The Highlander's Bride

by Amanda Forester

  The weather remained favorable, with strong winds and sunny skies, and they sailed a few days without incident. Although Captain Dupont had originally planned to travel to Glasgow, an additional bag of coins induced him to take them north as far as he dared. At last, the captain announced that they had reached the mouth of Loch Hourn.

  Colette headed out to the deck to see her first glimpse of her new homeland, Pippa right behind her. The loch itself was a deep blue, surrounded by lush green shrubs and trees. Everything was green and swaying softly in the breeze. The sun was rising, casting a warm hue over the landscape. Despite all her misgivings of leaving her homeland to come here, Colette had to admit, it was an appealing vantage.

  “It is very beautiful, no?” asked Pippa beside her.

  “Aye,” said Gavin, strolling up beside them. “’Tis the green o’ the Highlands. Ye’ll ne’er see this green anywhere but the Highlands.”

  Colette felt like she must say something but did not know what. Every subject she wished to discuss with Gavin was banned to her. She was saved from the awkward silence by the arrival of the captain.

  “We are almost at your destination,” he said in his booming voice. “We will sail as far up the Kylerhea River as we can, so you will be close to your destination. I wish you all well in your journey. A pleasure sailing with you.”

  “Thank ye, Captain, for seeing us safe thus far,” said Gavin with an easy smile, as if he had not a care in the world. Had he truly forgotten her so quickly?

  Colette forced herself to look away from the pleasing features of Sir Gavin to the wonder of the sight before her. She was resigned. She would go and do her duty to her family, her father, and her people. She had known it would be a sacrifice—it was no different now. She told herself that whatever had happened with Sir Gavin made no difference. A small voice within her wondered if her womb had been receptive to his seed. But even if it were so, she would be married to the Baron of Kintail as soon as she arrived and no one would be the wiser, though the thought came with a shiver of sorrow she could not name.

  “Are ye cold?” Gavin put a hand on her shoulder. His warmth burned through her gown and melted straight through to her heart. It was all she could do to shake her head in response.

  “Colette,” he whispered into her ear. “I wish to speak to ye… I need to speak to ye. I beg yer indulgence for a private word.”

  Colette’s heart thumped heavily as if it was trying to escape. She put a hand to her chest to keep the unruly organ contained. She held her head high and struggled to keep the cool mask in place. “Do you wish to speak about the arrangements for our journey?” She feared what he was going to say and hoped if she gave him an alternative topic of conversation, she could steer him into safer waters.

  “Aye, I wish to speak about our arrangements but not about travel, and no’ here on deck,” he whispered in her ear, his breath hot on her neck.

  Colette knew she should not allow him a private audience. It was too dangerous. And yet she could deny him nothing.

  “Pippa, would you mind—”

  “I’ll stay here on deck for as long as you need.” Pippa gave them an impertinent wink.

  Unable to chastise her maid in public, Colette walked to the cabin, followed by Gavin. Once shut inside, Gavin took a breath as if gathering up his courage to speak. He paced back and forth in the small cabin, his long gait taking only a few strides to cross the room before needing to turn back again.

  “I ken yer reticence in speaking to me after what we shared during the storm,” began Gavin, finding it hard to look directly at her. “I have tried to remain silent to respect yer feelings and yer wishes in this manner. But I canna keep silent any longer.”

  Colette’s hands clenched, crushing the silk fabric of her gown. She held her breath, waiting for Gavin to continue.

  “I ne’er meant for this to happen.” He sighed. “After traveling wi’ ye and seeing how ye have given o’ yerself to care for everyone around ye, I was attracted to yer very soul, yer essence, yer being. I ken we took the wedding vows intending to have the marriage annulled. And yet, now that those vows have been…” He paused, cleared his throat, and continued, “Now that our vows have been consummated, I find I canna so easily forget them.”

