by Riley Moreno
He turned to Bruce. ‘How did you arrive here so quickly? How did you get word of the attack?’
‘If I were to tell you,’ Bruce said, ‘I might get my dear sister in trouble.’
Tristan frowned. ‘Why?’
‘Because she came alone to fetch me and sent out more men to summon the other clans,’ Bruce said, ‘And though I was alarmed when she told me she had ridden out alone, I couldn’t help but admire her courage.’
Tristan was speechless for a moment, then he turned to Lydell.
‘Hear that Lydell? I really don’t believe any of your blood flows through my beloved wife’s veins because she has the kind of bravery you will never have.’
‘Tristan,’ Bruce said, out of earshot of Lydell and Rona, ‘You are not going to chastise Ashley for riding out alone, are you?’
‘Of course I am,’ Tristan said, ‘And then I am going to tell her how proud of her I am. She saved Duffries today. And thank you for coming…brother.’ He clasped Bruce’s shoulder.
‘And I thank you clansmen all!’ Tristan shouted, ‘And now to Duffries where we will provide you with refreshment and celebrate our unity against a common foe.’
Tristan and Bruce rode back to the castle together. ‘Do you think Rona’s child is Lydell’s?’ Bruce asked.
‘Are you worried about you and Ashley having to acknowledge another half-sister, and that too one born from Rona?’
‘Yes,’ Bruce replied.
‘Don’t worry, Bruce. That little girl, lovely as she is, is no sister of yours. Judging from her age and appearance I would guess the father to be one Alistair Macfarlane – a ne’er do well who frequents the local taverns and who is lusty enough to be able to handle Rona’s considerable appetite.’
‘So why is Rona claiming the child is Lydell’s?’
‘She knows Lydell still has lands and properties that she can attempt to get from him,’ Tristan said, ‘At least that’s what I think. We will never know how that woman’s mind works.’
Bruce looked thoughtful as they entered the castle, where the household had been roused and the pantry divested of meat and wine for an impromptu feast of victory.
Meanwhile Ashley had hurried back to the castle accompanied by two Mackenzie clansmen. She ran to Kirk and clasped him to her. Laren looked alarmed. ‘My lady, what is the matter?’
‘Everything will be alright Laren,’ Ashley said through tears of relief. ‘But there were moments while I was out riding alone when I wondered if I would make it back alive. I wondered what madness had possessed me to go riding off like that leaving my beloved bairn and my husband.’
‘You did it for them my lady,’ Laren said, her eyes glowing with admiration. ‘I pray I may have half the courage you have shown through this and so many other challenges in your life.’
‘You give me too much credit, Laren,’ Ashley said, kissing Kirk. ‘What news from outside?’
‘I have been waiting for Lachlan or someone else to bring me word of what transpired on the moors, because I haven’t dared venture outside of this room.’
‘Thank you Laren, for doing my bidding and taking care of Kirk,’ Ashley said, as she continued to kiss her baby and rock him back and forth, tears of relief still spilling from her eyes; the old sadness at being rejected by her biological father rising up to cast a pall on her usually bright spirits.
The door opened and Tristan stood there watching her. Ashley turned around guiltily, hoping he hadn’t heard who had summoned the clans.
‘Tristan!’ She exclaimed, laying Kirk down in his crib and running to her husband.
‘Ashley!’ Tristan said, holding her close and kissing her hair. ‘Ashley, Ashley, Ashley!’
‘What is it my love?’ Ashley asked, afraid.
‘I don’t know what to say, but there is a victory feast taking place in the grounds below…’
‘In the middle of the night?’ Ashley asked.
‘Yes, it is the least we can do for clansmen who have ridden out so far to protect us, don’t you think?’
‘Most definitely, yes,’ Ashley said, nodding her head and looking up into her husband’s face.
‘But there is one person whose presence is desired. The actual hero of this evening. The person who saved Duffries and all of us.’
‘Yes, you should go down Tristan. I will wait for you until the feast is over.’
‘Well my dear, I always thought I was the hero - the strongest man amongst the clans….and that I would never meet my match in strength and skill…until I met you. You my dear wife are awaited downstairs in the grounds. You rode out alone in the darkness, across the moors you fear, and you fetched the clans to help me defend Duffries.’
