Fated Hearts 02 - Highland Echoes

by Ceci Giltenan

  “Nay, lass. I’ll finish making the bannocks. The two of ye enjoy yerself.”

  So with a fresh hot bannock, some cold chicken, and a jug of water, Grace and Kristen walked the short distance beyond the village to the big tree. They spread a plaid on the ground and ate their meal. When they were done, Grace leaned her back against the trunk. Kristen snuggled up next to her, putting her head in Grace’s lap. Grace stroked Kristen’s reddish-blond curls. She had missed this.

  “Wiww ye sing to me, Mama?”

  “Aye, precious, I’ll sing.” She closed her eyes and sang to her baby. It fed her soul like nothing else. Even after Kristen had drifted off, Grace kept singing. She only stopped when she heard movement in the grass nearby. Her eyes flew open.

  There was an older man standing perhaps ten paces away from her, staring. “Hello.” He said. “And who might ye be?”

  Two more men stood a distance away on the road. Grace glanced back towards the village. If she called for help, would anyone come? She wasn’t capable of running away with Kristen and she hadn’t had a knife strapped to her leg since the Morrisons took her.

  The fear must have shown on her face because the man said, “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to startle ye. Ye have nothing to fear, I won’t hurt ye. I heard ye singing. Ye have a lovely voice.”

  “Thank ye,” she said cautiously.

  What’s yer name lass? Are ye a Sutherland?”

  Grace’s first instinct was to say no, but she was, in fact, Grace Sutherland now. “Aye. I am. My name is Grace.”

  Mild surprise registered briefly on his face. “Very nice to meet ye, Grace. My name is Ranulf.”

  “Are ye a Sutherland?”

  “Nay, lass, I’m not. I’m visiting. Do ye mind if I sit with ye for a spell?”

  “Ye’re visiting? Are ye a Sinclair?”

  “Aye, I am.”

  Really, God? Didn’t we just sort this out? “I should be going. My grandmother will be expecting us back.”

  “Please, don’t go yet. Ye didn’t look like someone preparing to rush home a moment ago and if ye leave now, ye’ll wake the wee lass. I would enjoy the pleasure of yer company for a few minutes. Grant an old man this boon.”

  Grace didn’t wish to be rude, and he seemed pleasant enough. “Aye. Well then, please sit.”

  He sat on the ground a few feet away. “Thank ye. Tell me about yerself, Grace.”

  “There’s nothing to tell.”

  “Oh, I expect there is. Ye said ye were a Sutherland and ye mentioned yer grandmother. Do ye live here in the village with her?”

  “Aye, I do. In that cottage.” She motioned behind her.

  “Have ye always lived here? Do yer parents live here too?”

  “Nay, I grew up on the Isle of Lewis. I lost both my parents and my husband in the last year. I came here to my grandmother after that.”

  “I am sorry to hear of yer loss, Grace.” A look of profound sadness crossed his face. “Losing someone ye love is never easy.”

  Grace had the distinct impression he too had recently lost someone. “Ye seem sad. Have ye lost someone dear to ye recently?”

  “Aye, I have,” he answered but he didn’t elaborate further.

  “I’m sorry for yer loss as well.” They sat in silence for a few moments.

  “So one of yer parents was a Sutherland?”

  “Aye, my father was.”

  “And yer mother? Was she from Lewis? A MacCauley or a Morrison?”

  “Nay, she wasn’t.”

  “If she wasn’t from the island, what took yer parents there?”

  Grace looked away for a moment. “I suppose love did.”

  “Love?”

  “Aye. My parents were very much in love.” She smiled as images of her parents together flashed through her mind. Over the last few weeks, she had dwelt largely on the consequences of their decisions. She had almost forgotten their abiding love. “Very much in love indeed. However, my mother’s father was opposed to the marriage. The only way they could be together was to leave. So they went to Lewis. My father worked as a fisherman. My husband was a fisherman too. Their boat went down in a storm last October.”

  “And yer mother?”

  “She had been ill before Da died, but after we lost him, she never recovered. I’m not sure she wanted to go on without him. She died in February.”

  “So when they died, ye decided to come live with ye father’s kin. Why not yer mother’s?”

