Highland Spirit: Highland Chronicles Series - Book 2

by Rose, Elizabeth

  Ethan had figured Alana was going to try to leave him again, so he did the only thing he could to keep his newfound family together. He deceived her, just like she’d done to him.

  He’d awakened early, making the bed look like he was still in it. Since she hadn’t answered him last night when he talked about telling Isobel he was her father and also about getting married in the morning, that told him she didn’t agree.

  It was driving him crazy not knowing what she was keeping from him. Since she was so adamant about her secrets, he figured there was only one way he was going to find out anything. That’s when he decided to go to the isle with her. Since he’d just discovered his new daughter, he didn’t want to leave her behind, so he brought Isobel as well. Ethan had a family now and he would do anything he had to in order to protect them. He’d even go back to that bloody haunted castle – the last place he ever wanted to be.

  The sail wasn’t doing much since there was very little wind today at all. Therefore, Caleb rowed the boat while Ethan sat back with little Isobel on his lap. She was so happy since he’d made her that rag doll that she wanted to be by him constantly – which he loved. Plus, the rest of the clan thanked him for it, too. Sophie had her doll back and wasn’t constantly crying anymore. Everyone had a good night’s sleep. Amazing how that worked.

  “If ye’d like to row for awhile, I could use a break,” complained Caleb. He eyed up the basket of food, which told Ethan he just wanted to eat.

  “Nay, ye’re doin’ a fine job,” Ethan answered, still sitting back, looking out over the water. “Besides, we’re no’ in a hurry.”

  “Ethan!” scolded Alana. “Is that the only reason you brought Caleb along? To row the boat?”

  “Nay,” said Ethan. “He’s my friend. Friends do those kind of things for each other.”

  “Friends dinna let each other starve to death,” Caleb answered softly.

  “Well, I think Caleb deserves a break. I’ll row for awhile,” offered Alana, starting to get up off her seat to take the oars.

  “Ye’ll do no such thing.” Ethan put Isobel down on the seat next to him. “Trade spots with me, Caleb, I’ll row. With the rate ye’re goin’ we’re never goin’ to get there anyway. We both ken I’m much faster at it.”

  He didn’t miss the smug look on Alana’s face and wondered if she’d just tricked him into doing it. It didn’t matter. Ethan never planned on having Caleb do all the work. He was only trying to keep him from eating all the food before they even stepped foot on the isle. Ethan removed his cloak and sat down, taking the oars and continuing to row.

  Alana’s eyes fastened to Ethan’s arms. He’d pushed up his sleeves that only made his thick arms and bulging muscles more pronounced. She couldn’t stop thinking about those arms and how he’d held her closely last night as they made love. She’d missed that. For five long years she’d been chaste, and now her sexual appetites were brought to life once again by the man she loved. Husband, she corrected her thoughts, suddenly remembering they were married now. She glanced down at her ring and smiled. She only wished her family could have been present at the wedding. Her mother would have been so happy.

  Even though Ethan tricked her into it, she was glad he did. He’d made the decision for her. And now that she was his wife, she’d have to find a way to fix the wrongs of the past so she could live with Ethan and Isobel as a family like she’d always longed for.

  “What are ye thinkin’ about, Wife?” came Ethan’s deep voice, causing her eyes to snap up from his arms to his face. She sat facing him as he rowed backwards. His dog lay at her feet. Caleb, Slink, and Isobel were behind him at the bow of the boat. Suddenly, the space closed in around her and she felt as if she couldn’t breathe.

  Her thoughts of Ethan’s naked body pressed up against her, pumping into her as they both squealed in ecstasy was making her very randy. She had to look the other way before she started to blush or she’d give her thoughts away.

  “I think my sister will be glad to see me,” she said. “I’m sure, by now, she is wonderin’ what happened to me and is very worried.”

  “I see,” he said, sounding disappointed. “I had hoped ye’d say ye were thinkin’ about us being married. Being husband and wife now.”

  “Oh, aye. That, too,” she said nonchalantly, fussing with the clasp on her cloak, feeling her heart beating furiously because she was so excited by just the thought.

  “Finn!” Isobel called out, gaining their attentions as they neared the shore of the Isle of Kerrera. Sure enough, there at the water’s edge were Finn and Kirstine waiting for them. Finn was waving a hand over his head.

