On A Highland Hill (Gunn Guardsmen)

by Kara Griffin

  “I didn’t know him,” Kenneth said with a bit of angst in his tone, “but he was proud of Greer and the role he would have taken. Before I take to my bed, Helena, I wish to discuss your role within the clan. I deem you might be happier if you returned to your clan. There is nothing here for you.”

  Helena stood, holding onto the end of the table. “Kenneth, you would send me away? I always took your side against your father. Nay, I don’t want to leave. It has been too many years and I would not be welcomed back onto MacHeth land. Besides, I am too aged to make such a journey.”

  Kenneth believed her, for the MacHeth clan wasn’t known to be welcoming and now an enemy of many clans since their leader had gone against Alexander. And her sorrowful tone made him flinch. He couldn’t be such an arse and yet he couldn’t allow her here if she continued to try to rule.

  “Kenneth, what if she agreed to certain terms?” Elisa asked.

  “If you wish to stay, Helena, there will be changes. I cannot have your interference in my commands.”

  “I will not leave my Kelsi behind,” she said forlornly.

  Kenneth shook his head. Helena was one confusing woman. “Who is Kelsi?”

  “Your stepsister, my daughter.”

  He was dumfounded. Kenneth had never heard mention of a sister. Then again it seemed he was the only McInnish who didn’t know about Elisa.

  “Aye, she took to the woods after your father died. They were close and she was distraught. I am waiting for her. She will return one day and mayhap now that you have returned …”

  Kenneth winced. He thought he knew all there was to know about his family yet he knew little. His head spun from all this unbeknownst news.

  “She was born the autumn after we visited you and Greer at the Gunn’s, just after Grey became laird after his father died.”

  Kenneth remembered that visit and how his father had said very little to him. It was one of the five times in his life he’d gotten roaring drunk. The three other times were mainly due to his trying to best either Duff, Sean, James, Colm or Greer at dice. The last when he’d affronted Elisa. As he’d gotten older drink didn’t much appeal to him and nor were the repercussions of a night of imbibing.

  “That puts the lass about seven and ten?” Kenneth became concerned and his body tensed at the thought of someone her age out in the woods alone. “Have you searched for her? How long has she been missing?”

  “She left when she were ten and five. Aye, but the lass doesn’t want to be found and knows the woods well for she spent much time in them when she was wee. She will return when she is ready and I want to be here when she does.” Helena took her seat, looking exhausted.

  “Very well. You must not contradict any orders I give. Is that understood?” Kenneth waited for her affirmation.

  Helena stared at him for a minute before nodding.

  “And you are not to interfere with anything Elisa does,” he added.

  “I wouldn’t want to upset the lass,” Helena said.

  “I’ll speak with you on the morrow, Lady McInnish,” Elisa said. “I’m sure you’ll be a great help to me. I shall need your guidance.”

  The woman chuffed and was appeased. “Helena, lass, call me Helena. Now that I know my dearest Joseph’s wishes came true that you wed his son, you shall always be endeared to me.”

  Kenneth bid her a goodnight and took the steps. He noticed the loosened board on the third step from the top of the stairs. Elisa took the board in her hand and moved it back into place.

  “The board is loose, Kenneth. You should have if fixed before someone breaks their neck.”

  He’d made a mental note to fix it. “I’ll take care of it.”

  Kenneth was exhausted and more than that, confused by all which he’d learned this evening. He wanted to hit the bed and close his eyes and try to put the anguish behind him.

  Elisa began undressing and he sat on the bedside, feeling waylaid. He flexed his hands, trying to ease the tension within him.

  “It was destiny, Kenneth.”

  “Mayhap,” he said absently.

  “I was supposed to wed the laird of McInnish and that’s exactly what I did.”

  “Nay, you were supposed to wed Greer.” Kenneth couldn’t bring himself to lie with her and without another word; he took an extra plaid from the bench and left the chamber. He heard Elisa calling him back and then the chamber door slam, but he couldn’t return for he needed to consider the fact that he was bedding a woman meant for another, and that other was his brother.

