“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.
Chapter Three
“Thanks be to God, what has happened here?” the old Laird said, as Finlay helped Elaine and Carys down from the horse and brought them to the foot of the steps.
“Bandits on the trail, father. Tis’ fortunate indeed that we found them when we did,” Finlay said, glancing at Elaine, who nodded.
“We were attacked, sir,” she said, looking nervously up at the Laird, who shook his head and cursed.
“I shall never forgive myself. I should have ridden to meet ye myself. But surely yer father sent ye with an escort?” he asked, and Elaine nodded.
“They are all dead, sir,” she said, desperately trying to hold back the tears rising in her eyes, as the Laird let out a sigh and she shook her head in sorrow.
He had a noble look to him and must once have been the most handsome of men, a fact seen in Finlay, who stood at his side was quite the image of his father. But the years had aged him, his long beard grey and pale in the moonlight, his face gnarled and wrinkled from many a long winter and years of battle and strife. But he still had the look of a warrior, a man determined in his leadership, the Laird of his clan and master of his castle.
“Our revenge will be swift,” he said, shaking his head.
“But we must rejoice that Elaine is safely delivered to us, father,” Finlay said, and a smile now spread across the Laird’s face.
“We will mourn and honor these men, Finlay. They have delivered Elaine to us safely, but aye, there is still cause for rejoicin’ at her arrival. Come now, Elaine, I have waited long for this moment and to welcome ye to Kilchurn. This castle is yer home now, and we are at yer service,” he said, extending his arm to her and ushering her up the steps.
Elaine followed
behind with Carys at her side. The welcome was certainly a warm one, and she was grateful to be within the safety of the castle walls. Flaming torches lit the way as the Laird brought them into the great hall of the castle, vast like that of her father and lined with portraits, stag heads, and weaponry.
The long trestle tables were set as for a feast, but the events of that unfortunate evening had subdued any feeling of celebration. Elaine wanted only a simple meal and to be shown to her chambers. But it seemed the Laird had other ideas, and they were led to a long table on a dais raised at one end of the hall, seats of honor given to them as a piper began to play.
“Ye are welcome to Kilchurn, Elaine. I know I am an old man, and ye will be nervous about being here. But I promise ye I shall dae all I can to make ye comfortable here. I promised yer father as much too. The alliance between our clans is of the utmost importance. These are dark days, and we need every ally we can find. The union between our clans will bring peace in this part of Scotland and remind others of our strength,” the Laird said, placing his hand onto Elaine’s and smiling in the torchlight.
“Tis’ an honor to be here, sir. I have looked forward to this day,” Elaine replied, trying her best to sound sincere.
It was all so new, so strange and unusual. He was a kind man, whose words spoke of all the things her father had reassured her of. But still, she was in a strange place, a place of uncertainty, and, after their encounter with the bandits, she still felt uncertain as to what now lay ahead. There was turmoil inside her, a feeling that she still did not entirely belong. Perhaps she should simply turn back and return to her father’s castle. The tragedy upon the road a sign that the future held little to keep her at Kilchurn.
“Then we shall drink a toast to the future and to our marriage,” the Laird said, calling for whiskey to be brought, as the food was served.
The Laird and Finlay raised their glasses to Elaine, who forced a smile and nodded, thinking it odd that she was to become stepmother to a man the very same age as herself. She had taken an instant liking to Finlay, thankful to him for saving her, though now he was in his father’s shadow, he seemed somewhat shyer and more retiring than before. Perhaps that was his way, the way of one who lives each day in the shadow of a formidable man.
The feast went on long into the night and had clearly been planned as a grand celebration of Elaine’s arrival. But the tragedy of deaths upon the moorlands overshadowed it, and she was tired and almost asleep by the time that the Laird called an end to the celebrations. He ordered one of the servants to show them to their chambers and promised to see out Elaine the next morning so that the two of them might get to know one another better.
“Ye have been very kind,” Elaine said, and the Laird laughed.
“Ye are to be my wife; that is the way of things. Tomorrow, ye shall see over the castle and shall have a horse to ride out upon. Ye shall have anything ye want for soon the day of our marriage will be here and what a celebration that shall be,” he said, bidding Elaine and Carys a goodnight.
“Goodnight,” Finlay said, rising from his place at his father’s side.
“Goodnight, and thank ye. If it were nae for ye then …” Elaine said, but Finlay shook his head.
“Daenae think in such terms. God has blessed us this night and delivered ye safely to us,” he said, and Elaine nodded.
“I am in yer debt,” she said and followed Carys and the servant from the great hall.
