Saving Grace

Chapter 15

It was a blessing Glynis was such a strong, strapping woman. She proved to be quick on her feet, too. She caught her mistress before she hit her head on the stone wall.

The joyful news had sent Lady Johanna into a dead faint. She awakened a few minutes later in Glynis's bed. The first words out of her mouth were given in a shout.

"I'm barren!"

Glynis patted her hand. "By one man you were, but not by our laird. You've got all the symptoms, m'lady. You're carrying, all right."

Johanna shook her head. Her mind couldn't accept such a possibility. "Women are barren, not men."

Glynis snorted. "So men say," she muttered. "You and I have had out differences, m'lady, but I'd like to think we've come to an understanding. I count you as a friend, especially on the days you're wearing our fine Maclaurin plaid," she added with a grin.

"I'm happy to have you for a friend, Glynis," Johanna replied, wondering why in heaven's name the woman would bring up that topic now.

Glynis was quick to explain her reasons. "Friends hold each other's confidences," she said. "And so I would ask you if your first husband ever took any other woman to his bed. I'm not trying to shame you, m'lady, only sort out the truth."

Johanna sat up before. "Yes, he did take other women to his bed," she admitted. "And not just a few. He seemed determined to bed as many as he could. He liked to flaunt his women in front of me. I didn't mind, though," she added in a rush when she caught Glynis's pitying look. "I didn't like my husband. He was an evil man."

"But what I'm really asking, m'lady, is if you'd be knowing if there were any illegitimate bairns as a result of his dalliances?"

"No, there weren't any babies born," Johanna answered. "Raulf told me the women used a potion to keep from getting pregnant. He thought I used one, too, and would go into a rage each month because be was sure I was deliberately foiling his attempts to have a child."

"There are such potions around," Glynis replied. "You're certainly carrying now, m'lady, so we can conclude you aren't barren after all. I'm going to keep silent about this joyful news. It's up to you to pick your time and tell your husband. Our laird will be very pleased."

Johanna left the cottage a few minutes later. Glynis followed her to the stone wall. Johanna suddenly turned around.

"My husband won't allow me to work in the fields," she announced.

"No, of course not," Glynis replied. "You're our mistress. You shouldn't be doing common work."

"I can sew," Johanna said. She added a nod. "Each night I sit by the hearth and either work on my tapestry or do a little embroidery. I can fashion flowers on… things," she added.

"What are you getting at, m'lady? Just spit it out, why don't you?"

"I noticed you wear saffron-colored blouses under your plaid, and I was wondering if you'd like me to sew a border of flowers around the neckline for you."

Glynis's eyes widened. "Why would you want…"

"You tend the fields all day long, Glynis, and I would like to do something to show my appreciation. If you'll bring one of your blouses up to the hall, I'll start work tonight."

She was too embarrassed to wait for an answer. Johanna didn't understand why she was suddenly feeling so shy and unsure of herself. She waved as she ran down the path leading to the courtyard.

She slowed her pace when she reached the hill. The fullness of her condition hit her again. She walked the rest of the distance home in a daze.

Auggie caught up with her in the center of the courtyard. "I'll be coming to supper tonight," he began. "I'm going to tell your husband…"

He quit his explanation that he was going to tell his laird Johanna had fainted when he saw the look on her face. "What has you smiling like you just found a pot of gold, lass?"

She shook her head. "I'll tell you tonight," she promised. "It's a grand day, isn't it, Auggie, even though the weather's a bit unusually cold."

"Now, lass, you'd best be knowing something about the weather here."

Auggie wanted to tell her the truth that the weather was actually mild for early fall. Keith had told him their mistress believed the Highlands were as warm as the summer all year long. He didn't want the soldiers laughing behind Johanna's back over her naivete, but his mistress went sailing right on past him, her head apparently lost in the clouds, before he could set her straight on the topic of the Highland weather. He decided he'd wait until later to tell her the truth.

Johanna sat with Alex at the table while he ate his supper. He was too young to wait for his elders. When he was finished, she sent him to the buttery to wash his face and hands.

She went over to sit by the hearth. Dumfries came loping into the hall. She gave him a firm pat of affection, then settled herself in the chair to do some sewing. Dumfries collapsed with a loud thud next to her chair and rested his head on her shoes.

Alex joined her a scant minute later. He was still wearing stew on his face. Johanna fetched a wet cloth and cleaned him properly. He wanted to sit next to her in the same chair. She scooted over to accommodate him.

"Will you want to stay here with your father and me, or will you miss your other relatives, Alex?"

