Defended by a Highland Renegade

by Vonda Sinclair

  "Mairiana MacKerrick, Father." She curtsied. "My brother is chief of the MacKerricks."

  "Well, I suppose that makes you an expert on matters of healing the body and preserving the spirit."

  Mairiana felt as if she'd been slapped. Bitter cold mortification ran through her. She had never run afoul of a man of the church. She always did what she was supposed to, but the life of the man she loved hung in the balance.

  "I agree with Osgar," Mairiana said firmly. "God created the loch and filled it with water. There is no such thing as fairies. 'Tis only a legend of the old ones."

  "I believe it could work," Nora said.

  "You're all mad! And I forbid it!" The priest stormed out.

  Mairiana searched the stunned faces of those around her. She could not believe Father Bhradain had just forbidden them to take Darack to the healing loch. Well… on second thought, aye, she could believe it.

  "'Twas not just the first chief who was healed at Loch Gheasaibh," Reas said. "When I was a lad, one of my cousins was cured of a disease after going in the loch and he lived more than three score years longer. There is something special about the water. It tastes different. We used to drink from it all the time. 'Haps that's why I'm still healthy at my age. Most of the water of the Highlands is dark because it runs through the peat, but the water of Loch Gheasaibh is crystal clear. It comes from a spring."

  "'Haps it isn't pagan magic," Mairiana said. "It could be the stones and minerals in the water which gives it healing properties."

  "Mayhap." Reas nodded.

  "How far away is it?" Mairiana asked.

  "Two or three miles," Osgar said.

  "If we can find a couple of men to carry Darack, we could take him there tonight," Nora whispered.

  "Aye, and what of Father Bhradain?" Osgar asked.

  "He need not know," Nora said. "We'll slip Darack out after the priest retires for the night."

  "Do you think this is wise?" Gertie asked. "I have never known the loch to heal anyone."

  "You are new here, too," Osgar said.

  "I've lived here nigh on ten years!" she exclaimed.

  "You consider that a long time? Try eighty years," Osgar said. "And aye, the loch has miraculous healing powers. I don't ken how, but it does work. I didn't tell Father Bhradain the whole story, but when I was young, many were healed there. In fact, we did not even need a healer in those days."

  "You are a mad old man," Gertie said.

  Osgar cackled.

  "Let me know what you decide." Gertie stormed out.

  "Are you certain this will help Darack?" Mairiana bit her fingernail.

  "Nay, child," Osgar said in a somber tone. "Naught is certain. If 'tis his time to go, then he will. But only the Almighty knows that."

  After the elders wandered out, Mairiana turned to Nora. "What shall we do?"

  "I believe we should try it. My friend swore to me 'twas the loch which healed her. She had been sick for a long time. A female problem. She had an infection and could not have children. Since then, she has borne two bairns."

  Mairiana frowned. "Is it some sort of fertility loch?"

  "Nay, 'tis for any health condition. My friend told me of two other people she knew who had been healed. One had a sword wound."

  "In truth?" Mairiana blinked back tears as hope filled her.

  Nora nodded. "They swam in the loch and were cured."

  "If more people knew about it, more people could be healed," Mairiana said.

  "Aye, but we rarely speak of it publicly for fear someone will accuse us of being heathens."

  Mairiana shook her head. "If it truly works, I believe it is a gift from God."

  "As do I."

  Nora clasped both her hands, sudden tears glimmering in her eyes. "More than anything I want Darack to recover, you two to marry and have ten bairns."

  Ten bairns? Shock went through Mairiana and it must have shown on her face for Nora chuckled, despite her tears, and embraced her. "I will see you tonight." She kissed Darack's forehead, then hurried out.

  "Good heavens!" Mairiana whispered, then drew in a deep breath.

  Of course, marrying Darack was what she wanted, too, but who knew if he would want the same thing once he got better. Posing as Darack's wife during their travels had felt good—right somehow. And he hadn't seemed to mind; in fact, 'twas his idea. Approaching the bed, she leaned over and kissed his overheated cheek. He was still far too feverish. Her stomach ached with worry.

