On A Highland Hill (Gunn Guardsmen)

by Kara Griffin

  “And lastly, Aiden has been chosen by Kenneth to be his commander-in-arms and in charge when he is away. All the clan will revere him, for he has always taken his duties to his heart. He is also from the Gunn clan and came with Duncan.” Helena finished the introductions and nodded to the men.

  Elisa bowed her head again when they bowed to her.

  “I am pleased to meet you,” she said and to Kenneth, “You’ve been busy.”

  Kenneth didn’t retort.

  Sean looked oddly at her. “Elisa, what did you do this day besides find plants?”

  “I saw a Red Lady.”

  All in the hall stopped talking and looked at her.

  “You saw the Red Lady? Many believe she’s a fairy or ghost come to hex us for our misgivings. Did she speak to you?” Helena asked.

  “She did not. But she stood close to me. I tried to follow her, but she disappeared within the forest. At first I was frightened of her, but then I realized she meant me no harm. For if she had, she would have done something. Yet she ran off when I tried to converse with her.”

  Helena pursed her lips. “She never allows anyone to get close to her. Many have only seen her from afar. You must be blessed.”

  “That may be. I should bid you a good eve.” Elisa rose and went to her chamber. She hastily donned her nightdress and started combing her hair when she noticed the changes.

  A large bed sat upon a dais in the center of the room, covered with a woven fabric and curtains above on each side. The tormentil shade was rich and warm and the room gleamed from the firelight in the hearth. Two chairs flanked the hearth in the same fabric.

  A large trunk was added to the end of the bed and a smaller one beside the chair near the window casement. To the window was added a shutter and a large drape which was pulled aside.

  Elisa crawled upon the bed, astounded by the changes in the chamber. She quickly closed her eyes feigning sleep when Kenneth entered the chamber. He moved about the room and then she felt the weight of him shift the bed.

  “So this is the way of it? You are still angry.” He sighed an exasperated breath.

  He touched her face, his roughened hand caressing her cheek. Elisa didn’t want to want his touch, didn’t want to need to give her heart to him.

  Kenneth pulled her into his arms. “I hoped you liked the chamber. It was my way of making amends.”

  She didn’t reply, but gazed into his dark brown eyes. His expression tore at her sense of empathy for it was the same look she’d seen when she had met him at Domhnall’s keep.

  Kenneth kissed her and she didn’t pull away as she was wont. Elisa let him have his way when his kisses affected her more than she’d admit. Throughout the night he would pull her to his side when she moved away.

  By morning, he was gone. Elisa rose and went about her morning chores and wanted to get outside. She took a few sweet cakes and wrapped them in a square of fabric and took her satchel from where it hung on a hook by the entrance.

  As she walked along the path leading to the gate, she sensed someone watching her. When she quickly turned to see behind her, she saw an old woman waving to her.

  “There you are.”

  Elisa stopped and waited for the woman to reach her. The lady took her hand and held it tenderly.

  “I have wanted to meet you. Helena said she would bring you by but she has not.”

  “I apologize for we’ve all been a little busy. I am Elisa. We haven’t met.”

  The lady’s faded blue eyes shone with a smile that reached her wrinkled lips. “Lady McInnish, ’tis been a long time, I’ve waited for you. Come to my cottage so we can have a nice visit.”

  Elisa didn’t see any harm in it so she agreed. The woman’s cottage wasn’t afar. As they walked along, she thought to assist the aged woman, but she didn’t seem to need it. “I don’t know your name.”

  “Most don’t call me by name. Och you are not akin to most, are you, lass? You may call me Uma. That is what my mother called me. Be at least fifty years since anyone called me by name.”

  “It is nice to meet you, Uma.”

  “Come inside and sit. Do not be afeared, lass. Many are afraid of me and though it hurts me, I only wish to aid all. I have a gift you see.”

  Elisa took a seat at the woman’s table. She poured liquid into cups, the steam waffled into the air and the concoction smelled heavily. She didn’t know what the woman had made, but it smelled too good not to drink. The woman took the seat across from her and reached out to take her hand. For as nimble as she was, she certainly was long in the tooth. Elisa couldn’t guess her age.

