On A Highland Hill (Gunn Guardsmen)

by Kara Griffin

Kenneth almost felt guilt-ridden about it, but Helena knew far better than anyone his father’s treatment. She should have known why he didn’t wish to return. And for her to ingrain Greer into the conversation wasn’t right. He should have said something to defend himself but she wouldn’t let anyone get a word in upon their arrival.

  This day started off with him trying to be optimistic, but after one hour, he lost his zest and sanguinity. For every command he’d made, Helena counter-commanded it. He wanted to respect the old bird, but somehow he needed to explain that he was laird and she was not.

  When Kenneth had enough, he sent out the ‘fiery cross’ and decided he’d make his statement to one and all of the McInnish clan at once so there would be no mistake who was in charge. They began gathering in the courtyard, most standing around in small groups.

  He went from building to building, cottage to cottage, having Sean make a note of what needed to be done. He was so absorbed in his duties he hadn’t seen Elisa since he’d left her slumbering. Kenneth had gotten too early a start to the day, and set about his tasks at dawn. He’d been too busy to take a moment to see her. Kenneth flinched at his thoughts. He’d brought her to a foreign place and left her to her own. He did own to being a wee bit guilty over it and decided he’d check on her.

  “Sean, keep at it. The clan should be gathering soon. When Aiden and Gordon return from sentry, tell them I want to see them. I’ll return shortly. I wish to see what Elisa is about.” Kenneth apprehensively entered the keep, ensuring Helena was nowhere in sight. He wasn’t sure he could take another encounter with her.

  As he approached his bedchamber, he heard no noise within. Surely Elisa still wasn’t sleeping. He entered and found her sitting in a chair facing the window.

  “Elisa, what are you doing?” He advanced and stood next to her.

  “Nothing, Kenneth, absolutely nothing. Actually, I lie. I’m looking at the heathens.”

  “Heathens? Aye, you mean my clan?” He wasn’t offended by her remark for they did resemble a bunch of outcasts.

  She turned to face him, her downcast gaze cautioned him. For she appeared not to be in a teasing mood this morning. Tension filled the chamber, and he wasn’t sure if he should stay.

  “They are rough, but with a little time they’ll come around.”

  “I don’t see how you can change them. Even with time.”

  “They’ve been on their own for too long and need guidance. It’s also just bluster. They aim to intimidate me before accepting me. I expected this.”

  “Are you?”

  “Intimidated? Nay, they don’t threaten me, Elisa. I’m calling a meeting this afternoon. I will have to be firm with them, but they’ll come around.” Kenneth gazed out the window and saw several of the clansmen lazing around the courtyard.

  “Shall I attend?”

  Kenneth’s attention focused on two of his clansmen who wrestled in the dirt in front of the keep. He wondered if there was any hope to bring them around. Mayhap it was futile. If he were a lesser man, he’d consider hiding out with Elisa until the threat was over and then returning to the Gunns. But he wasn’t sure Grey would welcome him back. Besides, he was never one to back down from a challenge and the last thing he would ever do was to give in to their reprehensible behavior.

  When he and Sean were assessing what needed to be done, he got the feeling the clansmen could care less that their laird returned. Verily, Elisa might be right and they were untamed heathens now.

  “Kenneth?”

  He shook his head. Kenneth was stuck with this lot of conundrum men and women. “If you want to join the meeting, come. But I don’t see how you can help. I will need to meet this challenge on my own.”

  “I’m your wife. Is it not my duty to stand by you and help any way I can? Besides it’s better than sitting around here with nothing to do.”

  Kenneth sighed. “I don’t need your help. These miniscule problems are in no comparison to what I face out there. I will see to the clan. You will see to the keep.”

  Elisa laughed derisively. “That won’t be happening, Kenneth, anytime soon. For I’d sooner stay in this chamber than deal with your mother.”

  “Stepmother,” he corrected. “By God, Elisa,” Kenneth raked his hands through his hair as more frustration irked him. “Can you not deal with one aged woman?”

  “I haven’t seen you fare well with her either.”

  “That is different. She was the support of the clan and they don’t trust me yet.”