  He needed air and there was nothing better than sleeping outdoors to clear one’s head. He set off to the loch and welcomed the bite in the wind. Once he reached the water, he looked for a spot where he could lay and set his tartan on the ground.

  He peered at the darkened heavens and sparkling stars above hoping it would help soothe his restless soul. Why was he blessed to receive everything that was supposed to be his brother’s? Kenneth wasn’t certain he was worthy of such graces. He’d never done anything valiant enough to reap such rewards. As he drifted off to sleep, he sensed someone watched him. Too tired to care, he shook off the feeling.

  Kenneth discerned he had to come to terms that he’d wed the woman once betrothed to Greer. Would Greer care that he’d been given all that belonged to him?

  “Nay, he wouldn’t object. You’re the only arse objecting,” he berated himself aloud.

  He opened his eyes and stared across the loch, certain he heard the sound of a twig breaking. He removed the dagger from his boot and held it at his side. Listening, he didn’t catch any further noise. Kenneth lay back and said, “Aye, I am a fortunate arse. What the hell am I doing out here?”

  He swiped his tartan from the ground and walked briskly toward the keep. For one thing it was too damned cold to sleep outdoors this night and for another, he had a warm willing woman lying in his bed.

  He entered the keep and found Sean lying on the floor in front of the lit hearth. He dropped his tartan and took a cup, dunking it in the ale barrel and drinking it down.

  “Are you sleeping in here tonight, Sean?”

  “Aye, too damned cold outdoors. And I wanted to ensure all was right with you. The meeting went better than expected.”

  “It did. Did you know Elisa was betrothed to Greer?” Kenneth retrieved the tartan he’d dropped.

  Sean sat up and frowned. “What say you? Really? Nay, I didn’t know that. Did Greer know?”

  “It’s true, he knew. She was supposed to wed Greer. Our fathers betrothed them years ago.”

  “Damned me. This is good news, Kenneth. It got your clan to accept you. And at least your clan has done right by the MacQuarrie’s. They’ve had enough black luck in the past.”

  “Aye they did. Have you seen Gordon and Aiden yet? I meant to get a report from them today, but with everything going on, I never did.”

  Sean leaned his head to the side. “Nay, they never came to the keep. I’ll go in search of them on the morrow and have them come to give you a report.”

  “My thanks. I’m going to bed. I’ll speak with you tomorrow.” When Kenneth reached his chamber, the door was barred from inside. Seemed he was wrong. His lady was far from willing.

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  Elisa detested weeping. She always had for her sister was the ‘woe is me’ of the two of them. She’d spent much of her childhood listening to her sister’s lamentation. Anytime Mauri hadn’t gotten her way, she’d break down in a mass of tears or have a tantrum that would last for hours. Elisa didn’t believe any good could come from such a display of emotions and such behavior never changed the outcome of any situation.

  As she lay upon the bedding, chilled from the cold night and her absent husband, she grew forlorn. How had she come to such misery? Her heart ached for Kenneth’s acceptance. He was too broken from his brother’s death to revere any kind of happiness. Now that he’d learned about her supposed betrothal to his brother that would only wedge more of a boulder between them.r />
  She wasn’t thrilled by the news either and instead of comforting her, Kenneth the oaf, left her. Elisa was determined to lock him out of her chamber and her heart. It was becoming more difficult as each day passed, because he needed her more than ever. She’d heard him trying to enter their chamber and was tempted to open the door. But she thought he could use the time to realize she wouldn’t welcome him back with opened arms after being treated so horribly. He’d hurt her, deeply, and she wasn’t sure how long it would take for her to forgive him.

  She wiped the tears from her eyes and berated herself for weeping over him. He’d do well to be hit over the head. Aye, with a large, heavy tankard to knock some sense into his senseless brain. Someone should tell him how blessed he was, though mayhap she wasn’t a blessing for anyone. At that moment, she felt as though whomever she came in contact with was destined for ill-boded tidings. All whom she knew were gone.

