“And how long d’ye think that’ll last, once the redcoats have finished burning Lochaber, and the Fraser lands? Once the Campbells remember how good your land is, and how close ye are to them? The fact that ye’ve surrendered will mean nothing. Ye came out for Charlie; that’s all that counts now.”
“I’ll take my chance. I’m weary, Alex. I want no more of Stuart or Hanover. I’m done wi’ fighting for others. I just want to live peaceably for a time.”
“We all want that,” Alex said. “But the Highlands are burning, and Cumberland is trying to destroy our way of life, forever. MacDonalds and MacGregors have been reiving cattle from our neighbours for years. Now we’ve a chance to reive them from our true enemies. Thousands of women and bairns are starving, and we’ve a chance of doing something to help them. D’ye no’ think it might be useful to have the goodwill of the Camerons, MacPhersons, Frasers and suchlike in times to come? If ye save them from starving ye’ll have that.”
“Aye, and if Cumberland hears I’ve helped ye steal two thousand cattle from him, all the goodwill in the world’ll no’ save us from his anger,” MacIain pointed out.
“They were no’ his in the first place, and anyway we’re no’ stealing them,” Alex said, grinning. “We’ll be paying for them, fair and square. Listen,” he continued, serious again, “ye dinna have to be actively involved. Just give me permission to drive the cattle to Coire Gabhail and keep them there. We’ll tend them. No one else need ken anything about it, we’ll take the cattle out a few at a time tae give to those in need. And if ye’ve need of men later, I’ll pledge my men to your cause, while I live.”
“That’s a generous offer,” MacIain said, “and I appreciate it, Alex. But the answer’s still no. It’s too risky.”
An hour later Alex emerged from the Glencoe chief’s house, thoroughly frustrated. Nothing he had said had made MacIain change his mind, and he realised that there was nothing he could say that would do it. The man was beaten, for now at least, but this plan could not wait until his spirit revived. And they could not do it without him. He knew of no other place as suitable as Coire Gabhail, the hidden valley of Glencoe. The way up to it was steep, but then it opened out into a huge saucer-shaped green valley, completely surrounded by mountains. The opening was so narrow it could be easily defended by a few men. If it was discovered, which was unlikely. It was perfect, but none of that mattered now.
Iain and Graeme had come with him, and they were all staying with Ealasaid, but he could not face going to tell them that he’d failed just yet. He needed time to think. And he needed time to plan something else, another raid of some sort to keep the morale of his men high. Not easy, when his own was so low.
He went for a walk along the loch before going back to his lodgings, but after it was no nearer to coming up with a new plan, so he had to bite the bullet and give the others the bad news.
Any dismay Iain and Graeme may have felt at the scuppering of the plan was drowned out by a chorus of questions from the fair-haired kinfolk of Beth, who were all in Ealasaid’s house at the time.
“Tell us your plan, Alex,” Robert said eagerly. “Maybe we can think of a way to do it anyway.”
“No,” said Alex. “I tellt your chief that I wouldna reveal it to the clan unless he agreed to it. The MacIain has said no, and I accept it. I’ll no’ cause dissent in the clan. That would be a poor return for his hospitality. He has the right to refuse me, and I’ll abide by his answer, as will all those I have power over. And so will you,” he warned the young MacDonald. Robert had grown physically since he’d tried to seduce Morag in the stable, but he did not appear to have matured much emotionally. Robert subsided into a sulky silence.
“What will ye do instead?” Meg asked.
“I dinna ken. Nothing that the MacDonalds will be involved in,” Alex said. He would talk about it with Iain and Graeme later. Maybe they could buy a couple of hundred cattle. Maybe if he could get a message to Lochiel…but no, the Cameron chief was still healing, and had his hands full trying to get Prince Charles to safety.
Ealasaid herself had said nothing up to this point, had listened to everything with her head bowed, eyes fixed on her hands, which rested calmly in her lap. Now she looked up.
