“We didn’t know why she wouldn’t wake,” Monty interjected. “When we found her with them—” he nodded toward Stephen and Andrew “—she looked like she’d been dragged through a hedge backwards. They said she’d been trying to escape you. Nelson claimed the herbs were to rouse her, that they’d gotten them from a healer at a village they passed. I doubted them, but when Laurel wouldn’t wake, I grew desperate enough to try it. Little did I ken it only made it worse.”
“That bitch Margaret,” Laurel muttered then looked up at Brodie when she sensed he stared at her. “To think I ever felt sorry for her because she reminded me of me.” Laurel pointed at her chest. “And Sarah Anne reminded me of Myrna. I should have kenned better. She’s the one who would have given Nelson the catnip and told him what to do.”
“How would she have known?” Donnan asked.
“For the same reason I ken. She and I were both trained to be chatelaines, and catnip isn’t an uncommon remedy. A healer would do better, but most ladies raised to run a keep know the basics aboot medicinals. Nelson’s supposedly courting her. She would have given it to him if he asked.”
“Aye. She has the right of it,” Andrew confirmed. “Campbell, MacBain and I kenned there was nay choice but to leave when we overheard the brothers speculating how much longer it would take before their clan and the Lamonts attacked. MacBain and I believed this was aboot a bet and helping you out. That you were too besotted to ken what ye were doing. They always intended it to be a distraction.”
“Fuck,” Brodie breathed. He needed to get to his land, but he had Laurel to consider, too.
“We ride back to Kilchurn,” Laurel whispered. “Whether or not I’m with you, you must get back to our people. You need my brother and his men, and neither of us would be wise to trust MacFarlane or MacBain to take me back to court. There’s no other choice. I ride with you, and we ride to Kilchurn.”
“I ken. But it doesnae mean I must like it,” Brodie said. He was weary from chasing Laurel and the ongoing conflict with his neighbors. Now he had to consider whether to end his alliance with the MacFarlanes. The one thing he wanted most—a happy welcome home with his bride—was the furthest thing from his reach.
“We ken the attacks are coming,” Laurel said. “It won’t be a surprise. I can hide somewhere before you ride into battle.”
Brodie gazed into Laurel’s earnest expression. He wished it would be as simple as finding trees for Laurel to hide among, but he knew it wouldn’t be. He was certain he knew which villages the Lamonts and MacDougalls would target. Neither clan would come within spitting distance of Kilchurn alone because they’d know they couldn’t defeat Brodie’s full army of men. They would fan out and raid the outlying settlements. He would send Danny to Kilchurn to summon more men to fight alongside him and demand Monty take Laurel there too. He wouldn’t ride into battle with his wife. Not again.
“MacBain, you’ve done enough.” Brodie turned his disdainful glare at Stephen. “Do not presume this is over just because you live. You’d do well to warn your uncle. There will be reprisal. You’re just not important enough to deal with now.”
Wisely, Stephen MacBain nodded and mounted. He and his men rode out without a word or a second glance. Brodie turned his attention to Andrew. “You have one chance to redeem yourself. I will let you live, so you can ride home and call your clan to arms. I expect you to show yourself, ready to fight on my side, within three days. If you don’t appear—with or without men—I will end our alliance and allow the Colquhouns to tear you apart. I will send them coin and weapons to do it. You sentenced yourself to death the day you thought to harm my wife. I will decide whether you have a reprieve. Go.”
Laurel listened as Brodie commanded Stephen and Andrew to do his bidding. Both men owed no allegiance to Brodie, and he held no authority over them. But both men knew he’d spared them. The man who sat atop the horse with Laurel was the man who’d earned his reputation on the battlefield, and the man who ensured his clan dominated those who crossed his path. She shivered as she considered the fate that awaited the Lamonts and MacDougalls. She feared it would be years before either clan recovered. While her heart ached for the innocent, just as it did when her family feuded with others, she felt no sympathy for those who cast their lot against the Campbells, against Brodie.
“Laurie, are you cold?”
“Nay, Brodie. I just thought aboot the grievous error the Lamonts and MacDougalls made when they took you on. Naught bodes well for them. That made me shiver.”
Brodie kissed her temple before he nodded. He didn’t relish his bride seeing this side of him, the ruthless warrior. However, he had no choice. While we would have preferred to be a husband first and a warrior second in front of Laurel, he would always be a laird first.
“Dinna fash. I ken what must be done. I was five-and-ten when I left Balnagown. Auld enough to remember my father and Monty riding out. Auld enough to understand what they did. I arrived at court only a few years after Queen Elizabeth returned and the wars ended. I heard the stories aboot the Bruce. I heard the stories aboot you. I didn’t know who you were at the time, but now I recall. You’re the ‘Black Campbell.’”
“Nay, Laurie. That was my father. But my reputation isn’t any different from his. This isn’t what I want for you.”
“But this is what we have.” Laurel gave Brodie a quick, hard kiss before she released him and slid from his lap. She darted to where Teine stood watching her. The horse nodded his giant head and pawed at the ground. When Laurel took his reins and stroked his nose, he released a loud whinny, his rump dancing from side to side. Laurel grinned and looked back at Brodie, giving him a saucy wink. “Nay the only male happy to see me. But alas, the only one I’m riding.”
As if Teine agreed, the horse nickered before Laurel kneed him, and the horse surged forward. The band of riders settled into formation with Laurel riding in the middle of the pack, Monty and Donnan on each side. When Brodie looked back at her from the lead, she gave him an encouraging nod. Laird Campbell led the charge to defend his land and his people.
