The Brightest Star in the Highlands: Jennie and Aedan (Clan Grant Series Book 7) (18 page)

“Of course I have noticed. I am not blind, but I have a more important issue.”

“More important than Maddie’s well-being?”

Brodie was clearly aghast at her proposal, and she hadn’t expected this. Alex was like a father to her, but Brodie was the brother to whom she felt closest, and she needed his support at such a trying time. She kneaded her hands in her skirt before she sat on the bed. “Brodie, we handfasted last night.”

Brodie’s mouth fell open. “What? What in hell were you thinking? Saints above, no one handfasts any more.”

“You did!” she yelped. “And stop giving me that look.”

“What look?” Brodie threw his arms up in the air.

“Exasperation. We did naught that you and Celestina did not do.” She gave him a pointed look, but her hands were clasped so tight in front of her, her knuckles turned white. Brodie was the only one she trusted with this information. She had to get his support.

His voice came out in a whisper. “Aye, Celestina and I handfasted, but ‘twas in front of our laird. We were in the midst of a war. ‘Tis not the same.” His jaw had taken on a distinctive tic.

Jennie stood and settled her hands on her hips as she glared at her brother. “I am quite sure Aedan feels there is a war on his land, and they have dealt with it for several fortnights.”

He finally slumped into a chair, rubbing his jaw. “Does Alex know?”

“Nay. He is too distraught.” Jennie sat in the chair next to him. “‘Tis one of the reasons we decided to do it on our own. He is not able to make decisions in his present state.”

“Alex is able to make decisions. You just may not agree with his choices.” He ran his hand down his face.

Jennie, convinced Brodie was weakening, continued, “After the way he spoke to me this morn about Aedan’s departure, I am glad we did it without his knowledge. He would never have supported our decision, but ‘twas our right to be together.” Losing patience, she decided it was time to act. She reached under her bed and pulled out her saddlebag, accepting that she would have to go on her own.

Before she could put anything inside, Brodie tugged the bag away from her. “Jennie, I would have to be a complete fool to allow you to ride off into the middle of the Highland skirmishes. Do you not understand what that means?”

She sighed and allowed him to take her bag. “Aye, I was there when they started, if you recall.”

“Mayhap so, but you don’t comprehend the enormity of what you are proposing. Once unrest begins in an area, every reiver in the Highlands will head in that direction in the hopes of taking advantage of the distraction to steal whatever they can. The Highlands will be crawling with outcasts and thieves. ‘Tis not safe for any woman to travel.”

“Then mayhap you should go with me.” She tugged the bag back, but Brodie didn’t let go. She had to convince him to travel with her and bring a few guards along after what had happened to her before. Kidnapping was not something she planned to ever experience again. Brodie would support her.

“Nay. I am needed here, and so are you. Maddie is ill and you are the best healer in the area.”

“Maddie needs to be in bed until she delivers, and that could be two moons. Other than that, she is fine. I can go to Aedan’s and return long before the bairn comes. And if not, Caralyn is more than capable of delivering a bairn. She delivered your wean, after all.”

“Nay. Jennie, for once, please do as I say. Alex would not support this and neither can I. If you handfasted, Cameron will return when he can. He has impressed me as an honorable man. You must stay here.” Brodie headed out the door, but grabbed the saddlebag on his way out. “I’ll keep this to be sure you don’t go anywhere.”

Brodie closed the door, and Jennie crossed her arms in a huff. Eventually, she rested her head on the pillow and closed her eyes, hoping to banish the thoughts about the attacks. And yet she could not stop thinking about what the abbess had said. Had the Lord directed her to Aedan’s lands to save him? The same pull settled in her gut, and she could not rid herself of it this time.

She must go to him. He could be dying, and she could be the only one to save him. Aedan needed her and the abbey needed her.

It was divine intervention, just as the abbess had said.

Chapter Eighteen

As soon as Aedan arrived at his castle, he tore up the steps to the great hall. How he hoped to find his mother well. He could not handle losing her. At least he would be able to tell her that he had married Jennie Grant. He knew she would be ecstatic to hear the news.

After flying through the door, he came to an abrupt stop at the base of the stairs to the hall. His mother stood near the entrance to the kitchens, conversing with one of the maids.

“Mother?”

She spun around in surprise. “Aedan? Oh, thank the saints above you are finally home.” She made her way over to him.

As soon as she turned, he noticed the linen wrapped around her arm. “Mother, how do you fare? I thought…I thought…”

“I am fine, Aedan. I took a nasty fall, and my shoulder is lame, but other than that, there is naught wrong with me. I am sorry if you were forced to shorten your trip because of me, but Logan insisted on sending someone to share the news with you, and I am glad he did because word has since reached us that the attack will be soon. Every day it seems we are told to expect it at any moment.” She embraced him and then stood back, his hands still held in hers.

“When?”

“Tonight,” Logan answered as he came in through the door after already conferring with Tomas. “We can discuss the events in your solar.”

His mother kissed his cheek. “Aye, you go ahead. The maid will bring ale, and I will follow with a tray of food for you. I am sure you must be hungry after your long journey.”

