The Banished Highlander

by Keira Montclair

Neil yelled out, “I said find a healer!”

  What would befall her next?

  ***

  Fix this. You must fix this for her.

  The answer came to him in a trice. His niece Tara was visiting the abbey, teaching some of the novices the basic art of healing. “My niece is here,” he announced. “I’ll go for her. She’s probably in the back where the novices are.” He hurried out and darted down the passageway to the area for residents in the back.

  As he headed down the long passageway, he bellowed, “Tara Cameron. Your healing skills are needed.”

  Tara popped out at the end of the passageway. “Uncle Ruari?” she called out in surprise. “What brings you here? You’re not here to take me home, are you?”

  “Nay, but your healing skills are needed. You need to sew a wound closed and put your mother’s poultice on it so it won’t fester.” He motioned for her to go after her supplies. “Please do not tarry. One of the sisters was injured in a battle with reivers.”

  Three more young lasses hurried into the passageway as Tara disappeared from view to grab her satchel.

  “Which sister?” asked one, her face clearly worried.

  “Sister Joan. We brought her sister Juliana with her, but we were attacked along the way.”

  One novice broke into tears, while another said, “We’ll help tend to her.” The other two lasses nodded vehemently, although the first had not yet stopped crying.

  “Nay, there are enough people there,” Ruari objected. “You may see her later after she rests. Her sister and Tara will take good care of her.” He could just imagine what chaos would erupt if the three lasses followed him. They appeared to be between the ages of ten and twelve summers.

  Tara returned to the passageway with her satchel. “I’ll see to her and come back to update you. I’m sure she’ll be fine.”

  Ruari couldn’t help but smile at his niece’s delicate way of handling the situation. At six and ten, she was nearly a woman grown. She reminded him of her mother. Like Jennie, she had a wonderful ability to soothe the people around her. She even looked like her mother with the same color hair and the same deep brown eyes, although she had a few more freckles across her nose due to her love for horseback riding.

  “Come along, King,” he said. His niece was part Irish, on Aedan’s side, and Jennie had looked to Irish lore when choosing her name. Many of the High Kings had also carried the title King of Tara, in reference to the famed Hill of Tara in Ireland, which was the genesis for Tara’s nickname. Ruari had gotten in the habit of calling her “King” when she was young, as she’d always been the leader among her group of lasses.

  “Uncle Ruari, please stop,” she said, blushing a faint pink as she hustled ahead of him, hurrying down the passageway at a rapid pace. “I have much to do.”

  “She’s not seriously hurt, but she does need your poultice.”

  Tara flashed her brilliant smile at him, and it struck him, not for the first time, that his niece was all grown up. Soon she would want to marry, and he would have to help Aedan ensure the men who courted her were suitable.

  Brin came flying down the passageway, shouting for his sister. “She needs you!”

  “She’s coming, Brin. Calm down,” Ruari said, motioning for him to calm down. “We are in an abbey.”

  Brin stopped in front of his uncle, staring up at him, his face falling in a matter of seconds. “Sorry, Uncle Ruari. I was trying to be helpful.”

  Mayhap he’d sounded too harsh. “’Tis naught to worry about, lad. I know your intentions were good, but we must respect our surroundings. I’m sure your sister will be able to help Sister Joan.”

  Brin nodded, but Ruari noticed the way his shoulders drooped as he walked—slowly—back toward the front of the abbey, Tara slipping in front of him.

  Guilt pressed down on Ruari. Hadn’t he been just like Brin back in the day? He’d wanted so badly to help Aedan, but he’d always felt like he was in the way. Always except for that one time when his spying had proved helpful.

  He didn’t want to crush Brin’s spirit, so he clasped his shoulder and said, “Brin, you did a fine job when we were under attack. I saw you move to the side to allow the larger warriors to do their job. The most important thing you could do was get out of the way and not make yourself a target.”

  “But Uncle Ruari, I was watching so I could help if anyone tried to be sneaky. One of the reivers tried to attack Padraig from behind. I warned him, and he turned around just in time and cut the bast…man down.”

