Fated Hearts 02 - Highland Echoes

by Ceci Giltenan

  “Then I will take ye to yer mother’s clan.”

  “I don’t know who they are. Ye’ve heard the story. My parents feared them. My mother never told me where she came from.”

  “Grace, ye aren’t leaving us many options.”

  “Well, there’s Mary and Dugald. They will take me in. I worry that Durness is too close to Fearchar but I don’t see any other option. Before ye found me, I had just decided I would take Kristen and go with them when they came by this way at Michaelmas.”

  “Aye, Durness isn’t yer best option either. Grace, would marriage to me be so bad? If we were married, I could take ye to my clan.”

  “Nay, of course marriage to ye wouldn’t be bad. Ye are a friend, a good friend. There are marriages built on less, but I think ye deserve more.”

  “And if I don’t want more?”

  “Well at the rate things are going, ye might not get it anyway. But if ye wish to stay wherever we go, I won’t tell ye nay. And maybe someday…but I’m afraid my heart won’t survive this loss.”

  “It will, Grace.” He gave her a half smile. “So, we will go to Durness.”

  Chapter 22

  Grace and Michael decided the task of convincing Bram she didn’t love him may as well start immediately. They walked from the forest together, holding hands, making sure that they were seen. When they reached the cottage door she turned to face him. Michael put one hand on the door near her head, leaned in, and brushed her cheek with his other hand. Any villagers who could see them would believe it was a lovers’ tête–à–tête. “Grace, I expect Bram will visit ye later. It is probably best to tell him then. Ye need to pack and have Kristen ready to go immediately after Bram leaves. I’ll come for ye as soon as I know he’s gone.”

  Grace knew she had to do this, but it was torture to think on it. “Aye, I understand.”

  “I’m going to kiss ye now and then I’ll leave. Will ye be all right?”

  “I have to be.”

  “That is the indomitable lass I know.” He brushed his lips against hers in a brief, chaste kiss. “Until later.”

  She nodded but feared crying again if she said anything. When she entered the house, her Grandmother knew instantly that something was wrong. Grace told Innes the truth, or at least a version of it. She explained about Bram’s plans to marry her and the month that he had promised his father. Grace also told her grandmother what Laird Sutherland had asked her to do for the good of the clan.

  “Oh, sweetling, I am so sorry. I know ye do love Bram, but the laird wouldn’t have asked this of ye if it weren’t absolutely necessary.”

  “Aye, Grandmother. I know that. The laird is also concerned that Bram may not completely believe me. He wants me to marry someone else…immediately. But, I can’t.”

  “He’s the laird, dear. Who does he want ye to marry?

  “Michael.”

  “Well, he is a very nice man. He would make ye a good husband.

  “Aye, he’s a good man, but that isn’t the point. I can’t marry him when I love someone else and if I stay here I will be forced to.”

  “Grace, I don’t think the laird would force ye.”

  “Aye, he would and I won’t let that happen.”

  “How can ye stop it, lass?”

  “Michael has agreed to take us to Durness. I have friends there. We’ll have to leave tonight. As soon as I have told Bram.”

  “I can’t leave, Grace. Not like this. We could leave in a few days perhaps.”

  “Nay, Grandmother, Kristen and I have to leave tonight.”

  “Grace, I don’t want ye to go, lass, please. Please stay here and do what the laird asks of ye. Please, lass.”

  The thought of leaving Innes broke Grace’s heart. “Oh, Grandmother, I—I will think on it a bit.” Grace knew she couldn’t stay, but she wouldn’t upset Innes further now. She would send for her once she was settled.

  They were washing up after dinner when he knocked on the door. Grace girded herself and opened it. Mother of God, the hurt in his expression nearly undid her. Clearly he had heard about Michael.

  Kristen came barreling towards him. “Sir Bwam.” She threw her arms around his legs as she always did.

  He knelt on one knee and wrapped her in his arms. Kristen couldn’t see the raw pain on his face but Grace could. “Kristen, my sweet wee lassie, I’m going to give ye a good night kiss now. Yer mama and I need to talk for a bit, and I don’t think I’ll be back…to tuck ye in.”

  “Good night, Sir Bwam. I wuv ye.” Kristen planted a wet kiss on his cheek.

