Saving Grace

Chapter 21

They took her to the Gillevrey keep. Raulf and his army had crossed the clan's border and immediately found themselves under attack. The Highlander soldiers were courageous in battle, but Laird MacKay's evaluation was proven true. They were a poorly trained group of men, and it had only taken the English infidels one day to conquer the land and the castle.

Laird Gillevrey and thirty of his men were locked away in the cellars below the great hall. The other clansmen were being held in the soldiers' quarters in the lower bailey.

Johanna's surrender had been swift. She rode down the hill and into the jaws of the enemy. They enveloped and surrounded her.

Although she was just a scant foot or two away from Raulf, she didn't speak to him. She simply sat atop her mount with her hands folded together and waited to see what he would do.

Raulf was dressed in full knight's battlewear, but his head was covered with the old-fashioned open conical helmet. He preferred it over the modern fully enclosed gear. He'd told her his vision was improved. She believed vanity was the true reason.

It was difficult for her to look at him. His appearance hadn't changed much. His eves were just as green, his complexion was still unscarred, and there were only a few added age lines creasing his narrow cheeks now. Then he took his helmet off, and she realized there had been a dramatic change after all. His hair had been the color of wheat when she'd last seen him. It was white now.

"We will go home now, Johanna, and all this will be put behind us."

"Yes," she immediately agreed.

Her answer pleased him. He nudged his mount close to her side and reached over to touch her face.

"You have grown more beautiful," he remarked. "I've missed you, my love."

Johanna couldn't look at him now, for she was certain he would see the disgust in her eyes. She bowed her head in what she prayed looked like submission.

Raulf was apparently satisfied. He put his helmet back on, turned his mount, and then gave the order to ride.

They didn't stop for water or rest and reached the Gillevrey holding late that afternoon.

Johanna immediately pleaded exhaustion. Raulf escorted her inside. The entrance was narrow. Steps leading upstairs were directly in front of her. To the right was the hall. It was a large room, square in dimensions, and the balcony above surrounded it on all sides. Johanna was disheartened by that notice, for she knew if she was kept upstairs, she couldn't sneak out the door without being spotted by the guards in the hall.

She was given the third chamber. The door was in the center of the balcony. Raulf opened the door for her. She kept her head bowed and tried to hurry past him. He grabbed hold of her arm and tried to kiss her. She wouldn't let him. She turned her head away.

He roughly pulled her into his arms and hugged her. His hands toyed with her hair.

"Did they make you cut your hair?"

She didn't answer him. "Of course they did," he decided. "You never would have willingly cut your hair, for you surely remember how much I liked it."

"I did remember," she whispered.

He let out a sigh. "It will grow again."

"Yes."

Raulf suddenly tightened his hold on her. "Why did you get our marriage annulled?"

The pain he was inflicting upon her made her flinch. "The king wanted me to marry Baron Williams. I demanded an annulment to stall for time. I didn't believe you were dead."

Her answer satisfied Raulf. "John didn't tell me Williams wanted you for wife. The bastard did lust after you, didn't he? And you never did like him much."

"I'm very sleepy," she blurted out. "I don't feel at all well."

Raulf finally let go of her. "The excitement has been too much for you. You were always weak, Johanna, and only I know how to take care of you. Go to bed now. I won't bother you tonight. I put one of your gowns on the bed. You will wear it tomorrow. When you join me downstairs, I will have a surprise for you."

He finally left her alone. The door had a lock, but the key had been removed. She would have to find something to block the entrance, she decided. She didn't trust Raulf to leave her alone; and if he did sneak into the chamber during the night, she would be prepared. If he tried to touch her, she would kill him… or die trying.

Johanna had been in complete control of her emotions until now; and although she was exhausted from the strain, she was still feeling proud of herself because she hadn't allowed her anger or her fear to gain the upper hand. It was her sole duty to protect her baby from harm until Gabriel came to fetch her. Yes, that was her only duty.

Messengers had left to chase down Gabriel as soon as the English army had been spotted. Johanna prayed the clansmen wouldn't have to go all the way to London to catch up with their laird.

The MacBain allies were surely preparing to ride now, too, she decided. Why, by tomorrow night or the night after, she would certainly be rescued.

Johanna set about defending her little chamber from attack. She pushed an empty chest over to the door to block it. She knew it wouldn't keep anyone from breaking in. but she hoped the sound when the chest was moved would wake her up if she accidentally fell asleep.

She hurried over to the window, pulled the fur covering back, and looked down. Then she muttered an expletive. There wouldn't be any escape possible through the opening. It was a straight drop two stories down, and the rock wall was too smooth to find handholds to climb down.

The room was cold and damp. She was suddenly so weary she needed to sit down. She removed her belt and wrapped herself in her plaid. Then she went over to the bed.

She spotted the gown spread out upon the covers. Recognition was swift. Her weariness vanished, and fury such as she'd never known before flooded her. She was consumed by it, and all she wanted to do was scream as loud as a warrior would when he rode into battle.

It was her wedding gown. The shoes she'd worn were there too, she noticed, and the ribbons, dear God, the ribbons she'd entwined in her hair were spread out on the covers as well.

"He's demented," she whispered.

And determined, she silently added. He'd told her he had a surprise for her in the morning, and now she fully understood what he planned. The fool actually believed he was going to marry her again.

Johanna was literally shaking with rage when she reached for the gown. She hurled it across the chamber. The ribbons and shoes went flying next.

