The Promise (Highland Lairds of the Crest #4)

Chapter 25

CHAPTER 25

Brianna squeezed Gwen’s hand suddenly very aware of what was going on as more of the fog lifted. “Nothing else happened, Gwen,” she insisted, as she tried to sit up, knowing she sounded groggier than she felt. Gwen’s face was filled with compassion, but watching Aidan suffer like that was awful, they’d been through enough already. “You can’t let Aidan worry like that. That man—the one who attacked me—he scared the bejesus out of me, but this,” she said, motioning toward her wrist, “was the only physical damage he did.”

Gwen reached over to gently help her settle back more comfortably, shifting some pillows behind her and beneath her arm before continuing. “I just wanted to be sure,” she said, the worry in her voice unmistakable. “And you’re not quite ready to get up yet, even if your brain is saying differently.”

Brianna realized Gwen was right. She was feeling more alert now—whatever Aidan had given her for the pain was wearing off, and that, paired with seeing how much Aidan had resisted leaving her side had jarred her back to reality—but her body wasn’t responding as quickly.

“It’s okay,” Gwen said. “It won’t last long, just try to relax if you can.” She took in a deep, cleansing breath then, encouraging Brianna to do the same. “That’s it,” Gwen said with a smile. They did this a few times, while Brianna focused on Gwen. She was a beautiful woman, with pretty green eyes and dark blonde hair. She had a wonderful manner about her, too, so warm and caring, exhibited once again as Gwen reached forward and cupped the side of her face.

“I know you don’t even know me,” Gwen said, shaking her head, “and I can only imagine what you’ve been through— and trust me , my imagination has been stretched beyond its limits,” Gwen said this with a knowing look and a slow nod. “But I swear, Brianna, I’m on your side. And Aidan’s, too.” She paused another moment before going on. “Look. As much as these men—Aidan, Grey, the whole brotherhood—want to shelter us from everything, it doesn’t always happen that way.”

Brianna reached out and covered Gwen’s hand with her own—she had a feeling that Gwen knew this from experience. They shared a deeply meaningful look before Brianna spoke again: “Honestly, Gwen, nothing else happened.”

“Alright then…but if you remember something later, I’m here. Keeping things inside can be so destructive, sometimes you don’t even realize how da maging it is.” Gwen waited for Brianna to nod, then reached for some supplies on a small tray beside her.

While Gwen cleaned and redressed her hand and wrist, she told her about what had happened to her years ago. About her abduction at the hands of Gavin’s brother, and how it had nearly broken her. When she reached this part, Gwen turned her head for a moment as if caught up in the memory, then made a small sound and turned back. “Even though I knew it, it was Grey’s insistence that I talk about it that let me begin to heal. I can’t speak for anyone else, but for me, the difference was remarkable—it really helped. And sometimes I’ve found that sharing my experience can help someone else heal, too.” Gwen let her words sink in, then smiled softly, before leaving the topic behind. “I know this isn’t your best day, Brianna, but I can’t wait to hear all about you. Aidan means so much to us, and to know he’s found…that he’s found you… Brianna, what is it?” Gwen was looking at her so intently and it took Brianna a moment to realize that she’d started drifting off into her own thoughts.

“I’m sorry.” Brianna’s head was spinning, the reality of everything that had happened to her over the last several weeks all crashing in on itself, and something Aidan had said echoed in the back of her mind. “I…I think I have so much to tell you, Gwen,” she whispered, thinking about the MacTavishes and what they’d told her about the other women their friends had married. “But I need to tell Aidan so mething.” Feeling strong enough, Brianna pushed herself up again.

“Whoa, you might feel ready,” Gwen said, easing her back down. “But let’s finish wrapping your arm and get a new sling in place before you run off. It’s that important?” Gwen asked, sensing her urgency.

Brianna nodded slowly. “I think so. I saw a man in Ayr, the morning we arrived. I didn’t say anything to Aidan… because I…I was just feeling so self-conscious that day.” She paused for a moment and gave Gwen a deliberate look before adding, “So…out of place.”

