The Twisted Laird

by Cherime MacFarlane

  Lilas eagerly moved toward the rock. "Aye, an it sparkled in tha water. We both saw it, but Isa was closer."

  Plucking it from Adie's hand, Edan tossed it into the air and caught it again. "Aye, well now. I'll hold it for tha both of ye. Any wean wanting tae play with it need only ask. But ye must return it tae me when ye're finished. That way, all will have a chance tae see it." Edan pulled his pouch out from underneath his shirt. Opening it, he slipped the stone in.

  Both girls turned their faces toward him. Edan smiled at them. "Go along with ye. Per'aps, if ye both go look together, ye might find another. Then we can put them away for ye tae look at later this eve."

  Isa reached out for Lilas' hand and the children were off again. He watched the two little girls skip a step or two as they hurried after the others.

  The day was warming, but Edan felt cold. All the joy he had felt this morning was as dull as the stone he now kept in the pouch. With his hands between his knees, Edan stared down at the ground.

  Eventually, Daracha placed a piece of bannock into his hands. It was warm from the fire and she had dribbled a bit of honey over it. Licking the honey from the bread before it slipped away to the ground, he silently ate.

  Chapter Fourteen

  The deed was signed over to Edan. In the morning, Clan MacGrough would be leaving Smith's holding for Grahamston. Wondering if he had actually purchased land and not a bog, Edan was nervous that night.

  Finding he could not sleep, he eased out of the bedding and walked outside. Leaning against the large cart, he tried to calm his fears. It was impossible.

  Yes, he had worked for the property. But if it was useless there was nothing he could do to Smith. The work which secured the property was for illegal purposes. If the land was useless, he would be left to delve into the gold.

  Smith was not taking them to the land himself, one of his hirelings was. This alone had Edan worried. Why was the man not willing to escort them there?

  Ian said he had a meeting with a tobacco lord. One by the name of Tally Smith. The grim expression on Ian's face when he spoke the man's name had Edan wishing they could creep out under cover of darkness. If the man had Ian worried, Edan felt he should be doubly worried.

  Unfortunately, Tally Smith was to arrive at first light. Edan wished he knew more of what was about to take place. Yet again, he was better off ignorant.

  All of it had him irritated and on edge. He wished he had never taken the ferryman's advice. But all of his wishing and worrying would do nothing to change the circumstances.

  He started when a whisper sounded off his left shoulder. "Unsure of your decisions, Edan?"

  Rhona! He stiffened. "Let be woman!" Edan growled at her. "I've nae patience for yur yammering."

  A slight noise told him she had moved a bit closer. The woman never could let go of a thing, once she had it in her grasp. Edan felt everything inside tighten, as he waited for her to continue.

  "Does it seem tae ye, we're but ah flock of sheep in ah forest filled with predators?"

  Turning his head, Edan looked over at the woman who stood on the other side of the cart wheel.

  He decided to answer her truthfully. It would do no good to lie. "Aye. An I'm nae sure falling in with this lot was tha worst of it."

  With a nod of her head, Rhona gazed across the dark yard on the other side of the cart. "Hamish was right. I'm with child."

  There was little emotion in her statement. Yet, Edan felt, as if she was a pot, ready to boil over at a moment's notice. He sensed she did not want him to comment, so he kept silent.

  "I've spent ah long time thinking about tha bairn. I'm nae sure what sort of mother I might be. 'Tis ah huge thing. Can I be tha mother Hamish's son needs? Terrifying, is what it is."

  Sympathy swelled inside him. Edan quite understood Rhona's anxiety. Was he not in the same position? He still felt she did not wish to hear his thoughts on the matter. Silently, he continued to lean against the cart.

  With a great sigh, Rhona backed away from her position. She did not say anything further, as she left him alone in the yard. Wondering if he might have dreamed the moment he had shared with her, Edan decided to attempt to sleep. The following day was sure to be difficult.

  Daracha stirred in his embrace. Coming instantly awake, Edan tightened his hold on her. His wife kissed his throat and bid him good morning which caused Edan to smile. When he was sure she was quite awake, he told her of the evenings encounter with Rhona.

  After listening quietly, Daracha ran a hand over his cheek. "All is changing, luv. A great shaking has upset all, Rhona kens. I'm nae surprised. Mayhap she is trying tae mend matters between ye."