  “Please, Sir Gavin.” Her voice was barely above a whisper, as if she could hardly stand to speak of such things out loud. She had spent the last few days trying to forget all that he was now dragging out into the bright light of day. It was all too much. “We made an error in judgment. It is best to let the past fade away.”

  “’Tis true we both made a wrong assumption regarding the sea worthiness o’ this vessel. Despite her excellent crew, the ferocity o’ the storm did not inspire confidence. I am surprised she managed to stay afloat.”

  “In truth,” said Colette in a weary voice, “it would have been more convenient for all of us if it had gone down.”

  Gavin rushed to her and took both her hands in his. “Dinna speak that way, m’lady. Ye must no’ speak that way. We’ve been saved for a purpose. It must be so.”

  “Yes, but I fear my purpose is to serve my father and my people by presenting myself as a bride to the Baron of Kintail.”

  Gavin’s eyebrows fell over blazing eyes. “Nay, there must be another way.” Gavin closed his eyes and bowed his head so that his forehead touched hers. “I canna lose ye. I canna watch ye wed another.”

  “And what would you have me do?” Her voice cracked and the mask of cool detachment shattered. “My people are depending on the soldiers to protect their very lives. My hand in marriage is the price for this protection. If I do not become his wife, it is my people who will suffer as a consequence. This you cannot ask me to do.”

  “Nay, but I canna allow my wife to marry another. Ye canna ask this o’ me.” His voice shook as he spoke and he gently squeezed her hands.

  Colette tilted her face toward his, needing to feel the warmth of his lips. He leaned down, his lips brushing against hers. It was so right but so wrong.

  “No!” she cried and jumped back. “No, we must not. Pray, you must leave.”

  Gavin opened his mouth to say something but she interrupted him, not giving him the chance to speak.

  “I beg you, you must leave me,” cried Colette. “For if you do not leave me, I will never leave you, and my people will pay a harsh price for my own happiness.”

  Gavin gave her a deep bow. “As you wish.” He left the cabin, taking her heart with him.

  A few minutes later, a sharp rap came at the door, causing Colette’s heart to race as she hoped Gavin had returned. Instead, Pippa entered the room.

  “Why did you chase him away?” she chastised in a brash manner.

  “Pippa, please mind your work,” said Colette, hoping to redirect Pippa. She was in no mood to be questioned by her maid.

  “Why do you not tell him you love him?”

  “Pippa! That is an impertinence.”

  Pippa cocked her head to one side, confusion spreading across her face. “Is impertinence another word for the truth?”

  Thirty-one

  It had been a long journey, but now that she was at the end of it, Colette did not wish to leave the tiny world of their sailing ship and face the reality of her life. But time kept moving forward, and she prepared to disembark from the stalwart St. Olga. Colette was relieved with the thought of putting her feet back on dry land, but she did not wish to continue the journey. How many days would it be before she met her future husband? The mere thought made her ill.

  Colette was accustomed to directing Pippa’s movements, but when it came to packing to leave the ship, Pippa was more than efficient. There was no one who looked forward to leaving the ship more than Pippa.

  Satisfied that all was going according to plan, at least where packing was concerned, Colette walked out onto the deck, trying to portray confidence s
he did not feel. This was it. This would be her new home. She paused a moment, her face to the sun, enjoying the warmth kissing her cheeks without servants running to protect her from the elements. She had come a long way since she first began her journey.

  Gavin stood at his accustomed post in the bow of the ship, looking forward. He did not turn to her, but she knew from the growing tension in his shoulders when she approached that he was aware of her presence. She wished to heal this breach between them, but she knew she could not. They were apart, and they were intended to remain this way.

  Instead of approaching him, she leaned on the railing, looking out at the shore. This was no sandy beach. Large, jagged rocks plunged into the ocean and angry waves battled against them, shooting up spray. It was springtime in Scotland, and the shore was awash in different colors of green—bright green fields, darker green trees, and bushes of various sizes and shapes in every shade of green imaginable.