“Pfft.” Gwen nodded. “Been there,” she said, her eyes telegraphing her understanding, before adding, “Nice ink by the way.” She winked then, and Brianna’s heart swelled with excitement, joy, and relief, even at what was all but a clear confirmation that she truly wasn’t alone here. Obviously, this wasn’t the time for details, but Brianna felt the shift, it put her on more solid footing. Gwen smiled encouragingly as these thoughts whirled in her head. “It’s okay, trust me, we’ll have plenty of time. Seagrave might have a lot of modern conveniences, but they’re not that modern. Still, we do excel at a few pastimes beyond the daily grind of fifteenth-century luxury living, ” she said, with air quotes and a little chuckle before ticking off a few. “You know, like close family gatherings, outstanding meals, a few games…even making babies,” she added, with an infectious smile, blushing when Brianna chuckled. “Go on, now,” Gwen said. “Tell me about this man you saw in Ayr.”

Brianna paused a moment to take everything in, feeling the grin on her face before the reality of the current moment came back to her. She nodded, then took a deep breath before speaking.

“Well, at first, I just thought he was some random guy giving me a dirty look, and made it all about me…God, I even went so far as to imagine he was mad that I was walking with Aidan for some reason.” Brianna’s mind was a swirl of thoughts that she fought to connect. “Maybe if I’d said something…but I was so worked up at the thought of other women with Aidan before me, or Aidan with another woman, that I didn’t say anything.” She trailed off, upset that she’d been so childish that she hadn’t done anything useful about it—at the time, or any of the times afterward.

“Brianna,” Gwen squeezed her hand, which got Brianna’s attention for at least a moment. “What happened, whatever it was that happened, was not your fault. I may be the first person to tell you this, but I assure you, I will be far from the last.”

“But what if I could have saved us all from this?”

Gwen shook her head. “Sometimes we can’t be saved from this or anything else,” she said, somehow understanding without knowing any of the details yet.

Feeling a true kindred spirit in Gwen, a shared history, so to speak, Brianna told her what happened, how Aidan had sent her off once it was clear they were in danger.

It still hurt thinking about how in those seconds, she’d thought it might be their last together. “He just wanted to keep me from harm.” Brianna felt a new rush of emotion and had a good cry while Gwen soothed her.

When she got ahold of herself, Gwen shook her head and smiled softly. “That’s all they ever want, Brianna. Trust me, if you’re lucky enough to be connected to one of these men —and I mean that rhetorically since you obviously are—there is no deeper or stronger love. None.”

“Gwen.” Brianna’s voice broke for a second, and she leaned in closer, feeling like she had to say something, but the words wouldn’t come.

“Whatever it is, you can tell me. Believe me, it helps.”

“I…I killed two men.”

“Oh, honey.” At her unquestioning compassion and the warmth in her eyes, Brianna broke down again.

“It’s a heavy burden to carry,” Gwen said, after Brianna told her the whole story. “Whether they had it coming or not.”

Brianna looked at Gwen and could see immediately that Gwen was speaking from experience—and yet here she was, seemingly sane and thriving. She was a testament to the truth of her words.

“I just want to ask one more time, and then I’ll leave it alone. The man you fought off…you’re absolutely sure that nothing else happened? That he didn’t…”

“I’m sure,” Brianna said, shuddering at the thought of what could have been. She clutched Gwen’s hand then, “Thank you. For listening and also for sharing your story with me.”

“I’m here for you, anytime.”

“Can we go now?” Brianna asked. “I really need to see, Aidan.”

Gwen nodded, then stood up. “Give me just a second.”

Brianna gasped at the sight of her in profile. “Gwen! I didn’t realize you were pregnant.”

Gwen pulled a face, mouthing ‘pastime’ with air quotes as she walked over to a set of cupboards lining the wall, pressing a hand to her back as she looked at her supplies before grabbing what she needed. Then Gwen wrapped Brianna’s arm and fitted her with a new sling in minutes.

“Alright, let’s go,” she said holding out her hand to help her.

Brianna leaned back, looking at her skeptically. “I don’t want to knock you over.”

Gwen chuckled. “I’m stronger than I look. But let’s hope we both stay upright, otherwise there’ll be hell to pay.”

Brianna laughed a little at that, too, and it felt so good to let go for a moment. She pictured the looks on Aidan’s and Greylen’s faces if they came back to find the two of them sprawled on the floor.

When her thoughts returned to her, she sobered. “Did you know them?” Brianna asked as Gwen pulled her up and she shook off the last of the fog muddling her head. “Those men…” she tried to recall the name Aidan used. “They were brothers, I think? ”

“The Fitzgeralds.” Gwen nodded. “Until last month, I only knew of them, when they showed up, unannounced…” her words trailed off a moment. “But, I think Aidan should be the one to fill you in.”

