Elaine was watching anxiously from her chamber window, looking out across the moorlands far into the distance. She had been waiting all day for a sign of Finlay and Andrew’s return, but so far, there had been no sign of them, and she was growing worried.
It was early spring in Mid-Argyll, the days still lingering with the shortness of winter, darkness closing in early, and the weather unpredictable. Snow still lay on the high mountain tops and a cold northern wind brought with it a chill that pierced to the bone.
She sighed, turning away from the window and shaking her head, as Carys looked up from her sewing with a questioning look upon her face.
“Nay sign of them, mistress?” she asked, and Elaine shook her head.
“They have been gone for three days, Carys. Each day I have expected them back, but nothin’ and nay message either. What has become of them?” she said.
“They will be all right, mistress. When has Finlay ever failed in battle?” she asked.
“There is always a first time, Carys, and he has Andrew with him, what if tis’ he who is injured? I could never forgive myself for allowin’ my firstborn to ride out like that on some foolish errand,” she said, slumping into a chair by the fire.
“Andrew is headstrong. He is nineteen years old, ye cannae stop him wantin’ to fight and follow his father into battle,” Carys said.
“Aye, but I can worry about him as only a mother can,” Elaine replied.
“Have faith, mistress. Come now, sit a while by the fire, and we shall talk of old times. Dae ye remember when we used to sit for hours by the fire at Carrick when we were young?” she said, and Elaine smiled.
“Aye, such carefree days they were, I should have enjoyed them more for now there always seems so burden upon us,” she said, sighing.
“But much happiness too, ye have three beautiful children and a husband who loves ye. Ye still have me at yer side and a home here at Kilchurn, ye are luckier than ye think, mistress and daenae forget, I await my husband too, Dougal is with them, but ye daenae see me worryin’ every moment for him,” Carys said, and Elaine nodded.
She was happy, for hers was a charmed and privileged life as mistress of the MacCallum clan. But at that moment, she could think only of Finlay and Andrew, worrying for their safety and praying for their swift return.
***
Later that evening, she sat at the table in the great hall. The wind was whistling around the castle, a draught causing her to shiver and the fire in the hearth to splutter and spit. On her right was Carys, and on her left were Margaret and Robert, her two younger children, both happily eating their dinner and oblivious to their mother’s worry.
“I cannae eat,” Elaine said, pushing aside her plate.
“Come now, mistress, ye shall make yerself ill if ye daenae eat,” Carys said, but Elaine shook her head.
“Somethin’ has happened to them, I know it,” she said, but at that very moment, a commotion came from outside the great hall, and suddenly the doors burst open, and a dozen clansmen entered bearing a stretcher.
Elaine let out a cry of horror at the sight, rushing forward to where Finlay lay wounded and bleeding before her.
“Elaine, tis’ nae as bad as it looks,” Finlay said, struggling to sit up and gasping for breath.
“What happened? I have been anxious all day, I have nae slept for waitin’ for ye. I thought ye and Andrew would return two days ago, and … Finlay, where is Andrew? Where is our son?” she asked, looking around her, panic rising in her voice.
“I am here, mother, I am quite safe,” came a voice from the door of the great hall, and Elaine looked up to see her soon, bloodied and bruised, standing before her.
“Oh, Andrew, ye have been injured? I should never have allowed ye to go,” Elaine said, rushing to her son and throwing her arms around him.
“I wanted to go, mother, I had to go. The honor of our clan is at stake, the enemy encroaches upon our lands day by day, and there is rumor of uprising and insurrection,” Andrew said, ignoring his mother’s concerns and going to his father’s side.
“Andrew fought bravely, Elaine, ye would have been proud of him,” Finlay said, helped from the stretcher and into a chair by the fire.
“But at what cost?” Elaine said, tears welling up in her eyes.
“The time for peace is at an end, mother. We cannae sit idly by and allow our lands to be overrun. John Erskine is raising an army to take the crown. This is our chance,” Andrew said, and Elaine shook her head.
“We have always worked for peace, Andrew. Yer father and I have sacrificed much to ensure it. We cannae throw that away now on some foolish errand. The Earl of Mar will never raise an army large enough to take on the crown,” she said, but Andrew shook his head.
“There are many who will rally to his banner, mother. I am one of them. I am old enough, and I have had a taste of war now. I am ready,” he said.
“I will nae hear of it. Tell him, Finlay, tell him he is a fool to think these things,” Elaine said, looking around her in desperation.
“Yer mother is right, Finlay. Ye fought these past few days bravely, but we cannae take on such a cause; it wouldnae be right. Ye still have much to learn,” he said, and Andrew cursed.
“Ye treat me like a child, but I am nay child; I am a man, and I know the cause of right and wrong. The crown has too long subjected us to its cruel rule, well, enough is enough, I shall join with the Earl of Mar and fight. There is nothin’ that ye can dae to stop me,” he said, and with that, he turned and marched from the great hall, the doors slamming behind him.
“We must talk some sense into him. He cannae plunge us into war,” Elaine said, as the servants brought hot water and bandages for Finlay.
“He is headstrong, but perhaps he will soon learn,” Finlay said, sighing and shaking his head.
“But the cause he speaks of, can it even be true? John Erskine is but one man, the Earl of Mar can never take on the crown in such a way,” she said, and Finlay shook his head.
“I fear that the Earl has already drawn many to his cause. Andrew is idealistic; he does nae know the horrors of war as we dae. I shall talk to him,” he said, sighing and shaking his head.
***
But there was to be no conversation between Finlay and Andrew, for his son was already making plans. He had left the great hall, angered by his mother’s refusal to allow him to fight for a cause he believed was right.
In his chambers, he cursed the foolishness of his parents and their timidity. Did they not see the need to act if the honor of the clan was to be defended? Andrew had long heard tales of the crown’s brutality and of how it had taxed and subjected so many into submission.
“I will not allow it,” he said, bringing his fist down hard upon the mantelpiece.
He had made his decision already, long before he and his father had returned to Kilchurn from their flight along the eastern border of their territory. Andrew had seen for himself the devastation wrought by those who supported the crown and believed they could take anything they wished.
Crofts had been burned, peasants terrified, lands seized, and all manner of wickedness enacted in the name of the king. He would not stand for it any longer, and now, he took up his meager possessions and wrapped his cloak tightly around him, his sword slung at his side.
He would not ask permission to go, for he knew his parents would never allow it. By the time they realized he was gone, it would be too late, and he would have disappeared into the night. He waited until the castle grew quiet, the night watch bell having sounded, and the torches on the gates extinguished.
Now, he made his way quietly downstairs, picking his way through the darkened corridors, and sneaking into the kitchen to steal food. He could picture his mother’s face if she knew what he was doing, the horror she would feel when it was discovered that he was gone. But Andrew knew his cause was right, and he slipped out of the castle by the side gate in the gardens, fleeing across the moorland to join the Earl of Mar and fight in his rebellion.
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This is the story of Gale, an adventurous English lady who runs away to escape her murderous mother and finds herself in the company of an alluring Highlander. There she is called to change her ways, and he helps her see the world from a different point of view. But her past is catching up with her. How will she elude her mother? And will this be the only obstacle in their relationship?
The day was sultry and warm, midsummer having brought a seemingly endless heat to the lush landscape of Argyll. It had not rained for several weeks, and the heathers were growing brown upon the hillsides and the streams trickling their course into the lochs.
Elaine and the party of clansmen rode slowly that morning, pausing several times to rest in the shade of a clump of trees or beneath a rocky outcrop. It grew warmer as the day drew on, the horses sweating as they trudged along the moorland paths, which led north towards Loch Awe and Kilchurn.
“A hard and long day,” Elaine’s father said, reining in his horse and pausing to look out across the landscape.
“Everywhere is so dry. The rain will surely come soon,” Elaine said, as she came to a stop behind her father.
“This is the limit of our land. Here is where we enter the territory of the MacCallum’s. Everythin’ that ye can see from here belongs to them, and behind us, everythin’ ye can see belongs to me,” her father said, pointing first forwards and then backward.
“Then I am to be mistress of two lands,” Elaine replied, looking out across the landscape.
From the ridge, she could see right across the moorlands, making out the distant sparkle of a loch many miles to the north. It was wild and rugged countryside, and she could only imagine its bleakness in the depth of winter when the snows lay thick and heavy there, and freezing winds blew down from the north.
“Aye, mistress of two lands, lass. A McRob and a MacCallum. Tis’ a great moment for our clans. And when yer first child is born, perhaps it will be he who will become master of these two lands,” her father replied.
“And what if I produce a girl, father? What then?” Elaine asked, but her father only laughed.
“Then ye must try harder, lass. I love ye with all my heart, but it was a tragedy that yer dear mother did nae produce an heir. A true tragedy,” he said, sighing and shaking his head.
“Things are meant to be, father. Fate is nay always a kind mistress,” Elaine replied.
“That is true. But come now, fate has it in store that I shall leave ye presently. I must return to Carrick. Ye will be quite safe ridin’ north now. MacCallum territory is safe enough,” he said, calling out for the clansmen to continue.
