Alexander: A Seventh Son Novel (McClains Book 1) Read online

  Alexander

  The McClains Book 1

  Kirsten Osbourne

  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Epilogue

  About the Author

  Also by Kirsten Osbourne

  Chapter One

  England 1100

  Madelina picked the child up in her arms and ran toward the castle where she lived with her parents and her aunts and uncles. Even with her vast knowledge of healing, she couldn’t save the sick girl. Only one person could do that—her mother. She knew the knight was behind her as she ran, but she barely acknowledged him. What difference did it make if he discovered her family secret if a child’s life was lost? She would save the child every day, and so would her mother!

  When she reached the great hall, she called out at the top of her lungs, “Mother! This child is dying!”

  She didn’t see her mother, only her aunt Christiana, but she knew that was good enough. Christiana would use her mind to communicate with her mother as she always did.

  Christiana closed her eyes. When she opened them, she nodded at Madelina. “She’s coming.”

  “Thank you, Auntie.” Madelina sat down, cradling the child against her, wishing she could call up power from within her to save the child as her mother could.

  The man who had brought the child to the castle stared at her. “I was told you had a way with herbs and potions.” He obviously couldn’t understand why she was calling for someone else to save the child.

  Madelina, still out of breath from her run, looked at the man before responding. “I do have a way with herbs, but everything I know is from my mother. She has a healing way about her.” Many had called her mother a witch, but Madelina knew better. Her mother—and her two sisters—had each received powers at birth that they used only for good. How could anyone call that witchcraft?

  Madelina herself had the power to call and calm storms, but she’d apprenticed under the best medicine woman in the area. She wanted to be able to heal like her mother. As soon as she thought of her mother, she saw the older woman running toward her, her dress a blur of blue. Before Madelina could say a word, her mother was on her knees before her—hands outstretched to heal the child.

  It only took a moment before the baby’s fever was gone, and her eyes were clear. They’d been bloodshot with the fever, and she’d been unable to make a sound. Madelina let out a breath. “Thank you, Mother.”

  The man looked at Madelina and walked toward her, reaching out to touch the child. “Her fever’s gone. She was burning up just a moment ago.” He frowned in confusion. What was happening in this place?

  Madelina frowned at the stranger. He must not be from the area because everyone around knew that her mother, Marina, had the power to heal with a touch. “Who are you?”

  The man frowned at her. “My name is Alexander. I was sent with a message for Baron Roland from my father, Baron Ralph. They fought with King William together, may he rest in peace.”

  “Roland is my uncle. I will take the message.” Madelina held her hand out for the message with the gracefulness of a woman who had known power her entire life.

  “But the child . . .”

  “What about the child? She’s fine now. Is she yours?” Madelina had a hard time believing the child could be his because she was dressed in peasant’s clothes and he was obviously a nobleman.

  “I found her lying along the path on the way here. I was surprised to find a child alone, but when I stopped to pick her up, she was burning with fever. A peasant I passed told me to bring her to Lady Madelina, who was skilled with herbs and potions, to heal her, so I brought her to you.” He frowned. “How did your mother heal her?”

  Mother raised an eyebrow. “I healed her with my touch, of course. There was no other way to save her life.” She met the stranger’s eyes. “I’m Marina, wife of Charles, Roland’s brother. I’ll take the missive to Roland.”

  Alexander bowed his head. “Thank you, Lady Marina.”

  Madelina wasn’t surprised when her aunt took the message from her mother. “I’ll take it to my husband. I’m Christiana, wife of Roland.” Though both women were older, they held their heads high and proud. They were ladies by birth and by marriage.

  “Thank you.” Alexander watched as the two older women left the hall together, and he looked again at the young woman holding the baby. “The babe is all right?”

  Madelina nodded. “She’s fine.” She had no idea if the child was a girl, but she seemed like a girl to her, so she called her she. “We need to find her parents? She must belong to someone.”

  “I saw a burned hut a short distance from the road. I presume the parents had fever and their bodies were burned. I don’t know why the child was spared.”

  “How far from here did that happen? If it was close, then people will come here to look for her. All of the people in the area know my mother, and I heal anyone brought to us.” She hugged the child tightly against her, hoping that no one would come. A child to raise would give her a true purpose in life—more than just apprenticing under her mother.

  “And if no one comes for her?”

  Madelina shrugged. “We’ll keep her and raise her as a member of our family.”

  “You would really do that? It’s a peasant child.”

  “It makes no difference to us. People are people whether nobleman or peasants.” She glanced up as her uncle entered the hall with her mother and both aunts at his side. Her aunt Eva must have been called to join them for whatever reason. Madelina didn’t like that this man knew the secrets her family held, but she could do nothing about it.

  Roland stopped a foot in front of the stranger, his eyes traveling up and down the man. “You are the seventh son of my friend, Ralph? I have not seen him in many years.”

