Chapter Five
Uncle Hamish, I saw Magnus,” Tavish whispered as he sat beside his uncle in the crowded Great Hall. He scanned the chamber in search of Ceit. His time in the dungeons took longer than he realized, and he feared she had not made it back into the main castle. He spotted her as she stood among the other ladies-in-waiting.
“Aye,” Hamish murmured around his mug of ale.
“Hay got to him.”
His uncle stared at him as his jaw ticked. As a child, Tavish had seen that look only once before. It was when he fed his uncle’s horse too many apples and gave the animal colic.
“Cat o’ nine tails.”
Hamish let loose a string of curses and pushed the bench back. If Tavish had not been sitting on it, it would have crashed to the floor. His uncle was marching towards the dais, and Tavish was close behind.
“Laird Sutherland, I see you found your other nephew. Quite the family reunion here at court,” the king’s comment overlooked their earlier audience. The monarch was well aware the two had spent time together.
“I would like to reunite with ma other nephew. It seems ye saw fit to see him tortured. I would like to ensure he will survive.”
“What?” The king roared and leaned so far across the table, Tavish wondered if he might topple over it. “You are accusing me of torture. On what grounds?”
“On the grounds that Tavish just came from the dungeons where he found Magnus beaten and lashed by a cat o’ nine tails.”
“I did not authorize that.” The king scanned the crowd that was now silently listening to yet another royal exchange with a Sinclair. “Hay. Where is Lord Hay?”
The king’s face became mottled with anger as a page whispered something unintelligible in the king’s ear.
“That man oversteps for the final time. Fraser, you have a fair amount to explain when this is said and done,” the king glared at Laird Fraser who was only a few chairs down. Turning his attention back to Tavish and Hamish, the king looked chagrined.
“It seems Lord Hay took matters into his own hands. No one was given instructions or permission to abuse Magnus. Tavish, it seems you have handled the matter of Lord Hay.” The king said with finality, however, Tavish was not finished.
“Yer Majesty, I amnae even nearly done with the matter of Lord Hay. I amnae content to leave ma brother to fester and die, either. He is badly beaten and in need of a healer. This never should have happened. Ma brother and his wife are legally wed. I have the proof here.” Tavish slapped the parchment Magnus had given him onto the dais.
The king frowned when Tavish approached without invitation, but the page handed the vellum to the king anyway.
“Bishop Mackenzie?” The king questioned as he unsealed the missive and read its contents. Tavish was sure the man read it three times before he looked up.
“There is more here than just the formal statement of a marriage. Tavish, it would seem all you stated upon your arrival is accurate. Bishop Mackenzie has provided multiple dates to corroborate your accounting of Magnus and Lady Deirdre’s relationship. In the eyes of the church, the couple has been married for the past seven years. Their exchange of vows before the bishop was a reaffirmation of their union not the initiation of a new one. I cannot set aside, nor do I want to, a union blessed by God. There is sanctity in marriage, and this marriage has weathered enough storms. That said, Tavish, your father will pay a bride price to the Frasers that is well past due. You shall give the same amount to the court as recompense for the time spent providing for Magnus’s wife as she served the queen.”
Tavish bristled at the suggestion that he should buy his brother’s freedom as though he was some serf who would be traded to a new landlord. This was what his father feared and why the wiser man insisted Tavish travel with the extra coin. The nerve-wracking experience was now worth it.
“Name the price, Sire. I believe I can have it arranged before morn.”
“How can you be so sure you can afford such terms?”
“When Magnus didna return when expected, we feared something happened to him. Our fears are justified. Ma father sent me with a ransom chest in case I should need to buy his freedom.” Tavish cast a withering look at Laird Fraser before returning his attention to the king. “I came well prepared.”
“Very well. Retrieve your coin, and I will have Magnus sent to his chamber. He is free from the dungeon, but until you settle the bride price, he remains in royal custody.”
“Vera well, Sire. Will ye send his wife to him now? I understand she has been poorly, but I am sure they would prefer to recover together.” Tavish had every intention of making both the king and Laird Fraser squirm. If he was unable to have his brother next to him right this minute, he would make them regret it.
“I will have her sent to him forthwith.”
“Your Grace,” Fraser hoarsely spoke around the others seated between him and the king, “that will not be possible. At least not immediately. Your Grace, Lady Deirdre is not at court right now. She resides where we believed she would live with her husband. Or rather Lord Archibald,” he hedged.