When Gwen opened the door, Henry was waiting on the other side with two other men Brianna didn’t recognize standing behind him.

“He’s in the study,” Henry said at once, looking at her with concern.

Brianna nodded, realizing this was the first time since they’d left Ayr that she and Aidan had been separated. “I’m okay,” she assured him. “I need to speak with Aidan, though. Will you take me to him?”

Henry looked at Gwen, maybe to make sure it was okay for her to be walking around. At Gwen’s nod, he turned down the hall, gesturing for Brianna to follow, the other men falling into step behind them. Brianna did her best not to lean on Gwen, who had offered her arm. She was so consumed with getting to Aidan, that she paid little attention to her surroundings, though she did note the warmth and cleanliness of the enormous hallway. As they passed through the foyer, it was hard to dismiss the intricate masonry and woodwork, especially on the stunning archway that led into the great hall. Brianna made a mental note to come back and examine it more closely when she was well.

They’d just made it halfway across the entranceway when the boy who’d come running into the room earlier to see Aidan appeared. He looked so worried, and when Gwen shook her head in answer to the questioning look in his eyes, his face fell even further. Brianna raised her eyebrows at Gwen, indicating that she could take a moment and talk to him. Gwen smiled, patting her hand appreciatively and they walked over to him.

When they reached the boy, Gwen lifted his chin, smiling warmly down at him. “He’s going to be alright, Tristan.”

The boy’s lip quivered. “Are you sure, Mama?”

“Aye, my sweet boy, I’m absolutely sure.”

When he looked up at his mother from beneath his lashes, Brianna saw his eyes were almost the same shade as Gwen’s. He looked over to Brianna as if for a second opinion, and she smiled down at him.

“I know we haven’t been formally introduced,” she said, extending her hand, “but I’m Brianna. Would you like to come with us to find Aidan?”

Based on his expression, it was obvious that Tristan hadn’t expected the invite. Her heart went out to the boy, the love he must feel for Aidan.

“Maybe you could help keep me steady, so I don’t have to rely on your mama?”

At this, the boy’s chest puffed up, his eyes no longer wary. “’Tis my duty to assist you. But, I cannot keep something to myself that may cause trouble.” The boy said this to her but kept an eye on the men behind them, too.

Curious, Brianna turned. Taking in everyone’s pleased expressions, and Tristan’s proud stance, she put two and two together, then gave Tristan a warm smile of her own .

“Not easy keeping a secret around here,” Gwen chuckled. “Tristan’s been taught exactly what he should share, and what can be kept to himself.”

Brianna nodded and faced Tristan. “Well, seeing as I’m determined to speak with Aidan, I think an arm or a shoulder to lean on will do the trick and save us from trouble,” she assured him.

The boy studied her carefully, his gaze flicking from her to the men, looking for a cue perhaps. It seemed they were letting him make his own decision, however, and Brianna had to say, she was enjoying Tristan’s lesson in critical thinking.

After a moment, Tristan gave a deep nod and then offered her his arm, which Brianna made a big show of taking graciously. Then, they carried on down another hallway, stopping when they came to a pair of doors set deeply into the stone wall. Brianna heard muffled voices from behind it, maybe even a shout or two, and suddenly hesitated and backed up.

“What do you think they’re doing?” she asked, turning to Gwen.

Gwen thought for a moment, then said, “Well, since the Fitzgerald brothers are dead, I suppose they’re either strategizing their next steps or peeling Aidan off the ceiling.” She paused. “I think seeing you would go a long way. Would you like me to knock? Or do you want to?”

Brianna took a deep breath. Not only did she need to tell Aidan about the man that she’d seen in Ayr, but she also wanted to let him know she was okay, relatively speaking at least. She was just about to step forward when Tristan squeezed in front of her with a huff and took his fist to the door with more force than Brianna thought possible from a child of his age. His actions were met with grunts of approval from behind them, and Brianna couldn’t help but be impressed again by this boy’s training, as well as the constant reinforcement from the men around him.

Greylen opened the door a moment later, and Brianna didn’t miss how his eyes lovingly swept over Gwen. She hadn’t been in any condition to notice it before, but that one brief look just now, was enough for her to know how much he valued his wife. These people just kept going up in her estimation, exponentially so.

