals and children always drifted her way.

“Ian,” his mother said. Eilis sat to get comfortable on a cushioned bench, her gown covering her rounded belly, her second bairn due in the spring. “Brina may no' want you to sit on her lap.” Then Eilis looked up at Brina. “He is usually shy around those he has only just met.”

Lynette smiled and shook her head. “Whenever Brina isna busy with managing the household staff, the children talk her ear off or want her to hold them. Some mothers say she overindulges them. Others love her for it. Animals? The same way.”

Brina laughed. “I canna help myself. If I am no' overly busy, I can carry a bairn on my hip and give a mother a break.” She looked down at Ian. “Would you like to sit on my lap?”

He nodded. She smiled and lifted him up, and he settled on top of her gown.

“As to Gunnolf, he is a good man, but even the most decent of men have their faults,” Lady Akira added. “Even the man I have considered marrying, Tibold, chief of the Clan Chattan, has such faults. He is my son, Angus's father-in-law. And I think I will wed him, if he ever gets up the courage to ask.”

Eilis smiled at her mother-in-law. “You should just ask him, I keep telling you.”

“He would marry you in a heartbeat,” Wynne agreed. “As to a man's faults, aye, you know the truth of it.”

Brina knew no one was perfect, herself even, but she was dying to learn what Gunnolf's faults were so she could make a better decision with regard to marrying him or not.

“If an animal is in need of mothering, he will be right there taking the orphan in. I could just see him taking one into his chamber and staying up all night with it until he was certain it was out of danger. Even onto the pallet where the two of you are sleeping once you are wed,” Lady Akira said. As if it were a foregone conclusion.

Brina's whole body warmed with embarrassment. She wasn't used to women talking about her sleeping with a man, even if she had already done so with Gunnolf, not in a carnal way, but still…

Brina wondered if Lady Akira only said so because she knew Brina had wanted to rescue the wolf pup, and not that it was Gunnolf's doing this time.

“He did in his youth. He is terribly stubborn also. If he had it in mind he wants something, he will go after it if it kills him.”

“Like trying to return home when he was a lad and terribly wounded?” Brina asked.

“Aye.”

“But this is a good thing, is it no'?” Lynette asked.

Brina nodded, agreeing with her.

“For my sons and my nephew, Niall, I would agree. When Niall and Gunnolf had been ambushed and lost track of each other, Gunnolf would have done anything to locate Niall, even gotten himself killed over it. No one is more loyal to the family than he is and treats my nephew and my sons as his own brothers,” Lady Akira said. “That goes for the way he cares about everyone in the clan, I might add.”

“What of his own brothers?” Brina asked softly. She didn't know if they knew about what had happened to him with regard to her da. If Lady Akira was trying to convince Brina she should wed Gunnolf despite all his “faults,” she thought it was important for them to know the situation.

“Gunnolf never spoke of his brothers. Mayhap that says volumes of his relationship with them right there. However, this could sway his feelings about marrying you at your da's request.” Then Lady Akira turned to Lynette. “He rescued you as well. What if you were to wed him instead?”

Blushing, Lynette smiled.

Brina didn't think she'd ever seen Lynette blush that way. Had Gunnolf kissed her? Was she interested in marrying the braw warrior, even if he was a Viking and not a Highlander?

“He is a handsome man, and he did come to my aid, but I dinna think he has any interest in me.” Lynette glanced at Brina. “What about his interest in you?”

“He wants to see his people and learn what had happened between my da and his brother. I asked him to talk to my da about it too. To learn both sides.”

Lynette's brows rose. “What did he say to that?”

“He wanted to know if that meant I wished him to return to Anfa Castle, and he would challenge Seamus, to do as my da bids.”

“Wed you, then,” Lady Akira said, looking hopeful.

“Do you?” Lynette asked.

“I dinna want Gunnolf to get himself killed. Then again, I worry about his visit with his own people. What if they dinna trust him because he has been living with the MacNeill clan all these years and no' with his own kind? Even though the MacNeill clan has had no quarrel with the Norsemen settled here.”