  Grace was becoming a little uncomfortable and she didn’t want to tell him the truth. “I just didn’t.”

  “That’s not a reason. Tell me why ye didn’t seek out yer mother’s kin?”

  His tone was stern, but not unkind. She felt compelled to answer. “I…I…well the truth is…I don’t know who they are.”

  His brow furrowed. “How is that possible?”

  Grace sighed. “I grew up thinking neither of them had any family left. I only learned about my father’s clan as my mother was dying. She refused to tell me anything about her own.”

  “Why?”

  “I told ye. She was afraid of her father. Even after all these years she worried about what might happen to us or even that he might seek vengeance on the Sutherlands if he found out who my da was.” Grace stroked Kristen’s head.

  “Surely she didn’t believe her family would harm ye?”

  “I don’t know. I guess she didn’t want to take the chance. She made me promise I would never try to find them.”

  He shook his head sadly. “’Tis awful when children and parents are so at odds.”

  “Aye, it is. When I first learned what my parents had done, I didn’t completely understand it. Their choice has caused others pain. My grandmother’s heart ached over the loss of her son. Surely my mother’s family felt the same.”

  “Ye say that as if ye understand it now.”

  Grace nodded, but she couldn’t meet his eyes.

  “What changed?”

  “I fell in love with a man who I had no right to love.” Grace gave the man an imploring look. For some reason, she felt the need to make him understand. “I tried not to—I swear I did. But I couldn’t. I love him so very much, the thought of losing him causes me more pain even than the deaths of my parents and my husband.” She turned her head away for a moment.

  When she looked at him again, he smiled gently. “I can see how much he means to ye. Does he feel the same way?”

  She nodded. “Aye.”

  “And who is this lucky man who has won the heart of such a lovely young woman?”

  She bit her lip and looked away. “Ye said ye were a Sinclair. I’ve said too much. Please excuse me.” She struggled to lift Kristen from her lap.”

  “Stay put. Ye needn’t wake the bairn. I know who ye are and who ye fell in love with.”

  “Ye do?”

  “Aye, it’s causing a bit of a stir at the moment. I understand ye married Bram Sutherland last night.

  She nodded and looked at him again, expecting to see censure.

  His smile was warm. “Are ye happy?”

  Her mother’s voice came to her, Grace, be happy. She smiled. “Aye, I’m happy. I suspect we’re in quite a bit of trouble with Laird Sutherland, but I’m very happy to be Bram’s wife.”

  “I dare say. Perhaps if his father knew ye were a noblewoman—”

  “But I’m not.”

  “Aye, Grace, ye are. Ye didn’t say so, but the only man who could have had the power over yer parents which ye describe would be the laird of a clan, or a close member of his family. Am I right?”

  She nodded. “He was the laird.”

  “Then we should try to find out who they are.”

  “But I promised my mother…”

  “I understand. Still, yer mother extracted that promise from ye because she had no other way to protect ye. Now ye are married to Laird Sutherland’s heir. Ye can’t be forced to marry another. Frankly, I don’t think any reasonable man would visit vengeance on his own
granddaughter but even if he were still alive, ye are well protected and yer parents are beyond his reach now.”

  She frowned. “I hate to break my promise, but ever since I learned the truth and saw the pain it caused my grandmother, I have worried about my mother’s family. I would like for them to know. I can’t imagine losing my daughter like that. But I really know nothing about them.”

  “Do ye have anything belonging to yer mother?”

  “Aye, I have a small box with a few personal items.”

  “Have ye shown them to anyone? To Bram or Laird Sutherland?”

  “Nay.”

  “Perhaps something on them will identify her clan. If I could see them, I might be able to tell ye who they are.”

  Grace hesitated. “I don’t know…”

  “It is up to ye, lass. But if ye want to know who yer mother’s people are, if ye want them to know what happened to her, her belongings could hold answers.”

  He was right, but he was a stranger. “Mayhap. But I should probably show them to Bram first.”

  “Aye, that may be best. I should be getting back anyway.” He stood. “I’ll carry the lass to yer cottage and perhaps yer grandmother will mind her while we go to the keep.”

  “Ye needn’t. I’m not going to the keep.”

  “Aye, Grace, ye are.”

