"Alexander MacKinnon! Don't ye dare bring any sheep shite into me kitchen! Out with ye and wipe yer boots!" This memory brought a smile to his face. And, now, Hector had stepped in and was doing a fairly good job of the cooking himself. Their Mam would be proud to see him so at ease in her kitchen.
He stood back up, stretching his back. Somehow though, some of the joy had gone out of all their lives when Mam died. "I suppose some things just can't be replaced," Alex said to his two dogs. These two, Lord and Lady, were some of the best herding dogs he had ever had. They were brother and sister, coming from the same litter, with both their sire and mother being Border Collies. He still had old Tess, but she had gotten too old to chase after the sheep, and was blind in one eye. As it was, she was free to walk about the place, but seemed to understand that her herding days were over. But, she still got attention from all the brothers as she could often be found lying at the feet of one of them, warming herself by the fire, both of them enjoying the crackling logs and perhaps snoozing a bit.
Climbing back on his horse, Alex trotted off whistling for the dogs to come along with him. "Lady! Lord! Here now!" Alex called to the two first-class herding dogs. They liked nothing better than for him to send them off to chase a few sheep who had wandered too far. Herding was in their blood, just as sheep farming was in Alex's. These black-faced sheep had a long lineage, too.
As quickly as Alex whistled, the two dogs brought three rams and a ewe back into the pasture and had them scurrying to the front of the herd. Sheep aren't very smart, but didn't especially enjoy their heels being nipped at by these two. Alex saw the whole place was in need of attention, and the sooner the better. But, first things first.
Having made his decision, he mounted up early the next morning as planned. He had taken a moment to speak with Ian, who was recovering well now that he was back home.
"Ye stay right here on this bed. We need ye to be back up and able to help us, ye hear? We all have a job to do to keep this place going, and having an accident, such as ye did, will only get you a little sympathy. But, know that I'm counting on ye to figure out how ye are going to handle this. Mam always thought ye were the best MacKinnon of all, so let's see ye making her words ring true." Alex knew the young lad needed to be a part of this place, and he would be.
Then a quick hug and out the door he went, finding Jack and Hector waiting just outside.
"Jack, I know 'tis not to yer liking, me going back to the cave. But I must do what my conscience says is the right thing."
Jack walked a bit closer, pulling himself up to his full height and looking slightly down at Alex.
"Yer conscience or yer heart, brother? It's no secret that the witch, er healer, took your fancy. Just don't be blind to her is all I ask."
"Aye. No pretty skirt has caused me blindness just yet, but I'll keep yer words in mind," he was smiling as he spoke.
"And Jack, if I'm no back in a fortnight, come looking for me. I'm no fool and I realize there could be some trouble, but that makes it even more urgent that I go."
"Aye, brother, that I will."
Alex slapped the horse on the rump and tore off down the road, planning on making as much time as possible. The longer he had waited, the more anxious he had become thinking about what could be happening to Caitlin.
As he had said to Jack, he was no fool, not even when it came to women. There had been several, but only one he remembered with any fondness. It was during the time he had traveled down to Edinburgh, to study as Mam had wanted. Mam had come from a family who placed great importance on education. She, herself, had had tutors at home and was to have gone on for more schooling in England. But, as happens when two young people meet and are "thunderstruck" as Da was so fond of saying, those plans all go by the wayside. So, when she had met that strapping, handsome Highlander at the MacDonald's ceilidh, that was the end of any more education. Even against all the protestations from her family, she went with him when he returned to the Highlands. And, she never regretted it a day of her life, or so she said. But she still wanted her sons to be educated if at all possible. So it was that Alex tried his best to please her and took himself down to Edinburgh and began an education in earnest.
About a year into his schooling, he was assigned to a class with a female instructor, an English woman she was, who taught the Greek classics. Alex particularly enjoyed reading about early times in other parts of the world, and found this woman to be especially interesting. She was attractive, a true English rose, and intelligent as well. As it as, he started to develop a relationship with this instructor. He figured this was probably not a very good idea, but nevertheless, he did.
The chemistry between the two was strong from the very beginning. She was just a few years older than Alex, and more than ready for a long-term romance. Alex, on the other hand, was not exactly looking for anything that meant taking on more responsibility such as a wife or children. But, the physical side of the relationship was quite dynamic.
This beautiful English rose, Fiona, walked up to Alex and placed her arms around his waist, pulling him closer.
"So, just how long do you think we will continue in this manner? I'm not getting any younger, you know," she said to Alex after one of their more "steamy" evenings.
Alex had known this was coming for some time now, but had hoped it would take place much later.
"Well, then, I'm no ready to make any promises just now, ye ken. I've got my schooling to complete, and then I'm back to the Highlands to my family and the sheep."
"What? After an education you can do more than be a sheep farmer! You don't have to be like the rest of your Scots, an uneducated heathen idiot!" With that, Fiona dropped her hands to her sides and strode out of the room, slamming the door behind her.