  “I told Helena of your coming years ago. We knew you would come. Your man is fighting a losing battle, lass, for you are just as beautiful and winsome as any man could want for wife.”

  A modest smile came to Elisa. The woman was kindly. “Thank you.” She wasn’t sure what to say.

  “I wish you to listen for there is something that needs be said. Very soon you will take a journey. You will find what you are searching for. Though you will be torn whether to leave or nay. Ye must for it will be the only thing to save the McInnish clan and your husband.”

  “Are you speaking of the parchment?”

  “Such a small thing to cause such grief, is it not?”

  Elisa held the woman’s hand and squeezed it gently. “I agree wholeheartedly.”

  “The parchment is but a small piece of puzzle. For there is something else of greater meaning our Alexander desires.”

  Elisa frowned. She was trying her best to follow along and to listen carefully to her words. “I am not certain what you mean.”

  “The king wants the parchment, och there is something else he wishes for. Only you can give him his heart’s desire.”

  Elisa stood hastily. “I cannot for I am wed to the McInnish laird.”

  “Oh, sweet lass, not your heart or yourself. The king wishes for something he was supposed to have been given. Know you not of such an item?”

  She thought about it and really couldn’t begin to guess. “I don’t know.”

  “Think of your sister and it will come to you. Now, do not be afeared on your journey. All who have an interest will come to you. All you have to do is await them and they will come.”

  Elisa nodded. “I’m to go home?”

  Uma nodded and smiled a toothless grin. Her wrinkled eyes shone. “Aye and when the matter is settled, ye shall find your own joy.”

  Elisa finished the aromatic drink she’d been given. She’d have sworn she tasted apples and honey and mayhap a pinch of cinnamon. When she set her cup back on the table, she rose.

  “It was a pleasure meeting you, Uma. I must go.”

  The lady rose and held her face in both her hands. She then stroked her hair and stared at her. Elisa began to be uncomfortable by the gaze in her eyes.

  “Ye shall fare well, lass. You are so very blessed by Danaan.” She kissed her forehead.

  Elisa wasn’t sure why she mentioned the mother of all Goddesses. Elisa’s own mother had always worshiped many of the forbidden Gods and Goddesses and she’d educated her on them from an early age. She smiled and waved goodbye to Uma. It was the strangest meeting Elisa had ever encountered. But she humored the woman for she never disrespected her elders.

  She grew excited at the prospect of seeing the Red Lady again. As she walked through the courtyard, she saw Kenneth and Sean directing the dethatching of a hut near the gatehouse. A young lad tripped and fell, causing their distraction.

  With their attention focused elsewhere, Elisa ran through the gate and kept running over the green hills, through the meandering sheep, until she reached the woods. Her trip to the woods was uneventful.

  Elisa’s search for the Red Lady was futile that day and the next day and the next day after that.

  As she sat eating her morning fare, Kenneth watched her. He said nothing but his gaze daunted her. He seemed to want to say something but he did not.

  “Where are you off to each
day?” Helena asked.

  “Nowhere in particular. I just walk in the woods.”

  “All day? Are you not lonely?”

  “I am fond of walking and besides I am not needed here.” She looked pointedly at Kenneth. “Nay, the woods keep me company. I shall return before the evening meal.”

  Kenneth stopped her and stood in her path. “Elisa, when are you going to get over your anger?”

  “For what, Laird McInnish? For your abhorrence that you wed me? For your boorish behavior after the meeting when you left me alone? I am but an annoyance, an insignificant matter. I shan’t want to take up any of your valuable time.” Elisa tried to step around him, but he matched her steps.

  “You are still angry. Very well.” He pulled her behind the buttery. “I admit my behavior was boorish, but I never said you were insignificant. That is your own charge.” Kenneth brushed his knuckles over the top of her bodice where the flesh of her breasts shown.

  She pushed his hands away. “You should verily be wedded to a sheep, Kenneth, for all you need of me.” Her chest rose and fell as the insult came from her lips before she could stop herself.

