My Highlander: A Cree & Dawn Novel, page 20
“You are telling me there were no sentinels around when you went to Elsa’s cottage this morning?”
She pointed to her eyes and shook her head.
“You didn’t see any?”
She nodded, letting him know that was what she meant, then she gestured again.
“You saw something in the shadows?” he asked.
She nodded and continued, detailing what she had seen, then held up two fingers.
“You saw what you think may have been a swirl of the hem of a cloak twice now in the darkness?”
She nodded.
“The bearded man told me he saw the same in the early morning hours Ann was attacked. He also told me that the hem of the cloak was well-worn.”
Dawn gestured again.
“I thought the same. The clan all were given new cloaks two years now, but that itself cannot rule out anyone in the clan since many kept some of their worn garments. What does give me reason to believe it could be someone in the clan is that this person seems to move unnoticed throughout the village and only a clan member can do that. Those who arrive here seeking a day or two of shelter would not know that the sentries’ routine changes each day. And when Elsa told me she heard the sentinel moving about—”
Dawn grabbed his arm and shook her head.
“Aye, the sentinels do not make a sound on their rounds.”
Dawn stepped closer to her husband and cast a suspicious eye around her.
“I am wondering the same. The person who killed Lara and Ann could very well be a member of the clan.”
“Flowers, Da,” Lizbeth cried out when Cree and Dawn entered the Great Hall. She scurried off the bench before either Nell or Ina could stop her and ran to her da.
Cree scooped her up and as was his way, and she planted a kiss on his cheek as her little arms went around his neck to squeeze tight.
Cree hated to disappoint her and was glad for the gray skies and promise of rain, rather than telling her he was far too busy to take her flower picking today.
“It is going to rain, another day,” Cree said and got a frown form his daughter.
Ina approached. “I could take her to the edge of the woods, my lord, where a few wildflowers grow.”
Lizbeth nodded. “Ina take me.”
Cree saw his son, sword in hand, and Beast by his side approach.
Valan stuck out his little chest and raised his sword. “Me and Beast go.”
“You will protect your sister?” Cree asked proud of his son, so young, yet so brave.
“Aye, da,” Valan said with a firm nod.
Cree signaled one of his warriors sitting at a table. “Gather two more warriors and escort Ina, my daughter and son to the edge of the woods so she can pick flowers.” He turned a stern look on Ina. “None of you are to go into the woods.”
“Aye, my lord,” Ina said with a bob of her head.
Cree lowered his daughter to the floor and crouched down beside her and his son. “Do not go into the woods. Stay at the edge or you will not pick flowers again.” He turned to Lizbeth when he said that and she nodded and kissed his cheek again.
Dawn bent down to the twins and reaffirmed what their da had commanded, the pair responding in words and gestures. She kissed them both and stood.
“Flowers for mum,” Lizbeth said and Dawn smiled and nodded, letting her daughter know she would like that.
Cree looked to Beast. “Guard the twins well.”
Ina took Lizbeth’s hand. “You will stay close, Lizbeth.”
And before the warrior could follow behind Ina and the twins, Cree stopped him.
“Keep close watch on my daughter, Reed, and do not let her sweet talk you,” Cree ordered.
“Aye, my lord,” Reed said and hurried off.
Cree turned to his wife. “I have matters I must see to. Eat, I can hear your stomach grumbling, then be ready for when our visitor arrives.”
Dawn smiled, nodded, and patted her stomach.
Cree pressed his cheek to hers and whispered. “You see to satisfying one hunger and I will satisfy another hunger of yours later tonight.”
Cree scrunched his brow when he stepped back and saw she wore a frown.
She pressed two tips of her fingers together from either hand, then drew them a distant apart.
Cree chuckled. “Far too long for you to wait?”
Dawn smiled and nodded.
“I will see what I can do about that,” Cree said and gave her a quick kiss and left the Great Hall.
Dawn’s smile faded as she watched him walk away and she did not seek a bench at one of the tables until the door closed behind him. It was not a time to be thinking of making love with all that had happened so early this day. But she was glad he had made mention of it. It made the day seem like any other day, chasing some of the sorrow away, but not the worry that the culprit might very well be among them.
No doubt, he was on his way to talk to the sentries on duty last night until early this morning and see what he could piece together. And what about that worn cloak?
Most of the garments the clan had possessed before Cree had claimed title to the Clan Carrick had been so threadbare and patched that they had been beyond salvageable. Some had even burned garments that might have seen another year or two, wanting to be rid once and for all of the harsh memories associated with them.
Dawn ate while she thought it all through, relieved at least a few things had been discovered. though growing ever more concerned that if it did turn out that someone from the clan had killed Lara and Ann, then it was possible that a clan member had part in planning her abduction.
Lila entered the Great Hall just as Dawn finished her meal and she looked concerned.
Dawn was quick to gesture, asking what was wrong?
“Dorrie is in labor and Lucerne is having a difficult time keeping Elsa from going to her and with Elwin insisting Elsa needs to tend his wife, Lucerne does not know what to do. She asked me to fetch you to see if there was some way you can help.”