  She forced herself to imagine him healthy and recovered, smiling at her. Teasing her. Kissing her. Aye, it had to come to pass, for she loved him.

  ***

  After dark, Mairiana, Nora, Ewen and four of his cousins slipped Darack out of the castle through the postern gate. Eight guards also accompanied them. Mairiana was amazed so many men could slip silently through the darkness. They did not wish to alert the priest or anyone else of their plans.

  Moonlight peaked through the clouds from time to time, enough for those in front to see the trail, so familiar to them they could probably follow it in full darkness, for it led toward the field where they practiced almost daily. Once out of sight of the castle, the guards lit two torches.

  They walked for an hour or longer up the wee glen between hills, the men taking turns carrying Darack between them. The hills grew taller the further they walked. They crossed through a gap between mountains and below lay a small loch.

  "Is that it?" Mairiana asked, marveling at the beauty of the loch reflecting the moonlight and stars above.

  "Aye," Nora whispered.

  Ewan led a prayer, then he and three other men carried Darack into the loch. They held him just below the surface, keeping his face out of the water.

  Nora stood by Mairiana on the grassy bank as they watched. She was thankful it was a warm summer night, for she did not wish Darack to become too cold.

  "How long does it take?" Mairiana whispered, softer than a breath.

  "I have not heard."

  Clasping her hands together, Mairiana pressed them against her lips and prayed Darack would awaken. Never had she wanted anything so much in her life. She now knew Darack was her soulmate.

  The longer they waited, the more she started to wonder… was this loch truly blessed or was it just an old wives' tale?

  Ewan talked to Darack, but he didn't respond.

  Mairiana's heart sank. It wasn't going to work. She lowered herself to the ground and cried quietly. Although she still tried to pray, but she was unsure whether it was helping. She had so wanted to spend her life with Darack. She loved him.

  Chapter 12

  Nora sat beside Mairiana on the grassy bank of the enchanted loch and held her while they both cried and prayed. Would Darack be healed this night?

  While the men held him floating in the water, an insight came to Mairiana. "I must go to him," she said, and Nora released her.

  Mairiana moved down the sloping embankment into the icy cold water of the loch. Though chills prickled her skin, she ignored the temperature as she waded deeper, the water climbing her thighs, her waist, her chest. The men holding Darack eyed her.

  She placed her hands gently on either side of Darack's head and kissed his forehead. Then, she whispered into his ear, "Awaken, my love." Tears filled her eyes. "You are everything to me and I love you."

  "Something is happening," Ewan murmured. "Did you feel that? He stiffened."

  The other men nodded their agreement.

  Mairiana held her breath. As she watched, Darack's jaw clenched, he drew in a deep breath, and then a shouting growl burst from his mouth. He breathed hard and fast for a few moments, then opened his eyes. "You trying to freeze me to death?" he yelled.

  Ewan laughed. "Welcome back, Darack."

  "Where am I?" Darack's whole body shook and his teeth chattered. "Get me out of the water."

  The four men hauled him out and lay him on the bank.

  "We'll take the wet shirt and blanket off and put this dry one on him," Nor
a said. "Help me, lads."

  Amid her tears of joy and gratitude, Mairiana prayed that the chilling water would not make him worse.

  ***

  Wrapped in a warm blanket and dry clothes, sitting on the ground, Darack glanced at his family and friends surrounding him in the torchlight and his heart warmed. He could not believe his cousins had carried him all this way to the enchanted loch. They had played here as children. "I thank you, lads. You must be exhausted."

  "You think us weaklings?" Ewan asked.

  Darack snickered. Upon seeing Mairiana a short distance away, he winked. Though she smiled in return, she wiped tears from her eyes, making him want to hold her.

  She came closer and knelt beside him. "I'm so happy you're awake. How do you feel? Are you in any pain?"

  He took her hand and kissed the back, relishing the silky feel of her warm skin. "Not much. Just some soreness in my arm and side. Now, stop your worrying. I want to stand up."

  "Is it not too soon?" Ewan asked.

  "If he feels like it," Mairiana said.

  Ewan and another cousin, Paul, lifted beneath his arms. Once upright, Darack swayed a bit, then took a few steps forward across the grass.

