“Dae as ye wish, Rory Elliott, I am nae scared of ye, nor of anythin’ that ye can dae to me. Ye hear me?” Hamish said, and Rory looked somewhat taken aback.
“Ye would go to the dungeons? Why dae ye come here? Are ye nae to be Laird of yer clan?” Rory said, his hand relaxing on his sword hilt.
“Because I wish to prove that I am nay threat to ye, nor yer clan,” Hamish replied, his eyes fixed on Rory, who looked somewhat uncomfortable.
“Ye love my sister? Ye have fallen in love with her?” he asked, and Hamish nodded.
“Aye, and what is more, as I am sure ye shall soon discover, I have broken off my engagement to Isabella Musgrave. That is how much I love yer sister, I would dae anythin’ for her, I would be thrown into yer dungeons if it meant I could be close to her. I know she feels the same for me, and surely ye can see that, Rory Elliott. I have nay quarrel with ye and ye have nay quarrel with me, either. We shouldnae be enemies ye and I. My father is dead, and the old hostilities are surely gone. I have nay desire to be yer enemy, I want only peace between our clans,” Hamish said, and Rory nodded.
“Ye may be sincere in yer words, Hamish MacBryde. But my father and mother will never forget yer clans’ treachery,” he replied.
“Perhaps they will nae, my father was the same. But that is nay reason why ye and I should be enemies,” Hamish replied.
But Rory only shook his head and turned away. It was clear to Hamish that he was so blinded by his hatred and that of his mother and father, that it would take a miracle for him to change his mind. Hamish sighed, and turned to look towards the castle, longing to be there, even if it meant imprisonment. But as he looked, he could see a figure running through the snow. It was Evie, her long hair flowing out behind her and a smile upon her face.
“Evie,” Rory shouted, but she ignored him, throwing her arms around Hamish and kissing him.
“I saw ye from the window. Oh, Hamish, all I wanted was to be with ye, how I have longed for ye,” she cried.
“Get back to the castle, Evie,” Rory warned, but she looked at him with contempt.
“I will dae nay such thing, Rory. I have made my decision, I love Hamish and if ye and the others cannae accept that then so be it. Tell mother and father if ye wish, tell the whole world, but I am nae ashamed of it. I love Hamish, and I want to be at his side forever,” she declared, as her brother shook his head angrily.
“Evie, I came here to tell ye, to tell ye that I have broken off the engagement to Isabella,” Hamish said.
For a moment, Evie seemed startled, stepping back in surprise. But then, a smile broke over her face, and once more, she threw her arms around Hamish as her brother turned away in disgust.
“Oh, Hamish, ye did that? Ye did that for me? She is gone?” Evie cried, and Hamish nodded.
“I am nae sure of the consequences, but yes, she is gone, though I fear we will still have trouble from her,” Hamish replied, kissing Evie, an act which elicited a further scowl from her brother.
“Dae ye hear that, Rory? The alliance between the MacBrydes and the Musgraves is broken off. Now, dae ye believe that Hamish is serious about pursuin’ peace?” Evie said, turning to Rory, who shook his head.
“One act is nae enough to convince me, Evie. If this man is truly serious about peace, then he must prove it further,” Rory said.
“Very well, I shall dae,” Hamish said, taking hold of Evie’s hand and kneeling before her, “Evie, marry me, know that I love ye and that I want only ye and nay one else. Know that I have rid myself of Isabella Musgrave and the alliance, which so tore our clans apart. I am yours if ye shall have me, for I love ye with all my heart.”
Tears welled up in Evie’s eyes, and she nodded, seemingly unable to reply, her words choked with emotion.
“Marriage?” Rory cried, and Hamish nodded.
“Aye, Rory Elliott, marriage. Now, will ye believe me when I say I want peace?” Hamish replied.
“Oh, Hamish … I … aye, I will marry ye, of course, I shall and I daenae care if it breaks me from my family for ‘Tis ye and I that are in the right and they that are wrong. Ye hear me, Rory, I love Hamish, and I shall stand by him until the bitter end,” she said, as Hamish rose from the snow and put his arms around her protectively.
“And what of Mother, of Father, Owen, our uncle, and all the rest? What will they say when they hear of yer treachery? Dae ye think they will just accept it and be done with it?” Rory replied.
“Can ye nae see that I am happy, Rory?” Evie and Hamish watched as she fixed her brother with a mournful stare.
He was silent for a moment, his hand still on his sword hilt as though he had every intention still of drawing it on Hamish.
“Evie ye …” he began.
“What? Are ye to tell me that I daenae know the meaning of love? That I am such a fool as to be blinded to what happiness truly is? Ye are a fine example, Rory. Caitlin will nae love ye, and so ye are intent on preventin’ my happiness, is that what this is about? All yer manhood ye have chased after her, but she has nay interest in ye, Rory. So, instead, ye take yer anger out on me and stand in the way of my happiness,” Evie said, and Hamish caught a pained look in Rory’s eyes, as though Evie had found his weakness, one which caused him to turn away in shame.