  Pride coursed through him. So much so, he decided to ignore his nephew’s near cursing. “Here, Brin,” he said, reaching inside his tunic. “Why don’t you take Heckie outside to romp in the grass for a wee bit.”

  Brin’s face lit up as he cupped his hands for the puppy, carefully handling the treasure placed there.

  Padraig’s boots echoed on the stones as he came charging down the passageway toward them, doing exactly what Ruari had told Brin not to do “Ruari, did your nephew tell you how he saved my arse?”

  Ruari gave his cousin a sharp look he hoped he understood. “Do not forget where you are.”

  “Och, the sisters will forgive my slip. Nonetheless,” he said, reaching down to clasp Brin’s shoulder. He bent down to whisper in the lad’s ear. “You saved my arse and I thank you for it.”

  Brin’s chuckles echoed up and down stone arches of the passageway, but most importantly, his shoulders had righted themselves to where they should be. One comment had changed his entire outlook on the world.

  How Ruari wished the same could happen to him.

  Chapter Seven

  Juliana sat by her sister’s bed the next morning, sewing two more purple flowers into her needlework as she waited for Joan to open her eyes. She prayed her sister wouldn’t suffer from fever. She’d been a little warm overnight, but her color was good this morning.

  A light knock on the door caught her attention. “Come in,” she said, having no idea who it was. She wished it were Ruari Cameron, but he’d gone back to Cameron land last eve.

  Her excitement for the trip had diminished quite a bit after the handsome man had left. She could only hope he’d found her horse on the way home.

  A young dark-haired lass cautiously opened the door, revealing two other lasses behind her. “Greetings,” the leader said. “How is Sister Joan? We’d like to visit with her if we may.”

  Juliana set her needlework on the side table and offered her stool to the lass, but the young woman declined.

  “Come in,” she said, hoping their visit would awaken Joan. “She hasn’t stirred this morn, but I’d be pleased to visit with you. She wished to show me the work she does here. Do you see her often?”

  The dark-haired lass nodded gravely. “Aye, we see her every day when she’s here at Stonecroft. Sister Joan teaches us about the Bible. My name is Anora, and this is Lavena, and Prudencia.” She pointed to a tall brown-haired girl first and then a much shorter blonde.

  The last girl grinned, gave a slight bow, and said, “Please call me Prudie. We’ve been worried about Sister Joan. Did she sleep well?”

  Her sister’s voice came from behind her. “I slept just fine. My dear sister, Juliana, whom I brought to visit with you, took verra good care of me.” She reached for Juliana’s hand and pulled her back to the stool next to the bed. Juliana stared at Joan as she sat, needing the reassurance that she was indeed hale.

  “These are my lassies,” Joan said. “They all study verra hard to become good interpreters of our Lord’s word.”

  Prudie giggled, covering her mouth with her hand. She appeared to be the youngest. “And she teaches us how to cook and make pastries, my favorite. We brought one for you, Sister Joan.”

  Lavena produced a basket from behind her back. “Aye, fresh bread and a pastry for you.” Her face beamed with pride at the offering.

  “Set it down for now,” Joan said with a smile. “Tell me you’ve been studying all along while I’ve been away.”
r />   Anora nodded. “We’ve gone through two more psalms.”

  “Good, Anora,” Joan said. “Are you teaching them how to read their letters?”

  “Aye, Sister. They are doing verra well.”

  “You can read?” Juliana asked in shock, glancing from the lasses to her sister. She’d always wished to read, but her papa had said women didn’t need to learn. How had she not known this about her sister?

  “Aye,” Joan said. “When I began my studies, I would travel to Cameron land twice a sennight and Mistress Jennie would teach me. Now I teach the novices and any nun who is interested. ’Tis the best way to understand our Lord’s words.”

  “Will you teach me how to read?” Juliana asked.

  All three girls giggled at her question. “You didn’t teach your own sister how to read?” Lavena said, although there was no cruelty in it—just the brutal honesty of the young.