  Elisa sat back in the chair. “I shouldn’t have come. You don’t need me.”

  Kenneth swore his eye twitched, for he was about to lose his temper. “You’re the very damned reason we are here, Elisa. You best get used to it and make the most of it.”

  Elisa lowered her face. When she lifted her chin a lone tear rolled down her cheek. Kenneth sighed again. He could tell she tried not to cry. His actions made him feel like a roguish clotpole. She didn’t deserve his hurtful words.

  “I didn’t mean that. My patience is being sorely tested this day. We’ll figure out how to deal with Helena. I don’t like seeing you upset.” He pulled her from the chair, sat, and pulled her onto his lap. “I am unsure how to handle the clan.” Kenneth loathed admitting to anyone his shortcomings.

  “Did you know they were like this?”

  Kenneth leaned his head back and closed his eyes, wishing he had never awoken this morning. One problem after another and now he had to deal with his displeased wife. “Nay, I haven’t been back here for many a year. After my training started I came back only once … when my mother was laid to rest.”

  Elisa touched his face. “Kenneth, I’m sorry. That must have been a difficult for you.”

  “Aye it was. She was a good woman and mother. Greer and I cared for her a great deal.”

  “How did she die?”

  “It was an accident. She’d been riding and her horse spooked. My father was filled with anguish over it and it changed him.”

  “Do you wish to speak of this?”

  He shook his head. “Nay I don’t. I must get back to my duties. If you wish to be present at the meeting then come. Otherwise, I’ll see you this eve.” Kenneth kissed her cheek and left her in the chamber.

  This day was going to hell and not at all how he’d planned it. One thing was certain; he needed to rid the keep and clan of Helena before she ruined them all. How did one rid themselves of such a harridan? Kenneth was unaccustomed to dealing with such an issue and wished Grey was present. His good friend would give him sound advice. But he had no one to guide him, a situation that did not sit well with him. He’d always had his trusted friends around him. Yet he’d never faced such issues as he had now.

  Kenneth met Sean behind the keep where he was using water from a barrel to wash. He leaned against the wall and waited for him to finish.

  “Have you a dagger, Sean?”

  He nodded.

  “Do you want to end this torture now? Aye, thrust the goddamned thing through my heart.”

  Sean laughed boisterously. “Never seen you so … plagued, Kenneth. Worry not. It’ll all work out. You just have to have faith.”

  “Faith I have aplenty, Sean, but not the patience to deal with these tottering arses. Come, the clan is starting to gather. Let us get this meeting over with.” Kenneth went around to the front of the keep where many had assembled. He pulled a cart toward the entrance of the keep to which to stand upon and Sean assisted him.

  He jumped upon the cart and noticed Elisa had come to stand in the doorway. She didn’t appear content, and he couldn’t blame her. He brought her to hell in the highlands. Sean took his place next to her and said something to her which he couldn’t hear. When he looked back at the crowd, he rested his hand on the butt of his sword, and tried to assess their disposition. They appeared uninterested.

  “Clan of McInnish, I call your attention.” Many of the men stood around and didn’t pay him any courtesy. Kenneth had to get their attention somehow
and so he unsheathed his sword and jumped to the ground. He approached the strongest looking McInnish warrior and knocked him on his arse with a shove to his chest. He hadn’t had to use his sword but at least it got their response.

  “He knocked Robert on his arse,” someone said, snickering.

  He resumed his position on the cart and looked though the crowd assessing their interest. “I am Kenneth, son of Joseph, and am Laird of the McInnish. Do you refute me?”

  Two elder men threw disgruntled waves at him and spoke to the crowd behind them.

  “Who amongst you thinks they can do a better job? Anyone?” Silence met him. “Aye I see you have no balls do you? You would rather let an aged woman lead you than I? My family has ruled this clan for generations. My own father, Joseph, whom you all loved, chose me to replace him.”

  “What took you so long?” a woman shouted.

  “Aye you left us to fend for ourselves. We don’t need you, we’re doing well on our own,” a man said who stood to the left of the crowd.

