They were obviously trying to provoke him. The McGregors were itching to see him lose control, looking for the slightest reason to cause a fight to break out. They had come to the wrong place.
“I assure ye I am perfectly sane,” Blaine replied with a smirk. He lowered his arms. “May I ask whit brings ye men here at this time of night?”
For a moment, there was no reply. Then one of the men dismounted and walked up to Blaine and said, sneering, “We are here because ye have something we need—or should I say, someone.”
“And who exactly are ye referring to?”
“Ness McGregor.”
Blaine froze. The name hit him like a heavy blow to the noggin. Ness, here in Argyll?
He recovered quickly. “Whit are ye talking about, man?”
“We saw her take off, and her father reckons she was headed for Argyll. So we followed her here. We ken that ye are hiding her somewhere here.” The McGregor clansman narrowed his eyes. “Or perhaps ye have committed some horrible act.”
As he spoke, he poked Blaine in the chest with his index finger. Laird Campbell snarled and drew his sword, but Blaine stopped him from acting further with a quick gesture. He smiled at the McGregor man’s sneering face. He had a good mind to snap his finger and strike him in some very tender areas, but that would be bad for diplomacy. He was trying to make peace here.
There was something else on his mind though. Ness McGregor was supposedly headed here, according to the men. Blaine had his suspicions as to why she had done so, but he wanted to believe that it was not true.
“Please try to believe me when I say that neither I nor my father or his men—or anyone in Argyll, for that matter—have laid eyes on Ness McGregor, let alone put her in harm’s way.”
“Ye ken her name,” one of the mounted men said. “Ye seem to ken her quite well.”
Blaine, to his own immense surprise, managed to look unmoved by that statement. He regarded the man with an amused look. “Aye, of course I do. As a diplomat, it is my duty to understand people in order to be able to negotiate with them.”
His father clamped a hand on his shoulder. “Aye, a son I can be proud of.” Then he added, “Unlike the daughter of a certain laird.”
“Ye had better watch whit ye say about the laird,” said another mounted man, getting off his horse and drawing his sword. All at once, the Campbells behind the laird drew their own swords and levelled them at the McGregors, glaring at them.
“Guid luck,” Manfred taunted. “Try to kill me. Ye seem to have forgotten where ye are. Ye are hopelessly outnumbered. My men will destroy ye before can even move.”
“If we die,” the man shot back, “it is for a purpose. And our laird will surely send more men to finish ye off.”
The other McGregors thrust their torches into the air, yelling agreement. Blaine was quite sure everyone in Argyll could hear the ruckus they were making.
“In my territory?” Manfred guffawed. “Ye are as dense as the man ye serve.”
The man standing in front of Blaine scowled over his shoulder. Before he could draw his sword, Blaine put a hand on his arm to stop him.
“Dinnae encourage him,” he hissed. To Manfred, he said, “Father, ye must not threaten them. It will only rouse conflict.
“There will be naw battle here. Ye may return in peace. Please inform yer master that we do not have his daughter. Ye may scour this town if ye wish for proof.”
“McGregors roaming about in my town? Impossible!”
“Father, please be quiet. I must ensure that there is peace between our clans.”
“Peace?” The McGregor snorted. “There will never be peace between us for as long as we exist. Sooner or later, one of the clans will crush the other.” He looked around at his fellow McGregors. “I believe we both ken who will stand and who will fall!”
The men burst into exaggerated laughter. Blaine could hear his father growling. It was a miracle that the laird had not commanded his men to attack.
“Very well,” said the McGregor closest to Blaine. He narrowed his eyes at him for a moment, then stepped back, heading for his horse. ‘We will return to Glenstrae at once. From there, we will go to Breas and search for the laird’s daughter. If we discover that ye are keeping her or have done some vile thing to her, ye will taste our blades, mark my words. Pray that we have no cause to take yer meaningless lives.”
And with that, he and the rest of the McGregors rode away.
