Hamish moved his hands over her breasts, felt her nipples tighten against his palms as her muscles squeezed around his erection. Nothing in this life had ever felt so right. He knew then that he could not ever lose her.
“God, Mairead, I think I’m going to—” He clenched his jaw, cutting off the words. He wanted her to come with him, but it was too late. His face was contorted as he came with such force he had never before experienced or would have thought possible.
Hamish collapsed and for the next half hour they lay in each other’s arms, kissing, their mouths melding together, conveying feelings that neither could express with words.
Chapter Seventeen
“Hamish, come over and take a look at these changes.” Robert’s voice echoed in the great hall. Seeing that he finally got his brother’s attention, he and Davros once more bent over the plans for the new gatehouse Hamish wanted built onto Foinaven. It was not something he wanted as a leader, but as a mason, he was eager for the challenge.
Two weeks had gone by and the transition of responsibilities from him to Hamish had been surprisingly straightforward and simple. Mostly because Robert did not want them. He answered questions and helped Hamish learn some of the less exciting but critical things to running Foinaven and keeping it financially solvent.
Robert would have thought the transition of responsibilities from Selah to Mairead to be even simpler, as Mairead already knew the staff, what needed to be done, and had been doing a majority of the work for some time. But he had been very wrong. His only comfort was knowing that Hamish was as mystified by the situation as he and also lacked the insight into knowing how to respond. For no matter what either man said to his wife, it was the wrong thing.
No longer restrained by Selah’s approach to handling the staff, Mairead had immediately gone in and made sweeping changes. In Mairead’s mind, they had been long overdue and some of the benefits—especially in the quality and flavor of their fare—had drastically improved. The servants were now punctual, competent, and less apt to voice a surly opinion. They understood their responsibilities and that they would be accountable for them. As a result, things were cleaner, fireplaces were always prepped and ready for use, the rushes had been replaced, and the well had been cleaned out.
Selah, however, saw what the pain of such drastic decisions had created, for several men and women had not just changed positions within the castle but lost them completely. They have been forced to leave Foinaven and return to their families to seek other means to provide for them. When Mairead refused to listen or even discuss the problem, Selah was incensed. She had listened to Mairead for years and incorporated her counsel into her decision-making. The least Mairead could do was offer her the same courtesy!
Hamish and Amon had just joined Davros and Robert to look at the gatehouse plans when the doors opened. Heavy footsteps caused both men to look up. Ian Kyldoane was approaching and with him his youngest of four brothers, Bryan, who looked grim.
When he had ended Ulrick’s reign of tyranny, he had surprised everyone by not killing him but offering him the chance to leave and join the few guards who had opted not to stay and swear allegiance. Hamish had warned Ulrick that if he were ever to be found on MacBrieve land, his life would come to a painful end and without mercy.
Amon had been furious and Ian had a look of betrayal in his eyes and both only calmed later when Hamish told them why. He did not want Ulrick to die by another man’s hand and certainly not swiftly with an arrow in his throat. He also knew Ulrick would not be able to stay away. And when he returned, Hamish would keep his vow and end his life, painfully and slowly.
They were further pacified when they learned Hamish had sent Bryan, an expert tracker who was unmarried and had no family waiting on him or farm to tend, to follow Ulrick and send word when the man made the mistake of returning.
Hamish had not surmised it would take long, but he had thought Ulrick would need more than two weeks to muster the ability to fight back.
“I bring news.” Bryan was like his older brother Ian and did not mince words. “Ulrick joined the Mackays and is telling them that you are now laird and are growing an army with the intent of increasing MacBrieve’s reach and rule. Laird Donald Mackay has begun to gather his own men in response.”
Hamish stood still for several moments considering what Bryan had just told him. He had hoped to meet Donald Mackay sometime later in the year and assure him that although he was now laird, he had no intentions of trying to alter the boundary marking their two territories. He had known for the past week that Donald Mackay would not be willing to listen. Until now he had not known why.
Seven days ago, one of the newly promised clansmen came to visit him. He lived farther out, not east where the village and Davros lived, but to the west where his farm bordered Mackay lands. He had heard rumblings the Mackays were gathering men and seen an increase in activity. He had been worried they were about to attack.
Hamish had assumed Donald Mackay did not like the idea of what was once a collection of smaller, inconsequential clans banding together into a large one with a laird to rule them. That he especially did not like that this clan was directly on their eastern border. But it seemed there was much more instigating Laird Mackay’s anxiety than simply a new neighbor.
Amon squared his jaw. “We should not have waited when news came of this earlier. We need to act now and gather the men once more.” Hamish’s permanent guard was becoming fairly substantial as he started including more and more of the ones who had followed Ulrick. Many he learned had not been following power but had been protecting their loved ones. Ulrick, to ensure loyalty, had threatened the family of any guard who was decent with a weapon. As a result, Hamish had allowed several back. From others he had gained the promise that they would return and fight if needed. Amon thought that time was now.
“If Donald Mackay is foolish enough to listen to Ulrick and seek a fight, he will get one!” belted Amon.