  “Why should we need you, a second son?” a man said from afar.

  Kenneth was about to use his sword for by God they asked for it. As his hand tensed on the hilt of his weapon he saw Sean jump upon the cart. “Kenneth, don’t. You’ll regret it.”

  “I mean to run these motley-minded weasels through, Sean, if they don’t start listening.”

  Sean lowered his sword with his hand. “Patience, my friend. They are angry at being deserted. Remember that.”

  Kenneth realized Sean was right. He had no right to be annoyed with the clans’ people and their questions were somewhat justified. Instead of being short-tempered with them, he should be remorseful since it was his fault they’d come to such an end. Why didn’t he consider the McInnish would falter without a leader? All clans needed someone to guide them. Fair job he’d done. In all his days, Kenneth felt the words of his father hitting him and deservedly so.

  He looked back at the faces seemingly interested in him now. “I am your laird,” he said to the crowd, “whether ye like it or not.”

  “What are you going to do for us?” a woman asked to the right of the crowd.

  Kenneth jumped down from the cart and handed his sword to Sean. He’d take away the temptation to start swinging. “I mean to be a fair laird, but I will take no cosh from any of you. If you don’t want to follow me or the rules set by the McInnish council then you are welcome to leave.”

  “What council?” a clan member asked.

  “I want three men chosen who will be the clan council and my guardsmen. They must be the most trustworthy amongst you. They will report to the hall first thing in the morn to begin their duties.”

  “Can they bring their wives?” another woman asked.

  “Nay, they cannot be married. What I ask of these men is a sacrifice.”

  “You want us to sacrifice ourselves for the likes of you?” another man asked.

  Kenneth felt as if he talked in circles. “Not a sacrifice in that you would die. But a sacrifice as in you will give of yourselves for the better of the clan. You must be strong, intelligent, and resourceful.”

  “Why should we men work for the likes of you?” a brawny man yelled from the center of the courtyard.

  Kenneth marched to him. The crowd separated allowing him access to the paunchy ill-bred lout. His anger rose tenfold and he took the man by the throat and lifted him. “Because I am your laird.” Kenneth needed to make a show of force to gain the clans’ people’s respect. He tossed the man to the ground.

  “I will be making changes. Mending the cottages for the upcoming winter. Seeing to our farms so they’re prepared for the next planting season. There is much to do and we must begin now before it is too late. If we don’t many may die this winter season. If that is your wish…”

  “How are you going to do that?” a man shouted.

  Kenneth walked among the people. He kept his voice at a high enough tone for them to hear him, but forceful enough to instill intimidation. “With your help and a wee bit of coin we can make this place as prosperous as it had once been.”

  “You have coin?” another shouted.

  “Aye, enough to bring us back to some semblance of living.”

  “Why should we trust you?” a dark-haired man asked.

  “Aye, you didn’t come when your father died. Why come back now?” a woman asked.

  “I wasn’t sure I was needed here. Now I see that I am. And you will trust me,” Kenneth said, daring with his glare that any one of them refute his statement. None did.

  Then Sean called with a whistle. He waited until all the clan turned to look at him. “I am your laird’s longtime friend and I tell you there is no finer man to lead you. And with his wife by his side you all will prosper.”

  “Who be his wife?” a woman asked.

  Sean motioned to Elisa and took her hand to help her onto the cart. “I present Elisa, daughter of Robert MacQuarrie, wife of Kenneth McInnish.”

  A silence came over the entire clan. They stood watching, their mouths agape. A stiff wind could have knocked them over for they seemed captivated by Elisa. Kenneth jumped onto the cart and Sean jumped down. He took Elisa’s hand and raised it.

  “You forgot me,” she said to him, and then smiled at the crowd.

  “Nay I didn’t,” he said, watching her. She kept her gaze on the crowd and smiled.

  Then a reverberation of whispers began.

  “She’s a MacQuarrie,” a woman said to the man next to her.

  “She’s the blessed one,” a man said to a woman next to him.

  “Aye she’s an angel sent to save us.”