The moment the men’s torches were out of sight, Manfred rounded upon his son.
“There is no way we can establish peace with those uncouth scum!” he spat. “They are filth, unfit to stand on Campbell soil!”
He turned to face his men, who were still waiting for him to give them orders. “Why are ye all still standing here? Search the grounds! If ye spot the McGregor lass, bring her to me or my son!”
The men marched off.
“Ye must be patient, Father,” Blaine said. Then the lie was suddenly wrenched from his lips: “I sorely detest the McGregors, too, but that is not a guid enough reason to wage war against them—at least, not at first.
“Have ye forgotten whit I told ye several days ago? There is naw way we can crush the McGregors underfoot with a first strike. They are much too strong, too prepared–”
“We are also strong, we have been prepared for a battle with them for decades.”
“As have they, Father.” Blaine took a deep breath. “They are as powerful as we are, if not more. The only weapon that we can effectively use against them is me. If we can persuade them that we are no longer their enemy, if we can make them bring down their guard the slightest bit, we can infiltrate their ranks and crush them in no time. It is not a matter of how strong we are, but of the tactics we use.”
“Wise as always, my son,” Manfred said, patting his son on the shoulder. “When I am gone, ye will make a great laird.”
He turned and walked towards the castle, leaving Blaine with a sinking feeling in his stomach.
This time, Blaine was able to free his mind of the prospect of his father dying. Something else had slipped in and was now occupying most of the space in his mind. Ness. What was the matter with her? Unless the McGregors had only been seeking an excuse to start a war with the Campbells in this unwelcome hour, she had indeed been heading to Argyll. But why had she not been spotted entering Argyll? He knew that no supporter of the Campbells would ever hide a McGregor, let alone the daughter of their main enemy. Was it that she had never arrived?
Blaine knew she must have been coming to see him. For what reason, he was not sure, but the thought of it was enough to put a smile on his face, albeit briefly.
Ness, he thought, staring up at the night sky, where the moon shone brightly. Ness, what are ye up to?
***
Early the next morning, he left of the castle and went for a short walk on the grounds. Judging from the guards’ relaxed movements, he figured the laird had not awakened yet. For some reason that knowledge made him feel quite relieved.
He was on his way back to the castle when a guard pulled up short beside him, panting and clutching a stitch in his side. He had obviously been running, Blaine guessed. Blaine took one glance at him and returned his gaze to the castle. Then he stopped and stared at the guard. The man had sweat trickling down his face. His eyes were wide with trepidation.
“Whit seems to be the problem?” Blaine said brusquely.
“I was going to tell yer father, but–”
“Tell him whit?” Blaine snapped.
“I have seen the lass. The McGregor lass. I spotted her approaching this town just minutes ago. Sir, she has entered.”
Ness was here? Blaine felt his stomach do a somersault. So she truly had been on her way to Argyll after all.
“Where is she?”
The guard led him away from the castle and down into the streets of town. As he walked, he narrated the story to the laird’s son, gesticulating quickly with his hands.
“I was
watching from my post at the entrance, as I always do,” he said, emphasizing on always, and Blaine got the distinct feeling he was hoping to get recognition. “That was when I spotted her riding toward us. The second I laid my eyes on her, I knew she was the one. I let her come in, then chased after her and captured her before anybody even knew whit was going on. This way, sir.”
He turned Blaine into another street. People waved at Blaine as he passed, but he was too distracted to take notice of them. The guard stopped in front of a low stone building that Blaine guessed was his. The man stepped aside to let him enter and followed suit. The building comprised only one room, which was so dirty Blaine was horrified by the thought that anyone would ever want to live in it. In a corner of the room sat a woman who was hugging her knees to her chest, silently watching them.
“She thought I was going to harm her and nearly put up a fight, but I managed to convince her that she would not be dying by my sword, unless I was given the order.” The guard cleared his throat, eyeing her in obvious revulsion. “In other news, sir, yer brother Hiram has arrived from his journey…”
But Blaine was no longer listening. He was staring at Ness in near disbelief. She was clearly unscathed although her dress had stains here and there. As he watched, his mouth agape, she climbed to her feet and approached him.