“Where exactly is she?”
“Crichton, Sire.”
“That is the other side of Edinburgh!” The king veritably snarled. “Fraser, you are testing my patience.”
The king spoke to a guardsman who stepped forward when beckoned.
“Have Magnus freed. Give him food, clothing, whatever aid he needs. See his horse is ready whenever he decides to ride out.” The king looked haggard when he glanced over at Hamish and Tavish. “This wrong will be righted.”
Tavish and Hamish parted ways when Tavish went in search of Ceit. After seeing Magnus’s condition, he was sure he needed her help. When he looked for her at the end of his conversation with the king, she was no longer standing with the other ladies-in-waiting. He headed toward the passageway leading to the ladies’ chambers. He did not have to go far before he saw her bustling towards him carrying a basket over her arm.
“I had to return to ma chamber to gather ma medicinals,” she said before Tavish asked.
“They are having Magnus released and brought to his chamber.”
“I gathered as much. I have already summoned a bath be taken there. He will need to bathe before I can tend his wounds.”
Tavish was glad for his long legs as Ceit’s purposeful stride was nearly as long as his. She looked straight ahead and kept her voice low.
“What did Hay do to him?” she glanced sideways. “Tav, I have to ken so I can treat him properly.”
She reached out her hand and placed it on his forearm.
“I wish I didna have to make ye speak of it, but I want to help him the best I can. I want to be prepared as soon as he is clean, and that means I will have to blend a tincture and even add to ma salve.”
Tavish nodded and looked at her upturned face. Her earnest expression made him want to stop and pull her in for an embrace. She was willing to tend his brother for his sake and for her friend’s. His heart tugged to see her compassion and willingness to give. He pulled his arm to take her hand. It was so small inside his which was more a paw in comparison.
“Thank ye, lass. It was a cat o’ nine tails.” He was getting mighty tired of saying those four words.
They reached Magnus’s chamber just as he and Elizabeth Fraser arrived. He looked at Elizabeth, but Ceit slipped past him to greet her.
“Magnus, this is Ceit. She has knowledge of the healing arts. I asked her to take a look at yer wounds, and she agreed.”
“I amnae ready yet for ye to tend them.” Magnus gestured to his ruined lean and filthy plaid.
“I ken. I’ve already had a bath sent to yer chamber. Once ye are presentable, Ceit has a salve for yer back and yer leg.” Tavish did not intend to take credit for Ceit’s forethought, but he was not sure of his brother’s reaction to the unknown woman, and he would rather take the brunt of any raw emotions Magnus kept bottled up.
“I dinna mean to be unappreciative, but canna ye just give the salve to ma brother?” Tavish was relieved that exhaustion and not anger filled his brother’s voice.
“Lord Magnus, I need to look to see the extent of the damage. Ye could have an infection starting. If that’s the case, then I must treat it differently than I would just a deep cut. As for yer leg, I need to be sure ye sealed it thoroughly. If it wasna, then I may have to reopen it and cut away the putrid skin.”
She noticed his limp too. And she made a fair guess what may have happened. She will be an appreciated addition to the clan. Och, there I go again already assuming she will marry me. I will convince her. I amnae giving her up.
Tavish fought to bring his mind back around to the conversation as a solid sense of peace settled over him when he declared, albeit in his head, that he would marry Ceit.
“That was already done before Deirdre branded it shut.”
“That doesnae mean it is healing.”
Tavish listened to her dulcet tones and realized people most likely considered her timid or even meek, but he sensed she held the resolve of a warrior when needed. He counted his blessings he had only seen hints rather than been on the receiving end.
“Ye’re wondering aboot ma speech. I havenae been at court that vera long. If I concentrate, then I can hide ma accent, but I dinna see a need with ye.”
She’s bluidy perceptive too.
“Vera well.” Magnus conceded.
Elizabeth stepped forward.
“I will fetch some of her belongings. She will need at least fresh clothing.”
“Thank ye, Elizabeth.”
“Beth. Dee calls me Beth in private. We are family now.” The woman who Tavish recognized as his sister’s by marriage cousin slipped away. He would have to thank her later.
Ceit attempted to stand in the doorway, but Magnus halted.
“I amnae coming in, so dinna fash. I amnae interested in watching a mon bathe.”
Tavish grumbled, “Ye’d best not be.”
He was certain neither listened to him.
“There is a special soap in there that I would have ye use to clean yer back.”