  Elisa wanted to give her heart to Kenneth but he didn’t want her love. She would have to find a viable replacement to ensure her own happiness. She’d done so when she stayed in Domhnall’s village and she was certain she’d do so here at the McInnish holding.

  Morning came and she wasn’t wont to see him or anyone for that matter. But she wasn’t about to lie about. Elisa rose and washed, and went through her morning ritual. She wanted to look nice this day to brighten her spirits, and dressed in her finest garments. She decided not to wear the tartan and instead pulled an overdress of green over her bliaunt. She coiled her hair and pulled it into a coif. Though decorum dictated a married woman wore her hair unbound, she didn’t feel like a wedded woman.

  After she tidied up the chamber, she went to the hall. Helena greeted her and Elisa sat and ate her morning fare. She was content to eat in silence. Kenneth was nowhere to be seen, which suited her well. For she was sure to give him looks of disdain were he present.

  “Do you wish to go over the chores this morn?” Helena asked.

  “Later mayhap. I want to take a walk. I need to replenish my herbs and wish to search for the plants I need. Is the lamb out back and fenced off as I instructed?”

  “He is. I set a lad to tend to him after he brings in water to the keep.”

  Elisa was glad the lamb would be looked after. There wasn’t much more she could do for the animal since his leg was broken. It would take a while for it to heal. She finished the bread she’d taken and was sated. After waving farewell to Helena, she left the hall.

  Outside the day greeted her with a pleasant mist and a gloom to match her mood. Elisa didn’t look for Kenneth as she walked to the gate. The woods were a distance ahead and she hoped to reach it before anyone noticed. She needed to find a way to ease her troubled heart and put Kenneth from her thoughts. Looking for plants had always calmed her. The undertaking was so absorbing because she had to concentrate on her surroundings.

  Beneath the cool canopy of the trees, she looked ahead and noticed the denseness of the woods. Elisa found a nightshade plant and plucked several stems and added them to her satchel. As she continued to walk, she sensed an eeriness of the woods. Its silence took a foreboding mien. Normally such a place wouldn’t concern her for she was used to being alone in the woods.

  She came across a hemlock plant and happily plucked its leaves, becoming giddy at her find. Elisa preferred to use hemlock instead of cowbane because the latter more deadly. Many died from overuse of the cowbane and she only used it in dire situations. She reached the loch and stood by the waters watching her reflection on the smooth surface. A face appeared on the waters next to hers and she turned abruptly and saw the Red Woman standing behind her.

  Her heart thudded and she gasped in fright. As much as she wanted to move, she stood rooted. The Red Woman was fair-haired from what she could tell and had painted her face and arms with the reddened clay from a bog. She must have startled the woman and she hastened away.

  Elisa was going to call out to her, but the woman fled. She tried to follow her but she all but disappeared within the woods. She gave up her search after a short time later and returned to her task and found three more plants to add to her collection.

  As the day grew later, Elisa grew tired and sat beside a fallen log. She realized she was exhausted. After such a restless night and then traipsing about the woods most of the morn, she needed to rest a while.

  Elisa listened to the sounds of the woods. A bird squawked nearby and the wind rustled the leaves overhead. She heard the scurry of a hare or some such small animal close by which concerned her. But as spooked as she had been upon meeting the Red Lady, she wasn’t fearful. The sounds soothed her and she took a contented breath and closed her eyes.

  Someone touched her face and startled her. She huffed and opened her eyes ready to make off, but when she focused, she saw Kenneth kneeling next to her.

  She closed her eyes again, her alarm departing.

  “Elisa, you had us worried. Sean,” he called, “I’ve found her.”

  Kenneth sat on the log and watched her. “Is this where you’ve been all day?”

  Elisa noticed it was dark now, mayhap close to supper. Her stomach agreed and grumbled. She must have slept a long time for she could barely see ahead of her. “Aye.”

  “When you didn’t return for supper, Helena sent for me. We’ve been searching for you for hours.”

  Dare she hope he would have realized on his own that she was missing? He didn’t have a care where she was or what she was about. Elisa’s shoulders sagged at that realization.