W
hen they went
to the great hall for the meal, Brina led Ian down with her, his small hand in hers, and she knew she'd made a best friend. She thought she would sit with him at the meal. But when she reached the great hall, a nursemaid took Ian, and she really wished he could stay with her. He looked disappointed too.

Beowulf bounded over to her and when she sat down to the meal in the great hall, he lay at her feet. Lady Akira seated Gunnolf next to Brina while Lynette was between James's wife, Lady Eilis, and Lady Akira. Brina suspected Lynette was James's sister and they wished to keep her here as part of the family. That saddened Brina as she hoped that if she returned home, Lynette would go with her, and she would tell her people the good news. That she was her sister whether her da approved or not.

Brina was not seated at the head table as befit her rank, but she was fine with that. She was glad to be next to Gunnolf, whom she more than enjoyed being with.

“I see you made friends with Ian,” Gunnolf said, his eyes twinkling with mirth.

She was surprised Gunnolf had really noticed.

“Aye, he is sweet and misses sitting on his mother's lap.”

Gunnolf smiled. “No room for him there now.”

“Aye.” Brina took a bite of her mutton. “When are you leaving to see your kin?”

“On the morrow, first thing.”

“What if…they are no' happy to see you?”

“Have you seen a vision of this?” he asked, frowning.

“Nay. I just mean, all these years you have been dead to them.” She realized after she brought the subject up, she probably shouldn't have. What if his people were angry that he had stayed here and lived with the Highlanders, forsaking his own people? The welcoming from his people maybe not be forthcoming. Rather they could be wary that he showed up at all. Yet,
they
had left him for dead.

“Truth be told, I hadna considered it.” Gunnolf chewed on his mutton, seemingly deep in thought.

She rested her hand on his arm in a consoling manner. “I am sorry, Gunnolf. I shouldna have brought it up.”

His gaze shot to hers. There was a way he looked at her, not just as a friend, but something deeper, more…carnal, anytime she touched him. She pulled her hand away from his arm, thinking maybe she was being too forward.

“I only thought to see them, to learn from them what happened. I did not think of the consequences, truly. I am sure they would be shocked at first to see me. Mayhap, angry with me for not returning home. I had not quite considered that they would not welcome me home as a long, lost warrior.”

“But if your brother lived here in the Highlands, how can they fault you for having done so?”

“Because I did not tell them I still lived. I lived, instead, with the Highlanders.”

“Unless…unless your grandmother saw you in a vision and told them you lived here. Mayhap no' in this place, but in the Highlands. Mayhap that was the very reason your brother and others moved here.”

Gunnolf continued to eat, but didn't say anything further as if he was pondering the whole matter.

“You willna go alone, will you?” She worried if they didn't like it that he didn't return home that they might believe he was the enemy now.

“I will. I cannot bring a force of Highlanders with me to see my own people.”

She sipped from her ale. “What if something happens to you? What if you are taken prisoner?”

“By my own kin?”

She couldn't help feeling anxious about it. He was right in not wanting to take a force of Highlanders with him. They could construe it that he was with the Highlanders and might even intend to fight his own kind. On the other hand, she could see they could very well be angry with him for not returning to his people and want to make him pay for it.

“What if they thought to try and convince you to turn me over to them? And then they could ransom me to Seamus as proof of your loyalty to your kin?”

He leaned back on the bench seat and took a long look at her. “I am loyal to the MacNeill clan, having pledged myself in word and deed forever, lass. You are a guest of the MacNeills. I would not promise to hand you over to anyone, Seamus, your da even, or my kin. Not unless you wished it.”

“What if they threatened your life if you didna do so?”

“Do you oft worry about my welfare?” His stern expression had vanished and in its place, a look of amusement made her believe he wasn't taking her seriously now.

She frowned at him. This was grave, not something to jest about. “When you are putting yourself in danger, aye.”

“I have never had a lass worry about me before when I was putting myself in danger.”