Her anger quickly drained the rest of her strength. Johanna stretched out on the bed, pulled her plaid up over her head, took her dagger out of the sheath she'd tied with string around her thigh, and held the weapon in both hands.

She fell asleep minutes later.

The scraping noise the chest made when it was moved across the stone floor woke her up. Sunlight streamed into the chamber from the sides of the fur covering the window. Johanna had dropped her dagger sometime during the night. She found it in a fold of the plaid and was ready to strike when she sat up.

"May I enter m'lady?"

The whispered request came from an elderly woman. She held a tray in her hands but hesitated in the doorway until she was given permission.

"You may," Johanna called out.

The woman hurried inside. She used the back of her foot to push the door closed.

"Baron Raulf ordered me to serve you," she said as she walked closer.

"You're a Gillevrey," Johanna guessed when she spotted the colorful plaid.

"I am," the woman replied. "And you're Laird MacBain's wife, aren't you?"

"Yes," Johanna answered. Her voice was sharp, for she was in a hurry now to gain some answers the Gillevrey woman might be able to give her.

"Are there guards posted outside this door?"

"There is one," the servant answered.

"How many in the hall below?"

"Too many to count," the woman answered. She put the tray on the foot of the bed. "My laird's locked in the cellar, m'lady. They're treating him like a common thief. He sends you an important message. I was allowed to carry food to him early this morning, and he whispered the words he wanted me to repeat to you."

"What is his message?"

"The MacBain will avenge this atrocity."

Johanna smiled. The servant looked expectant. "Does your laird require an answer?"

"He does."

"Then tell him, yes, the MacBain will certainly avenge this atrocity."

The woman gave a brisk nod. "And so it will be done," she whispered.

She sounded as though she was in prayer. "What is your name?" Johanna asked.

"Lucy," the woman answered.

Johanna scooted off the bed. She held onto her plaid with one hand and offered her other hand to the woman.

"You are a good and courageous woman, Lucy," she whispered. "And now I have a favor to ask of you."

"I will do anything I can to help, m'lady. I'm old and surely feeble, but I will diligently try to serve you."

"I must find a way to stay inside this chamber for as long as possible. Are you good at lying?"

"When it's called for," Lucy answered.

"Then report to the baron that I am still sleeping soundly. Tell him you put the tray down but didn't disturb me."

"I'll do it," Lucy promised. "The baron doesn't seem to be in a hurry to get you downstairs, m'lady. He's pacing with impatience, but only because the man he sent for has still not arrived."

"What man?"

"I didn't catch the name," Lucy said. "But I heard what he was. He's a bishop, and he's living somewhere near the Lowlands."

"Bishop Hallwick?"

"M'lady, please lower your voice. The guard will hear you. I didn't catch the bishop's name."

Johanna's heartbeat quickened. "Of course it's Hallwick," she muttered.

"Will the bishop help you, m'lady?"

"No," Johanna answered. "He's an evil man, Lucy. He would aid Lucifer if there was gold involved. Tell me this, please. How did you know Baron Raulf sent for anyone?"

"No one pays me any attention because I'm old. I can act dotty when I set my mind to it. I was standing near the corner of the hall when the soldiers came inside to take over our laird's home. The baron didn't waste a minute giving his instructions. He sent six men to ride to the Lowlands. They were to escort the bishop back."

Johanna rubbed her arms to ward off the chill she felt. Raulf had been quite methodical in his plans. She wondered what other surprises were in store for her.

"I'd best get downstairs before the baron notices I've been in here so long, and you'd best get back under the covers so the guard will see you're sleeping when I open the door."

Johanna thanked the servant and then hurried to do as she suggested. She stayed in bed a long while, waiting for the summons to come.

Raulf left her alone. The blessed reprieve lasted until the following afternoon. Johanna spent a good deal of her time staring out the window. The hills below were covered with English soldiers. She thought they probably surrounded the keep on all sides.

How was Gabriel going to get to her?

She straightened her shoulders. That was his problem to worry about, not hers, she decided. But Lord, how she wished he would hurry up.

Lucy came back into the chamber late that afternoon. She carried another tray of food.

"They've been coming and going all day long, m'lady. Now men are fetching pails of hot water and bringing up a wooden tub. The baron has ordered a bath for you. Why in heavens he'd think about your comforts now is beyond me."

"He thinks I'm going to marry him," Johanna explained. "The bishop's here, isn't he?"

"He is," Lucy answered. "There's another baron down below as well. I heard his name. He's called Williams. He's an ugly one all right with his frizzled dirt-colored hair and black eyes. He and Baron Raulf have been arguing most of the afternoon. It's a heated fight all right, and wouldn't it be a blessing if they killed each other and saved your husband the bother?"

Johanna smiled. "It would be a blessing. Lucy, please stay and lean against the door while I bathe."

"Then you're going to accommodate the foul man?"

"I want to look as pretty as possible for my husband," Johanna explained. "He will be here any time now."

"Will you put on the English gown?" Lucy asked. She pointed to the corner where Johanna had thrown the garment.

"I will wear my plaid."

Lucy nodded. "I'm going to fetch you clean underclothes when I go get the soap and drying cloths," she said.

Johanna carried through with her determination to wear her plaid. She knew Raulf would be furious but she was also certain he wouldn't strike her in front of witnesses. She would have to make certain she was never left alone with him. She wasn't at all certain how she would achieve that miracle, and damn it all, where was Gabriel?

She absolutely refused to consider the possibility her husband might not be able to get to her in time, and whenever a worrisome thought popped into her mind, she pushed it away.

