Seducing the Laird (29 page)

Chapter 52

True to his word Gundy marched the massive army at dawn, despite a midnight attack on their baggage train. A continuous stream of fire arrows were shot at their supplies and the overzealous soldiers trying to save their grain actually helped destroy them by saturating the supplies with water. Without the ability to adequately dry their foodstuffs most of it quickly began to rot.

Gundy insisted to the grumbling lords that this was not a hindrance and would actually free the army to march faster without so much baggage. To the poor soldiers stripped to quarter rations and forced for forage off the frozen winterland, his words must have seemed ludicrous.

Luckily Hadran was much wiser than their lord and after the first attack insisted each of his spies carry several days of provisions in their saddlebags. This expedition was turning into a disaster and he wanted his people to be taken care of.

With the extra weapons she hid in her dress the day before she felt overloaded, but it was always better to be overprepared. The brightly painted litter was abandoned and she was now forced to ride sidesaddle on a mount tethered to Gundy’s horse. Mary rode nearby, similarly anchored to one of Gundy’s personal guards. Lady Ivone was also under guard, though she did her best to pretend otherwise. She was charming and gracious during their grueling march, determined to return to Gundy’s good graces, but he seemed impervious. No woman, regardless of how charming, would make Gundy deviate from his plans.

"Your Scotsman is trying my patience," announced Gundy when another group of men returned empty handed from scouring the forest. Cairn’s men were experts at attacking any trailing group of men and disappearing before reinforcements could arrive. Many of Gundy’s scouts didn’t return at all.

"I am sure he would say the same of you," she replied.

Gundy chuckled and adjusted himself in the saddle. The cunning lord wore an impressive suit of armor, painstakingly engraved with intricate symbols. Though the metal offered more protection than the padded linen most of his foot soldiers wore, the armor was much too nice for a battlefield. Gundy probably intended to give orders from a well-protected camp and not risk his life or expensive armor.

"If I knew you were so witty I would have summoned you to my side long ago."

Fighting the nauseating roll in her stomach as she pictured herself as Gundy’s leman, she forced a smile. She would rather die than allow Gundy to touch her.

"Then you would have lost a valuable agent. Who would have secured the treasure if not I?"

"I’m sure it was ridiculously easy for you to gain the Scot’s trust. With those big eyes you look like a nun on the way to confession. Tell me; were you as saintly in the bedchamber?"

"I was effective in my role." Verena wished she could spur her horse forward. She had no desire to speak of the passion she experienced with Cairn, particularly not to Lord Gundy. He could pull her into the woods and toss up her skirts if he so desired and no one would do a thing to stop him. When Gundy turned away to speak to a soldier she discreetly wrapped her cloak more securely over her low-cut bodice.

"I’m sure you were, but perhaps you are more suited for other duties. I should discover for myself how skilled you truly are."

"You forget, milord, that I am also a trained assassin."

The beautiful chestnut mare tossed its head as Gundy jerked on the reins. He stared at her for one perplexed moment before letting out a deep roar of laughter. He shook with mirth until tears coursed down his face. She gazed innocently ahead, ignoring the curious stares of the onlookers.

"I admire your boldness," said Gundy when he could speak again. "It is always the most brazen lasses that make the best lovers. It is a pity we weren’t better acquainted before this venture."

"Servants are taught to obey." Ivone tried to nudge her mount forward and break into their conversation, but her guard kept pulling her back. They had a brief tug of war as she attempted to bring Gundy’s attention back to herself. "A real woman must be independent otherwise how can you trust her sincerity?"

"A woman’s sincerity should never be assumed," Gundy replied irritably. Ivone’s vanity was beginning to annoy him. "I know Verena’s motives so I can trust her to act in the way that is most beneficial to her. She needs survival, safety and money, all of which she obtains by my side. You on the other hand are motivated by ambition and greed –sentiments I know all too well. How long would your loyalties remain if another benefactor were to offer his protection?"

"I don’t know what you mean, milord. I would never betray you."

Ivone lowered her head demurely and guided her horse away. There was something guilty in her expression that made her wonder if she had not already solicited the other lords for aid. She might have done the same if she thought they would help, but they were all firmly in Gundy’s pocket—especially after the arrival of the McPherson silver.

"Of course not."