  “Nay—but—I can’t.”

  Despite her protests, he gently lifted Kristen from her lap, adjusting the child so she laid against his chest. “There is something altogether wonderful about holding a sleeping child and I haven’t done it since my own were wee ones.”

  She stood and brushed the bits of grass from her skirt. “I appreciate ye carrying her to our cottage, sir, but I can’t go to the keep.”

  “Aye, ye can, and ye will. And what’s more, ye’ll bring yer mother’s belongings. Eanraig will need to see them.”

  Chapter 35

  Grace stopped and stared at the man who had introduced himself as simply, “Ranulf.” Realization flooded her. “Ye called Laird Sutherland by his given name.”

  “That I did.”

  She swallowed hard. “Ye introduced yerself as just Ranulf. I thought ye were a Sinclair guardsmen. Oh sweet mother of God, ye’re Laird Sinclair. What have I done?”

  “Aye, I am Ranulf Sinclair, Laird Sinclair, but calm yerself, Grace, ye’ve done nothing wrong.”

  “Please Laird, I am so sorry. Please forgive me. I’ll take Kristen—”

  “That’s enough, lass. Let’s get Kristen tucked up for the rest of her nap.”

  She nodded and led him into the cottage. The fresh bannocks sat cooling on the table. Her grandmother dozed in her chair by the hearth. “Grandmother, we have a visitor,” Grace said, holding the door for Laird Sinclair. Her grandmother looked up, surprise registering on her face when she saw the stranger carrying Kristen. Grace opened the door to the little bedroom for him. “There is a pallet for her in here.” She watched as Laird Sinclair gently laid Kristen on the pallet, covered her with a blanket, and to Grace’s utter surprise, kissed her forehead before coming back into the main room.

  Overwhelmed, Grace said, “Grandmother, I would like ye to meet Laird Ranulf Sinclair. Laird Sinclair, my grandmother, Innes Murray.”

  Her grandmother’s eyes grew wide with alarm, but she stood, curtsied and said, “Welcome, Laird.”

  “Very nice to meet ye, Innes. Please sit down. I have spent the last little while getting to know Grace and she has completely charmed me.”

  Innes glanced cautiously at Grace before asking, “Is there anything I can get ye, Laird?”

  “Nay, thank ye Innes. Would ye object to minding Kristen for a bit while Grace and I go up to the keep?”

  Innes shot worried glances at Grace. “The keep, Laird?”

  “Aye, Innes, the keep. Do ye mind?”

  “Nay, Laird, of course not. Whatever ye wish,” Innes said weakly.

  “Grace, get yer mother’s box and we’ll go.”

  “Please, Laird. Don’t ask me to do this.”

  “I already have asked ye to and I am not accustomed to my requests being ignored. I promise ye everything will be fine. Now, yer mother’s box please.”

  He had gone from kindly stranger to commanding laird in a matter of moments. He was polite, but his request brooked no refusal. She retrieved the box and followed him outside. The men who she now realized were his guardsmen waited for them.

  “That’s the box? May I see it?”

  Reluctantly, she handed it to him. He looked at it and ran a hand over the carved lid. “It’s very pretty. We’ll look at what’s inside it when we get to the keep.” He gave the box back to her. “Grace, lass, ye look terrified.”

  “I don’t want to go to the keep. Bram said I should stay here and…I—I’m afraid of Laird Sutherland.”

  “Why are ye so afraid of him?”

  “He doesn’t like me. He’s bound to be livid with me…and Bram.”

  “Oh he is, but he’ll get over it.”

  “But…”

  “But what, lass?”

  “Laird Sutherland threatened to kill me if I married Bram.”

  “Did he?”

  “He wanted Bram to marry Annice for the good of the clan but—”

  “—but he didn’t want to be the villain. He didn’t want his son to hate him. He gave ye that privilege.” Laird Sinclair looked furious.

  “I’m so sorry, Laird.”

  “There is nothing to be sorry for, Grace.”

  “Ye’re not angry?”

  “Oh, I’m very angry, but not with ye or Bram. I am furious with Eanraig.”

  “But he tried to stop us.”