“Hello, Blaine.”
“Stay where ye are, filth!” the guard said, his lip curling.
“I give the orders here,” Blaine snapped. “Ness— whit are ye doing here?”
She stared at him for a moment, then said, smiling, “Well, I find it quite pleasing that ye don’t deny that ye ken me. Hoo are ye?”
“I was feeling less agitated before I realized ye were here,” Blaine snapped. “This is the worst time–”
“Shall I go and get the laird?” the guard offered.
Ness looked from him to Blaine, her eyebrows rising.
“Do it,” Blaine said, then added, as the guard made to leave, “if ye wish to have yer tongue severed and thrown into a furnace.”
The guard blanched and stood rooted to the spot. “But the laird–”
“Asked ye to bring the lass to him or to his son, who I happen to be. I see no need for ye to involve him in this any further. Ye will remain where ye are.”
The guard gave a slow, uncertain nod.
“Does anybody else ken about this?” Blaine asked. “Has anybody seen her besides ye?”
The guard shook his head.
“Guid. I hope no one else will?”
The guard shook his head again.
“A simple ‘Aye or ‘Nae’ might suffice,” Blaine said irritably. There was no time for this nonsense.
“N-nae, sir,” the guard stammered.
“I did not think so.” Blaine shot a scowl in Ness’s direction.
“I wished to speak to ye.”
“About whit?” he said. It took him a moment to realize that he had practically yelled. The guard cringed in the corner. Blaine lowered his voice. “Whit was so important that ye came all the way from Glenstrae to Argyll at the risk of many lives besides yers?”
“I– Blaine–”
“Yer father’s men were here yesterday, demanding that we release ye. Had I not stepped in when I did, a huge conflict might have broken out and lives might have been lost. The men will be back once they find out that ye are here. And then things may get bloody. So tell me, Ness–why have ye come here?”
“I wanted to talk to ye about this stupid rivalry between our clans. It makes no sense at all.”
The guard snorted. Ness shot a withering look in his direction.
“Ye told yer father that I helped ye, did ye not?”
She blinked. “How did ye ken?”
Blaine pressed his lips into a thin line. “Yer father’s men told us that ye took off, and he reckons ye were headed here. It seems to me like a little more than a mere coincidence that he knew where ye were going.”
“Alright, I did tell him.” Ness looked him in the eye as she spoke. “I tried to convince him that this enmity between our clans is pointless since the incident took place over a century ago and the parties involved at the time are long gone, but he refused to listen and even had me imprisoned in my bedchambers. I reckoned ye would hear me out, so I came here.”
Blaine could not believe his ears. “Ye came here, regardless of the fact that ye could have been killed by one of the clans which ye are trying to reunite.” Had this lass lost her wits?
“Well, I also found that I missed the man who saved my life.”
He could not deny that he was flattered, but still…”This rivalry has been going on for decades, Ness. Do ye really think that the clans will lay down their arms and shake hands simply because a lass asked them to do so?”
“I ken I cannot do this alone, Blaine,” Ness said. “That is why I came here. I–we can convince everyone, one at a time.”
“Whit makes ye think that ye have me convinced?”
“I ken ye must be a smart man, smart enough to ken that this rivalry is pointless. And ye are very kind, otherwise ye would not have rescued me when ye did.” When Blaine said nothing, she foraged on. “And ye are the son of the laird, so ye must have some influence in Argyll.”
“Ye speak as though I can could convince an entire town to let go of their grudges.”
“Can ye not?”
“I…I dinna ken. My father has more influence than I do. I would have to convince him first. But for noo, we have other matters to worry about.”
“Such as?”
“I want ye to go back to yer father right away. He needs to ken that ye are safe. But I beg of ye, do not let yer father ken that ye were here. It would only cause more trouble for us.”
