“There was nae time to retrieve all of them,” he explained. “The carrack came on us too fast.”
Laird MacNeil fixed him in his gaze and frowned. “What is our motto, Graeme?”
Graeme swallowed the lump in his throat and replied, “Buaidhi no bas.”
“Exactly. Buaidhi no bas—conquer or die. Ye ran to save yerselves instead of fighting to the end. Fer years our clan has struggled and clawed our way into forming this faint semblance of civilization. We have endured hardship beyond anything our neighbors to the east could possibly imagine. Ye could have brought back even more gold and changed the entire course of our clan’s history.”
He saw a glint of malice in the old man’s eye and Graeme didn’t dare speak back to him, so he nodded in response. “I ken, my Laird.”
The laird continued, saying, “However, ye did manage to make it back alive, and bring a considerable sum of gold with ye in the process. That will benefit us greatly fer years to come, so I’ll forgive yer cowardice this time and hope ye’ve learned a valuable lesson. We will celebrate yer return this eve and raise a toast in yer crew’s honor. Bring Bess from the tavern, and let the men ken to bring their wives as well. I’ll have the preparations made and expect to see ye back here before sunset.”
Graeme bowed to him and said, “Thank ye, my Laird.”
Just then, he caught sight of movement on the parapet above and glanced up to see Claire picking up her skirts and moving toward the great hall. Her expression was morose as before, and she hardly paid her lady’s companions any mind.
Graeme cleared his throat, peering up at the noble lady and asked, “Forgive me fer asking, but is Lady Claire well? She appears distraught.”
“My daughter’s well-being is nae of yer concern,” Thomas told him.
“Of course,” Graeme apologized. “I saw her on the landing and felt compelled to ask.”
Thomas sighed, glancing up to his daughter also. “Clan Mackenzie sent word that her intended comes to visit in a month. She and I had words about it earlier and now she’s making a scene to remind me of her objection.”
The captain nodded in understanding. “I see. It must be difficult to be a parent at times.”
A hint of a smile flickered across the laird’s face. “To say so would be an understatement. One day, Graeme, ye’ll ken what I’m talking about.”
He chuckled slightly at the thought of raising bairns. “Perhaps, but nae fer a long time I think. I would have to find the right lass to do it with first.”
“Ye just need a lass who can make an honest man out of ye.” Thomas glanced back through the entrance where Elspeth and the crew were laughing with each other. “Speaking of which, how is yer surgeon adjusting?”
Graeme smiled. “I think she’s doing rather well. Though I have need to speak with her as of late. We have…a private matter to discuss.”
“I find Elspeth rather fascinating,” Thomas admitted. He scratched his chin in thought before continuing with, “Mayhap ye could do me another service by lending her company to my daughter. It would be beneficial fer both of them to spend time with one another, seeing as they’re similar in age. Elspeth is older by a couple years, but I dinnae think Claire would mind. She would enjoy the companionship.”
He nodded in agreement. “Aye. I’m sure Elspeth would be most happy to oblige.”
“Excellent, I’ll send an escort to collect her in the morning and see to it they’re both given the royal treatment. Maybe that will get Claire to stop moping around the castle.”
Graeme bowed to him and said, “Ye’re most gracious.”
Laird MacNeil turned away from him and walked back toward the kitchens. “Ye’re dismissed fer the time being. I expect to see ye and the rest of yer crew back here before the evening.”
He nodded, backing away from him to retreat through the castle entrance. His crew was on the landing outside waiting for him and they cheered at his arrival. For an instant, Graeme’s eyes met Elspeth’s and his chest felt tight.
“Is all of the cargo unloaded?”
Alistair grinned and crossed his arms in front of his chest while leaning back against the side of the ship. “Aye, Captain. We’re waiting fer yer report.”
“The laird is pleased,” Graeme informed them. “Though there was little doubt that he would be. Thomas has offered to throw a feast in our honor at Kisimul this eve. We would do well to join him then and bring our wives and children also. In the meantime, I say we row to the village and let the women ken that we’ve returned.”