  She took a deep breath, relishing the aroma of growing things and not only salt water. She smiled in spite of herself. The prospect was so fair, she was at least relieved that her new homeland made for a lovely setting. Her tranquillity was interrupted by the arrival of Gavin. Just one glance at his approach and her heart fluttered and her palms started to sweat. It was intolerable.

  “Are ye ready?” he asked, his eyes simmering with unspoken emotion.

  Was she? “I must be” was her answer.

  Gavin gave her a short nod, his lips pressed into a thin line. “I’ve been talking wi’ the captain and he doubts his ability to sail all the way up Kylerhea River to Loch Duich. I’ve suggested he dock at Glenelg, where we should be able to hire transport to Eilean Donan Castle.”

  “How long will the journey be to the castle?” she asked, wondering how many precious days she had left with Sir Gavin.

  “’Tis no more than a half day’s walk. We could be there before supper.”

  “So soon!” she gasped. Despite many times wishing for an end to her arduous journey, she had not expected it to be over so quickly. She had hoped for more time, more opportunity to think of some escape from her fate, more time with the man beside her. It now seemed very foolish of her to have pushed him away these last few precious days.

  “Mayhap the roads will be bad with the spring rains,” suggested Gavin hopefully.

  “Indeed, it is likely,” agreed Colette.

  They stood in silence and watched the distant shore grow ever nearer.

  “I am not ready,” whispered Colette.

  Without a word, Gavin took her hand in his.

  * * *

  Gavin took a step onto dry land and breathed deeply. He was home. He had always wondered if he would fall to the sword or some other peril while adventuring in France, as his father had, but now his feet stood on Scottish soil. He might still die of the sword—the Highlands could be a dangerous place—but at least he would die in his homeland.

  Glenelg was a small village that served as the main connection between the mainland and the Isle of Skye. Otherwise, it was not notable; yet to Gavin’s eyes, nothing could be better. Everything from the crofter’s huts to the smell of the heather in the hills above was familiar to him. It smelled of home.

  For Colette, however, everything was different. She was assisted off the ship and stood on the shore, looking out of place. Her style of dress and speech marked her as an outsider. It was a different world for her. He longed to shield her from any difficulties, but he knew he could not. She had made her choice. And her choice did not include him.

  Gavin forced himself to turn away. He had a job to do, and he needed to complete it. He walked into the village, surprised to find it vacant. He expected the curious to come and see what ship had arrived, but no one could be found. It appeared that people may soon return, with chickens running free in the yard and clothes out on the line. Strange.

  Finally, he found an elderly man in the stable, nursing a bottle of golden liquid. “Where are the villagers?” he asked the man.

  The man blinked at him and rose shakily to his feet. “Out! Damn thieves! Ye’ll no’ get past me!” He wobbled on unsteady feet and finally collapsed to the ground. “Och! Ye killed me!”

  “I’ve no’ touched ye. Where did everyone go?”

  “They be gone,” agreed the man.

  “Aye, but where?”

  “Dinna ken.” The man shrugged and took another swig.

  “I ken ye’ve had about enough o’ this bottle.” Gavin plucked the bottle from the man’s grasp, ignoring the howl of protest. “I need to purchase horses and a cart.”

  “Got none!” The inebriated man folded his arms over his chest.

  “Ye’ve got two horses and a cart right here.” Gavin pointed to them. “Now name yer price.”

  The man eyed the bottle.

  After a brief negotiation involving a few coins and a returned bottle, Gavin was in possession of two modest horses and a cart.

  “Dinna travel at night” was the old man’s parting. “Woods full o’ beasties.”

  “Thank ye for the warning,” said Gavin, wondering about the man’s overall sanity.

  Gavin walked the horse and cart back down to the shore. Pippa was running up and down the beach, laughing in a manner that made her appear quite mad. Colette was sitting on one of her trunks. She appeared smaller than usual, holding the edges of a cloak about the baby on her lap, protecting Frances against the brisk sea wind.

