The Twisted Laird

by Cherime MacFarlane

  Very carefully, with Cadha's help, Rhona put Daracha's things away in a chest, which she pushed to the far corner of the room. From the window, Rhona could see to the end of the lane and down toward the lumber yard. The rowan tree was clearly visible if she moved to the right hand side of the window.

  She had baskets for each of the children at the side of the bed. Usually it was Cadell who was content to sleep in his basket. Ailene needed the comfort only a warm body smelling of sweet milk could provide. At night she tried to make it easier to nurse both children and often times they slept in the middle of the bed. Rhona would curl in a half circle around them.

  Knowing Edan slept on the right hand side of the bed, Rhona slept on the left. It did not feel right to invade his territory. It was foolish, but if he came home in the middle of the night, she wanted his place to be ready for him.

  The thought caused her cheeks to become hot, as she considered what it meant. She would be sleeping with Edan if that happened. She might be ready for something to change in their relationship, it was not the same for Edan.

  Daracha had been gone only two months. Hamish had been gone far longer. Edan would still be bleeding inside from the loss of Daracha. If he did ease his physical needs with her, it could result in pushing Edan farther from her. He was not the kind of man who would take such a coming together lightly.

  Nor could she suggest it. How could he know Rhona had been privy to so much of the marital goings on between himself and Daracha? A very private man, like Edan would not appreciate her spying. He might mentally understand the need driving her, but he would not condone it. Edan would probably be repulsed by such behavior.

  Closing her eyes, Rhona could relive the times she had stroked her own body in time to the noises emanating from this very bed. A shiver swept through her body and the dull ache settled in the center of her.

  Two years ago, if anyone had told her she would be shaking for need of Edan MacGrough, she would have slapped them for even hinting at such a circumstance. Maturing before her eyes, Edan had proven himself to be every inch a brave, compassionate man.

  It was because she knew him so well that Rhona feared for his life. The toll this feud of Edan’s was taking on his soul, was great. She quite understood what Jamie meant the day he said some men never returned. What she was banking on, was Edan's knowledge of the Bible and his innate goodness. He was familiar with the scripture in a manner she was not.

  Still, Rhona knew the fundamentals of the law of love. Forgive others as you wished to be forgiven. And she knew God forgave David premeditated murder, because he was a man after God's own heart.

  Compassion and kindness were things Edan had pushed to the very bottom of his being, even as he allowed the killer to emerge. Yes, he was trained as a warrior. But revenge was not something a warrior should take into battle. Revenge made one lose focus, a warrior without focus was usually dead fairly soon.

  Listening for that rolling gait of his, Rhona was somewhere inside herself as the noise and bustle of the household spun around her. Not usually a talkative woman, she was even more silent than usual.

  Cadha came to sit beside her. Laying a hand on her arm, the older woman silently waited for Rhona to acknowledge her before speaking.

  "Ye're far away, lass. Is all right with ye an with tha wee ones?"

  After losing her granddaughter only two months previously, here was Cadha inquiring as to her wellbeing. Something fractured inside Rhona. The last of the walls tumbled down around the gentleness she had been hiding from others for years.

  Turning, Rhona smiled at Cadha and pulled her into a hug. "Tha bairns are well. Ye ken Ailene is ah nervous lass. I've ah thought regarding that. Would ye come upstairs with me later, so we might talk of it? I dinnae wish to leave her alone tae long. She doesnae sleep, as long as she should, either."

  The smile Cadha gave her was as sweet as the woman herself. "Aye, luv. I would nae mind holding Ailene for ah while."

  "I dinnae mean tae keep her from ye. Ye may have as much time with tha bairn as ye please. I've been trying tae keep her calm. 'Tis nae ah easy task at times. Tha least thing sets her wee body tae quaking." Rhona was frowning. "As I said, I have ah thought on it."

  Once the meal was finished, Rhona went back up to the children. Cadha was not far behind. Cadell was awake and attempting to pull himself into a sitting position in his basket bed. Ailene woke as soon as Cadell began making noise.

  Cadha lifted the infant from the basket. After changing the children, the two women sat on the bed, each holding a child.

  "I ken tha problem, she starts at everything." Rubbing her great granddaughter's back in small circles, the older woman watched as Rhona set to nursing the boy.