  "Och! I dinnae ken if I should be waiting for tha axe tae fall. 'Tis ah hard place she finds herself in, aye. But why tha sudden change toward me?"

  "Dinnae fash yurself over it. Being with child can cause more than physical changes in ah woman. An under these circumstances..." Daracha's words trailed off.

  Silently cuddling on their pallet, the couple was reluctant to rise. This day would be difficult and neither was ready to dive right in. Stirrings came from other beds in the warehouse.

  With a sigh, Edan rose. It could be put off no longer. Truth be told, he did wish to be up and gone before the visitor arrived.

  The man's name was enough to make Edan wish to steer well clear of him. "Tally" Smith was not someone Edan wished to have any dealings with. The name indicated to Edan that Smith was always making sure the count went his way.

  They were close to being able to leave the yard. As the sun's faint rays lifted above the eastern horizon, there was a rattling of the gate. Ian rushed forward to open it for the individual who was making the noise. Two brawny men pushed inside the gate and glanced around the yard.

  On catching sight of the carts and women preparing to leave, one man demanded to know who they were. Ian explained they were workers who were leaving. A man stepped in through the gate. Leaning on his cane, he carefully surveyed the MacGroughs.

  Edan felt compelled to step between the man and the women and children preparing to leave. A strange look flew across the man's face. Edan took a quick glance behind him to see what the man was now staring at.

  Daracha! Turning, Edan put himself between Tally Smith and his wife, who had moved to one side to help Rut climb into the cart.

  "Och! Quickly now!" Edan lifted Daracha bodily away from the cart. He heaved Rut's pregnant bulk into the front of the cart and glared up at Rhona. "Take tha lines, do so immediately."

  Without a word, Rhona unwound the reins from the upright they were tethered to. Hustling Daracha to the other side of the cart, Edan called out to Rhona.

  "Get along with ye, Rhona." Then he motioned to Cadha in the second cart. "Follow Rhona. I'll catch up tae ye. Stay on tha Glasgow Road."

  Mouth in a thin line, Edan turned on Ian. "Ye promised ah guide. Where is he?" Edan swished his walking stick before him, as if it were a sword.

  Ian took a step back from the anger which suddenly flashed across the young MacGrough's face. "Jamie!" He called out.

  Hurrying around to the far side of his horse, Edan mounted up. A young man bolted out of the main house and dashed up to Ian.

  "Aye, I'm here."

  "Go wi MacGrough. Ye're tae show him tha way. We talked of this last night." Ian was glaring at Edan as he spoke to the lad. When the young man hurried over to the stable, Ian strode over to where Edan waited on the animal. Grabbing hold of Edan's stirrup, he tugged on it sharply.

  "Dinnae make an enemy o' Tally. 'Tis nae ah smart thing tae do. Get yur asail out of here, before ye cause me tae lose my temper wi ye."

  Leaning down, Edan looked into Ian's eyes. "I nae care for tha way he looked at my wife. I'll nae have her sized up like ah mare. She's mine. Do ye ken?"

  Ian looked away from Edan. Then, with a slight nod, Smith acknowledged the reason for Edan's anger. "I ken. But, get ye gone, for he is ah bad one tae get on tha wrong side of. I'll stop by later tae see how y
e fare."

  Jamie reined his horse up beside Smith, effectively cutting both men off from Tally's view. "Keep yur head down, MacGrough." The older man said quietly. Reaching out, Ian smacked the horse on the withers, sending Edan out of the yard at a sharp trot.

  Trembling with the force of the anger which still flowed through his blood, Edan ground his teeth. Ian Smith was probably correct, it would not do to make an enemy of Tally Smith.

  Silently, the young man who was their guide for this trip, rode alongside him. Aware of the occasional glances Jamie gave him, Edan waited until they caught up to the carts and the women walking beside them, before he spoke.

  Reining in the horse and falling in behind the group, Edan turned to speak to the lad. "Ye've been tae Grahamston, I take it?"

  Before he could reply to Edan's question, Daracha hurried over to take hold of Edan's left stirrup. Glancing down at his wife, Edan shook his head sharply. Blue eyes full of questions, Daracha kept silent.