Elaine paused a moment, still looking out across the vast moorlands ahead and wondering as to her fate. It felt as though this were her final step. To leave this ridge and ride down into MacCallum territory was to take a step she had never taken before. Now, she was leaving home for the final time, and all that lay ahead was unfamiliar.
“Take courage, mistress. We can ride together,” Carys said, causing Elaine to look up from her pondering.
“Then we shall ride together, Carys,” she said, and her companion smiled.
They urged their horses onwards, following her father and the other clansmen on down the moorland path. They had crossed the border now, and Elaine could feel herself letting go of the past and looking to the future. She was brave, dutiful, and determined. This would be a true adventure, and she was ready to face the challenges which lay ahead.
For the rest of the day, they rode on, making slow progress in the heat. They paused to eat a simple meal by a stream upon the moorlands, and it was here that her father bid them farewell. He would not attend the wedding but would ride to Kilchurn later in the summer when further agreements between the two clans could be reached. Elaine was sad to see him leave, and they stood together for a moment upon the path, her father embracing her and offering her his blessing.
“Be strong, Elaine. There is so much of yer mother in ye. She, too, was a brave and noble soul. I see her in ye every day, and I know that she would have been proud of ye. Just as I am,” he said, kissing Elaine and holding her close.
“Then I must dae my best to live up to that reputation, father,” Elaine replied.
“Ye already have done, lass. But here, there is somethin’ that I want ye to have. Wear it on yer weddin’ day and may it remind ye of yer mother and bring ye good luck,” her father said, reaching into his pocket and drawing out a little box.
Elaine had never seen it before, and she opened it curiously, revealing a gold necklace inside.
“Tis’ beautiful, father,” she said, and he smiled.
“It belonged to yer mother. She wore it on the day that she and I were married. Ours was nae, unlike yer own. Yer mother came havin’ never met me before. But we were the happiest of people, and I loved her with all my heart. Hamish MacCallum will love ye too, I am certain of it. Now, be brave and take heart. We shall see each other very soon,” he said, and he kissed her once more before climbing onto his horse and preparing to ride away.
“A safe journey, father,” Elaine called out, and she watched as he rode off across the moorlands.
“It will nae be long until ye see him again, mistress,” Carys said, coming to stand by Elaine’s side.
They watched as her father became a distant dot upon the landscape, his horse charging over the heathers. With a sigh, Elaine turned and nodded, the two women making their way back to the party of clansmen who had just concluded their simple meal of bread and cheese.
“We shall camp a few miles further on tonight, mistress, and then arrive at Kilchurn by noon tomorrow,” the captain of the clansmen said, as they made ready to depart.
“And the path is safe to camp upon?” she asked, and he nodded.
“Ye are quite safe, lass. Besides, I have seen ye wield a sword on many occasions,” he said, laughing and shaking his head.
“But never in battle, captain. I am nay warrior,” she replied, “I shall leave any fightin’ to ye and yer men. Come now, the sooner we ride on, the quicker we shall arrive.”
He nodded to her, calling out orders to the men as Elaine climbed into her saddle and smiled at Carys, who had just finished tightening the straps on her saddlebag.
“What dae ye think the castle is like? Does the Laird have many servants?” Carys asked, climbing up into her saddle and reining her horse around to depart.
“I know very little about it, or of the Laird. I know he has a son, though, for the Laird was married before. His wife died some years ago, but unlike my father, it seems he is keen to marry again,” Elaine said, and Carys nodded.
“Ye didnae tell me he had a son, Elaine. I wonder if he is handsome,” she replied, and Elaine laughed.
“And if he is, then ye are welcome to marry him, Carys. Ye are welcome to marry any man ye so choose. One of us at least should find some happiness in all of this,” Elaine replied, as they rode off across the heathers.
“Come now, mistress. Ye will be happy, I promise. We both will be,” she said.
“So long as I have my faithful friend, I will be,” Elaine replied, grateful at least for the company of one who had been so loyal to her across the years.
Carys had been her maid since they were children, and she was the closest friend Elaine had ever had. She could not imagine life without her and had been greatly cheered when Carys had happily agreed to ride north.
“Ye shall always have me, mistress. I promise,” Elaine replied.
For several hours they rode north across the moorlands. The heat of the sun was relentless, and Elaine was grateful when the shadows began to lengthen, and the cool of the evening began to descend. The captain called a halt at a copse of trees on the edge of the path, and here they decided to make camp, a fire soon kindled, and a stew prepared for their dinner.
Elaine and Carys went to fetch water from a stream that ran below a bank covered in flowers, the water gushing and gurgling its ways down from the hills above. After the heat of the day, the water’s edge was refreshing and reviving, and they paused a while by its side, bathing their weary feet in the cold, clear stream and splashing one another for fun.
“Mistress, I am wet through,” Carys said, laughing, as she leaped out of the way.
“Tis’ so lovely after the heat,” Elaine said, wading up to her waist in the water and splashing Carys again.
“Oh, tis’ just that,” Carys said, giving in and joining Elaine in the pool where they both began to swim.
“Perhaps this journey will nae be so bad after all,” Elaine said, turning on her back and floating into the middle of the water.
“Tis’ an adventure, lass. We will be happy, I promise. We shall find a place to look out from each day, just like we did at Carrick. We shall take walks in the hills just as we always did, and in the winter, we shall sit and spin the wool. Life will nae be that different,” Carys said, as they climbed out of the pool and lay panting on the bank on the other side.
“Except I shall be married. Dae ye think the Laird will expect much of me?” Elaine asked.
“He shall expect ye to be dutiful, I suppose. But surely he will have important tasks to see to. Ye and I will be left to dae as we please. We can begin by explorin’ the whole of the castle, and then around the loch. There will be all manner of things to see,” Carys said, smiling at Elaine, who nodded.
“And by tomorrow, we shall see it,” she said, picking up the pail of water they had collected and pointing back towards the copse of trees above.
“Aye, come now, the men will be eager for their water. I hope the stew is ready,” Carys said, and the two of them climbed up the bank, carrying the pail of water between them.
“Tis’ strange,” Elaine said, when they came to the tree line, “I cannae see any of them men around.”
They paused for a moment, looking through the trees to where the men had set up camp not an hour before. But there was no sign of anyone. Elaine could see none of the men, nor the horses either. It was as though they had simply vanished.
“How strange. Ten men daenae just disappear in a moment,” Carys said.
“Captain? Where are ye?” Elaine called out as they came to the clearing where the fire was smoking.
“Mistress, look,” Carys cried out, and in their horror, they dropped the pail of water to the ground, spilling the water out as they did so.
There, lying with his neck cut, was the captain of the guard. Several of the other clansmen lay dead too, attacked it seemed with swords and other crude instruments which had left horrific injuries to their bodies. Carys clutched at Elaine, and the two women stared in horror at one another, realizing the sudden terror of their predicament.
“Quickly, Carys, come,” Elaine hissed, taking hold of Carys’ hand and leading her into the trees.
It was not a moment too soon, for there appeared in the clearing several vicious-looking men who began to rummage through the discarded saddlebags. Elaine and Carys hid just a short distance away, hardly daring to breathe as they watched what happened next.
“Four dead, these are nae MacCallum’s though. Look at them, these are McRobs, ye can see the insignia,” one of the men said.
“Ye shouldnae have killed them all. What are they doing up here? Where were they going?” another of the men replied.
“Travellin’ north, they must have been on their way to Kilchurn to see the Laird. Well, he shall nae get his tributes now. But what is this?” the first of the men said, emptying out the saddlebag.
Elaine watched as they searched through her belongings, picking out her clothes and holding them up in surprise. There were eight of them in total, all heavily armed, a group of bandits who no doubt preyed upon travelers foolish enough to paused as Elaine and the others had done.
“Why would clansmen have lass’ clothes with them?” one of them said, and the others laughed.
“Because they must have lasses with them. There must be some we have nae found yet. Come on, let’s search for them,” one of them said, and Carys clutched at Elaine as the two women backed further away into the undergrowth.
“We need to get away, come now,” Elaine hissed.
She had only her dagger on her belt, and the two of them could be no match for such vicious and heavily armed men. They had killed all of the clansmen, and surely, they would have no qualms in killing them too if they found them.
Elaine pointed towards the trees behind, as the sounds of the men beginning to search now echoed all around. They kept low, scrambling through the bracken, which grew up all around, cutting themselves on thorns and brambles as they tried desperately to get away.
“There are two extra horses here; there must be two lasses somewhere. Hiding in the trees. Quickly now, they would make a handsome bounty if we can find them. Daenae let them get away,” one of the men called out.
“Mistress, we are surrounded,” Carys whispered, her voice shot through with fear.
“This way,” Elaine hissed, pointing through the trees.
The men were almost upon them now, shouting to one another as they hunted. But Elaine had no intention of being caught, and she took hold of Carys’ hand, holding it firmly and reassuringly.
“Where now, mistress?” Carys whimpered.
“We shall make a run for it. See, the horses are unattended through the trees. On my signal, we shall run for them and ride like the wind. Climb onto the captain’s horse—Tis’ the swiftest of them all. We shall ride together and be away before they can catch us. We shall nae stop until we are safe,” Elaine said, and Carys began to cry.
