by Fiona Faris
She walked over to the bed, pulled the blankets off, and took them outside. She spread them out in front of her and shook them with all of her strength. The last thing she wanted was for any stray vermin to crawl up out of the bedding and bite her in the middle of the night. Having thoroughly shook the blankets, she returned them to the bed. She then dusted and swept the entirety of the croft. Taking the hot water from the fire, she poured it into a large bowl and let it cool, then took a clean cloth and bathed herself the best she could without removing her clothes. Ewen entered carrying an armload of wood, and she emptied the bowl of dirty water, then poured him a fresh bowl so that he too might bathe.
“I will go and explore around the croft a bit before supper,” she informed him in an effort to give him some privacy.
“Dinnae go verra far, lass. I did no’ see any threats during my own explorations, but that does no’ mean that there are no’ any about,” he warned as she walked out of the door.
Once outside she took a deep breath clearing away any dust that she had breathed in while cleaning the croft. The sea air was fresh and brisk, rejuvenating her spirits. The laird’s ultimatum had caught her by surprise, and she had not been able to shake the negative emotions that he had brought out in her. She greatly disliked dealing with such an unpleasant, uncaring person as Alexander MacDonald appeared to be. James had been so sure that his father would help. It had never occurred to Marra that he would not agree to do so.
Leaving the croft behind, Marra climbed to the top of an embankment and stared out over the expanse of sea before her. In the distance she could make out other landforms and wondered what beauties lay on the other side. She thought of the Fairy Pools that James had described and longed to see them. She was not sure how far they were, but if it was close, she hoped to persuade James to take her there before they departed the island. When Ewen joined her at the top of the hill, she broached the subject with him.
“’Tis unlikely that we will have the time given the laird’s feelings about ye bein’ married tae his son. ‘Twould be best tae get ye off o’ this island as soon as possible and return ye tae the safety o’ my laird’s keep. Ye will need the backing o’ a strong ally tae get ye through this, lass.”
“Ye are right, o’ course,” she acknowledged the wisdom of his words, but wished it were not so. She feared what her people would choose if faced with the choice to seek refuge with their enemies or their kinsmen and knew that they would choose Skye over the Campbell lands as a safe haven.
“What will ye do, lass?” Ewen asked, studying her face as she gazed out across the water.
“I dinnae ken. My people deserve the right tae make their own choices even if that means they are nae longer my people. One thing is clear, I will ne’er place myself under the rule o’ Alexander MacDonald if I have any control at all over the matter.”
“Then we must find a way tae prove that ye did no’ consent tae the marriage. Otherwise, in the eyes o’ the clans ye are a married lass and the property of the Laird o’ Skye. Is it possible that it was he who arranged for ye tae be taken? It would have served his purposes tae have yer safety in question when dealin’ with yer faither. Alexander could have blackmailed him in tae signin’ on the promise that ye would be returned.”
“If that were so, why would Faither have blamed Duncan?”
“’Tis a fair point, lass. Perhaps he needed the best tracker in the islands tae find ye.”
“Perhaps, but my faither was no’ the sort o’ man tae be blackmailed. It was no’ in his nature tae give way tae any man, nae matter the danger tae others.”
“Even for the safety o’ his own daughter?” Ewen asked incredulously as if he could not imagine any man being so heartless.
“Aye, even then.”
“’Tis sorry I am tae hear it, lass. Ye deserve better than that.”
“He was a good man, but he was also a hard man. I ken that he loved me in his own way.”
“Only a fool would no’ love tae have ye as their daughter. A truer lass a man could no’ ask for. Ye have served his people well, and I have nae doubts that ye will make the right decision now.”
“I thank ye for yer vote o’ confidence, Ewen, but I fear my choices will have little consequence in this situation. Alexander MacDonald is a canny, wily foe that will no’ easily be defeated.”
“The auld fox is determined, I grant ye, but I refuse tae believe that there is nae way out o’ this for ye. I will no’ stand by and watch ye be forced in tae a marriage that ye dinnae want all for the sake o’ yer people, and Duncan would no’ allow it either were he here. Ye ken that he will protect ye as much as ye will allow it.”