“Aye,” the men cheered in unison.
“What are we waiting fer?”
They started climbing back on the ship and Graeme’s thoughts drifted back to Elspeth. He glanced over at her as the ship took to the water and felt desire rising up inside him. She did not meet his gaze but settled back into the oars as they pushed away from the castle landing. It took them less than five minutes to row across the bay and land at the village harbor, where they were met with the same joyous crowd as last time.
Seamus jumped off the boat immediately to kiss his extremely pregnant wife and the others followed suit by joining with their own companions. Alistair found his red-haired son on the pier and lifted him high onto his shoulder as the rest of them were swept away in the celebratory reunion.
Graeme chuckled at the happy scene and stepped off the boat himself to tie the birlinn vessel to the dock. When he turned around Elspeth was staring at him thoughtfully, with her cheeks flushed the same rosy pink. Her windswept hair blew wild in the salty breeze as he walked up to her and took Elspeth lightly by the hand.
“There is much I would like to say to ye,” Graeme started. “Yet, I have no idea where to begin.”
“Then dinnae speak.”
He stared at her fer a moment and Elspeth gazed back at him with a slow smile creeping across her face. Graeme tilted his head down the road toward The Salty Wench and said, “Come on, there will be plenty of time fer talking later. Bess will be glad to see us.”
Elspeth nodded, and they walked down the road together with his boots scuffing along the gravel until they made it to The Salty Wench. He opened the door and called inside to her, saying, “Bess?”
The dining area was completely vacant, and the auburn-haired tavern owner poked her head out from the kitchen.
“Graeme! Elspeth! Thank heavens ye made it back in one piece, I’ve been so worried.”
He walked over to her and lifted Bess up into a hug. “Good day, Aunt. I’ve missed ye, too.”
Bess gasped out a laugh and swatted him away, saying, “Good gracious, lad, what’s gotten into ye?”
“Nothing, Bess. I’m in a delightful mood.”
The woman chuckled as he set her back on the ground. “Was there any luck with the Mary Rose?”
“Aye, there was—unbelievably good. We took it handily and stopped fer the night in Oban on the way back home. Thomas was very pleased.”
“Well, I’m glad to hear it.”
“Actually, Bess, the laird even requested our presence at Kisimul this eve fer a feast in celebration of our victory.”
Bess stepped away from him and scoffed. “Ye go and enjoy yerself then, I’ll stay here at the tavern. I said I would never set foot in that place again.”
“Nae, ye’re coming with us,” Graeme insisted. “The laird requested ye specifically. I dinnae think ye can refuse his offer without insulting him.”
“Since when does his lairdship care about the likes of me?”
Graeme sighed, placing his hand on her shoulder. “Bess, ye’re an asset to the community, everyone kens that. I’m asking ye to do this fer me personally. I dinnae want to have to explain to him why I arrived without ye. Dinnae come fer his sake, come because ye want to. Come because there will be good food and ye deserve a night off from the tavern. It would make me happy to see ye smile.”
“It would make me smile to defy that arrogant—”
“Bess…” Graeme warned, while cuttin
g her off. “The laird is extending an olive branch. Please, do it fer me.”
His aunt huffed in exasperation at Graeme’s request, but nodded slightly. “Very well. I’ll go with ye to the feast.”
Graeme smiled. “Ye better get ready then. He expects us there before sundown.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Elspeth didn’t know what to expect as she walked with Graeme and Bess toward the docks. She’d never been invited to something quite as extravagant as a castle feast before and felt woefully underdressed. Bess had spent the better part of an hour fussing with her hair and changing into another outfit, while she had little more than the clothes she’d been wearing when they arrived.
Graeme was stoic as always, leading then down the road with his head held high. Most of the crew was already there when the three of them approached the wooden pier; Seamus and his wife, Valan, Alistair, they were all climbing into ships to row across the harbor.
Her stomach flipped with uncertainly as she gazed over at the castle in the center of the bay. Graeme helped them each step down into the boat and secure themselves before unlatching the rope from the wooden post and taking his position at the oars. The boat took to water and drifted out into the bay as he rowed them toward the castle.