‘It was the least I could do,’ Ashley said, ‘To protect you and Kirk; Laren and the others…’
Tristan stroked her cheeks, wiping off the tears, and looking into her green eyes, like moorlands in the summer rain. ‘I was so afraid when Bruce told me what you did. I was going to chastise you for certain, but as I walked up the stairs towards this room I knew I could never be angry with you for a deed so brave.’
Ashley started to cry again. ‘Oh Tristan,’ she said, ‘I was hardly brave. I was afraid as I rode through the darkness – wondering if I would remember the way to Dunnotar and remembering the horrors I had faced on the moors when Lydell turned me out of his castle…’
Tristan caught her tears as they fell, kissing her eyelids, face and lips. ‘You are the most beautiful, brave woman I know and I am more than ever proud that you are the mother of my son.’
‘You and Kirk inspire me, Tristan,’ Ashley said, ‘I just kept thinking of Kirk alone in the castle and you alone on the moor and that thought spurred me on.’
‘Come now, or the clans will start shouting for you.’ Tristan cocked his head, ‘In fact, listen.’
Ashley stood still and listened as the cries of ‘Ashley! Ashley! Ashley!’ went up from outside Duffries. She lifted Kirk up into her arms, held her head high and walked out to meet the clans with Tristan by her side.
Bruce ran forward to embrace her. ‘You have made your husband so proud today, dear sister, but you have also filled my heart with admiration for you. I am more than honored to be called your brother, Ashley Mackenzie.’
Ashley’s eyes filled again, and the tears slipped down when she saw the clansmen fanning out from every side, all of them calling her name. Tristan beckoned to Laren who took Kirk from Ashley’s arms. Ashley looked from Tristan to Laren in confusion, and all but squealed when Tristan lifted her onto his shoulders and carried her out into the sea of clansmen. Ashley waved from her elevated position on her husband’s strong shoulders and blew kisses, embracing the moment despite the awkwardness she had initially felt at the acclaim she was receiving. Tristan swung her down and pulled her into his arms, kissing her deeply in full view of the clans. Seemingly from nowhere the pipers and fiddlers arrived, wiping sleep from their eyes and refreshed with pitchers of Scottish ale… and as the dancers circled, Tristan swept Ashley up and danced a Reel with her.
CHAPTER IV
Workers scurried about Lennox Castle, where the trees were festooned with lights and lanterns lit the extensive grounds. Tables laid with food and wine were everywhere, and the music of the pipers mingled with the soughing of the wind across the moors.
Ashley adjusted her hair and examined her reflection in the mirror. She wore a gown of green velvet that set off her red hair and green eyes. Her neck and ears were adorned with exquisite pearls and she looked radiant.
‘Tristan! Are you ready?’ Ashley called out.
Tristan appeared, and Ashley gasped at the sight of her husband, feeling the familiar skip of her heartbeat and the racing of her pulse. ‘In all world, Tristan Kincaid, there never was one as handsome, strong or brave as you!’
Tristan swaggered into the room. He looked magnificent in his kilt of Kincaid tartan, a creamy white shirt with a black jacket, and his dark hair tied at the nape of his neck.
/> ‘God of the highlands,’ Ashley breathed. ‘That’s what I hear women call you!’
‘Well then, my goddess, let us leave for the abbey now, before I divest you of your fine gown and have my way with you,’ Tristan laughed.
‘I must look in on Laren and see if she needs anything,’ Ashley said, walking quickly over to the door, but turning to take one more look at Tristan, her eyes hungrily roving over his tall, muscular body. ‘I can’t wait for tonight, Tristan Kincaid,’ she said, going back to him and standing on tiptoe to reach his lips. He bent down to kiss her, pulling her against him, pushing his sporran aside so that she could feel, through his kilt, the effect she always had on him.
‘Oh!’ Ashley gasped, ‘You taunt me!’
She pulled away and made for the door again, turning around to blow Tristan a kiss. Then she hurried over to Laren’s room, where her sister Ailsa was helping her dress.
‘You look beautiful, Laren!’ Ashley exclaimed and held out the wreath she had brought for her – a delicately crafted silver circlet embedded with tiny pearls.