"I want to stay here," he replied. He let out a loud yawn and leaned against Johanna, watching as she threaded her needle.

"I want you to stay, too," Johanna whispered.

"Papa says you missed me."

"He's right. I did miss you."

Alex's chest swelled up with importance. "Did you cry like a baby when you missed me?"

She smiled over his choice of words. "I most certainly did," she lied. "Would you like me to tell you a story before you go to bed?"

Alex nodded. "Where did you learn the story? From Auggie?"

"No," she answered. "My mother told me stories when I was a little girl; and when I grew up, I learned how to read and I…"

"Why?"

"Why what?"

"Why did you learn to read?"

Johanna's gaze was fully directed on Alex's upturned face, and for that reason she didn't notice her husband had walked into the hall. He stood on the top step watching his wife and his son while he waited for one of them to acknowledge his presence.

"I learned because it was forbidden," she answered. "I was told I was too ignorant to read, and for a time I believed that nonsense. Then I got my gumption back and decided I was just as clever as anyone else. That is when I learned how to read, Alex; and when you're older, I'll teach you."

Alex was fingering her plaid while he listened to her explanation. He suddenly yawned wide enough for her to see the back of his throat. She instructed him to cover his mouth with his hand and then began a story that used to be her favorite when she was a child.

Alex was sound asleep less than a minute later. His head dropped to the side of her chest. Johanna was so content to have the little one in her arms, she closed her eyes to say a prayer of thanksgiving. She fell asleep almost as quickly as Alex had.

Gabriel didn't know who to carry up to bed first. Calum came to his rescue. He took Alex.

"Where should I put him for the night, MacBain?" he asked in a low whisper so the little one wouldn't wake up.

Gabriel didn't have any idea. Clare was using the second chamber and so he couldn't put his son in there.

He didn't want Alex to sleep with the soldiers either. The boy was too young and needed to be close to his mother and father in the event he became fearful or disoriented during the night.

"Put him in my bed for now," Gabriel instructed. "I'll figure something out before tonight."

He waited until Calum had carried Alex out of the hall before turning his attention back to his wife. He squatted down next to her chair and started to reach for her when she suddenly opened her eyes.

"Gabriel." She said his name with wonder in her voice. He felt as though he'd just been caressed.

"Were you dreaming about me perchance?"

He was trying to tease her, but his voice was gruff with emotion. Damn but he loved this woman. He let out a sigh then and added a frown in a bid to get his thoughts under control.

He wanted to bed her. He knew he'd have to wait, so he decided to growl at her instead. "You should go upstairs, wife. You're clearly exhausted. You're doing too much work. I've told you time and time again to rest, but you blatantly…"

She reached over and brushed her fingertips down the side of his face. Needless to say, his concentration was broken. He thought it might be a deliberate ploy.

"I'm not doing too much," she replied. "I wasn't sleeping just now. I was dozing and thinking about something wonderful. I still can't quite believe it, Gabriel. It doesn't seem possible, and when I tell you my important news…"

She suddenly stopped and peeked around her husband to make certain they were alone. She didn't want anyone else sharing in this special moment.

Keith and three other Maclaurin soldiers came strutting into the hall just as she realized Alex was missing.

"Do you see, you were sleeping," Gabriel told her. "You didn't even notice Calum took my son upstairs."

"He's our son," she corrected.

He liked the sound of that. Johanna was becoming possessive, and he thought that was a good sign. In time he hoped her possessiveness would extend to him.

"Yes, he is our son," he agreed. "Now tell me your news."

"It will have to wait until later."

"Tell me now."

"Nay."

His eyes widened. He stood up, then hauled her to her feet. "You dare to deny me?"

She smiled. "I dare anything these days, thanks to you, husband."

He didn't know what she was talking about. He decided he'd wait until later to badger her into giving him a proper explanation. Now he was determined to make her tell him her news.

"I wish to know what has you worrying. You will tell me now," he commanded.

He was sounding arrogant again. Heaven help her, she was beginning to appreciate that flaw. "I'm not worrying," she said. "I'll tell you my news when I'm ready, m'lord, and not a moment before. I won't be rushed."

"You going to tell your laird what happened down in the meadow?"

Auggie shouted his question from the entrance. Johanna turned to look at him. The old warrior bounded down the steps and started across the room. Dumfries let out a loud growl. Auggie hushed him with a quick growl back.

"Yes," Johanna called out. "I'm going to tell him after dinner."

"If you don't, I'll be telling on you come morning, lass. Just see if I don't."