  “I suppose we should be getting back.” She rose and brushed her skirts and waved to Sean as she passed him.

  He lifted his brow and looked put out. “Did you find what you came for?”

  “I did. I’ve more than enough plants now. Thank you, Sean.” She walked along keeping her thoughts to herself. Kenneth tried to take her hand a few times, but she wouldn’t allow him. Elisa wasn’t about to let him off so easily. He’d hurt her and she wasn’t in a forgiving mood. Horses would fly akin to birds before she would forgive him.

  They entered the hall and each took a place at the table and it seemed supper had been delayed for her. She was gladdened because her stomach attested to her hunger.

  Helena sat in a chair on the left side of the table, across from her. “I hope you didn’t mind that I sent the men to fetch you. You were gone long and I … deem you forgot the time?”

  Elisa smiled a little at the lady’s gesture. “Aye, I did forget the time. I’m sorry to have worried you, Helena. I fell asleep.”

  “Oh dearest lass, I thought something similar. I am happy you have returned safe and sound. I had … nothing to do this day so I had the keep cleaned.”

  Something had changed the old woman’s mood, because she certainly seemed friendlier. A sense of excitement brightened her eyes, too. Elisa gazed about the hall and noticed the hearth no longer filled with ash. There were new candles, a good many, on the scrubbed table. The room illuminated with its glow. New chairs had been set about the room and hides had been hung on the window casements. No cold air blew inside. The room appeared much cozier.

  “Thank you, Helena. You worked too hard though. You shouldn’t be doing such tiresome tasks, for you’ll overwork yourself. I should have helped. I’m sorry I wasn’t here …” She became crestfallen at her self-pitying mood of late and reasoned that even if Kenneth didn’t need her, Helena did.

  “Some of the lassies came. Kenneth had them come and help.”

  Her guilt erased by Kenneth’s commands.

  “I amended your bedchamber too. And Kenneth had my belongings moved to my new chamber.”

  “I hope you weren’t troubled, were you?” Elisa couldn’t help but be concerned for Helena’s feelings. The aged woman had occupied the keep a long time and must consider it hers. She didn’t want Helena to feel unwelcomed. Her oaf of a husband should have taken that into consideration.

  “Kenneth had a lad come and help me set my new chamber to right. I do like it much better
than that large chamber. It’s much warmer. And I am comforted by the gifts Kenneth bestowed on me.”

  She glanced at him and when he saw her looking, she quickly lowered her gaze. Elisa tried to occupy herself with eating so she wouldn’t have to watch him. A bowl of soup was placed in front of her and she checked it, ensuring there was no meat in it. It tasted as if made with broth and various vegetables: carrots, onions, and parsnips. She dunked her bread in the bowl and finished the soup within minutes.

  “That was delicious. Did you make that, Helena?”

  “Oh nay, Kenneth had Winifred come to the keep. She’s the best cook in the clan. I never seen Winifred so chuffed. She was overjoyed to be selected by Kenneth to come serve the great manor.”

  Elisa tweaked her lips in hearing that. Kenneth could give a woman he didn’t know a place within his household but he couldn’t give her one.

  Helena smiled, and seemed to be pleased to give her the news. “Aye, and he also chose his council. Men, when I say you’re name, stand so Lady McInnish knows who you are. Unless you want to introduce them, Kenneth?”

  Kenneth shook his head and continued eating. Elisa wanted to kick him under the table, but she couldn’t reach him. He should be the one introducing her to his council.

  The old woman continued, “Simon is son to my Joseph’s man-at-arms, Herbert. Herbert died in battle some years ago. Kenneth was right to give him such an honor.” A man with such light hair, it appeared white, stood. He was young, mayhap a few years younger than Kenneth.

  “And Duncan is the best at training the men. He’s from the Gunn clan but now calls this home. He’s continued his duties since my dearest Joseph died. He is very loyal to our clan.”

  Duncan, a tall man, taller than any of the Gunn’s, stood and bowed his head to her. Elisa bowed her head in return. He looked like a bull as large as he was. Though he looked akin to fierce giant, his eyes bespoke kindness.