“Very well, Evie … dae as ye, please. I shall have nothin’ more to say on the matter but ‘Tis ye who shall tell mother and father of this and ye who shall suffer the consequences of it,” Rory replied, and without another word, he climbed back onto his horse and rode off towards Kirklinton through the snow.
Evie turned to Hamish and put her arms around him. He wanted to hold her for eternity, to keep her safe and protected, he loved her so very much with such an intensity as to be almost overwhelming.
“I meant every word I said, Evie and I want ye to marry me, ‘Tis all I want,” Hamish said, as Evie’s head rested upon his chest.
“ All I want to, Hamish. Soon we shall marry, and we shall be happy together, ye and I. I know it,” she said, looking up into his eyes as he kissed her again.
He hardly felt the cold, so warm was his heart. As together they embraced upon the snowy moorlands. Hamish knew he had made a life-changing decision, one which would have far-reaching consequences, but he also knew that he had followed his heart and listened to the voice of his soul, which told him that it was Evie with whom he was destined to be.
He loved her so very much and would gladly have ridden off with her there and then, to start a new life somewhere else. Nothing mattered, except that the two of them were together, and it was with that thought that they parted ways sometimes later.
“I will gather my possessions and come to ye, Hamish. If my family wishes me to return, then they must come and seek me out,” she said, as he prepared to return home.
“How soon will ye come? Tomorrow? Slip away without sayin’ anythin’ for yer brother will know where ye have gone. I will come to meet ye, I can wait for ye on the moorlands. It seems he will nae reveal our secret just yet. Ye certainly shamed him back there, Evie,” Hamish said, stamping his feet against the cold.
“Nay ‘Tis too dangerous for ye to come, I will come alone, I know the path well enough,” she said.
He looked at her with concern, but she shook her head.
“If ye are sure that yer brother will nae try to stop ye,” he said.
“He deserved his humiliation, he knew what it meant. He is in love with Caitlin, but she does nae love him. But that is nay reason to stand in the way of our happiness, Hamish. I think he realizes that now,” she replied, and Hamish nodded.
“Tomorrow then? Come to the castle, I will prepare for ye, and we shall decide what next to dae. The way I feel now, I would willingly give up my title, my lands, everythin’ if only to be with ye,” Hamish said, and he threw his arms around her once more, as they bid one another farewell.
“I will see ye very soon, my darling,” Evie said, as he kissed her goodbye.
“Until then, farewell,” h
e said, and hurried off across the moors.
As he came to a rise in the path, he turned and looked back, and he could see Evie still watching him amidst the snow. He wanted to run to her, to throw his arms around her and kiss her again. How he loved her, and how his heart burned with passion for her.
I have done the right thing, I know I have, he said to himself, as he made his way across the heathers to the new life which was promised to them both.
Chapter Thirty-One
The next day, Evie rose early. Her father had already suggested she take the horses to be shod and so she breakfasted quickly, not wishing to encounter Rory and Owen on her way. Her mother was her usual gentle self, and Evie felt a pang of guilt at the thought of the sorrow she would cause her in leaving.
‘Tis nae forever, though, she will forgive me. They will all see I was right to dae this, she told herself, as she finished up her porridge.
“When ye are home, ye can help me with the spinnin’, and there are other chores to see to as well,” her mother said, as Evie prepared to leave.
“Aye, mother, I will dae,” Evie replied, and she kissed her mother on the cheek.
“And what was that for, lass?” her mother asked, smiling at Evie, who blushed.
“Just so that ye know I love ye, mother,” she replied.
There had been a fresh fall of snow on the ground, and Evie pulled her shawl closely around herself, as she stepped out into the courtyard. She had packed a small bag with a clean tunic and shawl, though really, she had thought very little of the practicalities. All that mattered was to be with Hamish and to prove at last to her family the genuineness of their love. When she came to the stables, she found Sweeney with the horses, and he nodded, passing the reins to her as she made ready to depart for Lochrutton.
“Be sure to tell that blacksmith to see to all the shoes. This beast is nearly lame, poor creature. Yer brothers ride the horses far too hard and ‘Tis nay surprise that the shoes need changin’ so often,” Sweeney said, shaking his head.
He seemed distracted that morning, a fact for which Evie was glad. She wished for no further questioning and instead simply nodded to her Godfather, before leading the horse across the snowy courtyard towards the castle gates. She could see her brothers up in the distance, riding in the direction of the Armstrong castle. But they paid no attention to her, and she set off down the track towards Lochrutton, casting a final glance back up at the home where she had never felt at home.
There is nay turnin’ back now, lass, she told herself, fixing her mind firmly upon Hamish, I have made my choice.
* * *
The Blacksmith had little by way of conversation that morning, and Evie left the horse tethered up outside his workshop. There were several other horses there, ones she assumed to belong to the Musgraves, and she wondered if the news of the ending of Isabella and Hamish’s betrothal had now crossed the border.
She is jealous enough to seek revenge, Evie thought to herself, as she climbed up the track from Lochrutton.
