“I will not rest until MacKinnons are wiped from God’s earth.”
Duncan heard the exact words at the first meeting when he was offered Ailsa.
“MacKinnon thinks he is better than Camerons, deserving an honor which has been ours earned through our blood and skilled arm. I will avenge my son.”
Duncan remembered the tale from his father’s adulthood when Camerons fought alongside the MacKinnons. The Camerons and MacKinnons both believed they had the highest honor of the right flank. Camerons were granted the privilege, only for the MacKinnons to sit out the battle, resulting in the decimation of many Cameron warriors.
In Duncan’s opinion, Cameron wanted their lands. He spoke of avenging his son’s death but he could have called up his men and faced them three years ago. That certainly would have been Duncan’s plan. And he would have enjoyed the spoils.
“They must be destroyed.” Cameron slammed his fist against the table, sloshing drops of wine over the rim.
Duncan glanced at Ailsa’s brother. Alec sat in stony silence. He knew how his wife would appear if she were a brown hair male. Whereas Ailsa had an inner quality that drew him in, Alec was constrained and Duncan was unsure about him.
“Have they encroached upon your lands?”
“Nay,”—Alec answered— “with Ailsa’s marriage, they are aware we can call up almost thrice their numbers.”
Cameron leaned back in his heavy carved chair. The thick oak groaned from the strain of his large frame.
“That’s why they have been hiring mercenaries.”
“We’ve been raiding, annoying them but soon Camerons and MacLeans are going to have to send out the fiery cross and travel into battle,” Alec added as he snatched up his cup then downed the contents.
“Are you prepared for that eventuality?” Cameron prompted, earning a smirk from Lachlan who sat silent beside Duncan.
“We’re MacLeans.”
* * * *
Ailsa strolled along the track. She waved to the women milling the grain for bannocks. She veered from the path and up the mountain. The roar of the waterfall traveled from the sky scraping heights to its shallow depths. Climbing further up the steep mountainside, she glanced over her shoulder to see the clachan full of life below her.
Deciding to climb a few steps more, she spotted a little lass collecting rocks very close to the edge. Not wanting to call out and frighten her, Ailsa trudged up to her. Before reaching her, the lass fell over the side with an ear-piercing scream Ailsa matched. Ailsa raced over and saw her on a rock ledge and unconscious. She looked over her shoulder but saw no one. Not wanting to leave her, Ailsa had to save her. She dropped to her stomach and peered over the edge.
A rock thrust out a few feet above the ledge the child lain upon. Ailsa scooted over the side on her stomach. Her legs dangled as her feet sought purchase on the craggy slope. Shimmying down a fraction more, her feet made contact with the small ledge. Her hands gripped the ragged side of the mountain, cutting her palms, and brushing up dirt and rocks that drifted into her eyes.
She mustn’t let go or look down. Wait! She must otherwise she wouldn’t know where to go next. One brief look and not at the deep depths, she saw the distance wasn’t that great, in fact, she just had a small hop then she would be next to the lass.
With a deep breath and a fervent prayer, she hopped down and landed beside the girl. Relief filled her. Her body shook but that was fine. Blood covered the lass’s face. Her little chest rose and fell steadily. She still lived. Ailsa checked her limbs and nothing seemed broken, nothing twisted in an odd direction. The blood seemed the only problem.
With the edge of her plaid, she wiped away the blood. A bloody rock rested beside her head. “Siobhan,” Ailsa said, repeating the little girl’s name. This little lass with golden hair and sea blue eyes was one of Niall’s dearest friends always at his side.
“Siobhan,” Ailsa shouted and heard a low groan. Her eyes fluttered open and she tried to sit up. “Nay, stay still. We’re on a ledge and you might fall. Once the world stops spinning, we’ll climb up.”
Ailsa sat back against the ragged wall and rested Siobhan’s head in her lap. “What happened?”
“I saw you fall over the ledge. Why were you up here so far? Tis very dangerous.”