“I cannae, mistress,” she whimpered, but Elaine squeezed her hand, preparing to pull her to her feet.
“Tis’ our only chance, Carys. Come now, be brave,” she said, “we will run on my signal.”
Elaine took a deep breath, the sounds of the bandits almost on top of them. But they had no choice, for if they did not try to escape, then surely they would be made prisoner. She summoned all her strength, reminding herself that she was the daughter of a Laird and mistress of these lands. She was brave, and she would not be cowed by bandits who would kill her father’s men and attempt to make her their ransom.
“There, over there,” one of the bandits cried out as Elaine and Carys rose from the undergrowth and dashed towards the horses.
With a roar, several of the men charged towards them, but the two women already had a start on them, and they reached the horses, throwing themselves onto the captain’s stead, which bucked and reared up on its hind legs.
“Woah there, ride,” Elaine cried out, urging the animal onwards.
It charged forward, but just as it did so, one of the bandits caught hold of the reins, and the animal bucked, almost sending Elaine and Carys falling to the ground.
“I have them,” he cried out, but Elaine had no intention of being made a prisoner in their moment of escape.
She pulled her dagger from its hilt and slashed at the man’s arm. He let out a cry of pain, letting go of the rains and falling back to the ground. The horse charged forward, and Elaine and Carys were away. She did not look back but urged the horse onwards, charging along the track towards the north.
Behind them, they could hear the sounds of the bandits mounting their own steads and preparing to give chase. Cries and threats filled the air, but Elaine could think only of escape, and she pushed the horse onwards, urging it to ride like the wind across the moors.
It was evening now, but still as light as day, the sun barely beginning to set. They had escaped, but how long could ride when all was unknown and unfamiliar? The moorlands all looked the same, though the path seemed well trodden on its way north. If only she knew the way to Kilchurn. But all that Elaine could do was ride on, praying for their deliverance and an end to this nightmare.
Chapter II
They are still following us, mistress,” Carys called out, glancing behind her.
Elaine, too, stole a glance back, and she could see the bandits riding at speed around half a mile behind them. If they paused for even a moment, then they would surely be upon them, and she was beginning to tire, not used to long rides in the saddle.
“We must keep goin now, we cannae stop,” Elaine called out, urging the horse forwards as fast as it would go.
But with two of them riding, it was clear that the poor animal could not hope to keep up its speed. It was tiring, and the bandits were gaining upon them moment by moment. Elaine knew that soon they would be upon them and that their only hope was to reach a place of safety, wherever that might be.
But the moorlands were open and barren. There seemed to be no shelter for miles around, not even an outlying croft or a farm where they might find shelter. Carys was terrified, and Elaine could feel her hands shaking with fear as she held onto her waist.
“What will they dae with us?” Carys said, her voice sounding tearful.
“They shall nae kill us. We are worth too much for that. But I have nay wish to find out anythin’ more,” Elaine said, glancing behind her once again.
The group of bandits was now only a short distance behind, and she could see the murderous look on the dead man’s face. They seemed determined to catch them but try as she might, she could not force the horse to greater speeds. He was slowing now and would surely collapse from exhaustion soon, sending them sprawling to the ground, captured and at the mercy of these wicked men.
“Ye will nae leave me though, mistress? Will ye?” Carys said, and Elaine shook her head.
“We are nae beaten yet, Carys. Look. There is a ridge there; we shall make for that. Perhaps we can gain some distance between us on the rocks,” she said, trying to sound more convinced than she felt.
“Aye, or lame the horse as we go,” Carys said, seeming to doubt any hope of their escaping their pursuers.
They had come to a fork in the path, one way leading north and the other to the west. The heathers ran down a long ridge, the path there ahead somewhat obscured. It seemed the best of several poor hopes, and Elaine urged the horse onwards, praying again for the wisdom to choose the right course.
“Tis’ nay use, we have ye, stop this foolishness and give yerselves up,” the lead bandit called out, the sound of his horse’s hooves now almost upon them.
“Never, nae to a coward like ye,” Elaine cried back as they charged up onto the ridge.
But it seemed that all hope was lost. The ridge gave way to a path running down towards trees, an empty country, and the perfect place for capture. She was about to rein in the horse and draw her dagger, ready to defend herself and Carys unto death.
“Nay, mistress, keep on,” Carys cried out, but just then, a most extraordinary thing occurred.
From the trees, there appeared a party of men, some twenty or so in total, all mounted on black horses, with brightly fluttering banners above them. The sight of these men caused the bandits to cry out in horror, the lead man calling an immediate retreat as confusion seemed now to rein.
Elaine and Carys were caught between them, and Elaine reined in the horse, uncertain of who now to face as her enemy. Was this an ambush upon them? A trick to deceive and lure them into a new danger?
The path was cut off on both sides. Behind them their pursuers and in front of this new and unexpected sight, a party of men led by a man riding an impressive-looking horse. He was handsome, in an unassuming way, his brown hair partially obscured by a helmet and his face clean-shaven.
“Charge these villains away,” he cried, the men on horseback ignoring Elaine and Carys as they pursued the bandits who now scattered to the four winds.
“Mistress, these men have come to our rescue,” Carys said, as Elain pulled up the horse, breathless and exhausted at the side of the path.
Like the cowards they were, their pursuers now scattered, some of them caught by the heavily armored men while others charged off back across the moorlands. Elaine was now in no doubt that her prayers had been answered and that these men had appeared just in time. But what would happen when they turned their attentions to the horse on which the two women now sat? They could not hope to outride these men if their intentions became hostile. All they could do was wait.
“But caution is still required, Carys. We daenae know who these men are. For all we know, they are worse than those who pursed us,” Elaine whispered, as the leader of the horses now rode up to them.
“Hail there, I mean ye nay harm. Ye have had a lucky escape, but tell me, who are ye?” he asked, pulling off his helmet and shaking out his hair.
“I should ask ye the same question,” Elaine replied, looking nervously around her, for they were now surrounded by the riders, several of the bandits now trussed and tied up.
But despite her fears, there was something about him which she felt able to trust. More so than that, something about him which instantly drew her to him. He intrigued her, a handsome and noble man, a man who had come to their rescue at just their moment of need. Her heart was racing, but not only for fear, a shiver running through her as he fixed his eyes upon her and smiled.
“My name is Finlay MacCallum, and ye are ridin’ across my father’s lands. State yer business and tell me why ye were being pursued by those men. We have had much trouble upon the moorlands from these villains in the past months,” he said, looking her up and down.
At the mention of his name, Elaine breathed a sigh of relief, though perhaps a little disappointment too, for he was certainly attractive, and she wondered again about his father. This was the son of the man under whose protection she now lay, and she knew now that they were safe.
“If ye are Finlay MacCallum, then ye and I are soon to be closer than ye think. My name is Elaine McRob, and I can see by the expression on yer face that now ye realize what tragedy ye have prevented this day. We owe ye a debt of gratitude,” Elaine said, as Finlay nodded and smiled at her.
“I suspected as much. My father has been awaitin’ ye, and he sent out our party to bring ye safely to Kilchurn. The way has become dangerous, as ye have discovered to yer peril. Where is yer escort? Surely yer father did nae send ye alone across the moorlands north to us?” Finlay asked, and Elaine shook her head.
“Dead. All of them. These bandits caught us by surprise in a copse of trees to the south. Carys and I were lucky to escape with our lives,” Elaine replied, shaking her head sadly, and Finlay cursed.
“Villains, well, they shall be punished. These ones at least, and we shall nae rest until their companions are hunted down and made to suffer for what they have done. Come now, we shall ride at once to Kilchurn; my father is anxious to see ye safely to our halls,” Finlay said, his face set in grim determination.
Elaine could not help but be thankful to him for rescuing them, but her heart was filled with sorrow, too, at the loss of her father’s men. The brave captain and his soldiers had clearly not betrayed them to the bandits, and it was thanks to them that they had been able to escape. She was determined to see justice done, but she was tired, too, and wished for a place to lay her head. It would be growing dark soon, the shadows having lengthened upon the moorlands and the sun dipping in the sky.
She urged the horse around, riding after Finlay and among his men, who greeted her with deference and respect. She was to be the mistress of this clan, and it seemed there was much interest in her from among them, relief too that they had found her before the bandits had caught up. But the sad fate of her father’s men weighed heavily upon her heart, and she offered up a prayer for their souls, vowing again to see them avenged.
***
She is certainly an attractive lass, though what a tragedy tis’ that has befallen her on her way to us, Finlay thought to himself, as they rode back towards Kilchurn.
How fortunate it had been that he and his men had come across her and her companion. It did not bear thinking about what might have happened had the bandits caught up with them.
It angered Finlay to think of these men roaming freely across his father’s land. What right did they have to do so? He had vowed to his father to ensure that the lands around the castle did not become lawless, but it seemed that day by day, things were becoming worse.
“What are we to dae with the prisoners, sir?” one of his men asked as they rode along the way towards the castle.
“Have them thrown into the dungeons. We shall make an example of them well enough,” Finlay replied, riding slowing his horse to a pace with Elaine and her maid.
“Ye ride well,” he said, looking at her with interest.