Ceit looked back at Tavish but did not understand why he scowled.
He is vera handsome and fierce, but he shall give himself wrinkles if he keeps scowling. I want to run ma finger between his brows and soothe away his tension. Where the hell did that come from? Ceit, the last thing ye need is a tendre for this mon. I ken he will leave as soon as they resolve this matter with his brother.
“Ye have to help him.”
“What?” Magnus and Tavish spluttered.
“I havenae needed anyone to bathe me since I was just out of short pants.”
Ceit stared at their ridiculousness.
“Ye’re brothers. It’s nae like either of ye havenae seen the other in the buff. Ye have the same parts. There is nay way, Magnus, that ye will be able to scrub yer own back. Tavish, help yer brother. Dinna be selfish.”
Tavish’s glare settled on her, but she was already looking at Magnus again.
“Unless ye would prefer I summon a maid.”
“Nay.”
Tavish watched a faraway look slide into Magnus’s eyes, and he wanted to laugh. Even in his condition, Tavish snorted at Magnus’s healthy appetite for his wife.
“Magnus. Stop fantasizing aboot yer wife. Ye can do that on yer horse on the way to fetch her.”
“Right.”
Ceit handed the basket to Magnus but did not let Tavish past. She placed her hand in his again and squeezed.
“Dinna be afraid to be a bit rough. I can see already that his leine has dried into some cuts. Ye must get them completely clean. There canna be even a single thread left in one if ye want to prevent infection.”
Tavish recognized the seriousness in her voice and the earnestness in her eyes. He nodded. He would do anything and everything to help his brother.
After Magnus bathed and Elizabeth returned, the two women entered Magnus’s chamber. Ceit looked around to find the best place to work. She needed light, so she led Magnus to the window embrasure where she pushed aside the covering and examined the wounds. They were raw and inflamed but none of the lashes had cut too deep. Tavish had been thorough as she instructed. She did not need to stitch any of them closed, but they would need constant tending for the next several days. He was at risk for a fever if the wounds were not kept clean and protected. Tavish and Magnus would journey to retrieve Deirdre, and she also accepted she was in for another squabble with Tavish when she insisted on accompanying them.
“Magnus, I heard Hay departed the castle half an hour ago. No one knows where he headed, but I would venture a guess. Be careful and hurry.” Elizabeth spoke to Magnus as much as she did Tavish and Ceit.
They said nothing else until they were ready to leave.
“Magnus, don’t forget Dee’s things. And Ceit, here are yours. I gathered clothes for you too.”
Ceit leaned to whisper in Tavish’s ear.
“I have a fresh kirtle already tucked into the bottom of the basket. I am ready to ride out.”
“What?”
“I am coming along with ye. Yer brother needs ma care. Ye dinna ken what to do if he falls ill.”
“Nay. Absolutely nae. Lass, ye canna come with us. I dinna ken what we are riding into.” Tavish led Ceit away from Magnus and Elizabeth.
Tavish stood with his feet planted apart and his arms crossed as he leaned forward and thrust his chin at Ceit.
“I willna allow it.”
“Allow it? Ye arenae in a position to tell me what I can and canna do. Ye dinna ken what condition Deirdre might be in. If nae for Magnus, then for yer new sister.”
“I told ye I willna allow it.” Tavish wanted to shake her for constantly being willing to put herself in danger. He wanted to protect her, and that meant keeping her away from a battle that was sure to ensue when Magnus found Hay.
“And I’ve told ye that ye canna dictate ma own choices. Tavish, ye allow me to travel with yer protection or ye accept that I will ride out after ye, alone.”
“Ye wouldnae dare.”
“Have ye seen aught aboot me that would make ye assume I wouldnae?”
Ceit tapped him twice on the chest and smiled at him. He knew when the fight was lost. He would not let her out of his sight for a minute while they traveled.
“Vera well.”
Her smile became so radiant it blinded him. As she stood next to the window in the passageway, the sun shone in on her hair. He did not recall how he had ever presumed it was a nondescript brown. It shone with blonde strands that looked like sunlight itself.
Ceit turned back to Magnus and Elizabeth and blushed furiously when she realized they had seen her bickering with Tavish.
“Ye bring out the worst in me,” she mumbled.
Tavish placed his hand on the small of her back as they stepped forward.
“And just when I decided ye brought out the best in me.”
“We ride,” Magnus announced.