Hamish held up his hand. He did not personally know Donald Mackay and was almost certain that Conor did not either. But that did not mean they had not heard of the man. “Laird Mackay is known to be powerful and ruthless, but I have heard that he is also extremely cunning. He may be gathering his men together as a test.”
Forced from Moray lands and their home for hundreds of years, the Mackays had been making their way to Strathnaver for many years. They had been massing at Tongue but also had acquired significant stretches of land around Durness. After fighting alongside Robert I, the king of Scotland, they had become both feared and respected as warriors. And all knew that they would fight to the death before letting another clan take what they believed rightfully theirs.
Hamish looked at Bryan. “Besides the gathering of men, were there any other signs of aggression? Such as changes in routes, territory markings, missing animals?”
Bryan kept his face impassive but shook his head no.
Davros sighed and offered insight he was sure Hamish knew but needed to consider when he decided his next course of action. “Ulrick can offer Donald Mackay little value except that of information. He knows Foinaven’s strengths and weaknesses and can probably give him fairly accurate estimates on the size of our army.”
Hamish nodded. “Aye. Mackay would not have grown his clan into the force it is today if he was either a fool or a mere defender.”
Ian nodded and quickly did a summation of the situation. “Mackay will eventually attack. He does not have the luxury of assuming Ulrick is wrong.”
Hamish then looked at Robert, Davros, Ian, and Amon and smiled deviously. “Aye, but the real question is when.”
None returned his smile.
* * *
Mairead continued to pour ale into several mugs as the men spoke. She was not sure if they even saw her enter the hall as she had done so via the kitchen entrance and not the courtyard. What they said unsettled her greatly. She also thought it immensely unfair. Hamish had been laird for barely two weeks and already he w
as having to defend Foinaven and the clan. She hated to think it, but maybe Robert had a point about appearing weak. People left you alone. Problem was, under Robert’s leadership, they had not just appeared weak, they had actually been weak—and very vulnerable.
Mairead put the jug of ale down and examined the expressions of many of the soldiers who were in the room, some of whom had ridden with Ulrick but were now sworn to Hamish. They were all listening just as keenly as she was to what was being said and their fear struck her. She could see it on their faces. They were needing reassurance that they had not once again chosen the wrong side. All eyes were on Hamish as if he had the answer. It was his first time to truly lead and he needed their trust.
Mairead put the mugs on a large tray and carried them over to the group standing with Hamish. “I see that look in your eye,” she said loud enough for all to hear.
Hamish quirked a brow. Mairead was talking to him, but it was clear that she was addressing the whole group. “I have no idea what you are talking about.”
“That look you have when you smile a certain way.” She offered the mugs and all of them took one, regardless if they were thirsty. They wanted to hear what she had to say. “Whenever you have a clever plan, you wear that grin. I would ask what your plan is, but I have learned not to waste my time. You will let people know how you intend to handle the Mackays when you are ready. Can you just tell me first?” she said with a wink and then sauntered away.
If Hamish had not already fallen hard for his wife, he would have done so just then as he sensed the tension in the hall ease and the men’s confidence increase. “Everyone out!” he barked. He had not raised his voice, but his tone cut through the crowd nonetheless and within minutes the hall was vacant with the exception of Mairead.
She had put down the empty platter and was biting her bottom lip, glancing up at him. Her hazel eyes were sparkling with smug satisfaction. She knew what she had done and was waiting for an appreciative kiss. But he also knew that she was trying very hard not to be worried over what the men had been saying about the Mackays.
“Don’t worry, Mairead. I have things under control.”
Mairead gave a little shrug of her shoulders. “I’m not in the least concerned. I know you will think of something.”
Hamish wrapped his arms around her and pulled her back against his chest. “What makes you think I haven’t already?”
Mairead spun around in his arms. She was about to kiss him when she saw that his lips were smiling, but his eyes were not. “You have a plan, but you do not think it will work or . . . you don’t like it.”
“I still cannot decide whether I like it that you can read me so well.”
Mairead playfully slapped his arm. “You like it.”
His eyebrows shot up. “I do, huh? And aye, I do have a solution to the Mackays. I just wish I had more time to get to know my clansmen, and gain their confidence and trust.”
Mairead reached up and gave him a kiss that despite its brevity, conveyed her love and faith in him. “You have more than you realize.”
Hamish pulled her close and rested his chin on her head. “I hope so. I’ve always known that as a leader, there are things one must do, decisions one must make. The one I’m facing now comes with long-term consequences. But stewing on it any longer will change nothing.”
He released her and went to leave the great hall. The last thing Mairead heard was him calling for a herald.
Chapter Eighteen
Mairead entered the great hall to see if she could learn more about what was happening. Every day Hamish left early and came home late. He would grab something to eat and ask her about Selah. She would lie and tell him things were much better between them and then Mairead would try something new to get him to reveal anything about his plan. She could not decide whether she was pleased or frustrated that her attempts to get Hamish to admit even snippets of what was going on continued to fail. She knew Hamish enjoyed it immensely and was probably the main reason he would say nothing. She would have been angry, but she was having quite a bit of fun trying to get him to divulge his secrets as his wife. So far though, none had been successful.