She would take the moorland path to the castle of the MacBrydes. It was such a familiar route to her now, and the thought that she would soon be in Hamish’s arms filled her with happiness. As she walked, she dreamed of all that was to come. How soon would they be married? Would they live in the castle? Would peace come at last to the borders? She was son taken up with such thoughts that any drawbacks seemed as nothing to her.
But there would surely be consequences to her actions. The Musgraves would not stand idly by and allow Hamish simply to break off his engagement with Isabella. And there was the question of inheritance too. Could Hamish hold the clan together, when all he wished for was peace? But Evie did not dwell upon such thoughts, she knew that soon she would be with Hamish and that was all that mattered.
She was around halfway between Kirklinton and the castle of the MacBrydes. It was here that she had witnessed Isabella forcibly kissing Hamish, and she smiled to herself at the foolish way in which she had reacted.
To think he could ever love a woman like that. She is nothin’ but a jealous and wicked usurper, she said to herself, hurrying through the snow.
It was a lonely path between the castles. A no man’s land where no man had reason to tread. It dipped up and down across the moorlands, and with the snow covering much of the path, her way was often blocked by drifts. She paused for a moment by some trees to catch her breath. The air was cold, and she wished she had brought another shawl, or a cloak to wrap around herself against the cold.
I will be there soon, and there shall be a warm hearth to sit beside and Hamish’s arms to hold me, she said to herself.
But, as she turned to carry on along the path, she was surprised to see a man coming towards her. She had never seen him before, and it was unusual to meet anyone along the road.
‘Tis only a soldier, she told herself, but as he approached, she was startled to see the insignia of the Musgraves on his tunic, his hand on his sword hilt.
“Good day to you,” he said with an English accent, and without warning, he grabbed her arm as she let out a cry.
As she screamed and struggled in his grip, two more men grabbed her from either side, and soon, her hands were bound as she struggled in their grip.
“Let go of me, ye are makin’ a grave mistake. Let me go, I say,” she cried, but the men only laughed.
“The mistake is yours, girl,” one of them said, as, along the path, there came a figure whom Evie recognized with horror.
Chapter Thirty-Two
Evie continued to struggle, as Isabella approached. She had an ugly smile upon her face and was wrapped in a long red cloak, the hood drawn up over her head.
“So, Evie Elliott comes, and did you think that I would stand idly by and allow you to take away the man I am to marry? You are more of a fool than I imagined you to be. I should have had you taught a lesson on that first day you came to the MacBryde castle. I could tell there was something between you and Hamish. Well, now I know,” Isabella said, looking Evie up and down with disdain, pure hatred in her eyes.
“Ye will regret this, let me go. Hamish is waitin’ for me, and he will know somethin’ is wrong. My father will hear of this, and then ye shall be sorry,” Evie replied, looking defiantly at Isabella, who shook her head and laughed.
“Your father? The brave Fraser Elliott. The man you have betrayed, along with all your family? No, Evie, you are quite alone, as is Hamish. The wolves are circling, and I assure you that it is the both of you who will suffer, not I,” Isabella said.
“And what is it that ye intend to dae with me?” Evie asked as Isabella continued to smirk.
“You will see, come now, bring her along,” Isabella said, signaling to the soldiers, who took Evie by the arms.
“Let me go,” Evie cried, still struggling in their arms.
“She is a feisty one and make no mistake,” one of the soldiers said, laughing as they pulled her along the path.
But there was nothing Evie could do. She was at Isabella’s mercies, and as they hurried along the snowy path, she wondered what her fate would bring. But she was not about to give up hope, and as the soldier had hold of her arm, she pulled the pendant from her neck. It had been a gift from her mother, given her when she was young. None of the others saw her do so, for the weather was growing worse, and she made it look as though she were only pulling her shawl more closely around her shoulders. She let the pendant fall upon the path, wondering if anyone would ever find it.
I am strong, and Hamish will come, she told herself, though fearful of now what was to become of her and feeling nothing but contempt for Isabella. The jealous woman who could not accept her betrothal to be over.
* * *
Hamish glanced nervously from the parlor window. The dogs were fast asleep by the fire, and outside, the soldiers were patrolling the walls. But Hamish was watching for Evie, and he could see no sign of her on the moorland path above.
Where is she? Has she changed her mind? She was so adam
ant that she was comin’ yesterday, he said to himself, sighing, as he continued to look out through the snow.
The weather was drawing in again, and it would not be long before the path across the moorlands became impassable. He paced up and down the room, causing the dogs to stir and let out a yelp, as though to chastise him for waking them.
“I cannae stand this any longer,” he said out loud, causing the dogs to look up.
He pulled on his cloak and took up his sword belt, about to hurry off out into the snow. But just as he was about to leave, the door to the parlor opened, and his cousin Crispin entered the room with a smile on his face.
“The conditions are treacherous out there, cousin. I have just returned from walkin’ on the moorlands myself and ye will find the way difficult,” he said sneering.
A Highlander Born From Chaos (Highlanders 0f Kirklinton Book 2) Page 21