  He scowled. “What does that mean?”

  “Must I point it out? Verily the only need you have of me is at night. I shall see you there this eve then. Good day.” Elisa calmly walked away even though her heart beat frantically. She wasn’t sure how he would take such a slight. Truly she hadn’t set out to be haughty, but he deserved that and more. She wasn’t wont to be so childish, and it seemed her affront was lost on him anyway so it hadn’t mattered.

  As she reached the gatehouse, she saw Grey Gunn and several of his clansmen riding through. Their size was intimidating and made even more so with them atop their warhorses. Although she wondered what had brought them such a long way, she needed to make herself absent before Kenneth figured out what she’d meant.

  She reached the loch and its beauty immediately calmed her tenseness. The sun shone this day and there was a bit of warmth in the air. She walked around the bank and soon took off her slippers. The water was chilly but felt good. She kept her toes in the water and giggled when a fish swam by tickling her.

  “You come every day.”

  Elisa turned at hearing a voice behind her. She remained still lest she frightened the woman. “You. Oh pray, don’t run off. Please stay. I mean you no harm.”

  The Red Lady hesitantly sat and put her feet in the water. “Who are you?”

  “Elisa MacQuarrie. Ah that is to say, McInnish now.”

  “You wed the laird? Does that mean he has finally returned?”

  “Indeed he has. My husband has no need for my help which is why I come each day. I have nothing with which to occupy me and I confess I wanted to meet you.”

  “Me? Why did you want to meet me?”

  “People are fearful of you.”

  “And you are not?”

  “Nay I am not. I want to help you. What can I do? Are you hungry? I’ve brought some sweet cakes.” Elisa had brought the sweet cakes each day she visited the loch in hope she would meet the Red Lady. She handed the wrapped fabric to her.

  The Red Lady cautiously took the cloth from her and began eating. “‘Tis delicious. I haven’t eaten anything but berries and bugs for such a long time.”

  “Bugs, surely you jest?” The thought of that made Elisa’s stomach turn.

  “Nay they’re a good source of food.”

  “Truly? But they’re ugly vile creatures.”

  They shared a laugh. Elisa didn’t want to press the lady for information, lass more like it, for she seemed young. By being friendly she hoped to win her trust and friendship.

  “You mustn’t tell a soul you have met me. They will send a search party out. I wish not to be hunted with pitchforks and torch wielding men. The McInnish clan can be superstitious. I don’t wish to return.”

  “Return where?” Elisa frowned and wondered if she was the lass Helena had spoken of, her daughter.

  “To the holding. They will make me and I have no desire to go there. It is too wretched and I have too many memories…”

  “Are you Kelsi?”

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  Crestfallen by Elisa’s dismissal, Kenneth stood outside the keep. He didn’t know what to do to make it right. She was angry, beyond so. He deserved it, he reasoned. Since he’d met her, he had blamed her for all his misgivings. Kenneth accepted he was wrong. He figured eventually she would come around and besides, she was too bonny to stay irked with. All he had to do was look into her green eyes, and he was lost. Mayhap his grandmother was right. He should never have crossed the green-eyed lass. She was usually sweet-tempered. He felt a wee bit guilty too for causing her despondency.

  He laughed to himself when he got her jest, although, he wanted to be angry. Never would he allow anyone to say such a despicable thing to him and walk away with their life. As if he would … with a sheep no less. And then he wondered where she’d heard such a thing.

  Deep in thought, he didn’t see the men approaching. His only concern was how to get his sweet wife to see reason. He couldn’t take much more of her rejection. For it didn’t sit well that he alone was the cause of her unhappiness. Mayhap he should haul her over his shoulder and carry her off to bed and keep her there until she forgave him. At the very least, he’d make sweet love to her.

  “Kenneth?”

  The only time she allowed him to get anywhere near was at night when she had no choice but to accept him and succumb to his kisses. He wished it were night now for he’d at least be in her presence.

  “Kenneth, I need to speak with you.” Grey grabbed his arm.