  "An she fairs better when swaddled tightly. I'm thinking she bonded with Edan. He was tha one holding her. I think she's feeling his loss."

  Lowering her head to nuzzle the infant, Cadha's voice was muffled. "God have mercy upon us! I hate recalling that day. But ye may have tha straight of it. Edan needs tae come... home." The old woman's voice broke over the last word.

  "Something happened today. I was nae going tae say aught tae anyone, mayhap ye should keep what I'm telling ye quiet for the time being."

  Looking up at Rhona, Cadha nodded. "If ye think it best, lass."

  "I wouldnae want all tae get tae thinking ah victory celebration was in order. I dinnae ken how tae make tha rest understand tha Edan who returns, if he indeed returns, is nae tha same as tha one who left."

  "I'd nae thought of it. 'Tis true. Few saw tha doings in this room when my lass was struggling tae birth Ailene. They nae saw tha broken man he was when she breathed her last. Aye, we'll need tae talk with tha lot."

  Cadell was finished feeding. Rhona smiled at him when she wiped his mouth with the end of the blanket. "If ye would hold Cadell, I’ll feed our wee sweetie."

  Laying Cadell on the bed beside her, Rhona reached for Ailene. "An I'm thinking we need tae have tha talk soon. Today, at tha end of tha lane, he was there. I was holding Ailene, walking with her, when tha birds suddenly took wing from tha tree. I looked up to see what might have disturbed them, an there he sat."

  Silent for a moment, as she set Ailene to her breast, Rhona continued when the child was feeding. "I turned so he might see her better. What I saw of Edan, ye could walk arm's length away an never recognize him. He's like ah bull gone wild."

  With a deep sigh, Cadha gently patted Cadell on the back to help him burp. "Why do ye think he left again?"

  "He's nae finished. Jamie keeps up with tha news from town. Tally has never found tha Smith's. An Tally is still alive. I'm thinking Edan is keeping him for last."

  "Lass, this is such ah horror. 'Tis ah pity we ever made the Smiths' acquaintance."

  "'Tis that, Cadha. An I'm sure that is another thing preying on him, Edan took tha ferryman's advice an led us intae tha snare."

  "'Twas nae his fault! Tally is tha one in tha wrong."

  Ailene fell asleep again in Rhona's arms. "If ye would, ye take sweeting an I'll take Cadell." Placing the sleeping child on the bed, Rhona tied up her bodice and reached for Cadell.

  "'Tis all true. Cadha, ye ken, naught makes ah difference when yur heart's in tatters inside. An we're all hardest on ourselves. An along with himself, he blames me, for letting her try tae rescue Sim on her own."

  "Another thing I've puzzled over. How did tha door get left open for Sim tae dart out?"

  Hugging Cadell to her, Rhona thought about it. "I've nae notion. Jamie and Edan went out tha door an I'm certain they closed it behind them. Neither of them would have left it unlatched. I was in charge inside an I should have checked, I didnae. He has good reason tae be angry with me."

  Turning, Cadha gently patted Ailene's back. "Should I move her? I've nae wish tae disturb tha poor bairn."

  "Aye, ye should. She needs bubbling an ye need tae hold her. I worry I'm nae doing things right. Maybe, I'm tha cause of her fretfulness. 'Tis all so new tae me."

&
nbsp; "Och! I've watched ye an dinna fash yurself. Ye take tae mothering well enough." Picking Ailene up from the bed, Cadha tucked the infant’s small body tightly against her chest. "An I've meant tae thank ye. Taking another bairn on, when ye have yur first one already, I ken how difficult it was for ye.

  "Daracha was my friend. Tha first real female friend I ever had. I ken she would have done tha same for me. Daracha an I discussed what she wanted tae name her. We teased about tha name, Ailene. It broke my heart tae see her dead with tha bairn wailing for her."

  Silently, Rhona thought of the look of horror and pain on Edan's face. She knew how he felt. Had she been able to put a face to the man who slew her Hamish, she might have done what Edan was doing now.

  Holding the infants just a fraction tighter, the two women quietly tended to the babies.

  Chapter Forty - Seven

  He had a bolt hole on the far side of Gruggie's burn. Beneath the pile of old wood and trash, Edan could easily watch the warehouse. Tally would resume his activities. The man could not turn away from smuggling. He was too greedy and the profits too tempting.

