One & Only by Kara Griffin Read Free Book Online

around her. “I have nothing of value, Cait, to bargain for their
employ.” Now chilled from the cool air hitting her wet skin, Bree pulled the
cover tightly around her. Clean now and smelling of lilac soap, she felt
somewhat better, if not cooler.
    “If you ask Baron Thomas, I’m sure
he will send you off with a dowry of sorts.”
    “He’s wealthy and probably would
give me something to appease the laird. Do you deem he would? I know not what
to ask for.”
    “You have been akin to a dutiful
daughter since the day you arrived. Baron Thomas adores you for keeping his
wife appeased. Of course he will give you a gift. The only thing that would
sway the Gunns is salt.” Cait circled her. “Aye, that’s what you should
request. Say it shall be a gift to your husband. Barron Thomas cannot refuse
your request.”
    “Why would they want salt?” Confounded
by their conversation, Bree scowled.
    “The Highlanders don’t have need for
gold or other possessions. They’re a simple people with little needs. But salt
would help cure their meat and be of great value.”
    “I could bring many of my herbs and
spices too. The baron always brings me plenty when he returns from Londontown
and the markets.”
    “That would appease the Gunns. I’ll
send word to Gordy this day. We will give them a location to meet us, but will
be discreet about wanting them to come for you. We’ll just dangle the prize so
to speak.” Cait nodded as if she were to be that prize.
    “Hah, I’m certainly no prize, Cait.
What about the soldiers? You must know I’ll be escorted. They won’t let me
leave unattended with the Gunns.”
    Cait laughed and took the towel from
her, and began drying her hair. “They’ll believe the men who come for you are
the MacHeths. We’ll just have to be deceitful.”
    “I don’t deem hiding amongst the
Gunns will keep the MacHeths away.”
    Cait dropped the towel and set an
around her. “Who said anything about hiding?”
     
     
     
     
     
     
    CHAPTER THREE
     
     
    In plain sight, Grey Gunn stood at
the base of the rise.
    He wanted his men to see him
observing the training. Their valiant effort could be seen from the distance in
which he stood, too. There was much to accomplish before the mist absconded to
the flat field. The young warriors had a plethora to learn before he’d take
them to battle. Duff, his commander-in-arms, and his closest friend, trained
the lads for hours this day. Though Duff didn’t have the patience which Greer
possessed, he hadn’t lost his fortitude yet. Greer, his third in command, and
the most effective with a bow, never shouted at the lads. Duff could learn a
lesson from Greer in that regard.
    The day went to hell and hound when
the sky darkened and thick clouds rolled in. Soon heavy rain would fall,
clearing the field of its mist, but also making it impossible to continue the
training session. Winds began whipping off the sea, sending a salty taste in
the air. There wasn’t much time, and still they had to go through all the
defensive movements. The young warriors had yet to improve in that matter.
Nevertheless, they certainly boasted when it came to offensive tactics.
    Grey knew they’d only mimicked the
more practiced warriors. Mayhap he should let them train together and have his
experienced warriors give the lads a taste of humility. That would take away
their overconfidence. Arrogance was unimpressive when the young warriors
couldn’t back it up with defense on the battlefield. They had much to learn and
yet he couldn’t be prouder of them. Soon his men would all be seasoned and then
he would have no worry of warring with other clans.
    When Duff had enough and frustration
finally wore him down, he left the field and turned the lads over to Greer’s capable
hands. He stomped from the field and stood next to him. His scowl attested he’d
indeed lost his patience. “Shall we call it a day, Laird?”
    “Aye, they’ve been at it since early
this morning and put