  The women of the clan fell to their knees and the men raised their swords into the air. Kenneth wasn’t sure what happened and why they were so fascinated with Elisa’s presence. They began chanting Lady McInnish until their voices so boisterous they were shouting. The clan appeared happy and extremely joyous to learn of her.

  Elisa smiled at the crowd and then looked at him. She took her hand from his and held up a finger. Everyone immediately quieted.

  “Your laird … Kenneth McInnish. You should all be thanking God for sending him.” Elisa’s smile faltered when the crowd’s silence met her.

  One of the lads shouted, “We’re all thanking God he sent you.”

  “Without him I would not have come. Listen to him for he only means to do well by you.”

  “We shall, milady,” someone shouted from back in the crowd. “If you say so.”

  Kenneth was baffled and astounded by their reaction to Elisa. Little did she know she helped him more than she would ever realize for she’d gotten the clan to accept him.

  “Toil yields delight.” He stated his clan’s dictum. “We all will work hard … together and bring about the return of our clan’s fortune. Send your chosen men to the hall first thing in the morn.”

  Kenneth gave Sean a nod of thanks when he passed by. He led Elisa into the hall and pulled her against him when they were out of sight of the clan and kissed her long and hard. “You astound me, Elisa. I can see why the clan adores you.”

  Helena coughed to get their attention. She sat in the chair at the head of the table. Kenneth decided one victory at a time and he was too pleased the meeting went as well as he’d hoped. He wasn’t about to start an argument with Helena over a seat.

  Supper was served, a bland meal that probably wasn’t cooked properly. First thing on Kenneth’s list was to find a good cook for the keep. After eating so well at the Gunn’s for years, he was not going to suffer such a slight. Thankfully none came inside the hall for the midday meal.

  During supper, Helena spoke little to which Kenneth was grateful. He considered it might bode well to discuss her position in the clan. He’d made such progress with the clan and needed her to understand he wouldn’t allow her meddling.

  “Helena, we should discuss—”

  “You’re pleased with yourself are you not, lad? Aye you’re as puffed as a morning cock. Wo
n them over you did. I heard the chants, lass.” Helena raised her cup as if to salute him and drank.

  “Do you know why they were so happy to discover Elisa is my wife?”

  “There were rumors she survived mac Raghnaill’s slaughter. For everyone was devastated Robert’s daughter was killed. ‘Twas known she was to be the queen.”

  “Aye her sister was, but Elisa was not.”

  “Elisa was destined for a greater cause in the McInnish clan’s eyes. She was intended to wed Greer. For MacQuarrie and your father, God bless him, had arranged a betrothal. She was to wed your brother.”

  Kenneth’s stomach coiled. He frowned and thought he’d misheard her. “Nay, Greer would have told me had he known. I never heard mention of it.”

  “Greer knew. He went with Grey to see her, but the lass,” she said and looked at Elisa, “… was nowhere to be found that day. ‘Twas said she went off in the woods and wouldn’t return for hours. Greer didn’t stay long enough to meet her for Grey was only there to relay a message.”

  Kenneth couldn’t recall Grey going to MacQuarrie land ever, and considered he must have been on sentry duty and out surveying their lands. “Did Greer agree to the betrothal?”

  Helena grinned and seemed happy at imparting this news. “Of course he agreed. He would never go against your father’s wishes. And he had met her sister, Mauri, who was said to look like his intended. She must have been a bonny lass, too, for he seemed well pleased by the match.”

  “Elisa, did you know?”

  Elisa looked at her lap when she answered, “I knew I was betrothed, if that’s what you mean. But I didn’t know to whom. I always thought my father would tell me when I was old enough. I thought I would meet him akin to how Mauri had met Alexander. But I never did and when Domhnall took me I assumed it was he I was betrothed to. That is what he led me to believe.”

  His blood boiled. He’d married his brother’s intended wife? This day had to be the worst of any he’d existed.

  Helena tapped the floor with her walking stick. “He weren’t supposed to wed her until he became laird and as we know that never happened. Seemed her father revered her because she cared for animals, and had talent for the medicinal practices. As you know, your father, Kenneth, was too proud and told all within our clan of her merits.”