  Trying to turn his thoughts back to the business at hand, Edan wondered how much money Tally was losing by not replacing Ian and Jock immediately. There was the small matter of two men Tally would no longer be able to call on for help. That might limit his choices.

  Angus Williams and Dougie Moran were in hell where they both belonged. Terrified out of his head, Dougie had presented little difficulty. The cowardly bastard had sniveled and whined. Naught was his fault. Cam, his older brother and Williams led him astray.

  Dougie refused to fight. Edan walked away from the coward in disgust. Walking outside to the fire, Edan scattered the handful of pebbles he held just behind where his bedding lay. Flipping the covers up over him, Edan settled with his back to the entrance to the cave and waited.

  The dirk that Edan held was quite a bit longer than the knife he had given Dougie. If the man bolted past him, Edan was of a mind to let him live. It was possible Dougie was the victim of circumstance, as he himself was on meeting Ian.

  Proving himself a liar, as well as a coward, Dougie waited until he thought Edan was asleep to creep out of the cavern. Coming straight for Edan, Dougie leaned forward to stab Edan in the back.

  Rolling onto his back, Edan thrust the blade upward into his attacker's abdomen. By the light of the dying fire, Edan watched the look of surprise cross the man's face as he dropped the knife and clutched the blade which skewered him.

  "Ye wee, lying, bloody bastard! Ye're naught but ah miserable coward." Using his free hand, Edan pushed Dougie away from him. "I'll nae have ye bleeding all over my bedding."

  Flopping backward, Dougie clutched at the bleeding wound in his gut. Edan scooped up the knife.

  "Help me!" Moran moaned out.

  "Och! Nae, ye witless fool. Ye chose this night. Had ye slipped on past me, I might have let ye live. Ye killed yurself with yur actions. I'm taking myself off tae find some silence. By tha time I return, tha yammering should have stopped. Idiot!"

  No matter what he tried to use to distract his thoughts from the incident in the afternoon, his mind continually returned to the scene on the other side of the rowan tree.

  Going to look at the cottage was a compulsion he could not ignore. He had hoped to simply take a look and leave. Instead, he had seen Rhona holding something and swaying from side to side.

  The horse, sensing its stable, had walked forward far enough to frighten the birds fluttering around the tree, as they feasted on the rowan berries. Realizing his mistake, Edan reined the animal in. It was too late. Rhona saw him. Turning fully, she raised her head and lifted the infant higher. The soft red gold fuzz on the child's head shone in the sunlight.

  Nearly doubling over the animal's neck in pain, Edan sharply reined the horse away and galloped hard in the opposite direction.

  Sitting in his makeshift hut, with the blankets clutched around him, Edan could picture it all again. The baby had been tucked tightly against Rhona. She was rocking Ailene. That meant Cadell was the infant on the blanket with Lara beneath the tree.

  The look in those dark eyes, which did not leave him, as she turned and raised the child for him to see, was one of a mother. Even now, picturing it again in his head, Edan knew he need not worry for the safety and comfort of Ailene. Giving the child to Rhona had been a good decision.

  He still could not forgive Rhona for not seeing to the safety of all in the cottage that night. Had she made sure Sim was safely inside, it would be Daracha holding his daughter. He would not be sitting here in a filthy hovel, with no fire to warm him, as he waited for Tally to finally do something about his bloody investment.

  If Smith did not do something soon, Edan was going to lose patience, drag the bugger from his house and slit his throat where all could see. A little voice inside cautioned him to restrain himself. There was always the other Moran brother to hunt down.

  He could occupy his time while he waited on Tally to make a move. It was not Tally's turn, it was Cam's. Apparently, the lout sensed he was being hunted and was hiding somewhere. Searching the last Moran out was a worthwhile endeavor.

  It was more than likely any information to be found on Cam would be discovered in a pub. That would be warmer than sitting in the cold mist of a foggy night, in a hut that did not stop the moisture from soaking his bedding and clothing.

  Rising, Edan caught up the horses and rode to a pub a distance from Broomielaw. He would work his way back and forth in a semicircle around Broomielaw. Someone knew where Cam lived. Edan intended to find that person.