  Joan stared at Juliana, her gaze sad, then said, “Why don’t you lasses return to the kitchens and help the nuns prepare the evening meal? I’d like to spend time with my sister, if you don’t mind.”

  The three said their goodbyes and left, chattering all the way down the passageway. Joan explained, “We don’t eat much at high sun. The nuns make a fine stew and breads for the evening meal. It takes many hands to chop the vegetables.”

  But Juliana’s mind was still fixed on what the lasses had said about their reading lessons. “Why didn’t you ever tell me you could read? You know I’ve always wished to learn.”

  Her sister sighed and reached for her hand. “I didn’t learn until I left home, and we haven’t spent enough time together since for me to teach you. This would be a good time for you to learn. I’d be happy to teach you along with the novices. Perhaps give you some private lessons. There are many things you can do if you become a nun. Learning to read is one of them.”

  “Must I become a nun to learn how to read?” She hoped not. Wouldn’t it be a wonderful skill to have for everyone? Even lasses? She hated her sire’s view of females.

  Joan pushed herself up in bed and motioned for her sister to place the basket of treats close enough for her to eat something. She broke off a piece of bread and took one of the linen squares from the basket and set it on her lap. “Juliana, we must talk.”

  “About what? Please don’t ask me about the men again. Naught happened, and you were so upset. I promise you I’ve never been kissed, though…”

  “That pleases me. I’m sorry I was so upset. I think I was still shaken from the attack. I didn’t even notice my own wound. But please finish your sentence.” She took a bite of her bread and waited for Juliana to answer.

  What she had to say next embarrassed her, but she didn’t wish to avoid it. She needed to be honest with her sister.

  “Though I might like to be kissed by someone. Joan, don’t you ever wish you were married to a wonderful man? Have your own bairns?”

  “Nay, I don’t. I have no desire to ever have a bairn. If you knew what it involved, you wouldn’t either. Someday soon, when I’m not exhausted, I must tell you about womanhood. You’ve had your courses, have you not?”

  “Aye, but what does that have to do with having bairns?”

  Her sister gave a deep groan and said, “My head hurts. We’ll talk later.” She lifted up the bedcover and stared at her leg. “Why don’t you find someone to change the bandage?”

  Juliana sighed and did as her sister asked.

  Would she ever find out more about men and bairns?

  ***

  Ruari strode into Aedan’s solar, Brin, Padraig, and Neil behind him. “Good eve to you, brother.”

  “Come in and sit down,” his brother said, nodding toward the stools arranged in front of his desk, one in front of the rest. “There are enough stools. I wish to hear all that transpired. Brin’s tongue has not stopped wagging since you returned. Though I thank you for bringing him back unhurt.” Ruari took the stool in the front, as he’d led the mission, but Neil picked up a different stool and moved it closer to Aedan.

  As if to send him a message.

  Well, Ruari would ignore it. He would not allow Neil to play with his head anymore.

  “The journey was uneventful until we stopped for a break an hour shy of Stonecroft Abbey. We had been there nearly a quarter of an hour when a band of four reivers broke through the trees, one headed directly toward Juliana. I tossed her onto my horse and found a spot where I felt she was safe from danger.”

  Neil made a rude noise. “And you should have deposited her there and returned to fight. Your job was to protect Brin and you left him.”

  “I trusted you and Padraig to protect Brin, if need be, but I also had faith that he could protect himself. They were not after lads.”

  “And how the hell would you know what they were after? The Channel paid good coin for lads. For all we know they hoped to take up where they left off,” Neil said, turning his attention away from Ruari and back to Aedan. “’Tis my opinion, Chief, that Sister Joan was wounded because Ruari ran and hid.”

  Aedan stared at Neil and said something uncharacteristic for him. “Neil, I’ll warn you only once that you speak of my brother.”

  All of them fell silent at that, and Neil looked shocked at the rebuke. No more so than Ruari felt.