“I was collecting rocks for Niall. My da banned me from the loch since I fell in.” Siobhan’s eyes had cleared. Her limbs were still limp, still weak from the fall.
“I fell in too. Do you think you can climb?”
“I’ll try.” The craggy rocks dug into her back but Ailsa never moved, fearing they might plunge to their deaths.
“Nay, we won’t move until you are sure you can stand without the world turning upside down. Shall we try?”
Siobhan sat up but slumped with a groan. “I can’t, my lady. I’m sorry.”
“Not your fault. We shall wait for someone to find us or until you’re better.”
“What if no one comes looking for us?”
“Don’t worry. Your father shall come. Besides, I’m Lairdess. They’ll be searching for me soon.”
“The men would probably be afraid that you broke the wall again.”
“I didn’t break the wall,” Ailsa defended herself then both laughed. “Rest. I’ll stand watch.”
The sun dipped lower and the shadows lengthened. She began to become nervous and afraid. The sky had taken an orangey hue and deepened to a red. Please, let the men find us. She hid it for Siobhan’s sake. Without a doubt, Caelan was searching for her.
“Siobhan, how are you feeling?”
“Better but I’m hungry.”
Ailsa chuckled in relief. “You are certainly Niall’s friend.”
“I’m more than his friend. I’m going to marry him," Siobhan pronounced with a drawn-out nod. This time, she didn’t turn green.
Ailsa’s eyes bulged. “Really. Did he ask you?”
“Nay, he told me that when he starts liking girls he’s going to marry me and if I marry another man, he’s going to hang him with his own entrails. Thank you, my lady.”
“For what?”
“For making Niall bathe. It’s better now when he kisses me.” She rubbed her hand over the back of her other one.
“He kisses you?” Ailsa demanded.
“Aye. He’s always stealing kisses. Like this,” she kissed the back of her hand.
“It’s very gentlemanly on the back. Sometimes, he gives me a kiss on my cheek but only when he brings me flowers.”
Ailsa’s heart warmed. Niall was a romantic and to her way of thinking that bode well for Duncan.
* * * *
Coming along the gravel path to the gatehouse, Duncan scanned the darkening horizon. The flickering of torches captured his interest. He tapped his heels and galloped off to investigate. He heard the men behind him. The torches bunched together and circled Caelan as he instructed the men.
The men faced him as he pulled up his mount. “What has happened?”
“Siobhan is missing,” Niall cried out. His bottom lip trembled.
“My lady is missing as well. We believe they are together.” Duncan blanched. “I have men searching the woods and the loch.”
“Have you searched the mountain?” Lachlan prompted. “I’ve found her there a few times.”
“I’m about to head there myself,” Caelan answered.
“Meet me there.” Duncan spurred his mount forward. Lachlan charged after him with a torch in his hand. Caelan took one of the soldier’s horses and galloped after them.
Coming to the base of the mountain, Duncan leapt from his horse. “Ailsa! Ailsa!”
Lachlan joined him and held up their torches, joining in the loud calls for them.
“Did you hear that?” He ascended the rocky mountainside. “Ailsa!”
“Duncan!”
“Where are you?”
“Down here.”
He peered over the side and had the fright of his life. His wife and little Siobhan sat on the l
edge that towered over the loch with a sheer drop that ended hundreds of feet below.
From behind him, Lachlan gave the call every MacLean knew to respond to.
“Don’t move. I’m coming to get you.” He stood up. “I need ropes. Ahern, Siobhan’s fine. My wife has her,” Duncan said when Siobhan’s dad came abreast to them. Ahern looked relieved for a moment then his worry returned.
Ahern plopped down on his stomach, rocks poking him in his chest, but he gave no thought to it and hung his head over the edge. “Da’s here.”
“Where’s that rope?” Duncan roared. Ahern jumped to his feet.
“I’ll climb down.”
“Nay, I will. Just be ready to grab your daughter.”
Someone handed him three ropes. They tied it around a deeply embedded rock then around Duncan’s waist and hung the other two over the edge. “Ailsa grab the ropes.”
“I got them.”
