Highland Angels

by Ceci Giltenan

  “Ah, poor man. Of course he wants his children with him. I believe he has a daughter too?”

  Gordon nodded. “Aye, Laird, he does.”

  Andrew’s father frowned. “He hasn’t sent for her?”

  “Not as yet, Laird.”

  Dougal’s frown deepened. “That’s unfortunate. Poor lass.” He gave a heavy sigh. “Well, I’ll go find Darach.”

  “I can go, Da.”

  His father shook his head sadly. “Nay, Andrew. I should be the one to tell him. Show these men to the hall and see they’re given refreshment.” To the Morrison guardsmen he said, “I expect ye plan to return to Lewis as soon as ye can.”

  “Aye Laird,” answered Conan. “If we leave within the hour, we can make Durness before dark and sail on the morning tide. We’ll reach Castle Morrison tomorrow evening.”

  Chapter 15

  Darach and his father’s guardsmen arrived at Castle Morrison the next evening as planned.

  Gordon said, “It’s good to be home.”

  “Aye,” agreed Darach, but the truth was Castle Morrison hadn’t felt like home since he was a wee lad. He had lived at Curacridhe for most of his life. He barely knew his oldest brother. Fearchar was thirteen when Darach was born and had already been training with Frasers for several years. He didn’t return until after Darach had been sent to the northern Highlands to train with the MacLeods. He spent a bit more time with his brother, Coll, who was only six years older. Darach remembered following him like a puppy when he was little. Coll hadn’t minded having a little brother under foot. He affectionately called Darach his wee beastie. Darach had been heartbroken when at the age of eleven, Coll went to train with the Macauleys. Still, given that the Macauleys were less than a day’s ride away, at least Darach had seen him frequently over the next two years.

  He was probably closest to his sister Claire. She was only a year older and he remembered her being fun and always up to some mischief.

  That was until Da had married again. His father’s new wife, Gavinia, had encouraged Da to send Claire to be educated at an abbey and Darach into training immediately. Neither of them had wanted to go, and he’d thought Da wouldn’t want them to either. He idolized his Da, and had spent a great deal of time with him after Coll left. Darach still remembered overhearing the argument between his father and Gavinia.

  “Gavinia, I’m not ready to send Darach away. Seven is too young.”

  “Tyree, ye baby yer sons. Many lads are sent off to train as young as six.”

  “I know they are, but I still think that’s too young. And I see no reason to send Claire away at all.”

  “Her behavior is atrocious. She needs to be reined in immediately, and there is no better place for her to learn discipline than an abbey.”

  “But I had hoped ye would—”

  “Is that why ye married me? So that I would take care of the children ye have let run wild?”

  “Nay, Gavinia, but—”

  Gavinia sniffled, as if in tears. “I think ye care more for them than ye do me.”

  “Lass, it isn’t a case of more or less. They are my youngest children. Ye’re my wife.”

  “Aye, I’m yer wife, the one who is carrying yer youngest child at this moment. I want to be able to focus all of my energy on raising our children.”

  “Are ye carrying?” His father’s voice had sounded excited.

  “Aye, I am. And I do not need the stress of an uncontrollable lass and a boisterous wee lad. If ye care about me and yer new child, ye’ll do as I’ve asked.”

  So Da chose his new wife over his children, or at least that is what Darach believed at the time.

  Darach remembered Claire’s heart-wrenching sobs as Da’s guardsmen rode away with her. He also remembered begging Da if he had to leave home, to let him go to the Macauleys to train, so at least he would be with Coll and not so far away.

  “Nay, lad. I need to establish better ties with some of the clans on the mainland. Laird MacLeod will be a strong ally, and many of the ports we use to ship goods are in MacLeod territory.”

  So praying that his father would change his mind, Darach left his home to go live with strangers. Thankfully, they didn’t remain strangers long. Laird and Lady MacLeod made all of the young men training there feel welcome and even loved. Darach had never experienced a mother’s love, and he adored Lady MacLeod. Perhaps that is why it was so important to him to help wee Mairi as her mother was dying. He missed his own sister, and he knew all too well how it felt to live without a mother.

