A Highlander In Peril (Gunn Guardsman) (7 page)

Hell, he wasn’t about to allow it and leaned closer, taking her in his arms. Sean set his mouth on hers. Her soft lips parted slightly and he took possession. Subtly the sweet petals of her lips moved beneath his. He was about to take the kiss to a heightened level, but James tapped his shoulder, and he moaned softly at the intrusion.

Sean pulled back, knowing his discipline was nearly nonexistent. He wished they were alone so he could give her a true taste of his passion. As he gauged her reaction to his kiss, he noticed the brightness to her eyes and cheeks. He would have smiled, but Lord William cleared his throat, and Sean returned his attention to him.

“All will leave, except the bride and groom.”

The chamber began clearing, and Sean found himself standing next to Frances beside the lord’s bed.

“I haven’t long, Fancy. For this shall be my last day in this world …” His eyes misted.

Frances knelt next to the bedding and took her uncle’s hand in hers. “Please, don’t say that. You could get well. Let the healer come and—”

“Nay. You two should be alone, but I need to speak with Sean. There are things I must impart, of a business nature. I’ll have him come get you when I’m ready to speak my goodbyes.”

She began weeping, her sobs quiet. Sean didn’t know what to do to offer comfort. He set his hand on her shoulder and gently squeezed, hoping she’d get his message. She stood and turned to him. Her eyes shone with unshed tears. He wanted to tell her not to be despondent, but she and Lord William seemed close.

“Lord … ah, what shall I call you?”

“Sean will do.”

“Sean, I will await you. Don’t let him tire himself too much.”

“I won’t.” Sean watched her leave the room, and when he turned back, Lord William was trying to sit up. “Uncle, lay back. Don’t trouble yourself. Here, let me assist.” He helped him to a better position and then pulled the chair closer to the bed.

“It does my heart good to hear you call me uncle. I’ve too many regrets. You’re a fine man, Sean. I’m proud of you. Don’t wait to bed the lass. I won’t have Fancy mourning, for she’s mourned enough as it is.”

Sean didn’t know what to say to that. “She will mourn you and I don’t think there’s anything we can do about it. What is it you wish to tell me? You spoke of business.”

“Aye, meet with Jacob, my steward. He’ll give you an accounting of the lands, treasury, and titles. Be sure to take care of the clan at Michaelmas. Take care of the poor and less fortunate.”

Sean gave a firm nod. “I will.”

“Now about who to trust. Many will try to sway you to their side. Trust none of the lords here by the border. They’d sooner hand over all of Scotland’s land to England. Don’t let them. Stand by Alexander. Protect our lady Scotland.”

“Of course.”
Sean listened carefully. He wanted to be a good laird, fair and just.

“There’s squabble over the treaty their King John enacted. Seems King Henry doesn’t want to abide by it now. But Alexander will see that he does. He’ll need support of the lords.”

Sean nodded, and had heard that the border region despaired at the forfeiture by England noted in the charter. Alexander still had not been granted what was entailed, and rallied supporters. This was not news to him, and he and Grey discussed it at length recently. They’d come to the conclusion that another treaty would be needed if Alexander was to recoup the lands he’d lost.

“I take it you side with Scotland? That is good, Lord William, because my heart would not allow me to side with England.”

Lord William nodded firmly. His breathing became harsh and Sean didn’t want him to overdo. “I should get Lady Frances.”

“I have written a list of the lords who are not to be trusted. It is on the desk. Be sure to look it over and guard it. Let no man see it. Only Father Cleve was privy to its contents.”

“I will.” Sean flinched when his uncle wheezed and seemed to lose breath.

“There’s a meeting forthcoming. You’re to meet my comrade, Baron de Percy. Trust no other when you go to Edinburgh.”

“de Percy, aye, I understand. You should rest. I promised Frances I wouldn’t tire you.”

“’Tis too late.
Fancy, I call her Fancy.”

“Why? It’s an odd name to be calling her.”

