by Reece Butler
Once Hugh had heard Fiona land safely he’d left the cellars as silently as he’d arrived. Not that those in the pit would have heard him. Hugh had commented drily that the MacDougals seemed to be doing what they could to ensure the continuance of their clan. Lovat could see Fiona insisting her husbands do their duty by her, even in a dungeon pit.
Hugh also reported that Fiona had spoken of her love. Angus and Gillis had not, though Lovat knew it would come. MacDougals knew what it was to have their belly and backbone touching in hunger. Yet the men had refused a fortune, insisting they wanted their wife rather than wealth. Angus and Gillis were good men, well deserving of his niece.
Ah, Fiona. He sighed, thinking of her innocence and determination.
She would not be happy living in the towerhouse knowing there was a pit. He would have the iron grating heated until the locks fused. Something heavy would be placed on top, rendering it invisible.
He called Iain in, making him stand and wait silently until he finished eating.
“You did not approve of holding the MacDougals in the pit until I hear from the bishop.”
“They are men of their word, Laird Fraser. They wanted their wife to stay with them. They would not have taken her away in the night.”
He waited a moment before continuing. “You refused an order. Because of that, you are no longer part of my guard. Hugh is doing well. You did a good job training him.”
Iain’s jaw flexed but no words emerged.
“You think I’m putting you out to pasture like an old warhorse no longer good enough for the battle?”
Still the man didn’t speak.
“Anna!” called Lovat. The young woman hurried in. She stopped with a gasp. Iain’s eyes shot to hers before he looked away. Ah, as I expected.
“Anna,” he said most pleasantly. “Do you know where my niece is?”
She dropped to her knees, her face white. Though her body and voice trembled, she answered clearly.
“Lady Fiona went to see her husbands, Laird Fraser. She promised to be back by morning.” She looked up, her whole body shaking in fear. “I ken I did wrong in not telling ye, laird, but I knew she’d return if she could. I dinna ken what happened to her. I be that worried!”
“Fiona is with her husbands, and safe.” Anna closed her eyes for a moment, shuddering as she exhaled.
“Will ye turn me out, Laird Fraser?”
In normal circumstances he would have sent her back to her family for going against his orders. However he had no doubt she’d done what she could to dissuade Fiona from going. And she had followed his plan.
“My niece needs a lady’s maid. Would you go with her to Duncladach, on the far western coast?”
Her head bobbed. “Aye, laird. She is a good mistress. I would miss my family, but aye.”
“And you, Iain. Would you go with Anna, and the MacDougals?”
The captain’s fingers twitched. “Aye, if my laird allows it.”
Both were honest, not hiding what they’d done, yet still respectful. What they said behind his back might be somewhat different, though he doubted it. They, and their parents and grandparents back generations, had served the Frasers well.
“Iain, would you instead live at the towerhouse as captain of that guard, rather than my own?” asked Lovat. Iain’s eyes shot to Anna’s. Good. The man did not want to leave her.
“Aye, Laird. Would ye be tellin’ me who I’d be reportin’ to?”
“Will you take orders from my niece when necessary, as well as her husbands?”
Iain blinked. “Aye. Will they be stayin’?”
“That is my plan.” He watched awareness flash over his old friend’s face. There was chagrin, and a touch of anger. Yes, he had played his men, but that was his right. “By their efforts and behavior the MacDougals have proven they are men who are able to hold the towerhouse for me and Laird Cameron.”
“They may not bow to ye, laird.”
“An oath will be sufficient. My grandmother left this land to my sister directly. It is to remain in Fraser hands, and passes to Fiona with the same requirement. My niece is dear to me, and I would have men who respect and care for her. They have one or two more tests to prove that fully. Their sons and daughters will be fostered with me as well as with the Camerons at Inverlochy. They shall prove their loyalty to the Fraser, MacDougal, and Cameron clans.”
“Angus and Gillis will rule through Lady Fiona,” said Iain, thinking out loud.
“You and I are getting older. You have knowledge and strategy, and the MacDougals have youth and strength. You will make a good team.” He turned to Anna. “Do you wish to marry this scarred old man and serve my niece?”
Anna clasped her hands in front of her. Her eyes went to Iain. “Aye, Laird Fraser. With all my heart,” she whispered.
“Iain, will you accept Anna as your wife, believing she wants you, and no other, even though you are old and grey and battle scarred?”
He took the nod and croak as a yes.