“Tis’ in my blood to dae so, sir. I am nay idle lass, ye know,” and Finlay laughed.
“Aye, I can see that. To face down such men and ride to safety is nay idle thing. My father shall be impressed with ye,” she replied.
“And are ye?” she asked, smiling at him.
“I am,” he replied, struck not only by her attractiveness but by her strength of character, too.
Here was a woman who would prove an interesting mistress of their clan and even a match to his father.
***
“He is clearly a good man,” Carys whispered as they rode after Finlay along the moorland track, which rose up across the heathers to the north, “handsome too.”
“And I must hope his father is a similar sort of man,” Elaine replied.
“I am sorry to meet ye under such circumstances,” Finlay said, pulling back his horse so that he could ride alongside them.
“We are only thankful that ye appeared when ye did,” Elaine replied.
“We have long been expectin’ ye at Kilchurn these past months. I have looked forward to meetin’ the woman whom my father has chosen as his wife and mistress of our clan,” Finlay said, glancing at Elaine and smiling.
“And am I as ye hoped I would be?” she asked, causing him to laugh.
“It was nae my place to hope, but ye have certainly proved yerself brave by facin’ down those men. There are many less who would have been killed, many men without the courage to dae what ye did,” Finlay replied.
“I am the daughter of a Laird, sir. I am nae afraid of such things, though we are in yer debt,” Elaine replied, blushing a little under his gaze.
“There is nay debt, lass. Tis’ the honor of our clan that we defend, and I will nae allow this country to become lawless, the preserve of bandits and villains. Nay, we shall ride out again and again, until the trail is safe, and they are brought to pay for what they have done,” Finlay said, glancing back at the prisoners who were being pulled roughly along at the rear of the horses.
The moon was rising over the moorlands now, casting its milky glow upon the heathers and reflecting from a loch which lay below. It sparkled in the gathering gloom, and Elaine could now see Kilchurn Castle, lying at the north of the loch, a most welcome sight after all which they had endured since leaving Carrick and all which was familiar behind.
“Tis’ a welcome sight,” Carys whispered as they rode down the track leading to the gates.
“Though how sad that we are coming here alone and without our men. My father will be sorrowful to hear of their loss,” Elaine replied.
“And so we must honor their memories,” Carys replied, “And ye must stay strong, mistress. Ye will feel better for something to eat.”
“Aye, that I shall,” Elaine said, for she realized now just how hungry she felt, as her stomach began to rumble
The castle was made up of a large, square tower from which a wall ran out to a smaller round tower and curved around to form a courtyard. A large gate stood open, flanked on each side by burning torches, and Elaine could see guards stationed upon the battlements above. It was surrounded by the huts and dwellings of a small village, a stone kirk lying at its heart, and a single track running into trees heading north.
Elaine wondered as to the history of the place and of the people who inhabited it. What would Finlay’s father be like? It was clear he had a care for her, else he would never have sent his son out to escort her there that night and what fortune it was that he had done so. She felt nervous now, for she had been so caught up in the events of that evening that she had barely thoughts of what was next to come.
Now, she followed Finlay and the other riders through the gates, knowing the time for her new life to begin was here, the old one left behind. It had already contained far more excitement than she desired, and she hoped now for a peaceful night and the chance to rest. Everything was new and different, the sounds and smells of the place, the clansmen milling about as the night watch appeared, and there was surely the Laird himself, waiting upon the steps to the tower, a look of relief upon his face and his arms outstretched in welcome.
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“Ye’ve come back.” A surprised Liam stared back at Elizabeth Darling as she entered the large hall of Duart Castle.
She’d seen him instantly, and her heart began to flutter as she took in his strong form once more. It had been a dull time in England with her aunt. No man there had come close to heating her blood the way that Liam MacLean did. It was frustrating and unnerving.
She nodded as she approached him. “Yes, I had heard from Charlotte that her wedding would be a few weeks away, and I thought I would come for the festivities. My aunt lives not too far from the Scottish border. But I am late.” She frowned, and Liam took a step closer.
“But ye can celebrate now, lass.” He pulled a drink from a table and handed it to her. “I think ye must begin right away.” He grinned, and Elizabeth could feel her insides tingling at the sight of his beautiful smile. She took a sip of the wine and felt its heat pass through her with gratitude.
She had spent too many nights crying about her father and having to leave Scotland and her new friend, Charlotte. Her father had been put in prison. There was no death sentence as of yet, for which she was grateful, for the King had been in a pleasant mood, but that could change at any time. Elizabeth had decided to return to Duart, at least for a visit to take her mind off what she was to do next.
And now with Liam MacLean in her sight and a glass of wine in her hand, she wanted to forget the past. She wanted to put aside her nerves and her fears and just let go. Liam then asked, “Come and dance, lass, if ye Sassenachs know how to do it.”
She felt herself being pulled along by a smiling Liam, and she finished her wine quickly as she was led to the dance floor amidst quickly moving people and the cries of the bagpipe. She was swept into a dance, and she found herself laughing as Liam’s strong arms moved her this way and that. She was happy to come back.
***
Charlotte and Angus returned to the gathering, their bodies warm with contentment. Inside the quiet of the study, Charlotte remembered with bliss as Angus had thrust into her as she laid on the desk, spilling papers everywhere as her moans of pleasure had lifted to the ceiling. They’d readjusted their clothing and returned to the party, knowing their presence would eventually be missed.
Charlotte pointed into the crowd as she and Angus moved towards the dancing. “Angus, look! ‘Tis Elizabeth! She has come to see us wed!” Charlotte’s heart swelled, and she wished to run forward to grab her into an embrace.
Angus grinned. “And look at Liam, about as proud as a peacock as he moves her about the dance floor.”
Charlotte said, “Yes, I think that there is something there. I am so glad she has returned, for I wish to make her my project once again.”
“Yer project?”
“Yes! She has had a rough time of it. Her father’s unkind and a murderer, and she has been told her whole life to be a quiet little mouse. I wish to continue to awaken the energy in her.”
Angus laughed. “If anyone can imbue someone with energy, then ‘tis ye, Charlotte.” She felt Angus’ arm snake around her waist and rest on her backside.
John Campbell sidled up to them, his face reddened with drink and creased into a smile. He nodded to both of them. “Happiest of days tae ye both. Angus MacLean, ye’ve really found a woman here, ye know. Ye best be kind tae her and treat her well.”
Angus shook John’s hand. “Aye, so I have, Campbell. Ye are most welcome. We are also most grateful tae ye for yer kindness. I think the Campbells are in for a change in the next years.”
“Aye, that we are, MacLean.” He looked toward the dance floor and spotted Elizabeth smiling and laughing. “Is that the Lord’s daughter? What is her name?”
“Elizabeth. Yes, ‘tis her.” Charlotte watched as John watched Elizabeth with interest, and she felt a little excitement tingle in her breast.
John took another sip of his cup. “Things are about tae get much more interesting then.”
Charlotte laughed as John began to move through the crowd towards Liam and Elizabeth. She hoped they would, indeed.
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This is the story of Gillian, an adventurous English lady who finds herself captured by a mysterious and alluring Highlander. This Highlander will do whatever it takes to save his people from hunger, even abduct the daughter of his enemy. But life seldom goes as planned. What will happen when the Highlander starts falling for Gillian? And will her feelings or her logic prevail in this peculiar turn of events?
This is the story of Julia, an intelligent English lady who runs away to escape her woes and finds herself in the keep of an enticing Highlander. This Highlander, as handsome as he may be, has serious economic troubles, and only a miracle can save him. But perhaps one's answer is closer than he thinks. How will he help her face the past that is haunting her? And how will she save him?
This is the story of Gale, an adventurous English lady who runs away to escape her murderous mother and finds herself in the company of an alluring Highlander. There she is called to change her ways, and he helps her see the world from a different point of view. But her past is catching up with her. How will she elude her mother? And will this be the only obstacle in their relationship?
Isle of Mull, Seat of Clan MacLean, Late February 1718
Charlotte Andrews wiped the young man’s brow as he lay on the small bed in his cottage. “He’s nae been eating, mistress, I’ve tried everything.” An old woman stood next to her, wringing her hands. Tears began to form in her eyes. “I’ve nae seen a sickness like it. What could it be?”
Charlotte leaned back in her chair and sighed. She had not seen anything like it before either, and it troubled her that she was unable to come to a conclusion. She wanted to be there for these people, showing them that she was just as good as an educated male doctor, but here she was, struggling to find the answer. The young man and a few others on the island shared symptoms. They were heavily bruised; some of their teeth were loosening and threatening to fall out; they had purple gums and a dry, almost scale-like skin.
She was afraid something was spreading around the island, but she couldn’t decipher what the symptoms meant. It wasn’t scarlet fever, or sepsis, or anything like that. She turned to smile at the old woman. “I will do my best for him, ma’am. But I am unsure yet as to what the illness could be. Keep him resting and make sure he is drinking plenty of water if you can find it. Boil it first.”
“Should we nae set the leeches upon him?”
Charlotte shook her head violently. “No, I beg you would not do that. There are much better ways of dealing with an illness. I will think on it and see what I can do for your son. I will come to you tomorrow.”
