“No they don’t and they are on good terms. But given that Fiona is Laird MacNicol’s sister, MacLeod is not likely to go along with that.”
“He may be more likely to agree to it than a direct meeting. It poses less risk to everyone.”
“Ye’re probably right. However, it’ll take more time to arrange and I hate to leave her at the mercy of the MacLeods any longer than necessary. If he refuses a direct meeting, we’ll suggest Laird MacNicol as an intermediary. In the meantime we can send word to Alec and begin making arrangements, should it become necessary.” Eoin smiled and added, “I’ll also send her a little message from Sorely, letting her know her family is overjoyed to learn that she’s safe.”
~ * ~
“He wants a direct meeting under white flags?” asked Andrew incredulously when his father revealed the contents of the message from Laird MacKay. “Does he honestly think we’ll agree to that? It’s not as if our hostage is of any value to him. She’s only a seamstress.”
His father shook his head, dumbfounded. “Aye, we would be daft to agree to that.”
“Is there any indication of how she’ll be received?” asked Graham.
“Not much. The messenger said Laird MacKay was reserved and didn’t seem overly concerned by the news. Still, the MacKay did include a message from her brother Sorely in the response.”
“What was it?” asked Andrew.
Dougal read from the missive, “Sorely has been saddled with grief since her disappearance. Her family is overjoyed to learn that she’s safe.”
“Well, at least it seems as if her family will welcome her back,” said Graham.
Andrew didn’t see this as wholly positive. “I don’t think that matters, Graham. Her family is not the whole clan and we know nothing of the MacKay’s reaction.”
“We’ll have another chance to learn more,” said Dougal. “I’m not going to agree to a direct meeting. I’ll send another message indicating that I might consider escorting her to Laird Sutherland. We’ll see what his reaction to that is.”
“Do ye plan tell her about the message?” asked Graham.
“I have no intention of telling her that I won’t let her go home yet. Ye and Andrew can handle that.”
Andrew arched an eyebrow. “If I didn’t know better, Da, I’d say ye were afraid of a wee MacKay lass.”
“She is afraid of me. She won’t look me in the eye except when she asks to leave.”
“Ye’re the laird of her clan’s enemy, and she’s just a seamstress, I wouldn’t expect her to look ye in the eye,” said Graham rationally.
“Aye, I am the laird who backhanded her and called her a whore. Lads, do yer father this kindness.”
Andrew rose from his chair. “None of us treated her well, Da, but I’ll tell her.”
When he arrived at Eve’s chamber he found Mairi and David enthusiastically playing a guessing game with her. Cora, the old widow who had been Mairi’s nursemaid and who had agreed to care for David now, watched on. Eve laughed at their antics and Andrew couldn’t help but notice how lovely the copper-haired angel was when she smiled, her eyes sparkling with laughter. Sadly, that beautiful smile was fleeting. As soon as she was aware of his presence, she became quiet and guarded.
He sighed knowing she wouldn’t like what she was about to hear. David spotted him next and bounced joyfully where he knelt on the bed beside Eve. “Da! Come play with us!”
“I can’t play now, Davy.”
“But it’ll be fun, Da.”
“I’m sure it would be, but it is getting late. Ye need to go to bed and I need to talk with Eve.”
Eve looked down, her hands folded in her lap.
“Da, just for a minute? Ye never play with me.”
Cora gently lifted David off of the bed. “David, yer father said ‘nay’ and he’s right. It’s time to get ready for bed. Say good night now before we go.”
David hugged Eve vigorously. “Good night, Eve.”
She kissed his head. “Sleep well, David.”
He looked up at his father. “Good night, Da.”
Andrew ruffled his dark hair “Good night, son. Sleep well.” The lad nodded but hung his head sadly as Cora led him from the room.
“Good night, Mairi,” Andrew said pointedly when she showed no sign of leaving.
“Ye aren’t my Da, Andrew, ye can’t boss me around. Maybe Eve doesn’t want me to leave.”
“Mairi, don’t push me.”
Ignoring him, Mairi turned towards their visitor. “Eve, do ye want me to go?”