“Iain, you are to take the men you believe would work well with you, and bring all three MacDougals here. They are to be given baths and clean clothes, and fed. We will meet at dinner. Put Lachlan Campbell in the pit when you leave. Close the grate on him and put the lid down if he complains. I will deal with him later.” He gave both would-be lovers a stern glance. “Say nothing to the MacDougals of any of this.”
“Aye, laird.”
“There is one thing I want done first. Anna, go get a broom. I will hear your vows.”
Anna, red faced, eagerly shot to her feet. She bobbed and hurried out. Iain waited until she was gone.
“Thank ye, laird. Anna is the heart I ne’er thought to find.”
Lovat leaned back, wineglass in hand. He’d wanted to ensure Fiona had a loving home. Bringing Anna and Iain together in that home would make Fiona even happier. She would have a woman her age to help her, one with much more life experience in the kitchen and nursery.
“You’ve served me well, Iain, for many a year. You need a good wife and bairns to give you a reason to get up though your bones ache and creak.” He let a touch of humor show. “I think you’ll be able to keep Anna in line more easily than the MacDougals will my niece. Mayhaps Anna’s meekness will encourage the same in Fiona.”
One corner of Iain’s lip turned up. “I’m hoping Fiona’s feistiness may rub off on Anna.”
They both knew Iain meant bedding, not arguing. Lovat grinned, sharing a moment with his old friend.
“A strong woman keeps a man on his toes. I expect Anna to be suckling a babe within the year.”
“That is an order I shall do my best to complete, laird.”
* * * *
Angus stared at his mug of wine. It was good Rhenish stock. He would have enjoyed it a lot more if it didn’t make his mouth sting, reminding him of each and every cut. He was sure Lovat was drawing out the meal as a form of torture. The man had something to say and was toying with them like a well-fed cat would a mouse.
Iain and his men had tossed Lachlan Campbell in the pit once they were removed. Iain had stayed behind, telling them they were to be bathed and dressed, then share a meal with Laird Fraser. Fiona, in the few moments they had together before eating, said Anna was nowhere to be found. She was worried her uncle had done something to punish her new friend for helping her.
All Angus knew was that Fraser had made a decision about them. They would either live with it, find a way to change the result, or die trying.
“Such a good meal, and you are not eating,” chided Fraser. “I would have thought you’d be hungry after all that work, rebuilding that towerhouse.”
Angus’s hand automatically shot out to hold Gillis back.
“Dinna fear, I willna harm the laird.” Gillis’s white teeth burst from between his moustache and beard. They'd not had a chance to shave. “Not until I hear what he has to say.”
“Uncle, this farce is over,” said Fiona. She stood. “Say what ye must and we will leav
e for Duncladach.”
“Sit, my dear.”
“No. I want to know what—”
“Sit down, wife,” ordered Angus.
The words were not loud, but all heard the steel in them. She would speak of it later judging by the furious look she shot him. She plunked her bottom onto the cushion, winced, and then flushed. From the crinkles around Fraser’s eyes as he lifted his glass, he knew why. Angus would find a reason to spank her again soon. He was sure by the time this talk was over she would have given him an excuse. If not, her outburst just now would do.
“You will not be returning to Duncladach,” said Fraser. He held up a finger, warning Fiona and Gillis not to speak. He’d learned Angus would wait to hear him out. “I have made a decision.”
Fraser’s smirk begged for a fist to wipe it away. Angus noted Gillis held back, for now. After all, the man held a fine goblet of Rhenish wine, which should never be spilled.
“The two of you built a good wall,” continued Fraser. “I understand Gillis had much experience doing so while in his youth, courtesy of your foster father.”
“What of it?” demanded Gillis. “Dry stane buildin’ is a good skill to have, as ye saw fer yerself.”
“‘Tis a good thing when a man puts effort into making something his own.”
“Spit out what you mean to say, laird,” demanded Gillis. “I’ve no patience with yer blather.”
Alexander Fraser, the fourth Lord Lovat, turned his hard eyes on them.
“This narrow spit of land we are on is controlled by the Cameron and Fraser clans. It is all that holds the MacDonalds of Keppoch, Lochaber, and Invergarry apart. Cameron and I need a strong towerhouse to defend it. Cameron knew you as boys growing into men, but I did not. I had to test your mettle.” He nodded his head regally to them. “You passed my tests. Fiona may stay married to you if she chooses, but will not be returning to Duncladach.”
“What?” Gillis stood up, ready to attack. Angus waited, though he wanted to do the same.