  He shook away his thoughts, looked ahead and saw Grey standing in front of him. Kenneth let out all his aggression of the last fortnight. His fist stuck Grey’s chin so hard his friend was sure to have seen stars. It felt damned good even though his fist hurt. He rubbed his hand and wasn’t through for Grey deserved much worse. He punched him again and after shoving him to the ground, he kept up the attack throwing mindless punches to his body. None of the men standing by interfered. Kenneth was glad because if Grey died it would be from his attack and his alone.

  Grey got in several good shots. He felt his eye stinging and swelling. Kenneth wouldn’t back down. That was, until Grey stuck him so hard he broke his nose. The crunch reverberated in his ears and blood spewed forth. Stars he saw aplenty but closed his eyes to abate it.

  Grey rolled off him, and had unsheathed his sword. “What the hell is wrong with you, Kenneth?”

  He pinched his nose to stop the blood flow. Many of his clansmen, as well as the Gunns, stood around watching and waiting for more fighting. Kenneth got to his knees and then was helped to stand by Sean. He waved a hand at the McInnish men to get them to move on. James and Colm stood with Sean. They grinned, looking mightily happy for they always enjoyed such a spectacle.

  Sean gave him a cloth. “Best hold this on it for a wee bit, Kenneth. Aye, you’re bleeding like a stuck pig.”

  He took the cloth and held his head back. As he stood there feeling more cross than he ever had, his anger came under control. Though he still wanted to bash Grey’s head in, he at least felt somewhat better.

  Grey stood with his hands on his hips now, obviously knowing Kenneth was through. “What in God’s name is wrong with you?”

  Kenneth spit a good bit of blood on the ground. “You! You’re what’s wrong with me. Did you think I wouldn’t find out, Grey? By God, you interfered in my life.”

  “Find out about what?” He practically shouted his aggravation.

  “The damned betrothal. You knew she was destined to wed Greer, knew before you even left to find her for Alexander. You planned all of this, didn’t you? I hope you’re happy, Grey.”

  “Aye, you gave me no choice, Kenneth.”

  “What gives you the right to interfere in my life? Why couldn’t you leave me be?”

  “I don’t deem Kenneth is happy in his marriage.” Colm grinned as thou
gh their confrontation pleased him.

  “Nay, he is not,” Sean said.

  “I couldn’t let you give up what you were destined for and when Alexander asked me to find Elisa I didn’t even think we would find her.”

  “But we did.” James nodded in support of Kenneth.

  Sean and Colm both nodded in agreement.

  Grey scowled at all three of them. “When I saw the way you watched her … the idea came to me.”

  “Did Grey tell you, Sean? Is that why you objected so fiercely to wedding her that day? I should kill all of you.”

  Sean backed a step. “Nay, but I suspected Grey was up to something and you did look at her like ye wanted her. I figured …”

  “I fell right along with your plans, didn’t I? I’m such an arse. Aye you’re all pleased with my misery, aren’t you?” Kenneth grew angrier when his friends stood smiling, seeming joyous.

  “I only meant to help you move on. You grieved for your brother and it wasn’t going to end if I didn’t do something.” Grey raked his hands through his hair.

  “So you forced me to wed his betrothed? Why didn’t he ever tell me?” Kenneth wasn’t sure but that slight mayhap angered him more than what Grey had done. He never suspected his brother kept secrets from him and it infuriated him.

  Sean handed them each a cup of ale and moved back to join the others, far enough away from striking distance should either of them start again. “Be calm, both of you. Drink.”

  Grey licked his fattened lip. He drank the ale and tossed the cup back at Sean. “He knew you would be angry at your father for intruding in his life. But Greer was actually happy and looked forward to the wedding. We’d heard that Elisa looked exactly like her sister. Mauri was strikingly beautiful and so bonny Greer fell in love on the spot. At least he had with the image he’d envisioned of Elisa.”

  “It doesn’t feel right, Grey, to want her, to want to …” Kenneth couldn’t finish his statement for he wasn’t about to reveal his feelings.

  “I have come with troubling news.”

  Kenneth pulled the cloth from his nose and the bleeding had stopped. “What can you tell me that can possibly make this situation worse?”