The Promise (Highland Lairds of the Crest #4)

Chapter 18

CHAPTER 18

There was little in Aidan’s life that had ever made him feel truly encumbered, not family responsibilities, not stepping into Lachlan’s shoes (and thus ceding his birthright to his brother Rhys), nor even the magnitude of finishing the construction of Abersoch. Truthfully, he’d been content with his life up to that point and had felt quite in control. And, despite all that had befallen him these past days (including the very real possibility that his foes, whomever they might be, could strike again at any minute), neither did he feel encumbered now. He found that rather curious and wondered how that was even possible. He’d gained a wife, a companion who was and had been from the start, a constant in his mind and for the most part at his side, and yet, if pressed, he’d say he was content, and without a doubt, in control. To be sure, Brianna required some extra care and concern, but surely the vast changes she’d endured were deserving of such. Giving Brianna the attention she currently required, was a privilege, and there truly was no place he would rather be.

If not for the underlying sense of urgency to return to Seagrave, so he could deal with the Fitzgeralds once and for all, now compounded by the fire and delivering the news to Grey, Aidan would have gladly stayed abed with Brianna all day. He’d have been happy, too, just walking about town, sitting beside her by the sea, or any number of things she wanted, just as long as it was with her. Though he’d begun to sense it on the ship, the feelings he had for Brianna had grown and continued to do so with each passing moment. He wondered if they might level off at some point, stop compounding one day, and felt a flash of alarm when he considered the magnitudes of despair his brethren had been subjected to. It was necessary to remain aware of such possibilities, but he need not give sway to such worries. He was well-prepared to see to Brianna’s safety and taking measures to fortify their means still more before leaving.

Though he was loath to end their time in Ayr, making haste was of the essence. After they’d packed up what was left of their belongings, he’d watched Brianna say goodbye to their hosts, extending her gratitude for their care, then staring wistfully at the cottage as if committing it to memory, just as she’d done at Abersoch. “We’ll visit again,” he’d told her, squeezing her hand, and not letting go.

He kept her close as they walked to town. She was quiet beside him, and seemed content, petting Kitty and looking about. When she craned her neck for the third time, he turned to follow her line of sight, wondering if she sensed something he had not.

“Is everything alright?” she asked. “Are you looking for something?”

That she asked this as if her own behavior hadn’t caused his hackles to rise was rather brash, Aidan thought. “I’m wondering what has your attention,” he said, “and frankly, if it should have mine as well.” Vigilant as he’d been—and even more so after the fire that he and his men had concluded was most likely no accident—her watchfulness gave him pause.

She smiled and tilted her head to the side, shielding her eyes from the sun. “Sorry. It’s just that I haven’t seen Henry. Or Alan or Richard?”

Ah. Now he understood. For a moment he thought he’d lost his edge and there had been a true threat he’d not noticed. “They’re close by, just giving us a bit of breadth.”

He watched her turn, scanning the area. “Are you sure? I don’t see them anywhere.”

He chuckled. “Never more, trust me.” They’d bedded down just outside the cottage, keeping in clear view lest anyone think to cause mayhem. He whistled then, and they showed themselves, obviously close enough that they’d heard Brianna’s concern since it was she they all looked to.

She beamed at them, as she rubbed his arm, and said, “I do trust you, really. I was just a bit stumped since they’ve been so present up to now.”

He’d just made eye contact with the men himself when Brianna’s words sank in. She’d said them so easily, so casually, but the significance was profound. He stood a bit taller even, his chest expanded too, for he had truly earned the honor of her trust. Smiling like a sotted fool, he took her hand, “Come,” he said leading her to the tanner’s.

The tanner, whose services Aidan had availed of several times in the past, waved when he saw him approaching, then held up one finger before disappearing into his shop. A moment later, he reappeared, and Aidan held back a chuckle at Brianna’s gasp when she saw his arms laden with the rest of their bags—the ones he knew she had given up as lost in the harbor for good.

“Oh, Aidan, how…?” she said before dashing over to the tanner, and running her hands first over the leather case Isabelle had given her. Aidan was glad to see that all of their bags had been mended, the leather returned to its previous luster, not that he’d had any real doubt in the tanner’s skill. He’d also purchased two more bags needed for their journey and a few other surprise items he had yet to pick up.