‘Oh my lady!’ Laren exclaimed, ‘Is that for me?’
‘Yes, it is, Laren. I thought it would be perfect for you,’ Ashley said, as she pinned the wreath to Laren’s veil. ‘Wait till Lachlan sees you! You won’t be staying at that reception very long!’
‘Oh my lady!’ Laren exclaimed, blushing.
‘Thank you for everything you’ve done for me, Laren,’ Ashley said, ‘You’ve been more like a sister to me than anything else and I value you.’
‘Don’t worry my lady, I will be back soon.’
Ashley hugged Laren and left the room to fetch Kirk, who toddled up to his mother and tugged at her gown, holding his arms up to be carried.
‘Oh no, wee laddie, today your mama needs to keep her gown looking perfect. Come, take my hand and let’s walk together.’ She held a brooch out to her little son. It was made of silver and had two hearts engraved on it. ‘And don’t you forget to give this lukenbooth to Aunty Laren,’ Ashley said. ‘It’s very very special, you know, Kirk.’ Kirk looked from the brooch to his mother and back again. He took the brooch from Ashley’s hand and tried to put it in his mouth.
‘No Kirk! Not in your mouth. In Aunty Laren’s hand!’
Just then Laren emerged with Ailsa and Ashley looked at her spellbound and blew her a kiss. Laren’s slight figure was perfectly complemented by the flare of the satin and lace gown that she wore, and her face glowed. Kirk looked at Laren and smiled. Then he took the lukenbooth from Ashley and slipped it into Laren’s hand.
‘Lachlan dropped it by earlier today,’ Ashley said, ‘Isn’t it beautiful?’
‘It is indeed,’ Laren breathed. ‘Oh, I am so happy, my lady!’
After the ceremony at the abbey, the wedding party returned to Lennox castle where the dancing and feasting continued until dawn, long after Laren and Lachlan left amidst bawdy laughter and cat calls.
Ashley handed Kirk over to Christy, the young girl hired to watch him, and she danced with Tristan, even as Bruce and Leana joined the dancers. Ashley looked at them and whispered to Tristan. ‘I feel so grateful to have a family. And I do think it might be expanding.’ Tristan looked at her in alarm. ‘Are you with child again my love?’
Ashley gave him a mysterious smile. ‘Well, I can’t say anything about me just now, but I can about Leana.’
‘What?’ Tristan said, looking over at his sister. ‘Really? When?’
‘She has only just realized she is pregnant. They will make an announcement soon.’
‘And when will they tell me?’ Tristan asked, ‘I should have been told, don’t you think?’
As if in answer, Leana turned and her eyes fell on her handsome brother. ‘Tristan!’ she said, smiling happily. ‘Guess what?’ She came over to him, with Bruce following, keeping an anxious eye on her every move.
‘I can guess merely by seeing how careful Bruce is being with you,’ Tristan laughed, ‘But also, I have just been told by Ashley.’ Tristan embraced Leana, ‘I couldn’t be happier for you Leana.’ He embraced her again. ‘And I’m sorry again – for everything.’
‘My dear brother, I forgave you a long time ago.’
‘How Bruce does grow in power, wealth and stature,’ Ashley remarked as she and Tristan strolled about the grounds, watching the dancers from a distance.
‘You are proud of your brother, aren’t you?’ Tristan remarked, moved by the affection in Ashley’s voice.
‘Yes, he’s the only blood relation I have, apart from Kirk, and I’m so proud of everything he has achieved since becoming the Chief of the Mackenzie clan.
‘Yes, it was a big honor that the Mackenzies bestowed on him. They really love and admire Bruce a great deal,’ Tristan replied. His voice suddenly turned grave. ‘Ashley, there’s something you must know…’
‘What is it?’ Ashley asked, apprehensive about what her husband was about to disclose.
‘My sources reveal that Lydell Mackenzie is mustering a bigger army. I fear he may attempt to take Bruce down.’
‘Then all the clans will rally to fight against him, won’t they?’
‘Yes, they will. In fact I have already alerted them.’
‘Have you warned Bruce?’