  "You can turn loose now." He no longer wanted to appear weak in front of Mairiana. And he truly felt his strength returning with every moment that passed.

  "'Tis a miracle," his mother exclaimed, then embraced him.

  Everyone murmured their agreement as they watched him in awe.

  "Indeed," Darack said, feeling humbled and blessed. "I remember nothing of the long trek up here. I owe you my undying gratitude."

  His gaze met Mairiana's again. Her eyes were bright with joy and glistening with tears. That look melted his heart. He wanted to talk to her alone so badly, though he had no inkling what he would say first. There was so much… he must thank her. He remembered waking during his illness to find her sitting by his bedside, during the daytime and in the candlelight.

  "I brought some food," Mairiana said. After digging into her satchel, she handed him a scone.

  "I thank you, m'lady." He gave a lighthearted bow.

  Everyone filled their empty wine skins with water from the loch, then his mother gave him a cup full. "The water will preserve your good health and make you live as long as Osgar and Reas," she said. "'Haps 'twill even make me look like a young lass again." She grinned and drank a long swallow.

  Darack laughed, glad to see his mother happy. He guzzled the water, finding he suddenly was extremely thirsty. And why shouldn't he be? He couldn't remember the last beverage he'd consumed… probably that horribly bitter tea. But this was the best tasting water he'd ever had.

  He took a bite of the scone, his gaze finding Mairiana again as he chewed. How he wanted to hold her close, kiss her and show his profound appreciation. A sudden memory blasted into his mind, at least he hoped it was a memory—she had told him she loved him, only moments ago as he was waking up. Was it real or only a dream? He had to talk to her alone as soon as possible.

  As they headed back toward Dunmoris, Darack felt his legs growing stronger with each step he took. He had assumed at first that he would soon grow weak again, but he didn't. In fact, he felt invigorated.

  Mairiana walked beside him. After he finished the scone she'd provided him, he took her hand and tucked it around his elbow. She smiled shyly. Damnation, how he wanted to kiss her!

  A sudden noise and movement from the wood caused him to halt in his tracks. A garrison of a dozen or more soldiers on horseback emerged from the trees. They were indistinct silhouettes in the moonlight and Darack thought it was another fevered dream. But when Ewan and his guards drew their swords and surrounded Darack and Mairiana, he knew everyone saw the soldiers.

  "Halt where you are!" Ewan ordered the newcomers.

  The men stopped ten yards away. "We've come to arrest this murderer and bride-thief!"

  Damnation, 'twas Alec's voice and he pointed a sword at Darack.

  "That's Alec Lindsay," Darack told Ewan.

  "I thought as much," Ewan said. "I'm baron here and you have no authority."

  "My father is a baron. He's with us. And he has authority where Darack MacGregor's crime was committed."

  Mairiana moved in front of Darack. "You stay back, Alec! Darack did naught except rescue me and save my life. You and your men are the ones who endangered me."

  "Mairiana," Darack said low, grasping her upper arms lest she venture too close to Alec. "You need not defend me. I'm the one who's supposed to defend you."

  "You have not yet fully regained your strength," she whispered. "I will do whatever I have to in order to keep you safe from him and his men."

  Alec forced out a laugh. "Lady Mairiana, I see the murderer has been very convincing and persuaded you to his side."

  "Nay! Darack is a good man. I heard you murder your guard in the stable."

  "You are a madwoman!"

  In the moment of silence, Darack heard more horses' hooves pounding against the ground. Saints! Had Alec brought a small army? If the Grants were outnumbered, Ewan's guards might not be enough to fight them off.

  "Get behind me Mairiana," Darack whispered in her ear.

  "Nay."

  "Who is that?" Ewan demanded as they all watched several torches approaching from the direction of the castle.

  Alec didn't answer, but he and his men backed away several yards and observed, as the Grants did. Darack knew then that Alec had no inkling who was advancing toward them. Darack wrapped his arms around Mairiana. If he had to, he would draw her around quickly and shield her with his body. She placed her hands around his arms, caressed him and kissed him beneath the jaw, completely distracting him… arousing him. He realized again how profoundly he craved kissing her, but that would have to wait. He focused on the approaching garrison.

