Kara Griffin - The Pith Trilogy (25 page)

Colin couldn’t believe she was gone. “How did she leave, do you have any notion?” He strode quickly inside the keep.

“They went riding, Laird. I went to tell the guard to keep a watch, and when I came back, they were gone. Vanished.”

“Why did you not send someone for me?”

“Laird, I tried to stop ye. I’ve sent out constant searches. Is there anything I should do?”

“Nay.” Colin’s mind whirled. Hadn’t he forbid her to leave the keep? She never listened. He’d known this might happen. Julianna didn’t care for him, and hadn’t given her heart, after all. He went to his chamber, slamming the door behind him. Seeing the note on the bed, he reached for it.

Colin said aloud, “I thought ye cared for me, even if a little.”

He opened the letter and read it. She wrote that she didn’t want to put the KirkConnell’s in danger and was going to the king. She appreciated his protection. The lass was brave enough to confront a king.

Banging on the door made him turn. Colin tucked the letter into his tunic, and opened the door. His brothers shoved him back inside.

“What’s going on, Colin?” Robin shoved him again. “Both Julianna and Tess have been missing for over a week, and no one can find them. Do you know where they are?”

“Aye.”

“What are we waiting for? We need go get them,” Robin demanded.

“Nay, we won’t. I’ve no intention of running after her.”

Robin jumped on Colin, pushing him to the floor. “Have ye gone mad, Colin?”

“Get off me, you arse.” Colin punched Robin’s head.

Brendan finally got involved, pulling Robin off Colin, shoving him into a chair.

After they calmed, Brendan spoke. “Where did she leave, Colin?”

Colin gave Brendan a startled look. He’d never gotten involved in family matters before. “She went to London.”

“Why’d she go there?”

“Brendan, she received a missive from the king stating if she didn’t go, he’d send a regiment to the KirkConnell’s, but they hadn’t shown up. The king bluffed.”

“What does the king want?”

“I don’t know. She’s been secretive,” Colin said.

“You’re going to let her go?”

“I promised to protect her whilst she was here.”

Robin jumped from his seat. “She’s your wife for Christ’s sake, Colin, she might need ye.”

“She shall fare well, a cat to land on her feet.”

“I thought you put da’s crap aside, that you finally cared about someone,” Brendan shouted.

“Well hell,” Colin muttered, bracing himself.

“You’re a fool, Colin. Da didn’t love our mother, and she didn’t love him either. Do you know why?”

“I don’t want to talk about this now, Brendan.” Colin exited the room, slamming the door.

Robin looked at Brendan and sighed. “He must go after her.”

“We’ll have to work on him until he does.”

“You know why Ma didn’t love Da? Why didn’t you say something sooner?”

“Robin, I never wanted to talk about it. Our da didn’t hold fond feelings for me. Even though I was young, I knew it. When I was old enough to wonder about it, I talked to Dame Hester,” Brendan mumbled.

“What did she tell ye?”

“She said Ma was happy at first, but Da was gruff and hard. He didn’t let up and always yelled at her for wee things, everything. Ma tried to get along, but he started beating her. She kept to herself after that. Dame Hester said she was sad most of the time. He was a mean son-of-a-bitch.” Brendan slumped in the chair, bowing his head solemnly. It was the first time he’d spoken of his parents to his brothers.

“Yeah, he was that, all right,” Robin agreed. “Colin doesn’t know. We must tell him.”

“Colin’s always held fond feelings for Da. You tell him.” He rose.

“Nay, Brendan, you must be the one to tell him. He wouldn’t believe me, now.”

Brendan opened the door and glanced back at Robin. Aye, Colin would think Robin was only trying to get Tess back. Somehow they’d have to convince Colin to go after his wife.

“If we have to tell him, we’ll do it soon because I want to get it over with.”

“When?” Robin asked.

“When he’s ready,” Brendan declared.

Chapter Thirty-Nine

Colin wasn’t ready to speak about their parents to his brothers. His anger over Jules leaving consumed him. Two days had passed since his return. He sat at the table watching his clansmen, they kept their distance because he’d returned to his curt nature. Many would only dare intercept him regarding clan matters. Gone was his polite manner.

Why had he let himself be open to torment? Hadn’t his da warned him not to leave his heart open to a woman’s scorn? He was the fool of fools to believe that Julianna actually cared for him. If she got into trouble, it would be her own fault. She should have at least waited for his return. He would have taken her to see the king. Who was he kidding? He wouldn’t have taken her.

Everywhere he looked, he saw her. The keep with all its changes prompted his wrath. He wanted to tear the keep apart and rid himself of her reminders—then he’d feel better.

