by Fiona Faris
“Aye, thank ye, Mary.” Duncan left Marra in the maid’s capable hands and went back down the stairs to the great hall.
He sat down in the chair across from his father. “Do ye think any o’ the Clan Campbell outside o’ our family could be responsible?”
“I dinnae ken, my son. The MacDonalds and Campbells have a long standin’ hatred o’ one another just as we MacGregors do, but it could be any one o’ their enemies.”
Lachlan joined them by the fireplace. “Did ye encounter any possible witnesses along the way? Anyone who could attest tae what transpired?”
“Nae, when we arrived all were dead, a majority o’ them had died in the fire.” Duncan could not erase the image of their burnt corpses from his mind. “Only Marra, Robert, and Liam remain.”
“Alive or dead they cannae remain here,” Lachlan protested angrily.
“That is nae yer decision tae make,” the laird pointed out sternly. “Ye will treat our guests with the hospitality and respect befittin’ their station.”
“How could ye agree tae take in the daughter o’ yer enemy?” Lachlan asked indignantly.
“Angus MacDonald may have been my enemy, but he was also my ally and that lass upstairs is blameless o’ the sins o’ her faither. I raised ye tae hate the MacDonald laird, but he is now dead and with it so too dies our feud.”
“I will nae have Marra suffer any more than she already has,” Duncan admonished his cousin, “nae matter how ye feel about her paternity.”
Angry, Lachlan stormed from the room. “I take it my son disagrees with your choice of house guest, Fergus?” Duncan’s aunt, Fiona, entered the hall and came to sit down next to her brother.
“Aye, he does at that,” Fergus nodded.
“I cannae say that I blame him after so many years o’ hatred and distrust,” Fiona remarked lifting an elegant brow.
“Wait until ye meet her, Auntie. Ye will no’ feel so reticent once ye ken who Marra is,” Duncan reassured.
“Ah, ye love her,” his aunt noted with a mischievous glint in her eye.
Duncan smiled. “Aye, I do.”
“Well if ye love her, nephew, then she must be a special lass indeed,” Fiona smiled knowingly.
“Aye, she is.”
“Word has spread around the castle verra quickly about what has happened. Do ye believe that we are in any danger o’ the same?” Fiona asked concerned. “Should I take the bairns back tae visit with my husband’s family?”
“Nae, ye are safe here. Were the same tae happen tae us it would have happened when they took the MacDonalds. I have guards posted tae warn us o’ any approach. I dinnae believe us tae be in any danger, but I will be prepared for it if e’er it comes,” Fergus reassured his sister.
“As ye say, Fergus. We will remain.” Turning to Duncan, Fiona smiled. “I look forward tae meetin’ yer lass upon the morrow.”
“Ye will love her, Auntie.”
“I am sure I will.” Fiona rose, kissed each man on the forehead, and left the room.
“What are we goin’ tae do about Lachlan?” Duncan asked. “He is no’ goin’ tae accept the MacDonald’s presence easily.
“Give him time. If nothin’ else, he will obey the word o’ his laird. He would no’ dare tae defy me openly,” his father advised. “Do ye intend tae wed the lass now that there is nothin’ in the way o’ yer happiness?”
Duncan looked up at his father in surprise. “She needs time tae mourn the loss o’ her faither.”
“O’ course, but a marriage alliance between our two clans does have its advantages. It would provide a safe home for Marra, and any remaining MacDonalds of Jura would no longer be a threat to us.”
“When I wed Marra, it will be for the love of her and nae for any other reason. I ken that as the son o’ a laird it is my responsibility to marry well for the sake o’ the clan, but I will do so for love or no’ at all.”
“Then it is convenient that ye love her is it no’?”
Duncan sighed in exasperation at his father’s words. He had been greatly surprised by the laird’s acceptance of Marra. Now he began to see that it was not only love that prompted his congenial behavior, but that he had a political motive as well. “When I marry Marra, assumin’ she will have me, I will nae be the next laird o’ the Isle o’ Jura.”
“We shall see.”