She took her time bathing. She even washed her hair. Then she sat on the side of the bed to dry it with the cloths Lucy gave her. The servant insisted upon brushing her hair for her, and when she was finished and the curls fell just so about her shoulders, Lucy declared she looked as beautiful as a princess.

The summons came an hour later. Lucy was wringing her hands when she repeated the order. Johanna was extremely calm. She knew she couldn't put off the confrontation any longer.

She put in yet another request to her Maker to help Gabriel get to her in time, tucked her dagger in her belt and covered it with a fold from her plaid, and then went downstairs.

They made her wait at the entrance for almost ten minutes before bidding her to come into the hall. Raulf and Williams were standing at a round table on the opposite side of the room, arguing about a paper Williams waved in his hand.

The two barons were opposite in appearance yet quite similar in temperament. They snapped at each other like mad dogs, one with his shock of white hair and the other with his brown-colored locks and black soul. They were both hideous to her.

Bishop Hallwick was also in the hall. He sat in a tall-backed chair in the center of the room. He held a scroll in his hands and appeared to be reading the thing over and over again. Every other minute or so he would shake his head as though in confusion.

The bishop had aged considerably in the past few years. He looked sickly, too, for his complexion had a yellow cast to it now. Lucifer must be dancing with anticipation. Johanna thought to herself. Hallwick was old and worn out, and it wouldn't be long before he was welcomed home by the devil himself.

Johanna noticed a movement above. She looked up and spotted Lucy making her way along the balcony. The servant was pausing at each chamber and pushing the door open before moving on. Johanna assumed she'd been told to air out the chambers.

"But I will take the stand that this marriage is only a formality, a renewal of our vows if you will," Raulf announced in such a loud, angry tone of voice that Johanna heard him.

Williams nodded. "Yes," he agreed. "A renewal. When the pope and our king settle their differences, we'll send these explanations to Rome. I doubt Innocent will involve himself in the matter anyway."

Raulf turned then and spotted Johanna standing in the entrance. He frowned when he saw what she was wearing.

Williams ordered her to come forward. Johanna did as she was commanded. She didn't cross the room however, but stopped when she was several feet in front of Bishop Hallwick.

He nodded to her. She ignored him. Williams noticed her slight.

"Have you forgotten to kneel in the presence of a man of God, Lady Johanna?"

The sneer in his voice disgusted her. "I do not see a man of God in this room," she answered. "I see only a pathetic mockery dressed in priest's black garb."

Both barons looked quite stunned by her opinion. Williams was the first to recover. He took a step forward. "How dare you speak to Bishop Hallwick with such disrespect."

Raulf nodded. The look of fury in his eyes was chilling. "When the holy bishop hears your confession and gives me your penance, Johanna, you will regret your rash outburst."

She saw Hallwick nod out of the corner of her eye. She still refused to look directly at the old man, however, and kept her attention on Raulf.

"Hallwick isn't holy," she announced. "And I will never kneel before him and give him my confession. He has no hold over me now, Raulf. He teaches blasphemy against women. He is, in fact, a despot and an evildoer. Nay, I will never kneel before him."

"You'll pay for your sins, woman."

The bishop's scratchy voice was filled with malice. She finally turned her gaze to him. "And you will pay for the terrible punishments you've inflicted upon all those honorable women who turned to you for counsel whose only fault was in believing you were God's representative. They didn't realize as I do what a monster you are. I wonder, Hallwick, if you fear going to sleep at night. You should, you know. You're old and sick. You're going to die soon, and then, by all that is truly holy, you will be made accountable for your tortures."

The bishop staggered to his feet. "You speak heresy," he shouted.

"I speak the truth," she countered.

"Tonight you will learn your opinions should best be kept to yourself," Raulf announced. He nodded to Williams and then took several steps toward her.

She didn't back away from him. "You are a fool, Raulf. I won't go through any pretense of remarrying you. I already have a husband. You seem to have conveniently forgotten that important fact."

"She cannot want to stay with the barbarian," Williams said. "Her mind has been broken, Raulf. That's why the demons speak through her."

Raulf stopped. "Have you been possessed by an evil spirit?"

The bishop latched onto the possibility at once and vehemently nodded. He turned to walk toward the side doorway which Baron Williams now blocked. "She'll have to be purified before she can speak her renewal vows," he declared. "I'll get the holy water and the stick, Baron. You'll have to beat the demons out of her. I don't have enough strength."

The bishop was out of breath by the time he finished explaining his errand. He wheezed his way across the chamber. Johanna didn't show any outward reaction to the threat just given. She tried to keep her expression as serene as possible.

Raulf was watching her closely. "You do not seem to be afraid of what is going to happen to you," he remarked.

She turned her attention back to him. He looked both angry and confused. She laughed. "It's you, Raulf, who has become possessed if you believe I would ever prefer you to my laird."

"You cannot possibly love the savage," Williams blurted out.

She kept her gaze directed on Raulf when she gave her answer. "Oh, but I do love him," she replied, her voice strong with conviction.

"You're going to be punished for such treasonous and disloyal remarks against me," Raulf threatened.

She was neither impressed nor frightened. She tilted her head while she considered the man who had so terrified her in the past. Raulf looked pitiful to her, and she was suddenly so filled with loathing, she could barely stomach the sight of him.

He could never destroy her. Never.

"Do you honestly believe you and Williams and Hallwick are superior to one Highlander? You really are fools," she added with a shake of her head.

"We are King John's closest advisers." Williams shouted the boast.