There were too many people in the room for Brianna to see more than Aidan’s profile as he leaned over a large round table that had been set in front of a wall filled with maps, and something about it struck her, reminding her of her grandfather’s study at Dunhill. When one of the men moved, she could see that Aidan was writing a letter. Once he was done, he passed it to one of the guards standing nearby, who nodded and then made his way out of the room. Without looking up, Aidan started writing again, finished another letter, sealed it, and handed it off, too. The second guard gave a respectful nod to Gwen and Brianna as he passed, and it was this that alerted Aidan to their presence.

He immediately dropped everything and hurried toward her in the doorway. He looked…oh, now that she could really see him, he looked both beautiful and haggard. That they were both still standing was a miracle, and frankly, something she hadn’t even tried to wrap her head around yet. Brianna reached out with her good hand, shaking her head as he got closer. His face was drawn so tight, all she wanted was to assure him that she was okay, that nothing else had happened to her, but he gathered her in his arms so quickly, and as his body and warmth enveloped her, all she managed to do was take in a deep and ragged breath. She felt his body tense and knew he was fighting for control, that he probably thought the worst because of her reaction. She was loath to leave his embrace, but she needed to reassure him.

“It was nothing more,” she said, pushing back and looking at him intently, making sure he could see she was fully clear-headed now. “I swear.”

His eyes, always a mesmerizing shade of green, shifted now, along with some of his worry. They went so dark they were nearly emerald. He bent, and pressing his forehead to hers, whispered, “You needn’t ever swear anything to me, Brianna. I merely … I merely wish to keep you from harm.”

She loved that about him, and it was something he’d demonstrated repeatedly, even hours ago in the face of death. Literally. Brianna thought about something Gwen had said, that while awful, considering the consequences, it was probably very true. “Maybe you weren’t supposed to,” she said.

A low growl sounded from his throat in reply and Brianna frowned. Gwen shot her a look that very much said Let’s keep that understanding between us. Yeah, got that. Strong as these men were, their sense of duty was not to be threatened.

Once he’d calmed, Aidan glanced to the sling Gwen fashioned and asked, “Your wrist?” his eyes darting between her and Gwen for confirmation.

Brianna nodded, rubbing his arm with her good hand as Gwen said, “Just a sprain. But that bruising is going to take some time to go away.”

Brianna tightened her grip on his arm then, wanting his focus for a moment. “I need to tell you something.”

He waited expectantly, worry flashing across his face.

“I think I saw one of those men. Before, I mean.”

“Before this morning?”

She nodded. “Yes.”

“Do you recall where?”

“When we were walking into town, the morning we arrived. I didn’t realize I should have said something, maybe it would have prevented all this from happening.”

“Brianna,” he breathed, grasping her head in his hands. “You cannot carry this burden, too.”

“But,” she looked at Greylen. “I’m so sorry about your ship.”

“Did you set the fire?”

“No.”

“Then you’ve nothing to be sorry about.”

When she started to open her mouth again, both of the men gave a terse shake of the head, making it clear there’d be no more arguments. Knowing that was the end of it, Brianna nodded. “Who were they? Why were they after you?”

Before Aidan could answer, another man came into the room. Brianna didn’t think he was one of the guards, but maybe another of their brotherhood, based on his commanding presence, and the way Aidan turned toward him immediately, giving him his full attention.

“I just spoke with Alex,” the man said, grasping Aidan’s shoulder.

Aidan looked like he was about to reply when the man, who’d nodded acknowledgments to everyone in the room—giving Gwen an especially warm smile—fixed his gaze on Brianna. After a moment, he tilted his head. “Have we met?” he asked, staring deeply into her eyes.

When she looked at him directly, Brianna nearly gasped. She’d never seen anyone with eyes the exact shade as hers, outside of her father and grandfather. Was this one of her relatives? A fifteenth-century O’Roarke? Her thoughts raced, running down the genealogy lists she’d spent years poring over. Then it dawned on her. If she was remembering correctly, this must be?—

“Callum,” Aidan said, stepping to her side and pulling her closer. “This is my wife, Brianna.”

Brianna stood silent as Callum looked between the two of them, studying her with particular curiosity. “From where do you hail?” he asked, laser focused on her eyes.

She was so flustered by his question she wasn’t sure how to answer, but after a moment, just awkwardly waved her hand and said, “From…across the way a bit.” She knew her vague answer didn’t pass muster, but it was the best she could come up with on the spot.

Callum chewed on that for a moment, literally, and it was all she could do not to shift her weight from foot to foot under his deadpan stare. Finally, he spoke. “I see,” he said, in a flat tone, then his eyes returned to Aidan. “And you’re wed?” For some reason, he seemed puzzled at this.