  “Well, it seems someone is happy to see us,” said Ethan. “However, I dinna see yer faither welcomin’ ye home.”

  “Nay, he’s too ill,” she said.

  “Where are the others? Like yer laird and his warriors?”

  “Diarmad is Kirstine’s husband,” she told him. “He and his men are away tendin’ to business. And they are no’ warriors.”

  “Business? What kind of business?” he asked, making her feel very uncomfortable. “And if his men are no’ warriors, what do they do?”

  “Isobel, sit down before ye fall,” she called out to her daughter, trying to change the subject.

  “Fall?” Ethan jerked around in alarm, looking over his shoulder. “Caleb, hold her tightly. I dinna want my daughter to drown.”

  “Yer daughter?” Caleb grabbed a hold of Isobel. “What do ye mean?”

  Ethan turned back around and looked at Alana as if he were asking permission.

  “Well, ye might as well tell him now.”

  “Are ye sure?” he asked.

  “Isobel,” said Alana, causing the little girl to turn and look at her.

  “Aye, Mama?”

  “I never really told ye this, but yer da is Ethan.”

  “I ken,” she said.

  “Ye do?” she asked. “Did Ethan tell ye that?”

  Ethan shook his head.

  “Nay,” she said. “But I told him he can be my da since I dinna have one.”

  “But he really is yer faither,” she tried to explain to her daughter.

  “Finn, look at my new doll,” Isobel called out, more excited to show her toy to Finn than realizing Ethan was truly the man who sired her. “Her name is Olivia.”

  “Well, we tried,” said Ethan with a shrug of his broad shoulders.

  “So ye had a daughter and never told us?” asked Caleb, still trying to understand it all.

  “I just found out myself,” said Ethan, rowing the boat to the shore.

  “Ooooh,” said Caleb with a nod. Then his face became red as if he were embarrassed. He turned and waved at Kirstine and Finn on the shore. “Hello there,” he called out. “It’s just us again.”

  Alana and Ethan exchanged glances and he smiled, making her feel warm all the way down to her toes. She liked the fact he knew Isobel was his daughter and was happy that she’d told him. And although she fought it today, she also liked that she was married to him as well.

  But there was a worry in her head that she couldn’t shake. She was sure her father, Diarmad, and the others wouldn’t feel the same way when they found Ethan living at Blackbriar Castle with them.

  Ethan docked and helped everyone to shore.

  “Alana!” cried Kirstine, running to her and embracing her in a hug. “We were so worried about ye when ye didna return. We thought ye’d been drowned at sea in the storm.”

  “Nay, I am fine,” she said, releasing her and looking over to Ethan who was taking Isobel from Caleb. Finn ran over to help them tie up the boat. Trapper jumped over the side and ran in circles on the shore as if he had too much stored up energy. “I stayed overnight at the MacKeefe camp because it was too dangerous to sail back with Isobel in the storm.”

  “I agree,” said Kirstine. “But how dangerous was it stayin’ the night with Ethan?” She smiled and waited for Alana’s answer.

  “More dangerous than ye can im
agine,” replied Alana, watching Ethan as he held Isobel nearly upside down while she reached out to pet the dog. She clutched her new doll like a lifeline and giggled.

  “It seems like Ethan really likes Isobel,” said Kirstine, watching them as well.

  “Well, he should since he kens she’s his daughter.”

  “Ye told him?” Her eyes opened wide.

  “Aye, I finally did. And we made love afterwards, too.”

  “Ye did? Do tell.”

  “There isna much to tell.”

  “Och, it was no guid then?” Kirstine wrinkled her nose.

  “Oh, nay, it was wonderful! What I mean is, I didna tell him about . . . about what goes on here.”

  “Well, that’s understandable,” said Kirstine. “And ye can never tell him. So, how long is he goin’ to stay? After all, he needs to leave before Diarmad returns.”

  “He’s . . . no’ leavin’ as far as I ken.”

  “But he has to leave, Alana!”

  “Nay, no’ really,” she answered, wringing her hands in front of her, worrying about what to do. “Ye see, Ethan and I were married this mornin’. He is now my husband.”