  “I love ye too, Kristen.” His voice was thick with emotion. He gave her a tender kiss on her forehead. Then, standing, he looked at Innes. “Excuse us.”

  “Certainly, Sir Bram. Grace, I’ll see Kristen to bed.”

  “Thank ye, Grandmother.” Bram held the door for her and she stepped out into the evening cool.

  “Shall we walk to the forest? That seems to be a popular spot.” The whip Laird Sutherland had threatened her with earlier could not have stung more than the bitterness in Bram’s voice.

  “Whatever ye wish.”

  “Ye aren’t even going to deny it?”

  “I can’t. I have never lied to ye before.”

  “Haven’t ye? I believed ye when ye said the vicious gossip wasn’t true. I defended ye. Why, Grace? Why did ye let me believe ye loved me? Why did ye let me make a fool of myself to my father? Why? What purpose did it serve if ye loved another.”

  His father’s words echoed in her mind. Ye will tell him the only reason ye went along with this farce was to improve yer station in life, to become Lady Sutherland someday but ye have fallen in love with someone else.

  “I…I…” dear God, how could she lie to him?

  “Ye what, Grace?”

  “I—I wanted to become Lady Sutherland someday.” That wasn’t completely untrue. While she didn’t particularly care about a title, she had wanted to be Bram’s wife and she didn’t want him to lose his birthright. So that would have made her Lady Sutherland.

  The shock and disgust in his expression felt like another lash of the whip. “Ye did this to me to become Lady Sutherland? Ye said ye would accept banishment to marry me. That wouldn’t have made ye Lady Sutherland.”

  “Aye, but…” Something Michael had said came to her. He is a hard man, but he loves his sons. “Yer father is a h-hard man but he loves his sons. I had hoped he wouldn’t banish ye.” This was also true. She had never wanted to create a rift in his family like the one in hers.

  “Then why now? If ye had maintained the act a little longer, until after the Sinclairs’ visit, ye could have been my wife and the future Lady Sutherland.”

  “I-I’m…in love.” That too was horribly, painfully true. She loved the man in front of her with every fiber of her being. She loved him so very much that she would protect him from the pain she currently felt. The pain she knew she would always feel. The pain of loving someone who she could never have.

  “Ye’re in love,” he scoffed. “Well then, far be it from me to stand in yer way. Michael can have ye.” He gave her one last scathing look. “Good night, Grace.” He turned and walked away.

  “Goodbye, Bram.”

  Chapter 23

  The laird summoned Michael to his solar after the evening meal to tell him that Grace would do what was expected of her this evening. “I was going to wait a few days, but I think we need to get this over with. I’ll summon Father Damian as soon as it’s done.”

  “If ye don’t want Bram to know ye were involved, perhaps ye shouldn’t do that.”

  “Well what do ye suggest?”

  “I can take her to the Dominican Abbey.”

  “Do ye think she will just go along with that?”

  “I think I can talk her into leaving, maybe even into marrying me. Either way, I’ll take care of things.”

  “See that ye do.”

  “Aye, Laird.”

  “By the way, I heard a rumor earlier that ye had
a tumble in the woods with her and then kissed her at her door in broad daylight. I don’t know how rumors like that get started, but it is damned fortuitous today.”

  Michael smiled. “Aye, it is.”

  “Michael, ye rogue, did ye start it?”

  “I reckoned it would be more believable when we elope if there had been at least whispers about a romance first.”

  “I suppose, but in case he’s heard the rumor, ye’ll probably want to stay out of Bram’s way. Don’t be seen in the hall when he returns or he might vent his anger on ye. I wouldn’t want that. I don’t like this business at all.”

  “But this is what ye wanted isn’t it, Laird?”

  “I want my son to marry Annice Sinclair, aye, but he’s my son. Causing him this kind of heartache is distressing, even if it is the right thing to do.”

  “Aye, Laird.” Michael didn’t believe it was the right thing to do. The distress this would cause both Bram and Grace couldn’t be worth it. Surely there was another way to make allies of the Sinclairs. Still, Michael had no power to stop it. All he could do was try to protect Grace as much as possible.

  A knock sounded at the door.