His tone was one of patronizing kindness. Their relationship had rapidly deteriorated in the few days since she joined the army, but it was to be expected. Though they shared ambition, they were too stubbornly independent to work together for long. If Gundy had not betrayed Ivone, she surely would have done the same to him as soon as the opportunity arose.

When they finally crossed the border into Scotland Gundy divided his army into three parts. The larger group encircled the castle in an impenetrable ring, beginning the siege. Another group was sent to wreak havoc on the countryside, burning and looting homes and killing anyone who had not taken refuge in the castle. Luckily Cairn was prepared for Gundy’s arrival and had long ago brought his people into the castle’s protective walls.

Verena was untethered from Gundy’s horse and given to her former guards, William and Robert. Together with Mary, Ivone and a few other soldiers, they made their way deep into the Old Lord’s forest. Mary bore this change with stoic silence, glaring at each of them as if calmly envisioning their disembowelment.

"Where are you taking us?" Ivone demanded, but the men ignored her. "Why won’t anyone answer a simple question?"

"The Old Lord’s tunnel," she guessed when no one spoke up. It was the only logical destination.

"Correct," William replied. It was the first word he said to her all day, though he had spent hours by Verena’s side. Like Mary he had the look of someone intent on murder, but William was calm and composed; a stark difference to Mary’s simmering rage. "The McPherson has been following us since the first attack. Gundy supposes he will follow us to the Old Lord’s tunnel and try to stop us from entering."

"So you will lay a trap for him using us as bait," she finished. "How will you find the Old Lord’s tunnel? You can’t expect me to tell you its location."

"The old man, Hadran, told us it was in the big mound."

She winced at the mention of her former mentor. Evidently he told Gundy much more than his theories on Cairn’s love. If Hadran was beside her right then she would have wrung his interfering neck.

Hours had passed since they separated from the main army, enough time for Gundy’s men to set up an effective siege of the castle. Had Cairn decided to wait for his brother to return with reinforcements or had he attacked Gundy’s forces alone? The first seemed the most likely. Cairn’s men were skilled at evasion in the woods, but they couldn’t hope to defeat him in a pitched battle.

They reached the Old Lord’s burial mound and Robert swung her from the saddle. He handed the ladies shovels and ordered them to start digging.

"You cannot be serious!"

Ivone was aghast at the order. The hem of her fine velvet cloak was rapidly becoming soaked with mud despite the tall chopines she wore. Her fur lined gown was suited more for sipping wine in a solar than digging holes. She eyed the shovel as if it were a serpent.

"Make it look convincing."

"It would be far more convincing for you to dig for us," returned Ivone with asperity. "My son knows I do not work."

"You will work or I’ll slice your pretty throat."

"I wouldn’t do that," said Mary. She looked quickly around as if alerted to a noise in the surrounding forest. Catching her alarm many of the men drew their weapons, scanning the trees for danger. "Cairn could be watching right now. What would he do if he saw you murder Lady Ivone?"

"He would probably thank me." Several of the men snickered at the jest, but they didn’t sheath their weapons. In a louder voice William began giving orders. "Alright men, we have wasted enough time. You three stay here and assist the women. We will return with more supplies."

Chapter 53

The soldiers with the cheapest armor were ordered to stay while William and the others pretended to leave. They were bait, like Verena, to make the excavation look convincing enough to provoke Cairn to abandon his hidden position in the woods and attack.

She and Mary set to work clearing the stones in front of the Old Lord’s tomb, but Ivone refused to help. She insisted refined ladies didn’t do manual labor and sat imperiously on a fallen tree, refusing to move no matter how the soldiers railed at her.

The men left behind wore patched and cheaply padded linen instead of metal armor. They were obviously peasants untrained in battle or tactics and thought this assignment would elevate them in Gundy’s household. They reminded her uncomfortably of the English archers who met their end in these woods and the young lad who was killed after bringing poison to Cairn’s table. They were all expendable. She would almost feel sorry for the soldiers if they didn’t take every opportunity to ogle her cleavage and share crude jokes about what they would do to her when this was over.

"Gundy won’t mind if we toss her skirts," said one. The soldiers were in a tight group to one side of the mound, encouraging each other to act. Despite their bold words, none of them seemed brave enough to try. "We would be done long before the others arrive."

"Speak for
yourself
," said another, scratching his crotch. "The wenches like me to take my time."