The evening meal ended, and everyone went off seeking their beds. Furor flowed through his veins and the more he thought about it, the more his blood boiled. Colin kicked a chair by the hearth. He pulled off the cushions, ripped them apart, and the stuffing fell to the floor. He kicked the trestle table, which fell to its side. With the rise of his temper, so rose the noise level.

“About time,” he heard.

Robin and Brendan spoke through the entrance of the hall.

“Go bugger yourselves. I’m ridding the keep of her wee reminders.” Colin pulled a tapestry from the wall, and began shredding it.

“If it makes ye feel better, go ahead. We’ll watch,” Robin said.

Brendan nodded in agreement.

“Watch all ye like.” Colin pulled another banner from the wall. She’d sewn his clan’s emblem on it, a wolf’s head sewn in blue, with a red bone stitched in its mouth, embroidered perfectly. His breath hitched, and he slumped to the floor. Gripping the banner resolutely, he leaned his head against the wall.

“Colin?” Brendan said.

“Aye, Brendan?”

“I must tell ye about ma and da. Don’t try to stop me.” Approaching, Brendan sat beside him. “I talked to Dame Hester about them, after her husband died. She was lonely so I’d keep her company. Mostly I wanted her cooking. I asked questions, and she told me Da often hurt Ma. Ma was scared, that’s why she was sad, why she’d kept to herself,” his voice wavered.

Colin stared at his brother. Brendan had known the truth all the while, and others had known the truth, too. He felt like a beguiled arse. Since his talk with Walt, he had accepted it.

“I know she cared about us, Brendan,” Colin said.

Brendan nodded. “Aye, she did care, but he never gave her a chance. He should have protected her; instead, he beat her.”

“I always thought he was a good man, now I find out that he … Walter had the McFies kill him. He avenged Ma because Da killed her. I cannot banish him for it.” Colin couldn’t reveal the other things Walter had told him. If Brendan learned it, Walt should be the one who would tell him.

“He avenged her, Walt’s a good man. I agree, Colin, it wouldn’t do well to banish him for his bravery,” Brendan said.

“Walter’s been more a father than our own. He always put the clan first,” Robin said.

“I don’t know what to do about Jules.” Colin faltered, his jaw twitching at his uneasiness.

“Colin, you must go after her. She’s your wife, and might be in deep trouble. We have to leave now,” Robin insisted.

“You want to chase after Tess, Robin. Let him make up his own mind. If he loves her, he’ll go.” Brendan pulled Robin’s arm, and they left the hall.

I don’t want to die!
Colin’s chest tightened at her plea. She might be angered that he didn’t go after her. Well, hell!

Walter and Bleeth strode in the hall, and saw him on the floor. “What are you doing, Colin?” Walter asked.

“Contemplating.”

“I know what troubles ye. Bleeth needs to speak to you. Is there anything I can do to help you contemplate?”

“Nay, I’m making my mind up. What is it, Bleeth?”

Colin noticed the strain on Bleeth’s face.

“She went to the king to assist the KirkConnell’s. I tried to protect her, but when I returned from the bush when we’d stopped for rest, she and Tess were gone. I should have followed and tracked her, but I returned here and thought to ask for your help, but—”

“She’s facing a king with no one to aid her.” Colin got off the floor, muttered an expletive, and stormed from the keep. He went directly to the garrison to ready the men.

By morning Colin was prepared to set out. He waited by his horse, watching his men readying for the journey. He scowled at his brother, Brendan.

“Brendan, what are ye doing?”

“I’m putting soil in my boots,” he explained.

Incredulous, Colin shook his head. “I can see that, but why?”

“So my feet won’t leave Highland ground.”

Colin laughed, smacking his brother on the back. He’d never heard of anything so preposterous. His brother held strange beliefs about warring, but he was probably the fiercest warrior in the MacKinnon clan, and the most superstitious.

“Your feet are like to stink as a sty.”

“Aye.” Brendan’s eyes smiled, but his scowl remained.

Colin couldn’t believe he was about to go to the king’s castle to retrieve his wife. The men were enthusiastic about the journey, although, no one asked where they headed. They knew exactly where they headed and why. Their journey continued as they rode through the thick woods, until something occurred to Colin. He veered his horse around and led his men back toward the Highlands.

“Where are we headed now, Colin?” Robin asked.

“We’ll need some of our allies. We make camp here and have the Kerrs and KirkConnells meet us here by morn. I need to get to Jules.”

“Julianna and Tess will fare well, Colin. No need to worry.”

