Текст книги "Highland Daydreams"

Автор книги: April Holthaus

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Текущая страница: 6 (всего у книги 11 страниц)

Chapter 13

Over the next several days, Lara regaled Bram with stories about her past, and he found himself sharing bits and pieces of his as well, though leaving out certain details of his cavalier love life. The more time Bram spent with her, the more he came to want her. He had honestly never spent this much time with a woman and he certainly never had been inclined to talk to one outside of everyday conversation. But with Lara, he found himself truly listening to her. And he was enthralled by every word.

Bram was fascinated by how well educated she was. Not scholarly by any means, as she knew nothing about reading or writing, but by the world around her. She paid a great deal of attention to the art of healing, the teachings of the church, and even some matters of politics. She was a free spirit, and regardless of what had happened to her, she loved life. He was completely baffled by her.

Bram did not know how a woman could have so much resolve and determination with her history. In her situation, he would have expected the lass to be docile and submissive; she was anything but. She had a wicked tongue and was a little too opinionated for a lass. He could see why Dermot thought her to be defiant, and the thought put a mischievous smile on his face.

What he admired the most about her was her heart. The way she spoke of fond memories and of her dreams made Bram think about his own life and unfulfilled dreams. Bram found himself suddenly regretting his promise. It was not his promise to protect her; it was knowing how this journey would end.

Bram and Lara crossed the stone bridge in Aberdeen which led into the market square. People crowded the market, buying and trading their goods, while a group of minstrels played their instruments.

Suddenly Lara called out, “Watch out!”

Instantly, Bram pulled tightly on the reins causing the horse to halt. Bram felt Lara hug him tighter around the waist as she had almost been tossed off the large beast. Unexpectedly, a wee lad ran out in front of them being chased by three other lads.

“Bloody hell!” he cursed under his breath. “Ye coulda been killed ye hellions!” Bram shouted, but the lads could not hear him over the crowd’s noise.

Bram righted himself in the saddle, and directed the horse down the road.

“Have ye been here before?” Lara asked.

“Aye. ‘Tis similar to Dumfries, only the goods imported here are verra different. They come by sea from other countries such as the Orient and the Holy Land.”

“What sorts of things?”

Bram looked down at Lara. Her eyes were wide, looking at the carts as they passed by them. Bram smiled at her and her child-like expressions. She looked as if she were devouring a sweet roll with her eyes.

“Weapons, fine silks, exotic foods, and precious stones.”

“Do ye suppose the journey to Norway will take long?”

“Aye. Tis two or three days’ travel across the sea. We will follow the river to the harbor, then board a vessel that will take us there.”

Once they reached port, Lara could not contain her anticipation. She felt nervous and excited all at once. The only ships she had seen before were rowboats along the lochs. She marveled at the size of these ships.

Leaving their horse behind, Lara followed Bram up the long gangplank to the main deck of the vessel. Several other passengers followed closely behind.

Aboard was a small crew of no more than ten plus the captain. Once everyone was on board, Bram and Lara moved to the stern of the boat. Three members of the ship’s crew pulled hard on a rope, turning the yardarm high on the mast. Within moments, the sail dropped and the wind caught hold, causing the sail to flutter. The captain called out the order to bring up the anchor. When the anchor was lifted, Lara felt the waves crashing into the side of the boat as they turned, bearing north and east towards Norway.

“Lara, ye may want to hold on or sit down. The ride can be verra bumpy and it is easy to get sick from the rocking if ye are nay used to it,” Bram suggested.

“Nay, I will be fine. Thank ye.”

Peering over the side of the hull, Lara gazed into the deep blue waters. It was so different from the Firth of Clyde near Castle Foley. Darkness clouded the sea floor. The only thing she could see was her own reflection staring back at her. The water rippled as the bow cut through the surface like a sharp knife. The open ocean was like nothing she had ever seen. It looked endless. She could not tell where the ocean ended and the sky began.

As the wind blew stronger, the ship gained speed, and Lara’s hair waved wildly in the wind. She closed her eyes and felt the breeze and cool mist on her face. She thought that this must have been what a bird felt like when taking flight.