CHAPTER 25
Morning had broken at Warwick Castle, and Lord Warwick was ranting and raving, which wasn't unusual for him. But this morning Lady Warwick had failed to show for breakfast as she was required to do. Early in the marriage, Lord Warwick had insisted that they start the day with breakfast in their very large dining hall, as his family had done. Somehow he thought that if they had the appearance of a happy couple, then perhaps he would be the great Lord his father had been. Now, after waiting a short time for Millie to arrive, he began yelling.
"Elspeth! Get yourself in here!"
The young girl, who had been assigned as lady's maid to Lady Warwick, wrung her hands as she fled into the dining hall. She tried to keep her trembling body from betraying her fear, but was not very successful.
"Yessir, Lord Warwick. I'm here, sir."
"Where's Lady Warwick? Why isn't she here already?"
"Oh, milord. I went to wake her like I always do, but she's not in her bed! I don't know where she is sir. I've looked about the castle but she's not to be found. I even looked in her garden where she sometimes goes, but she's not there either, sir." She continued to wring her hands and pulled at the hem of her apron. The girl was beside herself just thinking about what he might do to her if she couldn't find Lady Millie.
"Then get everyone to search for her!" And he pushed away from the table, causing china and silver to tumble in his wake.
He strode out to the stable, intending to have his horse saddled. His morning routine included a short ride about the property. This went a long way in reassuring himself that he was indeed an important landowner and one to be honored. He had not yet figured out that honor comes from within, not from material holdings. He called for the stable lad, Malcolm.
"Malcolm! Where are you, boy?"
The young boy came running at the sound of Lord Warwick's voice. He had been on the estate for some time now and had learned to stay away from his master as much as he could. But, Lady Warwick was another story. He found just being in her presence made him feel worthy. She had a way of expressing her appreciation, no matter how small the job he might have done for her.
"Malcolm! Have you seen Lady Warwick this morning?"
"No, your Lords
hip. Not this morning. I spoke with her jest last evening when she was out for her walk."
"What? You saw her last evening?"
"Yessir. She come down here, but said I was to go on to bed. Said she wouldn't be needin' me anymore. Was out for a walk, she said."
Warwick's brain was on full alert. He knew their relationship had deteriorated drastically in the past months, and he chalked it up to her "condition." But it had just dawned on him that she may have taken measures that he would not have thought her capable of.
"Malcolm, are all my horses still in the barn?"
"Uh, well, no sir. Actually one of the Arabians is missing — the big one, sir, the one called Dillon. I wonder if maybe he jest was left out in the pasture. I was about to go down there and look for him." Malcolm had hoped to find the horse without ever having to let the lord know he was ever missing. These horses were of great importance to Lord Warwick, and Malcolm had witnessed the lord's temper more times than he liked to recall.
"You imbecile! Have you no sense at all? Why didn't you stop her? Boy, you'll not forget this day!"
Lord Warwick had been angry when he discovered his wife was gone, but absolutely furious when he discovered the stable boy had seen Lady Warwick the night before and let her leave without telling him. Now he had the boy by the shoulders and pulled him up close to his face.
"But, Lord Warwick! Lady Millie said she was jest out for a short walk. She never said she leavin'! I woulda stopped her if I thought she was leavin'! She takes a walk sometimes in the early evening, sir. Wasn't my place to ask her no questions, sir!"
"Anyone with an ounce of sense would know she shouldn't travel in her condition! If she harms my son, I'll show her no mercy! As for you, you stupid boy, you need a lesson that you won't soon forget!"
With that he grabbed the horsewhip hanging on the wall next to the stall. He brought his arm down and with all his strength struck the young boy's face, flaying the skin from his upper cheek, going down the entire side of his face and through his upper lip. The blood flowed freely, and the boy screamed in pain.
"Ah! Lord Warwick! I woulda never let the lady leave if I knew!"
"Shut up, boy!"
And another lashing of the whip laid open another, even deeper, layer of skin right next to the first one. The bone was visible with its milky whiteness showing clearly. It had been some times since Warwick had taken a whip to one of his servants, but it still brought him a feeling he enjoyed — one of power — yes — he was all powerful! And this young man would never fail him again, of that he was sure.
"And you let her take one of my prize horses!" Warwick snapped the whip once again and delivered one final blow across the other cheek. The small boy collapsed and lay there, hoping that the lord had spent himself and would just leave now.
"How dare she steal something that belongs to me!" She would receive retribution for this, he promised himself that. He flung the whip at the boy and stomped out of the stable. It never occurred to him to send someone to help the boy.
* * *
Warwick was reasonably sure she would have gone to Scotland, but decided to call at Lord Sinclair's place and discuss the matter with him.
"So, you think she probably fled to Scotland, then?" he asked.
"Yes. Stupid woman! She's got less sense than my hunting dogs! At least they know how to obey commands!" Sinclair retorted.
"Then it looks like I'll just have to make a trip up to that heathen country and bring her back. She's due to have my son any day now, so she can't have traveled very far," Warwick responded.
"Yes. She would have no other place to flee to. She spent a lot of time up there when she was a child and always wanted to keep going back. What she likes about that place is beyond me! The estate is certainly impressive, but beyond that there is no appeal for me.