"Ah, yes, King John," she scoffed. "The three of you are worthy company for each other."

The derision in her voice was a slap to Raulf's pride. He was visibly shaking with his anger now. "What has happened to you?" he demanded in a harsh whisper. "You never would have spoken to me with such blatant disrespect in the past. Do you feel safe because you are in Scotland? Is that it, Johanna? Or do you believe I'm so overcome with joy to have you back I will overlook your slander against my character? You would do well to remember the pain you suffered in the past because of the necessary punishments you forced me to measure out. Aye, you would do well to remember."

She wasn't cowering away from him. Raulf was confused by her behavior. He didn't see fear in her eyes. He saw defiance.

"Tonight I will show you what happens to a wife who has forgotten her place," he threatened.

He thought to terrify her and knew he'd failed when she simply shook her head at him.

"What has happened to you?" he asked again.

"You are too ignorant to ever understand what happened to me," she replied.

"The Highlanders have done this to her!" Williams shouted.

Raulf nodded. "There's no similarity between us and Scotland's waste," Raulf muttered.

She nodded. Her quick agreement gave Raulf pause. Then she clarified her position. "You have spoken your first truth," she said. "There are no similarities between you and my Gabriel, and I thank God for that. You have vowed your love for me a thousand times in the past and then used your fists to show me how very much you love me. Gabriel has never told me he loves me, yet I know he does. He would never ever raise a hand against me or any other woman. He's honorable and courageous and has a heart and a soul as pure as an archangel's. Oh, no, you two are nothing alike."

"How dare you speak such blasphemy!" The veins in the sides of Raulf's neck stood out from the force of his scream.

She knew she was provoking his rage, but she couldn't stop the words from pouring out. It so offended her that he dared consider himself superior to any Highlander. His opinion of himself was perverse, and she was determined to set him straight.

"Show me the companions you keep and I'll tell you who you are. My mother taught me that valuable lesson, but I doubt either one of you will understand the meaning behind it. I happen to keep very good companions. My clan's my family, and each one of us would die to keep the others safe. They're all proud and honorable men and women."

She shook her head at the two barons. Disgust echoed in her voice when she continued. "Nay, you can't understand. How could you? You don't know what honor is. Look at your companions. You cannot turn your back on each other for fear of getting a knife between your shoulders. You would both kill your own fathers if it meant you would gain more power. You, Raulf, have broken every commandment, and so has your overlord. You and Williams both conspired with your king to commit one heinous crime after another. You will pay for your sins one day in the future, and very soon now you will pay for forcing me to leave my sanctuary. You're demented if you believe you can get away with this atrocity. If my husband has any faults at all, it is that he is a terribly possessive man. Oh, Gabriel will come after me all right. You have dared to take away the woman he loves. He won't show you any mercy; and when you're dead, I doubt God will show you much mercy either. You are a demon, Raulf, and Gabriel is my very own archangel. He will crush you."

Raulf's fury became uncontrollable. His roar echoed throughout the hall. Johanna braced herself for his attack and reached for her dagger.

Raulf ran toward her. He was just a few feet away when he raised his fist in preparation for the first blow he would deliver.

An arrow stopped his advance. It went completely through his closed fist. Raulf's bellow of rage turned into a scream of agony. He staggered backward and looked up to find the man who had attacked him.

They were everywhere.

The balcony was filled with warriors wearing the MacBain plaid. They surrounded the great hall on all sides. All but one soldier had arrows knotched to their bows. Baron Raulf was in their sights.

There was but a second or two of awareness in Raulf's eyes before he died, recognition, too, perhaps, as he stared at the giant warrior standing directly above Johanna. Gabriel's gaze was locked on the baron. He slowly reached back to take a second arrow from his carrier.

Death captured Raulf's expression of terror. The next arrow ended his life. It penetrated the center of his forehead. And then another arrow and another and another sliced through the stillness to cut into the target. The force of so many arrows striking at the same time propelled Raulf backward and upward; and when he finally collapsed to the floor, there were over fifty arrows lodged in his body.

Lucifer had his soul.

Johanna turned around and looked up. Gabriel stood above her. Nicholas was at his side. Both warriors handed their bows and carriers to the soldiers standing behind them, then turned to come downstairs. All of the other clansmen had fresh arrows knotched in preparation. Their target was Baron Williams who was now cowering in the corner of the hall.

She didn't wait for Gabriel to come to her. As soon as he reached the entrance of the hall, she dropped her dagger and ran to him.

He wouldn't let her hug him. He wouldn't even look at her. His gaze was fully directed on Baron Williams. "This isn't finished yet," he announced in a gruff tone of voice. He gently pushed her behind his back. "You may show me your affection later, wife."

Her next remark surely saved Williams's life. Gabriel started forward but stopped when he caught her whispered reply. "And you may explain your reason for being so tardy, m'lord."

A slow smile eased his frown. He continued on across the hall; grabbed Williams by his shoulders, forcing him to stand up; and then slammed his fist into his face.

"You're going to live for one purpose only," Gabriel announced. "You're going to take a message to your king and save me the journey. I've been separated from my wife long enough, and I cannot stomach the notion of having to look upon King John."

Blood was pouring down from Baron Williams's broken nose. "Yes, yes," he stammered out. "I'll take any message you wish to give me."

Gabriel dragged the baron over to the table and shoved him into a chair.

Her husband's voice was too low for Johanna to hear what he was saying to Williams. She tried to walk closer but suddenly found herself surrounded by soldiers who deliberately blocked her path.