Aedan continued to his solar, followed by Logan and Neil. Tomas joined them at the last minute.

Once they were seated and had been served flagons of ale, Aedan sighed and said, “Update me on your findings.” He rubbed his temple to ease the pain in his head. There had simply been too much turmoil of late. Would he ever have the opportunity to simply enjoy his wife? He had not even had the opportunity to tell his mother of his marriage.

Before they began to talk Aedan’s mother brought in a tray of meat pies, closing the door on her way out.

“Logan?” Aedan stared at him, waiting for his information.

“One thing we are certain, ‘tis not Drew.”

“I knew that. You have not uncovered aught else?” Aedan grabbed a meat pie and forced himself to eat it. He was not the least bit hungry, but recognized that he needed to eat to maintain his strength in order to get through this night.

“The major attack is planned for tonight. How many Grant guards came with you?”

“Ten.”

“Good, ten Grant warriors are equivalent to thirty of their English fighters. They are supposed to come in the middle of the night. The plan is to kill you and take control of your lands, which will give the invaders access to the abbey and its coffers.”

“Who is the leader?” Aedan asked through a mouthful of food.

Logan answered, “Tomas is quite certain they have uncovered his identity. We will continue with the plan we already had in place. We need to follow it exactly. Otherwise, your life will be at risk. They will all be aiming to kill the Cameron tonight, and whichever warrior can claim to have made the fatal blow has been promised untold wealth.”

Aedan stared at Logan, choking on his food at the thought that the attackers had been offered coin to take him down. “By the morn, this could all be over.”

“Aye,” Logan nodded, folding his arms across his chest. “But you need to be verra careful. They are all aiming for you. If we make any mistakes, you will be a dead man by the morrow.”

***

Jennie filled another saddlebag and snuck down to the stables. She waited until Mac was alone. “Mac.”

The old man jumped at the sound of his name. “Jennie. What is it? I’d not heard you.”

“You must help me.”

“Aye, anything, lassie.”

“I need a horse, and I need a few guards to travel with me to Cameron land. Who can I trust?”

Mac let out a slow whistle. “Lass, if you do this thing, you will be taking your life in your hands two different ways.”

She scowled at Mac, unsure of his meaning.

“One, there are many reivers about. Two, you will be sneaking out without telling Alex. I take it he has refused your request for escorts?”

“Aye, but I must go. The abbess at Lochluin Abbey told me ‘twas divine intervention that brought me there in time to save Aedan. Now he is going into battle again, and he could be dying. I’ll fret terribly until I see him with my own eyes.” Her eyes misted at her confession.

Mac stared at her for a long moment before walking over to a horse and saddling him. He spoke to a stable lad and sent him off in the opposite direction. “I have five guards who will protect you. Get yourself set. You’ll need to leave in a hurry.”

Jennie had only been traveling half a day when the rumble of horses’ hooves met her ears. She motioned to her guards to move off the regular path and hid in a copse of trees, waiting to see who was approaching, quite sure it had to be a group of Grant warriors because there were so many. Hellfire, but she was not going back—no matter what her brothers said.

As the horses drew near, her heartbeat sped up. What if it wasn’t the Grant warriors? She could be in danger if not. She thought of what Brodie had said about how war drew the most unsavory of men.

Suddenly, the rumble came to a halt. It was still a good distance away, so she crept out from her spot to see if she could determine who was approaching. As soon as she stepped out from hiding, a throat cleared off to the side. She jumped and whirled around in time to see Alex standing in front of her, his arms crossed as he leaned against a tree.

“Handfasted? You handfasted without seeking my permission?”

She tipped her head back and bellowed to the heavens. “Brodie! ‘Tis the last time I ever confide in you.”

Brodie came up on his horse, his grin wide. “Sorry, lass. Mac and I both consider your safety a priority. You didn’t think Mac would let you go without telling his laird, did you?”

Alex pointed back to her horse. “Mount up. Cameron is under attack and we need to get there soon. You’re lucky we are too far for me to send you back. I will not split my men, and we need all the guards we have to help him. You will go to the abbey while we join the battle. ‘Tis expected to take place tonight.”

Alex whistled for Midnight.

“But Alex, who is the traitor?” Jennie stared at him as he mounted the horse, hoping he knew the answer.

“Hmmm…my own sister did not trust me enough to tell me that she handfasted
or
that she was in love with the Cameron, and now you wish for me to share my news with you?”Alex galloped ahead of her, leaving her in his dust without a backwards glance.

Hell, but Alex was angry, and he had every right to be. She found a log and mounted her horse so she could follow in his path. Aye, he was stubborn, but she would be relentless. If there was one thing she knew to be true, it was that her brother loved her. And that meant he would forgive her. Eventually, she was able to catch up with him. “But Alex, you were so distraught over Maddie that you wouldn’t have listened. If you recall, I did tell you I had feelings for him.”

“Would I not? And you know that how?” His gaze bore into hers and she finally knew how it felt to be under attack by Alex Grant.