The woman nodded and showed Charlotte to the door. “I thank ye, mistress. We have nae had a healer for many a year, and the one across the water cannae be trusted tae come in time, and sometimes he doesnae come at all.”
Charlotte clasped the woman’s hand and smiled. Then she left the house and straddled the horse that was tied outside. Her brow was furrowed in concentration as she steered the horse back towards Duart Castle. It was not a long ride, and Charlotte loved the beautiful path by the water, giving her an excellent view of most of the island and its mesmerizing castle. She wanted to let the worries of the illness float off of her, just for a moment.
Charlotte had arrived at the Isle of Mull a few months ago to visit her dear cousin, Julia Bradford, who was, at Charlotte’s arrival, in the clutches of her evil uncle, who was trying to force her into matrimony with one of his friends. Julia’s now-husband, Laird Calum MacLean, and his brother, Angus, had saved her and brought her back to her new home to live forever as Lady MacLean.
Julia was an orphan and had attempted to escape her uncle while they were traveling to Scotland. Her uncle had arranged her marriage to a friend of his, General George Whiteman, a fearsome, unscrupulous, and a much older man.
But now, Julia was a very happy woman indeed, married to the dashing Laird Calum MacLean. Charlotte smiled to think of it. She had never expected either she or Julia to end up where they were.
Charlotte’s mind and thoughts of marriage were always in the direction of an Earl’s or Marquess’ son. Her father was the younger son of a Duke, and Charlotte’s mother had been an Earl’s daughter, so she had aristocracy on her side. She was an only child, and so she had a good dowry. She had no desire to marry below her station, nor did her father. He had great plans for her.
Despite Charlotte’s father’s less than civil comments on the match between his niece and the Scottish laird, Calum MacLean was a good man: kind and wise, devilishly handsome, and completely besotted with Julia. It made Charlotte happy, and she was wholly in support of the marriage. After the life she’d had, Julia needed a good man. But, she knew that she could never choose such a man.
Charlotte slowed her horse as she approached Duart Castle from the side. This was her favorite part of the journey. She took a deep breath and stared in awe at the stone structure, jutting out into the shore of the Sound of Mull, its tall, imposing figure beautiful with the backdrop of a blue sky and bright sun.
In spite of their plans for Charlotte to marry a wealthy man in London and become an integral part of London society, Charlotte’s father, also a general, had decided to move to Fort William to take command after the death of the former leader, General Whiteman.
He had been there for some weeks now and was happy to let her live with Julia. But, she knew that soon enough, he might call her to come and live with him. Once she left Duart, she would be going to the fort, only a few miles away, and she would not be going back to London for some time.
But in her heart, she was content. She had never felt such beautiful freedom. She was allowed to roam as she pleased, healing those who needed it and spending time with her cousin.
The clan was working towards rebuilding after a time of stagnation and loss, and so she was assisting Julia in any way that she needed. There was only one fly in the ointment. Angus, Calum’s tall, brown-haired brother, had begun to pester her with his constant presence. He seemed to have eyes and ears everywhere, watching her with the pretense of protection.
He also gave her advice about how to behave and how to stay safe, and she was fed up with it. When she had first met him, she was dazzled by the strength and beauty of him. She remembered the feel of his strong leg and his muscled chest as she had cleaned his wounds after a small battle a few months before. His light brown eyes had watched her every movement, and she had felt a tingle in her breast at his nearness.
But now, it was totally different. She remembered back to only a week ago when she had taken the idea to go for a walk to collect winter berries and whatever hardy herbs she could find in the cold weather. She needed to restock her supply of medicines, or else she would need to travel back over the Sound to collect what she could.
She had been having a pleasant enough time, when just as she was kneeling to collect a bunch of berries, Angus appeared, his face stern. “What are ye doing out in this weather? ‘Tis a bloody ice-cold day! Ye’ll get sick, and then we’ll be without a healer.” He’d practically yelled the words at her. She had jumped in fright.
“Good Lord!” she’d cried. “Must you appear everywhere that I am? I do have business to conduct. I am here solely to collect much-needed medicines for my work. Can you not understand?” Despite her fury at the time, she was annoyed at how she’d focused on how handsome and imposing he had appeared to her, his hands on his hips, the sharp line of his jaw even more evident in the stark, cold daylight.
He’d had the audacity to march her straight back to the castle as she protested the whole way, and she yelled back, “You know I’ll just come back out again as soon as you’re not looking. This is absolutely ridiculous!” And even as she’d said it, she thought to herself, I could never be with someone like him.
Ha! As if he’d ever have a chance! Not only was he completely frustrating and controlling, but she would never lower herself in such a way, and her father would never approve. He meant to increase their station soon so that he could leave the military and live out his days as a gentleman.
She thought they would come to be friends, or at least civil to one another, after discussing how to help free Julia, but then he’d gone and saved her without any help from Charlotte. And, after that, once it was known that Julia and Calum would need to go to London for a while to attend the trial, Angus had begun to take a strong leadership role, trying to control her every movement. She didn’t understand what had happened. He had, at first, seemed slightly in awe of her, with her brazen words and lack of shyness, but now he was stoic and unpleasant, and Charlotte was not looking forward to when Julia and Calum left. She would be stuck with him.
***
Angus and Calum MacLean stood in the study together, Calum grinning. He was a different man now, Angus noted, and it made his heart full for his brother. He’d known that Julia was the woman for Calum the moment he met her, and he kept thanking God that he had found her that day, nearly frozen in the woods after she’d escaped from her uncle and that Calum had finally stopped being too hard-headed to notice her.
“Are ye sure ye’ll be all right when we leave, brother? Ye’ll have a lot of responsibility.”
Angus rolled his eyes. “Am I nae used tae that? After ye practically disappeared for years after Arya left?”
Calum chuckled. Talk of the past hurt him no longer. “I know ye’ll be fine, but now ye’ve got the new lass tae think of? Charlotte? Will she nae be staying around? I think Julia was thinking of asking her. Julia knows first-hand just how dull those bloody barracks can be.”
Angus didn’t reply. He didn’t want to talk about Charlotte. He knew what Calum was thinking, and he didn’t want to go down that road. Charlotte had become his burden to bear. He loved his new sister-in-law so much, and with all of the new responsibility being laid at his feet to save the clan while Calum was away, Angus felt like he needed to protect Charlotte more than ever, knowing how dear she was to his beloved sister. He didn’t want to do anything to jeopardize the new happiness that had so lately come to Duart Castle, after so many years of despair.
But Charlotte Andrews was a nuisance, always heading out on her own to do the healing without informing him or anyone of her whereabouts. What would he do if something happened to her? The blame would be on his head, so he tried to know what she was doing and where she was going. He hoped that she would see sense and stop fighting him, understanding that, for her own protection, someone needed to know where she was at all times, then he could stop worrying about her and take care of what the clan needed. But it hadn’t worked. It merely made them sour against each other.
“If Julia asks her, I’m sure she will stay around as long as she can. She seems tae enjoy her work here,” Angus said without a smile.
“Julia mentioned that she might need tae leave soon tae go and stay with her father, now that he’s been installed at Fort William, but she might try tae persuade him tae allow her tae stay a bit longer. He’s allowed it thus far.”
Angus grumbled. “‘Tis good that she helps us out with her skills as a healer, but she only causes trouble. Might be better for her tae stay with her father so that he can keep an eye on her.”
“Why? Ye worried about the lass’ safety?” Calum said with a grin, and Angus stood up to leave.
“If ye’ve naething more, brother, I’ll be on my way.”
Calum couldn’t stop laughing. “Angus, yer growing back intae yer old grouchy self. I thought a new Angus was emerging once Julia came tae stay, but now ye’re all hardened and screwed up inside. Could be dangerous. Ye know how women have a desire to untangle messes of that nature.”
Angus grit his teeth. “We’ll talk later, brother.” He left to get out of the castle, so many thoughts swirling in his mind. He was happy for his brother, but he was afraid that when he left to go to London, the clan would fall to ruin once more, and it would be all his fault. It had fallen to ruin when Calum had descended into despair all those years ago, and he had tried to take charge, but it hadn’t worked.
Now, Calum was entrusting the fate of the clan to him, and he wasn’t sure that he would be up to the task. He left the castle and strode towards the shore, taking deep breaths of the breeze off the Sound. He watched the ripples in the water and thought about how they would soon need to go for another hunt again. He needed to do everything possible to be organized in time for the Campbell’s return.
The Campbell clan was in league with the English, particularly General Whiteman. They had come before winter to threaten them that if they did not bring their clan back to health, their land would be taken and given to the English. But the Campbells had had mercy on them and offered to wait until winter’s end before coming to make their claim. They had waited because Angus and Calum had exposed that the English were actually exploiting them and extorting money out of them. General Whiteman, unbeknownst to anyone, had been taking extra money in taxes, and so John Campbell, the Campbell laird’s much more able younger brother, had killed him by pushing him out of a window.
Campbell had been tried and acquitted by Charlotte’s father, and now, it was only a matter of time before the Campbells would live up to what they had said and come to see how clan MacLean fared after a long, hard winter.