Nicholas also wanted to find out what Gabriel was telling the baron. The soldiers wouldn't let him get any closer. He turned to his sister, noticed she was staring at Raulf, and immediately walked over to put himself in front of her.

"Do not look at him," Nicholas ordered. "He can't hurt you anymore. He's dead."

It was a ridiculous thing to say, given the fact that arrows covered Raulf's body from head to feet. She was about to point out that fact to her brother when he spoke again. He gave her his boast, not his confession.

"I killed him."

Keith stepped forward. "Nay, Nicholas. I killed him," he announced in a near shout.

Calum came forward next. "Nicholas, you didn't even have your arrow at the ready when I killed him."

Suddenly every soldier in the hall was shouting his boast that he'd been the one to end Baron Raulf's life. Johanna didn't understand what was happening or why it seemed so important for each man to claim he'd been the one responsible for killing the baron.

Then Nicholas smiled. He noticed her confusion and hastened to explain. "Your husband is protecting me from my own king, Johanna. Gabriel won't ever admit it, of course, but he's making damned certain I can't be blamed for killing another baron. Each one of his men will continue to boast the kill. However," he added when Keith nodded, "it is a fact that I really did kill him."

"Nay, boy, I killed him," Laird MacKay shouted from the balcony.

And then it started all over again. The hall was echoing with shouts when Gabriel finished with Baron Williams. He hauled him to his feet, looked around him, and nodded with satisfaction. He waited until the shouting had died down, then said to Williams, "You will tell your king at least sixty men took credit for killing his favored baron."

"Yes," Williams said. "I'll tell him."

"And after you've given him my other important message, I suggest you do one last thing to please me."

"Anything," Williams promised. "I'll do anything."

Gabriel stared at the man a long minute before giving him his final instruction.

"Hide."

He didn't need to say more. Williams fully understood his message. He nodded and ran out of the hall.

Gabriel watched him leave and then turned around. He ordered two soldiers to remove the dead body from the hall. Lindsay and Michael hurried forward to take care of the chore.

Nicholas and Johanna stood side by side across the room with Keith and Calum.

"It's finished, little sister," Nicholas whispered. He put his arm around Johanna's shoulders and pulled her up against him. "He can't ever hurt you again."

"Yes," she replied. "It's finished, and now you will let go of your guilt. You were never responsible for what happened to me in the past. I was in charge of my own destiny, even in those most difficult times."

Her brother shook his head. "I should have known," he said. "I should have protected you."

She tilted her head to look up at him. "That's why you married Clare, isn't it? You were protecting her."

"Someone had to," he admitted.

Johanna smiled. She decided the reasons why her brother married Clare weren't important. What mattered was their future together. Clare, Johanna believed, would eventually fall in love with Nicholas. He was such a good, kind-hearted man. Clare would realize her good fortune in time. And Nicholas would also grow to love her. Clare was a sweet woman. Aye, Johanna decided. It was going to be a sound marriage.

Gabriel was staring at her. Laird MacKay was standing by his side and waving his hands in agitation as he talked to Johanna's husband. Every now and then Gabriel would shake his head.

"I wonder what has Laird MacKay upset," Johanna remarked.

"He's probably wanting to raid the castle before they let the Gillevrey laird out of the cellar," Nicholas replied.

Johanna couldn't take her gaze off her husband. He was taking forever to come to her. Didn't he realize how much she needed his comfort?

"Why is Gabriel ignoring me?" she asked her brother.

"I can't read his thoughts," Nicholas replied. "I would guess he's trying to calm down before he talks to you. You gave him one hell of a scare. You'd best get a good apology ready. I'd try to look humble," he advised.

"I can't imagine why he would want an apology."

Keith stepped forward to answer. "You didn't stay where you were put, m'lady."

Nicholas tried not to laugh. He could tell from his sister's expression she didn't like hearing his explanation. If looks could do injury, Keith would now be writhing on the floor in acute pain.

Johanna straightened away from her brother. "I did what was necessary," she told Keith.

"What you thought was necessary," Nicholas corrected.

From across the room Gabriel nodded. Johanna knew then he was listening to their discussion.

In a much louder tone of voice she said, "I was protecting my clan by leaving."

"Each one of us would die to protect the others."

Calum interjected the remark. He was smiling at Johanna while he repeated her very words back to her. He had obviously been hiding in one of the opened doorways on the balcony during her confrontation with Raulf.

"How much did you hear?" she asked.

"All of it," Calum answered.

Keith nodded. "We keep good companions," he said. "We all understood your lesson, m'lady."

Johanna started blushing. Nicholas thought the soldiers' obvious adoration for their mistress might be the cause of her embarrassment. Both Keith and Calum looked as though they might kneel down in front of her at any moment to pay her homage.

"You made us very proud, m'lady," Calum whispered in a voice that shook with emotion.

Her blush intensified. If they continued with their praise, she knew she would start weeping, and then they would surely become embarrassed. She couldn't let that happen. She hurried to change the topic. She glanced up at the balcony, then turned to Keith. "It's a straight drop from the windows to the ground," she began. "How in heaven's name did you ever get inside?"

Keith laughed. "I cannot believe you're asking me that question," he said.

"I am asking you," she countered, wondering what he found so amusing. "Please explain. How did you get inside?"

"Lady Johanna, there is always more than one way into a keep."