  “In,” called Laird Sutherland.

  A travel worn messenger entered the room. “Good evening, Laird. I have news for ye.”

  “Aye, I’m sure ye do, just a moment please. Michael, perhaps ye should leave the keep. If ye stay outside, near the kitchens, I’ll send someone to ye when I’m sure it’s done and ye can be on yer way.”

  “Aye, Laird. I’ll wait for word from ye.”

  That had been well over an hour ago, and Michael still paced nervously outside the keep. Surely it was done. Perhaps he should just go. He had nearly made up his mind to do that when Laird Sutherland himself came out the rear door of the keep.

  “Michael, God may be smiling on us. I’ve just received some good news. We’ll hold off on that wedding for a bit. It may not be necessary after all. We still have time, if anything changes.

  “Aye, Laird. Good night then.”

  The laird returned to the keep and Michael went straight to Innes’ cottage. When he knocked softly, Grace came to the door and stepped outside. Her eyes were red and swollen. “I’m so sorry, Grace. By the looks of ye, I’d say he believed ye.”

  “Aye, he did. I’ll just be a minute. I need to get Kristen.”

  “Nay, Grace, ye don’t. I’m not sure what’s happening. The laird summoned me and wanted me to take ye to the abbey tonight. But then he received a messenger. Now the laird says the wedding may not be necessary after all. I don’t know what it means but maybe it would be better to wait and see.”

  “Aye, we should. If he isn’t going to force a wedding on us, there is no need for ye to lose yer position here. I will go to Durness after Michaelmas. This will be so much better. Grandmother will have time to decide what she wants to do. Thank ye, Michael.”

  “As ever, ye’re welcome, Grace.

  Chapter 24

  Eanraig was not surprised when Bram told him the next morning that he would marry Annice Sinclair if she would have him. Bram hadn’t told Eanraig what happened but like every other bit of news in a clan, the story of Grace’s tryst with Michael and Bram’s subsequent reaction spread like fire through hay. By midday, Bram’s temper was foul. Eanraig hated to admit it even just to himself, but after the midday meal, he hid from his son in his solar.

  Bram was hurting and Eanraig felt remorse over that, but the clan came first. He would get over it and because Grace had done her duty so beautifully, Eanraig expected that it would be soon but it would certainly help if Grace were gone for good. Now it looked like that was going to happen too.

  There was a knock at the door. For a moment, Eanraig considered not answering. Being cornered by his angry bear of an oldest son was not an appealing prospect. But after a moment he called, “In.” Thankfully it was just a messenger.

  “Good afternoon, Laird. I bear news from the Earl of Ross.”

  “Come in. Ye’re most welcome.”

  “Thank ye, Laird. I fear I bring sad news. Laird Terran, the Earl of Ross, died early this morning, God rest his soul.”

  Eanraig made the sign of the cross. “God rest his soul. I am sorry to hear of this loss. He was an honorable man and a good friend. He’ll be missed.”

  “The requiem Mass will be two days hence.”

  “Clan business will prevent me from attending, but my sons Bram and Ian will attend in my stead. Come, I’ll see ye downstairs and send for refreshment.”

  “Thank ye Laird, but I can’t tarry. I still have to reach Naomh-dùn tonight.

  “Aye, that’s right, I’d forgotten Laird Eoin MacKay is Terran’s grandson.” Terran’s daughter Morven was Kentigern MacKay’s first wife.

  When the messenger was on his way, Eanraig summoned his sons. Terran, I’m sorry to lose ye, friend, but yer passing has come at a particularly helpful time. He needed for his sons to be occupied for the next few days. Bram had trained under Laird Terran and would certainly wish to attend his funeral. He wanted Ian to go for an altogether different reason.

  When his sons arrived, Bram looked as if he hadn’t slept the previous night and again. Eanraig felt a stab of remorse. “Lads, I have sad news. Terran Ross has passed away. God rest his soul.”

  Both Bram and Ian made the sign of the cross, but Bram closed his eyes and bowed his head for a moment. When Bram looked up again he said, “He’ll be missed.”

  “Aye, he will. The requiem Mass will be Monday.”

  “We’ll leave tomorrow morning,” said Bram.