* * *
The following morning, a select number of the MacGregor clan prepared to aid in the burial of the MacDonald deceased. Lachlan refused to render any form of aid to their enemies and left the castle before anyone else awoke. The remainder of the family met in the great hall to break the fast and discuss what could be done for any remaining MacDonald clansmen they might find upon their return to Jura. Marra joined them at the table, her face pale and drawn. Duncan made the introduction of his aunt and her children.
“I am truly filled with sorrow for yer loss, lass,” his aunt, Fiona, sympathized. “Tae lose one’s entire family in such a way is tae terrible tae bear.”
Marra nodded in acknowledgement, but remained silent other than the usual niceties. Duncan feared that her grief was crushing her from the inside outward. Her shoulders sagged from the weight of it. Her eyes were ringed with dark bruises, bloodshot from crying.
“There will be survivors. It is unfathomable that they could have slaughtered an entire island o’ people,” Duncan pointed out in an effort to comfort her. He prayed his words were true. “Mayhap they will ken who has done this.”
“I am more than willin’ tae take Marra in for yer sake son, but I will no’ go tae war if ye are seekin’ tae aid in revengin’ their deaths. I will no’ risk our own people.”
“I mean tae protect those that remain and tae ensure that we are no’ tae be next.”
His father nodded. “Only a fool would attempt tae take on a stronghold o’ the Clan Campbell.”
“It was no’ that long ago that the same would have been said o’ the Clan MacDonald,” Liam MacDonald growled. “Were it no’ for ye Campbells.” He looked as if he wished to stab Fergus with his eating knife.
“We had nae part in that,” Duncan reminded him.
“Aye, but it was yer people, and we MacDonalds have long memories,” Robert MacDonald chimed in, backing his brother.
“With Angus MacDonald dead there is nae longer a need for the bad blood between our two clans tae continue as it was afore,” Fergus stated, looking at Liam and Robert in turn. “The issue lay between Angus and I alone.”
Duncan snorted indignantly before he could stop himself. “I dinnae believe it was quite that simple, Faither.”
“I must agree with Duncan, Fergus,” Fiona replied. “And ye ken it well enough, but perhaps this is no’ the best topic o’ discussion given our current situation.”
Marra looked at Fiona and nodded. “I thank ye for yer kindness.”
“Ye are most welcome, lass.”
* * *
Marra sat at the table looking around her, a part of everything and yet set apart by the grief that racked her soul, nearly debilitating her. The conversation ebbed and flowed around her, but all she could think about was her father’s lifeless face, blackened from the fire, staring up at her. She could not eat for the knot in her stomach but pushed the food around her trencher. A tear slipped down her cheek and splashed down upon the table. It took all of her strength not to scream and run from the room. She was angry, scared, lost.
When it came time to return to Jura, Marra sat next to Duncan in the boat but did not speak. She was terrified to return to the scene of death and decay, but she owed it to her kinsmen to see them properly laid to rest. When they arrived, they found a small number of the remaining MacDonald survivors attempting to do the same. Upon seeing Diana, she cried out in relieved joy. “Diana!”
“Marra!”
The women rushed toward each other across the scorched earth and embraced, tears streaming down their faces. “I thought ye were dead,” Marra sobbed.
“I almost was. I
feared the worst for ye as well. Have the Campbells takin’ ye prisoner?” she asked, her eyes glaring at the Campbell warriors approaching the gruesome sight.
“Nae. They have come tae aid in buryin’ our dead,” Marra reassured her.
“The Campbells are the ones who did this,” Diana bit out, than spat on the ground in disgust.
“That is no’ possible. Duncan Campbell is the one who saved me. His faither has agreed tae take us under his protection. If they were the ones who did this tae us then would they no’ have slaughtered us where we stand?”
“The men were dressed in Campbell tartans. There is nae doubt in my mind that they are the ones who attacked us. We have already sent runners tae the other MacDonalds throughout the highlands and islands. Our people will be avenged. The Campbells will taste the metal o’ our clansmen’s blades.”
“Diana, they did no’ do this.” Marra looked around her to find Duncan, but instead saw that she and Diana had been shielded by the remaining survivors of Jura.
