A Highlander of Her Own

by Melissa Mayhue

  “Alycie?” Was that Latin the woman spoke?

  “Go back to sleep, dear one. The rest will heal yer body as the scriptures soothe yer soul.”

  Oh, wasn’t this just perfect? Alcyie was nursing her through the night, praying over her.

  Now she’d never be able to hate the horrible woman.

  “What are you fidgeting for, Son? Be at peace and eat yer meal.” Rosalyn patted Caden’s hand before turning back to her conversation with her friend, Gizel Maxwell.

  Be at peace? He could hardly manage that. Not since he’d seen Ellie rise from her place down the table and leave the room with Steafan’s arm about her shoulder.

  When he’d entered the hall tonight, he’d spotted her immediately. Her long black curls shining in the flickering light of the hall and her eyes! He’d caught her gaze and felt drawn to her like a moth to a flame. Only his pledge to keep his distance from her had kept him from making his way to her side and likely making a fool of himself.

  His pledge and the fact that she was seated next to Alycie.

  The shock of seeing Alycie here at Dun Ard had quickly passed, much to his surprise. He’d been so sure that seeing her again would bring back some rush of emotion, but after that initial shock he’d felt amazingly little.

  No desire, no anguish of love lost, not even the bitterness he was so sure he still harbored. In fact, the only emotion he was aware of was happiness at the joy he saw reflected on Steafan’s face at having his sister here.

  Throughout the meal his eyes had wandered their direction, the contrast between the two women striking. Alycie was subdued and plain as always, while Ellie seemed to glow with the fire of her emotions.

  He’d waited, trying to decide if he should make his way down the table, if he should speak to either of them.

  And then Ellie was gone. She and Steafan.

  That made no sense, unless…Surely she couldn’t have been sent here for Steafan. Hadn’t his mother assured him the Fae intended her for one of his brothers? Or had that simply been what his mother wanted to believe?

  The only thing that kept him in his seat was seeing Drew follow after them a few moments later.

  Caden took a deep breath and picked at the food in front of him until he noticed Alycie leave the table and follow the path the others had taken.

  He could stand it no longer.

  Rising quietly from his seat, he followed her progress to the balcony, slipping into the shadows, where he could hear without being seen by holding the door open a small crack.

  Unfortunately his hiding place gave him no view of the terrace.

  “What have you done with her, Steafan?”

  Caden’s heart skipped a beat. Was it Ellie she spoke of?

  “Drew has taken her to her room.”

  “Ah,” Alycie sighed. “Andrew. I tried to speak to him earlier. He’s still no forgiven me, no even after all these years.”

  “Forgiven you?” Steafan laughed, the sound disbelieving. “There’s no a need for that. If anything, it should be you holding the grudge. But yer here now and things can be set to rights.”

  “There’s naught I can do to make up for my actions in the past, Brother. I’m only here now to give comfort to Mother as we wait to hear news of Dair.”

  “Aye, of course you are. And when our brother returns safely, we can have the banns read and put everything right again.”

  Banns?

  Caden didn’t have long to consider the question before he heard footsteps approaching the door he held cracked open. He let the door slide silently shut and stepped away, wedging himself against the great cabinet just as the door opened again.

  “I’ve seen yer life in that nunnery. I’d no put that hardship on any woman.”

  “You’ve a good heart, Steafan. Any woman should consider herself lucky to have you.” Alycie smiled at her brother before heading up the main staircase.

  Steafan stared after her for a moment more before he strode to the great entry door and let himself out, leaving Caden alone with his thoughts.

  The conversation he’d overheard rattled him. Had Alycie decided to leave the nunnery and wed? Or was it Steafan they discussed? Either way, he was shaken his best friend hadn’t come to confide in him.

  Whose banns had Steafan meant?

  Only one way he could think of to find out, even if it did mean he’d have to admit eavesdropping on his friend.

  Caden had just stepped through the huge entry door onto the great landing when he heard the cry from the top of the guard wall.