  The hoof beats grew louder and louder as the dark silhouettes and torches grew near. In between the Lindsays and the Grants, the newcomers drew up.

  "What the hell is going on here?" The leader dismounted, as did several other men, while those remaining on horseback surrounded the Lindsays.

  In the flickering torchlight, Darack recognized Mairiana's brother a second before she spoke.

  "Dugald! What are you doing here?" she asked.

  Relief flowing through Darack, he released her. Thank the saints. Another miracle this night.

  Dugald joined them and embraced his sister. "I'm glad to see you are unharmed."

  "Chief MacKerrick." Darack stepped forward.

  "Please, Darack, you ken 'tis Dugald," he said in a lighthearted tone and they shook hands.

  "This is my cousin, Ewan, chief of Clan Grant," Darack said.

  The two exchanged greetings and shook hands.

  "How did you know we were out here?" Mairiana asked.

  "I had a man watching the Lindsays in the wood." Dugald sent a glare toward them, where they waited several yards away. "For the past three days, since they left Rornoch, we've been following them. We figured they were up to no good when they lurked about in the wood instead of requesting entrance at Dunmoris Castle. Especially after Alec told me you'd been kidnapped by Darack."

  "I was not kidnapped," she assured him. "Darack was protecting me from Alec and his men."

  "Why is Alec trying to harm you, sister?"

  "I heard him murder a man in cold blood, and I could not marry him after that."

  "Murder?" Dugald spoke loudly enough for Alec to hear and glowered at him.

  "She lies!" Alec shouted.

  "He killed his own guard because of your dagger," Mairiana said.

  "My dagger?" Dugald asked.

  "Aye. In Perth, the guard took your dagger and sold it for a pittance. That's the reason Alec killed the guard—because he didn't get more money for it."

  "I knew you stole it, you whoreson!" Dugald called out to Alec. "But not to worry. I have it back now. 'Tis a shame you felt the need to kill someone over it. No weapon is worth a person's life."

/>   "Darack was working in the stables, mucking out stalls," Alec said. "He killed the guard and stole his weapons!"

  Mairiana shook her head. "He will say anything now to get out of it. I figured if he knew I was a witness to his malicious crime, he would kill me too, or make my life miserable. When I decided to leave, Darack slipped me outside the walls and protected me the entire time. He was trying to get me past Alec's men and back to Rornoch as soon as possible, but they injured him terribly. He is only now recovering."

  "I thank you, Darack."

  "No need to thank me. I would protect Lady Mairiana with my life."

  Dugald observed him for a long, speculative moment, no doubt wondering about the reason for his devotion and selflessness.

  Alec yelled, "I want my bride returned to me!"

  "Nay!" Darack and Dugald shouted simultaneously.

  Dugald eyed him again, then grinned and turned his attention back to Alec. "Consider the marriage contract null and void."

  "I will take this before the king!"

  "Let's do," Dugald said. "I will also inform him you have committed murder."

  "You have no proof. None of you do."

  "I am a witness," Mairiana responded.

  "You are but one woman and no one who matters will believe you. Besides that, Chief Grant, the king will be interested to know you are sheltering several MacGregors," Alec said.

  "What MacGregors? I see none," Ewan said.

  "Darack for one. If you won't return my bride to me, you will be seeing the king's retainers soon, I'm certain."

  Darack watched as Ewan and Dugald exchanged a calculating glance, then a nod. "Capture them!" both chiefs shouted to their guards. Within seconds, the Grants and MacKerricks surrounded the Lindsays, outnumbering them two to one.

  The Lindsays looked to Alec for a command or direction, but none came. Alec's wild-eyed horse neighed and danced about in a circle. One of the guards finally dragged him from his saddle.

  ***

  Dawn light was breaking over the mountains when they arrived back at Dunmoris Castle. The guards took the Lindsays, protesting and complaining, to the dungeon. Mairiana felt happier than she had in a long time. Joy bubbled within her. Finally, she was safe from Alec, and most important of all, Darack was healed, thanks be to God.