The Campbell Trilogy

by Monica McCarty

  Argyll shifted his gaze to Jeannie. “I though I gave you enough time,” he said.

  Jeannie blushed. “I was just starting to explain.”

  “She has nothing to do with this,” Duncan said.

  Argyll’s eyes narrowed. “It’s thanks to Lady Gordon that you are not sitting in a dungeon right now.” All of a sudden, his expression changed. Duncan could see the weariness come over him. “Is it true about Colin?”

  Duncan nodded. “Aye.”

  Jeannie hadn’t heard. “What happened?”

  Duncan quickly recounted the details of his journey from Islay, including Colin’s attempt to kill him and Niall Lamont’s timely arrival.

  Archie scowled at the mention of the outlaw. “The king won’t be happy to hear about another case of ‘Highland justice.’ ”

  Aye, an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. That was the Highland way.

  Argyll smiled deviously. “Though perhaps having your case settled will make up for his disappointment.”

  Archie’s tone gave no hint to his thoughts, but Duncan remembered his cousin well enough to know he was up to something. “Did Jamie bring you the documents I found?”

  “Aye, your brother and sister descended on me en masse a few days ago with Grant’s missive and the missing map.” Argyll dismissed them with a wave. “The note could be interpreted many ways.”

  Duncan flexed his jaw. “Then you are determined to see me hang for a crime I did not commit.”

  “Duncan.” Jeannie tried to interrupt, but he brushed her off.

  He took a few steps toward his cousin, towering over him by a good half foot. To his credit, Archie didn’t give an inch. “Hell, Archie, how could you even think I would betray you like that?”

  Argyll’s mouth twisted. “I don’t.”

  “You don’t?” Duncan repeated, confused.

  Jeannie stomped up behind him. “If you’d let me finish, I would have told you that you’ve been pardoned.”

  “What?”

  Shocked would be putting it mildly, Jeannie thought. Incredulous better captured the expression on his face.

  The door opened and this time it was Lizzie who came bursting into the room, followed by her husband, Jamie, and Caitrina. Lizzie threw herself into Duncan’s arms. “Isn’t it wonderful?” she gushed.

  Jeannie laughed. “I’m afraid he hasn’t heard the whole story yet.”

  When she’d asked for five minutes in private first, she hadn’t planned on that kiss. Next time it might be safer to ask for an hour.

  She looked at Duncan. “You never asked why I went to the castle.”

  He shrugged. “I figured you had a good reason. To be honest, I was just grateful you weren’t at the inn when Colin and his men arrived.”

  So was she. She shuddered to think of how differently it could have all happened. She supposed her instincts weren’t always wrong. She explained about the maid’s mentioning of Kathrine MacDonald’s hair.

  He frowned. “The old lady was confused?”

  “That’s what I thought, but it didn’t make sense. It seemed an odd mistake to make, but it turns out your mother did have black hair.” She pulled out the piece of parchment and handed it to him. It was a page from a church registry. “Your mother’s name was Anna. Anna MacDonald.”

  Duncan’s eyes narrowed. He took the page uncertainly and scanned it. What he saw there drew the color from his face. His eyes gazed into hers. “I don’t understand.”

  “Your father and mother were married. Your mother was Catholic and they wed secretly in a church on the other side of the island.”

  She could see the confusion, the conflicting emotions traverse across his face and hurried to explain. “Your mother was Mary MacDonald’s baby sister, though with nearly twenty years between them she could have been her daughter. She was the youngest daughter of the old chief. She and your father met at court, but the vicious blood feud between the clans prevented them from seeking permission to wed so they did so secretly, with only the nurse and Mary as witnesses.

  “Eventually, they hoped to be able to tell their families, but until then they were forced to meet in secret. Your father wanted to run away, but Anna refused. She didn’t want to be forever cut off from her family. But the stress of the situation finally caught up with them and they had a horrible fight. By the time your father returned, intent on claiming his bride, it was too late—your mother had died in childbirth and the family had gotten “rid” of her bastard, sending you off to be raised by the nurse. Your mother had refused to name the father. But your father tracked the nurse down and brought you to live at Castleswene.”

