The Highlander’s English Woman (The Stelton Legacy)

by Ruth A. Casie

  It was torture to wait any longer. She kicked her horse into a gallop and raced across the meadow, eager to be with her family. She was almost upon the door when she pulled her horse to an abrupt halt. The gate, which was always open, was locked up tight.

  “Open the gate,” she shouted. Her horse danced, eager for the barn. With an expert hand, she kept the animal under control.

  “Open the gate.” Finally, the small wooden peep hole in the solid door slid open.

  “Who goes there?” the gatekeeper asked.

  “Who goes there? Lady Laura. Open the gate,” she demanded. The man stared at her and didn’t move.

  “Who are you? You’re not one of Father’s men.”

  The man said nothing, closed the small door, and took no action.

  Reeve pulled up beside her. “Open the gate, you imbecile, before I have your head,” he bellowed.

  Her head snapped to the right as the chains clanged into action and the large gate lifted.

  Together, the column moved into the bailey. She was born and raised at Glen Kirk. Every stone was familiar, yet she moved along as if she’d never been here before. The bailey was empty. The merchant’s stalls and farmer’s carts that lined the wall were gone.

  She rode in a daze as the column moved into the courtyard. Where was the organized chaos of activity that marked the marketplace? There were no villagers rushing about or buzz of conversations. As Laura rode on, she peered at the few people she passed. None were familiar faces.

  They came to a halt in front of the barn. Reeve helped her down. She ignored him. Instead, she headed up the front steps and pushed open the keep doors.

  Empty. Reeve stepped in behind her. The castle had been in mourning when she left, but this was worse. The atmosphere was foreign, painful, and frightening.

  She hurried up the stairs and burst into the solar. “Father, Mother, I’m home.” She stood in the center of the room, bewildered. The hearth was cold and the room deserted.

  “Should the guard put the Huntingdon standard back on the battlements?”

  Laura spun around at the soldier’s words.

  “He should not,” she answered quickly over the choking beat of her heart.

  “Leave the Reynolds flag,” Reeve ordered. The soldier nodded and left. Reeve took Laura’s hand, moved her into her father’s study, and closed the door.

  “I’ll forgive you this time, but I won’t be so lenient the next. As your husband, I will answer all questions.” He threw the words at her as if they were stones. She glared at him, her eyes burning with contempt. She didn’t know what angered her more: his words or her missing family.

  “This is Glen Kirk, not Huntingdon Manor. Your flag has no place on the battlements here. I will remind you, you’re not my husband.” She wouldn’t let him intimidate her. Instead, she put on her armor and prepared for battle. Yes, that’s what this was. She had to be up to the challenge.

  His mouth spread into a thin-lipped smile.

  “I was so taken with you at Caerlaverock,” Reeve said. “I overlooked your faults.” Faults. She met his accusing eyes without flinching. His arrogance, evident as he swaggered across the room to her father’s desk, irritated her even more.

  “My men arrived—”

  “Why are they here?” She found perverse pleasure in her challenge.

  “My men arrived to find the place abandoned.” He showed no signs of responding to her question. “They secured the castle for me until I arrived. In their eagerness to please me, they raised my flag. It was all innocent enough. As you heard, I told them the Reynolds flag stays.”

  “Abandoned. That is ridiculous.” Until she knew her family was safe, she had to be careful. She had to try to keep ahead of Reeve. That hadn’t been hard in the past.

  “Neither your father nor your mother was in residence. Lisbeth is nowhere to be found. I suspect she went with them.” He tossed the words away as if her family’s whereabouts was unimportant.

  “Surely Gareth told you—”

  “Perhaps he would have, but he wasn’t here either. One of the old soldiers left behind said he escorted your family to London. You’re upset over nothing.” He went to the sideboard and smelled the contents of each decanter. When he found one he wanted, he poured two glasses of wine, then handed one to her.

  “This should settle your nerves.”

  Laura put the glass down, untouched. “It’s not my nerves that should concern you.”

  “Ah, then I suppose I should be concerned about your lover. Do you expect him to come and save you?” His curt voice lashed out at her.