“Have your people no’ done enough? Have ye returned tae finish those o’ us that remain?” A man stepped forward, sword in hand, shouting accusations. Marra recognized him as Diana’s brother, Ian.
“We did no’ do this,” Duncan protested, raising his hand to stop his own men from reacting to Ian’s threatening posture.
“I saw ye with my verra own eyes,” Diana stepped forward challenging his denial. “Yer men came in the night and slaughtered everyone in their beds. Had I no’ been returnin’ late from a visit with my brother’s family, I would be lyin’ there next tae our laird. As it is, ‘twas one o’ yer men who hit me on the head and left me for dead. Yer Campbell tartan was on display for all tae see. Ye cannae deny it.”
“Duncan, they have called for the other MacDonalds tae avenge the attack. Ye must warn yer faither afore it is tae late!” Marra warned him of the coming danger, shouting over the top of her people’s heads.
“Nae! Ye Duncan Campbell will die by my hand, here and now, for what ye have done tae our people,” Ian roared, taking a step forward, sword raised.
“Nae! I will no’ allow ye tae harm any o’ these men. They have come in good faith tae aid us in burying our dead. They have offered us protection within their walls. Ye are wrong tae think that any o’ them could have done this evil deed,” Marra spoke with fierce passion, begging her people to listen before further harm was done.
“How can ye speak so o’ our enemies when yer faither lies burnin’ afore yer verra eyes. Do ye no' still smell the stench o’ his burnin’ flesh in yer nostrils?” Ian questioned her angrily.
“I will ne’er forget the sight or smell o’ that which is before me now, Ian MacDonald, but they did no’ do this thing. Duncan Campbell saved my life, and I demand that ye let him go unharmed.”
“Ye are my lady. I dinnae agree with yer choices on this matter, but out o’ respect for yer faither, our laird, I will allow it just this once.” Turning to Duncan, Ian made his mind known. “Leave these lands, all o’ ye Campbell scum, and ne’er return, or I will kill ye.” Ian’s demand was joined by exclamations of agreement from the other MacDonalds.
Horrified that she might never see Duncan again, Marra broke free of Diana’s grasp on her arm and ran out from behind her people. She raced into Duncan’s embrace. “I dinnae want tae lose ye. I cannae lose anyone else that I care for, no’ another soul,” she sobbed, overwhelmed by the entire ordeal.
“Come back with me. Stay with me,” Duncan invited, crushing her to him. Her tears soaked through his shirt, leaving damp round circles that showed the muscled torso beneath. She had lain her head against his naked chest when he had rescued her and longed to do so again, but she could not give into her desires. She could not leave her people behind.
“I cannae go with ye, Duncan. I must remain here with my fellow clansmen and bury my faither. Ye must go and save yers by warnin’ him o’ the comin’ attack.”
“I will no’ leave ye alone tae face such horrors, lass. I will no’ do it.”
“Ye must. Ye have nae choice. Ye must think o’ yer own people or they tae will be nae but ash and bones.”
“Marra, I…” His words faded as he stared down into her eyes. When he leaned his head down to kiss her, Marra could not resist the fervent need she saw in their blue depths. Rising up on her toes, she met his lips with a fierce passion, pouring every bit of feeling she possessed into the moment. Her head swam and she swayed in his arms, overcome by the sensations that flowed through her body. Had she not known better she would have sworn the earth had moved beneath their feet. When their lips parted, Marra buried her face in his chest once more. Duncan’s fingers threaded through her hair as he clutched her head to him. “I will return for ye. I swear on the scorched earth in which we stand that cries out with yer faither’s blood, I will return for ye, nae matter the cost.”
“Go,” she whispered in a strangled sob, pushing him away, and watched as he waved his men back to the boats. As she turned to rejoin Diana, she passed Ian.
“Ye have made a grave mistake in lettin’ him live, lass. A mistake I fear ye will live tae regret.”
Marra stopped and met his eyes. “Tae grant a person their life is ne’er a mistake. Have we no’ seen enough death this day?”