"What in thunder…"

She deliberately interrupted her husband's mutterings to call out a greeting to the priest. "Good evening, Father." In a low whisper she said to her husband, "Do try to be patient this once. I promise you'll be richly rewarded."

He grunted. She couldn't tell from his expression if he was going to be agreeable or not. "I wish to have some privacy when I tell you my important news."

He finally nodded. Gabriel tried not to smile. He thought he'd finally figured out what it was she wanted to tell him. Lord, he felt good, and all because the daft woman had finally realized she loved her husband.

He would let her have her way, he decided. If she wanted to give him her declaration in the privacy of their bedchamber, he would accommodate her. Damn, but he wished dinner was over. He was anxious to be alone with her. He hadn't realized until this minute how important her love was to him. Wives didn't have to love their husbands, but this one had to love him, he decided. If he was going to be miserable, then by God so was she.

"Matters of the heart are damned confusing." He'd muttered his opinion in a low voice.

"I beg your pardon?" she asked, not certain she'd heard what he'd said.

"Never mind," he snapped.

"Your moods, m'lord, are like the weather here," she remarked. "You're most unpredictable."

He shrugged. Johanna's attention was turned when the soldiers filed into the hall.

She noticed a serious breach in their manners immediately. "You should bow your heads to your laird and his wife when you enter the room."

She called out her instruction and then waited to see if the soldiers were in the mood to be polite. If they gave her any trouble, she was fully prepared to ask Megan to fetch a few more bowls.

The men bowed their heads. Johanna was satisfied. She left her husband standing by the hearth and went over to the MacBain table. Two of the younger soldiers, allowed the privilege of dining with their laird tonight, had already taken their seats. She asked them to stand up again.

"No one sits down until your laird and his wife have taken their places," she patiently explained.

There was a bit of grumbling over her dictate, but in the end everyone complied with her request.

Johanna didn't want to prod the men too much. For that reason she didn't scold them for shouting every other word during their supper. She was quite pleased with their progress. The men were trying to be polite. She didn't hear a single belch throughout the meal.

Auggie asked his laird what he was going to do with the liquid gold sleeping in the cave. Because he'd stated his question in a low whisper, everyone was alerted something secretive might be going on.

Johanna was astonished. The men had ignored her shouts the night before but now fell silent as soon as Auggie's whisper caught their attention. She put that observation away in the back of her mind for further use.

"What's Auggie talking about?" Keith asked his laird.

Gabriel leaned back in his chair and told the group about the barrels in the cave. There was a considerable amount of hooting and cheering over the news; and when the men had calmed down, Gabriel added the fact that they all had Auggie to thank for the treasure.

"Let's go and get a barrel or two to drink tonight," Bryan enthusiastically suggested.

Johanna didn't give her husband time to agree or disagree with Bryan's request. She stood up and shook her head at the soldiers.

The soldiers immediately stood up. The show of manners was impressive.

"Are you leaving or staying?" Niall asked.

"I'm staying," she answered. "You may sit down, gentlemen."

"But you're still standing," Lindsay pointed out. "It's a trick, isn't it, m'lady? Once we sit down, you'll start in throwing bowls again."

Johanna held onto her patience. "I'll do no such thing." she promised. "I just wanted to stand to get your attention."

"Why?"

She frowned at the MacBain soldier who asked her the question. "If you'll be patient for just a moment, I'll explain. The barrels aren't for drinking. The brew is too precious. We're going to use it to barter for goods we need."

She expected an argument. She wasn't disappointed. Everyone started shouting at the same time. Only Father MacKechnie and Gabriel remained silent. They were both watching Johanna and smiling while she tried to placate the men.

"Once you've had time to think about it, you'll realize bartering is the only option open to us."

"But why in God's name would we want to barter it away?" Keith demanded above the noise.

She heard his question and turned to answer him. "It's sinful to steal, you see, and if we use…"

She quit trying to explain her reasons when she realized no one was listening to her. She turned to her husband. The look on his face told her he found his men's behavior vastly amusing. She leaned close to him so he could hear her above the shouting going on between the Maclaurins and the MacBains and demanded he explain the reasons why they were going to use the barrels for trade.

He nodded agreement. She thanked him and then resumed her seat.

"Be silent!" While Gabriel's roar was certainly rude conduct at the dinner table, Johanna thought, it proved to be effective. The men immediately stopped arguing.

He nodded, satisfied, and then turned to her. "You may now explain your position on the distribution of the drink."

"But I wish for you to explain."