  Nay Castle Morrison wasn’t his home.

  When he entered the great hall, both his brothers sat near the hearth, drinking tankards of ale. There was no denying that all three of them were brothers or that Tyree Morrison was their father. They were all tall with dark hair and gray eyes, but there were distinct differences as well. Coll perhaps looked most like Darach remembered their father looking, strong and lean with a close-trimmed beard. Fearchar wore a heavy beard, had a thicker upper body and a bit of a paunch. At only seventeen, Darach was thin, lanky and clean-shaven, the hair on his face still too sparse to have a beard that wouldn’t be laughed at.

  Coll rose immediately, crossing the hall to greet Darach. He looked weary but his smile was warm as he shook Darach’s hand. “Little brother, it’s good to see ye.”

  “Ah, it looks like yer wee beastie is nearly grown,” called Fearchar from where he sat. “Come, sit with us, Darach, and refresh yerself with a tankard of ale.”

  “Thank ye, Fearchar, but I should really see Da first.”

  “That can wait ‘til morning. Da isn’t going anywhere, not even to the garderobe—trust me.”

  Coll, whose back was to Fearchar, rolled his eyes in disgust. “Nay, Fearchar, ye know Da wanted Darach sent up as soon as he arrived.” To Darach he added, “I’ll go with ye.”

  Fearchar grunted. “It’s pointless, but suit yerselves.”

  As he and Coll climbed the tower stairs, Darach said, “I expect yer training is done now isn’t it?”

  “I suppose so, although before this, I hadn’t planned on coming home just yet.”

  “Have ye returned for good then?”

  Coll frowned. “Aye, it seems I must. Da is very frail. He won’t live long, Darach. He knows Fearchar is a fierce warrior, but our brother has never been as attentive to the other skills needed to lead a clan. Da is worried we’ll not prosper long without someone to help mind clan business.”

  “What does Fearchar think of that?”

  Coll snorted. “He quite likes the idea of having all of the power of a laird, with none of the responsibility.”

  “What about Claire? Have ye sent for her?

  Coll shook his head sadly. “Nay, and we won’t. Da doesn’t wish to see her.”

  Darach could scarcely believe his ears. “Why not?”

  “I don’t know, Darach. I think maybe he feels guilty. As I understand it, he tried several times to convince Gavinia to let Claire return home. Gavinia always fought against it and he always gave in to her.”

  “Did Claire decide to take vows?”

  “Nay, and for that reason, please don’t mention her in front of Fearchar. It’s better that he not think about her for now, else he’ll see her as a pawn. I hope to be able to learn her wishes. If she wants marriage, maybe I can put things in place before Fearchar pays too much attention to her. Perhaps I can find a husband for her who Fearchar will see as an advantageous match and who will also treat her well.”

  ~ * ~

  Fearchar shook his head in disgust as Coll and Darach left the hall. “Wasting their time. Da’s nothing but a shell,” he muttered to the fire.

  Well at least his poor health returned the beastie from MacLeod clutches.

  “Why do I care? As long as he’s there, he’s out of my hair.”

  It should try ye sorely. After all they were the ones who stole yer bride.

  “Shut up.”

  Why? Ye know it’s true. Ye know she’d be yers
if MacLeod hadn’t stolen her.

  “Aye. She’d have been mine.

  Yer little brother bends the knee to Dougal and yer bride’ll be forced to spread her legs for Andrew. And all because she did them a kindness.

  “It isn’t fair. He doesn’t deserve her.”

  And ye do. Ye’re not going to let this pass are ye?

  “Go away.”

  “I’m sorry, sir, I just thought ye might like more ale.”

  The feminine voice startled him until he realized it was just a serving maid. He glanced at her. She was one he’d enjoyed before. “Aye, I’d like more ale. And I’d like to be served in my chamber. Ye ken?”

  “Aye, sir. But I still have work to do tonight.”

  “And ye can finish it when we are done.”

  “Aye, sir.”

  ~ * ~

  When Darach and Coll reached their father’s chamber, Coll knocked and they entered. Their father appeared to be asleep. He looked old and frail, nothing like the Da who Darach remembered. His squire sat next to the bed but stood when they entered.