  “Aye lads, but I can’t go with ye, there is some business I must attend to. Ye’ll represent me.”

  “Certainly, Father,” said Bram. It was a mark of how distracted his son was that he didn’t ask about the business Eanraig mentioned.

  “There is something else I would like for ye to do. I have been considering Saundra Ross as a possible wife for ye, Ian.”

  “Da, do ye really think it is appropriate to open betrothal negotiations at a funeral?” asked Ian.

  “Nay I do not. What do ye take me for? However, I thought ye might take the opportunity to get to know her a bit. It might make negotiations easier later if ye are compatible.” Bram shook his head in disgust but Eanraig chose to ignore it. “Ye’ll go by boat tomorrow after Mass. Twill be much faster.”

  “Aye. Is there anything else?” asked Ian. “I heard another messenger arrived yesterday.”

  “Oh, nay. That was nothing important.”

  “Then excuse me,” said Bram. He left the room without waiting for permission.

  Eanraig scrubbed his face with his hands.

  “Do ye have any idea what really happened with Grace, Da?”

  “What do ye mean, what really happened? She was a faithless, conniving wench. She led yer brother on and broke his heart. Thankfully it happened well before the Sinclairs are due to arrive. He’ll have time to get over it.”

  “Da, if ye think a wee bit more than a week is enough for him to recover from this, ye are daft.”

  “We’ll do what ye can to help him, lad.”

  *

  The next morning Bram went to Mass with his family as usual. For the last few weeks Sundays had been perfectly wonderful. He had accompanied Grace and Kristen for their walk on the hiww and ate on the gwass. Then Kristen would curl up for a nap and he and Grace talked and laughed, and more recently, he had held her in his arms and kissed her. How had she managed to fool him so completely?

  He tried to put her out of his mind. He caught a glimpse of her as she left Mass. He wondered how long it would take him to stop looking for her beautiful auburn hair in a crowd. As sorry as he was that old Laird Ross had passed away, frankly he was glad to be leaving for even a few days. He had to get over her…but he didn’t think he ever would.

  How had she turned love off so fast? Ye eejit, she never loved ye in the first place. How could she have?

  Ian, Bram, and four guardsmen
left midmorning, riding to the port village. As they rode into the village, Bram wondered if this was like the little port where Grace had grown up. Damnation, he had to stop doing this. Aye, a few days away would be a start.

  *

  Grace had spent most of the previous day inside. It was the tenth day, and she finished the ribbon in the late afternoon. Part of her wanted to hand it to Lady Sutherland herself. She had done what was asked of her. Everything that was asked of her. But she simply couldn’t walk through the village to the keep. She couldn’t bear the scornful stares and whispers. Nor could she bear the thought of seeing Bram. She put all of the remaining thread in a basket with the completed ribbon and asked Innes to deliver it for her.

  Michael had stopped by for a bit in the evening. They had to keep up the farce, which in turn would keep the rude comments coming. After the excruciating day, she cried herself to sleep for the second night in a row, waking with a headache in the morning.

  How could she walk to Mass to the chorus of disparaging remarks only to stand in the back of the church, so close to the man she loved with her whole heart but who was beyond her reach forever? Losing Callum to death was easier than this.

  “I’m not going to Mass, Grandmother.”

  “Of course ye are. Tis a mortal sin not to.”

  “God doesn’t seem to pay much attention to me. I don’t think he’ll miss me.”

  “Grace! Stop that kind of talk. Ye’ll be branded a witch.”

  “I’m already a harlot according to most of the Sutherlands.”

  “Sweetling, ye know those rumors aren’t true. I know they aren’t. The rumors will die eventually. I expect it was jealousy when the young laird was smitten with ye. Ye’ve done this clan a great service and someday people will know that.

  “Nay, they won’t. They can’t ever know. If Bram ever found out, it would kill him and I can’t imagine what it would do to his wife.”

  “But someday…”

  “Nay, Grandmother, never. Do ye understand? Never.”

  Innes sighed. “Aye, lass. I understand. Now come with us to Mass.”

  Kristen, who had been unusually quiet for the last two days, heard Grace say Bram’s name. “We’ww see Sir Bwam at Mass, Mama. Then he can cwimb the hiww wif us.”