Dawn nodded and stood, her hands moving, asking where Thomas was.
“Bless Ina, she took him along with the twins. They are all busy at the edge of the woods picking flowers, though Valan is standing guard with his sword, looking much like his da.”
Relieved to hear all was going well with the twins, Dawn went with Lila.
The crowd that had gathered earlier had dissipated, word having spread that Elsa was well and resting.
Elwin had other thoughts. “Dorrie needs Elsa. You have not given birth, Lucerne, and you do not know anything about birthing a bairn.”
Elwin was a large man, his features plain. He had once guarded Dorrie only to fall in love with her. And to everyone’s surprise Dorrie, an attractive lass with lovely features and beautiful blonde hair, but not a nice nature, had fallen in love in return. Her unkind nature, especially toward Dawn, had changed through a series of events and due to Dawn’s thoughtfulness and ability to forgive.
Dorrie was now a true friend and Dawn wanted to help her.
Lucerne was relieved to see Dawn enter the cottage. “Elsa should not get out of bed. She tried once and got dizzy.”
“I am fine. It does not help lying abed all day,” Elsa argued.
“Like it or not that is where you will stay,” Neil ordered after entering the cottage.
“Dorrie needs her,” Elwin argued.
“There are more than enough women capable of helping Dorrie give birth,” Neil said and nodded toward Dawn. “Dawn one of them.”
Dawn nodded and patted her chest.
“She agrees,” Neil said.
“I can gather some women who would help,” Lila offered.
Elwin shook his head. “Elsa is a healer. She knows best.”
“My wife is not going with you, Elwin. Either Dawn tends Dorrie or you deliver the bairn yourself,” Neil said in a stern voice that left no room for argument.
Elwin looked to Dawn. “You can do this?”
Dawn nodded.
“She can,” Elsa confirmed. “She has helped me with quite a few births.”
Elwin capitulated with a nod.
Lucerne joined in in helping Dawn gather what she needed and she was soon out the door.
“I will fetch some other women capable of helping you. Then I am going to get Thomas. I will see the twins returned to the keep as well, and shall I see that Cree is told of your whereabouts? Lila asked.
Dawn could have hugged her friend for reminding her that Cree should be informed of her whereabouts. She nodded and patted her chest in appreciation, then hurried to keep pace with Elwin.
Cree was not too pleased when he had learned that his wife was delivering Dorrie’s bairn. Any other day and it would not have mattered, but with the Lord of Fire minutes away from arriving, he would have preferred his wife to be standing by his side.
He had made a point of having Dawn present when any titled man arrived at their home. He wanted it clear from the beginning that he did not hide his wife away because she could not speak and that he had pride and respect for the woman he loved.
It had been several hours since he had gotten word of what his wife was doing. He had hoped the bairn would deliver fast, and Dawn would have time to join him, but the bairn had yet to be born.
Cree stood on the top step of the keep alone as the Lord of Fire approached. He entered the village with six of his warriors, the remainder of his troop waiting on the outskirts of the village. He kept a steady eye on the Lord of Fire as he drew closer.
From the way he sat his horse, Cree could tell he was a man of sizeable height. He dark hair was short, cut high on his neck and around his ears. And he was a man of fine features, the women giving proof to that since they could not seem to take their eyes off him. The men on the other hand eyed him with suspicion.
He had a lean, defined build, and wore the MacFiere plaid over a white shirt that fit a bit snug. And for some reason Cree got the impression that the garments did not suit the man. That he was not comfortable in them and he wondered what type of garments would suit him.
He kept his eyes on him. He would reach the bottom of the keep steps in a few minutes, so he was more than pleased when he caught sight of his wife rushing through the village toward the steps. She was trying to reach the steps before the Lord of Fire so that she would be by his side as he had asked of her.
Her hands were freeing her hair of its braid, her fingers combing through the strands so that her dark red hair fell around her shoulders. He loved when she let her hair loose. It was soft and silky and fell over her shoulders and down along her chest in waves after having worn a braid for a while. Her cheeks were flushed red, giving her some color and though her garments were a bit disheveled, she never looked more beautiful to him.
Cree stretched his hand out to her as she rushed up the keep steps and she took it, locking her hand tight with his.
He smiled at her. “Dorrie and her bairn is well?”
Dawn gestured.
Cree smiled. “A tiny daughter Elwin fears he will break if he dares touches her.” He chuckled at the thought of the big warrior fearful of picking up his daughter. “He will grow used to her.”
His wife gestured placing the bairn in Elwin’s big arms and her eyes going wide, demonstrating Elwin’s reaction.
“Cree,” Sloan called out.
The chuckle that was about to leave Cree’s lips at Elwin’s startled reaction disappeared. Sloan was letting him know the Lord of Fire was almost upon them. He turned as the man came to a stop at the bottom of the keep steps.
Suddenly, Beast burst out of nowhere and rushed up the steps to take a warning stance in front of Dawn, baring his teeth in a threatening growl.
Cree looked to see all color drain from his wife’s face and he turned to look at the Lord of Fire. He was grinning.