  Padraig said, “With all respect, I have to disagree with your second, Chief. My instinct was to do just as Ruari did. When I saw the lead horse headed straight for Juliana, my belly dropped because I didn’t think I could get to her in time. Ruari did exactly what I would have done. If you recall, she was grabbed by the fools on your own land. She would have been my priority, also. We handled the rest of the marauders with no problem, and Brin moved out of the way. I was grateful he took the view that he did because he warned me when one was coming from behind me. I’d have been injured for certes if not for your son.”

  Hellfire, the best thing Ruari had seen in days was his nephew’s proud face and broad grin. If it were possible for his wee chest to puff out anymore, he would have lifted into the air. He glanced back at his brother, pleased to see his expression of pride. His brother had hoped for a son but had been blessed with two lasses first. He’d loved all of his children equally, but he did burst with satisfaction and pride whenever his son did something worthy of his attention.

  Aedan was a good father. How Ruari wished he’d had the same opportunity. It was one of his keenest regrets.

  Neil burst out, “Chief, the nun was struck. It shouldn’t have happened.”

  Ruari did not rush to his own defense, instead waiting for his brother’s response.

  Using the low tone he reserved for his final judgments, Aedan said, “Juliana Clavelle was in our charge and has been since her guards were killed. Protecting her should have been everyone’s first concern. Brin also came through uninjured. So Ruari’s decision was correct. I’ll ask you where Sister Joan was when she was injured, Neil?”

  Neil’s gaze narrowed as he stared at his laird, something that Ruari had never seen before. “She was headed toward me. I called her over so I could protect her. I did not want a lady off alone.”

  “Yet you judge my brother for doing the same with the younger sister?” Aedan shifted his attention to the rest of the group. “Where was Sister Joan’s wound and did she survive?”

  Ruari spoke up. “She had a slice across her left thigh. Tara treated her with your wife’s best poultice and stitched her. I expect she is fine.”

  “Then this will be considered a successful journey. I’ll hear no more talk of failures.”

  The others filed out of the solar, but Ruari hung back, waiting until Padraig closed the door. “My apologies, Aedan, if I did wrong.”

  “Nay, you did not,” his brother said, moving closer to him. Ruari had been the taller of the two of them ever since he turned twelve summers, and he was more broad-shouldered besides. While he favored practicing in the lists, his brother had always loved looking at the stars. Or his wife. “Ignore Neil. He’s g
etting older and he’s not pleased about it. You did the right thing, and you gave my son plenty to speak about. My thanks to you. Go find yourself an ale.”

  “My thanks, Aedan,” he said on his way out, stepping outside the door and nearly running into his other niece Riley.

  Riley looked more like Aedan, and her quiet temperament also favored her sire.

  “Uncle Ruari, here’s your pet. I just fed him.”

  “My thanks, Riley.” He took Heckie and tucked him inside his plaid. “Are you missing your sister?”

  “Of course, but I didn’t come here to ask about her. I wished to speak to you. You’re not wrong,” she said before she stepped into the solar to greet her sire.

  He shifted slightly to look at her. “I’m not wrong about what?”

  She gave him a wry smile and shrugged her shoulders, closing the door to put an end to their conversation.

  Chapter Eight

  Ruari headed out the door, but Riley’s comment stayed with him. She’d always had an eerie sense of what was on someone’s mind, but she was rarely so direct about it.

  So what had he been thinking about?

  Neil. It must have something to do with his brother’s second. He didn’t understand the extent of the man’s bad animosity toward him. Maybe it was time to confront him directly.

  To his surprise, Neil wasn’t that far down the passageway. Had he lingered outside the door to listen?

  “Neil,” he called out. The man stopped his forward progress, swiveling around to face him.

  “What is it? Do you intend to gloat? You needn’t bother. I know Aedan will always support his only sibling.”

  Ruari didn’t know exactly how to respond to that. It wasn’t true, but he didn’t wish to say so out loud, especially not to this man. Heckie nuzzled against him as if sensing he needed comfort.

  “Even though he was completely wrong.”

  Now that he could respond to. “Wrong? How the hell was I wrong to protect a lass under twenty summers?”

  “You lose focus. You have eyes only for her, and you lose focus on what’s most important.” Neil turned around and headed back down the passageway, ignoring him.