“Aye, but my people are my responsibility, no’ his. I cannae expect Duncan and his faither tae go against the wishes o’ their own clan tae help mine for verra long without there being severe repercussions. They will no’ stand for it for verra long, nor will mine.”
“Aye, ye are right there, but ‘tis more likely that ye will get my clansmen tae see reason far sooner that ye would e’er be able to do so with Alexander MacDonald.”
“Aye, that is true enough.”
They stood looking out over the water, talking until they heard James return from the castle. Descending the hill, Marra and Ewen met him at the croft. “Did ye have any trouble with yer faither?” Marra asked, concerned that her visit had caused a rift between them.
“He is less than pleased with ye, lass, but he is convinced that ye will give in tae his demands tae save yer people before the fortnight is out,” he answered, dismounting. “I am afraid my entreaties on yer behalf fell on deaf ears.”
“Perhaps his tactics have worked on others in the past, but I have nae intention o’ bowing tae such a man. I will find another way. There has tae be another way,” Marra proclaimed emphatically.
“I am so verra sorry for the actions o’ my faither. I will continue tae urge him tae do what is right,” James promised. The three of them entered the croft, and James laid out the food that he had brought them for supper. They sat down and ate together, mulling over Marra’s options. “Other than Faither’s demands what options do ye have available tae ye?” James asked thoughtfully.
“Ye could marry Duncan,” Ewen offered, “but ‘tis unlikely that yer union would be accepted by either o’ yer clans.”
“My faither would take his claims o’ marriage before the church afore he would allow such a thing. ‘Twould be his word against ours. ‘Tis possible that we could win the church o’er tae our side, but it will take time ye dinnae have. After goin’ tae the church, faither could take it to the king if he believed it tae be worth the time and effort tae his plans. Ye add tae that the fact that he could justify an attack on the Clan Campbell under the guise o’ seekin’ vengeance on behalf o’ his fellow clansmen, and he could wipe out Duncan’s entire family in one fell blow out o’ sheer spite.” James shook his head in disapproval. “I did no’ believe him capable o’ such things afore yer arrival, but when I returned tae the keep I heard him speak o’ all manner o’ ways in which he will have his way. I dinnae ken how ye will defeat him in this, but I will do what I can tae aid ye.”
“As if ye did no’ have enough troubles without him addin’ tae it,” Ewen shook his head in disgust.
“Aye, I could have done without it tae be sure,” Marra agreed, rubbing her temples as she propped her elbows up on the table’s rough wooden surface. “There has tae be another way.”
“I still believe it is possible that he could have been the one behind the attack,” Ewen pointed out, not caring that James was sitting right there next to them.
James’ eyebrows nearly shot up into his hair. “He would ne’er do such a thing!”
“Ye though he would no’ stoop tae blackmail and extortion of a fellow kinswoman either, and yet he has done just that,” Ewen reminded him.
“Extortion is one thing, murder is another,” James protested vehemently. “No’ a man o’ Skye would be party tae such an abominab
le action against their own, no’ a single man.”
Marra felt guilty that James was so hurt by the accusation, but she was secretly glad that Ewen had brought it up. It was clear that Alexander wished to become the laird of all the isles as their forbearers had once been. Jura was just one island in the grand plan. “I am sorry that we have offended ye, James, as ye have become a valuable friend and ally in such a brief time o’ acquaintance, but we would be fools no’ tae consider every option, every possibility.”
James sighed. “I suppose ye are right at that, but I simply cannae accept my faither bein’ capable o’ such an atrocity. It is just no’ so.” Marra and Ewen shared a look of doubt, but chose to remain silent so as not to upset James further. James shook his head in frustration. “We digress from the matter at hand. What ye need is a powerful man who believes ye o’er my faither. Do ye ken any man o’ the sort?”
“Fergus Campbell,” Marra offered.
Ewen shook his head. “He is no’ powerful enough for somethin’ such as this. It is unlikely that he would be willin’ tae challenge a man such as Alexander MacDonald e’en for ye, lass. He will offer ye shelter and aid for yer people on account o’ yer love for his son, and his son’s love for ye, but that is where it ends.”