He shook his head. "You'll have to try to make them understand," he ordered. "And while you're at it, you'll have to make me understand as well."

She jumped to her feet again. "Do you mean to say you don't agree with me?"

"Nay, I don't agree with you."

He waited for her to finish her gasp, then continued on.

"Stealing has proven effective in the past, Johanna. Don't give me that look. I haven't betrayed you."

"Stealing's wrong, isn't it, Father?"

The priest nodded. "She speaks the truth, Laird."

It was difficult to hear the priest over the scraping noise of the stools when the men once again stood up.

"Will you make up your mind, lass," Keith requested.

"Is she leaving this time?" Niall asked in a whisper loud enough for everyone to hear.

"She doesn't appear to be going anywhere," Calum drawled out.

"Oh, do sit down," Johanna muttered.

They wouldn't obey her command until she had once again taken her seat.

She kept her frowning gaze on her husband. "It would please me, and please God, too, I might add, if you quit thieving and used the barrels to trade for what our clan needs."

"Aye, it would please God," Father MacKechnie agreed. "Begging your pardon for interrupting, but I've a suggestion to make."

"What is it, Father?" Gabriel asked.

"Use only a few of the barrels to get what we need and save the rest for the clan."

There was more discussion after the priest gave his suggestion. Most of the Marclaurins were in agreement. The MacBains, however, were stubbornly united in keeping all the treasure for themselves. They were behaving like children who didn't want to share their toys. Gabriel, unfortunately, fell into that group.

Johanna was openly glaring at her husband now. He was trying not to laugh at her. The issue seemed terribly important to his wife, and he finally decided he could give up the amusement of stealing to please her.

"We'll do as our priest suggests," he commanded. Johanna let out a sigh of relief. Gabriel winked at her. "You aren't always going to get your way," he warned.

"No, of course I won't," she quickly agreed. She was so happy with her husband, she reached across the table and took hold of his hand.

"You're going to be needing a noser."

Auggie made the announcement. Everyone turned to look at him. The younger soldiers didn't know what he was talking about. Lindsay was the first to ask what the others were thinking.

"What in God's name is a noser, Auggie?"

"An expert," he answered with a nod for emphasis. "He'll be able to tell us which barrels to hold back. You wouldn't want to be giving away the best, would you?"

"No, of course we wouldn't," Niall blurted out.

"Won't a noser drink up all the new brew he's testing?" Bryan asked.

"I've got a good taste for the drink," Lindsay boasted. "I'll be happy to be your noser."

Everyone laughed over the soldier's suggestion. When the noise had quieted down, Auggie explained. "A noser doesn't taste the drink," he instructed. "He uses his nose to sniff out the aroma. He can tell just by the smell the good from the sour."

"Then we best get Spencer," Calum suggested. "He's got the biggest nose of any MacBain or Maclaurin."

Auggie smiled. "It isn't the size but the experience, son," he said. "Skill is what matters. Nosing can be taught, but the best are the ones who have a natural talent for the task. There's a noser up near the Isle of Islay we could send for, assuming he's still alive, and I heard tell of another noser living in the south, close enough to the Lowlands to make me think he might be a MacDonnell."

"We can't have an outsider coming here," Calum protested. "As soon as he sees the treasure, he'll go back and tell his laird. The MacDonnells will all come running then."

Johanna wasn't paying much attention to the discussion now. She was busy thinking about her joyful condition. She would tell Gabriel about the baby tonight when they were in bed together. She would make certain the candles were still burning so she could see the look of surprise on his face after she gave him her announcement. Her hand moved to her stomach. Dear God, she was going to have a baby.

"Then it's settled?"

Gabriel asked the question. Everyone was shouting aye when Johanna happened to catch Father MacKechnie's horrified expression. He was staring at her; and as soon as he had her attention, he tilted his head toward her husband.

She guessed whatever had just been decided didn't sit well with the priest.

"What have you just settled?"

"Haven't you been paying attention to the discussion?"

"No."

"MacBain," Calum called out. "We can't just send a messenger to request the noser. His clan will become suspicious."

"Aye, they'd wonder why we wanted a noser and would surely follow him back," Keith interjected.

"We'll have to snatch him," Auggie suggested.

"How will we know which one to take?" Lindsay asked.

"If we go after Nevers, I'll go along and point him out to you."

"Nevers? What kind of name is that?" one of the Maclaurins asked.

"Gabriel, will you please explain what was just settled?" Johanna insisted.

"We settled the question of what to do with the noser," Calum answered for his laird, "after he's selected the best of the brew for us."