  “That cart is all you could find?” asked Colette.

  Gavin nodded.

  “We shall have to take several trips, or mayhap the Mackenzies can send for the things that do not fit in the cart.”

  Gavin ran his fingers through his hair, unsure what to say. “I dinna ken we’d be needing more than one cart.”

  “But my dowry will require more than one cart when my trunks are fully unloaded from the ship.”

  Captain Dupont was already pulling up the anchor to leave.

  “My dowry!” Colette stood.

  “It is all here on the beach, m’lady.”

  “But…” Colette looked around at the few trunks and canvas bags.

  “Recall the storm,” said Gavin gently, remembering more about the storm than he could now express. “We had to lighten the ship to stay afloat.”

  “Oh.” Colette stared at the few things she had left. “Yes, of course,” she added briskly.

  Pippa slowed down enough to make comment. “Is that all you have left? Not much of what you had when you started.”

  Gavin glared at Pippa for her unnecessary comment. She noted his look and shut her mouth. “You still have the treasury box containing the coin, which should be the most pressing concern,” said Gavin, trying to ease the blow.

  “And you have your clothes and look—a bag full of iron,” said Pippa, trying to be helpful but unable to hide her disappointment when the canvas bag she opened had nothing but iron cooking implements.

  Fortunately, Colette was more pleased to see the iron spoons than Pippa. “My father’s wedding gift. I am glad to have it at least. Come, Pippa, let us pack the cart.”

  “Nay, I will see to it,” said Gavin. He was impressed that she had taken the news so well. She had lost nearly all her inheritance, and yet she still held her head high like a queen. It did not take long for him to load the cart and get them started on their journey. Gavin decided Colette had enough to worry over without burdening her with his concerns over the lack of villagers.

  He scanned the road ahead as he led Colette on the last leg of the journey—before he would leave her forever. He carried his large claymore on his back, within easy grasp. He could not fix everything, but he was prepared for anything.

  Thirty-two

  Pippa rolled her eyes in disgust. Watching Lady Colette and Sir Gavin was insufferable. Colette rode ahead of her, on the horse pulling the cart in
which Pippa now sat. Gavin rode on another horse, trotting alongside Colette’s mount. They stole meaningful glances at each other. They sighed. Between them were longing gazes enough to make Pippa’s stomach feel as if she had never left the ship. They even slowed to a stop on more than one occasion and just stared at each other.

  Pippa had a good mind to throw cow pies at them to get them moving again. Clearly, they were desperately, repulsively in love with each other. She had never seen any two people act more ridiculous. Why they were traveling to hand Colette off to marry another man was utterly beyond Pippa’s understanding.

  Colette and Gavin were married. She had witnessed it herself. To make matters worse, they were hopeless for each other. All this rubbish about marriage contracts and duty held as much worth to Pippa as one of those cow pies she considered flinging. They should have ridden off together and been happy.

  “They are very silly, no?” Pippa whispered to the baby, who babbled in return. Pippa had to content herself with appreciating the many different greens of the passing countryside as they rode around the loch to reach their destination. It was a pleasant day, and Pippa made herself comfortable sitting on one of Colette’s few remaining trunks, while the goat, tied to the back of the cart, trotted along behind them.

  After a few hours, they came to a small rise, giving a clear vista of Eilean Donan Castle in the distance. It was built on a small island, close enough to the shore to be reached by a stone bridge. The castle was a large fortress, beautifully reflected in the still waters of the loch. Pippa grinned in satisfaction. Such a prospect made the entire wretched boat ride worth the misery. She was to live in such luxury? She could hardly believe her good fortune.

  Her delight in the castle was clearly not shared by her two companions. Gavin’s lips were set tight and his complexion had gone gray. Colette’s lips trembled in an expression of mournful beauty.