Tristan shook his head. ‘He and Leana are so happy right now. If I tell him, the news will surely induce him to make the first move against Lydell, and if I’m wrong and Lydell isn’t planning what I think he is, it might cause the clan armies to go against Bruce. After all, we have vowed to hold the peace and never to attack unless attacked.’
Ashley looked troubled. ‘Tristan, isn’t there anything we can do? Leana is with child. What if Lydell attacks now?’
‘After what Lydell did when we were at Duffries, I have more of my people out gathering information about his goings-on. I am hoping that we get wind of the attack before it happens so that all the clan armies are ready to fight.’
‘You should have killed Lydell when you had the chance!’ Ashley exclaimed.
Tristan slipped his arm around her and drew her close. ‘You know my love, each time I think of driving my sword through his hateful heart, I am reminded that you are of his seed and I stop myself from doing what I know we need to do in order for peace.’
‘If you don’t kill him Tristan, I might be tempted to do so myself,’ Ashley said vehemently.
‘You only say that out of concern for Bruce, my darling. Be patient. Your husband will find a way through this.’
Ashley looked over at the dancers, where Bruce and Leana circled and leapt amongst them, and a chill came over her heart.
‘I am so afraid, Tristan,’ Ashley said.
‘Trust me,’ Tristan said, ‘We always beat Lydell, don’t we?’
‘Yes, we do, and that’s what worries me. Who can tell – perhaps the next time it will be him that will vanquish us and take Bruce down. He is still a Mackenzie and was once Chief, despite the fact that he stole from me.’
‘I will never forgive him for doing that. He actually took your own property and then tried to turn you out of a castle that was rightfully yours. He is unscrupulous and harsh and he will stop at nothing to have his way,’ Tristan said, ‘But the united clans will always win against him.’
‘You seem quite certain of that,’ Ashley remarked, only slightly mollified.
‘Come, dance with me!’ Tristan said, sweeping her away, hoping to put a smile back on her face.
CHAPTER V
‘My lady!’ Christy ran into the room without warning.
Ashley jumped up. ‘Christy! Will you learn how to knock? Laren always did.’
‘I’m sorry my lady,’ Christy said, looking so contrite that Ashley wished she hadn’t been so harsh with her.
‘What is it Christy?’
‘There is news for you…brought by a horseman…that my lady Leana is in labor.’
‘Oh! Now why didn’t you just say that in the first place?’ Ashley said, running out of the room an
d then back again. ‘Ask one of the grooms to saddle me a horse and then call my laird.’
But Tristan was in the room before Ashley finished speaking and Christy hurried away.
‘Surely you are not going riding over to Dunnotar in your condition?’
‘My darling, as I’ve said before, I am only having a baby and I will make sure I do not ride fast. Besides, I must be there for Leana and Bruce, as must you. Remember they kept vigil outside my Birthing Room?’
Tristan placed his hands on Ashley’s swollen belly and kissed her. ‘I can’t let you ride alone.’
‘Then I will take someone with me. Are you not coming?’
‘Yes, as soon as I deal with some business here.’
‘What business?’ Ashley asked.
‘I don’t want to alarm you, but I have news that Lydall is training men. I have a meeting with the clan chiefs to discuss what we should do.’
‘Where are they from, these men that Lydall is training?’
‘Everywhere. They don’t belong to any particular clan. Maybe they aren’t from these parts at all. He seeks to destroy us, does Lydell, and he will use anybody he can find to assist him.’
‘This is not the kind of news for Bruce and Leana right now,’ Ashley said, sitting down on the bed.
Tristan looked at her anxiously. ‘Are you alright my love? Please wait for me to finish meeting with the clan chiefs before you ride to Dunnotar. Else I will worry.’
Ashley laid a hand against Tristan’s cheek. ‘I am alright my darling. Our bairn kicks hard within my belly so he, or she, must be quite well too.’
‘What do you think it will be – a boy or a girl?’ Tristan asked, stroking Ashley’s belly as he sat down beside her.
‘Well, I would want a girl, now that we have Kirk, but I don’t really mind if it’s another bonnie wee lad.’
‘I would hope for a bonnie wee lass who looks like her beautiful mother,’ Tristan said, bending over to kiss Ashley’s belly.