“I hope so, Robin. Now that I’ve come to accept her, I don’t want to lose her.”

“I know how you feel. I feel the same way about Tess.”

“We’ll have to gain entrance to the king’s castle. I hope she makes it there safely. Best that we take our allies with us know and save us the trouble of calling for them later. We’re going to need more men for this war.”

“Are ye saying we war against England?” Brendan asked.

“If I need to do so to get Jules back, then we shall.”

“Just checking,” Brendan said. A rare smile came to his brother.

“Why are ye happy about that, Brendan?” Robin asked.

“I get to kill Englishmen. My sword arm is trembling with anticipation.”

“Brendan, mayhap I should leave you home,” Colin said.

“Hell no, my sister-in-law needs rescuing, and I’m all for killing our foes.”

“Brendan, calm down, you can come.” Colin laughed. “I was jesting.” Colin called forth four men and bid them to take messages to Steven and Laird Kerr. They’d get what rest they could before riding hell-bent in the morn. Darkness descended and with it, the constant nagging that his wife needed him.

Chapter Forty

The aureate gates shone brightly in the afternoon sun. Though the castle was impressive, she dreaded going inside. Julianna told the guardsman she was summoned by the king, and he bid them entrance. He led them to the chancellor’s antechamber. The chancellor, Hubert, greeted them. Regally dressed, with dark-brown hair, graying somewhat, he seemed kind.

“Lady Devlin, you came at last. His Majesty has been anticipating your arrival.”

Julianna wondered how he knew of her marriage to Lord Devlin, but instead she asked, “Why has the king bid my attendance?”

“His Majesty said it was imperative that he see you. ‘Tis past the hour of His Majesty’s appointments, you’ll have to wait. I’ll show ye to a chamber.”

“We have journeyed afar and are in need of rest.”

“I should convey that your father’s been in court since this morn,” Hubert said.

“Has he been in His Majesty’s presence yet?”

“Aye, he told the king that ye returned and married the lord. All’s well?”

“Chancellor, I don’t wish to see my father. I’m only here to answer the king’s summon.” So that’s how he knew about her marriage to Lord Devlin.

“Very well, my lady, come.”

Julianna felt goose bumps on her arms at the eeriness of being there. She hadn’t been there since she was young. They passed by a hall where many lords and ladies were housed. For some reason, she felt cold, the hair on her arms prickled. She hurried, becoming strangely alarmed.

They were given a chamber to share, and Hubert told them he’d have a bath, clothes and fare sent posthaste.

“What now?” Tess asked.

“We wait. The king won’t send for us until tomorrow. We should get rest.”

After each was bathed and clad in nightrails, they sat quietly. Awhile later, each turned in. Julianna felt scared, alone, and tired. She tossed and turned, afraid to face the king.

Once asleep, she dreamt of Colin. He sat on a grassy hill, shouting to the sky
. “You hurt me, Jules, I’ll never forgive ye. You told me I was the love of your heart. You lied … lied …”

Her dream turned dark when the king’s shadowy face loomed above her. She knelt on the floor, and he shouted,
“You’ll abide in the Tower.”

Shaking from the vision of her dream, she awoke. The sooner she faced him, the better. She was tired of running from her past. After pondering her resolve, she went back to sleep.

They were awakened by the maids who bustled in, bringing food and garments. After they ate and dressed, they waited for what seemed like hours before the chancellor came.

“His Majesty sends for ye. Are you ready?”

“As I’ll ever be. Thank ye, Chancellor. Tess, do you wish to await here? There’s no need to come.”

“Oh, nay, don’t leave me here.”

“All right, Tess, come along then.”

Hubert led them through another myriad of halls. She caught sight of the lancet windows filtering light into the halls. Her footsteps took her through the blocks of sun that lined the carpet. She stifled a cry as she approached large doors. Swallowing her trepidation, she pulled back her shoulders and lifted her chin. She couldn’t back down now, not right outside the door. They entered a chamber filled with gentry awaiting the king’s attendance.

As she walked the aisle, someone grabbed her arm. Turning, she saw her father glaring.

“Ye best make this good, Julianna. His Majesty will put you in your place. You’ll pay for your perfidy,” he said snidely.

Before she could respond, the chancellor took her arm and pulled her along. “Don’t respond, my lady. You’ve to answer the king and only he,” he whispered low.

She was placed on a brocaded chair, and Tess sat in the chair next to hers. There they awaited his summons. She couldn’t stand looking at her father, and turned her attention to the room. Many ladies wore gowns of vast colors, all sparkling, and shining. Wearing an extravagant gown with its subtle shade of green silk, adorned with tiny emerald gems, Julianna still felt out of place, she’d rather be wearing Colin’s plaid.

