“I forgot ye were raised to war. Och only its owner should ride him. He’s not trained yet.”
The noise of a cart drew her attention and she turned toward it.
Laird Ross moved her aside and braced his hips with his hands. “Where the hell have you been?”
Griffen and Anne sat on the bench in the front of the cart. They looked as if they hadn’t slept in days.
“Father, we just came from the Gunn keep.”
The laird’s voice rose. “I was not addressing you, lass. How dare ye take my daughter from my land without my permission?”
Griffen jumped down from the cart and helped Anne with a hand. When he turned, he cast a quick glance at her before responding. “Laird Ross—”
The laird approached her brother and gripped his tunic. He appeared to want to thrash him or worse. Emlyn was about to intervene when Anne stepped forward and set a hand on her father’s arm.
“Father, cease. We went to the Gunn keep to speak with James about Emlyn. That is all.”
Laird Ross slowly released Griffen’s tunic. He smoothed the material and stepped back. “And you vow you did nothing untoward my daughter?”
“Of course not. I would not,” Griffen said.
The laird remained quiet for all of two seconds. “Did ye see him?”
“See who?” Griffen said.
“James. The reason ye snuck out of my keep.”
Griffen looked at the ground when he answered. “Aye, we did.”
Emlyn gasped. “Why did you do that? Oh,” she said, with a punch to his arm. “I am wrath, nay more than wrath with you, Griffen.”
“Before ye stick a dagger in my heart, do you not want to know what happened?”
Emlyn was afraid to hear what James had to say about her. She wanted to shrink like a violet in the summer heat and couldn’t bear his rejection.
“He asked me to relay a message to you.”
She lowered her chin. If he sent a message, then all was lost, for if she had any hope of winning him back, he would’ve come to deliver the message himself.
Griffen nudged her with his shoulder. “He asked me to give you this.” He handed her a folded piece of parchment.
Emlyn held it as if it was the most fragile thing she ever beheld. She paced in front of the white horse’s stall, looking at the scrap of parchment, wondering what it bespoke. All the while she felt Laird Ross, Anne, and Griffen’s eyes on her.
She turned and faced away from them because she didn’t want them to see her face when her dejected heart fell. With shaking hands, she opened the parchment and read:
One for every moment I thought of you. My heart is yours if you want it. James.
Tears gathered in her eyes. She placed the parchment against her chest and turned. Laird Ross and Griffen stood dumbfounded, but Anne hastened to her and gathered her in her arms.
Emlyn’s cheeks soaked with jovial tears and her smile widened.
“Och then ‘tis good news?” Laird Ross asked.
She nodded. “I believe it is. What do you deem he meant by this first line?” Emlyn handed the parchment to Griffen.
“Mayhap it’s about what’s in the cart. James said to make sure only you received it.”
Emlyn stepped around them and advanced to the end of the cart. She took the fabric covering the items and pulled it until she revealed what was in the cart. She laughed until her eyes watered.
Tied into bundles were hundreds of perfectly carved arrows. Each end was fletched with three grey-goose feathers trimmed to exactness, all the same size. His gesture pleased her.
“What am I to do with them all?” she said more or less to herself.
Laird Ross stepped next to her and grinned. “I’ll take them, lass. James makes the best arrows of anyone.”
Emlyn turned and peered into the white horse’s stall. When she turned back to him, he shook his head.
“Nay, I cannot give him to you. You’d hurt yourself riding him.”
“He’s not for me. I mean to give him to James. He had to retire his horse and it would please him greatly. I will give you all the arrows save for one stack for the warhorse.”
Laird Ross lifted a stack and studied them. “Aye, cosh, they would cost a fortune if I were to pay for them anyway. We have an accord.”
Emlyn took the stack he held. “These are mine.”
The laird chuckled and nodded. “What do you need arrows for?”
“Have you not heard? I am the worst with the bow. But now that I see these, I wonder if mayhap it wasn’t my skill but the arrows I used.”
They shared a laugh.
Griffen walked to the front of the cart and retrieved something wrapped in fabric. “I almost forgot, James wanted me to give this to you.”
She handed the arrows to Anne and took the object from him. Emlyn carefully unwrapped the item and revealed a shining sword. “He does love me. Is this not beautiful?”
Laird Ross raised his brows. “’Tis the most plain sword I’ve ever seen. I’m surprised, for Norman, the Gunn’s smith, is renowned for making the most elaborate swords in this area. Many of my soldiers seek him out for theirs.”
“James knows me well, for I wouldn’t want an embellished sword. It is perfect. It fits my hand well.” She sliced it through the air, testing its weight. “Laird Ross …” Emlyn pointed the sword at the ground. “I must leave this day. Will you escort me?”
“Aye, Emlyn. I would be honored to.”
“I shall go and see Lady Ross before I leave.” She was ready to make off, but noticed Griffen leaning against the cart. “You should return home, Grif. I’m sorry I kept you away so long.”
He pulled her into his embrace. “You’ll be well?”
“I shall. You read his words. He wants me, Griffen, and I want him.”
“I hope you’ll be happy, sister. I will leave this day as well. You’ll take her to James?” Griffin said to Laird Ross.
“Aye, but you’re not going anywhere, lad.”
“What do you mean?” Griffen asked.
“You spent the night with my daughter. Ye both were alone for two days.”
“What of it?” Griffen’s face began to redden with his affront.
“No man does such a thing without repercussions.”
Emlyn was ready to burst forth with laughter, but held back her mirth.
Griffen looked at each of them and it finally dawned on him.
“Father, nay, this is not the way I want my marriage to begin.” Anne scowled fiercely at her father, with her hands on her hips.
Laird Ross ignored her and kept his gaze on her brother. “Griffen, do you oppose to be wed to Anne?”
Emlyn touched his arm to get him to look at her. She couldn’t read his thoughts on the matter and worried that he would reject the lass.
“Nay, I don’t oppose at all.”
Chapter Thirty-Two
James was elated his infirm was over. He walked without much of a limp toward the sea. This day he would wash away the stench of the salve from him forever. Soon it would be too cold to take to the sea to swim or wash and he was fortunate to have completed the regimen when he did.
When he reached the sandy shoreline, he dropped the extra garments he carried and stripped, and walked into the water. It was strange that no others were in the water at that early hour. Usually a handful of soldiers could be found taking a morning swim.
After ensuring he washed thoroughly, James relaxed and looked up at the sky. He was beginning to become impatient about Emlyn. A sennight had passed since Griffen and Anne departed. He hoped they’d arrived safely back at the Ross keep and that they were able to impart his message.
After leaving the sea, James dried off and dressed in the freshly laundered tunic and tartan. He carried his boots and other items, and set off for the keep. The back gate had been closed. He was certain he’d left it slightly ajar, but it wasn’t locked so he entered. He sauntered at a faster pace than he’d been able to before Muriel’s remedy. Mayhap it had worked to further heal his injury. At least he hadn’t felt any pain in several days.