"What do you know about wenches?" asked the third. "You haven’t touched a woman since you were sucking your dam’s teats."

"That’s not true! Before we marched Kate took me into her barn."

With the soldiers’ attention on their boastful stories she turned to Mary and whispered a question that had been plaguing her for days.

‘"Why did you warn me about Gundy’s intentions?"

"This is not the time for such talk."

"I don’t know if there will be another opportunity."

"Then you may question your Holy Father. You may meet Him soon."

"Tell me the truth," Verena insisted when Mary tried to turn away. She needed to understand the complex woman before they went any further. The people Verena thought she knew were constantly changing, eroding the bonds of their previous relationships. Perhaps if she understood Mary, the perplexing events of the last few days would begin to make sense. "I am tired of pretenses. Do you still intend to murder me?"

"Nay."
The words were said grudgingly from a face twisted in distaste. "I could no more hurt you than cut out my own heart."

"Why?"

"Because of the babe you carry."

"You were a mother."

"Aye, long ago.
I was working in the fields while my son played nearby. He wandered into the road while I wasn’t looking and was trampled beneath the horse of an impatient young knight. For a while I went mad with grief. No one could console me, not my husband, or the priest. It was only when the knight offered a few coins to atone for our loss that I was able to think clearly again.

"That night I snuck into his bedchamber and slit his throat while he slept. I thought my life was over then, indeed, I wanted it to end, but Lady Ivone intervened on my behalf. I owe her my life."

What prompted the haughty woman to save Mary? Had it been kindness or opportunism? She doubted Ivone was capable of an altruistic act. She had spared Mary only to turn her into a slave.

"No matter what I feel for you, your babe deserves to live."

The contemptuous flick of Mary’s wrist showed just what she thought of Verena, but her words lacked venom. That was much more than she expected from the gruff older woman.

Quickly she slipped a couple of knives to Mary. Unarmed the women had little chance of surviving the skirmish between the English and Scottish soldiers. They needed to work together to escape.

"I’ll take Pockmarked and Squeaker. The others won’t put up much of a fight."

The oldest of the group had a face covered in ugly red and white pimples. He was smaller than the others, but had the loudest mouth and carried two daggers in his belt. Squeaker wore an old green tunic that probably belonged to his father. It had been clumsily refitted to his slender frame, but he had not bothered to wash off the old sweat stains.

"What are you two conspiring about?" Rough hands grabbed Verena’s shoulders and pushed her face forward into the burial mound. Taking advantage of her helpless position her attacker began to run his filthy hands along her backside, drawing up her skirts. "I like a wench on her knees."

The other two soldiers reached for Mary and tried to tackle her to the ground, but she was ready for them. She jerked one knee up, catching the first man in the groin. He collapsed on top of her in pain, but as she fell Mary reached around him to strike the second man in the neck with the knife. Taking advantage of his surprise, Mary rolled the first man off and jumped to her feet.

Verena meanwhile had brought one wooden chopine up and kicked her attacker between the legs. She then twisted sharply, elbowing him in the face and punching him in the kidney as she turned. He fell back in astonishment, roaring in pain.

She should have killed the soldier while he fumbled with her skirts, but a twinge of conscience had stayed her hand. Unfortunately her kindness had cost her the advantage of surprise. Now the soldier faced her warily with weapon drawn, realizing his quarry was not as helpless as he assumed.

"You are unnatural!" gasped her attacker. He had certainly never expected to find himself in a knife fight with a woman. He slashed wildly at her face and torso making her dance around the small clearing.

As Gundy predicted Cairn and a small band of Scottish knights exploded from the nearby trees almost as soon as the fight started. Cairn’s faceplate was up, revealing a mask of fury that made even her retreat a few steps. He wore the McPherson’s traditional coat of arms and looked nearly identical to the tapestry of the Old Lord hanging in the abandoned chambers. She half expected to see a grinning familiar following him into battle.

The Englishmen saw the berserker apparition and their wits deserted them. Half of the men turned to fight and the other began tripping over themselves to get away. Neither stood a chance. Cairn was a wild thing, slashing at the English as if he fought demons sent to carry away his soul.