  “My what?” Laura placed her hands on her hips. She wanted to wipe the cynical smile off his face.

  “You didn’t think I was aware of your liaison with the Scot? I’ve known his feelings for you for some time. I wasn’t sure how strongly you felt for him until now. I’ve watched your drama these last weeks. It’s obvious his intentions do not include you. And you still defend him. You’re fortunate I’m willing to overlook your indiscretion.”

  “This is ridiculous.” She threw her hands in the air. “What does Jamie have to do with anything?”

  In two steps, he had her in his arms. “I’ll wipe him out of your brain once and for all. You always took his side, followed him around. You even played his squire. Not anymore. You’re mine now. His life is in your hands.”

  She couldn’t prevent her quick gasp of breath. She peered closely into his eyes. Hate, stark and vivid, glittered in them. How had she forgotten?

  “Yes, I see you understand me.” He lowered his face to hers until they were a breath apart. “Don’t try to stop or hinder my plans, wife. You won’t like the consequences.”

  He grabbed her hands and squeezed until she thought every bone would break.

  “I know your tricks. Use them, just try and it is his life you forfeit.”

  Laura freed herself and pushed him away, rubbing the sting out of her hands.

  Reeve strutted to her father’s desk and slowly lowered himself in the chair as if he was already the master of Glen Kirk Castle. Her mind raced as she looked on motionless from the middle of the room. Her parents. That’s why Herbert didn’t want her to leave. She was sick at the thought. Without realizing it, she was at the brink of helping Reeve achieve his goal at the cost of her family losing everything.

  “You will be a grand lady as my wife. Not only will I take Glen Kirk, but you’ll bring me Caerlaverock as well. Herbert and his family will not survive there much longer. I’ve seen to that. I will wield enough power to make the King of England take notice. In his indebtedness, he’ll make me his adviser to Scotland. I can just imagine Herbert’s face. He and his puny parliament have kept me out. Watch them grovel, if they survive at all.”

  Blind. That’s what she was. Now she saw the spoiled boy she’d disliked all those years ago. He hid it well, but he was still the same hurtful, self-centered person.

  “You should be proud of yourself, my dear. Without you, none of this would have been possible. I owe you a great debt. The House of Huntingdon will rise and once again prosper.” He got out of the chair. Laura schooled herself not to step away. He gave her his arm and escorted her back to the solar.

  “I don’t want to alarm you, but there have been threats made against you and your family. Reliable ones. We can only hope that your family made it safely to London. The reivers are a brash group.”

  She shivered at his threat.

  “My men are diligent. They will capture any intruder. You’re to stay inside the castle. I won’t jeopardize your life.”

  “Reeve, this is my home—”

  He put his finger on her lips. “Yes, yes, I know this is upsetting, but I’ll keep Glen Kirk and you safe. Tom,” he said and snapped his fingers, “will be nearby to protect you. You look tired. It’s time for you to retire for the night. I’ll have your meal brought to your room. Things will look better in the morning. For all you know, your family may return tomorrow.” He stepped
close and kissed her gently on her forehead.

  Laura hurried down the hall and entered her room. Tom stepped inside. She paused to catch her breath. Her fears were stronger than ever.

  The soldier checked her room thoroughly. He closed the door when he left without a word and with the turn of a key.

  She ran to the door, and pulled on the handle. It wouldn’t open.

  “Let me out.” She slammed her hand on the door. How dare he lock her in her room.

  “Let me out.” Her voice pitched high with fear. Over and over she pounded and screamed until her voice was hoarse and her hands bruised.

  Laura slid to the floor with her back against the wood. “Let me out,” she pleaded, as tears rolled down her cheeks.

  Jamie needed a place to stay, and time to think. He made his way from the cemetery to Wesley’s hunting lodge in the woods. The smell of a warm fire quickened his footsteps. He came up the lodge’s path and was greeted with a small wisp of smoke rising from the chimney.

  A broad smile burst on his face. Lisbeth. He didn’t think she’d go far from the castle.