  “Sawny, this is our youngest brother, Darach,” said Coll.

  Sawny gave a slight bow. “Good evening, sirs.”

  “How fares our father tonight?” asked Coll.

  Morrison opened his eyes. “Same,” he croaked. His gaze swept the room, landing on Darach. The left side of his mouth turned up in a smile, his rheumy eyes filling with tears. “Darach, ye’re here.” His voice was slow and slurred. Tyree lifted his left hand, reaching towards his youngest son.

  Darach took his hand. “Aye, Da.”

  “Missed ye.”

  What could he say? In truth, over the years his father had become a stranger Darach seldom thought about. “I’ve missed ye too, Da.”

  “Stay.”

  “Of course, Da,” said Darach, releasing his father’s hand and taking the chair Sawny had vacated. “I’ll stay as long as ye wish.”

  His father shook his head, appearing agitated. “Stay. Stay.”

  Coll stepped forward, patting his father on the shoulder. “It’s all right, Da, I’ll explain for ye.” Turning to Darach, he said, “Da is asking ye to stay here for good.”

  “Leave the MacLeods?” Leave his real home and the people he cared about to stay here with the shell of the man who had sent him away ten years ago? “But my training isn’t finished.”

  “I know,” said Coll. “Da wants ye to finish yer training here at home with me…and Fearchar.”

  It took a concerted effort for Darach to keep the bitterness from his voice. “I’ll stay as long as ye need me to, Da.” At least it wasn’t a promise to stay forever, a detail his brother didn’t miss.

  After their Da was settled for the night, the two brothers returned to the great hall. Fearchar had evidently retired too. Coll filled tankards with ale and they sat by the hearth, talking for quite a while before Coll raised the issue.

  “Darach, when Da asked ye to stay, ye do know he meant for good? Not just until…well until he doesn’t need ye anymore?”

  “Aye, that was my impression.”

  “But…?”

  “I want to finish my training with Laird MacLeod.”

  “But ye can finish it here. Ye’ve been away a long time.”

  Darach shook his head. “Coll, ye were eleven and Fearchar twelve when ye were sent to train. But Gavinia wanted rid of me and Claire, and Da let her have her way. We were sent away at seven and eight to make room for the children she never had. At the time, Claire—dear God, her heart was broken. When they took her away…well, I’ll never forget the sound of her sobbing.” He scrubbed his face, as if trying vainly to wipe away the memory. “If I had to leave home, I wanted to train with ye. Da said he needed the alliance with MacLeod, and so off I went. I barely remember my life here.”

  Coll looked away for a moment. “I’m sorry, Darach. I know it was hard and it certainly wasn’t fair to ye, but ye were always meant to come home.”

  “I was meant to come home when my training was done. It isn’t.”

  Coll sighed heavily. “Da loves ye. Can’t ye do this for him?”

  “Da has a funny way of showing his love. His new wife’s preferences and his desire for an alliance with Laird MacLeod came before the needs of his youngest son and only daughter. God’s bones, Coll, until tonight I had only seen him twice in the last five years. Once when I came home for Gavinia’s funeral and once when he came to Curacridhe for Lady Joan’s funeral. And I haven’t seen Claire since the day she left.”

  “Da did miss ye. He missed ye terribly.”

  “And Claire? Did he miss her terribly too?” His voice dripped with sarcasm.

  “I’ve already told ye, he tried.”

  “But he didn’t even bring her home after Gavinia died.”

  “Claire was but thirteen then. Da had no idea how to manage a daughter, and over the years, Gavinia had convinced him the abbey was a better place for her. He did have every intention of bringing ye home when he went to Lady Joan’s funeral. But ye seemed to be happy and doing well under Laird MacLeod so he left ye there.”

  “I’m glad he did. I was happy. I’m happy now. If he was truly concerned about me, he wouldn’t ask me to stay on here longer than necessary.”

  “I’m sorry ye feel that way, but think on it. A decision doesn’t have to be made tonight.”

  As far as Darach was concerned, the decision was made already. He would never choose to return to Lewis permanently.