She burst into laughter. The sound was filled with such joy, Gabriel's entire body reacted. His throat tightened up, His heart started slamming a furious beat, and he found it damned difficult to take a deep breath. He knew that if he didn't take her into his arms soon, he would surely go out of his mind. He wanted privacy, because once he started touching her, he wasn't going to be able to stop.

Dear God, how he loved her.

He started to go to her and then forced himself to stop. By God, she would realize the hell she had put him through first, he thought to himself. Why, she had taken a good twenty years off his life. When his men had chased him down and told him she was in the hands of Baron Raulf, terror such as Gabriel had never known before filled his mind, his heart, and his soul. He was certain he'd died a thousand deaths on his way to the Gillevrey holding. Another scare like that would put him in his grave. Only after he had gained her promise never to take such chances again would he let her comfort him.

Gabriel asked MacKay to go downstairs and let the laird out of his prison and then turned to Johanna.

"MacBain's wanting your attention, Johanna," Nicholas whispered.

She looked at her husband. He nodded to her and then ordered her to come to him by crooking his finger at her.

The look on his face told her she was about to catch hell. She didn't want to waste time listening to him rant and rave about the danger she'd placed herself in. It was finished now and she was safe. That was all that mattered. Besides, she wanted to be comforted, and she'd waited long enough. She was out of patience and in desperate need of her husband's touch.

The only way she was going to get what she wanted was to catch her husband off guard and nudge him into forgetting his bluster.

She took a step toward Gabriel and then stopped. She forced a frown while she folded her arms in front of her chest.

She hoped she looked displeased.

Gabriel was astonished by her behavior. "Johanna?"

The uncertainty in his voice made her want to smile. She didn't dare, of course, because she wanted to soothe his temper, not prod it.

"Yes, Gabriel?"

"Come here."

"In a moment, m'lord," she answered in a voice as serene as a sweet summer breeze. "First I would like to ask you a question."

"What is it?"

"Does the expression 'in the nick of time' mean anything to you?"

He wanted to smile but glared instead. He knew what she was doing. She thought to make him feel guilty because he hadn't gotten to her sooner.

He wasn't going to let her turn the tables on him. If anyone was going to apologize, by God, it would be his stubborn, ill-disciplined wife.

He shook his head at her, took another step forward, and then announced, "It's going to take you a lifetime to soothe my temper."

She didn't want to contradict her husband, but she was certain it would only take her a minute or two. She walked forward to stand directly in front of him.

She clasped her hands together and smiled. She stared up at him with those beautiful, bewitching blue eyes, and Gabriel knew then there wouldn't be any talk about safety tonight.

"Will it take you a lifetime to get around to telling your wife you love her?"

She reached up and gently stroked the side of his face. Her voice was filled with tenderness when she said, "I love you, Gabriel MacBain."

His voice shook when he answered with his own pledge. "Not nearly as much as I love you, Johanna MacBain."

And then she was in his arms and he was kissing her and hugging her and telling her in broken whispers how much he loved her and how he knew he was damned unworthy of her but it didn't matter because he would never let her go and how she had become the center of his life.

He was rambling, but he didn't care. Some of what he said made sense, most didn't. It didn't matter to her. She was crying and also rambling with all the loving words she'd kept protected inside her.

Their kisses became passionate, and when he finally pulled away, she was trembling. He let go of her, but only for a second, then caught hold of her hand and walked out of the hall. She was blushing and kept her head bowed when they passed her brother and her clansmen. Gabriel slowed his pace when he led the way up the steps so Johanna could keep up with him, then threaded his way through the throng of men standing on the balcony until he reached the first chamber. He pulled his wife inside, shut the door, and then reached for her again.

Clothing became an obstacle. Gabriel didn't want to quit kissing her long enough to get undressed, and so he tried to do both at the same time.

They made it to the bed, though just barely, and made love with an intensity that left them both shaken. He was gentle; she was demanding, and each was eventually thoroughly satisfied.

He stayed inside her a long while afterward. He covered her from head to feet and braced himself on his elbows to keep from crushing her. He kissed her brow, the bridge of her nose, and finally her chin.

She let out a loud, lusty yawn. Gabriel rolled to his side. He covered her with his plaid and pulled her into his arms.

"You should sleep now," he whispered.

"I'm not weak, Gabriel."

He smiled in the darkness. "No, you're not weak," he agreed. "You're strong and courageous and honorable." He leaned down to kiss the top of her head before adding, "But you're carrying, my love. You must rest for the baby's sake. Alex and I would be lost without you. You're the center of our family, Johanna. I've known that truth for a long while. I think that is why I was a bit overprotective. I wanted to keep you under lock and key so nothing would happen to you."

There was a hint of laughter in her voice when she responded. "You let me sew."

"Tell me again you love me. I like hearing your pledge."

She cuddled up against her husband. "I love you," she whispered. "Almost from the very beginning. My heart softened toward you the day we met."

"Nay, it didn't," he countered. "You were afraid of me."

"Until you gave me your promise," she corrected.

"What promise did I give?"

"You wouldn't bite."

"You were still frightened."

"Perhaps, just a little," she agreed. "But then God gave me a sign and I knew everything was going to be all right."

He was intrigued. "Explain this sign," he commanded.

"You'll laugh."

"I won't."

"It was your name," she whispered. "I hadn't heard it before the wedding ceremony. Nicholas called you MacBain, and so did your men. But you had to give your true name to the priest, and that is when I knew I was going to be safe."

He broke his promise and laughed. She didn't mind. She waited until he'd finished and then said, "You were named after the highest of angels," she explained. "Mama taught me to pray to the archangel Gabriel," she added. "And do you know why?"