  "Aye, that I have. Tha land belonged tae my Uncle Archie ahfore he lost it tae Smith." The lad sighed. "He owed Smith ah goodly amount an was forced tae give tha place up tae settle tha debt."

  His attention captured, Edan turned to stare at the young man. "Ian says there is ah dwelling of sorts on tha property."

  Jamie nodded his blonde head. "'Tis so. I ken ye've looms tae set up. Might I stay an help ye? I wouldnae mind being in tha old place. I did hate tae hear it was lost tae Smith."

  Edan nodded. A strong pair of hands and a willing back were not to be turned away. But he did not wish to anger Ian further. "Do ye need tae return tae Smith? An what of tha horse?"

  The lad had been looking toward the first cart and guided his mount to the far right side. Edan noted he lifted his body slightly in the stirrups as his eyes searched the foremost cart. With a slight sigh, the lad regained his seat on the horse and turned toward Edan.

  "Nae. Tha horse is mine. 'Twas my uncle's animal. He sold all the household goods an took passage tae America. I was going tae go...." His gaze darted away from Edan. Jamie looked around him before replying. "I couldnae leave."

  Edan nodded in understanding. "I ken, lad. There's nae shame in loving yur home."

  Green eyes studied Edan's face carefully. "I've nae debt tae Ian Smith. I've done ah job, or tae for him, naught else. If I dinnae return, he'll nae be angry."

  Walking along on his other side, Daracha stroked his leg. Edan looked down into her up turned face. Rut! Daracha mouthed. With a smile of understanding, Edan turned back to the young man.

  "Ah strong back an another strong pair of hands would be welcome. But we've nae way tae pay ye."

  Jamie's angular face lit up when he grinned back at Edan. "There's nae need for payment, if we can strike ah bargain."

  Lifting one eyebrow in question, Edan waited for the lad to elaborate. Jamie's Adam's apple bobbed, as he swallowed hard.

  "Ye will ken my reasoning better when ye see tha land. Ye ken my uncle only lost tha place tae Smith ah short time ago?"

  "Nae. I'd nae notion." Edan replied.

  "Smith has nae seen tha place. He ken's tha location well enough. Ye see, Uncle was trying tae hold onto tha best of it an was none tae honest about it all. On finding Tally Smith was one of tha relations, he realized his mistake an fled."

  The statement raised a warning in Edan's mind. Jamie saw his frown and understood the reason.

  "They can nae blame ye. Ian could, mayhap, wish tae discuss tha matter with me. But I've only recently arrived. As far as Ian kens, I've no real notion of my uncle's business dealings. 'Tis nae tha case. I've more information than Ian kens."

  Falling silent, the young man glanced at the road ahead. The track was filled with travelers going both in and out of Glasgow. Most of those traveling toward the city looked worn and haggard. Finally, the young man looked at Edan again. His face was all angles without the smile.

  "Once we reach our destination, we will talk more on some subjects. Ian said ye were "MacGroughs". Ah small clan caught between Campbell and MacNab, as I recall."

  "Aye, that's the straight of it. We will speak of some things later." Edan replied.

  Both men turned their attention to the road ahead. The carts were moving forward at a reasonable pace. Occasionally, other travelers moved to the side to allow them through. Other times, Rhona had to call out to people to give way.

  Edan's mouth was set in a firm line as he watched those barely able to walk, move to the side to allow them passage. He knew some of the people he passed were from the highlands. Leaving as soon as they had, had been the right decision.

  The gold safely tucked away was their lifeline. He was also glad to have a bit of coin from the sale of some of his furniture in the city previously. The pieces had been small, two chests and one chair.

  Hamish had insisted on taking them to market the previous year when they took a small flock of ewes to town. His older brother's plan had been to show Edan how easily his pieces would sell. Hamish had been correct. The woodwork went before the sheep.

  A great sadness filled Edan. Hamish had been the best of brothers. A heavy sigh left him. On hearing it, Daracha squeezed his left calf. When he turned to look into her upturned face, Edan knew she understood his feelings. Transferring his reins to his right hand, Edan reached out to place a hand on her head. Just touching her brought him comfort.

  The MacGrough clan continued to travel the Glasgow Road to their destination, Grahamston. Edan hoped it would be all Jamie Anderson claimed. Most of all, he prayed for a safe harbor for the women and children he was charged to care for.