Trumpets sounded, people flustered and bowed. She and Tess rose from their seats to bow also. The king entered through a side door, walked up the dais and sat. King John appeared older than she thought he would. He neither smiled, nor frowned.

All were bidden to rise. The chancellor stood next to the king, whispering in his ear.

“All are to leave His Majesty’s presence,” he bellowed.

Julianna and Tess rose, they were about to make their exit, when the chancellor called to them, “Ladies, not you. Be seated.” He gestured to their chairs.

Hoards of people left, and the hall echoed with the chancellor’s foot steps. “His Majesty will speak to ye in his private quarters.” They reached the sanctuary of the king’s antechamber where he awaited them.

“Lady Devlin, His Majesty, King John.” Hubert bellowed the introduction. Julianna’s head bowed low, like in her dream.

“Rise child,” John said softly.

He took his time surveying her, making her stomach flutter.

“Dearest lady, I knew your mother years ago. You’ve little of her looks. I’m sorry for what befell her here. She was a dear friend and I’ll be indebted forever for her kindness. Now tell me about your broken betrothal and your sudden return.”

His kind words startled her, her eyes widened.

“Sire, I-I married the man my father requested, but I-I was forced,” she stammered.

“Forced?”

“I’d already wed another when my father forced me to marry Lord Devlin. I went along with it for fear of his retribution.”

“Did you not tell him you were married?”

“Nay, Sire, I had to marry Lord Devlin to escape my father.”

“I shall call you Julie. Now come, sit with me.” John patted the chair beside his. “I don’t want formalities between us. Your lady may go sit.” John pointed to a chair by a wall.

“All’s well, Tess. You can leave me.” Julianna sat next to him, suddenly feeling unafraid.

“Now, tell me what transpired betwixt you and your father.”

“Sire, he’s not my father, and had no right to make the betrothal. I’ve known the truth, but was afeard to face my true father. I don’t believe he knows of my existence.”

“Byron is not your father? Julie, know you what this means?” The king slapped his knee.

“Nay, Sire, what?”

“The properties he holds were entailed to you upon Joanna’s death. Somehow she had her father proclaim you heir. She was a clever woman. They shall be removed from his care posthaste.”

“I didn’t know about that. I don’t want properties. I want to return to …” Her voice trailed off, not wanting to sound dissonant.

“What, child?”

“I’m sorry I married without your permission, Sire, but I care for my husband. He’s a laird, and I’m expecting his baby. I wanted to face you alone, you see, I, ah … there’s more.”

“You married a laird? You’re to have a babe? Excellent, I couldn’t be prouder than if you were mine own. Now about the property—”

She dared to interrupt, “But ye see, I am your own. You are my t-true father.”

“’Tis impossible that I’m your father.”

“B-but my mother left letters, which conveyed her relation with you when you hid at her father’s manor. She wrote that she met you and had a friendship. She all but implied that you were my father.” She glanced to see his expression.

John’s eyes lowered. “I’m taken aback. We did have a friendship and I loved her. I was her good friend, but she loved another. They had a liaison before she married. Gerard wanted to marry her, but he was betrothed to another. I recall him being upset that he couldn’t break it lest he lose his inheritance.”

“She said she didn’t want to trouble ye, and that you had enough to take care of, what with getting your kingdom back.”

“Oh, dear, if only I had known. It was Gerard she loved. I wonder why she implied it was I whom she was with?”

“You’re not my father?” She was relieved at hearing that.

“Nay, Gerard Acton of Surrey was. He would have been proud to be your father—because he cared much for your mother. He worshipped her.”

“Would have?”

“He died in the Albegensian crusade, and was a good man. Now that I look at ye, you do have his looks. Your mother was so in love with him, and it did my heart good to see them together. When they were forced to wed others, I knew it wasn’t meant to be. I should tell you all.” The king cleared his throat and took her hand. “My father, King Henry, had a mistress … Lady Muriel, your grandmother. Lady Muriel, on her deathbed, told your mother that she was Henry’s child. None of my brothers knew about Joanna because your mother didn’t want anyone to know. We kept it secret. Joanna was my sister.”

“You’re my uncle?” she asked astounded.

“It made me feel special that only I knew of her existence. My brother’s didn’t deserve her, the lechers.”

“Did my grandfather resent my mother for being a … bastard?”