  He barged through the door. “Good evening.” His smile fell. Sean and his men sat, drinking Wesley’s ale.

  “Welcome and bring up a chair,” Sean said. “Give Jamie an ale.”

  Dumbfounded, Jamie fell into a chair and held a tankard someone put in his hand.

  “Let me introduce you to the Friars. This is Brother Steven, a former royal guard who has seen the light. Here are Brothers Dan and Asher. Both have taken vows of silence. Ah, but not abstinence,” Sean said, motioning to three friars sitting with his men over several tankards of ale.

  Jamie looked at Sean in interested amazement.

  “I see you’re a bit surprised. You didn’t think you could leave us in Scotland and have all the fun?” The captain raised his ale and took a gulp. “Or all the ale?”

  Jamie laughed. He should have realized when they didn’t fuss that they intended to follow him. Jamie drank half his tankard.

  “Nice to meet you,” Jamie said to the friars. “You usually don’t come to Glen Kirk at Samhain. What brings you here?” Jamie asked.

  “Lord Wesley has summoned us. His daughter is to marry.” The friar handed Jamie a message.

  His chest heaved as he looked at Wesley’s distinctive handwriting. The document requested the friars perform his daughter’s marriage. He rolled the message and handed it back.

  Wesley must have been forced to write the request. There were no plans for Lisbeth or Laura to marry when he was here last month.

  “What did you find at Glen Kirk?” Sean asked, taking a seat next to him.

  “Yes, Glen Kirk.” Jamie would speak to Wesley. If the day went his way. He couldn’t think about that now. “Reeve’s men stand guard. I didn’t see anyone with Wesley colors, even though his flag flies.”

  “That’s not a comforting thought. When do you plan to go inside?” Sean sipped his ale.

  Jamie turned in Sean’s direction.

  “Don’t look so surprised. I know you, and how you think.”

  “Yes, you do know how I think.” Jamie looked at Sean. “So does Reeve. He knows I would walk up to the gate and demand entry.”

  “You’d be dead before you got to the gate.” Sean took a drink.

  “Yes, you’re right.” He looked at the friars. Brother Steven’s eyes were closed as he savored Wesley’s ale. “No, we’re going to send in the friars.”

  Sean spit out the ale in a fine spray.

  “Careful, that’s a waste of good ale.” Jamie finished his tankard. “Come with me, and bring three bottles of ale.”

  “Where are we going?” Sean asked as they came to the cemetery.

  “To pay our respects.” They went through the gate and walked to Richard’s grave. Jamie put two bottles of ale on Richard’s tombstone.

  “Now what?” Sean asked.

  “I’m not sure.” Jamie looked around. “I think we wait.” He and Sean sat on the stone bench.

  “You’ve gone deep into the traitor’s circle. Too deep. I can’t imagine they will let you walk away.”

  Jamie put his elbows on his knees. “No. I suspect they have great plans for me. The only person that suspects I’m the traitor is Laura. I think they intend to have her speak against me. That’s why I’m so sure Reeve is behind this.”

  “What did you do to make him hate you that he’d wait all these years for his revenge?”

  “He could never control or frighten me, and to him, I’m from the wrong side of the border. Now he has the one weapon that can wound me.”

  “Laura. Turn her against you and marry her.”

  “Yes. I played into his hand by infiltrating the traitors. I had to make her hate me. I pushed her right into his arms.”

  “Exactly what he wanted. Now he’ll force you to watch as he marries her.” Sean’s face lit with understanding. “That’s why you want the friars. Give Reeve what he wants, for the moment. Is there a reason you brought me here to tell me all this?”

  “He thinks I’ll show myself.” Jamie and Sean spun around. A wide smile spread across Jamie’s face . Sean jumped up, all color drained from his face.

  “Richard? Is... Is that you?” Sean asked. “I thought you were...” Sean looked at Jamie, then fell back on the stone bench.

  Jamie gave Sean the third bottle of ale. “Like Evan at Caerlaverock, Richard has unfinished business. His is to secure Glen Kirk for the future.”