“Aye, and there will be more tae come. Mark my words, lass. Duncan Campbell will no’ live tae see another winter.”
Chapter Eleven
Duncan raced with his men back to the boats. He had no way of knowing when word had been sent to the other MacDonalds across Scotland, and he feared that he might already be too late. While some MacDonald lands were far flung, others were much closer neighbors. Any one of them could choose to attack at any time, and there would be no stopping it with the truth once battle had commenced. No, they needed to send envoys now, before it was too late, explaining that they had had no part in the attack on Jura.
Once they reached the boats, the men rowed hard for the MacGregor stronghold. Duncan’s mind was on preventing the coming danger, but his heart was back on the island with Marra. He could not stand the idea of leaving her there alone in her pain and grief. He reminded himself that she was not alone, but with her clansmen; yet it brought him little comfort. I will return for her as soon as I have assured the safety o’ my family. Leaving her felt as if he were being ripped in two.
Once he reached the castle, Duncan immediately began issuing orders to increase the guard. He entered the great hall looking for his father, but did not find him there. Fearing that his health had taken a turn for the worse, he climbed the stairs to the laird’s bedchamber. Fergus MacGregor lay upon the bed, pale and sweating. Coughs racked his body as bloody sputum flew through the air. Idonea stood by his bedside, attempting to get one of her herbal tea remedies into him between coughing spells.
“Faither,” Duncan spoke softly as he approached.
“Duncan? I did no’ expect tae see ye so soon. Ye had said ye might be gone for days tendin’ tae the needs o’ Marra’s people.”
“I come bearing’ news that could no’ wait, Faither. The MacDonalds claim that it was Campbells that attacked them and no’ just any Campbells. They blame us.”
“We had nae part in the attack on Jura,” his faither coughed out in protest.
“Aye, I ken that all tae well, but they will no’ listen tae reason. Were it no’ for Marra, we would be lyin’ dead among the bracken. Ian MacDonald has sent runners to the MacDonald chieftains seeking vengeance tae be taken by their fellow clansmen throughout Scotland. Any day now we could be under attack ourselves.”
“We must send our own envoys immediately. They must learn the truth before it is tae late.” Another spasm of coughs cut him off.
“I will see tae it, Faither. I have doubled the guard, and I will have the men prepare tae face battle if we must.”
“Ye have ne’er faced battle before, my son. The men need their laird. They need an experienced warrior.”
“Ye need yer rest. The men will s
imply have tae obey my word as if it were yer own nae matter my lack o’ experience in the field. I must return tae Jura as soon as I have done what is needed. I cannae leave Marra alone, and we must convince the MacDonalds that we had nothin’ tae do with the attacks.”
“Ye cannae return, my son. We need ye here with us tae defend yer family. I am in nae fit state tae be leadin’ our men as ye said yerself.”
“I will no’ leave her alone, Faither.”
“She is no’ alone. She is with her kinsmen. I will no’ have my son slaughtered for the love o’ a lass; nae matter how much she may remind me o’ yer dear sainted maither.”
“I must.”
Sighing in exasperation, his faither grumbled under his breath about his stubborn offspring then turned back to Duncan. “If ye insist on returnin’ and riskin’ death, then ye will at least have the good grace tae wait until the morn after ye have seen tae everythin’ that needs doin’ here tae protect yer family. I will no’ take nae for an answer even if that means I am forced to chain ye tae the wall.”
“Aye, Faither.” Duncan shook his head at his father’s exaggerations, but knew he was right. He had to protect his family first, before he did anything else. Dinnae lose faith, Marra. I will return for ye. I swear it.
* * *
Marra stood among her fellow clansmen and women feeling lost and alone. She felt Duncan’s absence keenly and feared for his safety. “How can ye plead for the life o’ a Campbell after what they did tae yer faither?” Diana asked from beside her in disbelief.
“It was no’ Duncan or his faither that did this.”
“Ye cannae ken that it was no’. Ye were no’ here.”
“I was no’ here because I had been taken, tied up, and left in an abandoned croft all alone until Duncan came tae save me. He was with me. He could no’ have done this.”