Over the next hour, Lara watched and listened to the crewmen as they told tales of pirates and selkies. Their animated expressions and dramatic gestures made the stories come to life as they acted out each scene. Once they finished with their tales, Lara turned to ask Bram whether he believed if their fables were true, but he was no longer sitting by her side. Lara looked over her shoulder in search of Bram and found him standing against the hull looking out across the sea.

Lara realized she had grown quite fond of him. She found herself smiling every time he was near. It was hard not to. He had offered her his protection, his comfort, and his friendship, and there was no denying the feelings that were developing inside her. She tried to will them away and think of him only as her escort, or like a brother; anything other than the wanton thoughts and feelings she was having about him.

Like a young lass, she found herself daydreaming of what could have been. Distracted by her wandering thoughts, she had a hard time keeping her mind in the here and now. Her heart hammered in her chest as she secretly watched him. Even though he was a beast in height and strength, he was chivalrous and steadfast, and possibly the most handsome man she had ever laid her eyes upon.

Lara found herself yearning for his kisses, for him to wrap his protective arms around her and shield her from the world. But her mind overruled her heart. While she wanted to allow herself the freedom to open her heart to him, common sense brought her back to reality; that even though her marriage had not been consummated, bound by law and contract, she still belonged to Dermot. Only Father Bolbec, who’d performed the ceremony, had the authority to annul the marriage. Even if she could prove that there was no coupling between them, many years’ acquaintance with Father Bolbec told her that he would not be easily swayed. His position gave him the authority to arbitrarily set rules and laws outside of what the Pope would declare, and pass judgment on what he believed was unholy or against the laws of the church. Lara knew his decisions often had little to do with the church, and were more about power and control.

Lara stood and began walking towards Bram. As she took a small step, she began to feel her head spin and her stomach turn. Stopping for a moment, she drew in a long breath and started to walk again. Feeling a bit wobbly, she slowed her pace. As she stood beside Bram, she instantly put her hand to her stomach.

“What ails ye?” Bram asked with concern etched on his face.

The world started to spin and Lara’s stomach felt as if it was tossing back and forth along with the ship. She opened her mouth to explain but strained to speak as she felt bile rising in the back of her throat.

“Ye dinna look too well, Lass. Yer skin is pale,” Bram said as he raised his hand to her forehead. “And ye feel as cold as the winter air.”

“Must...stop…rocking,” Lara mumbled as her hand went to her mouth. “Please, stop the ship from rocking,” she pleaded.

Bram chuckled.

“Lass, I can no’ stop the ship from rocking back and forth. We are in the middle of the sea. I warned ye that ye were goin’ to get sick,” he reminded her.

Lara could see the smug, satisfied grin on his face. Now was not the time to be arrogant and thick-headed, she thought, as she saw him trying to cover his smile.

“Ye are finding enjoyment in this, nay?”

“Aye. Dinna say I dinna warn ye lass. Most people think they won’t be affected by the motion of the sea, but most of the time the sea wins,” he replied.

Lara’s stomach clenched. Holding on tightly to the railing, she retched over the side of the ship. As she continued to empty her stomach, Lara could feel one of Bram’s hands on her back and the other holding her hair up and out of the way. After a quarter of an hour, Lara felt her stomach ease and slumped down to sit on the deck. Bram joined her, scooting himself beside her. He handed her a handkerchief so she could wipe her mouth.

Against her better judgment, Lara leaned into him. Bram instinctively wrapped his arm around her. As much as she wanted to, Lara did not allow herself to take comfort in his arms. Within three days or so, he would be gone from her life, and she could not bear the disappointment she was already beginning to feel at the thought of leaving him. If only things were different, and she could express her feelings; but she knew she couldn’t. Instead, she would lock them away in the deepest recesses of her heart.

Bram’s humor faded as Lara rested against his chest and in his arms. They were still two days away from port and there were no healers on board to ease her discomfort. He had only hoped that rest would offer her the comfort she needed.

Bram did not understand why Lara couldn’t see how he felt about her. He had tried to be agreeable and careful of her, but apparently it wasn’t enough. He was becoming angry with himself. He was a coward.

