Servants began clearing tables while the musicians took their places in the center of the hall. One played a flute, one a beautiful Scottish lap harp adorned in crystals and painted with gold filigree, the other the pipes. A bard took a stool beside the harpist. The piper began with a haunting melody while the diners quieted to listen to the music. Maidie and the others turned on the benches to face the musicians. She listened intently.
Andrew watched his brother, who sat staring not at the musicians, but the healer. Davina rose then made her way to Maidie’s table. She squeezed between Tavish and the lass. The two women engaged in conversation, laughing and smiling often.
The musicians played while the bard sang about the great Munro chief and his exploits, the song one Andrew had not heard before. The musicians certainly knew how to raise their honor pay—sing songs about the greatness of the chief and his accomplishments. He smiled, nodded toward the singer, hoping the song impressed Maidie. She turned in his direction. The two exchanged ardent stares.
Andrew thought he might ask Maidie to dance, but his wound throbbed. He could do nothing but sit and stare at her. Gavin smacked the table with his hand, causing a mug of ale to overturn, then rose and made his way from the head table while the musicians began to play a fast reel. Couples rose to dance.
***
While Maidie watched the dancers, Gavin’s large form appeared in front of her. She looked up. “Madam, may I have this dance?” he asked, holding out a hand.
“I’m not good at dancing to the fast music, Sire. In fact, I am a very clumsy dancer.” She smiled up at him, but made no effort to take his hand or rise, so he let his hand drop.
“We’ll remedy that, Madam. I am a good teacher. Ask Davina.” Gavin nodded toward his sister.
“Yes, he is a good teacher, Maidie, and an accomplished dancer. Please dance with him,” Davina pleaded. “I will take a spin with Tavish.” She flashed a broad smile toward the young warrior who blushed crimson.
Tavish didn’t hesitate, but rose and extended his hand to Davina. The couple walked to the dancers then took their place in the line. It didn’t take long for them to catch the spirit of the music as the men turned the ladies and the couples made their way down the middle of the line. Those watching clapped and sang along with the music. Effie and Dan ran to Sven, leading him away to the kitchen to play with the hound pups. Gavin sat beside Maidie.
“If you wanna dance, will you accompany me on a walk around the garden? Our gardens are some of the finest in the highlands.” He extended a hand.
“Aye, I’d enjoy walking in the gardens.” She took his hand and rose to face him with a smile
He returned her smile while gazing into her eyes, squeezing her hand a bit too hard. Although the great hall felt hot from the fires in the large hearths and the many bodies filling the room, a chill ran through her body.
They began walking toward the outside door. Suddenly, Maidie removed her hand. “I have no wrap.”
“I will escort you to retrieve your wrap, since your guard dances instead of doing his job,” a deep voice spoke. Andrew stood behind Gavin. “Come with me, Madam.” The chief extended his hand to Maidie.
She looked to Gavin, but he turned on his heels and stomped away. Maidie heard the tanist’s heavy footfalls walking toward the keep’s outer door. The door slammed with a jar that shook three targes from the keep’s wall.
Andrew said, “Seems your escort left, Madam.”
“Aye, it seems he’s gone. Mayhap I misunderstood his intent.” She didn’t know what to say to the chief. She wished to be allowed to retire to her chamber. “I must see about Sven. ‘Tis his bedtime.”
“Nellie will see to Sven. Will you walk with me in the garden then?” Andrew took her elbow and moved her toward the stairs without waiting for an answer.
“Certainly,” was all she could manage.
He guided her to the stairwell and climbed the steps behind her.
Maidie had no idea what to say to the chief. She felt his closeness, smelled the manly odor of him, and heard his heavy breathing. They reached the top and stepped into the dimly lit passage. A breath caught in her throat as he moved to take her arm and walk beside her. Looking into his face, she could see only the outline of the straight nose and deep-set eyes. He opened her chamber door then stood aside for her to enter, saying naught while she fetched the long, grey wool arisaid. He took the garment and placed it around her, letting his hands linger on her shoulders. Maidie held her breath. Her heart raced. The chief moved his hands, took her elbow, and led her from the chamber.