“We got you, MacLean,” Caelan said as a men held the rope, ready to lift them up.
Lachlan sprawled upon his stomach, holding a torch aloft.
Duncan descended easily. “Don’t move.” He wanted to take his wife in his arms but she might fall. He wrapped the ends around each of their waists, tying a knot that she would never undo.
“I’m fine, Duncan. Siobhan’s is hurt. She has a gash on her brow. A needle must be put to it.” Duncan picked up the little girl. She whimpered. “Be careful.”
Duncan held Siobhan. “Stretch out your hand.”
“Lift,” Lachlan called out.
Duncan watched as her little legs disappeared over the edge.
“Got her, Duncan.”
Now for his wife. “Come along, Ailsa.”
“I’m afraid.”
“No, you’re not. That would be insulting me.”
“We don’t have time for your arrogance.” She humphed at the end, letting Duncan know she was fine.
He lifted her up and scaled the rocky cliff. When her feet cleared, Duncan started his ascent. When he reached the top, he pulled Ailsa into his arms. She was well. She could have plummeted down to the watery depths until her body traveled from the Lorne. He could have come home to a dead wife.
He looked over at Niall, who had the same idea with Siobhan. He even placed a kiss upon her blood-caked cheek.
The clan had gathered around them, pushing her into Duncan’s arms again. “You are to never do that again. You could have been killed," he roared at her.
“I couldn’t leave her down there. She was sleeping and might have fallen over the edge.”
“You should have gone for help.”
“There wasn’t time. I would do it again, Duncan. I am Lairdess and I will gladly risk my life for every one of my kinsfolk," she roared back. “And don’t try to order me not to for I will disobey you when a MacLean is in danger.”
Her kinsfolk cheered. “You are a MacLean,” the wizened man said, waving his cane at her. Everyone applauded as they rushed her. Hands reached out, patting her on the back. Ailsa felt like she was being beaten. The blows fell hard against her back and she stumbled forward. She cringed and grimaced with every hit but she never had the heart to ask them to stop. Her back would be black and blue and maybe swollen but at least her body was starting to numb. Duncan waved them away. “But you’re still puny," the wizened man uttered when the noise died.
Ailsa grinned. “As long as I’m a MacLean, I’m fine with being puny.”
Duncan rolled his eyes in frustration. “Come along. It’s to bed with you and you’re not leaving until I grant you permission.”
“Where’s Siobhan?”
“Her father took her home, the same place you’re going.”
Chapter Ten
Duncan sat at the high table, his two commanders flanking him.
“He made enough fuss about avenging Connor but I never believed a word,” Duncan said.
“He must. No one would fault his desire for revenge,” Lachlan added.
“Cameron is plotting and wants to use my men to bring it to life. I need to know more. How does he know MacKinnon is bringing in mercenaries yet we haven’t heard? There are no secrets in the highlands,” Caelan said as he raised his cup for a taste.
“I don’t doubt he wants MacKinnon land but if he gets even a small part of it, he might one day try for MacLean lands.”
“He's greedy enough for it,” Caelan said. “It would also increase his numbers.”
“Which he could use against us,” Lachlan said. “There seemed to be a great deal of activity happening away from the clachan.”
“He might have brought in mercenaries as well. I want him watched. Assign a group for that and make sure patrols are well aware of everything.”
“Do you want to speak to herders? They are in the mountains and probably see many things others miss,” Lachlan asked.
“Aye, later. Ailsa!” He received no reply from his call. He counted the seconds it took for her to show herself but she remained hidden in the staircase. Duncan would have never known she was there if not for the edge of her emerald leine peeking out.
When he reached sixty, he opened his mouth to call for her again when she stepped into the hall.
“Good morn.” She wore the sweetest smile but he saw her fisted hands twisting the sides of her skirts.
“Where do you believe you are off to?”
She donned her saintly face. Her face was serene, a faint smile, and her eyes was wide with innocence. He crossed his arms.
She flicked back her hair and propped a hand on her hip. “I was off to check upon Màiri. She requires my help.”