  “I am.” Alexander was the seventh son of a seventh son as far back as their family knew, and that was back to their Viking ancestors. “My father asked me to greet you for him.”

  Roland read the scroll in his hand again before his eyes met Alexander’s. “Your father has asked for an alliance through marriage. He said that as his seventh son, you have a great deal of luck. What does that mean?” Roland’s eyes were narrowed shrewdly. He was a man of great power and influence, and no one in his presence forgot it.

  Alexander shrugged. He hadn’t realized his father was asking for a marriage for him, but he wasn’t terribly surprised. He was already twenty-four summers, and he’d never even courted a lady. His father wanted to see him married. “It means that I am able to determine which fork to take in a path. I can guess which man is the one to be trusted. Little things like that. It comes from being the seventh son in a long line of seventh sons.”

  Roland would have once dismissed what the younger man was saying but after years of being married to a woman who could communicate through his mind, he was inclined to believe such things were possible. “What is your hope for the future as a seventh son?”

  Alexander took a deep breath. “I’m not sure if you’re aware, but my family has always provided for the seventh son first. I will inherit the castle where I was raised. My brothers have all married and moved on.”

  Roland raised an eyebrow at that. “I wasn’t aware. Most families do things differently. Very interesting.” He studied Alexander for another moment. “My four daughters have all married. And my sons have married as well. There’s only one unmarried female left in the family.”

  Madelina blushed as she felt the eyes of everyone in the room on her. She knew her family despaired of her ever marrying. She was twenty summers old, and her father had suggested taking her to court many times, but her moods were too unpredictable. If she became sad, it could rain indoors, as it had many times in their castle. If she was angry, it could cause a tornado. She saw some snow start to fall from the ceiling, which her family would know meant she was embarrassed.

  Alexander looked at the beautiful young lady, still holding the peasant baby against her breast. “Would you consider me as a possible husband?” He brushed a drop of moisture from his cheek, only then realizing it was snow. But how? ’Tis the middle of summer, and it’s snowing indoors? He looked around at the others in the room and realized none of them were surprised. Even the baby was perfectly content. “May I ask where the snow comes from?”

  Madelina straightened her shoulders. If he was to consider her for a mate, then he must know of her affliction. “From me.” All of the other females in her family had inherited powers that could help people. Hers were mere inconveniences.

  “You?” He stared at her with surprise. First her mother had healed the babe with her touch, and now she claimed she was making it snow indoors. “How?”

  She shrugged. “In my family, most of the women are born with special powers. We know not from whence they came, but we all have them.”

  Alexander looked at Roland. “This is true?”

  Roland nodded. “My wife has the ability to talk to you in your head.”

  As soon as Roland finished speaking, Alexander heard the word “hello” in his mind. He stared at Lady Christiana in shock. “Did you do that?”

  Christiana nodded, a smile lighting her face. “Hello, A
lexander.”

  Madelina hid a giggle as her Aunt Eva stepped forward, a purple dragon swooping down from the ceiling and landing on her shoulder. “I’m Eva. I have the power to make people see things that aren’t truly there.”

  Alexander swallowed hard, nodding. He’d thought his family was odd with the luck the seventh son had, but this was truly amazing. He wondered how many people knew about this. “And you,” he said nodding at Madelina’s mother, “have the healing touch.”

  Marina nodded. “That I do.”

  He frowned at Madelina. “And what exactly is your power?”

  Madelina had always thought of her power as more of a curse, which was why she’d worked so hard to learn to heal people as her mother did. It also provided a cloak for her mother’s powers when necessary. “I control the weather with my emotions.”

  He blinked a few times. “So if we marry, I can expect a life of getting snowed on?”

  She smiled wryly. “It only snows when I’m embarrassed. If I’m happy, the sun will shine. Different emotions cause different weather.” She watched him carefully, wondering if he’d run at the idea of her being so different than most women.

  Roland spoke, commanding everyone’s attention. “There will be no marriage until we have time to get to know you. You have yet to meet my brother, Charles, Madelina’s father. I will not give you her hand in his stead.”

  “But . . .” Alexander took a deep breath. “I understand, sir. Mayhap I can stay nearby while you make your decision?”

  Roland shook his head. “No, you will stay here. We will see you at all times of day and truly take your measure. Madelina is a precious gem, and she will not be allowed to marry a man who will not treat her as such.” He turned to Christiana. “We will feast tonight to welcome a suitor for Madelina’s hand.”

  Christiana nodded. “Aye, husband. I’ll go inform the kitchen.” She rushed out of the hall, toward the back of the castle.

  “And where may I put my things?” Alexander hadn’t brought much with him. Just two changes of clothes. He would happily sleep on the floor if they so desired. Madelina was a beautiful woman, and he couldn’t wait to spend time with her to get to know her better. She was obviously very loved by her family, so he would have to make sure they were impressed by him.

  Roland looked at Madelina. “Give the babe to your mother and show him to the blue room in the west wing. It will put him as far from you as possible and still have him in a comfortable room in my home.”