Her best source of information came not from Hamish but others. During the day, she would listen for snippets of information from the soldiers who were coming and going, but what she heard was usually more confusing than illuminating. And the few times Hamish had been around, he had done nothing to keep her from blatantly eavesdropping. The frustrating man knew she would not understand, only that something was definitely being orchestrated.
Mairead went to stand by Hamish, who glanced down briefly at her but did not stop Ian, who was talking, or suggest that she leave.
“We moved that stretch of rocks three feet, just as you ordered,” Ian stated. His tone, as usual, flat and impossible to read.
Hamish nodded. “Wait a day and then move them another three feet into Mackay land.”
This time Ian arched a brow but said nothing. Mairead would have thought she had misheard, except that she had been hearing similar instructions all week. He had told Amon to have the fishermen come in just a little farther up the bay. Not to actually violate where the Mackays moor their boats, but to make it uncomfortable.
Every Highlander, especially those clansmen who lived on the border of their territory, knew every stone, tree, road, and stream of their area. Encroachment changes like the one Hamish was ordering were blatantly incendiary.
“Amon, have Jaime partially block the stream where it bends near his farm. Tell him not to block it entirely but to just impede its flow. And make sure the stones can easily be removed, but only from MacBrieve lands.” Every word Hamish spoke was of a request for another provocative activity. It was like he wanted a fight with the Mackays.
Knowing Hamish would only give her an innocuous, empty answer, she elbowed Amon and gestured for him to follow her to the other side of the room. Once there, she whispered, “Can you tell me why Hamish is seeking to start a war with the Mackays?”
She held her breath, afraid that Amon would tell her to ask Hamish, but instead he beamed with pride. “A war with them was going to happen regardless. When Ulrick joined the Mackays, it became inevitable. What was impossible to predict was when Donald Mackay would decide to attack. That left Hamish, our laird,” he said with pride, “a choice. He could wait for Donald Mackay to choose a time to attack that was optimal for him—probably spring, giving him enough time to gather men from Durness as well as Strathnaver—or Hamish could accelerate that timeline to one that won’t allow Mackay the time to amass his full force, making it much more favorable to us.”
Mairead’s mouth hung open. “Hamish is actually goading the Mackays into attacking us?”
Amon nodded, his grin still in place. “If they don’t, their laird looks weak. Donald Mackay cannot afford that.”
Mairead was not sure that they could afford a fight any sooner than spring. That precious time was needed for Hamish to train at least a few more men. Even then, based on what Hamish had told her, they would lose. Mackay had twice the numbers they had, plus, unlike the Mackays, most of Hamish’s soldiers had never seen battle.
She was about to mention this fact to Amon when Abe and a lookout came in, each clearly arriving with news.
Hamish advanced toward them. “Speak,” he said, looking at the soldier.
“The Mackays are starting to mass their forces near the western border.”
Abe pressed his lips together, knowing his news was even worse. When Hamish looked at him, the farmer swallowed. “Ye’ve got another army coming from the south and it be almost on top of Foinaven. They’re riding from where them mercenaries went. I rode as fast as I could to tell ye,” he said, hoping this was a sign that he had meant his allegiance.
Mairead felt her heart begin to pound. She was finding it difficult to breathe. The mercenaries had returned in force?
She turned to ask Amon a question, but he had left to rejoin Hamish. There was a flicke
r of concern on his face, but nothing like what should have been there considering they were not facing one but two armies. Even if they had been able to scramble the numbers to fight Mackay on one front, there was no way they could defend themselves against two.
Seeing her distress, Hamish came to her side and pulled her into his arms. He slid his hand up and down her back soothingly. “Where did your faith in me disappear to, aingeal?”
Mairead pulled back, but Hamish would only let her go so far. “You have it all and always will, you know th—”
Before she could finish her sentence, both doors of the great hall swung wide open and with such force one of them banged on the stone wall. Mairead snapped her head around to see just which soldier was announcing his arrival in such a brazen way.
But the man was no mere soldier. He was enormous and at his side was an incredibly beautiful woman.
The man was very muscular and taller than every man in the room, including Hamish. Next to him was the most stunning woman Mairead had ever seen. Tall and thin, she walked with a gracefulness Mairead longed to have but knew she never would. Her hair was the color of moonlight and it cascaded all around her shoulders down to her waist in harmonious waves.
Mairead was about to ask Hamish for explanations when he moved from her side and walked over to greet the couple. The first thing he did was gather the gorgeous woman in his arms and hold her in a long embrace that could not be mistaken for anything but what it was.
Whoever this woman was, she loved Hamish and he also loved her.
Chapter Nineteen
Mairead threw another log on the fire and waited for the flames to take hold before finally sinking into one of the great hall’s hearth chairs. The past hour or more had been cacophony of activity and Mairead was not sure if she was more angry or grateful that her sister had taken over—without permission—the role of hostess. For it had been Selah who had thought to order Mairead’s old room to be cleaned out and prepared for the McTiernays and she had been the one to make sure the kitchens knew that there were more mouths to feed. Many more.
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