They were led through a maze of corridors and passageways, up a winding stone staircase, and into the round tower at the other end of the wall. Two flights up, they came to a large and imposing door that the servant unlocked to reveal beautifully furnished chambers within.
A fire was burning in the hearth, and drapes hung down from the bed. Richly tapestried curtains were pulled across the windows, and candles had been set upon a table at the center, giving the room a cheery glow. Portraits hung all around the walls, and there was a washstand with jug and bowl, along with a large wardrobe, the doors open to reveal any number of fine dresses within.
“This is beautiful,” Carys said, looking around her in awe.
“The maid’s chambers are through here, mistress,” the servant said, pointing to a door by the fireplace.
“I am nae a simple maid,” Carys retorted, and Elaine laughed.
“Tis’ just like Carrick, Carys, ye shall sleep close to me,” she said, and Carys smiled.
“But nae as a maid,” she replied.
The servant bid them goodnight, and Elaine pulled off her riding shoes and lay back upon the bed, still fully clothed. She let out a sigh of relief as Carys went to inspect her own quarter's next door.
“Does it meet with yer approval?” Elaine called out.
“Tis’ as large as yer chambers, mistress,” Carys called back, her head emerging from the door and with a smile on her face.
“And now all I wish for is to sleep,” Elaine said, yawning and beginning to take off her dress.
She found a nightgown in the wardrobe, made of exquisite silk, and clearly made especially for her. It fitted perfectly, and Elaine was surprised at the care with which the Laird had gone to make them welcome. She was soon in bed, the blankets pulled up all around her and Carys having wished her goodnight.
“The day will look better tomorrow, mistress,” Carys said, bidding her goodnight.
“I daenae know, Carys. The memory of this day will always be bleak,” Elaine said, rolling onto her side.
“But ye have been delivered; the captain and his men knew the risk. But the Laird seems a good man, and his son is certainly handsome,” Carys said, the merest hint of a smile coming over her face.
“Daenae have such ideas,” Elaine replied, smiling as she closed her eyes.
“Ah, well, a woman can dream, I suppose,” Carys replied, and she closed the door gently behind her, leaving Elaine alone, the last light from the embers of the fire flickering around the walls of the chamber.
It had been the longest of days and filled with all manner of worry and difficulty. But Elaine was grateful to at least be safe and out of danger, protected by the man who would be her husband behind the thick walls of this imposing castle, which was now to be her home.
She lay for a moment, her eyes closed and sleep drifting over her. What now did the future hold, and what would life be like at Kilchurn? Certainly, they had been made welcome and would want for nothing here, but would that be enough?
Could Elaine truly be happy at Kilchurn with the old Laird as her husband? She had no further time to think, for in a moment, she was asleep, dreaming of all that was to come and not awaking until the sound of a knocking at the door brought her to her senses.
* * *
“Tis’ enough to wake the dead. Dae they nae know that we wish for our sleep,” Carys said, emerging from her chambers and going to the door.
Elaine sat up and rubbed her eyes; the knocking had disturbed her from a deep slumber, and she was still only half awake. It was light, the sunshine streaming in through a gap in the curtains and birds singing on the other side of the window.
“The Laird commands the mistress to join him in the great hall. They are to ride out,” a servant said, as Carys opened the door.
“Then the Laird will have to wait until the mistress is dressed and ready,” Carys replied, closing the door in the bewildered servant’s face.
“We should get ready,” Elaine said, not wishing to find herself at the Laird’s displeasure, but Carys smiled.
“Make him wait a while. Ye are nay one’s servant,” Carys said, and Elaine laughed.
“Aye, but I daenae want him to have a bad impression of me. He has been kind, and I daenae want to repay kindness with rudeness,” Elaine said, getting out of bed and going to the wardrobe.
She pulled out a pretty green dress, once again made of the finest fabrics, and marveled at the generosity of the Laird. Soon, Carys had helped her dress, and she had washed with warm water brought by the servant. She felt
refreshed after her night’s sleep and pulled back the curtains to reveal a warm and sunny day outside.
“He has been very kind to ye, that much is certain,” Carys said, coming to stand at Elaine’s side.
Down in the courtyard below, Elaine could see Finlay practicing at the sword. He was dueling with one of the clansmen, a man of similar age and strength, metal clashing against metal as they sparred.
“Dae ye think he is a reluctant warrior?” Elaine asked, and Carys laughed.
“Whatever makes ye think that?” she asked, and Elaine shook her head.
“I daenae know, he seems more at home in conversation, though there is nay doubtin’ his bravery,” she said, still uncertain of what to make of Finlay, who seemed to be a man living in his father’s shadow.
Highlander’s Forbidden Desire: Wanting her was forbidden, having her was his ruin... Page 3