  Sean’s mouth hung open.

  “If you’re not going to drink the ale, perhaps you wouldn’t mind giving it to me,” Richard said.

  “You two are not playing a trick on me.”

  Jamie sat next to him. “I wish I were, but no. This isn’t a trick.” Jamie turned to Richard. “I have an idea. It requires getting me and the men into Glen Kirk unnoticed.”

  “Go on,” Richard said.

  “And three friars.” Jamie paced in front of Richard’s grave. “I want to use the old tunnels under the castle. I’m taking a chance. All the passage doors are bolted from the inside.”

  “You get me into the castle, I’ll open the doors,” Richard said.

  “You can do that?” Sean asked. Jamie didn’t think Sean’s face could get any paler.

  Richard chuckled. “Not the way you think. One of the passages is in the chapel. If we go there, I can open it. The others are in the dungeon, nursery, and great hall.”

  “You two and one of the friar’s will make up the ecclesiastical team. The other two can remain behind at the lodge,” Jamie said. The plan had its flaws, but he saw no other way. “I’ll let Reeve capture me. What better justice than him forcing me to witness Laura marrying him? My men will take over the castle during the ceremony.”

  Richard nodded. “The plan sounds good.”

  “If the plan fails,” Jamie said, “there is one responsibility, protect Laura and get her away to Cumgour. If Cumgour falls, then to Herbert at Caerlaverock.”

  Sean nodded his head.

  Richard paced and rubbed his neck. “I can’t think of anything better other than the king’s troops saving the day. Your plan is bold. We’ll make it succeed.”

  Jamie rose and rubbed his hands together. “Sean and I will get the friar and some robes and meet you at the forest edge.”

  Chapter Nineteen

  The late morning was crisp and clear. The winds had died down and the sun was especially bright. A fine day for a long walk. Three friars, their cowls pulled over their heads emerged out of the forest and approached the Glen Kirk gate.

  “Who goes there?” The guard eyed the three holy men, up one side and down the other. He blocked the gate with no obvious intention of moving. Sean, who wore Brother Dan’s robes, folded his hands inside the wide sleeves and held his dagger in case he misunderstood the situation. Richard, who wore Brother Asher’s robes, did the same.

  The brightness of the day did not influence the atmosphere of the castle. That alone made him suspiciou
s and kept him on high alert. He traveled with Jamie to Glen Kirk often enough to recognize familiar faces. The usually busy entrance had only a handful of people. He didn’t spot anyone he recognized. Sean remained attentive and scanned the area for any sign they had been discovered. They were vulnerable waiting to enter the castle grounds. Sean gripped his dagger tighter and calculated his alternatives. There were few and none had promising conclusions.

  “I’m Brother Steven and this is Brother Dan and Brother Asher.” The guard didn’t move at the introduction. “We’re here for our monthly visit to see the sick and your elderly.”

  The guard glanced up the wall. Sean kept his head down but managed to glimpse the man on the battlement. Reeve nodded his approval.

  Their heads bowed, Brother Steven led the trio in a single line through the bailey toward the small chapel.

  “Hold.” The short line stopped. Brother Steven tilted his head in the direction of the soldier.

  “Keep your heads down and whatever you do, do not move or say a word,” Brother Steven remained calm and whispered.

  “Where are you going?” The soldier advanced toward them, his weapon ready.

  “To the chapel, my son.” Brother Steven slipped his dagger into the sheath attached to his arm, removed his cowl and gazed at the man.

  “Brother Steven. I didn’t recognize you.” The soldier lowered his sword and looked at all three friars. “You all look alike.”

  “We are all the same in the eyes of God. Will you come and pray with us?” Brother Steven plastered an angelic smile on his face.

  “You best move on. We’re keeping the bailey clear.” Brother Steven tilted his head, stepped back into line and without a word led his small group into the chapel. Once inside, Sean closed the doors behind them.

  “I’m—”

  Steven put his hand over Sean’s mouth. “Not a word, you have taken a vow of silence,” Steven whispered in his ear.