“Sweetling, that isn’t important. Ye should do as yer brother asks.”
Mairi sighed dramatically. “All right, but I’m going to talk to Da about this, Andrew.”
“Of course ye will, Mairi, but ye should know—he’ll take my side.”
She stuck out her tongue at him and left the room.
Andrew just shook his head as he watched her leave then turned back to Eve. “Thank ye.”
The lass shrugged and said, “I have brothers.”
“Aye, ye do, and that is what I need to talk with ye about. Will ye sit with me by the fire?” He offered her his hand.
She sat for a moment staring at the hand he held toward her but made no move to take it.
“Eve, I’m not in the habit of being ignored.”
With a sigh she took his hand, letting him lead her to a chair by the hearth. He sat in the opposite chair. She opened her mouth to say something and he put up his hand. “I know ye want to go home, please don’t ask again.”
She frowned looking into the fire for a moment. “Then what did ye come to tell me?”
“We sent a message to Laird MacKay and have received a response.”
She brightened immediately, “What did it say?”
“Yer brother, Sorely, asked that we tell ye he has been saddled with grief since ye disappeared and yer family is overjoyed to learn that ye are safe.”
Amusement flashed in her eyes before she bit her lower lip, looking away again. He thought her reaction was odd, but after a moment she turned back to him, full of confidence. “I told ye I would be welcomed home.”
The sparkle in her eyes cheered him. “I’m glad they want ye to come home, angel, but we still aren’t sure how ye’ll be received by the laird or the rest of the clan. Apparently Laird MacKay was very reticent when he read the message concerning ye.”
She seemed amused. “That doesn’t surprise me, but I’m sure it won’t be a problem. Ye’re unnecessarily worried.”
“Nevertheless, we will not release ye to him until we are sure.”
Instantly all hint of her merriment disappeared. “How do ye intend to assure yerselves? Did Laird MacKay not suggest a way for me to come home?”
“Aye, he did, but it isn’t acceptable.”
Clearly frustrated she demanded, “Why not?”
“Because he suggested a face to face meeting at our border and that’s too risky. It leaves us vulnerable to an ambush.”
“They won’t ambush ye. Please, just let—”
He put up his hand to stop the predictable request again. “Angel, ye’re nothing if not persistent. We’ve sent a message suggesting Laird Sutherland act as an intermediary and, based on Laird MacKay’s reaction, we will decide what to do then.”
“What gives ye the right to decide?” she demanded.
“Eve, ye’re being insolent and I’ve had enough. Ye’re in our care and I know ye would prefer not to be, but that can’t be helped now. I owe ye more than I can ever repay and whether ye like it or not, I will not allow ye to risk yer safety. I will protect ye until I am certain that someone else will do it adequately.”
Tears filled her eyes. “The only protection I need is from the MacLeods.”
“I have told ye before, ye are in no danger here.”
She looked away, angrily swiping the tears from her face.
He sighed in exasperation. “Please try to understand, angel, this is for the best.”
&
nbsp; Chapter 4
Once again Aidan, Tasgall and Marcas sat with Eoin in his solar discussing the newest message from Laird MacLeod.
“As we expected, he suggested Sutherland serve as an intermediary.”
“Do we risk agreeing?” asked Aidan.
“Nay. He hasn’t actually committed to sending her to Sutherland. He has only said he would ‘consider’ it and has offered no specific plan.
“What game is he playing? If he thinks he has a seamstress, someone of no importance, why is he being so cautious?” asked Marcas.
“I don’t know, and I worry that he will wonder the same thing about our reaction, but I don’t completely trust Sutherland. Alec MacNicol has agreed to be our intermediary and I am going to ask that MacLeod send ‘Eve’ there before the feast of St. Zacharias. The MacNicols will escort her here after that.”
“Maybe Fiona’s Uncle Bhaltair will bring her the rest of the way. He is particularly fond of her after all. Perhaps he’ll stay for a nice long visit,” teased Tasgall.
“If it means getting Anna back, I won’t complain” said Eoin.
~ * ~
Disbelievingly Graham asked, “MacNicol? He wants ye to spend a whole day taking a seamstress to Laird MacNicol? What does he have against Sutherland?”