Lord William smiled slightly. “On the outside, she may not be wrapped so prettily, but on the inside, she golden and grand. Aye, lad, she’s Fancy. Go and bring her … for I wish to say my goodbyes.”

Sean wasn’t sure he should leave the man alone, but his stern request made him do so. The way he’d spoken about Frances made him reassess her. Mayhap beneath the calm, equable, covered up woman was a hellion ready to be unwrapped. The thought of it made him wonder how he could achieve such a feat.

When he left the chamber, he bid the healer to attend Lord William. Sean walked the hallway toward the end and rapt at a door which he thought was Frances’ solar. There was no answer. He noticed Sabine, the maid, skulking in the hallway near his chamber.

“Where is Lady Frances?”

She drew a startled breath. “My lord. Ah, she’s probably there.” She pointed to another door across the hallway.

Sean knocked, but didn’t wait for someone to answer and opened the door. He saw her sitting on the floor next
to a wee lass. Content to watch them, he stood transfixed. The lass was beautiful and giggled when Frances tickled her. She noticed him and squealed, and tried to get out of Frances’ embrace.

“Oh. Is he … has he called for me? I had not expected you so soon.” Frances stood and motioned for him to enter.

Sean followed Frances when she took his hand and led him to the lass. He wasn’t sure who she was. When he stopped next to his wife, he waited for an explanation. His wife. If this day wasn’t filled with such contention, he might have laughed.

“Sean, this is Ermintrude, my daughter.”

He found himself frowning and shook the expression away. “Daughter?” Sean knelt and looked the wee sprite in the eyes, the same as her mother’s. “Nice to meet you, Ermintrude.”

She stole behind her mother’s skirts, verily unsure of him. “Momma told me that you’re my father.”

“Did she? Well she hadn’t shared that news with me. If you wish to call me such, I won’t be displeased. What should I call you?”

“
Me name’s Ermintrude. I’m this many,” she said and held up four fingers. Her wee voice was as pleasing as her mother’s even though it was filled with apprehension.

“I will call you Trudy.
Aye, a good easy name. What say ye to that?” Sean didn’t move forward lest he scare the sprite. She was dubious of him and he didn’t like it.

She didn’t retort to his pledge, and continued to peek at him from behind her mother. Sean was beyond charmed. Her sweet face scrunched, and then her attention suddenly focused on a cat across the room. She bounded off and he was dismissed.

“Why wasn’t I told?” Sean stood and tilted his head in the child’s direction.

“I
ah, … thought Uncle told you. He said he would explain. I am sorry and I didn’t intend to deceive you. If you detested children, you don’t have to acknowledge her. I’ll keep her out of your…”

He didn’t let her finish and shook his head. “Nay, I don’t dislike them. Come, Lord William wishes you to see you. You might want to prepare yourself. Shall we?”

Sean followed Frances to the lord’s chamber. When they entered, they found the healer standing by the window. The woman was a clandestine, and he couldn’t tell what she looked like for her garb lent a mystery about her. Her heavy woolen cloak covered all of her, even her hair, and he could only see a small portion of her face.

“Won’t be long now,” she said low, and kept to her position across the chamber.

“Uncle, is there anything you need? Want?”

He was unresponsive.

Father Cleve came and began saying prayers in his deep baritone voice.

Sean stood beside Frances and took her hand. “Do you want to be alone?”

She shook her head. “Nay, please stay.”

He took the chair and set it nearby should she wish to sit. After a while, he began pacing the room. Waiting for someone to die was unpleasant business and he wouldn’t allow anything to occupy his thoughts. The woman held such composure. She didn’t weep and carry on like most women would.

Frances held her uncle’s hand and spoke quietly, “You’ve been such a wonderful guardian, Uncle. Thank you for taking me in. I remember the day I arrived as if it were yesterday …” Her voice lowered as she spoke, “I was so frightened and you made me laugh when you pretended to trip. You’ve done so many kind things for me. I have loved you from the moment I met you.”