"Aye, we did," Keith added.

"Are we all in agreement then?" Auggie asked. "We snatch Nevers?"

Everyone shouted his opinion of Auggie's plan to kidnap the noser while Johanna impatiently drummed her fingertips on the tabletop.

"Please explain…" she began again.

"Shouldn't we move the barrels into the hall?" Bryan asked at the same time.

"Where is the cave?" Keith wanted to know.

Johanna wasn't going to wait for an answer any longer. Father MacKechnie still looked worried. She was determined to find out why.

"Just one minute, please," she called out. "Keith, you said you had decided what you were going to do with the noser…"

"We all decided," he corrected.

"And?" she prodded.

"And what, m'lady?"

"What are you going to do? The noser will go home, won't he?"

"Good Lord, no, lass," Auggie said. The very idea made him grimace.

"He can't go home, m'lady."

"And why not?" she demanded.

"He would tell his laird about the barrels," Keith explained.

"We can't have the noser talking," Bryan interjected.

"Sure as certain he would tell," Niall agreed. "I would tell our laird."

Keith tried to turn the topic then. Johanna wouldn't let him. "You still haven't answered my question," she persisted. "Exactly what is it you intend to do with the man?"

"Now, Johanna, this doesn't concern you," Gabriel said. "Why don't you go over to the hearth and sew for a spell."

He was deliberately trying to turn her attention. Her suspicion grew. "I'm not in the mood to sew, m'lord, and I'm not going anywhere until someone answers my question."

Gabriel let out a sigh. "You're a stubborn woman," he remarked.

The soldiers all nodded, for they were obviously in agreement with their laird's evaluation.

The priest decided it was his duty to tell his mistress what had been decided. No one else seemed inclined.

"They're thinking to kill him, lass."

She couldn't believe what she'd just heard. She made the priest repeat himself. Then she let out a gasp, bounded to her feet, and vehemently shook her head.

"Were you in favor of this solution?" she asked her husband.

"He's laird, m'lady," Calum said. "He didn't voice an opinion."

"Our laird waits, you see; and after we've all given our suggestions, he decides for or against."

"He'll veto your sinful idea then," she announced.

"Why would he do that, m'lady? It's a sound plan," Michael argued.

Gabriel had every intention of denying the vote to kill the noser, for he didn't think it would be honorable to gain the man's assistance and then repay him in such a foul way, but he didn't like the idea of his wife instructing him in his duties. He was also trying to come up with a viable alternative to the problem.

"No one is going to kill the noser."

Several soldiers groaned in protest over her dictate. "But, m'lady, it's the truth this is the very first time all the Maclaurins and all the MacBains have ever agreed on anything," Keith remarked.

Johanna was incensed. She kept her gaze on her husband. "Do I understand correctly? You plan to use the noser's skill; and when he's finished helping you, you're going to kill him?"

"It seems we are," Calum answered for his laird.

The MacBain soldier had the gall to smile after admitting his future sin.

"So this is how you men repay a favor?"

No one responded to her question. She scanned her audience, then turned back to her husband. He nodded. He was obviously agreeable to the foul plan.

Johanna decided to try to use reason to sway him. "Gabriel, if stealing is a sin, what do you suppose killing is?"

"Necessary," he replied.

"It isn't."

She was getting all riled up, and he knew he should calm her by telling her he wasn't going to let any harm come to the noser, but Lord, she was such a joy to watch when she was angry. How had he ever thought her timid? He remembered how she had behaved the first day they'd met. She had been timid then, terrified, too. His gentle little bride had come a long way in a very short while. The changes were all for the good, of course, but he liked to believe he was partially responsible. She hadn't felt safe when she first came to the Highlands, but she certainly felt safe now. She trusted him, too. She wouldn't be ranting and raving at him now if she still feared him.

"I cannot believe you're smiling, Gabriel. Have you lost your senses?"

"You make me smile, Johanna. You've certainly changed since you married me. The traits were all there, but you kept them well hidden behind your shields of indifference. God's truth, you make me proud when you stand up to me. Aye, you do."

She couldn't believe he was giving her compliments now when they were in the middle of a heated debate she was determined to win. He was using trickery, she thought to herself. Aye, that was what he was doing. He wanted to turn her attention with a bit of praise.

She wasn't going to accommodate him. "You make me proud, too," she snapped. "But you still aren't going to kill the noser. I'm putting my foot down, husband, so you'd best give in to me. I won't let up until you do."