“Well,” she said. “MacIain has spoken, and that’s an end of it. Let’s feed our guests, and then entertain them with a wee story and a song or two. We’ve no need to be downhearted. And,” she continued, staring pointedly at Robert, “we’ve no need to cause our guests tae think less of us by pestering them wi’ questions they canna answer.”
Robert, who had already turned to Iain in the hopes of doing just that, opened his mouth to protest, then seeing Ealasaid’s expression, closed it again and returned to his sulk.
* * *
After dinner, while they were waiting for the musicians to fetch their instruments, Ealasaid took Alex to one side and expressed a wish that he accompany her on a short walk.
“I’m feeling a need for some fresh air,” she said, indicating with a wave of her hand the smoky atmosphere of the hut’s main room in which a peat fire burned, the smoke hanging around in the roof space for a while before escaping through a hole in the roof. “It’s dry for a change, but I’m a wee bit old and frail to be walking about alone. We can talk about family,” she said, squeezing his shoulder with a firm but friendly grip that had nothing frail about it.
Alex had no wish to talk about ‘family’, which to him could only mean Beth, but nor did he wish to join in the merrymaking. He wanted nothing more than to lie down and turn his face to the wall, but he knew that was something he must fight against. And Highland courtesy demanded that he acquiesce to his hostess’s wish, so he took her arm and they walked slowly out of the hut and through the village in companionable silence. Although the evening was advanced, it was still light; at this time of year the nights were very short.
He expected her to turn around at the end of the village, but to his surprise she continued on, striding up the grassy slope with an agility that belied her professed feebleness. She continued until they were a good way up the mountain, where there was a large flat rock upon which she spread her shawl.
“Sit yourself down, laddie,” she said breathlessly. “Ye’re doing well, outwardly at least.”
Alex sat down gratefully, stretched his legs out in front of him and smiled.
“Ye fooled me there for a minute,” he said. “I should have remembered how ‘frail’ ye were at our wedding feast.” As soon as the words were out of his mouth, he cursed inwardly, thinking that Ealasaid would use them as an introduction to talking about a subject that would bring him nothing but pain.
“It takes me a wee bit longer to get moving in the mornings,” she said instead, “but I’m blessed, I think. Most people of my age are lying in their beds waiting to die.”
“There are no’ many people of your age at all,” Alex responded, knowing that Ealasaid, in common with her granddaughter, would prefer blunt truth to flattery any day.
She laughed, and it sounded so like Beth’s laugh that his heart twisted.
“Good,” she said, still gasping a little from the effort of the climb. “The truth. That’s what I’ve brought ye here for.”
He looked around appreciatively, waiting for her to regain her breath. In the valley below, the village nestled by the shores of Loch Leven, which appeared blue and peaceful in the soft light of evening. Along the banks of the loch the mountains rose, the lower slopes forested, the higher ones displaying the hazy purple of early-flowering heather in places. To the north on the far side of the water were the mountains of the Cameron lands, rendered slate blue by distance. He wondered idly where Lochiel was right now, and hoped that he was safe.
“Aye,” she said, her breath back. “It’s a bonny view. I used to come here to think when I was a wee lassie wi’ a head full of dreams but no common sense at all. But we’re no’ here to admire the view. We canna be overheard here. Tell me your plan.”
“
There’s nae point to it,” Alex countered. “He said no.”
“Even so,” Ealasaid said. “I’ve an urge tae ken how my grandson-in-law thinks. And I pride myself that ye think me trustworthy. I take it there was a raid involved?”
He did think her trustworthy.
“Aye, there was,” he said, still gazing into the distance. “My men are restless, they’ve a need to release their energy, and I thought this was a way to do it, to fight back against Cumberland, and to help those in need.”
He explained the plan, and she listened without interrupting until he’d finished. And then she remained silent a while longer, thinking.
“And ye think ye can carry this off, impersonating an English cattle dealer?”
“I do,” he said. “I’ve done something of the sort before.” Although he was willing to reveal an aborted plan, he was not about to tell anyone who didn’t already know about Sir Anthony.
She nodded.
“Well, it’s different, and there are risks, but no’ as many as when Charlie arrived wi’ his seven useless men, the wee gomerel,” she commented irreverently.
