She was home with her parents for only a day when her father said what was on his mind and most of it involved hunting down and killing the outlaws himself. Only at her mother’s pleading did he let it fade into silence. The chieftain, her mother assured him, would see to the matter. Two days passed before she was summoned back to the keep.
Oh, Fia understood what they—Brodie and Arabella—were doing. By bringing her back into their household and to her former place, they were telling the rest that she was valued. Still, it did not stop all the gossip or the prying glances or sly questions and comments around her. But, no one would insult her openly when the laird and lady had welcomed her back.
Her life was returning to its usual pace now. She found peace in her work and keeping her hands and mind busy. It was only the nights that tormented her now. Her mother did not ask why she woke crying. Her mother did not tell her it would be better. Her mother simply held her and let her cry as though she understood more than she could know.
Now though, she would be held to account for the time away from here and the things that had occurred during her captivity. Arabella watched as the door to the chamber closed, but waited until Ailean’s footsteps could no longer be heard before speaking.
‘My cousin has asked Brodie’s permission to speak to you, Fia.’
Confused by the topic when she expected something much different, she frowned. ‘Your cousin?’ The Camerons had almost as many cousins as the Mackintoshes did and Fia had lost count when she’d reached sixty of them.
‘Alan. He will be visiting in a few days and wishes to speak to you.’
The man felt guilty that he did not follow Brodie’s orders and get her out of the camp sooner. His decision had solved one huge puzzle but created more problems...for her.
‘I have told him he owes me no apology, Arabella.’ Fia stood up and walked to the small table where pitchers of ale and wine sat. Pouring some watered ale in a cup, she offered it to the lady before filling one for herself. ‘He helped me in many ways.’
The lady’s smile, a slight lifting of one side of her mouth, warned her of her mistake. She had never considered what other purpose he could have...
‘Alan wishes to speak to you, Fia. I gave him my blessing.’ Arabella watched her expectantly and nodded when Fia understood. Speak to her. Blessing?
Alan wished to offer her marriage.
She swallowed down the ale and filled the cup with the more potent wine there. Two mouthfuls of that went down quickly and then Arabella touched her arm.
‘Does his intention disturb you? Is he somehow not suitable? Or it is any thought of marriage?’ Arabella watched her closely, waiting for her answer.
Though Dougal had not shunned her upon her return, neither had he pressed her for an answer to his suit. He’d eased his way back into her life, showing up at different moments and making her aware of him. Some quiet words spoken during one encounter told her that he would not withdraw his offer.
And—God forgive her!—all she could think of was the word ‘hapless’ whenever she saw him. No matter that memory, Dougal was kind to continue his attentions to her considering...
The lady observed her in this pause for a few more moments before taking her hand and pulling her over to the cushioned bench near the window. Then it was Arabella’s turn to pause before speaking her mind.
‘My husband would like to set things right for you. He wishes to find a suitable husband and provide you a dowry, Fia.’
‘A generous offer, lady, but—’
‘Nay. ’twas his plan before...any of this happened. We spoke of it before we left for Achnacarry.’ Arabella leaned in towards her and lowered her voice. ‘He has charged me with the task of finding out if you have objections to marriage because of...anything...that may have happened.’
Fia smiled at the concern in her lady’s voice. And at the lady’s discomfort at breaching her privacy over what had or had not happened to her. Arabella retrieved their cups and waited until Fia had another sip.
‘Were they cruel to you, Fia? Did they...harm you?’
Fia stared off in the corner, remembering many, many things that had happened to her during those weeks, and shook her head.
‘Nay, lady. They did not.’ Arabella let out a breath.
‘I am glad then,’ she said. ‘I would not wish that an act that can hold such joy and pleasure be tarnished for you in that way.’
Fia could not help but smile then, memories of the joy and the immense pleasure he’d given her made her skin feel too tight then. And the heat in her blood as she remembered his mouth on her caused her to blush then, and perspire. None of that reaction was missed by the lady.
‘So you are not opposed to marriage then?’ The lady was as relentless as her husband could be, though her outward appearance and demeanour hid it well.
‘I am not opposed...’ Fia began, shaking her head. ‘I just do not wish to consider one now.’
‘I told Brodie I was right and he would not believe me.’
‘Not believe you, lady? On what matter?’ The laird accepted the lady’s counsel on most every matter, even some that other men thought she should not have a say about.
‘I told him that you did not mourn virtue lost, but a love lost.’
Fia should not be surprised at the lady’s ability to see through her, for she herself had been kidnapped and forced to return to an unwanted marriage.
‘I just need some time.’ She did not wish to explain further or think of it, of him.
‘Very well,’ Arabella said, patting her hand. ‘I am here if you wish to speak on matters of a delicate nature, but I will not press you again.’
Very much like Mistress Murray and her denial of prying, Fia knew Arabella wanted to do nothing as much as she wanted to press about this.
‘Ah, here is Ailean,’ she said, walking to the more comfortable chair as her cousin opened the door. No sweet cake was left after all. Arabella’s wink confirmed it had been a performance to give them privacy.
‘Lady, what brings your cousin to Drumlui now?’ she asked once she’d taken up her needle and thread.