The man dropped the iron stamp bearing Pembrooke’s seal in Aidan’s hand, then showed them the mark he'd branded inside all the bags, including the new ones. When Brianna saw that it was their symbol, she gasped again, and glanced at him, her eyes dancing in delight. When Aidan pointed to her bag, thinking they should mark that one as well, she shook her head and opened it showing him that it was already there .

He reached out, brushing her hair from her neck, then leaned down to whisper into her ear, “Because you belong here.”

While Aidan paid the man, Brianna started to gather their purchases while praising the man’s work and thanking him.

Aidan deftly took the packages from Brianna, tucked them beneath his arm, and led her away to their next stop. She was so busy talking as they walked to the tailors that she didn’t realize where they were until they’d stepped inside. Once she looked around, her eyes lit up.

“Oooh,” she said, and Aidan chuckled not at all surprised by her delight. While the fair had an abundance of nice wares and expensive fabrics, none rivaled this particular establishment. Brianna gasped again when he pressed more than a few pieces of silver in the owner’s hand. Then her mouth nearly hit the floor when the tailor nodded and set the wrapped packages before them.

“What did you get?” she asked excitedly.

In lieu of a response, Aidan winked, then set the new bags from the tanner on the table, ready to be filled.

While the tailor opened the first wrapped package, Brianna gasped again.

“For me?” she breathed, as she reached out, examining the garments he’d had made for her. “How did you… I still have a few things, but you lost nearly everything.”

“We’re both in need. ”

Then she saw her gown, the only other garment he’d been able to salvage, and which the tailor had used to gather her measurements. She was admiring her new shifts, and dresses, and his new garments as well. “These are lovely,” she said, first to the tailor who beamed, and then to him. She turned just as Aidan was donning his new cloak, and her eyes went wide again. “Oooh,” she exclaimed, then reached up to smooth the material over his shoulders.

He gave her a quick kiss, then reached for the last package and handed it to her.

“What’s this?” she asked, looking at him curiously.

“Mayhap you should open it.”

She looked between him and the bundle so many times, he wasn’t sure what to make of her hesitancy. Finally, she unwrapped the brown cloth to reveal the garment underneath, and her look was priceless. You’d think he’d given her a trunk full of jewels by it.

“Aidan!” she cried before she even unfolded it all the way. “My very own cloak? And it matches yours?”

He nodded, smiling broadly now. “You’ll have more for the seasons, but this one should get us home.” That their cloaks matched was simply because the color made it easy to blend in, but he enjoyed Brianna’s delight in it just the same.

Just now, Henry was picking up the clasp he’d had specially made for her cloak at the blacksmiths, and he couldn’t wait to give it to her.

She was so excited and animated, that she didn’t notice that when they left the tailor’s, he was leading her to the shoemaker. Outside the door, she stopped short.

“What’s this for?” she asked.

“You’re in need of boots.”

“I have boots.”

“’Tis riding boots you need, love,” the word slipped out and although their eyes met, the significance was clearly at his ease and use of an endearment. Still, in light of their earlier discussion, it was a welcome slip to them both.

After helping her out of her ankle boots and into the new tall riding pair, he waited as she walked a few paces, to and fro. “Aye? ’Tis a good fit?”

“Yes,” she said, looking at him curiously. “They’re very good. How did you know my size?”

He held up his hand. “Your wee foot fits right here, like so,” he said tracing the path with a finger, just as he had done when they were aboard the ship and she’d tucked her feet up beside him that day they’d played games and conversed for so many hours.

She smiled and hugged him, trying to be quick, but he held her there, in no rush, then tilted her head back and kissed her.

“One more stop,” he said.

“Good lord, Aidan Sinclair, what now!” she said, shaking her head and laughing.

The apothecary already had their items ready, necessary supplies to replace those that Gwen had carefully selected and were now lost to the sea. At the least, a good needle and thread along with a few herbs for poultices would get them to Seagrave where Gwen would be able to properly equip them again.

“Right,” he said, adjusting her cloak about her shoulders, their errands finally complete. “Let’s get some horses for the journey, check on your mare, and be on our way.”

Glenn was waiting for them when they arrived at the stables. He had a good selection prepared, and brought out a few he thought would suit. After looking them over, Adian nodded to the pair he’d chosen.

“Ye made a sound choice. Yer men too,” Glenn told him, pointing to the horses the others had chosen.