“Then I have nae one else,” Marra admitted sorrowfully, her shoulders sagging dejectedly.
“Then all that remains is for ye tae lay my faither’s offer before yer people and allow them the choice o’ acceptin’ it or rejectin’ it as they may. Perhaps one o’ yer own kinsmen will hold the answers that ye seek, but nae matter the outcome, ye will have allowed them tae choose their own fates. ‘Tis time for them tae choose their own destiny.”
Chapter Twenty
The next morning Marra, Ewen, and James left the Isle of Skye for Jura. Ewen had not felt that it was safe for Marra to remain on Skye with Alexander’s nefarious designs upon her person and people. James had agreed to take her back to Jura aboard his sailing vessel so that she might inform them of the laird’s ultimatum. She feared what their response would be. Would they abandon their home and pledge their allegiance to Skye, or would they remain and fight for their survival? Would they demand she honor the illegitimate marriage between herself and James? Would she give in to their demands if they did? Questions swirled through her mind, leaving her restless and irritable. She missed Duncan and longed for his presence, but at the same time, the humiliation of his rejection weighed heavy upon her heart. Knowing she had more important things to be thinking about, she pushed all such thoughts from her mind and concentrated on the problem at hand.
When they arrived at Jura, they disembarked to find many of Marra’s people sifting through the castle rubble much as she had left them. Ian was there and came over to meet them. “How did ye fair with the Laird o’ Skye?”
Marra shook her head. “No’ well at all.” She then proceeded to explain what had happened during her time at Knock Castle.
As he listened to her speak, Ian clenched his fists and his face turned red with rage. “Kinsman or nae, the day I pledge my loyalty tae Skye ‘twill be the day that the Devil himself ice skates across the lake o’ fire.”
Ewen snorted in humor from beside her, nodding his approval. “Well said, MacDonald.”
“I would rather put my lot in with our sworn enemies and someday be able tae return home than give up these lands and be beholden tae a man such as Alexander MacDonald for the rest o’ my days.” Ian gestured toward Ewen when referring to his sworn enemy. “I am surprised they did nae kill ye where ye stood, Campbell, but I thank ye for seein’ tae our lady’s safety.”
“Aye, I ken that they wished tae do so, but I was under the protection o’ James here, and they did no’ dare tae raise a hand tae me,” Ewen explained, jerking his head toward James.
“’Twas my pleasure. I am only sorry that your time on our bonnie isle was no’ more fruitful,” James apologized. “I would verra much have liked tae have shown Marra its many splendors.”
“Perhaps durin’ a less turbulent time,” Marra offered. “For now ye are welcome tae what little hospitality we have tae give.”
“I gratefully accept, My Lady,” James bowed gallantly over her hand and moved forward to aid her people in their labors.
Marra turned to Ewen. “Can I persuade ye tae stay, my friend?”
“As loathe as I am tae leave ye, lass, I must return tae report yer safe return tae my laird and his son. I am sure they are both anxious of word as tae yer wellbeing,” Ewen replied with a mixture of regret and relief. “I will miss ye, lass.”
“And I ye,” Marra admitted, smiling at him fondly. “Ye are always welcome on the Isle o’ Jura as long as I am lady here. Ye are welcome tae take my boat.”
“I have a feelin’ that I will be seein’ ye sooner rather than later.” He winked, bowed over her hand, and then walked away toward the proffered boat.
* * *
Duncan paced the floor of the hall. It had been days since he had last seen Marra, and he was growing anxious. He had hoped that she would return to him upon leaving Skye, but he had no way of knowing when that might be, if ever, or whether she had gone on to Jura instead. His father had taken to his bed once more, keeping Duncan close to the castle. Had he not been needed at home, he would have gone in search of her. He could not bear the idea that she might be taken again or worse, but it eased his worry somewhat to know that Ewen was there to protect her.
Sighing, Duncan climbed the stairs to look in on his father and found him to be asleep, so he decided to step outside and get some air. He had never done well trapped indoors as his spirit longed for the freedom of the forest. He had desperately needed the hunt he had gone on before Marra’s departure, but he had instantly regretted it as she had left for Skye before his return. Had he been there, he would have tried to have dissuaded her from going.