  Duncan was remarkably calm given what Jeannie had just told him, but his emotion revealed itself in his voice. “But how could my father do this? How could he lie about something like that?”

  It was Jamie who answered. “Because of our grandfather.” Duncan turned to him. “He hated the MacDonalds. Think how he was when he thought you were simply the bastard son of a maidservant. He would never have let a MacDonald be in line to inherit the chieftainship.”

  “Your father must have been trying to protect you,” Jeannie said. She could well understand the lengths a parent would go to protect their child. Duncan’s father’s lie had deprived his son of an inheritance while hers had given one.

  She could see the anger burning in Duncan’s eyes and her heart went out to him. No matter his father’s reasons, it was a horrible betrayal.

  “That might explain why he lied initially,” he said. “But not why he let it continue.”

  “To claim you, he would have had to disinherit another son. And there was my mother to consider,” Jamie said.

  “He must have changed his mind,” Argyll broke in. “I only realized the significance when Lady Gordon brought me the document, but Auchinbreck had told me the night before the battle that he’d decided to make you his tanaiste.”

  Jeannie could feel the muscles in Duncan’s arm bunch under her fingertips as he waited for Argyll to continue.

  “It wasn’t unheard of to make a bastard an heir, but I told Auchinbreck there would be trouble. He said not to worry about it, that he would explain everything when the time was right.” Argyll shrugged. “After he died and you were accused of treason, I was glad he hadn’t made his intentions known.”

  “Do you think he’d told Colin?” Lizzie asked.

  Duncan thought for a minute. “He might have—after I went to him about marrying Jeannie. I sensed that he and Colin had argued about something.”

  “Colin had to have found out something,” Jeannie said. “He went to Dunyvaig not long after Glenlivet and started asking questions.”

  Duncan looked at her, suspicion in his gaze. “Kathrine?”

  “I don’t know, but Mary MacDonald thought so. The church where your parents were married burned down a week before Kathrine disappeared—only days after Colin supposedly left the island. Were it not for the page Mary had ripped out of the registry to prevent your MacDonald grandfather from finding the truth years before, we might never have known.”

  “Why didn’t Lady MacDonald tell us that first day?”

  “She was scared. Colin didn’t know that anyone other than the nurse knew. Given what had happened, I can’t blame her.”

  Duncan looked to his cousin. “And even without Colin’s confession, you are satisfied that I did not take the map and sell it to Grant?”

  Argyll winced a little. “I’m satisfied that you were not the only one with motive.”

  Duncan cocked his brow, holding his cousin’s gaze. It was Argyll who eventually conceded. “Very well. I wasn’t exactly in the most generous frame of mind at the time, but I shouldn’t have been so quick to find you guilty.”

  “Careful, Archie,” Jamie teased. “That almost sounded like an apology.”

  Argyll shot him a black frown, murmuring something about insolent henchmen.

  “What will happen to Colin?” Lizzie asked.

  Jeanni
e winced. Duncan and Argyll exchanged a look.

  Argyll looked at his cousin, and Jeannie was surprised to see how much fondness was in his gaze. “Come, Lizzie, I’ve something to tell you, but I think your brother would like some time alone with Lady Gordon.” He glanced at Duncan. “If I were him, I’d be thinking of ways to thank her.”

  Lizzie nodded solemnly, perhaps sensing what her cousin was going to say, and followed him out of the room with the others.

  “It’s not like Archie to be so perceptive,” Duncan said wryly. “He’s gone soft in his old age.”

  Jeannie snorted. There was nothing soft about Duncan’s powerful cousin. It was Lizzie who had the soft heart. She bit her lip. “Do you think she’ll be all right?”

  “Aye. Lizzie’s strong. But it won’t be easy. It’s hard to believe the brother we knew as a child could have changed so much.”

  “I’m sorry,” she said, realizing how difficult it must be for him as well.

  “It’s a lot to take in.” He shook his head. “Married. God, I can’t believe it.” He gave her a wry smile. “I guess you were right to believe in faerie tales.”