They had done well, but Angus didn’t have the confidence to keep it going. His mind kept going over all of the bad possibilities when he was interrupted by a scream from the woods near the shore of the Sound. He turned and ran in that direction, his hand on his sword. His heart was beating rapidly. The first word that came to his mind was Charlotte. He wasn’t sure why, but as soon as he saw what was happening, he knew he was right to be worried.
***
Charlotte slowed her horse, taking in the view of the castle, the familiar, thick clump of trees at her side. It was an idyllic moment, and she knew that as soon as her father required her presence, the idyllic moment would be lost and replaced with the smell of leather boots, dirty men, and the clang of metal. She had done her best to convince him thus far of allowing her to stay longer, but once Julia left, there would hardly be any seemly reason for her to stay. They may need a healer, but her father would never approve of her duties in that respect; her only real purpose, as far as he was concerned, was to be a companion to Julia. She would continue to try and persuade him to let her stay for as long as she could.
And she would enjoy what time she had left. As she rode, she spotted a dark figure at the edge of the woods. The man was hooded and had a long beard. Usually, the inhabitants of the island knew her by name and would call out to her in friendly greeting or offer her tea or fresh bread. This man said nothing, and Charlotte was filled with a deep sense of unease. In order to calm herself, she called out a friendly, “Hello!” to the man, but he did nothing.
She did not recognize him. He was wearing a kilt, but under the long cloak, she couldn’t quite make out the colors and identify the clan. But it didn’t seem to be MacLean. She shrugged her shoulders, and as she was trotting by, decided to kick her horse into gear to move faster away from the man, but he was too quick.
He grabbed onto her leg and skirts and pulled her from the horse. The beast neighed in protest, going up on its hind legs in fear, before galloping off towards the castle. Charlotte toppled down onto the gravelly sand and winced as she fell. Part of her body had fallen on top of the man, and so he had cushioned her head. She was so in shock that she didn’t even yell.
Suddenly, as if in a dream, the man began pulling at her skirts, lifting them up above her thighs. She couldn’t believe what was happening. It was like she was frozen in a body, not her own. It was as if she was watching the attack from above, floating outside herself. He said nothing, but he was hoodless now, and Charlotte could see his cold eyes as he grunted in his effort. He stunk of alcohol and sweat, and lines of dirt-streaked his face.
She saw him lifting his kilt, and underneath she could see his pale member spring forward, long and hard. At that moment, she knew what he was about, and her body allowed her to yell out a long, blood-curdling scream. The man slapped her hard, and her head fell back in shock, bouncing sharply against the stones. She clutched her hand to her cheek, feeling the pricks of pain.
Fight back, her mind said. Kick him. Hit him. Do something! But she felt trapped; she could not control her movement, and it unnerved her. But to her surprise, the man was pulled upwards and knocked away. She looked to the side at his lumped form, lying still on the stones. She was breathing heavily, and she pushed her skirts down as she looked up into the brown eyes of Angus MacLean.
Chapter II
Angus’ face showed his concern, and he held out a hand to Charlotte, who was breathing hard, clutching her hands to her skirts. He could tell she was nervous and afraid, but she hadn’t cried, and that surprised him. He waited, his heart practically beating out of his chest with fear. “Come, lass. Are ye all right?”
He looked to the side to see the man stirring awake. He ran to him, kicked him in the stomach, and then knelt close, his sword at his throat. He could see the kilt now that his mind wasn’t filled with Charlotte’s safety, and he nearly toppled over with surprise.
He pressed the point of the blade into the skin of the man’s throat. The man was trembling and held up his hands. Angus practically growled, “Did John Campbell send ye? Why are ye here upon our isle, hurting our women, ye bastard?” Angus spat on the ground next to him as Charlotte watched in surprise from afar.
The man was nervous, but he was not repentant. “I’m a Campbell, aye, and John sent me tae report back how the clan was doing, thinking ye might nae have survived the winter. He didnae forbid me from tasting what wares ye have tae offer.” Angus threw a punch into the man’s face, his rage taking over his self-control.
The man turned back slowly to face Angus, his lip cut and bleeding. Angus said in an angry voice, “Ye return tae that bastard and tell him that Angus MacLean says if he sees ye again on our land, he will kill ye and send yer body tae the bottom of the loch.”
He moved away then and returned to Charlotte. The man stood hesitantly and then turned, running back towards a small boat on the edge of the shore. Then, Angus turned and held out his hand again, which Charlotte took gratefully, and he helped her to stand. “Lass, I’m so sorry ye had tae go through that. The people of our isle are peaceful and kind. I dinnae know how the watchmen missed the entry of that man.”
Charlotte smiled weakly. “Well, the trees make this part of the shore quite remote.” Her voice was shaky, and she struggled to calm it. Angus could feel his heart twinge in pain at the sight.
She said, “Thank you, Angus. You were here before…anything happened. You always seem to be nearby, as I have mentioned before.”
Angus nearly collapsed with relief. Julia would be pleased that nothing had happened to her dear cousin, and he was pleased as well. For her, of course. And, she’d said that last sentence without the malice and anger her words usually carried. He knew she hated his constant control and watch over her.
But he knew that he had to keep an even better eye on her now. At a slight pull from Charlotte, he noticed he hadn’t let go of her hand. He dropped it quickly, as if afraid of it, and then moved to assist her to mount her horse. He grabbed her at the waist and hoisted her up. His fingers wrapped around the hard layer of her corset, feeling the thinness of her waist. For such a small woman, she had borne the attack well. Angus would report this immediately to Julia and Calum.
Once Charlotte was astride her horse, she turned back to Angus, gripping the reins tightly in her hands. Her beautiful golden-red hair had come loose and was now wrapped around her as the breeze blew over the shore. Despite the fact that leaves and sticks were knotted throughout her locks from the tussle, for a moment, Angus was frozen with the sight. He swallowed. No, this would not do. She was absolutely stunning, to be sure, but he had no business thinking about his sister-in-law’s cousin this way. He had to stop himself from imagining her reaching out for him, her pale skin glowing in the firelight of his room.
He tried to shake off the image. She had just been through a terrible ordeal, and he was thinking about getting her into bed? What kind of man was he? Charlotte cleared her throat and said, “Angus, I would appreciate it if you did not mention the attack to Calum or to Julia. Now that it is passed, and the man is gone, there is no need to worry. They will wish to confine me to the castle walls or send me back to my father if they hear of it.”
As do I. The voice in his head had come through strongly, knowing that he had to do something to protect her. No, he would have to tell them. He would need support on his side, for she would fight tooth and nail against him. Of that, he was completely certain.
He didn’t say anything but merely stared up at her, concern etched on his face. “Lass, I dinnae think…”
“Please,” she begged. “My father has allowed me to stay thus far, but if he hears of this…” She trailed off. In the few months that he had known this wild woman, he had never seen her so vulnerable or pleading. It was strange, but his mind was made up. He could either tell them and risk her anger or simply protect her even more. Even though he wouldn’t really have the time once Calum left.
He nodded tersely, and Charlotte smiled. He then grabbed the reins from her and swung up behind her, to her surprise. He felt her back tighten, and he said, “I need tae accompany ye back tae the stable. I was nae with my horse when I heard yer cry.”
Charlotte nodded but said nothing, her back remaining stiff as he wrapped his arms around her, taking the reins and kicking the horse into stride. They rode in silence towards the stables next to the castle, and Angus felt the wind on his face and the tickle of Charlotte’s free hair. It smelled like honeysuckle, and his stomach clenched with the sweetness and freshness of it and the longing it threatened to inspire. This was dangerous. They were too close. He could feel the shape of her on his chest, and it felt too good. He was glad to arrive at the stables and help her down, giving the reins to the stable boy.
He helped her down, his hands on her waist once again, but this time, she faced him. As she stared into his face, her light green eyes changed from pleading to scrutinizing.
What was she thinking? Angus asked himself; he found Charlotte Andrews’ inner world, both confusing and intriguing at the same time. He knew that many of the men on the Isle of Mull were cream in her hands, taken in by her alluring, mysterious stare.
She pushed away from him gently. “Thank you again, Angus. But I will be able to take care of myself from here.” She looked away and started walking towards the castle. Angus followed her with his eyes before turning to the stable boy.
“Lad, keep an eye out for the mistress. Whenever she comes tae take her horse out for a ride, ye will send me word. Try tae figure out her destination as well.”
The stable boy nodded and then grinned. “Willnae be hard tae keep an eye on her, Sir. She’s a bonny one.” Angus threw the young boy a dark look, and the boy moved away into the shadows of the stone stables.
Aye, she was bonny. Too bonny.
***
Charlotte returned to her room, and once she was safely inside, she felt like she could release her breath. She took herself to the chair by the hearth and sat in shock for a while, still breathing heavily. She found the decanter of red wine in her room that she had requested when she had first arrived and poured herself a hearty glass to calm her nerves. She drank the whole glass down in two swallows.
She sat down again, feeling better from the effects of the alcohol. She had almost been raped. Never before had she envisioned such a thing happening. She knew it happened to low prostitutes in the streets, but she always imagined it occurring in alleyways, where one was never meant to be walking.