She stood transfixed watching the graceful dance. She had often seen Cairn on the practice field even in the most abysmal weather, but she had never seen such rage. It was all she could do to stumble out of his way as Cairn reached her attacker. His sword flashed through the air, parrying the soldier’s pitiful swing. He took a step backward and Cairn
followed,
intent on dismembering the man that dared to touch his woman.

Though she felt no love for the Englishman she didn’t wish for his death. Before she could think of the stupidity of her actions, she grabbed a shovel and dove forward to parry Cairn’s deadly downward thrust. The wooden handle snapped beneath Cairn’s power and she had to jump back, falling over the Englishman to avoid being sliced open.

"Nay!" she yelled, throwing her hands wide to protect the dumbfounded soldier. Everyone in the clearing—including the English—looked at her as if she were daft. "Don’t do this. He isn’t worth it."

"Do you realize what he was about to do to you?" Cairn ground out. He grabbed her shoulders and thrust her aside. She reached for Cairn’s arm to restrain him but he irritably shook her off.

"But he didn’t. I am safe because of you. There is no need for this."

"He needs to be taught a lesson."

"He has."

The soldier in question had fallen backward onto the burial mound when she bumped into him. He lay there quivering, knowing there was no escape surrounded as he was by furious Scotsmen. Fergus took her by the arm and tried to drag her away, but she fought him, trying to twist out of his grip.

"Please don’t do this."

Cairn was a knight. It was his duty to protect his people. She understood this and knew many had fallen beneath Cairn’s sword in the heat of battle. So why couldn’t she let him kill this one insignificant man?

"Gundy used him as he used me, and the little boy who served you wine, and the archers in the woods. No one else should die for that man."

The point of Cairn’s sword dropped to the ground. His expression changed to one of such kindness she had to look away. Somehow it was easier to face him when Cairn was enraged. Now his pity made her want to squirm. How could he possibly understand the gnawing guilt she struggled with as more and more people were destroyed in Gundy’s machinations?

The sword fell to the ground as Cairn gathered her into his arms. She ignored the uncomfortable bite of his armor and pressed herself tighter into his embrace, eager to feel Cairn’s tenderness again. She should have run away with him when Cairn found her in Gundy’s camp, but she was too stubborn, too afraid to trust. She vowed to never make that mistake again.

"There is so much I need to tell you." Verena’s voice was muffled; her face was still buried in Cairn’s shoulder.

"And I you."

As she lifted her head to speak, her lips were trapped by Cairn’s. It felt too good to touch and taste him again. The stress of the past melted away as Cairn became her world. In the back of her mind she knew the danger was not over. She should tell him about Gundy’s trap, but Cairn wouldn’t let her go.

"This is such a touching sight I am
loathe
to interrupt," Gundy cackled as he emerged from the trees. "I knew you were being modest, Verena. The Scot looks ready to rip your clothes off. Perhaps I should let him …"

Two score Englishmen stepped out from the forest led by Lord Gundy. At his side rode Hadran and Owen, armed with sinister looking crossbows and short swords. These were nothing like the other, uncouth soldiers. Before them stood the best of Gundy’s army, knights handpicked for their bravery and skill.

"Come here, Verena," Owen said in a voice that brooked no disobedience, but she shook her head. She would no more follow her former comrade than jump into a pit of vipers.

"Your performance was inspired," continued Gundy as if Owen had not spoken. "A little show of danger quickly drew out the barbarians."

The muscles beneath her fingers tensed. For a moment Cairn’s gaze turned thunderous as he realized her attack had been a show to force his hand. She was the succulent bait he couldn’t resist. Verena had betrayed Cairn before, could he trust her now?

"I had no part of this," she insisted. She turned to Cairn, ignoring the English threat before them. "I will never deceive you again."

Cairn brushed his lips lightly over her brow before thrusting her behind his armored back.

"I know."

"Verena, come to me!" There was desperation in his tone as Owen ordered Verena to his side. The trap that she had unintentionally sprung on Cairn had sealed his fate. What interest had Gundy in taking prisoners when the McPherson castle would soon be his? If she didn’t go with Owen she would share his demise.

"Nay."

"Verena, you stubborn girl."
Hadran chided her this time, urging her to abandon her love. "Think about your future. Come to us."

"I have no future without him."

A tear fell softly down her cheek for her unborn child, but she angrily wiped it away. Gundy would never let her keep the baby. He would never allow her to escape his service. It was better to die now with the man she loved than to be forced back into slavery.