“Dinnae worry about that,” said Ness. “I shall tell him that I was headed for Breas to see my friend Matilda and got lost on the way. He must believe me since he has not replaced Mr. Knightley with a new driver.”
“Guid.”
She beamed at him. “I hope to see ye again.”
“Do ye love danger that much?”
“No, but there are other things I love.”
She stood on her tiptoes and planted a kiss on his cheek. Blaine felt his cheeks burn; he smiled back at her. Blaine thought he must have forgotten just how beautiful she was, or perhaps she had become even more so since the first time they met. Her eyes were glittering, her hair falling across part of her face so that he was tempted to push it out of the way with a hand; perhaps she would let him. And she was smiling that wonderful smile of hers...
The guard gave a tiny cough, startling them both. Blaine glared at him and he seemed to shrink in the corner. Blaine looked back at Ness, who had stopped smiling, and he remembered what had to be done.
He pointed at the guard, who trembled from head to toe. “Ye–come here. Come here, I say! Guid. I want ye to take Ness safely out of Argyll. Let no one ken that she ever stepped foot in this town. Ye may take a cart and return her horse to her once she is outside. Ness, I believe ye can make it from there?”
“Ye do not have to worry about that, Blaine.”
It felt good to hear her say his name.
“Excellent,” Blaine said. “Ye had best hope this works. If my father sees ye here at a time like this, there will be a price to pay.”
“Make sure ye speak to yer father,” she said.
Blaine gave a nod.
The guard left with Ness in tow. After what seemed like years, he returned to inform Blaine that Ness was safely on her way to Glenstrae. Blaine heaved a sigh of relief. That was one problem out of the way. But things were not over just yet. There was something he needed to discuss with his father.
This was going to be interesting.
Chapter 6
Never
Blaine and the guard stepped out of the building and parted ways, Blaine heading back to the castle. He noticed that he had a spring in his step, and as he walked back through the streets, he smiled and returned the greet
ings of everyone who saluted him. He felt much different from he had prior to his encounter with Ness.
But a part of him was quite nervous. Speaking to his father about the reunion of the clans would be tantamount to treason. He could only imagine what the laird would say when he found out that his son, his immediate heir, was so far gone that he might as well sport McGregor colors.
By the time he arrived at the castle, the laird had awakened. Blaine found him in his study, poring over a stack of papers, his nose so low it was almost touching the desk.
“Ah, guid mornin, son,” Manfred said rather brightly, straightening when he saw his son come in. “Out for a morning walk, I suppose? Did ye ken that yer brother Hiram has arrived?”
“Aye,” Blaine said hastily. “Father, there is something I wish to discuss with ye.”
“Mmhmm?”
Blaine hesitated for a few seconds. This was it. He silently prayed his father did not run him through with a sword the moment the words were out of his mouth.
“I have seen the McGregor lass.”
The laird shot to his feet, but his expression was not one of anger; rather, he looked pleased. “So soon! This is wonderful news. Where is she?”
“She…she is gone.”
“Gone?” Manfred’s eyes widened. There was no mistaking the look of indignation on his face. “Whit do ye mean gone? How could ye let her slip through yer fingers?”
“She did not slip through anyone’s fingers,” Blaine said, bracing himself for the storm he knew was about to come. “I let her leave in peace.” He did not add that it was a guard who had brought the news that Ness was in Argyll; there was no point telling him that.
“Whit?” The laird’s voice was dangerously calm. “Ye are telling me that a McGregor—not just any McGregor but the daughter of their laird himself—trespassed on Campbell soil and instead of killing her for it, instead of bringing her to me, ye allowed her to leave Argyll completely unharmed?”
“Ye are correct, Father.”
‘Is this part of yer plan to make the McGregors believe that we are on their side?” Manfred was looking at his son with a gleam of hope in his eyes. “Tell me it is, son, tell me.”
Captivated by the Enemy: (Scottish Highland Romance) Page 4