Alex laughed, his first genuine laugh in a long time.
“It’s good to hear ye laugh, laddie,” she said, laying her hand on his arm. “Your leg’s healing well, I can see, but your heart isna. It shows how well ye loved her, but it’s a sadness to me.”
“Ye tellt me when I was here last that I shouldna blame myself, and you were right. But I canna stop loving her, and I never will. I tellt her once that I was hers until I die, and I meant it. I’ll not take another.”
“Not even to give the clan an heir?” Ealasaid asked.
“No. If I couldna have bairns wi’ Beth, I’ll no’ have them at all. Duncan is gone, but Angus will make a good chieftain in time, and there’s no reason he shouldna have bairns. He’s a sweetheart waiting to marry him. They’ve put the wedding off for a while until things settle down, but she wasna happy about it. Angus is intent on fulfilling his blood oath, but she’s growing impatient.”
“Is this wee Morag, that Robert tried to seduce in the barn?” Ealasaid asked.
“Ye remember that. Aye.”
“I’m old, but my mind’s as sharp as it ever was,” she said. “Let’s away back down the hill. Ye’ve had a long day.”
They made their way back to the village, slowly, because his leg ached more going downhill than up, and because the dusk made rabbit holes and stones harder to see, and the last thing he needed now was to twist his ankle, when he was healing so well.
When they got back to the cottage, the others, apart from Iain and Graeme, had disappeared, to Alex’s relief. The two men were sitting at the table playing cards, but both looked up at him when he entered.
“I’m tired,” said Alex brusquely, to forestall conversation. “I’m away to my bed. We can get an early start in the morning.”
He would put his disappointment to the back of his mind, try to sleep, and come up with another plan on the way home.
* * *
Although Alex was awake before dawn the following morning, when he wandered into the living area of the house Ealasaid was already up and about, and clearly had been for some time.
“There’s bread and butter, and cheese on the table,” she said. “Would ye like some tea?”
“Do ye never sleep?” Alex asked. “I would love some tea.” He sat down at the table, rubbing his eyes to wake himself up.
“When ye get to my age, ye dinna need much sleep,” she said. “And when ye’ve so little time left, it’s a shame to spend it sleeping, in any case.” She bustled about with the kettle, and soon there was a steaming cup of the fragrant brew sitting in front of him.
“I didna offer ye any last night, because Robert was here, and if he kent I’d got some, he’d find it and drink it all. He’s awfu’ partial to it.”
It was Alex’s view that Robert needed a good thrashing, but he kept silent and instead took a sip of tea, sighing blissfully.
“I’ll let Iain and Graeme sleep yet awhile,” he said. “But I’d like to get an early start for home, all the same.”
Ealasaid poured herself a cup of tea and came to sit down opposite him.
“The MacIain’ll no’ be out of bed yet awhile either,” she said. “He was up late last night. Enjoy your breakfast, laddie. Ye’ll no’ be making any start for home at all today. Ye’ve a raid to plan.”
Alex stopped drinking and stared at her. Her blue eyes were sparkling with mischief. She looked exactly as Beth would have done had she lived another sixty years.
“But…MacIain said no. He was verra adamant,” he said, puzzled.
“Aye, well. We had a wee chat last night after ye were snoring, and ye’ll find him of a different persuasion this morning, I’m thinking.”
“What the hell did ye say to him?” Alex asked, astounded. Was she serious?
“Let’s just say I’ve a persuasive tongue, and leave it there.” She winked. “I’ve a favour to ask, though.”
She was serious. He felt the heady rush of excitement flood his veins, as he always did when faced with the prospect of danger.
“Name it,” he said rashly.
“If all goes well, and ye have the wee stramash that ye’re planning, MacIain’s said that he’ll no’ stop anyone who wants to join in from doing so, although he’ll be staying at home himself. He’s no’ a well man, Alex, in fairness, and although he doesna remember the massacre in ’92, it weighs heavy on him all the same.”
“You do remember it though, yet by the look on your face ye’d be fighting wi’ us, were you able,” Alex pointed out.