“You haven’t been granted permission to leave.”
“If I remember correctly, husband, I did not request it.”
Duncan flattened his hands on the table and rose from his seat. “Who wears the trews in this family?”
She angled her head until she saw under the table. “Neither one of us, husband. So I shall leave you to your duty.”
“Stop,” he roared. “You are to remain in our chamber.”
“I am not a naughty child to be reprimanded.”
“No, you are a willful wife.”
Ailsa attempted a different tack and folded her hands before her. “Duncan, Màiri depends upon my care. She shall think I care not for her wellbeing, especially since I’m the cause of her wound.”
“Very well. I will accompany you on your visit.”
“Truly.” She clapped her hands, glee spreading her mouth in a smile. “I shall like that.”
The corner of his mouth twitched. He liked making her smile, seeing the glossy brightness on her face. He had to do this more often.
“See that everything is in place,” Duncan said as he crossed to his wife’s side. He offered his arm and set off to visit Màiri.
Every single clan member they passed greeted Ailsa then Duncan. They questioned her about her wellbeing before they departed. Ailsa knew each name and that of their children. Never had the clan smiled so much. She had a gift that made each person feel as though no one existed. Duncan understood that feeling. It's her eyes. When she looked upon you, she only saw you. For Ailsa, each person was important.
“May we visit Siobhan as well?” She looked up at him when the clanswomen returned to the chores.
“Aye.”
Her step had an extra bounce to it and her sappy smile was becoming painful but it never faltered.
“So, laird, were you impressed by Castle Cameron?”
Duncan shrugged, jiggling Ailsa’s arm. “It was fine. Seemed a lot of fuss for a smoky hall.”
Her short laughter sounded false. “It must have been dreadful growing up in such restraining confines,” he continued, letting her keep her defenses…for now.
“I knew no other childhood so I have nothing to compare it. It was a decent one.”
After the visit to Cameron Castle, he understood her reluctance to speak of that time. The hall reflected the laird’s power, not the clan’s.
&
nbsp; “You must have had a wonderful childhood here.”
Duncan scanned the clachan before him. “I did. The best time was when my lessons ended then I sprinted out of the chapel—”
“You had a chapel?” She twisted and turned this way and that looking for it. “What happened to it? Did you knock it down?”
“Nay, the Vikings did,” he laughed at his answer. “Wife, I should be insulted you would think I’m capable of such an action.”
“Duncan, you must rebuild it.”
He wasn’t in agreement with her. He preferred building taller and thicker walls. “One day.”
“But—” She looked appalled. She must be worrying about his soul.
He pulled her to a stop and clasped her hands in one hand. With the other, he tucked her hair behind her ear. “Ailsa, I promise our children will be baptized in our chapel.”
Her eyes glazed over and a soft sigh escaped her. She leaned toward him. He covered her mouth with his own. He had kissed her countless times, yet this one was different. One he never experienced. This wasn’t one of lust and need. Nay, this was one of cherish. It unnerved him, weakening him. He tore away from it.
She felt it too. Her eyes remained closed and her lips remained puckered. A rapt expression bloomed across her face. She was dreamy…Almost like a woman in the throes of love.
Nay, Duncan had to be wrong. She never spoke of such an emotion. Clearly, she cared for him. Duncan counted them lucky since most marriages were distant and cold. Their union had more, a warmth and tenderness between each other and he liked her. That had to be enough.
“We must hurry to Màiri’s otherwise she might worry.”
It dumbfounded Duncan that he thought of something so asinine. Ailsa never caught on so he calmed a bit.
Both lost in their thoughts, not that Duncan wanted to know Ailsa’s, they made their way to Màiri’s cottar. Ailsa knocked then knocked again.
“Maybe she is resting,” Duncan said.
“Nay, she is awake.” She knocked. She shook out her hand to ease the sting from her repeated knocking. Tired of standing out here with the clan watching, he pounded on the door.
“Gentle, Duncan. She is a wounded woman.”
The Marriage Alliance Page 13