“It is good to see you again, Dawn,” the Lord of Fire said with a wicked grin. “I have missed you and my dog.”
Chapter 21
“I gave you no permission to speak to my wife,” Cree said and without taking his eyes off the Lord of Fire pointed to the snarling dog. “Quiet, Beast.”
The animal obeyed and remained where he was in front of Dawn, his eyes fixed on the Lord of Fire.
“I meant no disrespect,” the Lord of Fire said though his tone held no apology. “And my dog’s name is Demon.”
“Not any longer,” Cree said, suspicious of the way the man’s eyes narrowed, the firm tenor of his tone, and that he did not actually apologize.
“There is much for you and I to discuss, including who Demon belongs to,” the Lord of Fire said.
“And why you did not return my wife to me immediately,” Cree challenged.
“As I said, there is much for us to discuss.”
“Sloan,” Cree said, nodding his head to where he stood at the bottom of the steps, “will show you to my solar. I will join you there shortly. Your men will be given food and drink while they wait for you in the Great Hall.”
The Lord of Fire nodded and Cree could see anger stirring in his bold blue eyes.
Cree turned, took his wife’s hand, and signaled for Beast to follow them. Once in the Great Hall, he called out to the warriors who had been positioned there. “Keep a keen watch.” And to Flanna, he said, “Keep them well fed and with drink.”
Cree ushered Dawn up the stairs to their bedchamber, Beast following on their heels.
“That is Tarass, the man who rescued you from the stream?” Cree asked, after closing the door.
Beast once again took up a protective stance by Dawn while keeping his eyes on Cree.
Dawn nodded.
“He is the naked man whose arms you woke up in?”
Dawn nodded again, relieved her husband did not question her as if he was accusing her of something, but as if he simply wanted to confirm what she had already told him.
“He did not harm you in anyway?”
Dawn shook her head.
“But he would not return you home when you asked?”
Dawn nodded, pointed to her husband, then to herself and shook her head.
“I remember you telling me that you told no one you were my wife, not knowing if they were friend or foe of mine.”
Dawn nodded.
Cree stepped closer to his wife. “Is there anything you have not told me that I should know before I speak with this man?”
Cree was pleased when she did not hesitate to shake her head, but it gave him pause when she held up one finger.
“You have something to say about him?” he asked.
She nodded and tapped her lips rapidly.
“He is quick with his words?”
She nodded, then tapped her eye and her ear, and spread her arms.
“And sees and hears much. He is observant.”
She nodded, glad he understood her.
“Did he find it difficult to communicate with you?”
Dawn pretended to draw.
“You communicated through your drawing.”
Dawn nodded.
“Did he ever show any anger toward you?” Cree asked.
Dawn held up one finger, then ran in place, turning her head over her shoulder as if looking to see if someone chased after her.
“When you left on your own and he came after you, he got angry with you?”
She nodded again, narrowed her eyes and shook her finger.
“He yelled at you?” Cree asked, his own temper firing.
Dawn held her hand up, seeing the anger flare in his eyes and worried he misunderstood. She patted her chest, then acted as if she was fighting off someone and narrowed her eyes and shook her finger again.
“He was angry because you could have been harmed going off on your own?”
Dawn nodded.
“Well, he is right about that,” Cree said and was surprised when his wife agreed with a nod.
Dawn patted her chest, then stepped closer to her husband, and rested her hand to his chest.
“You wanted to come home to me.”
Dawn nodded, tears glistening in her eyes as she spread her arms.
“Very much wanted to come home to me,” Cree said and took his wife in his arms. “And I very much wanted you to, but I hate thinking of what you went through to return home or what could have happened to you.”
She patted her chest and shook her head, reminding him that nothing happened.
“Things did happen to you and if it were not for Beast, you would not have made it home.”
Beast looked up at Dawn and she smiled down at him and patted his head, understanding now what had agitated him recently. He had sensed Tarass was close. Her smile quickly faded when she looked to her husband. She shook her head frantically, pointing to Beast.
“Do not worry. I will not let him take Beast from us.”
Dawn hugged her husband, laying her head on his chest as she did. The strength of him always comforted her and she needed that now more than ever. But she was also concerned over what would happen between him and the Lord of Fire.
“All will go well, wife, do not worry,” Cree said, keeping his arms tight around her, aware she sought solace in his arms from the uneasiness he felt in her tense body.
Dawn stepped back, patted her chest, pointed to him, then the door.
“You want to be there when I speak with him?”
Dawn nodded.
“I understand you wanting to be there, wife, but this is something between him and me.”
Dawn stepped away from her husband, shaking her head and patting her chest.
“Aye, it is about you,” Cree said, “but it is between Tarass and me to settle it.”
Dawn shook her head again, refusing to accept that, patting her chest harder.
“I understand—”
Dawn waved her hand furiously at him, cutting off his words. Then shook her finger, letting him know he did not understand.
“You need to obey me on this, Dawn,” Cree said. “I do understand why you want to be there, but it is best that I speak with him alone. I do not do this to upset you, but to protect you.”
The glare that Dawn turned on Cree surprised him and what she did next caught him off guard.