Bess was visibly displeased about the entire situation and Elspeth wished there was something she could do to comfort her. Bess’ lips pursed together as she glared at the enormous keep. Elspeth could only assume there was some lingering resentment between Bess and the laird about his refusal to let her and Jamie marry. In a show of support, Elspeth reached out to touch the woman’s hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. “Bess?”
The woman patted Elspeth on the knee before exhaling a tired sigh. “Dinnae fash yerself about me, love. It’s just been a long time since I’ve been to Kisimul. Last time I was here Jamie and the laird almost came to blows.”
Elspeth frowned at her, saying, “It must have been hard to see that.”
Bess nodded. “Aye, it was. Thank ye fer understanding.” She turned her gaze back toward the castle. “Now let’s just get this over with.”
Soon they were at the entrance to the keep and Graeme positioned the ship on the outcropping of rocks by the castle gate. All of them rose to their feet and helped secure the vessel with a length of rope while an entourage of guards stood outside the portcullis. Banners were flung from every window and the entire castle island appeared to be in celebration, even the walk inside was lit with torches though the sun had not yet fallen.
Elspeth gazed up at the scene in wonder and smoothed the front of her shirt, listening to the hum of music that came from somewhere in the courtyard.
It was breathtaking.
Elspeth was still soaking it in when Graeme walked up next to her and offered her his arm. She turned to him in surprise and the captain merely raised an eyebrow at her, saying, “Aren’t ye coming?”
She blushed at the sound of his voice and her own social awkwardness before placing her hand in the crook of his elbow. “Aye. Of course.”
The world seemed to slow around them as their eyes met a second time. The castle and its feast, the music, even Bess just sort of melted into the background and it was just the two of them. Her heartbeat quickened, and Elspeth smiled up at him in their own little perfect bubble.
The moment was shattered only seconds later when Bess huffed in exasperation and looped her arm through Graeme’s other side. “Come on, loves. Let’s go on inside.”
“Promise me ye’ll behave yerself,” Graeme pleaded.
“I’ll do nae such thing. It was yer idea to bring me here, nae mine.”
He sighed, but the corner of Bess’ mouth had curved up into a grin, smiling for the first time since she heard about their excursion. The three of them took up the entire walkway as they marched arm in arm through the castle gate.
When they passed the threshold, Elspeth gazed around in wonder at the flurry of commotion. There were faces she recognized as members of their crew, but others she’d never seen before. She exhaled nervously at the spectacle and Graeme glanced down at her, saying, “Are ye well?”
“Aye, it’s just so much to take in,” she responded dreamily.
Bess nodded. “Aye. That’s why I never come to these things—it makes me feel…small. I never have been comfortable in places such as this, I’d be much happier in the tavern.”
Graeme rolled his eyes at her. Across the courtyard Claire was speaking with one of her companions and when she saw them come inside the lady smiled at Elspeth warmly. She made her way across the grass and gravel toward them, her dainty steps making it look as if she was floating across the ground. Claire embraced Elspeth with a hug when she finally reached them and kissed her on both cheeks. “Elspeth, I’m so glad ye’re here. My da tells me ye’re coming back again tomorrow afternoon, is it true?”
Elspeth chuckled nervously and said, “Aye, yer ladyship. Graeme mentioned it as we were getting ready. I was most surprised by the invitation but am looking forward to it.”
“I must admit, I’m excited fer the opportunity to spend time with ye. As a ship’s surgeon ye must have marvelous stories.”
She laughed. “Wish that I did, yer ladyship. My life was relatively dull until the captain showed up at our door.”
“Ah, well. There are still many things we could discuss.”
Elspeth was about to speak when Alistair came walking up beside them. Before she realized what was happening, he’d wrapped his arms around her and lifted her off the ground. “Ahh!”
“Ellie!” he said affectionately. “I see ye and Graeme finally managed to arrive.”