“Well, Eanraig arrived on his doorstep with an army a couple of years ago, after Eoin married Bram’s betrothed. Some men might hold a grudge over that,” said Andrew, dryly.
“But they reached an accord, there was no battle and if anyone has a right to hold a grudge it would Bram, but he certainly doesn’t. Nay, Sutherland is more of a neutral party than MacNicol. MacNicol is Eoin’s brother by marriage for the love of God.”
Dougal paced in front of his hearth. “Something’s wrong. Perhaps he’s intentionally being obstinate. Maybe he’s trying to goad me into keeping her.”
“Aye, perhaps,” agreed Andrew. “I’m certain Laird MacKay is more aware of the problems she will face with his clan than her family is. He may mean to spare their feelings by ensuring that she doesn’t come back. Was the messenger able to provide any more information?”
“Not really. Laird MacKay continues to be reticent, revealing nothing, and this time there was no message for the lass.”
Andrew was convinced that sending her back was not the right course, but he couldn’t tell what his father was thinking. “What are ye going to do?”
“Nothing for now. I am going to think about it for a few days. At this point the only thing I would be willing to do is take her to Sutherland and if MacKay doesn’t agree, she won’t be returned.”
Graham shook his head. “That will break her heart, Da.”
“I know, but she will just have to adjust. Perhaps it would be best if she started getting used to life here. Give her something to do.”
Graham looked astonished. “Ye can’t be serious. Ye want to put her to work? Da, a bit more than a sennight ago, Father Ninian was giving her the Last Rites.”
“Nothing strenuous. God’s teeth, lad, she’s a seamstress. See that she has some mending to do or something.”
Andrew chuckled. “She is not very happy with the MacLeods at the moment. I fear she would sew sleeves shut or work some other mischief if given the opportunity.”
“Lads, help me out here.”
Graham shrugged. “She likes Mairi, perhaps she would make a new dress for her.”
“There ye are, ye can keep Eve busy and make Mairi happy at the same time. I also think Eve should take her meals with us in the great hall beginning tomorrow.”
This time it was Andrew’s turn to be shocked. “Now that’s an interesting idea, Da. What exactly are ye proposing?”
“Just what I said, I want her to dine in the great hall.”
“At yer table?”
“Aye, I suppose so.”
“Da, ye know full well she is terrified of ye.”
“Well if we want her to be accepted by the clan, they need to understand her status. I can’t very well have her sit at the trestles with everyone else. As I said, she will have to adjust. She must learn she has nothing to fear from me.”
“Aye, I can see how forcing her to dine with ye will help her there.”
“Don’t mock me, Andrew, just see it done,” commanded Dougal irritably.
Andrew and Graham exchanged amused glances but didn’t argue further.
~ * ~
“I don’t want to dine in the great hall. I don’t belong there.”
“I’m not giving ye the option, angel, and ye do belong there. Ye will join us for the evening meal tomorrow,” said Andrew.
“Do ye normally ask yer prisoners to dine with ye?”
“Ye’re not a prisoner, Eve, ye’re a guest.”
“Guests are free to leave. So if I’m a guest, I will thank ye for yer hospitality and bid ye farewell.”
“Eve, don’t start this. Please do as ye’re asked and join us for the evening meal with no argument.”
“And what if I refuse?”
“Then Davy will be extremely disappointed. I understand he is very excited that his angel is going to sit with him at supper.” By the look of defeat on her face, Andrew instantly knew he had wielded the proper weapon.
She sighed. “I don’t want to upset him.”
“I thought not, so ye will join us?”
“Aye. I suppose I can manage one meal surrounded by MacLeods.”
Andrew decided this would not be the best time to tell her she would join them for all meals going forward.
~ * ~
The next evening, dressed in a soft cream-colored wool léine that belonged to Mairi, but with her own plaid around her shoulders, Andrew escorted her to the great hall. All eyes followed them as he led her to the table where the family dined. She avoided making eye contact as much as possible, but it pleased Andrew to see the MacLeods accept her presence without question. Everyone knew what she had done, and warm smiles followed her, even if she didn’t see them. Andrew thought it best to seat her well away from his father. He took a seat near the end of the table, placing Eve between himself and Davy, across from Mairi.
