Saving Grace

He spotted the baron first. "One of our soldiers doing border patrol has just arrived with the news," he said. "English soldiers were spotted coming onto our land. It's an army, Baron, and only an hour away from the keep."

"How many were sighted?" Keith demanded.

"Too many to ever count," Michael told him.

Nicholas let out a roar so forceful and so filled with fury, the sound surely reached the Lowlands.

He had been betrayed by his king. The bond between vassal and overlord was destroyed. John had lied to his baron, for he hadn't sent a messenger and escort. He'd sent an army.

The keep would be under siege in less than an hour's time. Keith immediately took charge of readying the area for attack by posting guards all along the walls, and Nicholas took on the responsibility of leading a contingent of men down the ridge to meet the English soldiers in a flanking attack.

Laird MacKay was told to go home before the fight began. He refused the order and mounted his horse to ride by his son-in-law's side. He told one of his men to ride like lightning back to his own holding and gather his considerable troops. Nicholas was damned thankful for the old man's interference. He knew they were going to need every fighting man available.

Clare couldn't seem to make up her mind if she wanted to get hysterical because she was now married to an Englishman or if she wanted to be helpful in the battle against the intruders. Then Nicholas turned to leave, and Clare picked up her skirts and ran after him.

"Don't you dare make me a widow, Baron," she demanded. "I'm wanting an a

Nicholas reached his stallion, grabbed the reins in one hand, and then turned to his bride. "You won't be getting either," he a

She didn't know what to say to him next. Nicholas stared at her for a long minute, then decided he'd wasted enough time on his new bride. He started to turn away.

"Wait."

"Yes?"

Words still eluded her. And so she simply threw herself into his arms. Nicholas knew what to do next. He let go of the reins, wrapped his arms around his trembling bride, and gave her a kiss filled with promise, commitment, and a fair amount of lust.

"You look like a boy with your hair cut so short, but you sure as hell kiss like a woman, Clare MacKay."

She forgot how to breathe. She couldn't seem to gather her wits about her until her husband was riding away.

"Take care of him, Papa!" she shouted.

"I will, lass. Get yourself inside and stay there."

Clare turned to do just that when she spotted Joha

Joha

Alex took one look at his mother and started wailing. She picked the child up and hugged him tight.

"Auggie, take Alex up to my chamber. I'm making you responsible for him. Don't let any harm come to him. Promise me."

"I promise you," he said. "And where will you be while I'm looking out for the boy?"

"There isn't time for me to explain," she answered. "King John has sent an army four times the size of our own."

"We've survived before, lass. We'll survive again."

The price was too dear to pay for Joha

"The king betrayed my brother," she said. "He used trickery, Auggie, and so I will use the truth to stop this before it's too late."

Joha

"If it gets too threatening, I'll take the boy and hide. I'll bring him back when it's finished."

"How will you get outside the walls?"

"I have my ways," Auggie boasted. "Quit your crying, boy. We're on an adventure now. Let's fetch your wooden sword and have our own battle."

Joha

She finished her petitions, made the sign of the cross, and then stood up. Clare and Keith were both standing in the doorway, watching her.

"They're swarming up the hill's m'lady." Keith a

Clare was trying not to cry. "Papa and Nicholas are both going to get killed. I've never seen so many soldiers, Joha

"I have a plan," Joha

He shook his head. "I ca

"You don't have a choice in the matter," she countered. "Listen carefully. We were taken by surprise, isn't that so?"

She waited for his nod before continuing. "If we'd had time to prepare, what would you have done?"

"Called up our allies," Keith replied. "And when they arrived, we would outnumber the enemy. Even now the word is being passed through the Highlands, for the sight of such a vast army would be spread like wildfire. Most of our allies are to the north, however, and they are probably only just now hearing the news. They'll come."

"But it will be too late, won't it?"

"There is always hope, m'lady."

"There is also a better plan," she replied. "If I willingly go to the English soldiers, they will retreat."

"They'll take you back to England!" Clare cried out.

"They will if Keith ca

"A single full day," he answered.

"Gabriel hasn't reached England yet. He will have heard. Add him to your numbers."

Joha

And so she resorted to trickery to get her way. She pretended to give in. Keith asked her to go back to the great hall and wait there with Clare until he sent men to sneak the two of them out of the keep.

Joha

"You've going to have to help me," she a

"You can't know that, Joha

"We'll be all right. Raulf doesn't know I'm carrying, and the pleats in my plaid hide my condition." She nodded again. "We'll be all right."

"And if Baron Raulf is leading the army? How will you keep him from hurting you?"

"I have not forgotten how to cower," Joha

"Dear God, I don't know what to do."

"Please help me."

Clare was finally swayed. She gave a quick nod. "Aren't you frightened, Joha

"Oh, yes," Joha

Tears streamed down Clare's face. She forced a smile to hide her terror. "I wish I had someone like Gabriel who I could love and trust."

"Oh, Clare, you do. Nicholas is every bit as gentle and good as my husband."

Her friend's smile became genuine then. "Dear Lord, I forgot I was married," she blurted out. "Come now. We must get you out of here before I also forget I have courage."

The two women turned direction and ran toward the back entrance to the stables. Twenty minutes later, and after considerable subterfuge and plain sneakery, Joha