"Nay, love. I don't know why."

"Because he's the protector of the innocent the avenger of evil. He watches over women and children and is our own special guardian."

"If that is truth and not fanciful thinking, then he didn't do a very good job of looking out for you," Gabriel said. He thought about the years she'd endured hardship under Raulf's control and immediately started to get angry again.

"Oh, but my archangel did protect me," she said.

"How?" Gabriel demanded.

"He gave me you."

She stretched up and kissed his chin. "It doesn't matter if you understand or if you think I'm crazed, Gabriel. Just love me."

"I do, lass. I do. Have you any idea how proud I was when I heard the praise you gave me tonight?"

"Do you mean when you were on the balcony?"

"Yes."

"Raulf needed to know the truth," she said. "He had no understanding of what true love is," she added. She leaned up again to smile at her husband. "I know when you realized you loved me," she boasted. "It was when you found me in the tree and saw the wolves."

He shook his head. "No," he said. "It was long before that god-awful incident."

She badgered him to explain. "It was your immediate acceptance of Alex. When he asked you if I had given you a wedding gift, do you remember what you said? I remember every word," he added before she even had time to nod. "You said, 'He gave me a son.' And that is when my heart softened toward you. It just took me a little while to realize it."

The mention of their son made her frown. "Alex is certainly fretting. I want to go home… with you. I don't want you to go to England."

"I won't have to," he said. "Williams will give King John my message."

"What will he tell him?"

"To leave us alone."

"Did you tell Williams about the scroll I hid in the chapel?"

"No."

His denial surprised her. "But I thought…"

"Raulf's dead," Gabriel explained. "The king doesn't have any reason to bother us now. If he should decide to send additional troops here for whatever reason, then we'll mention the damning evidence."

Johanna thought about her husband's explanation a long while before finally coming to the conclusion he was right. The king didn't need to know she had kept the scroll. "You want him to think it's over."

"I do."

"Will anyone ever know the truth about Arthur?"

"Most of the barons already believe the king was behind the murder," Gabriel said. "Even Nicholas has his own suspicions. He has another reason for turning against his overlord."

"What other reason?"

"John betrayed his trust. He gave Nicholas his word he was only sending a messenger and escort, and he assured your brother Raulf would be kept in London."

"He lied."

"Yes"

"What will Nicholas do?"

"He'll join Baron Goode and the others."

"Rebellion?"

He could hear the worry in her voice. "No," he answered. "But a king without loyal vassals and an army has little power. Nicholas told me the barons plan to force John to make necessary concessions. Do you know why Nicholas gave you to me?"

She smiled over his choice of words. "He didn't give me to you," she whispered. "He was merely matchmaking."

"He was in love with you."

She didn't understand what he was telling her. "He's my brother. Of course he loves me."

"He was there when you were born and saw you raised, but he told me he left to do the king's fighting when you were only nine or ten years old. He returned several years later."

"Yes," she said. "He came back home just a few months before I was wed to Raulf."

"You had become a very beautiful woman," Gabriel said. "And Nicholas was suddenly having unbrotherly thoughts about you."

She bolted up in the bed. "Is that what the argument was about on our wedding day? You became angry and dragged Nicholas away," she reminded him.

He nodded. "When I heard his full name, I knew he wasn't related… by blood, and I had already noticed he seemed a bit overly protective for a brother."

She shook her head. "You're mistaken."

"He rarely came to see you when you were married to Raulf. He feels tremendous guilt over that slight, for if he hadn't been so determined to hide his feelings, he would have seen how you were being treated by the bastard."

She shook her head again. He wasn't going to argue with her. He pulled her down on top of him and wrapped his arms around her. "He seems to have gotten over the affliction."

"He was never afflicted," she countered, "Besides, he's a married man now."

"Nicholas?"

Johanna smiled. Gabriel sounded quite astonished. "Yes, Nicholas," she said. "He married Clare MacKay. Do quit laughing so I can explain," she added. "They'll be happy together once Clare gets past the fact she's married to an Englishman."

Gabriel's laughter echoed around the room. The rumbling in his chest nearly knocked her head off his shoulder.

"I wondered why Laird MacKay joined our fight," he said.

"He didn't tell you?"

"He only said he was protecting his interests. He never mentioned the marriage. I probably wouldn't have paid any attention if he had tried to explain. I was fully occupied trying to get to you."

"It took you a long while."

"It didn't take me much time at all," he countered. "I had already turned around and was on my way back home when my men reached me with the news you'd been taken."

"You had already turned around? Then you heard about the army, didn't you?"

"Yes," he said. "One of the MacDonald soldiers told me."

"I never heard you or saw you on the balcony, Gabriel. You and your men were as sneaky as thieves," she praised.

"We are thieves," he reminded her.

"You were," she corrected. "You aren't any longer. The father of my children doesn't steal. He barters for what he needs."

"I have everything I could ever want," he whispered. "Johanna… those things you said about me… to hear you say… to know you believed…"

"Yes?"

"I'm not any good at putting into words how I feel," he muttered.

"Yes, you are," she whispered. "You told me you loved me. I don't need or want anything more. You please me just the way you are."

Johanna closed her eyes and let out a loud sigh of contentment.

"You aren't ever going to take needless chances in future," he told her. "Do you have any idea of the worry you caused me?"

Gabriel guessed she didn't. He waited a full minute for her to answer his question before he realized she had fallen asleep.