She looked ready to kill someone, and he thought he might very well be her target. He couldn't resist goading her just a little bit more. "I've decided to be accommodating about bartering just to please you, but I'm going to have to put both feet down on the issue of the noser."

Several loud grunts of approval followed the laird's statement.

"We can't allow the man to go back home. He'll bring back an army to steal the barrels," Keith explained when her frown settled on him.

"Nay, we can't have that," another Maclaurin shouted.

"She's standing again," Bryan blurted out.

"For the love of…"

The men muttered as they hurried to stand. Johanna ignored them. "Gabriel, if the noser doesn't know where the cave is, and if he can't see his way there, well then he can't lead anyone to the barrels, now can he? Therefore…"

She let her husband draw his own conclusion. He was a barbarian, yes, but he was an intelligent one. He would be able to sort it out in his mind and figure out what she was suggesting.

Calum slapped his hand on the tabletop. "By God, she's got a sound plan, Laird."

"It's a little mean-hearted," Keith remarked. "I think I'd rather be killed; but if our mistress is set on keeping the noser alive, I'd have to agree it's a good alternative."

"She's a clever one all right," Auggie announced. His voice was filled with pride.

Johanna didn't know what the men were talking about now. Her gaze was locked on her husband. He stared at her a long minute, then said, "You aren't going to let me kill him, are you, lass?"

He sounded forlorn to her. She let him see her exasperation. " 'Tis the truth I'm not."

His sigh was long and dramatic. "Hell."

She interpreted his blasphemy to mean she'd won. "Thank you," she whispered. "I knew you could be reasonable."

She was so relieved she collapsed back into her chair. The men all sat down again.

"We'll follow your suggestion," Gabriel announced.

"It's a mean one, but fair." Keith sounded as though he was praising his mistress.

"Mean?" She didn't think Keith was making any sense. The sparkle in Gabriel's eyes didn't make sense either. Was he happy he'd lost the argument?

She glanced over to see how Father MacKechnie was reacting. He should have been smiling over the victory. He wasn't though. He was looking worried again.

Her guard was immediately back up. "Keith, exactly what do you think is mean-hearted?"

"It's a clever plan, m'lady, mean or not," Calum said.

"What plan?"

"The one you just gave us," he answered. "Don't you remember?"

"She does have trouble remembering," Keith remarked. "She can't seem to keep her days straight. Why, even now she's wearing the wrong plaid."

"Will someone please explain my plan to me?"

"We're going to blind him."

Keith gave her the atrocious news. A round of grunts followed.

She jumped to her feet again. The men all immediately joined her.

"I've a plan to tie m'lady to her chair," Auggie muttered. "I'm getting weary of sitting and standing every other minute."

Johanna was getting a pounding headache. Her patience had been all used up. She ordered the men to sit down in a near roar.

She realized she'd shouted, of course, and immediately tried to calm herself. Reason, she thought to herself, aye, she would reason with the savages.

"Men, there is always more than one way into a keep," she began, her voice hoarse with control.

"M'lady," Keith interrupted. "We've been over that before. Don't you have it straight in your head yet? We've got us a back door and a front…"

"Do be quiet!" Johanna ordered in another shout. She threaded her fingers through her hair and lowered her voice when she continued. "You make me want to scream! God's truth, you do!"

"You are screaming, m'lady," Lindsay pointed out.

She took a deep breath. By God, she would make them listen to reason or die trying. Surely a few of them realized how sinful their idea was. It was up to her to convince the others. They were members of her clan, after all, and, therefore, her responsibility.

"Heaven help me," she whispered.

"What did she say?" Lindsay asked.

"I cannot believe you would consider blinding the poor man," she cried out.

"You gave us the idea, m'lady."

"Keith, if I had a bowl handy, I swear I would…"

"You're getting your mistress riled up," Auggie warned.

She turned to her husband. "No one's going to blind the man. I won't hear of it. When I said there was more than one way into the keep, I was giving the men a lesson and I-dear God, Keith, if you try to instruct me again about the number of entrances I swear I will throw something at you-what I mean to say, husband… Oh, Lord, now I've lost my thought."

"You were trying to remember how to get into the keep," Bryan reminded her.

"I was not," she snapped. "I was giving you a lesson, you daft men. There's more than one way to skin a fish, you see; and if you don't want the noser to see the cave, then you simply blindfold him when you take him there."

"We don't skin our fish here," Lindsay said. "We eat them whole."

She wanted to kill the soldier. She glared him into silence instead.

"You're getting her upset," Auggie shouted. "It ain't good, given her illness. Make your apology, boy," he ordered.