  No longer caring about the constant dull ache in his leg, Edan went from one dark and smoke filled room to another. Careful in his approach to people, he asked for Dougie and not Cam. Since no one had seen Dougie recently, it would not be out of the ordinary for someone to be looking for him.

  His story was simple, Dougie owed him. Comments, ranging from a simple snort of displeasure to curses heaped on the younger Moran, told Edan he had chosen the right lie. A thread, someone who claimed to have seen Cam, but not Dougie surfaced in one of the more dimly lit places he entered.

  Several sheets to the wind, the man finally admitted to having talked with Cam a few days before when Cam was searching for his brother. Sitting in the dingy little building, lit by only a fireplace and two strategically hung lamps, Edan felt a shiver course down his spine.

  Turning slowly, Edan repositioned himself a quarter turn toward the entrance. Someone near the door, a big man was in conversation with the proprietor of the dark, smelly place. Edan reached a hand up to scratch his cheek and moved the eye patch so the small hole he placed in it was centered over his eye.

  Closing the uncovered eye, he leaned lazily back against the wall. As he watched through his peep hole, the man stalked in his direction. Edan knew Cam had found him. How to get the last Moran outside with him, was the question.

  Cam Moran reached out and slammed one hand down hard on Edan's shoulder. Acting as if he were startled out of a semi drunken stupor, Edan flailed his arms about. The man drew back away from Edan. With a sharp curse, Edan turned sideways and scurried past the man.

  Taken by surprise, Moran stood still for a moment, before hurrying after Edan. With a grin the other man could not see, Edan hurried through the door. Turning at the end of the building, he hesitated long enough for Cam to make it through the door.

  Faking a look of panic, Edan turned into the alley. He might not have the pleasure of Cam's company in the cavern. It seemed this matter was going to play out in town. His horses waited in the dark, behind the building where some sort of structure had once stood. Old pieces of rotting wood and building stone littered three sides of the vacant land.

  Pulling off the old blanket he used as a cape, Edan pulled his sword from its harness. Both animals shifted nervously in the semi dark. The only light came from a half moon, which flitted in and out of the clouds. The drenching mist was gone, leaving the
night cold and damp.

  Ducking behind the horses, Edan wanted to give his eyes time to adjust to the darkness. Tugging the eye patch down, he let it fall around his neck. As he hoped, Cam followed him into the weed and trash filled space.

  "Come out ye wee, bloody bastard. I wish tae ken why ye're seeking Dougie. I ken ye're hiding behind the horses an I'm coming in tae get ye, unless ye show yur face." Cam was so angry he was sputtering.

  "Lost yur brother? I can tell ye where tae find tha asail. I could take ye tae him, had we tha time. But I dinnae think we will, have tha time that is."

  Edan stepped out from behind the horses, with his blade in his hand. Cam's eyes went to the sword first. Then he looked at Edan's face.

  "I've nae weapon. Where is Dougie?"

  "We'll remedy tha first situation. Here." Edan pulled the dirk from its sheath beneath the pack on the second horse and tossed it to Cam.

  "'Tis nae as big as tha claymore ye're carrying. 'Tis nae fair." Regardless of his words, Cam settled into a fighting stance.

  "Och! 'Tis fair enough. Ye're ah big man an I've ah lame leg. As tae where yur brother is, I left his body out for tha creatures on ah hillside, Ben Nevis way."

  Cam rushed him with a hissed curse. Edan beat the charge back and knew he must hurry. There was no time to waste here. Cam darted forward, trying to gut Edan. Stepping to the side on his good leg, Edan slashed downward and removed the hand holding the dirk.

  With a scream, Cam held the stump, which was pumping blood onto the ground. Edan grabbed the dirk with his left hand and rammed it into Cam's body.

  "Ye burned my lumber yard on Tally's orders. My wife is dead, but ye'll nae see her, as ye're joining Dougie in hell. Dinnae fash yurself, Tally isnae far behind."

  Jerking the blade from Cam's body, Edan let the dying man fall. As quickly as possible, Edan mounted his horse and slipped into the darkness of the narrow alley. He heard noise behind him and urged the horses into a fast walk. Now he needed to get away. One more, one more and he was done. He could finally ask God for forgiveness, once Tally was dead.