This had nearly happened on an island that she had explored far and wide, a place where she had always felt safe. Charlotte liked to think that she was well-experienced with men. Many a time, she had moved onto balconies or walked in gardens in the moonlight with men during a society ball, earning a forbidden kiss. But now, she wasn’t so sure. If Angus hadn’t come when he had…she shuddered to think about what would have been the result.
Angus MacLean. For once in the whole time that she’d known him, she was grateful for his constant presence. It was like he knew that she would be in trouble, and he’d hurried to her side. His face as he looked down at her, his hand outstretched, was burned in her memory. He was as handsome as ever, with his brown hair tied back at the nape of his neck and a light beard covering his strong jaw, but this time, he looked afraid for her. The concern was obvious as he called her name. He was kind to her and, for a moment, had lost that stony look of his, which was unusual. At the sight, Charlotte had felt a frisson of happiness that seemed totally separate from being happy to be rescued.
And when she watched him threaten her attacker, she felt safe, watching the strength of his arm as he punched the man and pushed the blade near his throat. He towered over the cowering figure, and she was so unutterably grateful to be safe once more that she was afraid she’d rush up and kiss him once he came back to help her.
No, she couldn’t do that. She was glad that she hadn’t acted on that impulse. She would have to control herself and the wild emotions that were suddenly raging through her at every moment. It was simply the fact that he had saved her from rape, and perhaps even death. That’s why she was all aflutter as she sat in her room. It had nothing to do with those eyes of his, which were so expressive and watchful even when he said nothing.
No, it really couldn’t be that. She had no interest in Angus MacLean. He ignored any of the sort of female flirtations she had put into action when she’d first arrived, and so now, she really wanted nothing to do with him. When she first came, she thought it would be a little bit of entertainment to toy with him just as she’d toyed with other men. She would flutter her eyelashes and touch him on the arm with a laugh, but it elicited nothing. He would nearly recoil at her attentions, and her strange defeat put Charlotte at odds with him, and all the other occurrences built up against him as well.
The only thing was to put it out of her mind and get ready for the mid-day meal with Julia and Calum. They would be leaving the next morning, and she needed to present a calm front. What should she think about besides what had happened? Or Angus MacLean? Or Julia leaving?
She sighed. She could think about her patients, she supposed, and the fact that more and more were falling ill, or she could think about how her father would surely call her back soon, and she’d be stuck in the most boring place on earth: the barracks. She had nothing pleasant or positive to think of. Excellent.
Well, there were Angus’ eyes, of course. No! They needed to leave her thoughts immediately. She wrestled with herself for a few more moments when a knock came at the door. “Come in!” Charlotte froze, hoping it wasn’t Julia. She wasn’t ready to see her yet.
A maid entered, and curtsied. “Miss, lunch will be ready soon.”
“Thank you,” Charlotte smiled and watched gratefully as the door closed. She needed to freshen up, and she was a little surprised at the state of her appearance once she sat in front of her vanity mirror. She knew her hair had fallen down, but it looked practically savage! She blushed at the thought of Angus seeing her like this, leaves and twigs twisted into it, all frizzy and unkempt.
She had wanted Angus and all men, really, to see her as a perfect, well-kempt woman, who never had any ill-looking days. Now, she had gone and messed that up entirely. But he had been a gentleman and hadn’t said anything about it. He was probably gleeful to see her in such a state. No, that was unfair. Charlotte freshened herself and adjusted her hair. She did not wish to call for the maid as she wanted to be alone, so she did what she could and braided a long braid down her shoulder. It would do for now.
She met everyone down in the great hall for the mid-day meal. Julia smiled as she arrived. Charlotte caught eyes with Angus, but she was glad he didn’t say anything. Looking at Julia’s smile, he had kept to his promise.
Julia said, “Charlotte, how was everyone today? Did you enjoy your island journey?”
They began to eat as servants brought food to the table. Charlotte was overjoyed to watch her wine glass being filled, and she took a sip before speaking. She looked at Angus quickly. “It was lovely, but I’m afraid I cannot identify the illness that is plaguing many of the inhabitants. It doesn’t behave like other illnesses, and so it confounds me. I will visit them tomorrow to see how they fare after the instructions I gave them today.”
Angus piped up. “Perhaps we should call for someone else tae come and take a look at them. A trained male doctor, who can keep himself safe as he travels around.”
Julia looked confused, and Charlotte opened her eyes wide in Angus’ direction, warning him. He raised his eyebrows slightly but continued to look impassive. Charlotte shook her head. “No, I do not think that a MALE could do any better. I will simply have to return to the library this evening to see what I might find in your extensive collection.”
Calum nodded. “Aye, I hope so, cousin, for we’d like ye tae stay on once we leave and help with the healing and tae save ye from what boredom lie across the water.”
Julia smiled. “If you think your father would allow it. I know how much you’re enjoying it here.”
Charlotte brightened, so happy that she had been formally requested to stay on, “Oh, I’m sure I could convince him for at least a little bit longer! I would love to stay – truly. I fear the barracks will be as dull as tombs.”
Angus stiffened at the words. “Brother, I had nae notion that ye’d want the lass tae stay on. Surely the barracks would be a safer place for her.”
Calum grinned in Angus’ direction and winked at his brother, unbeknownst to the ladies. Angus clenched his jaw. Charlotte waved a hand in the air and said with a little too much heat. “Always concerned for my welfare, once more. You would consign me to rot in the unexciting barracks, Mr. MacLean.”
Angus replied, “Is that nae better than getting hurt somewhere?”
Charlotte paused and turned to see Julia and Calum staring at them, looks of confusion and entertainment on their faces. She chuckled nervously. “All is well. You know me, Julia, I would simply die in a place like that, and I hope my father does not call for me any time soon. But, of course, I will have to let him know.”
“Of course, Charlotte. I do hope ye’ll send him a letter today. I know we’re leaving tomorrow, but it would make me feel so much better if you’d stay. I hate to leave you so soon after we’ve been reunited, though.”
Charlotte smiled. “I know. You’ve both been so good to me.” She made a point of turning her shoulder slightly to block Angus out of her kind words. “I thank you for all your hospitality. You’ve certainly saved me from a life of drudgery while my father continues to reside in Scotland, and therefore, so must I.”
Calum then said, mirth in his voice, “Well, perhaps when we’re gone, ye’ll be able tae find something tae entertain yerself.” He glanced at his brother and said, “Angus would be happy tae assist, I’m sure.”
Charlotte blushed, and Angus glared at Calum, clenching his fists underneath the table. “The lass knows her own mind well enough and will surely find her own amusement without my help.”
Charlotte filled with gratitude at Angus’ defense, but she couldn’t help but feel the slightest of tug of interest at the thought of what Angus MacLean might do to…entertain.
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Sometimes, when he thought about it, things still seemed so strange to him. Fin could not believe that four years had passed since the battle with Castor. One fight that had changed his entire life. And so much had changed. And yet, so much had also stayed the same.
The one constant over the years was his love for Ivy. And her love for him. Oh, they’d had their share of ups and downs over the years, but his love for her never wavered. Not one bit. Nor had her love for him. For the most part, though, their life in Elix had been nothing short of a dream, a dream that before Ivy came into his life, Fin never could have conceived of.
The high pitched laughter of his children drew him out of his thoughts and brought him back to the present. A smile touched his lips as he watched Ivy playing in the river with their two children: Liam and Elizabeth. Liam was three years old and Elizabeth two. And Ivy was pregnant with their third child. Their family was growing, filling Cherrythorn Manor with the purest love imaginable.
His children were his pride and joy. Even at three, Liam was already looking like him. Or at least, like he had when he was a child. And despite having red hair and startlingly green eyes, Elizabeth looked very much like Ivy. They were both precocious and intelligent. Everything they did simply amazed him. If it could be said that he had fallen in love with his children, Fin most definitely had. Merely looking at them made his heart swell to the point he felt like it might burst.
He reclined on the blanket beneath the cherry tree, relishing the unusual, but welcome, the warmth of the day. They had taken advantage of it by having some family time out in the orchards. It was nice to get away from all of the duties that came with being the ruling couple of Elix. Even though the rule officially fell to Ivy as the Lady of Elix, there was no shortage of people pulling at Fin, demanding things of him.
It was not that he did not like it. He had come to truly love the people of Elix, and he wanted to do right by them. He wanted them to be prosperous and happy. But it was sometimes stressful, and of course, it demanded quite a bit of his time – time he wanted to spend with his wife and family.
Ivy brought the kids up from the river and set them down in the grass near the blanket. She gave them a few toys to amuse themselves with as she sat down on the blanket next to him. Ivy gave him a smile as she fished one of the honey sweetcakes out of the basket that she loved. She broke it in half and handed him a piece. Fin caught her hand and placed a gentle kiss on the back of her knuckles.
“What was that for?” she asked.
“Dae I need a reason tae kiss me wife?”
She smiled wide. “Of course not.”
“Tis a good thing,” he grinned. “I’d hate tae have tae make up a reason every time thae mood struck me.”
“I would hate that too.”
As Fin looked at her, he felt something inside of him stirring. Even after all these years, Fin was amazed that his desire for her had not abated a single bit. He wanted Ivy every bit as much today as he did back when the first met. Maybe even more.