  Chapter Fifteen

  It was very late in the afternoon when they finally reached a point where Jamie urged his horse forward to cut off the lead cart. Edan tapped his animal in the flank and joined Jamie.

  The young man pointed out a place northward of Broomielaw Street, on which they were traveling. "Just off there, 'tis where we'll pull off tha road. Under tha trees is where we're bound."

  "I see only ah few trees." Edan responded as he shaded his eyes with a hand to get a good look.

  "True enough! 'Tis tha reason we'll be talking of ah bargain this eve. 'Tis why Ian Smith will be whistling out tha other side of his mouth shortly. Smith thought he had tha best of tha bargain between ye."

  Jamie laughed and there was little merriment in the sound. "He thought tae take ah bit on tha side. If Tally gets wind of tha error, Ian is nae going tae be so merry."

  Kicking his horse into a trot, Jamie looked back at the women and motioned with his arm. "Come along, lasses! This eve ye will be sleeping in yur own place."

  Following along, Edan wondered exactly what information Jamie Anderson had. Whatever it might be, Edan was going to get it out of him before he went to his bed. The lad had been entirely, too closed mouthed and Edan wanted answers. There would be no deals without full disclosure.

  Ian Smith had been correct when he told Edan there was a structure on the land. And it was not a simple cottage, but the house of a man with a large family. The lower floor would easily house the two looms in separate quarters. The small bedrooms above the ground floor were three in number. Edan and Daracha eagerly took one, while the other two were divided up among the others.

  Both men sat around the dying fire. Each held a small tot of the MacGrough uisge beatha. The brew was warming their insides, as they each lounged on one of Edan's chests.

  Totaling up the afternoon's revelations, Edan was quite sure Ian Smith was going to be near to bursting a blood vessel when he discovered exactly what he had given up. Stretching his sore leg out in front of him, Edan took another sip of the dark whiskey.

  "I've learned ah bit this day. Ye're nae as young as ye look Jamie. I take it Smith was boasting of tha manner in which he had taken more from me than he should? Was he aware of yur affiliation with tha man he thought he cheated out of this land?"

  "Ahfore I show ye tha last of my cards, might I have ah few questions answered?" Jamie looked into th
e bi colored eyes of the man seated across from him.

  With a shrug, Edan tossed back the last of the whiskey in his cup. "Ye may ask, I may answer, then again, I may nae do so."

  "Per'aps we could exchange information. Ye ask tha first question, MacGrough. We shall see if that suits."

  "Well now, tell me if Anderson is yur real name or nae."

  Jamie chuckled softly. "Good question, MacGrough. 'Tis nae tha name I carried at birth. But 'tis my turn. I believed all men of tha MacGrough clan were at Culloden field. An, I never heard of one being sufficiently lame tae nae be able tae fight, so where ye there?"

  "Ah, laddie. That is ah question fraught with danger. Shall we take it in parts?" Edan felt his heart begin to pound. Jamie was far more astute than he had guessed. "Ye said ye "believed" all men of tha MacGrough clan were there. So, why would ah young lad be in ah position to be privy tae such knowledge?"

  With a sharp laugh, Jamie shook his blonde head. "I suppose ye have more tae lose, what with tha women an bairns. I shall go first. I'm Jamie Sinclair."

  Edan surged to his feet, fists clenched. Jamie raised his right hand, but remained seated.

  "I'm nae ah pawn of James Sinclair of Rosslyn. Ye've naught tae fear from me. Surely, ye ken there were five hundred good true men of Caithness, Sinclairs, on tha side of freedom? It mattered naught that our chief was on tha side of tha butcher, Clumberland. Some of us died with tha others who were given nae quarter."

  Lowering himself back onto the chest, Edan relaxed again. "I was there. But, my elder brother wished me tae stay behind. He charged me with seeing tae what was left of MacGrough, so tha clan would stay alive. Tha bloody bastard made sure I stayed as he commanded. He hit me with something, I've nae notion what. Hamish rolled me under ah bush an I dinnae come awake again until all was over."

  "Aye. Well, I was near tae where yur brother fell. 'Twas ah blow tae tha head that caused me tae wander off. One of my cousins found me an pulled me over into tha enemy camp. He told them I was fighting with him."