Claire stepped back and watched with a sense of amusement as the behemoth of a man picked Elspeth up and squeezed her in a hug.
“Ack, let me down!” Elspeth insisted.
“Alistair, that’s enough,” Graeme scolded.
The quartermaster set her on the ground and then ruffled her hair with his fingers.
“My goodness, are they always so bold?” Claire laughed at the exchange.
Elspeth shook her head. “It’s a mystery. I hardly ken what to expect from them myself.”
“Oh, come now,” Alistair teased. “We’re nae so bad. I was just having a spot of fun.”
“Alistair, I think yer wife is looking fer ye,” Graeme informed him with a scowl. “Why dinnae ye go see to her instead?”
The quartermaster scoffed. “This is a party, isn’t it?”
“Alistair…”
The auburn-haired sailor rolled his eyes at them and winked in Elspeth’s direction before going back the way he came.
“Forgive his behavior, yer ladyship,” Graeme apologized. “Alistair must have had a few drinks before coming over, he’s nae always like this.”
Claire giggled. “There’s nothing to apologize fer. I find the men of our village most entertaining.” Turning her attention back to Elspeth, she asked, “What was the name he called ye? Ell-something?”
“Ellie. The men like to call me that sometimes, it’s short fer Elspeth.”
The lady nodded. “I see. Ye must feel lucky to have fallen in their good graces. I hear the men can be rather savage at times.”
Before she could respond, a herald came out from the great hall and announced the meal was ready to be served. Claire smiled apologetically and curtsied before rushing off to meet her father. The laird and his daughter positioned themselves at the entrance to the great hall and everyone else began to shift toward the door to go inside.
Elspeth followed Graeme and Bess, taking a seat beside them at the table. The mood of the feast became more formal and she was vividly aware of his body next to her. Even when he wasn’t looking at her, Elspeth could sense Graeme’s attention fixed on her completely. His foot rubbed up against hers beneath the table and Elspeth glanced at him with a tiny smile. “Hello.”
Graeme grinned at her. “Hello.”
There were so many things she wanted to say, so many things she wanted to d
o, to let him know how much he meant to her. Graeme’s eyes softened as the people surrounding them tried to engage in conversation. She bit into her smile as musicians started playing instruments on the far side of the room. Their song filled the entire chamber with melody, singing,
“Bravely against wind and tide
they have brought us to ‘neath Kisimul’s walls—
Kisimul castle of ancient glory!
Here’s red wine, a toast to heroes,
watching Kisimul’s galley sailing.”
Elspeth listened with fascination as servers filed in, hefting platters of food and decanters of wine so all could dig in and enjoy. As she began to fill her plate, Graeme leaned over to whisper in her ear, “When we get back to the tavern I would like to speak with ye…alone.”
She nodded in understanding and gazed up at him with an impish smile. “Aye, Captain. Ye ken where to find me.”
They stared at one another for a moment as the song came to an end. Elspeth swallowed hard and forced herself to look away from him, turning her attention back toward the meal. She ate to her heart’s content, enjoying the company of their crew and the nobility of Clan MacNeil. As plates were cleared, second and third courses were served: exotic cheeses, fruits, and some of the richest pastries she’d ever tasted.
Her wine chalice was never empty, and Elspeth had to pace herself before getting carried away and losing track of how much she’d had to drink. The conversation became louder and more bawdy as the night drew on. The effects of her drink took hold after a while, and she began to feel warm and lightheaded. She rested her head on Graeme’s shoulder and laughed at the jokes being told. Everyone was having a wonderful time, either laughing or helping themselves another drink. When the hour grew late, guests began to excuse themselves from the festivities and row back to Castlebay.
“Thank ye fer the delicious food,” Graeme told their hosts with a bow. “I’m afraid we must get heading back. My aunt is tired, and it’s been a long day fer the rest of us.”
“Ye’re most welcome, Graeme. Travel safely, and I’ll send an escort fer Elspeth on the morrow.”
Taken by Graeme (The Pirates of Barra: Highland Raiders Book 1) Page 14