‘Some dispute over lands, as usual. The King wishes it settled before war breaks out in earnest.’
Fia’s mouth went dry. Was this the matter that had caused the attacks? Would that mean Niall would...?
‘If my husband wishes my counsel, he will ask for it,’ Arabella said. ‘God Almighty knows I would never give it without being asked.’
It took only a moment before they all laughed, knowing full and well that there was hardly a matter the lady did not speak to.
* * *
Four days later, as they sat continuing their work on the tapestry, a huge contingent of men arrived in the yard. Arabella urged patience and only a short time later, the lady was summoned to the hall by her husband. Though Arabella assured her there would be no talk of marriage from Alan, Fia dreaded seeing him.
She followed Arabella and Ailean down the stairs to the main hall, now filled with dozens of men it seemed. She recognised some of the Camerons and noticed several of the warriors wearing a clan tartan she did not know. They opened a path to allow someone to approach Brodie just as she and Ailean took their places off the side of the dais, close enough to assist the lady if need be but out of the way of things.
Though they did not stand on the formalities held to at the royal court, Brodie’s steward could certainly do the task when needed. Greeting family or other neighbouring clans or allies was done simply. But this visitor seemed to need more. Fia watched as Fergus puffed out his chest and called to his chieftain.
‘My lord Mackintosh, may I present the special emissary from the King’s Justiciar of Lothian, Lord Niall Corbett.’
The world before her began to spin as the man she thought to never see again walk
ed up the steps and bowed to Brodie. And then he swept his gaze across those present, meeting hers for the briefest of moments before returning to Brodie. Lucky for her, she was sitting on a chair or she would have fallen over for certain.
So, he had given the King the information and had taken his place among the nobles of the land. He wore the garments and symbols of a lord of the realm and was now a ‘special emissary’ of an even greater man—the one who oversaw justice in the Kingdom and carried out the wishes of the King.
‘My lord Mackintosh, I bring greetings from both the King and Sir Robert de Lauder of Bass to you,’ he said in voice she did not recognise. ‘Lord Alastair MacDonald and the Cameron come, with the King’s blessing, to discuss a matter of great and grave importance to your clans and to the King’s justice.’
Fia was trying to control the trembling that had begun the moment she saw him and she was losing that battle. She must get out of here. Looking up, she knew there was no way to leave unnoticed now. Then, Brodie moved and drew everyone’s attention.
When he should have formally accepted the greetings presented to him from the King, he instead walked down the three steps separating him from Niall and punched him in the face. Silence reigned momentarily and then the confusion really began, as the men who’d accompanied Niall began to rush forward and The Mackintosh warriors charged with the safety of their chieftain moved to intercept them. Other guards stepped close to the lady, ready to protect her.
From one instant to the next, this had gone from diplomatic meeting to armed camp. She’d never seen the like.
‘Stop!’ Niall shouted at his men.
He rubbed his jaw where the blow had landed as he climbed to his feet. Brodie nodded and his warriors moved away. Now face-to-face, everyone held their breath to see what would come next.
‘Aye,’ Brodie said, crossing his arms over his massive chest. ‘There is much we have to discuss.’
‘Just so,’ Niall said.
‘Clear the hall!’ Brodie called. ‘My lady, if you would remain?’ Arabella nodded, as though she would have left if he’d said so. ‘Everyone else is dismissed.’
She stood, shaking from the shock of seeing Niall and the dangerous tension in the room, and began to follow Ailean out. It happened rarely, but when Brodie ordered them out, they left the lady’s care to him.
‘Fia?’ Brodie said.
Though he spoke it in a quiet manner, her name seemed to echo loudly across the hall. She met his gaze and waited. He canted his head a bit and then gave her one sharp nod.
It had been for her. Brodie knew more than she’d told anyone if he knew the connection to Niall.
Fia nodded back and left the hall without ever looking at Niall.
* * *
Niall rubbed his jaw as The Mackintosh looked over at Fia. He understood the action better than anyone. Now acting as the King’s emissary, Niall could not be punished publicly for what he’d done. But Brodie would not let the insult to his kin go unnoticed even if his involvement began at the command of the King.
And, if these Highlanders behaved the way he knew they would, there would be more than one punch in his future for what he’d done—to their kin and to their Fia. She left, pale and trembling, without ever looking his way. He and the few others allowed to remain waited for quiet to be restored.
The chieftains took places on opposite sides of the table, in what looked like a masterful chess match. Lady Mackintosh sat at her husband’s side and a little away from the table, giving it the appearance that she would only participate if her husband allowed it. From Fia’s stories, Niall knew that was not the way of it here.
The lady called servants in briefly to bring wine and ale and food and then, they were left to sort out the mess begun by Alastair Macdonald’s grab for lands he did not own and could not claim legally.
The King made it clear, as did his Justiciar, that three powerful Highland clans would not be permitted to go to war. It was up to Niall to sort it out and make the King’s offer, or rather, make them agree to his plan.
* * *
Nigh to three hours later, an agreement was reached between the chieftains over the lands and the punishment for Clan Ranald of Lochaber for the attacks on Mackintosh lands.