The evening meal went well and although Eve was subdued, David and Mairi kept her distracted. Andrew glanced around to see how the clan seemed to be responding to the little MacKay at the head table. Again, he was generally pleased. However, he noted that one young man, Boyd Sutherland, kept staring at her and whispering to his comrades.
Andrew wasn’t the only one who noticed the lad’s odd behavior. Near the end of the meal Dougal called the young man to him. Boyd conferred quietly with the laird for a few moments. Andrew knew there was a problem when he saw his father’s expression turn grim.
When the meal was over and the family stood to leave, Dougal looked down the table at them. In a surprisingly gentle voice his father asked, “Eve lass, would ye join me in my solar for a bit? I have a few things to discuss with ye. Andrew, Graham would ye come as well?” He stared pointedly at Andrew.
Andrew nodded, taking her elbow. “Aye, Da.”
Eve looked worried and balked but Andrew put his other hand on the small of her back, urging her forward. They followed his father out of the hall and up the stairs to the solar.
Dougal entered and lit several candles, then gestured to one of the chairs near the fire. “Lass, please come and sit down.” He used the same gentle tone he had in the hall.
Eve stiffened, eying him as if he were a wild beast poised to attack. Andrew urged her towards the chair, but again she balked and pushed back.
If anyone else had openly defied an order, Dougal would have roared, but he looked at her intently and said, “Anna, I know who ye are. Please sit down.”
Stunned, her head snapped up and she looked terrified. She stumbled backwards trying to get away and Andrew steadied her. “Calm down, angel, ye’re safe.”
“Nay. Nay, let me go.” She tried to twist away from him.
“Wheesht, no one is going to hurt ye.”
; “Da, what’s going on? Did ye call her Anna?” asked Graham.
“Aye, I did. Anna, calm yerself,” Dougal commanded firmly. “Andrew is right, ye are safe here and no one will hurt ye.”
“Are ye Anna MacKay?” asked Graham, stunned.
“Aye, I’m Anna MacKay. I lied. What did ye expect? I’m one of the lying MacKays after all.”
“Anna, please…,” Dougal tried to calm her.
“I was a-afraid when Graham brought me here,” her voice caught. “I-I thought maybe, once ye knew I hadn’t tried to hurt Davy, if ye thought I was nobody ye would just let me go.” She looked at Dougal and couldn’t hold the tears back “Ye said t-terrible things to me. Ye h-hit me. Ye’ve been worried about my b-brother and my clan hurting me. N-no one can hurt me as ye have.”
Dougal walked toward her. She shied away but he put his arms around her and gently pulled her close, as a father would a frightened child. Anna trembled and sobbed against his chest “I know we hurt ye, lass, and by all that’s holy, I’m sorry. I understand how scared ye must have been and that ye’re still scared. Please don’t cry.”
“Boyd Sutherland recognized her?” Andrew asked his father.
He nodded. “Aye. He met her at the celebration of Bram’s wedding a few years ago.” Anna continued to weep in his arms. He stroked her hair. “Wheesht lass, ye’re safe. Everything will be all right.”
“That’s why Laird MacKay didn’t want ye taking her to Sutherland. He knew Laird Sutherland would recognize her,” said Graham as the implications became clear.
“I suspect.”
Anna began to regain her composure and stepped back, away from Laird MacLeod, wiping the tears from her face. Dougal kept his hands on her shoulders. “Please sit down now.” He gently guided her to a chair.
Laird MacLeod sat again and motioned for his sons to sit as well. Graham did, but Andrew moved to stand by the hearth, close to Anna’s chair.
Anna sat and while she seemed embarrassed by her outburst, she finally looked Laird MacLeod in the eye. “Will ye let me go home now?”
“Anna, there are a few things to sort out before any decisions are made.”
“That’s not an answer,” she whispered and biting her lower lip looked away.
Captured Hearts and Stolen Kisses Page 147