“I know that look in your eye,” Ivy grinned.
“Oh aye? Dae ye now?”
She nodded and smiled. “I do believe you are trying to seduce me with that smoldering gaze, Baron Begbie.”
A small smile touched his lips as he thought about his title. Baron. Even four years later, he was still not used to being called Baron. To him, he was simply Fin. A title of nobility was like an ill-fitting coat. No matter how you shrugged, squeezed, pushed, and pulled, it just never fit quite right.
“You are insatiable,” she said with a laugh. “Positively incorrigible.”
“Aye. Tis true,” he said. “But that is yer fault.”
“How is your libidinous nature my fault?”
Ivy squealed and then giggled as Fin pulled her down to him and half-laid on top of her. He kissed her deeply, reveling in the feel of her tongue swirling with his and the heat of her body. Elizabeth’s giggling made Fin pull back and look over at his kids. They were currently enjoying spreading mud on each other’s faces and in their hair. He turned his gaze back to Ivy, and they shared a laugh.
It seemed that their moment of intimacy passed, and Fin rolled over, propping himself up on his elbow as he watched his kids. Ivy leaned forward and planted a gentle kiss on his cheek.
“Do not worry, my love,” Ivy said. “They will be so worn out, they’ll be asleep by the time we get back. And then I will be all yours.”
Fin’s smile was wide and flirtatious. “I’m goin’ tae hold ye tae that.”
“I am counting on it.”
Fin reached over and caressed her cheek with his hand, reveling in her smooth, flawless skin. Her eyes were so clear and so bright and held nothing but a love for him so powerful, Fin was overwhelmed by it.
“Did you think that four years after we were married, you would still desire me as you do?” she asked.
Fin smiled. “I kent I would,” he replied. “Ye’re thae only woman I’ve ever loved thae way I love ye.”
She bit her bottom lip and smiled sweetly. “That is a wonderful answer,” she said. “And the correct one, by the way.”
A small laugh passed Fin’s lips. “Thae correct answer, eh? I didnae ken ye were testin’ me.”
“I am always testing you.”
“Ahhh. Good tae ken.”
They laughed together, but the sound of horses approaching cut into their moment. Ivy frowned as she looked up and let out a long sigh.
“Not one day,” she said. “We cannot have one single day to ourselves.”
“I think that comes with thae title,” he chuckled. “I’ve heard Col say much thae same thing.”
Fin got to his feet and then offered Ivy his hand, helping her up. He glanced at his children, who remained riveted by the act of smearing mud all over each other and did not seem to notice the riders approaching. He looked over and saw two men coming. One was Luke, a good Scottish lad, a few years younger than him, whom he had appointed to be the head of his personal guard.
He would have asked Hollis, but the man seemed more interested in spending his days with Mira than anything else, and Fin had not wanted to interrupt his life. Hollis was a good man and deserved to be happy. Hollis had personally trained Luke, though, and had prepared him as well as he could, which made Fin feel better about having somebody younger than him watching his back.
Over the last couple of years, he had gotten to know Luke well and had come to like the man enormously. Clever. Funny. Intelligent. And wicked with a blade in his hand. Hollis could not have chosen a better stand-in for him.
The second rider was a stranger to Fin… though something about him tickled the back of his mind. There was something familiar about him. Judging by the way he dressed and his long, shaggy brown hair that flowed freely down to just below his shoulders, Fin had no doubt he was Scottish. He was young and had probably had not seen more than eighteen or nineteen summers.
Ivy took his hand and gave it an uncertain squeeze. She looked at him, and he saw the same uncertain curiosity reflected in her eyes. Luke and his guest slid off their horse and approached them, Luke, with his customary self-assured swagger, and the other young man far more uncertainly.
The young man with Luke was tall. Thin. And he was not much to look at. He was neither fighter nor brawny enough to work a farm. True, he was still young, but if he were a farmhand, he should have been filled out already. His breeches and tunic were ragged and like him, stained with dirt, grime, and what looked like blood. The young man looked like he had been on the road for a long while and was ready to drop. He looked hungry and exhausted.
“I am sorry to disturb ye, Baron and Baroness,” he said with a small bow. “I wouldnae have interrupted yer day had it nae been an emergency.”
Fin nodded, his curiosity growing. “What is it then?”
“Dae ye remember me, My Laird?” asked the young man.
“I’m nae yer Laird, lad,” he replied. “Just call me Fin.”
Luke nudged the young man in the side with his elbow. “Ye’ll address him as Baron Begbie, and her as Baroness Welton.”
Fin tried to suppress the smile that flickered across his lips. Luke could sometimes be a stickler for the formalities. It made him a bit stiff and formal, and it amused Fin.
“B – Baron Begbie. Dae ye remember me?”
Fin shook his head. “Sorry, lad, I daenae.”
He nodded. “Tis all right. I was barely a boy when last we met,” he said. “Ye were friends with me faither. Phillip MacGregor. I’m Donal.”
The name hit Fin like an oaken staff to the belly. He had not heard the name Phillip MacGregor in a very long time; they had been friends as children and had been close at one time. But Phillip’s parents moved to Edinburgh for better opportunities for their family. He had not heard from Phillip since, but as he looked at Donal, he saw the resemblance was unmistakable.
“Aye. I remember Phillip,” Fin said. “Good friends when we were young, we were. But that was long before ye were even thought of. How dae ye ken who I am?”
A faint flicker crossed his lips. “Word of ye and Col has gotten around,” he said. “Scotsmen with fancy Ainglish titles and lands.”
Though Fin knew some folks spoke those words with disdain, he did not hear it in Donal’s voice. It was more just an accepted statement of fact. But Fin was not naive enough to think he and Col had not engendered contempt among some of the Scots and had not accrued enemies along the way for their warm relations with the English.
“What can I dae for ye, Donal?” Fin asked.
Donal shuffled his feet, kicking at a few blades of grass. Fin looked over his shoulder at the children who continued to obliviously play in the mud. Ivy shot him a small grin and shook her head. Donal looked nervous, but more than that, he looked upset. Fin looked closely and could see grief in the young man’s eyes.
“What is it lad,” he said. “Ye can tell me what ye need tae say.”
He sniffed loudly and rubbed at his eyes. “They came by sea. A big ship anchored out in thae harbor. Longboats came ashore full of ‘em,” he said. “They sacked our town. Slaughtered… most of thae people livin’ there. There was just so much blood. Bodies, cut, and savaged.”
Tears rolled down his cheeks, and he angrily wiped them away. He shook his head miserable, and Fin looked at him, not sure what to make of it all just yet.
“I tried tae stop ‘em. I really did,” Donal said. “But there were tae many. They were tae good with their blades. They laughed at me and beat me, but left me alive. Said they wanted me tae remember who done this.”
“Who did this, Donal?”
“A French raiding party,” he said. “They came ashore in Sowkirk and pillaged thae town.”
Sowkirk was a port town not far from Cherrythorn Manor. It was a bustling town, and while perhaps not as cosmopolitan as London or Edinburgh, it had a certain charm to it. Fin had taken Ivy into Sowkirk more than once for a good meal and for whatever entertain they could find. Ivy had developed a taste for the street theater. It was hard to think that Sowkirk had been razed.
“The French?” Fin asked.
He cast at Ivy, who looked as stunned as he felt. Relations between the French and English were always tense and balanced on a razor’s edge, but there were no open hostilities between the French and the Scottish. Fin could not fathom the idea that a French raiding party had come ashore in Scotland and pillaged a town.
“That makes no sense,” Fin said. “Why would they provoke thae Scots like that?”
Ivy shook her head. “I do not know. But you are right, it makes no sense whatsoever.”
“Are ye sure they were French, lad?” Fin asked.
“Aye. I heard ‘em speakin’,” he said. “I daenae speak French, but I ken what it sounds like. I heard it in Edinburgh sometimes. Thae strangest thing, though, is that the raiders seemed like they was takin’ orders from a lass.”
Fin noticed that Luke reacted to Donal’s words. “What is it, Luke?”
“I ken this lass,” he said. “At least I think I dae.”
“You ken her?”
He shrugged. “I mean, I ken of her. I daenae ken her personal like.”
“And who is she?” Ivy asked.
“They call her “La renarde de la mer,” he said. “The Sea Fox.”
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This is the story of Gillian, an adventurous English lady who finds herself captured by a mysterious and alluring Highlander. This Highlander will do whatever it takes to save his people from hunger, even abduct the daughter of his enemy. But life seldom goes as planned. What will happen when the Highlander starts falling for Gillian? And will her feelings or her logic prevail in this peculiar turn of events?
This is the story of Julia, an intelligent English lady who runs away to escape her woes and finds herself in the keep of an enticing Highlander. This Highlander, as handsome as he may be, has serious economic troubles, and only a miracle can save him. But perhaps one's answer is closer than he thinks. How will he help her face the past that is haunting her? And how will she save him?
This is the story of Gale, an adventurous English lady who runs away to escape her murderous mother and finds herself in the company of an alluring Highlander. There she is called to change her ways, and he helps her see the world from a different point of view. But her past is catching up with her. How will she elude her mother? And will this be the only obstacle in their relationship?