  Ethan watched from the corners of his eyes as Alana talked with her sister. By the way Kirstine’s mouth fell open, he was sure she’d told her they were now married.

  “So, how long are we stayin’?” asked Caleb, walking up with the food basket over his arm.

  “I’m no’ sure,” said Ethan, putting Isobel down.

  “Isobel, come on, I want to show ye where one of the sheep got stuck in the fence and ate its way out,” said Finn, taking the little girl by the hand. They ran off toward the stable together.

  “Take Trapper and go with them,” said Ethan, taking the basket from Caleb. “I dinna like this place. We need to keep a close eye on my daughter.”

  “Me?” Caleb made a face and looked back at the basket. “What about ye go and I’ll guard the food.” He reached out for the basket but Ethan moved it to his other hand.

  “I’d go, but I have a feelin’ I need to keep a close eye on my wife. There is no tellin’ what we’re goin’ to encounter here, and I trust no one. Now, take Trapper and watch Isobel. I’ll meet ye back at the castle.”

  “Fine,” Caleb grumbled, pulling Slink out of his pouch and putting the pine marten on his shoulder. “But Slink and I are hungry, so ye’d better save a haggis or two for us.”

  “Dinna worry, ye willna starve. Trapper, go with Caleb,” he told his dog.

  The dog barked and took off at a run, following them.

  Ethan strolled over to Alana and Kirstine who suddenly stopped talking when he got there. There were secrets going on again, he was sure of it. And, of course, he was not privy to them once again.

  “Ladies, can I escort ye to the castle?” he asked with one arm outstretched for each of them although he was holding the basket.

  “Congratulations on yer weddin’,” said Kirstine. “I suppose ye two are plannin’ on livin’ back at the MacKeefe camp?”

  “Well, I dinna ken,” he answered as they walked. “That all depends.”

  “Depends?” asked Kirstine. “On what?”

  “On whether or no’ my wife is goin’ to continue to lie to me, or tell me exactly what is goin’ on at Blackbriar Castle.”

  “I’m sure I dinna ken what ye mean,” answered Alana, exchanging a look with her sister.

  “Well, then, I suppose that means we’ll be livin’ here,” said Ethan. “Or at least until I can ask yer faither about what secrets are within the walls of Blackbriar Castle.”

  There was silence from both of the girls, telling Ethan exactly what he wanted to know. It seemed to him that Gil Chisholm was somehow involved in whatever deception was going on, and that made Ethan even more suspicious of everyone who resided at Blackbriar. Including the ghost!

  * * *

  Two hours later, Alana was still acting like a nervous wreck since Ethan was at the castle. They sat in the great hall having finished off the basket of food that Lady Wren sent.

  “Lady Wren makes some of the best haggis I’ve ever tasted,” said Caleb, leaning back against the table, sitting with his legs outstretched in front of the fire. The great hall was nearly empty again and Ethan felt ill at ease. Was there really a laird named Diarmad and his men who lived here? He was starting to think not since he hadn’t seen them yet.

  “Ye like anythin’ as long as it’s food,” said Ethan, pacing back and forth.

  “Slink enjoyed it as well.” Caleb looked over to his pine marten crawling around the top of the trestle table, eating any leftovers it could find. Trapper walked around sniffing the floor.

  “Dinna ye think it’s odd?” asked Ethan, glancing over at the girls across the great hall, still speaking in low voices to each other like a bunch of gossiping alewives.

  “Nay, I didn’t think it tasted odd at all.” Caleb smacked his lips together and picked up a tankard of ale and took a swig.

  “No’ that, ye fool,” said Ethan with a grunt. “I’m talkin’ about the fact we’ve been here for hours and we’ve only seen a few guards and a handful of servants and still her faither has no’ come to join us.”

  “That’s fine with me,” remarked Caleb with a yawn. “That means there will be more for me to eat. Besides, we dinna even like her faither.”

  “Somethin’ is goin’ on here and I intend on findin’ out what it is.”

  “All right.” Caleb yawned and stretched. “Let me ken what ye find out. I think I’ll take a little snooze by the fire.”

  “I brought ye along to help me figure this out. Ye are turnin’ out to be more of a hindrance than a help.”