There were so many things he wanted to tell her, but he was either too proud or too daft to say the words. He had never felt this way about a woman, and he didn’t like having so little control over his own heart. She was opinionated, stubborn, brash, irrational, and completely illogical, but he loved her with every fiber of his being. He was certain of it. But did she love him in return? Aye, she was married, but their union was just a minor inconvenience, and one that he would make certain was rectified.

As she lay there in his arms, Bram could still smell the lavender scented soap she’d used in her hair days ago. Her nearness was the sweetest torture he had ever endured. He would do anything to be with her, even ride across Europe to Italy and demand that the Pope terminate her marriage contract; or take his blade to that bastard husband of hers, leaving her a widow. He would ride to the ends of the earth and back for her. But first, he needed to win her heart.

In the following two days at sea, Lara’s condition worsened. She threw up several times and was not able to keep much food down. Bram encouraged her to rest as much as she could, as it was the only relief she had. Lara swore that she would never set foot on a boat again.

As if angels were answering her prayers, she heard the captain call out to his men, “Ease off the line laddies, ‘tis land ahead.”

Lara looked over the side of the hull. The inland waters were as blue as the brightest bluebells she had ever seen. The water reflected the land above the shore like a perfect mirror. The pine-covered, hilly land looked much different than the rocky terrain she was accustomed to. But it was the thought of standing on solid land that brought her the most joy.

Heading into the channel, the crew lowered the sail and dropped anchor. After they’d docked and the passengers had disembarked, the captain and his entourage went barreling down the boarding plank, carrying with them barrels and boxes of fresh supplies.

“How long do ye think it will take us to get to Bergen?” Lara asked Bram, hoping to reach her father soon.

“By tomorrow evening, if all goes well,” Bram replied.

Lara was elated by his answer. Finally, after several weeks, she could seek justice for Dermot’s treachery.

Chapter 14

“Where is he?” Dermot hollered at the guard.

Dermot and five of his guards had ridden four days from Foley Castle to Stearns to demand an audience with Laird Fergusson for the rights to Lara’s dowry. Upon their departure after the wedding ceremony, he had only been given a trunk full of worthless trinkets. Laird Fergusson had told him about the treasure, and promised that Dermot would possess it in due time. But Dermot was determined not to wait any longer.

Now, with Lara’s unexpected disappearance from the English prison, he found it necessary to retrieve the remainder of her belongings before the truth got out. Of course, if the Fergussons knew the truth of it, they would surely deny him his percentage of the treasure and kill him on the spot.

“I am afraid, my Laird, that Laird Fergusson is nay here. He has gone to Norway,” the guard stuttered and shrunk in fear.

At that moment, so consumed by rage, Dermot wanted nothing more than to pull out his dirk and put it through the man’s throat. He struggled for restraint.

Dermot knew that he needed to get to Norway and get his hands on that treasure before they found out the truth about Lara. He started to regret his hasty decision to send her off with the English guards. Dermot had not thought what to do if Alban, Lara’s father, demanded to see her.

“I am sure, my Laird, that if ye make haste, ye can catch up wit’ yer wife.”

Dermot’s eyes narrowed. Grabbing the guard’s collar with both hands, he forcefully pushed him against the wall and lifted him into the air.

“What do ye mean catch up wit’ my wife?” he demanded.

“To…to Norway, my Laird. She left here two days ago,” the guard said as he began to shake.

“Lara! Lara was here? Impossible!” Dermot roared.

“I speak the truth, my Laird. Saw her wit’ my own eyes.”

Dermot thought on the man’s words. How could she have escaped? Was someone helping her? Did her father already know what he’d done?

“Was she traveling by herself?” he growled.

“Nay, my Laird. She had a mon accompanying her.”

“What did she say?” Dermot asked.

“Nothing, my Laird. I did no’ speak to her. Moira the housemaid did.”

Worry came over Dermot that she’d already revealed what he had done. He did not trust the guard and believed he was lying to protect her. He tightened his hold on the man for a moment longer before suddenly letting go. The guard fell to the ground, holding his arm up over his head, waiting for a blow, but Dermot just stared at the man.

He needed to leave, and fast. If Lara was two days ahead of him, he had little time. He would either have to catch up with her in Aberdeen or reach Norway before she arrived. If she did arrive before him, all would be lost.