  Jeannie smiled. “I’d like to take credit, but I could never have imagined such a story.” She paused. “I feel sorry for them.”

  His face hardened for an instant. She knew his feelings for his father must be horribly conflicted. But then some of the tension seemed to dissipate. “Aye. They must have loved each other greatly to risk so much.”

  “He loved you, too, Duncan. What he did was wrong, but he was trying to make it right.”

  He nodded, then sat down on the chair and pulled her onto his lap, cuddling her in his arms. She laid her cheek on his chest, savoring the warm strength of him.

  She couldn’t quite believe it was all over.

  “It’s strange how my father’s life mirrored mine.” His eyes met hers. “Except for one thing.”

  “What’s that?” Jeannie asked softly.

  “I have the chance to make amends that my father did not.” He took her hand and brought it to his mouth, pressing a soft kiss on her fingers. “Ten years ago I asked you to marry me. I don’t deserve a second chance, but say you’ll marry me again and I’ll spend the rest of my life trying to make it up to you.”

  Jeannie tried to swallow, but the lump in her throat made it impossible. Her heart swelled with love for him, with long overdue happiness, and with disbelief that all her dreams were finally coming true.

  She nodded, tears streaming down her cheeks. “Yes, I’ll marry you.”

  He grinned, and brought her mouth to his. This time when he kissed her, he didn’t stop.

  Epilogue

  Beltane, 1609, Dunoon Castle

  Jeannie paused at the entrance to the great hall, surveying the festive scene of celebration before her, momentarily overcome by emotion. It was almost too perfect. Maybe she should pinch herself to make sure it was real.

  She’d waited over ten years for this wedding. It seemed fitting that it be on Beltane, the ancient festival of fertility and spring—a day for new beginnings—and the true day of Dougall’s birth.

  The back of her neck prickled and her senses seemed to come alive. Her heart skipped a beat, then shot forward with anticipation. She felt the warm, hard strength of his body behind her as he slid his hands around her waist, clasping them over her stomach and nuzzling his face in her neck and hair.

  The soft warmth of his breath near her ear sent a shiver of desire rippling down her spine. “Is it everything you hoped for, wife?”

  Wife. She didn’t think she would ever get tired of hearing it. Unwilling to wait while everything was worked out, they’d been married secretly over four months ago, but today they’d done so publicly with all their family gathered together to witness their celebration.

  She tilted her head slightly to peer up at him, her heart catching at his boyish grin. Looking at him now, it was easy to remember the handsome young warrior she’d seen across the hall at Stirling Castle who’d captured her young girl’s heart. Her love for him had never changed; it had always been there. She’d only had to become strong enough to trust it.

  “It’s perfect,” she said softly, adding, “Chief.” Her eyes sparkled with mischievousness, unable to resist teasing him. She was rewarded by the faint tinge of color on his face. He had every right to be proud. He’d stepped into the role with ease, already earning the respect and admiration of his clansmen. She knew the position felt strange to him and that he still was getting used to the fact that he was Chief of Auchinbreck, but he’d been a leader for years—all that had changed was his title.

  It was hard to believe all that had happened. They were truly blessed.

  She gazed around the room, seeing her brother and his wife, her two younger sisters and their husbands—even Huntly and the Countess had put aside his differences with Argyll for the day to be here. Telling them about Dougall had been one of the most difficult things she’d ever had to do. Lady Gordon had just one question. “Did my son know?” Jeannie’s assurances that he did had been enough. The Countess’s fierce love of family might not ever include Jeannie, but it did her children. Both of them.

  They’d yet to tell Dougall the truth of his birth, but would when the time was right. But he was so perceptive—much like his father—that she wondered whether he’d already guessed the truth. She frowned. “Where are Dougall and Ella?”

  Duncan cocked a dark eyebrow, his blue eyes twinkling. “Take one guess.”

  She groaned. Ever since Duncan had told the children of how his sword had been used by his ancestor to save the life of King Robert the Bruce, they’d acted like it was something akin to Excalibur. “Fighting over the sword again?”