She lowered her head and leaned it on the bedside and wept quietly. It was as if she was alone with her uncle and no one else existed. They obviously cared greatly for one another and Sean
envied her. He had family but hadn’t ever experienced such feelings for another. Such deep devotion was nonexistent, at least to him.

The room became eerily quiet and the healer raised her eyes as if sending him a silent message. Sean approached the bedside and realized the man left them.

He released her hand from his uncle’s and pulled her to him. “He’s gone. Let us leave so preparations …” An uneasy feeling came over him. He should give her as much time as she needed. “If you need more time …”

Father Cleve continued his prayers, and his tone became morose, giving the last rites.

Several minutes passed before she spoke, and when she looked up, tears streaked her cheeks. “I’m ready to leave. Thank you,” her voice barely audible.

“Will you be all right?”

A silence came over them. Sean led her outside the chamber and they stood in the hallway. She abruptly ran toward the end of the hall and entered a door. He followed because she’d gotten upset and he’d do what he could to comfort her.

The door led to the rampart and he felt the burst of wind hit him when he stepped outside. There she stood, by the low wall of the crenellation. Concerned she’d
fall, he hurried to her side, and took hold of her hand. He wasn’t certain of her and he thought she might jump as grief took hold of her heart.

She stiffened but didn’t pull away. “It’s beautiful out here, is it not? Look at the stars so far away.” Frances became quiet and a few minutes of silence lent to the awkwardness. “I will miss him. He’s been like a father to me and all I’ve ever known.”

Sean touched her face, and turned her to look at him. “I know you will miss him. It is bonny out here. Are you going to be all right?”

Frances nodded and turned back to look at the view. “I feel most at ease here. I suppose you think that strange. How could a person enjoy being out on a dangerous wall, but I feel safe here. I often come out here. It’s where Robert …”

She was going to say something else, he was sure of it. “Where Robert what?”

“Where Robert died, my husband.”

“Ah, so you were married before? Trudy’s father?” Sean hadn’t needed to guess.

She nodded. “Uncle didn’t tell you?”

“Nay, he did not. I don’t deem there was time for him to do so.” Sean stood uneasily next to her. Why her being previously wedded bothered him, he didn’t know. He wasn’t possessive by nature, but the thought that she’d belonged to someone else unsettled him.

“I would’ve explained. If you wish to annul—”

Sean didn’t let her continue. “Frances, I understand. There’s no need to explain and we’ll not speak of an annulment. I suppose Lord William thought I would balk if I knew you were married before and had a child. It matters not to me. I mean to be … a good husband.” Sean felt insecure saying such, but he deemed it needed to be said, and she needed reassurance.

“I’m sure you will. Shall we go inside? There are preparations to see to and I should tell the clan the news.”

“I’ll tell the clan.” It was after all his duty now to see to the clan, and she had enough to worry about. She had a way about dismissing him. Sean kept hold of her hand. He wasn’t ready to depart and had questions, but he wasn’t sure this was the time or place to ask them. “How did your husband die?”

“He fell off this wall.”

He wasn’t expecting such a direct answer. Sean gave her a stunned look, and before he retorted, she drew in a gasp.

“Before you ask, nay, I did not push him.” Frances returned her gaze ahead, looking out at the darkened fields beyond the castle’s walls.

“I didn’t think you pushed him, but that is good to know.” Sean hoped to get her to at least smile or lighten the mood.

“Oh then what was that look for? I would hope you wouldn’t think me capable of such foulness.”

Sean moved closer. “I don’t know you well enough to think anything of you. Och I doubt you could be foul if you tried.”

“That is verily true, but I will not have you misjudging my character.”

He found a grin, happy to know she was prideful. It was a trait he respected because if one had pride they also were loyal. Loyalty was a quality he held above all else. “I won’t. How did your husband fall?”

Frances turned to look at him, and he saw the twinge of sadness reach her eyes. “It was unlike Robert to be senseless and I wondered if he’d been helped off the wall. There was never any proof
so I couldn’t assume. We had a good marriage and I thought him happy. He wouldn’t have jumped or have been careless.”