  Chapter 16

  It had been nearly three weeks since Andrew had returned from the strait with the brokenhearted angel on his lap and had vowed to protect his heart. However, over the days since then, his betrothed had dragged him through a range of emotions equally as broad as those she had experienced on that day. From helping Mairi in accepting her betrothal to Tasgall, to determinedly shaking him from his self-pity and grief, Anna hadn’t held back. And once Ena pointed out the need to let his betrothed begin managing the household, Anna approached her new responsibilities with the same energy and good humor she brought to everything. For some illogical reason—for he had nothing to do with it—he felt pride in her accomplishments.

  Admiration. Anger. Grief. Determination. Pride. His resolve to stay detached was slipping.

  Perhaps he should have been pleased that his sister kept Anna away and occupied, but he wasn’t. He had begun to look forward to seeing her and talking with her, especially at mealtimes. For three nights, Ena had ensured that Anna was nowhere near him during meals, and Andrew grew more irritated daily.

  Tonight, he would not allow that to happen. He had been hunting earlier in the day, but. Then after returning late in the afternoon, found Davy to take him for a brief ride. He fully intended to be in the great hall for the evening meal earlier than usual, so he could claim Anna himself. As soon as Ena entered with her daughters, Mairi, and a laughing Anna, he made his move.

  “Good evening, ladies, ye all seem to be in a very fine mood this evening.”

  “Aye, brother, it has been a most productive day. Fearghas tells me the hunt went well too.”

  “Aye, to be sure.”

  “Anna, we had fun riding, didn’t we, Da?” said Davy.

  “Aye we did, son. Perhaps Anna will sit with us during the evening meal and ye can tell her all about it.” Even as he said it, he took Anna by the elbow and guided her to the seat she had always occupied until Ena arrived.

  “I’ve missed ye,” he whispered, smiling at Anna’s puzzled expression.

  “I didn’t go anywhere.”

  “Aye ye did, angel. Perhaps it was just to the other end of the table, but Davy and I had gotten used to dining with ye. I fear my sister has completely stolen ye away.”

  “Oh. I suppose I have spent a little less time with him recently, but he truly seems to be thriving, the more time he spends with ye.”

  “Aye he does, but he adores ye as well.”

  Anna nodded, but he sensed a shift in her mood.
<
br />   “Andrew, I know ye didn’t want me to help run the household—”

  “I was wrong about that.”

  Anna looked surprise. “Ye were?” She shook her head a little. “I mean, I’m glad ye changed yer mind—”

  “So am I. Ye seem to be thriving as well.”

  “I am. That is to say, I like having purpose and being able to contribute to the life of the clan. But I swear to ye, it’s equally as important to me to see to Davy. I’m sorry if ye think I haven’t been doing that.”

  It was Andrew’s turn to be puzzled for a moment until he realized she had misunderstood him. “Anna, I’m not upset with ye, and I see that ye are able to balance things quite well. Frankly, I’m impressed. I just realized that ye and I spend very little time together—usually just at mealtimes. I’ve missed yer company over the last few evenings, that’s all.”

  She drew her brows together, looking wary. Andrew chuckled, took one of her hands in his and kissed the back of it. “It’s the truth.”

  As the evening meal progressed, Andrew realized that it was truer than he’d realized. He enjoyed being with Anna, and he had nearly from the start. He smiled, remembering the first night he sat with her after her fever had broken. Too weak to lift her head from the pillow and knowing she was being held by her family’s worst enemy, she had openly referred to Curacridhe as “hell.”

  Aye, he enjoyed her company and he would not let his sister rob him of it again.

  ~ * ~

  With Brenda and Ena’s help, Anna’s life was settling into a comfortable rhythm. As she had promised Andrew, Anna still ensured that Davy was well cared for. Davy had followed the one rule she had given him perfectly. She always knew where he was and what he was doing, even if she wasn’t with him.

  Anna also still devoted time every morning to teaching Davy and Mairi, but now Davy often spent afternoons doing something with his father.

  She was even beginning to think Andrew might be softening a bit. The previous evening, she had been both surprised and pleased when he said he “missed” her. When he kissed the back of her hand, she felt a little flutter stir deep within.