“What do you think?” Aidan said, turning to ask Brianna. When he did so, he discovered she was no longer at his side. He worried for a moment before spotting her over by her mare. “Breea.” He motioned with his head, here . Come back .

Mouth set, she shook her head, hair fluttering. He knew she intended to take the mare along with them, and he wasn’t sure how to argue in the face of her determination or honestly if he even wanted to. When he crooked a finger, she shook her head again, darting her finger, arrow-like, toward her mare. He would gladly have her take the mare, save the very real fact that the mare might not make the journey, not in her current condition. He sighed, not looking forward to disappointing her. She must have realized his intent, since her face fell as he approached her, and he took her hands. “I know you want to bring her with us. I fear she won’t make it. ”

“I think she will, Aidan. Please. I won’t be riding her,” she stressed. “The other you chose for me will suit just fine.”

He closed his eyes, knowing he shouldn’t even entertain the idea, yet he bent his head to hers, and whispered, “Let me look her over.” She nodded, and he could see her struggle to control her emotions. “If not today, I’ll send for her after she’s had time to regain her strength.”

Brianna squeezed his hands, but kept her expression neutral now, trusting he would keep his word and allowed him to inspect the mare more carefully.

He approached the mare slowly and was surprised when she didn’t shy away. If he wasn’t mistaken, she actually tried to stand tall. Hard not to admire. “Good girl,” he said, using sure strokes to comfort her and feel for lame or tender spots. It seemed impossible she didn’t have one, yet he could find none. Aidan half wondered if she was somehow holding back, so she could make the trip with them. He waved Glenn over, and after a few minutes, Aidan asked Brianna to join them.

“I believe you’re correct in that she can make the journey, but this decision must be yours. If there’s trouble, she may not be able to keep pace, and we may not have the luxury of finding shelter for her.”

Her face set determinedly as he spoke. “I won’t leave her behind. She’ll come with us, and keep pace, I know it as surely as I know I’m to make this same journey with you. She’s had a few setbacks, but she belongs, Aidan, just as much as I do. She has the strength for it.”

Aye, based on Brianna’s impassioned declaration, he had no doubt, and no desire to contradict her further. So, he just nodded, then framed her face, and bent to press his lips to hers. Then, he fished out a saddle blanket from his bag. “Then we have to get her accustomed to this first.”

Brianna nodded, and her shoulders relaxed as the remaining tension left her body. She helped him secure the blanket around the horse before leading the mare out of the stables, to the area where his men were waiting, arming themselves with the weapons they’d gathered from the forgery earlier.

“Are we expecting trouble?” Brianna asked as she watched them.

His men looked to Aidan to answer her as they secured their scabbards and swords.

“While I have sway throughout most parts of Scotland, and some distance beyond our borders,” he said, leaving off that it was very possible that they’d encounter a threat his influence wouldn’t quell. He continued, choosing his words carefully, “Not drawing attention is always best.”

In answer, she raised the hood of her cloak.

“Precisely,” he said. “However, now that we’re leaving the burgh and traveling such a fair distance across the land, ensuring our safety rests solely in my hands.”

While they divvied the quivers and bows, and a few extra daggers, Henry unrolled a cloth to unveil the last of their weaponry.

“Oh, those are nice,” Brianna said, eyeing the set of daggers.

“We’re pleased you like them, they’re yours,” Henry told her.

“Really?” When she looked back at him, Aidan saw realization pass through her gaze. Mayhap this was the first time she understood that something of visual appeal also had a more vital purpose.

“Aye.” He attached a scabbard to her belt and another around her calf. She appeared hesitant at first, yet when he asked her to reach for it, the quickness and agility with which she moved made it clear that she had handled a dagger before. How shrewd of her, and how shortsighted of him to mistake her pause for reluctance to wear the weapon, and not see it for what it was—a calculated appraisal that revealed her proficiency. Once he adjusted its placement, she reached for it again, nodding soberly to confirm it was placed correctly.

“Come,” he said taking her hand.

“Where are we going?” she whispered.

He grabbed the pouch Henry had picked up from the jewelers as they passed him, stopping just beyond a nearby copse of trees.

“I wanted a bit of privacy, to give you this,” he said, placing the pouch in her hand. “And no, ’tis not another weapon. Though you’ll have your own in time, crafted just for your proportions, of course.”

Her eyes widened briefly as she looked at him, weighing it with her hand. “What is it?” she asked, curious but again hesitant to open something.