Jennie didn’t answer; she couldn’t answer. Somehow, she knew she had failed her own brother, and it hurt. How could she make it up to him? She hung her head and fell in behind him, her eyes misting.

He yelled at her over his shoulder. “You will go to the abbey as instructed, sister, and if I must tie you to a tree in front, I will. You will not impede this battle in any way. Understood?”

Jennie whispered, “Aye.” They rode hard, and she spent a good portion of the time sobbing. She had disappointed the man she loved like a father.

What should have been the happiest day of her life had turned into a disaster.

The Grant men arrived in the middle of the night, stopping at the abbey on the way for just long enough to leave Jennie there before they continued onward. Before they left, Jennie moved over to Alex’s horse and gazed up at him. “I’m sorry I failed you. But please help Aedan. Do not allow the attackers to win. You must save him. I love him, Alex.”

She would not fight Alex in this. The Grant warriors were here, and Aedan needed them most.

She had gotten this far, now she would just have to wait.

***

Just after dawn, word arrived that the English were on their way. Aedan had his horse saddled and led the group out, though the plan was for him to take the rear as they approached the skirmish. Drew, Dermid, and Irvine were all here, ready to fight alongside him. There was only one person missing: Hamish Henderson.

When they crossed the meadow after passing through the glen, his stomach did a somersault. The force coming toward them was far larger than he would have guessed. They were outnumbered, and Aedan knew that did not bode well for them. He allowed the others to pass him, moving toward the back as had been planned.

Logan rode beside him. “Any questions about the plan?”

Drew and Dermid rode just ahead of him. All three of them turned toward Logan and shook their heads.

Dermid raised his sword with a war whoop and spurred his horse on ahead. “‘Tis time to put an end to this.”

Logan sent Gwyneth off into the trees with her arrows before he joined his war cry and led the charge, heading straight into the sea of Englishmen. Aedan said a quick prayer and spurred his horse. The clash of steel on steel echoed across the land. Aedan didn’t like holding up the rear, but understood the importance of it since he was the primary target. After all he had practiced with the Grants, he had a newfound confidence in his skills, but he had to be patient. His goal was to see his wife again, hold her in his arms and whisper his love for her.

His sword arm swung, catching with flesh. Screams and grunts rent through the air as the battle continued. From Aedan’s vantage point, he could tell the Scots had superior battle skills. They were extremely proficient at cutting down every man in their path, but the sheer number of Englishmen was overwhelming. Hell, but he should have waited to leave until daybreak the previous morn. Perhaps he could have convinced the Grant to send more guards to join with them.

Three men came directly toward him, their eyes gleaming in anticipation of taking down the biggest prize. He sliced the first one’s neck. Though it wasn’t a deep cut, he had done a good job because the man went down, and with the same swing, he managed to swipe the sword arm of the second man, who fell off his horse screaming. He only had one man left to fell, and he was certain he could take him down, but suddenly, three more fell in behind him.

Aedan swung and swung, the memory of Jennie Grant’s smile fueling him to fight harder against the marauders. But even though he managed to take care of all those around him, his gut told him something was wrong. More and more English came at them, far more than they had predicted. From the corner of his eye, he noticed a group of Highlanders joining the English. Though they had no plaids to identify them, Aedan still thought he recognized some of the men. Unfortunately, they weren’t here to help; they hoped to bury him. How he wished it had been Alex Grant and his warriors.

Just when they grew close, he recognized one of them for sure. His eyes went wide as he turned to look at their leader, who rode with them now.

“You? You’re the traitor?”

***

Way off in the distance came a lone rider. He had stayed to the rear, close enough to make sure he was aware of everything that transpired, but not close enough to be seen and suspected of wrongdoing. He would not be successful in his mission if he did not know the others’ plan.

And he had to be successful. He was the savior. Someday they would understand his purpose, but not yet. The Grant lass was the true treasure.

Thus far, everything had worked perfectly. He would be successful, without a doubt.

He grinned in triumph and returned to his hiding place.

***

Aedan turned, his sword arm still at his side, slightly stunned by the man in front of him. He was two horse lengths away. Moments before, he had been ahead of Aedan, fighting the Englishmen like the rest of the Cameron allies, but now he was riding toward him with an evil smile on his face.

Every other guard was busy fighting for his life, just as Aedan would soon be doing.

“Fletcher, why?”

Irvine Fletcher raised his sword arm, ready to cut Aedan in two.

Aedan blocked the swing and made a swipe of his own, aiming for his opponent’s belly.

“Because you are no leader. You should be embarrassed at how poorly trained your men are. ‘Twas easy to take your land from you. But I want it all—the land, the coffers, and your death.”

Irvine blocked the swing and jabbed his sword at him.

This time he met flesh.

Aedan fell off his horse, writhing in pain. He rolled over just in time to see Fletcher jump off his horse and run toward him, his sword arm poised over his head for a death blow.

***

Jennie paced and paced in front of the abbey. Two nuns sat outside with her along with three monks, all devoutly praying as they listened to the sounds of the skirmish not far away. They were on their knees, but Jennie walked and walked, waiting for something to change, hoping that the din of battle would cease or at least decrease, but it did not.