"Gabriel, I want your word you won't harm the noser," Johanna demanded.

Her husband was frowning at her. Lindsay was stammering out his apology, Keith thought it necessary to go over the number of entrances to the keep one last time, and Calum was wondering aloud if the English skinned their fish before they ate them. He believed they were ignorant enough to follow such a practice.

"Shouldn't m'lady be wearing our colors today?" Michael, the youngest of the Maclaurin soldiers, had only just noticed the breach.

Keith nodded. He sounded resigned when he said, "She should."

"Auggie, what the hell did you mean when you said my wife was ailing?"

"She fainted this afternoon, Laird," Auggie explained. "Went down like a corpse, she did."

Gabriel's roar echoed throughout the hall. Everyone immediately fell silent.

Two months ago, such behavior would have sent her running. Aye, she would have been terrified. She'd come a long way, she thought to herself, for Gabriel's fury merely irritated her now.

Her ears were ringing from his bellow. She covered them with her hands and glared at her husband. "Must you do that?" she asked.

He ignored her rebuke. "You actually fainted? You weren't pretending this time?"

She didn't answer him. "Why does everyone have to shout all the time? I'm warning you now, men," she added as she scanned her audience. "When my mama comes here, no one's going to speak above a respectable whisper."

The men didn't agree with her dictate fast enough. "Do you understand me?" she asked in a fair bellow of her own.

The soldiers nodded in unison. She let out a very unladylike grunt of satisfaction. Then she caught Father MacKechnie's smile. Her attention was turned, of course, because she couldn't imagine what he found so amusing. She had to think about his odd behavior for a second or two.

Gabriel wasn't going to be ignored. "Answer me, damn it."

He was determined to gain a proper explanation. Her shoulders slumped. She pictured herself in bed for the next five or six months and grimaced in reaction.

She guessed she'd better try to placate him. He was her husband, after all, and he seemed to be very distressed over her possible illness.

"It isn't at all what it seems to be," she said. "I'm not sick."

"Did you or did you not faint?"

The chair flew backward when Gabriel stood up. He loomed over her like the avenging archangel she'd likened him to in her fantasies, and Lord, he was magnificent. He leaned down until his face was just inches away from hers, obviously intent on intimidating her into answering him.

She reached up and placed her hand on the side of his face. "Promise me you won't harm the noser, then I'll explain what happened."

He caught hold of her hand before replying. "I'm not in the mood to negotiate, wife. What reason would you have to pretend to faint in front of Auggie?"

"It weren't a pretense, Laird. I'd be knowing the difference."

"I'll be happy to discuss this matter in privacy with you," Johanna whispered.

"I took her over to Glynis to gain some advice," Auggie announced.

"Does our laird think she pretended to faint last night?" Bryan asked.

"She's mean enough to try to trick us," Lindsay commented.

Calum was in agreement with the Maclaurin. "Aye, she is mean enough."

Johanna was aghast by the men's insults against her character. She jerked her hand away from her husband's hold and turned to the soldiers.

"How can you say I'm mean?" she cried out.

"'Cause you are, m'lady," Bryan cheerfully told her.

She turned back to Gabriel. She fully expected him to come to her defense.

He fully expected her to tell him what the hell was the matter with her.

"Gabriel, how can you allow your men to defame me?"

"It's a compliment they're giving you, damn it. You will give me your full attention. When I ask a question, I expect to have it answered."

"Yes, of course you do," she agreed, trying to soothe him. "It's just that now isn't the time…" Her mind was still focused on the soldiers' opinion of her. "I cannot believe you think I'm mean!" she cried out.

"You killed our pet and three others," Calum reminded her.

"That was necessary, not mean."

"You came up with the plan to blind the noser," Keith said.

"Blindfold him," she corrected.

"You put an arrow in the MacInnes soldier. That was damned mean, m'lady."

"I'd do it again," she announced. She wasn't about to pretend she was sorry she'd injured the soldier. He had meant to kick Clare MacKay, and she couldn't let that happen.

"Aye, you would do it again," Keith agreed. "And that's the reason we're all thinking you're a mean one, m'lady. It's an honor to have you for our mistress."

Grunts of approval followed Keith's compliment. Johanna became flustered. She brushed her hair back over her shoulders in an attempt to act as though she hadn't been overly affected by Keith's remarks. "I suppose it's all right for you to call me mean, men, but you won't be saying such things in front of my mama. She wouldn't understand."

"Johanna!"