"I refused to take her up there for her grandfather's burial some years back, and she threatened to go up there then, but of course she didn't. But, in her condition, I'm surprised she would even attempt it. Did you two quarrel?"
"Nothing more than the usual. She's not exactly been pleased to be my wife and live at Warwick Castle. But, you and I knew that would be the case. Actually, it doesn't matter a lot what she wants."
"Her mother never liked living in England either. But, her father was anxious for the two of us to wed as I convinced him she would become a lady held in the highest regard within the nobility of England. I told him this marriage would unite a Scottish family with an English one and how we could serve as examples to others to help bring the two countries together. The old laird had a reputation for being very high-minded and spent a lifetime trying to bring peace wherever he could."
"Sounds like an old fool to me."
"Yes, he was certainly a fool. He believed every word I told him and handed his daughter over with nothing more than a promise from me that she would be well taken care of and would be Lady Sinclair! He was too honorable to ever go back on his promise, so even if he suspected she wasn't happy living here, he never changed his will. So, rest assured Millie will return to you and the holdings will become hers and ultimately yours and mine, of course."
"Sinclair, we made an agreement and I expect you to stick to it. Millie will inherit the lands and estate in Scotland and with those combined with yours and mine, we will both be the wealthiest land barons in these parts." The two men clinked their wine glasses in a toast that spoke of their many like weaknesses.
* * *
Later that same evening, Lord Warwick strolled about the lush gardens that his wife had planted at his castle. He had thought it a ridiculous idea but made no fuss when she called the gardeners and supervised their planting of numerous flowers, plants and vines.
Millie had a green thumb certainly and working in the garden kept her out of his hair. Now with her gone, he had hours with nothing to do but think about his situation.
"That old woman in Scotland just needs to die!" Warwick uttered the words aloud as if verbalizing them would justify them and his plans to see them come true
"And then that old maid daughter will inherit; but then how much longer before she will die?"
These thoughts ran around and around in Warwick's alcohol-laced head. Having been born a second son himself, and only coming into an inheritance at the unexpected death of his older brother, he needed this estate and the Scottish lands to add to his own. It was well known the English crown would be taking over much of the Scottish holdings, following the Scots' defeat at Culloden. Warwick saw this as a chance for him to be well placed in the aristocracy.
Marrying Millie Sinclair was certainly a strategic move on his part, but he needed to add considerably to his lands as quickly as possible, and he could only see one way to do this. He and Lord Sinclair had conspired to usurp holdings of others, those unable to oppose them, on several occasions. So, he had broached an idea to Sinclair while on his visit to his place right after Millie disappeared, and now he thought back to his last conversation with Sinclair.
"It would be easy enough for the old woman and aunt to meet with an accident, Sinclair. There are a number of people that I know who would help us with this problem."
"What? You don't mean kill them, do you?" Sinclair stood up and walked over to where Warwick was pouring another glass of his very finest wine.
"We might stoop low enough to rob others of their belongings, but family is another matter altogether! No. These women are on their last legs already. Have a little patience, Warwick. Time will take care of this matter for us. Now, go back to your place and prepare to fetch Millie."
Somehow some of Sinclair's mother's teachings regarding ethical behavior and dedication to family still remained in his otherwise devious heart. That being the case, Warwick knew the plot he was drawing up presently would have to be done alone as Sinclair would not participate in doing away with family, even if they were Scots. He began to make plans that only he and one other person would know about. And that would not be Sinclair.
> CHAPTER 26
Commander Campbell found the trip into the village a bit more taxing than he might have wished. Being accustomed to riding rather than walking, he had plenty of time to think about his situation. If that red-haired witch thought he would let her get the upper hand, she had another think coming. He had many years of experience dealing with men who needed to be taught a lesson, and when he had finished with them they were glad to have survived whatever punishments he had dreamed up. Whipping a man, or causing him pain in any way, had no effect on Campbell. In fact, he found it quite pleasant. And he looked on this characteristic as one to be proud of, thought it made him an even better soldier. So now the task at hand was to find someone to help him get this wound bandaged and then to find a horse.
"Damn you, witch! I've killed men for less offense than that!" Stealing his horse was the most deceitful act he could think of.
Upon entering the village, he saw a number of people milling about, going about their daily business. He had thought he would find a healer readily enough, but there didn't seem to be one about.
"Hey! You there, man. You hear me? Where might I find the healer?" Commander Campbell had spoken to one of the men loading a cart with supplies. When he called to him, the man stopped and turned to face him, frowning as he did so.
The man took one look at the soldier and could see that he was in need of help. But he didn't particularly like the way the soldier had demanded attention. The soldier's uniform told him he was an officer, his chest full of medals and such. That was still no excuse to be rude.
"She only comes around on occasion, not every day. She lives out of town somewhere, but I don't know exactly where. But she's a fine healer, I tell ye."
Campbell immediately understood he was speaking of the witch. "Where is she?"
"I don't rightly know. She said she were going north, looking for a friend's place."
"Well, surely there's another healer somewhere!" Raising his voice even louder, the commander grabbed the man by the collar.
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