  He nodded. “I’m going to have the cleanest sword in the kingdom.” He grinned. “Don’t worry, they promised to come down and eat when they were finished.”

  “Which means we shall have about an hour of quiet before Ella gets hold of you.”

  He chuckled and drew her a little closer. “I don’t know, I think I’ve been replaced in her affection.”

  Jeannie caught the direction of his glance. “I think you’re right. I’m glad Jamie and Caitrina could be here after all.”

  “Aye, it was thoughtful of my wee niece to make her appearance a few weeks early so they could make the journey.”

  The tiny cherub was the most beautiful child Jeannie had ever seen—not surprising given her parents. Ella was almost as fascinated with the child as she was with the sword—high praise indeed. “Perhaps she’ll leave with a name?”

  He laughed. “I doubt it. The last I heard Caitrina wanted to call her ‘Peace’ because it was the last Jamie would ever know or ‘Penance’ for what he would pay later when the lass is old enough to catch a male eye or two.”

  Jeannie giggled. “Or hundred.” Her gaze caught on Jamie’s sister who was holding the as-yet-unnamed youngest Campbell. “I was surprised Patrick agreed to let Lizzie come this close to the babe’s birth.”

  “With all those silk pillows he makes her sit on, I’m more surprised he didn’t carry her in on a litter.”

  Jeannie raised an eyebrow. “Don’t give him any ideas.” Her gaze fell on another guest. This one had been a surprise. “It was good of you to invite her.”

  Duncan held her gaze, not needing to ask who she referred to. “Without her, I might never have known the truth. Lady Mary protected me and my parents’ secret for a long time.”

  “I always knew the truth,” she said.

  He gave her an amused look. “How’s that?”

  She turned around to face him, reaching up to cup his cheek in her hand. Though he’d just shaved, his skin was warm and rough with the dark shadow of his beard. “I knew from the first moment I saw you that you were destined for greatness.” She smiled. “It was always there, Duncan. Your parent’s marriage doesn’t change who you are.”

  The love reflected in his gaze took her breath away. He bent down and placed a tender
kiss on her mouth.

  “If we didn’t have a room full of guests waiting for us, I might suggest we sneak off for a swim in the loch.” He gave her a wry grin. “Though this time I hope you’ll leave your pistol at home.”

  Jeannie laughed. “I don’t know. A girl can get into a lot of trouble swimming in a loch. You never know what kind of scoundrels might be lurking about.”

  He chuckled. “Don’t worry, I’ll protect you.”

  “Oh, I’m sure you will.” She laughed, not missing the wicked gleam in his eye. “Like a wolf protects the sheep.”

  “A hungry wolf.” He gave a long sly look. “Perhaps I can convince you to meet me another time? Have you ever gone swimming by the moonlight?”

  “Once or twice.”

  His eyes narrowed. “Twice?”

  “Or once, who can remember?”

  He spun her into his arms with a growl, their guests temporarily forgotten. “Perhaps I shall have to refresh your memory?”

  “Perhaps you shall,” she said breathlessly. And later that night he did, very very thoroughly indeed.

  Author’s Note

  Though Jeannie and Duncan are fictional characters, the Grants of Freuchie and Campbells of Auchinbreck are real clans who played a part in the battle of Glenlivet.

  The battle was fought in 1594 (not 1599). It is often viewed as a religious war between the Catholic Earls of Huntly and Erroll against the Protestant King James and Earl of Argyll, but it is perhaps most significant as a victory of artillery and horse over infantry.

  The loss was a humiliating defeat for Argyll who at the time was only eighteen. As I describe in the story, he is said to have fled from the battle crying. King James was furious about the defeat, but apparently not about Argyll’s humiliation. The king (who Argyll was fighting for) is reputed to have famously said, “Fair fa’ ye, Georgie Gordon, for sending him [Argyll] back looking sae like a subject!”1 As my mom used to say, Argyll must have been getting a little too big for his britches and the king was happy to see him brought down to size.