“I will stay with my husbands!” Fiona also jumped to her feet.
Fraser sat sipping his wine. Angus thought over the man’s words.
“Where, laird, will the three of us be living, if not in Duncladach?”
“In the towerhouse ye rebuilt.”
“Ye wish to hire Angus and me to guard it?” asked Gillis, frowning.
“Nay,” said Fraser, shaking his head slowly. “I wish to pass it to its rightful owner and her husbands.” He turned to Fiona. “You, my dear, inherit the land, and more, through your mother. It is your home now.”
“My home?” asked Fiona faintly. She sank onto the edge of her cushion. Angus reached for her hand. She clasped him, fingers so tight they turned white.
“If your husbands will stand with you to defend it. You will not be alone,” he added. “Iain has agreed to be captain, if that is acceptable to you. His wife, Anna, is as eager to be your lady’s maid.”
“Wife? Iain and Anna are married?” Fiona showed a faint smile.
“I witnessed them jump the broom this morning. They’re likely working on creating a son by now.”
Gillis dropped back into his chair.
“This was all a test of loyalty to ye?” asked Angus. “From our first meeting, until now?”
“Aye, of loyalty to me, and to prove you would treat Lady Fiona, and her property, with respect. I need a strong force to watch this empty corner of my borders.”
“We have a home!”
A tear dropped onto Fiona’s cheek. He knew she’d wanted her own home as badly as they. Unfortunately, it could not be. Angus cringed, but it had to be said. They did not have the resources to keep themselves fed, or wood to stay warm in winter. The only way would be if Fraser supported them with his funds. Could he and Gillis swallow their pride, bowing their heads so that their wife could have a home of her own?
Yes, they could.
He drew a breath to humble himself. “Laird, ye ken we have little—”
“This towerhouse is only part of Fiona’s dowry,” said Fraser. “My niece is wealthy in her own right.”
“I am?”
Lovat lifted her hand, kissing it gently before patting it.
“You inherited more than an empty stone tower, my dear. We will discuss it later, but you will have enough to establish a household, buy provisions, and the like.” Fraser turned to Angus. “That cask of gold coins I offered if you would leave Fiona behind, is yours. Sheep and cattle, and those to care for them, are on the way. My alewife wished to get away from her bickering family and is bringing her favorite granddaughter to train. Iain has suggestions as to which of the guard would be best suited to stay. Some young, and some older. My men will help you complete the buildings needed to secure you for the winter.”
Angus’s head reeled. The wine had been strong. Was he hallucinating?
“There is one thing I need from you Angus, and you, Gillis, before this can happen.”
“We will do whatever it is to give our wife a home, and bairns of her own,” vowed Angus.
“Fiona has told you she loves you. What is your reply?”
“I love ye, wee Fiona,” said Gillis. “Ye kenned that, but ‘tis time I said it aloud.”
“My wife already knows what’s in my heart,” said Angus.
“I insist she hears it from your mouth.”
Words he’d sworn he’d never repeat came easily with Fiona. He stood, then knelt beside her. He took her hand, the one with his ring, and kissed it.
“Ye are my home, my heart, and my soul,” he said. “I wished to marry a lass with a dowry, one I could ignore other than when making sons and daughters. I’d hoped she’d have a small keep but expected we would live in Duncladach where she would help the wives of my brothers. And then Gillis ran out of the night with a wee baggage over his shoulder.”
“Me.” She dimpled at him.
“Aye. One look in the moonlight, and I was struck. Then ye staggered to yer feet, swaying with fever, and marched away. Ye insisted ye would not hold us back.”
“Ye have ne’er held us back,” said Gillis. He chuckled, shaking his head. “Nay, ye push us forward.” A glow came into his eyes. “When ye are not pushin’ us on our backs to ride us.”
“Gillis! Not in front of my uncle!”
She said the words, but Angus knew the blush was mostly because she wished she was doing just that. She was unlike any other women he’d met. And perfect, just as she was.
“I love ye, Lady Fiona MacDougal. And shall forever more.”
THE END
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Early jobs cleaning cages for a veterinarian, scrubbing floors in a hospital, and working as a waitress helped Reece Butler realize she was more of a thinker than a doer. An office keyboard kept her occupied for many years while her family grew. Once she discovered the romance genre it was a short step to reading erotic romance. And, since she has an active imagination and is fascinated with people, she began writing …
She now spends most of her time writing, reading, researching, editing, plotting, creating characters…and eating dark chocolate.
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