“True, but I’ve always been impulsive, and I’m no’ the chief. It’s a heavy burden he carries, as ye ken well. But it’s different for you, your name and lands are forfeit anyway. Ye’ve got nothing to lose but your lives if it miscarries. He could lose his lands and his name, and the clan’s future.”
Alex could not dispute this.
“What’s the favour, then?”
“I want ye to let Robert be in the raiding party. Aye, I ken ye think he’s no’ ready, and maybe you’re right. But he was sore hurt that he couldna go wi’ the clan to follow Charlie. MacIain wouldna let him go, and now he has to listen to the men boast of their exploits, knowing that he’s unlikely to get a chance to fight for the cause for a good while, if ever.”
“It’s no’ over yet,” Alex said. “Charles lives, and there are many who would rise again for him, if he can get French help this time. He’s proved he can raise an army, and lead it. Maybe Louis will take him more seriously now.”
“I hope so. But in the meantime, Robert’s burning up to do something worthwhile, so he can feel like a man. He is a man in most ways.”
Alex nodded.
“There was a laddie along wi’ us, same name. Robbie Og. He was fifteen and I wouldna let him come, for the same reasons as I think MacIain didna let your Robert go, although his age was a factor too. Some of the men went home for a visit after Prestonpans, and Robbie came back with them. He did grow up in the end, although he nearly got himself hung in the meantime.”
“Well, then,” Ealasaid said. “Maybe –”
“He’s dead,” Alex interrupted. “He was killed at Culloden. I heard him scream, but I couldna go back to see to him because we were charging, and it wasna possible. And afterwards…” He paused, and scrubbed his hand through his hair. “I like to think he died quick and clean, but I dinna ken. He could have died slowly wi’ all the others who were left to bleed and freeze to death for two nights on Cumberland’s orders. What I’m saying is that if Robert wants to come so badly, then I’ll accept him, but he’ll have to listen to whoever I put in command of the raid, because it’ll no’ be me, and if he doesna and gets himself in trouble, I’ll no’ risk my men’s lives to try to save him. And if he does something that puts the rest of us at risk, then I’ll kill him myself. Are ye willing to risk his death? And will ye blame me if I’m the one to kill him?”
She sat and thought about it for a few minutes.
“Aye, I’ll risk it, if ye’ll give him the chance. And ye’re a fair man. I’ll no’ blame ye if ye have to make a hard choice,” she said. “For if he doesna learn the hard way, he’ll no’ learn at all. He’s like myself in that. I’ll make it clear to him what ye’ve tellt me, and that you’re serious, and then it’s his choice. And now,” she added, eyes sparkling once again, “Do I get a wee hug for my trouble wi’ MacIain? I’m no’ too old to appreciate being held in the arms of a handsome young man.”
She was clearly joking, but Alex took her at her word, and swept her off her feet in a tender, loving, yet respectful embrace. She laughed again, in that way that was so like Beth, and wrapped her arms around his neck.
“Ye’re a fine laddie,” she said into his ear. “I’m proud of ye. Beth couldna have chosen a better, had she searched the whole of Scotland first.”
And it was at that moment that Iain and Graeme chose to make their entrance, and found Alex and Ealasaid embracing like lovers while tears poured down their cheeks, as they took, although they did not know it, their last farewells of each other.
CHAPTER SIX
London, July 1746
Sarah moved about her living room, cradling the baby in one arm whilst preparing her evening meal with the other. She had cut herself a slice of chicken pie, which she’d prepared early that morning and had just finished baking in her Dutch oven. It was the first time she’d tried this recipe, which included wine and spices, and it smelt wonderful. Her stomach rumbled in anticipation.
It had been a long day. In the morning she had made a house call, and the whole of the afternoon had been spent dressing the hair of a group of chambermaids who had been allowed an evening off and were heading to Vauxhall to try to meet the man of their dreams. She thought them more likely to meet a rake who’d give them the pox, but it was her job to encourage their dreams and do her best to help them fulfil them, not to destroy them.
Pursuit of Princes (The Jacobite Chronicles Book 5) Page 14