  “That’s what annoys me. He knew Bram loved another woman and let us travel here anyway. I guess he hoped to fool us. My wife is affronted, even my mother is upset by this whole mess. Frankly, I had to leave the keep before I did something I would regret. That’s why I was out walking.”

  “What about Annice?”

  “What do ye mean?”

  “Is Annice terribly upset?”

  He smiled at her. “Annice will be fine. She is rather in love with the idea of being in love. She is more concerned about Bram and his new bride”—he looked pointedly at Grace—“than she is herself. Well, my sweet lass, a few problems await us at the keep but they should be easy enough to solve now.” He took her by the elbow. “Ye have nothing to fear.”

  As they passed villagers—people who she had considered friends until Laird Sutherland had turned them against her—most of them stared at her with derision. However, she saw pity on a few faces. That was something at least. Perhaps a few minds and hearts were changing.

  Laird Sinclair’s scowl grew darker as they went. “Why do they show ye such contempt?”

  “Laird Sutherland tried to turn Bram against me and, well, it worked on nearly everyone else.”

  “This will stop. Eanraig will see to it.”

  Grace wasn’t convinced but she was already in enough trouble so she held her tongue.

  When they reached the doors to the great hall, he stopped and faced her. “Things might get…tense. I know ye are Bram’s wife, but Bram is likely to be at the heart of any…uh…tension. For the next few minutes at least, if I ask ye to do something, will ye do it? Without question?”

  “I—I—I suppose.”

  “Why doesn’t that instill me with much confidence?”

  She shrugged and gave him a half-smile. “Because I’m not particularly good at following orders but I have trouble lying.”

  He chuckled, opening the door for her. “Just remember, no matter what is said, I’m on yer side.”

  When they entered the hall, things were indeed tense. Bram and his father were having a heated discussion. Bram’s mother sat to one side, looking worried and not a little frightened. Ian also stood by silently, arms crossed and face set in a scowl. A young woman and a much older woman sat at the opposite end of the table from Lady Sutherland, watching the proceedings with conc
ern. These were surely Annice and her grandmother. Another woman, who Grace assumed to be Lady Sinclair, had been pacing in front of the hearth and men from both clans stood by, clearly poised to act at the slightest hint of trouble.

  Lady Sinclair was the first to notice them. She rushed toward her husband, her face flooding with relief. “Ranulf, ye were gone so long, I was worried.”

  “I’m sorry, Lara.” He kissed her cheek. “I met a lovely young woman while I was walking. I’m fairly certain she has a vested interest in these proceedings. This is Grace.”

  Bram turned his head towards them, a pained expression on his face. “Grace, my love…”

  Lady Sinclair glanced at her and gasped. The elder Lady Sinclair looked equally shocked, exclaiming, “By the angels, Ranulf…”

  “Aye, we have a few things to sort out. Annice, pour yer grandmother a goblet of wine.”

  “Ranulf, she—”

  He shook his head at her. “We’ll figure it out, mother.” Turning his attention to Laird Sutherland, he said, “Eanraig, I understand ye threatened to kill Grace if she married Bram. Are ye prepared to do that? Here she is.”

  Grace gasped. Laird Sinclair still held her elbow and tightened his grip as she tried to pull away.

  Confusion reigned for several minutes, with everyone talking at once.

  Both Laird Sinclair’s wife and mother were outraged.

  “Papa, ye can’t,” exclaimed Annice.

  Lady Sutherland jumped to her feet, facing her husband, “Ye did what?”

  As shocked as she was, Grace could barely take it in. Laird Sinclair seemed so nice and he had said he was on her side. What was he doing?

  “Rodina, stay out of this,” ordered Laird Sutherland.

  Bram turned on his father. “Nay. Father, ye didn’t mean that, I know ye didn’t.”

  Grace tried to escape Laird Sinclair’s grip but he only pulled her close and whispered, “Be still, Grace. Let this play out. I told ye, I’m on yer side.”

  Finally, Laird Sutherland roared, “Silence!” He glared at Laird Sinclair. “She is my son’s wife and the mother of a charming wee lass. Ranulf, ye know I didn’t want Bram to marry her, but nay, I will not kill her.”

  “Then ye’ll banish them? This is a grave insult, Eanraig.”

  “Ye’ve already said that several times.”