“It’s never surprised me where you and your sister get your mettle. It’s just as well Lady Collette didn’t come. The Scotts have a chance to keep a roof over their heads,” Alex mused, not at all in jest.
“That is true. I’m fairly certain that’s why Papa insisted. She wouldn’t have been so forgiving. She sees you as her only son, as much as Papa does.”
“So you demanded Robert help you and…” Alex led Caitlyn to the waiting horses. It surprised him to find Strong amongst them. He figured Henry must have brought the steed when he brought Alex’s sword. He held Goldie’s reins as Caitlyn mounted and waited for him before continuing.
“I sent Stephen to Mangerton. Your father was already on the way because of the attack in Stirling, so once the Elliots arrived and we left the Hermitage, it wasn’t long before we joined your father and brother. There isn’t much to tell after that.”
“Not much to tell, Caitlyn?” Alex pulled Strong to a stop and reached out his right arm. He wrapped it around Caitlyn’s waist and pulled her onto his saddle. She gave no resistance, settling her head against his right shoulder once her legs hung over Strong’s left flank. She’d seen Brice take Goldie’s reins, so she relaxed and closed her eyes.
“I was unprepared for Kenzie to emerge from the woods with David, but she made an offer I couldn’t refuse. She could get me into the keep and to you. I cared for naught else.”
“And that is where I take issue. You did not care for your own safety, Caity.” Alex’s ragged whisper brushed warm air across Caitlyn’s ear. She nestled closer as her arms tightened around Alex.
“Your safety is my safety, Alex. I don’t want to spend a lifetime without you. I can’t. I can’t fathom taking another breath once you cease. And even if I could, even if I did, a part of me would already be dead. I know you will ride out and may even battle enemies. I can do naught aboot that. But if it is in my power to help protect you, then I will. Do not even think to tell me I shouldn’t because I’m a woman or because you love me. I will not listen.”
“And if you’re carrying our bairn already, Caity?” Alex’s question made Caitlyn freeze. The thought had passed through her mind several times during the hours in the saddle with nothing to do but think and hold on.
“It’s too soon for anyone to know. I wouldn’t willfully risk our bairn’s life. Our children are the only people I could ever imagine choosing over you, and I know you would do the same. But until there is reason to believe I’m with child, I won’t give in. Scowl and scold all you want,mo chridhe. I could do the same. I know you went with the gallowglasses to protect me. You would have died without reservation if it kept me safe. I don’t want to think of that happening any more than you want to think of that happening to me. But that’s who we are. We are one. We always have been, even if it took time to realize it.”
Alex kissed Caitlyn’s temple as he brought his hand up to tilt her chin back. Their lips found one another, and the kiss lingered with tenderness. “We are one, Caity. I love you. I always have, and in so many ways. I don’t remember a time when I haven’t.”
“I love you, Alex.” Caitlyn sighed with contentment as Alex’s hand stroked her arm. Neither believed their clans’ troubles were resolved because the old Laird Scott lay dead against a tree or because the new Laird Scott was on his way to face the king, his likely executioner. But for the time being, they rode with an army around them. Caitlyn listened to Alex’s heart, and he dropped kisses on her crown and forehead. They rode in silence until they reached a safe place to remake their camp.
* * *
When Caitlyn dismounted from Strong, she found her father in deep conversation with Robert and Angus. When she turned back, men were leading Alex, Brice, and Tavin’s horses away, and the men stood huddled together. It surprised Caitlyn to watch Tavin open his arms to his sons, and they both stepped into his embrace. She felt like a voyeur to a private family moment, but it was only seconds later that Tavin held out an arm wider and waved his fingers, beckoning her to join them. She slipped in between Tavin and Alex, surrounded by men she’d considered an extended family since she was a child. The single embrace made her feel welcome into the inner echelon of the laird’s family. As much as the Kennedys were her people, she felt more like an Armstrong during that embrace than she had since she and Alex married.
“Lass, you are a brave one. Mayhap a little too wild to be hying across hill and dale, but you saved my son’s life. I wasn’t ready to lose him six moons ago, and I’m not ready to lose him now.” Tavin’s voice rasped, his emotions laid bare. He proffered a kiss to Caitlyn’s cheek as the embrace eased, but he didn’t let go of Caitlyn. “I cannot express how happy I am to have you as my daughter at last. Coira and I were beside ourselves to think things might not work out. No one could be a better wife and partner to our son, and no woman could ever be a better future lady of our clan. Bless you for getting my son to see sense when no one else could.”
“Father.” Alex’s voice held warning. He understood his father assumed Alex now intended to accept the lairdship when the time came. After his capture, he still wasn’t willing to do that. A life in the croft Caitlyn suggested once Brice became laird appealed to him. As he viewed it, he would remain tánaiste, and little would change.
“Still?” Tavin looked between Alex and Caitlyn, and sad resignation settled on his visage. He shook his head and sighed as he looked at Brice. The father’s and son’s expressions matched as they stared at Alex, disbelieving he remained obstinate after what he’d survived and accomplished since leaving Mangerton. “Stephen filled us in with what happened in the valley, in the keep, and the gallowglasses’ attack. What more do you need?”
Before Alex could answer, Tavin and Brice left the couple and joined the trio of lairds. Alex watched Caitlyn, but her mien was impassive. It was a rare occasion when he couldn’t guess what she thought, but he could deduce nothing as she stood before him.
“Will you sleep in the dark?”
Alex was unprepared for Caitlyn’s question and glanced at the stars. He wondered if Abraham’s death and Sully’s arrest finally vanquished his nightmares. “I suppose we shall find out. You must be exhausted, Caity. Are you hungry?”
“Aye to both. What aboot you?”
“I want naught more than to lie down with my wife curled beside me and sleep for a sennight.”
“I don’t think I want to sleep on the ground for a sennight and still have days to ride back to Mangerton. But I won’t stop you if you wish to do that when we get home.” Even in the dim campfire light, Alex caught Caitlyn’s wink. She rolled out their bedding while Alex sought food for them both. They ate in silence as the camp quietened, men bedding down or moving to take their place at watch. Caitlyn’s body became a leaden weight as she nestled close to the heat Alex’s toned body exuded. As she drifted to sleep, she felt Alex kiss her forehead before he relaxed.
Alex watched the stars as Caitlyn’s slow breathing lulled him toward sleep. He feared sleeping beside her in the dark and outside. He worried he might wake the entire camp and injure her with his thrashing. He fought the need to shut his eyes, the inside of his eyelids gritty. But eventually fatigue overcame his willpower.
“Alex.” He turned as Caitlyn called up from the bailey as he stood watch near the gatehouse. “Your sons demand you take them to the lists.”
“They demand, do they? And where are the tykes?” Alex watched as their three sons bounded down the stairs, two passing so close to Caitlyn’s sides that her skirts swished.
“Da!” A feminine voice carried behind their son’s laughter. “You promised. Don’t go without me.” A lass of only six summers chased after her older brothers, trying to keep up with seven, eight, and nine-year-old legs.
“Did I not mention that your daughter started it?” Caitlyn crossed her arms but grinned as their four children gathered at the foot of the steps leading to the battlements. His daughter pushed forward, waving her wooden sword as though she were already the victor.
“Put that down before you put someone’s eye out,” grumbled the oldest boy.
“You don’t tell me what to do. You’re just a lad,” the girl huffed.