  “Rider at the gate!”

  Seventeen

  “Do we even have the silver to meet Wodeford’s demands?”

  Drew stood apart from the others in the room, voicing the question no one else dared to ask.

  “Aye, we do. But it will take everything we have.” Caden drummed his fingers on the desk in the laird’s solar, where all those closest to him were gathered. He scanned the faces of his family, noting their concern, their trust.

  “It’s no choice at all the man’s given you. You’ll have to do as he demands and take the silver to him yerself. I’ll travel with you.”

  Steafan gave voice to Caden’s own thoughts. He had no real choice, only problems.

  From her seat across the desk, his mother made no sound, but her eyes spoke for her as she reached out to clasp hands with Sallie.

  The life of her youngest son depended on Caden’s decision.

  Alasdair Maxwell had returned to Dun Ard last night, battered, bloodied, weakened, and bearing the news that his captor now demanded twice the original ransom to spare the lives of their laird, Blane MacKiernan, and Caden’s youngest brother, Colin.

  “The end of our reserves.” Drew approached his mother, placing a hand on her shoulder, as if to steady her for what he was about to say. “And if the sheep fail? If this rot takes them and we’ve no silver left? What would befall us then?”

  Caden stilled, hating that his brother had hit on the very point that tormented him as he considered his decision. And yet his family deserved his honesty.

  “A foul, bitter season where many of Dun Ard’s people would face starvation.”

  “I say we combine the forces of the MacKiernan and the MacPherson and march on Wode Castle.” Sallie’s husband rose from his chair to pace back and forth. “I wager they’d hand over our kinsmen then. We’ve no need to—” Ranald Macpherson would have continued, but his words were cut short.

  “No!” Steafan apparently realized his outburst had startled everyone. When he continued, it was in a much quieter voice. “No. You canna do such a thing. It’d be the death of our laird for sure.” He rose from his chair and moved to Caden’s side. “And the end of yer brother as well.”

  “It’s no yer call. This is a family decision.” Drew’s anger sparked through the room.

  “Steafan is family. Today’s decisions affect him as much as any in this room. Though it’s no a family decision. It’s mine to make.”

  Caden looked to his mother and sister sitting across from him. Neither spoke as he met their eyes, but their thoughts were clear to him.

  As Blane’s heir and surrogate, it was indeed his decision and they trusted him to make it.

  The fate of all he loved lay in his hands. He couldn’t afford to take rash chances. His choice lay between certain death for his laird and brother or the possible deaths of many of his people.

  “Steafan is right. Wodeford hides under the banner of the English king. We’d no make it past Loch Ness before they’d be down on our heads. And the march would leave both Dun Ard and Castle MacPherson unprotected.”

  If only he could think of some way to improve his odds.

  “What of Ellie’s stones, Caden? Is it possible they could work?” Drew’s words echoed in the silence of the room.

  “Ellie’s stones? What do you speak of?” Rosalyn looked from one of her sons to the other.

  “She seems to think she can use bluestone to cure the sheep,” Drew
answered. “Is there any possibility she could be right?”

  Steafan snorted his contempt. “Stones to cure such an illness? It’s no more than a woman’s fancy. A waste of time and silver.”

  Caden searched the hopeful faces all looking to him, waiting for his opinion. His friend was right. The idea seemed preposterous. Soaking a stone in water and walking the animals through it? He’d resisted even thinking on it until now. Purchasing the bluestone would require silver they could ill afford to spend, assuming they could even find the stuff. Silver necessary to save the lives of Blane and Colin.

  And if the fool plan didn’t work? Ellie would bear the brunt of that failure and he found himself loathe to place such a burden on her. It was his responsibility.

  Still, if there were even the smallest chance it would work, he owed it to the people of Dun Ard to try. What choice did he have?

  None. No more choice in this than in delivering what silver they had to free his kinsmen.

  He rose from his chair, motioning to his brother as he headed toward the door.