“Oh nay, Rowland knew Muriel wouldn’t deny my father. He was happy about your mother’s birth. He knew she was Henry’s child, yet it didn’t matter. Rowland and Muriel didn’t have any other children besides Joanna. When Muriel died, Rowland remarried, and sired Mathilda. She and Joanna were close.”

“My grandfather must have been a noble man, not to hold it against her.”

“He was honorable. Rowland loved Muriel. My father would have been wrathful had she negated him—Rowland knew that.”

Julianna saddened. Now she’d never know her true father. “Sire, about my mother … ” She took a deep breath. “I believe Lord Bentley killed her.”

“Have you proof? I’ve always suspected he might have.”

“I don’t have proof, but she was frightened coming to your wedding. She felt he would harm her, maybe even kill her. She told me to escape him, to hide.”

“That’s no reason to believe he killed her,” he said.

“She was killed in your castle, in her own room—a room which only he had access to. I don’t recall that night because I was rather young.”

“He wasn’t in the room. Bentley said that you were frightened of the storm. I recall it like it was yesterday. My own page saw him outside your chamber.”

“Sire, he never came during storms, only my mother would console me.” Julianna sat forward in her chair. “He has never been caring. I’ve been fortunate to have been away at a convent. When I was home, he punished me. I didn’t understand why, until I found Mama’s letters.”

“May I read them?” the king asked.

“As you please. I’ll have the chancellor bring them to you.”

“I want you to call me uncle. I’ll introduce you to my wife, Isabella.”

“I’ve always been afeard to face ye. My mother thought you would take Lord Bentley’s side since he gave you service. When you threatened the KirkConnells, I …”

“Julie, forgive me, I didn’t send the knights. I thought to use intimidation to get you to come because I wanted to see how Joanna’s daughter fared. You’ve no need to fear me. I truly did love your mother. She stuck by me during difficult times.” John sat forward, placing his palms on his knees. “Now about Byron, he gave service many times, and I oft thought it was generous, since he wasn’t sought to. I believe he tried to appease me in hopes that if he was ever found out, I’d be more lenient.”

“Will you?”

King John frowned. “If he killed Joanna, he’ll not get leniency. I’ll read your mother’s letters and decide.”

“He believes I married Lord Devlin, and that I’ll return to him. He told me that he would see me back with him. I got the feeling that he would harm Lord Devlin.”

“Everything is coming to light. I will deal with Byron. As to your husband, what of him?”

Julianna’s eyes lowered. “I doubt he’ll come. I don’t believe he cares for me and I … I did leave him a missive.”

“Where was he when you left?”

“Off making war with the McFies, confronting your knights, and trying to find my father. I don’t believe Colin will come. Might I stay until I figure out where I shall go?”

“I would love to spend time with you. Don’t be too sure that he won’t come. I know if I married you, I’d follow. Your Scotsman will show eventually.” John grinned. “We must decide what to do with your lands. Your grandfather was a noble baron. Will your husband be wanting to stay in England?”

“Oh, nay, Sire, he wouldn’t. I would gladly give up the lands if only he would …”

“You’d give up your mother’s fortune? You must love him greatly to abdicate your inheritance.”

“I’d give up everything for him. I’m sorry if that displeases you.”

John smiled. “I find your loyalty to your husband admirable. Who is this man who has won your heart?”

“Laird Colin MacKinnon,” Julianna replied.

“You’ve done well, Julie.”

She smiled shyly, then grasped his sleeve. “I’m concerned about Laila.”

“Who is Laila?”

“My mother had another daughter. Bentley sent her somewhere and I must find her. I believe she may be in danger.” Julianna saw Hubert signal the king.

“I will have Hubert send men to inquire her whereabouts. We’ll find her.”

She and Tess left the hall, and returned to their chamber. Julianna sat in the window enclosure. She sobbed into the pillow held on her lap and let go all the heartache she’d endured over the years. Tess sat by her, not knowing how to comfort her. Her cries lessened to hiccups.

“What happened? What is your fate?”

“I’m not Lord Bentley’s daughter, my father was Gerard Action, but he died. I’m the king’s niece, and my mother was his sister. I believe Lord Bentley murdered my mother and the king promised to look into it.”

“You’re the king’s niece? Laird MacKinnon will be shocked,” Tess said with wide-eyes.

“Colin won’t come, so he will never find out. If you wish to leave, you can do so. I’m no longer in danger.”

“Nay, Julianna, I must stay with ye. You’re not going to tell Colin about the bairn, are you?”

“He won’t care, I tell you. I will send him a letter. Will you take it to him?”

“A letter? I tell ye, Julianna, that he will care and he will come … eventually.”