“Aye,” Aidan said slowly.

Again, Callum looked confused. “You didn’t call us together for the occasion?” he asked. “As we’ve all done to mark affairs of such import?”

“We exchanged vows upon the ship.” Aidan’s words were terse now, which was confusing since Brianna thought he and Callum were good friends—brethren, actually.

“Vows…on the ship?” Callum repeated. He seemed confused by this. “Did Father Michael accompany you?”

Aidan shook his head.

“What of your sire?” Callum asked, turning to Brianna. “Were your parents in attendance?”

When she shook her head, Callum nodded slowly again, his gaze lingering on her, before he turned back to Aidan. “So, you promised yourselves to one another?” he said almost rhetorically, although scorn edged his tone. “But did not sanctify this marriage in the church, or have the approval from anyone Brianna might call family to act on her behalf?”

Oh, she cringed. Suddenly, what she’d felt was on the up and up, now felt anything but.

“ I acted on her behalf,” Aidan said, pulling her tight to his side, his tone clearly pushing back.

Callum looked at her. “You are an O’Roarke, Brianna, aye?” his eyes narrowed at Aidan. “That much is evident—at least to me.”

She nodded, getting the clear sense that if her father had lived, he’d have sounded just like Callum in the moment.

“Did you think at any point to speak with me?” he said to Aidan, an edge to his voice that hadn’t been there a moment ago.

Brianna felt Aidan stiffen beside her. “In regard to what …?”

At this, Callum’s stance changed, and the air nearly crackled in the room. “Since she’s in this land,” he said with a sweep of his hand, astutely reading between the lines, “without any family known to her—I’m referring to Brianna’s hand in marriage,” he spat, as the exchange became rather heated.

Aidan took a step forward, so close to Callum, their chests almost touched. “The circumstance bore action. As did yours, with Maggie. Did you seek to do the same when you married a Sinclair without speaking with me first?”

“If you’d but take your head out of your?—"

At this, Greylen wedged himself between them, barely breaking the tension as Aidan and Callum continued to glare at one another. Greylen shoved them both back, and then Callum rephrased his question.

“If you’ll but think back, you’ll recall that I in fact did!”

Aidan seemed to consider his words and noted that all eyes were on him. After a moment he nodded. “You’re right, you sent word to ask if there was a relation, considering we shared the name, and to ask for my blessing if so.”

Callum seemed mollified by his recollection as well as his somewhat chastened tone and gathered himself.

Brianna stood there in shock, slowly piecing together what had happened. She felt awful for both of them, but in the moment, she felt sorrier for Callum. He was quite obviously upset, and all because of family honor. Her family honor. She knew from her time with the MacTavishes, and from her years spent studying her family’s history, that of all the men of this circle, Callum had a deadly quiet edge, one borne out of horrific loss, an O’Roarke family trait. One she knew all too well.

It was clear they weren’t done, however. She could feel it in the air, and she felt torn.

Aidan held her gaze and she knew he could read it in her eyes. “I’m sorry.”

She knew he meant it; this day had been tumultuous, rife with it, to borrow a term from her husband . Her husband by consent yes, and even legal according to the times, but now that Callum had mentioned it, Brianna recalled the family bible, in which marriages had been recorded all the way back to Fergus and Isabeau. Some of the pages were smudged and tattered, some even lost, before she and her grandfather had been able to preserve what was left of it, but she realized now that in addition to the names of those close enough to be inscribed within the pages, the clergy who performed the ceremony had always been documented as well. Adding credence to Callum’s outburst—they did take sanctified unions seriously. For a heartbreaking moment, Brianna worried that it could even be tied to the lore.

“We need to have a church wedding, and soon,” she said reaching for Aidan’s hand.

“We will,” he said, almost desperately, gently clutching her good hand as he looked down at her. He was trying to give her his full attention, but his eyes were still darting between her and Callum.

There was a long moment in which no one spoke, and the longer it went on, the thicker the tension around the room became. The silence grew deafening and just desperate for it to end, Brianna squeezed Aidan’s hand again, hoping he’d keep his eyes on hers.

“You told me you knew those men who attacked us,” she said, her voice cutting through the quiet. “Why were they after you?”

Brianna wasn’t sure who had truly erred. Her for asking the question again, or Aidan for making her. But in the end, it was Callum who had the last word, taking his role as her familial guardian with the utmost seriousness.

“Because he was expected to wed their sister.”