  “Let’s go see.”

  If she lay very, very still, the pain in her head was almost bearable. But the weight of the huge dog across her legs was not.

  Ellie pulled her feet out from underneath Baby and slowly scooted up in her bed until she was able to prop herself in a sitting position. The waves of nausea passed more quickly this time. Maybe she wasn’t going to die after all, in spite of how she felt.

  She could only remember feeling like this once in her whole life, when she’d first gone away to college and she and a bunch of girls from her dorm had driven into Austin to that cowboy bar. She’d only had a few of those longneck beers, but it had been enough. She didn’t remember any of the drive back to campus, but she did remember the aftermath.

  She tossed back the covers, not feeling the least bit guilty when Missy crawled away, twitching her ears in irritation.

  “If you don’t like it,” she started, but stopped when the sound of her own voice sat her head to vibrating. There’s always the blankets I put on the floor for you, she finished silently.

  In response the little terrier stood, stretched and curled up next to Baby, promptly going back to sleep.

  “Fine then,” Ellie whispered, slowly swinging her feet to the cold stone floor. “Just let me get through today, and I swear, I’ll never, ever drink that much again.”

  Slowly, she shifted her weight to her feet and stood, one hand on the bed to maintain her balance.

  If we all just stay really, really quiet, I think I can…

  The thought hung in midair as her door crashed open and both dogs jumped up, barking. Caden filled the doorway, with Drew right behind him.

  “Hush!” she hissed, covering her ears with both hands. No doubt about it. She was going to die. Her head was going to explode like an overfilled water balloon.

  “I need you to tell me truthfully. Will the bluestone work to cure the sheep?” Caden demanded. Very, very loudly.

  Ellie held up both hands to stop him. “Lower your voice.”

  “I need…” he started again.

  “I need for you to lower your voice. Or get out.” To hell with pleasant. She didn’t have the strength for pleasant.

  Drew shouldered past his brother, an obnoxious grin on his face as he crossed to the fireplace. “Our lass here was in her cups last eve, Brother. You’d best speak gently if you want her help on this bright morn.”

  Caden’s eyebrow rose, but when he opened his mouth again, he spoke more quietly. “Will it work? The bluestone?”

  The sheep? He was here to question her about the damn sheep?

  Drew was back, gently guiding her to a chair by the fire, pressing a mug of something hot into her hands.

  “What’s this?” It had the smell of herbs to it.

  “It’s a potion Lady Rosalyn left for you earlier. Drink it slowly. It will help.”

  Steam from the mug blanketed her face as she lifted it to her mouth. The first small sip slid down the back of her throat, warming, calming her riotous stomach.

  “The bluestone?” Caden reminded.

  “Yes. I believe it will work. I’m sure of it.”

  She took another soothing sip as the two men stared at one another until at last Caden broke the blessed silence.

  “That’s it, then. It’s the best chance we have. Now we’ve only to find some of the stuff.”

  “I know a man in Inverness. He’s a…” Drew paused, a sheepish look crossing his face. “He’s an alchemist. If anyone would know where to lay hands on bluestone, it would be him.” Drew turned from them, heading to the door.

  “Where are you going?”

  Drew answered without looking back at them. “To make preparations to leave for Inverness on the morn. I’ve had dealings with Argeneau for a long time. It’s likely he’ll be willing to let me have the bluestone with no more than my promise of payment. I’m no of any use here anyway. It’s no like my sword would be of any value when you carry the silver to Wodeford. Besides, you’ve made it clear it’s Steafan you’ve chosen to take along with you, so it only makes sense I should be the one to go for the stone.”

  “Drew—”

  “My decision’s made,” Drew interrupted. “I leave at first light. As I’m sure the two of you will.”

  “What’s he talking about? Where are you going?”

  Caden had followed his brother to the door but stopped to answer her.

  “To buy the life of my laird, and that of my brother as well. I only pray that yer bluestone can save the rest of Dun Ard.”