Dermot ordered his guards back to the horses. Jumping into the saddle, he kicked his horse’s sides hard, forcing it to take off at a full gallop.

Looking out the window slit, Moira watched as Laird Moray and his men threatened the guard, Adrian, in front of the gate. Pacing back and forth inside the kitchen, she prayed that Adrian did not reveal too much information. If he did, he would surely lead Dermot right to Lara. If that happened, Moira knew, something terrible would happen to her. She cursed herself for not saying anything to Adrian about keeping Lara’s arrival secret, but she’d had no cause to believe that Dermot would be following.

“Damn that mon,” she said to herself, as she watched Laird Moray and his men mount their horses and take off in a northerly direction. She feared the worst. She quickly left the kitchen and scurried out the door towards the battlement.

“Adrian,” Moira called out to him. “Was that Laird Moray?” she asked, wanting to verify what she had seen.

“Aye. He came to see Laird Fergusson.”

“Ye dinna tell him about Lara, did ye?” Moira asked with pleading eyes.

“Aye. Tis his wife. Why shouldnae he ken?”

“Oh Adrian, what have ye done, ye daft fool?” Moira bellowed, and looked out the gates.

Her heart squeezed with angst. She worried deeply for her mistress. Moira sent up silent prayers, that God would watch over Lara and offer His guidance and protection.

Chapter 15

In Lara’s weakened condition, Bram held onto her arm as they walked down the gangplank and onto the sandy shore. Her legs wobbled as she walked. Slightly hunched over, she held her stomach with her arms. Bram found a slab of rock upon which she could sit while he ran over to the shops across the dirt road from the docks to inquire about food and an inn where Lara could rest.

The port city was still several miles south of the castle, and Bram knew they would never make it before nightfall; certainly not with Lara in her current condition.

“Here, drink this. It will make ye feel better,” he said as he handed her a tankard of ale. “I secured a room fer us tonight so ye can rest. We can leave for Bergen first thing when ye feel better.”

“Nay. I am fine. I wish to go now,” she protested.

“Lass, ye will do as I say. Ye are no’ well, ye stubborn lass, and I refuse to travel wit’ ye any further while ye are sick. Ye will eat and sleep, and until ye do so, we will no’ be leaving.”

“Bram, I did no’ come this far to wait another day. I am going wit or wit out ye.”

“And how will ye get there? Walk?”

“Aye. If I must.”

“Ye are the most infuriating, irrational woman in all of Scotland!”

“Well, then it is a good thing we are no’ in Scotland,” she retorted.

“Lass, I will no’ say it again. Ye are no’ going anywhere until ye get better, even if I have to tie ye to the bed,” Bram said clenching his teeth.

“Ye thick-headed barbarian! Ye can no’ chain me like chattel and order me around.”

“Dinna tempt me, lass.”

Lara struck him a fierce look. In a fit of anger, Lara stood, but quickly plopped back down onto the bench trying to regain her bearings.

“See, ye are too weak to even stand. Now stay here. I will get us the room. A fine meal and a hot bath will make ye feel better,” he said as he walked away.

The thought of a nice hot bath did sound appealing in her current state. As much as she hated to admit it, she knew Bram was right; but she had been traveling for almost a week, and she needed rest. If Dermot and his men had set sail towards Norway, they would most certainly catch up to them before arriving in Bergen. That fact frightened her more than anything.

She realized then that her anger towards Bram helped shield her fear. She wanted to show bravery, but it was a ruse. Not only was Lara frightened of what would transpire at Bergen, but also of her feelings towards Bram. With each passing day, they grew stronger and harder to resist.

After obtaining a room for the night, Bram walked to the stables within the small town to see if he could acquire a horse. Inside the stable was a small lad who was tending to the horses. At that moment, Bram was grateful to his mother for the hours she made him spend studying the Old Norse language, as the lad spoke little Gaelic.

After bargaining with the lad, he managed to acquire a fine stallion. Handing the lad a few coins, Bram instructed him to have the horse fed and ready for travel by morning. Once he’d completed his business, he returned to Lara’s side on the rock.