Heaven help James MacDonald if anythin’ should befall her, he growled silently. Duncan clenched his fists at the thought of the man. What was Angus MacDonald thinkin’ attemptin’ tae bind her tae the man without her consent? He kenned what he was doin’ was illegal and would no’ stand. What was his end? Duncan was baffled by the old laird’s actions. Did he think she would just surrender tae his wishes without a fight? No’ likely, he snorted with amusement. A woman passing by heard the sound and eyed him questioningly. Duncan nodded his head in acknowledgement of her presence and continued on his way.
He strolled down to the shore and gazed out across the water toward the Isle of Jura. He wondered how Marra’s maid, Diana, faired in her recovery. It had been nothing short of a miracle that she had not died from her injuries. He wished that Ian had chosen to stay longer in order to allow her to recover fully before moving her. He knew that the maid was of great importance to Marra. I would hate tae see her lose another person in her life after everythin’ that has happened. She does no’ deserve anythin’ that has happened tae her. Perhaps I should send a messenger tae inquire as tae her wellbeing.
No sooner had the thought entered his mind then he spied Ewen rowing toward the shore. Running down to the water’s edge, he helped Ewen to pull the boat ashore. “How is she?” he asked before his kinsman could step foot on dry land.
Ewen smiled knowingly. “Aye, she is alive and well, if no’ a bit angry.”
“Angry?”
Ewen told Duncan of all that had transpired on the Isle of Skye as they walked together toward the castle. “He did what?!” Duncan fumed with anger for the way Marra had been treated. “Alexander MacDonald is a man without honor tae do such a thing.”
“Aye, that he is,” Ewen agreed.
“What does she plan tae do?” Duncan was not entirely sure he wanted to know the answer.
“She plans tae fight in any way that she can. She is a braw lass if e’er I did see one.”
“Aye, that she is,” Duncan agreed with pride. “Alexander MacDonald has met his match. I thank ye for all that ye have done tae keep her safe and for makin’ haste tae brin
g me this news, Ewen. I could no’ have asked for a better protector.”
“Young James MacDonald is a good man, Duncan. He was invaluable in seein’ tae Marra’s care and safety. I ken ye are loathe tae hear such things o’ the man, but ‘tis the truth.”
Duncan shook his head feeling mixed emotions on the subject. “I am glad that ye had help in seein’ tae her care, but I dinnae trust the man.”
“Aye, I ken that well enough, but ye were no’ with us, Duncan. The man was willin’ tae defy his laird and his clan tae do as she wished in spite o’ his wishin’ tae wed her. He stood up tae his faither and is even as we speak helpin’ her people tae rebuild.”
Duncan could see the sincerity of his words in Ewen’s face. “I see.” He was torn. He did not want to lose Marra, but he was happy that she had found a fellow kinsman to aid her in her quest to reclaim her father’s legacy. “How would ye feel about returnin’ tae offer yer own services and continuin’ tae protect her in the process?”
“I would be amenable tae such a thing,” Ewen agreed.
“Good. There is still so much we dinnae ken about who took her and who attacked her lands. I dinnae feel safe lettin’ her out o’ my sight for verra long at all, but Faither is no’ well, and I fear he may no’ have much time left. I cannae in good conscience leave him at this time, at least until he has shown some improvement, but I dinnae wish for Marra tae be left unguarded. Most o’ the envoys have returned and managed tae evade an attack by the other MacDonald chieftains, but that does no’ mean that the threat has passed.”
“Our people cannae be left without a laird tae guide them through this difficult time. It is wise that ye will remain here.”
“Whether it is I or another that becomes laird upon his passin’, I cannae leave my faither. He should no’ be alone when the end comes.”
“Nae, he should no’. Nae one should be alone at the end.” Ewen’s eyes took on a faraway expression, and Duncan knew that he was thinking of his dearly departed wife. “Are ye sure ye dinnae wish for me tae stay here with ye. Ye will need a good man at yer back if the laird does die.”