  He held her eyes for a moment longer, as if he had more to say, but then he was gone.

  Ellie took another sip of the warm tea and a shiver ran the length of her body.

  Something didn’t feel right. Not right at all.

  Eighteen

  “There you are!” Caden looked up from adjusting his horse’s bridle when Steafan entered the stable. “I was concerned when I couldna find you anywhere this morning.” He’d wanted to go over details of their journey one more time.

  They had agreed only Steafan would accompany him. Riding alone, the two of them could cover the distance to Wode Castle more quickly and with fewer provisions than a larger party would require. Besides, it was as Wodeford had insisted. The heir was to deliver the ransom unaccompanied.

  “I rode up to the high pastures to check on the men there one last time before we left.”

  “All was well?” Another example of why Steafan was so invaluable to him. Even in the face of a hazardous journey, his friend’s first concern was for Dun Ard and her people.

  “Aye. Will Drew be joining us?”

  “No. He was away at sunrise.” He would have welcomed his brother’s company on this journey, even if their paths would have to take different directions after a few hours. But perhaps it was better that Drew traveled separately.

  Steafan led a fresh horse out of the stalls and began preparations of his own as Caden left the stable for the bailey.

  “Caden!” Ellie hurried his direction, both of her mangy dogs following closely behind. “I was afraid I’d missed you.”

  He almost wished she had. It was easier when he didn’t see her. Or so he tried to convince himself. Still, there were things he needed to tell her.

  “It’s good yer here. I’ve set William and Roger to work on the troughs you said you’d need for the foot-bath. If you have any problems, go directly to Bridey. They’re her youngest boys and she can get them working for you.”

  “That’s fine. I’m sure they’ll do great.” Her hands fluttered around nervously as she spoke. “Something doesn’t feel right, Caden. I know we already talked about this, but do you really think this is such a smart thing for you to do? I mean, this Wodeford guy already has your brother and your cousin. You’re the next in line to take over this place. What’s to stop him from holding you, too?”

  “What’s to stop him? We’re at the end of the MacKiernan fortun
e, that’s what. Once he learns there’s no more silver to be had, he’ll be happy enough to be rid of us.”

  At least, Caden sincerely hoped that was the case. He had no choice. The message Alasdair delivered was clear. The ransom was to be delivered by the MacKiernan heir. Alone.

  He could risk taking along a contingent of men. He’d certainly considered it. But as Steafan had counseled, more riders would only slow them down, require more provisions and pull defenders from Dun Ard. Besides, if he were heading into a trap, he didn’t want the lives of more men on his conscience. Or the lives of his brother and his cousin if he didn’t follow Wodeford’s instructions.

  There was no point in going through his reasons again. He’d already had this discussion with Ellie and everyone in his family last night at their evening meal. He didn’t intend to waste any more time justifying his actions yet again.

  “When Drew brings back the stones, yer no to wait for my return. Go ahead with the treatment as soon as you can.”

  Ellie looked away, biting at her bottom lip. When she looked back, he feared himself in for another argument. “There’s no way I can talk you into sending Steafan alone, is there?”

  No point in answering.

  “Okay, okay. I get it. Will you at least take Baby along? I’d feel better knowing he was there to help you.”

  The big dog at Ellie’s side wagged his tail expectantly.

  “I’m no dragging that great beast along on this journey. I’ve no the time to look after yer Baby for you.”

  What did the woman expect? It was enough he was going after the man she was to wed. Even if she didn’t know it.

  The man was so damned stubborn!

  Ellie bit back the protests that bubbled to her lips as she watched Caden swing his leg across his mount and ride out through the gates with Steafan trailing behind like the obnoxious toady he was.

  She might have been drunker than a skunk night before last, but she remembered Steafan’s lecture clearly enough. Caden was off-limits to her. Apparently Steafan’s sister, who had rejected Caden years before, had changed her mind and the wedding was back on.