Even sick, she was beautiful. Her hair flowed down her back and looked as soft as silk. And the curves under her dress made his skin crawl wanting to touch her. Bram could not ignore the pounding in his chest as he drew closer to her. His palms began to sweat, and he could feel a dull ache in his groin.

“The lad at the stables mentioned the castle was no’ too far from here; only a days’ ride.”

“Have ye found us a room?”

“Aye. We can go there now if ye like,” he said as he held his arm out for her.

As Lara stood, Bram paused and turned to her. As much as she drove him mad, he knew that he could never stay angry with her. Holding her in his arms, his desire for her burned within his veins, and for once he saw her look to him with the same yearning.

“Ye are so beautiful,” he said as he leaned down to kiss her, but at the very last moment, Lara turned her head to the side.

Lara felt stunned by his comment, even though his words made her heart beat fast and hard in her chest. She did not know how to respond. She never believed herself to be beautiful, and no man had ever told her that before. Dermot had told her that she was plain, and Lara easily believed him. But now, looking into Bram’s eyes, she could tell that he’d believed what he’d said.

More than anything, she wanted to tell him that over the past week she had fallen deeply and passionately in love with him, but she could not bring herself to say the words. It would only make the pain greater, knowing they could never be together. And to make matters worse, he had tried to kiss her. As much as she wanted his lips on hers, she had to deny her feelings, and him. What she said next, she knew, she would certainly regret for the rest of her life.

“Please dinna say things like that to me. If ye think I have any sort of romantic feelings fer ye, ye are surely mistaken.”

“I dinna mean to offend ye, lass. I only speak the truth.”

“Ye should nay talk that way to a married woman. Ye and I can ne’er be together, cannae ye see that?”

Bram had thought that over the past week he had softened her heart towards him, but in truth, her actions and words indicated that she wanted nothing to do with him. He felt like a fool for thinking otherwise. Nodding his head to acknowledge her rejection, he suggested heading to the inn.

Once inside the room, Lara and Bram moved about, each doing what they could to ignore the other. Lara felt that if she did not say something soon she would implode. She felt more uncomfortable with his ignoring her than his attempt to kiss her.

“Will food and hot water be brought up to the room?” she asked, wanting the break the silence between them.

“Aye. It should be here soon. Ye can take the first bath.”

“And where will ye be?”

“I will wait down in the tavern. I could use a drink or two,” he said, thinking that it would take more than a tankard or two to rid himself of his utter humiliation.

At a knock on the door, Bram crossed the room and allowed two maids to enter. Each one of them carried a steaming bucket of hot water in each hand. A third maid followed close behind with a tray of meat and bread. Bram snatched up a few pieces of meat and a slice of the bread and headed down to the tavern to give Lara her privacy.

Lara waited until the maids had gone before removing her dress and stepping into the bath. Once inside, she leaned her head back and closed her eyes. If heaven existed, at this very moment, this was it.

Bram sat at a table in the corner of the tavern staring into his mug. He thought about what tomorrow would bring. After he delivered Lara to her father, he would head back to Dunakin. He was anxious to see his family and his boys. While thinking about Lara, he could not shake the feeling that something was wrong with this whole situation. He was curious why her father was so eager for his son to become king, knowing that his son had no royal blood. Should the people of Norway learn their king was a fraud, they could abandon their loyalty for Norway and might seek a new alliance with Denmark, which would cause the English to intervene and take control of the country. Any further English power, and King Edward would double his army and be able to kill every Scot in the Highlands. What bothered him the most about this situation was why so many secrets were kept from Lara.

It came to him suddenly, like being hit in the head with a rock. The English threat must have been the reason for keeping Lara in the dark. Her father must not have wanted her caught in the middle of a battle if it came to that, but Dermot’s role made no sense. What was Lara’s dowry, and was it really worth killing for?

Too many unanswered questions clouded Bram’s mind. He feared that whatever Lara’s father was keeping from her put her in grave danger. He figured that Dermot must have found out his secret, and that was the reason he tried to rid himself of her. That would explain why he had sent men out after her. With no plan or army to help protect them, Bram and Lara were on their own and they could very well be heading right into the mouth of a dragon.