As the others were led off to chambers for their stay, Niall walked over to Brodie and his wife. If his plan, the true reason he’d talked his way into handling this though by rights it should have been handled by the Justiciar who oversaw the northern half of Scotland, was to succeed, he needed both of them on his side.
‘My lord? My lady? I would speak to you both.’
Niall waited and received only a curt nod. The lady whispered something to her husband before they led him off the dais and back to a small chamber. From the rolls of parchment and books, this must be the steward’s room for handling the business affairs of the laird and his clan. As the laird waited for his wife to sit and then closed the door, Niall realised that the rest of his life would be decided in the next few minutes.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Any sense of peace disappeared when he arrived. For the hours after she left the hall, she paced the length and breadth of the upper floors trying not to fall apart. Fia knew what she would do—she would leave the keep, pleading illness if necessary, and go to the village. She could stay with her parents in their small cottage tucked safely away in the heart of the village.
As long as he remained here, as an emissary of the King would, and she did not leave there, she could avoid the terrible pain of seeing him again. Once this matter between the clans was settled, he would ride out of Drumlui and out of her life for ever. When Lady Arabella returned to her chambers, Fia met her, ready to ask for leave to go. With a nod, Ailean was dismissed.
‘So that was him? The man who kidnapped you?’
‘Aye.’ She did not have the strength to do this now. To be picked apart with questions and made to dwell on the subject and the man she wished to not have to think about again.
‘Come now, Fia,’ Arabella said softly. ‘I do not think he looks like an outlaw at all.’ She turned and walked to the chair. ‘But then my husband did not see fit to share his knowledge of this matter with me.’
‘I pray you, Arabella. I do not wish to speak of this. Or to see him again.’ She could feel her control beginning to shred and knew she would break down soon. ‘With your permission, I would like to stay with my parents while he is here.’ She met Arabella’s shrewd gaze. ‘I beg you to give me leave to do so.’
She’d never asked something so strongly of her lady before. Arabella was not mean-spirited at all. Fia did not understand why the woman hesitated at all in granting her request.
‘I have no wish to see you so upset, Fia. Certainly you may go to your parents.’
Fia nodded. Getting her cloak from the alcove near the door, she paused and looked at Arabella. ‘My thanks, lady.’ She lifted the latch on the door and opened it before the lady spoke again.
‘Do you love him, Fia? Whether outlaw or lord, do you love him?’
Unprepared for such a frank and revealing question, Fia took in a breath and gave the truth she wished was not so. ‘Against all reason and sanity, aye, I do.’
No one spoke to her as she left and if it was strange to see her running from the keep, out the gates towards the village, no one stopped her to say so. She was out of breath by the time she reached her parents’ cottage. Their empty cottage.
* * *
They returned later without a word of explanation and Fia fell into the usual way of things when she stayed here. She helped her mother prepare their evening meal and they ate together. No one seemed to want to talk and it was a quiet supper.
She did not rest well that night, knowing he was so close and yet so far from her made it impossible to sleep. When she did, the dreams came again.
Of him. Of them. Of some future that existed only in her dreams. The morning found her exhausted and awake.
* * *
Only when she watched the entourage of warriors and chieftains leave Drumlui Keep and ride away towards the south at midday did she feel relief. And sorrow. And pain. And loss. But now, she told herself as she finished having a good cry by the stream, now she could get her life back.
Her parents never asked when she would return to the keep, so she decided to stay another day in their company. Her mother subscribed to the belief that idle hands found their way to trouble, so she sent Fia on errand after errand, giving her chores to do until Fia decided the keep would not be such a bad place after all. She finished up folding the washed clothes and took her leave.
As she walked up the path towards the centre of the village and the well, he was there. The breath within her stopped and she stared at him. The refined air and garments were gone. Before her stood Iain Dubh looking much as he’d looked the first time she saw him here. Her hands itched to touch him and when he smiled that wicked smile she loved so much, her mouth went dry.
‘I stopped to parch my thirst but I canna seem to find the dipper, lass,’ he said, in the voice of a Highland rogue. ‘Hiv ye seen it, mayhap?’ He took a step towards her then and she shook her head.
‘Why are you here?’ she asked when she could get words past her lips. ‘Why?’ She clasped her hands tightly in front of her and tried to think. Her body betrayed her when he stepped closer and blocked her escape down the path.
‘I am here to do what rogues do,’ he said, his voice seductive and enticing. Another step closer. ‘I am looking for a Highland lass to kidnap, seduce and plunder.’ He reached out to touch her face and she shuddered. ‘Are ye willin’ to be kidnapped, Fia? I could even let ye hiv yer way wi’ me?’
‘Go. Now. Away from here,’ she repeated the words he’d said to her in this place. If he left now... If he turned and walked away, she might not lose control.
‘I tried, Fia. Truly I tried,’ he said softly. The rough accent gone, he spoke not as an outlaw or a courtier but as just a man. ‘The King was quite pleased with what your cousin found out. He offered me my choice of rewards. My title, lands, all of it.’
KIDNAPPED BY THE HIGHLAND ROGUE Page 21