  “I thought the reason ye brought me here was to do all the heavy work and rowin’.”

  “I’m goin’ to take a walk around the courtyard and make my way up to the battlements. Now keep yer eyes open for anythin’ suspicious.”

  “Will do,” said Caleb, his eyes closing as he spoke. He leaned back against the table, resting his outstretched legs on a stool.

  Ethan walked over and kicked the stool, causing Caleb’s legs to fall.

  “Blethers! What did ye do that for?”

  “Why dinna ye take a walk to the other side of the isle and see what ye can find instead. I almost thought I saw the sail of a ship the last time we were here, but I could be mistaken.”

  “Walk to the other side of the isle? In the snow? Ethan, ye ken as well as I do that no ships even come near the other side of the Isle of Kerrera. The rocks are too jagged and there is nowhere to dock. Ye must have been imaginin’ it.”

  “Perhaps,” he said, knowing Caleb was probably right. “Come on, Trapper, mayhap ye’ll be more help to me than Caleb. That is, if ye can sniff out somethin’ besides food.”

  When he got to the door, Alana was standing there holding Isobel as she talked with Kirstine. Finn disappeared into the kitchen to talk with the few servants that were present.

  “So . . . when exactly does everyone return?” he asked. “I’d like to meet this Diarmad who ye say is Laird of Blackbriar.”

  Kirstine and Alana exchanged worried glances.

  “I think I’d better check and make sure Finn isna up to any trouble. Excuse me,” said Kirstine, leaving them and heading for the kitchen.

  “Alana, we need to talk,” said Ethan.

  “It’s time for me to put Isobel down for a nap.”

  “Well, when ye’re finished, I have some questions for ye, Wife. Questions that ye will no longer avoid. I want answers.”

  “Husband, ye are in my home now, and I will no’ have ye demandin’ anythin’ from me.” By the look on her face, there was no doubt he could have handled this in a manner that was a bit more subtle.

  “We are married now, Alana,” he reminded her. “A husband and wife should never have secrets from each other. Dinna ye agree?”

  She hesitated for a second before answering. “Of course,” she said, flashing a smile.

  “Th
en tell me somethin’. What is this for and why were ye wearin’ it around yer neck?” He pulled her key out from the sporran – small pouch – attached to his waist. He’d taken it from her pocket and she’d never even known it. But he’d needed to get a better look at it and he figured she’d never hand it over willingly. Holding it up by the string connected to it, he dangled it in front of her nose.

  “My key!” she said in surprise, slapping at her chest as if she’d forgotten she no longer wore it and had put it in her pocket when they were married. “Give it to me.” She reached out to grab it from him, but he quickly snatched it away.

  “I’ll hold on to this until ye put our daughter down for her nap. Dinna tarry, Wife. I’ll be waitin’ to talk with ye.” He shoved the key back into his sporran.

  “Excuse me,” she said and left the great hall with Isobel in her arms.

  “Well, I guess it’s up to ye and me now, Trapper,” he said, looking down at his dog. “Let’s take a walk out in the courtyard and then up to the battlements and see what we can find.”

  Chapter 13

  “Hurry, get in here,” said Alana, pulling her sister into the chamber after she’d laid Isobel down for a nap.

  “What are we goin’ to do?” asked Kirstine. “Ethan canna stay here. It’s too dangerous. Diarmad will return any day. And when he does, he will kill Ethan and Caleb.”

  “I ken,” answered Alana, thinking now that this was a big mistake to let him bring her to the castle. “Plus, I’m no’ sure Diarmad willna hurt us as well. Or Faither. However, I couldna stop Ethan from comin’.”

  “Well, ye’re goin’ to have to tell him somethin’.” Kirstine groaned and laid a hand on her belly, making a face. “He is very suspicious and is walkin’ around the courtyard as we speak. Albert said to tell ye to do yer thing and scare him away.” Kirstine made another noise, rubbing her belly, holding on to the spindle of the bed for support.

  “I can try,” said Alana. “But it doesna feel right. After all, he is my husband.”

  “But it’s for his own guid,” she answered. “If he stays here he might get killed.” This time, Kirstine started breathing heavily, and sat down on the edge of the bed, still rubbing her belly.