“A gift.”

“You got me a gift?”

Aidan shook his head in wonder. He’d never known someone so seemingly unaccustomed to being taken care of. At her continued disbelief, he chuckled and nodded toward the pouch.

“But you’ve given me so much already,” she said, still protesting. “You spent the entire morning, showering me with all kinds of things.”

“Necessities.”

She shook her head. “Aidan, what you call necessities, to me feels like so much more.”

“Have I ever told you that I was a patient man?”

She nodded. “You did…on the ship.”

“Ah.” He smiled. “’Twas once true, then.”

She laughed, her eyes bright again, which had the most magnificent effect on him. She finally untied the ribbon and opened the small parcel. When she saw what was inside, her eyes darted to his. “Aidan.” She gasped as he helped her remove the clasp he’d had forged for her. “It’s beautiful.”

“As are you,” he said, taking it from her and attaching it to her cloak. “I had this made to symbolize our union. Our shared symbol united by a braided chain.”

She covered his hand. “An endless knot.”

He looked at her and nodded. “Aye, we are bound for, and throughout, eternity,” he breathed, cupping the back of her head to kiss her. Feeling how delicate she was beneath his hands, he became serious again, and pulled back to look at her, choosing his words carefully. “I don’t expect it,” he began, “but if there’s need, do not hesitate to use your weapons, unlikely a case as it might be.”

It was not a complete falsehood—Aidan did not fear a threat was fully imminent, but he would not be a fool in thinking there wasn’t some possibility.

She straightened, her next words delivered plainly, with no trace of a boast. “Well, I won more awards in archery, but I can throw a dagger, too. Lessons care of my grandfather.”

She had been prepared well, but if she had to fight on this journey, it would not be for sport. “When you’re defending yourself, it may feel different.”

She nodded gravely. “I hope I don’t find out, but you can be sure that I won’t hesitate.”

They were on their way a short time later, but just before they lost sight of the town, Aidan made a point to stop, allowing Brianna a turn to say her goodbyes. When she’d had her fill, she nodded in his direction, then pulled her mount around and carried on. They stopped twice more that day, once for a brief respite, and another to water the horses. Neither had been prompted by Brianna and though she took advantage of each, dusk was full upon them by the time they stopped for the night.

Brianna’s mare, who was attached to Aidan’s horse by a lead, appeared to do fine throughout the day, though Aidan knew he’d need to check her thoroughly, as she was certainly quite weak. He was surprised to see that she’d fared so well, especially considering their pace. Brianna, however, was not surprised at all.

Once he’d dismounted, Aidan noticed that Brianna was still atop her horse.

“Do you need help?” he asked. He had to admit that his wife was an excellent rider, but it had been a long day.

The corners of her mouth turned upward. “I think I do. I loved riding today, but I’m not sure I can swing my leg up over the saddle right now.” She laughed as he reached for her, and once he’d lifted her clear, she wrapped her arms around his neck. He closed his eyes, surprised by the gesture. Not that they hadn’t been openly affectionate, he’d merely been caught unawares by the sudden casual intimacy and took full advantage now to hold her tight for a long moment.

After he was sure she could stand, he helped her remove Kitty from her sling and gathered their bags. “Let me check on your mare, then we can wash up.”

“I would love that, too! Except…does that require walking?”

He chuckled, and after turning their horses over to Henry and checking on Brianna’s mare once more, he tried to carry her, but she insisted on walking herself. Then, after giving her some privacy, she joined him for a quick wash in the stream.

“I’d give you the brightest smile,” she said when he handed her a small tin of scented soap. “But I’m suddenly so tired.”

Finally, something that didn’t surprise him. She should be exhausted. “I’ll imagine it then,” he said, lifting a few strands of her hair that had fallen loose of their knot while she washed her face. “Here,” he said, reaching for the soap, when she finished, then motioned for her to turn.

“Bless you,” she breathed, humming as he washed her neck and back, gently kneading her muscles. “How are your legs?”

“Sore, but I’m sure by morning…or at least a morning in the near future they’ll be better,” she said, turning back to him.

He chuckled. “I’ll make them better shortly.” At her deep blush, he added, “I meant I’ll rub them for you.”

She shook her head, eyes gleaming. “Not better, Aidan Sinclair, but I like the way you’re thinking.”

He laughed, unsure he’d ever been so completely happy in his life.