Gabriel shouted her name. She decided he'd run out of patience. He had waited a long while to get her full attention. She turned back to her husband and smiled up at him. "Did you want something, m'lord?" His eyelid twitched. He'd used up all his patience all right. Johanna braced herself and then blurted out, "I didn't pretend to faint the first time and I did faint again this afternoon. However," she quickly added before he could start in bellowing again, "I'm really not sick. Glynis explained what was wrong with me."

"You're going to bed."

"I knew you would overreact!" she cried out. He took hold of her hand and turned to drag her across the hall. She wasn't being very cooperative. She kept trying to pull away. "How long must I stay in bed?"

"Until you've recovered from whatever it is ailing you," he commanded. "Damn it, I knew you weren't strong enough to last a full year."

Her gasp filled the hall. She'd taken grave exception to his remark. The soldiers were all watching, of course, and when they heard their laird's comment and his wife's reaction, they smiled in unison.

"If you believed I was such a weakling, you shouldn't have married me."

He grinned. She jerked her hand away from his and backed up a space before he could catch hold of her again.

"I'm wagering she's about to get mean again," Lindsay said.

Father MacKechnie shook his head. "Not with our laird," he told the soldier. "She's partial to the MacBain."

"She doesn't look partial to him now," Bryan said. "Her scowl's every bit as set as his is."

Johanna wasn't paying any attention to the soldiers' mutterings. Her concentration was centered on her stubborn husband. "You're sorry you married me, aren't you?"

He didn't answer her fast enough. "You only married me to get the land, and after I'm dead and gone, you'll have to remember to marry a big giant of a woman, preferably one who can belch as loud as any of your men."

The look on his face gave her pause.

"You will not die."

He'd whispered his command in a harsh voice filled with anguish. She was stunned. Gabriel sounded terrified.

"I will not lose you."

"No, you will not lose me."

She walked forward and took hold of his hand. Tears filled her eyes as she stared up at the wonderful man trying to glare some sense into her.

He loved her. He hadn't given her the words yet, but the proof was there in his eyes. Johanna felt overwhelmed.

They went up the steps leading to the entrance together. She could feel him shaking. She didn't want him to worry any longer, and so she stopped at the foot of the stairs leading up to the bedchambers and turned to her husband.

The men were all craning their necks to see what was happening, but they were too far away to hear the conversation.

"Gabriel, do you remember my concern before we were married?"

"You had too many concerns for me to keep track of, wife. Don't push my hands away. I'm going to carry you upstairs. Don't you realize you could break your neck if you fainted while trying to climb these steep steps? You may not be worried about your welfare, but I sure as hell am."

He knew he was wearing his heart on his sleeve. He didn't like feeling this vulnerable. "What will your mother say when she arrives and finds her daughter dead?" he muttered.

She smiled. "Mama's going to like you, Gabriel."

Her husband looked exasperated. He lifted her into his arms. She immediately kissed him.

"You're still going to bed," he announced.

"On the night after we were married, I told you I was barren."

"No, you didn't. Nicholas told me."

She nodded. "On our wedding night, I'm certain I mentioned it."

He nodded. "Yes, you did," he said. "Several times in fact."

He started up the steps. She rested her head against his shoulder. Her fingers were fully occupied stroking the back of his neck.

She wondered if their baby would have her husband's coloring. She thought she might like to have a little girl, then decided she would be just as happy with a boy.

"I'm not," she whispered with a sigh.

She waited for him to understand. He didn't say anything until they reached their bedchamber.

"Did you hear what I just said? I'm not," she repeated.

"You're not what?"

"I'm not barren."

He opened the door but hesitated at the threshold. His gaze was fully directed on his wife. He slowly lowered her to the floor. "Do you honestly believe it matters to me? You and Alex are all the family I want. I don't need another child. Damn it, woman, haven't you realized yet how much I… you mean more to…"

Hell, he was rambling like an old woman. He motioned for her to go inside. "Warriors do not concern themselves with matters of love," he muttered.

He looked miserable. She didn't smile. She knew he didn't like telling her what he was feeling.

It was a trait they both shared, she realized.

"Gabriel…"

"I don't ever want you to bring up the fact that you're barren, Johanna. Now quit fretting."

She strolled into their chamber. "You may not need another child, m'lord, but I do declare in six or seven months you're going to be getting one."

He didn't understand. He shook his head. She nodded. "We're going to have a baby."

For the first time in his life, Gabriel MacBain was rendered speechless. His wife believed that was a most appropriate reaction.

They had, after all, just been given a miracle.