  Madelina didn’t think of disobeying. She may have powers that her uncle didn’t, but his orders were not to be thwarted. “I haven’t discovered her name yet, Mama.” She pressed a kiss to the tiny cheek before turning her attention to their guest. “Do you want to get your things? We can have the stable lad tend to your mount.”

  “Yes, please.” He watched her, thinking about what his father had proposed. She was a beautiful young lady, and she would suit him well . . . if looks were to be the only thing considered. But there was so much more.

  He had no idea if she had a dowry, but it didn’t matter. His family was not lacking in land or wealth due to their luck. He had no idea if she would have the ability to run a large household, but that was just what she would need to be able to do as his wife.

  As she led him to the stable, he took his horse’s reins and followed, watching the gentle sway of her hips. His body reacted to her nearness, and he knew that her comely form would please him greatly. He hoped it wouldn’t take long for a marriage to take place.

  “Milord, this is Gerald, our stable lad. Gerald, would you take Lord Alexander’s horse and be certain to feed and water him?” Madelina asked.

  Gerald bowed his head slightly. “Aye, milady. He is a fine horse.” He patted the horse’s muzzle and took his reins while Alexander got his things from a bag tied to the saddle.

  “Thank you, Gerald,” Alexander said, startling Madelina.

  “Do you often thank servants for doing their jobs?” she asked. Never before had she seen a member of the nobility outside her own family do so.

  “Yes, of course. Whether ’tis their job or not, ’tis kind of them to help me. I try to never fail to show my appreciation.” Alexander watched her. “Do you not approve?”

  “Oh, I most definitely approve, milord. My family has always done the same, but I’ve never seen it from another. I believe it will afford you more of a chance to marry me.” She walked back toward the castle, expecting him to follow.

  “Wait, please.”

  Madelina turned to him. “Yes?”

  “Since we are considering the idea of marriage to one another, would you consider calling me Alexander? Or even Alex, as my family calls me?”

  She nodded. “Aye, Alex. And please call me Lina, as my family calls me.” Not all her family called her Lina, but her siblings and cousins did, and she preferred the shortened version of her name.

  “Lina? I had thought you would be called by your full name.” He wanted to take her hand in his, but he wasn’t sure how she would feel about it, so he walked beside her, not touching her except the occasional brush of his arm against hers.

  “Often, I am called by my entire name, but all of my siblings and my cousins called me Lina.”

  “You are the last unmarried cousin?” he asked, curious about her family, which seemed to be very close.

  “Yes, I am. I am a full six years younger than the closest cousin in age, so it’s not surprising that I’m the last to marry.” She didn’t mention her affliction because he already knew about that. She didn’t need to pound it into his head with a mallet.

  “And all the females in your family have powers such as you do?” he asked, surprised that word of their family hadn’t spread across all of England.

  “Aye. One of my sisters is able to communicate with animals. One is able to change her appearance at will, making herself lovelier than she actually is. The strongest powers belong to my mother and two aunts. They had to fight a man who was attempting to conquer the world and win, or there would have been much hardship for many generations.”

  “That is fascinating.” They had reached the castle, and she turned toward the staircase leading off to the left, while he followed.

  “My uncle has said you will stay in the west wing in the blue room. It’s his favorite room for guests to stay in—very comfortable but away from the ladies of the house.”

  He laughed. “He is a wise man.” With that one sentence, she’d explained how careful her uncle was with her virtue. He couldn’t help but respect the man for the care he’d taken with the woman he wanted to marry more and more as the afternoon wore on.

  “Yes, he is. Wiser than you can imagine, I’m afraid.” She stopped at a door at the top of the stairs and opened it wide. “If you would care for a bath, I will have the servants prepare one for you. Or if you would like, I can give you a tour of the land and castle.” She wasn’t sure what made her offer the tour. It wasn’t something she’d ever done, but the man was a bit intriguing to her. Other men had come to ask for her hand, but she’d denied them all. She wanted someone to desire her for herself and not for her familial connections.

  “I would greatly enjoy a tour.” Alexander walked into the bed chamber and put his things onto the bed. “Shall we go?”

  Madelina smiled, nodding. “There’s no need to show you this wing of the castle. It’s only used for guests at this time. When the entire family lived here, it was occupied, but there’s no need any longer. We all stay in the east wing near one another.”

  “I see.” He followed her as she descended the stairs, one hand lifting the hem of her gown gracefully. She was not dressed in clothes that would have been acceptable at court, but she was pleasing to him. Her long green dress was made of simple cotton, allowing her ease of movement for her tasks. She was obviously not an idle woman. Her hands were calloused and rough, as if she did hard physical work at times.

  As they reached the bottom of the stairs, she stopped. “Father, have you heard we have a guest?” She waved to Alexander. “This is Alexander. His father fought with you at Hastings. Alex, this is my father, Charles.”