He left the chamber a few minutes later to give his appreciation to Laird Gillevrey for his hospitality. The English army had scattered like mice down the hills under the watchful eyes of Gabriel's allies from the north. The Highlanders outnumbered the enemy by three to one now and made their presence felt. Baron Williams would have been a fool to consider attacking; and although Gabriel was certain he would run back to John, he still wasn't taking any chances. He doubled the number of guards needed along the perimeter of the holding and insisted his allies stay for as long as Johanna was inside the keep. Johanna slept for twelve straight hours. She was fully recovered from her ordeal the following morning and was anxious to go home. Yet just as they were about to take their leave, she insisted upon returning to the great hall. Gabriel wasn't about to let her out of his sight. He followed her back inside and stood guard at the entrance.

His wife took hold of one of the servants and tugged her along to stand in front of the laird.

"I cannot leave before telling you what a fine, courageous woman Lucy is," Johanna began. "You have none more loyal than this woman, Laird Gillevrey," she added.

She spent a good five minutes praising the servant, and when she was finished, the laird stood up and smiled at Lucy. "You will be richly rewarded," he announced.

Johanna was satisfied she had done her duty. She bowed to the laird, thanked Lucy once again for her help and her comfort, and then turned to leave. She stopped just as suddenly.

Bishop Hallwick captured her full attention. He stood in the center of the doorway on the other side of the hall. He was staring at her. She looked at his face for no more than a second or two, but that was long enough for her to see his expression. It was filled with loathing and disdain.

He was wearing cardinal red robes. Johanna wondered if he decided to increase his status overnight. His satchels were near his feet. Two Gillevrey soldiers stood behind him. Johanna assumed they were going to escort the bishop home.

The sight of him made her skin crawl. She would have left the hall without acknowledging the unholy man; but as she turned, she noticed the long narrow rod protruding from one of his satchels and she knew she couldn't leave without taking care of one last important duty.

She slowly walked over to the bishop. Her gaze was directed on the object of her anger. Before Hallwick could think to stop her, Johanna snatched the punishment stick and moved back until she was standing directly in front of him.

Hallwick took a step back. He tried to leave, but the Gillevrey soldiers blocked his exit.

Johanna slowly lifted the stick up in front of Hallwick's eves. The hatred in his expression turned to fear.

She stood there a full minute without saying a word. She stared at the stick she held up. Hallwick stared at her. The hall became silent with expectation. Some might have thought she was about to strike the bishop. Gabriel knew better. He had followed her over to the old man and now stood just a foot or two behind her.

Johanna suddenly changed her hold on the stick. She grasped one end with her left hand and took hold of the other end with her right hand. And then she held the weapon up in front of the bishop again. Her grip was as fierce as her determination. Her hands ached from the strain of trying to break the stick in half.

The wood was too thick, too new. Johanna wouldn't give up. If it took her all day to destroy the rod, so be it. Her arms shook as she applied every bit of strength she possessed.

And then she suddenly had the strength of twenty. Gabriel reached over her shoulders and placed his hands on top of hers. He waited for permission. She nodded.

The punishment rod snapped in half. The crack was like an explosion of thunder in the silent hall. Gabriel let go and moved back. Johanna continued to hold the broken weapon for another few seconds, then threw the two ends at the bishop's feet. She turned around, took hold of her husband's hand, and walked by his side out of the hall.

She didn't look back.

Evening was Gabriel's favorite time of day. He liked to linger at the table to discuss the day's events and to plan tomorrow's duties with his soldiers. He never really listened to the men's suggestions or remarks, however. He pretended to, of course, but all the while he watched Johanna.

Nicholas and Clare had left for England over three months ago. Clare hadn't wanted to leave the Highlands, and it took Nicholas time and patience to coax her into going.

One relative had left, but another was on her way. Johanna's mother was expected to arrive tomorrow or the day after. As soon as word arrived she was on her way, Gabriel had sent an escort to wait at the border of his land for her.

In two weeks time he would leave to attend his first council meeting with the other lairds. He wouldn't be gone long, because Johanna was expected to deliver their babe in about a month's time.

Auggie and Keith had stolen the noser from the Kirkcaldy clan. Laird Gillevrey had mentioned the man and had made the comment he was the best noser in all of the Highlands. Auggie kept the noser locked up for a good long while once he'd selected the finest of the brew for them. The noser was named Giddy, and he was harmless enough. After a month or two of boredom, Auggie took mercy on him and let him try his hand at the game of striking the stones. Within a week, Giddy caught the fever. Now there were two fanatics digging holes all over the courtyard, the meadow, and the valley below, and Gabriel had the suspicion that, once the barrels had been traded and Giddy could go home, he probably wouldn't leave. He and Auggie had become fast friends; and when they weren't striking stones, they were dragging copper kettles to Auggie's cottage to convert into a more effective brewing apparatus.

Johanna sat by the fire every night and worked on her tapestry. Dumfries waited until she was settled in her chair and then draped himself across her feet. It became a ritual for Alex to squeeze himself up next to her and fall asleep during her stories about fierce warriors and fair maidens. Johanna's tales all had a unique twist, for none of the heroines she told stories about ever needed to be rescued by their knights in shining armor. More often than not, the fair maidens rescued their knights.

Gabriel couldn't take issue with his wife. She was telling Alex the truth. It was a fact that maidens could rescue mighty, arrogant warriors. Johanna had certainly rescued him from a bleak, cold existence. She'd given him a family and a home. She was his love, his joy, his companion.

She was his saving grace.