When they returned to the great hall, the music played louder and the dancers whirled more lively under the influence of ale, whisky, or similar libations. Tavish and Davina danced with the other couples. Davina stayed close to the young warrior. Tavish smiled at her but seemed reserved. He spotted Maidie when she descended the stairs and made an attempt to break away from Davina, but she held tightly to his fine form as they waltzed. Then Tavish spotted Andrew when he emerged from the dark stairwell to stand beside Maidie. The young warrior’s face fell, and he turned back to Davina.
The night air felt cold on Maidie’s face as the couple emerged from the warm castle keep. The moon’s silvery beam illuminated the bailey silhouetting a guard on the battlement. Andrew moved her arm to encircle his and then led her to a walled enclosure not far from the door they had exited. Maidie’s heart beat faster. They stepped through the arched opening in the wall to a moonlit garden emanating with a heady smell of roses mixed with herbs. Maidie recognized the odor of several of the herbs growing within the enclosure. Maybe she would be able to replenish her healing remedies here in the castle garden. She would ask the chief.
Andrew led her to a stone bench under a rose arbor covered with a few remaining white roses awash in the moonlight. He released her arm, but stood close as Maidie picked a blossom and smelled deeply of the fragrance. She had not smelled such roses in a long time. They reminded her of home and the garden of her father’s manor house. A wave of nostalgia passed through Maidie and she shivered. Andrew noticed the shiver.
“Are you cold? Do you wish to go inside?” he asked turning Maidie toward him and looking into her eyes.
“Nae, M’Laird, I’m only thinking of my home and the rose garden there.” A thought of her mother flashed across her memory.
“This is your home now, Madam. May I call you Maidie?” She could not see the silver of his eyes, but felt their intensity on her.
“Aye,” she whispered.
“Thank you. Please call me Andrew. Let’s dispense of the formalities, since you will be living here.” He smiled. “I hope you will come to love and cherish this home as much as the one you left.”
She turned her eyes away from his piercing ones. “That was the home of my childhood, M’Laird, I canna forget it.”
He released her arms. “Sit with me for awhile. Let’s not talk of the past but of the present and future.” He motioned toward the stone bench.
Maidie took a seat on the cold stone. He sat beside her with his large frame crowding closely. She could feel the warmth of his body, and listened to his steady breathing. His thigh rubbed against hers. In the intensity of the moment, she forgot about the home of her father, as heat and nervousness replaced the nostalgia. He sat quietly for awhile, took her hand, and once again placed her arm inside of his.
“Are you cold, Maidie? Your hand is like ice on my arm.” He covered her cold hand on his warm one. “Tell me what you think of living here among Munros. Do you hate us as your kin seem to?” He turned to search her face in the moonlight with dark veiled eyes—the strong jaw outlined with a silver thread.
“I loved living with my husband among his kin while he lived. I made good friends in the village.” She tried to see his reaction, but could see only the darkness. “Or I did have good friends in the village. They seem to hate me now.”
“This hatred will vanish soon. I have plans for bringing peace among our clans. I al
so, hate war and fighting. My heart yearns for peace so that our wee ones can grow up to know their das. We canna put our whole hearts into becoming a prosperous clan if we are always called upon to fight, and others are stealing our cattle.”
Maidie heard the sincerity in his voice. “Aye. Peace is the only way to prosperity. I pray for peace every day.”
“Thank you for your prayers, Maidie.” He patted her hand. “They mean more to me than I can tell you. Do you pray for me?”
“Aye, I pray for all of your family.” She turned to look at his profile, stark in the dim moonlight.
He turned toward her, his face close. “My family needs your prayers, ‘tis true, but I need you to pray especially for me. There are things that must be settled and some hard decisions to make. Sometimes, I almost believe there is a God to hear, especially when one such as you comes into my life.”
Maidie whispered, “Aye. I will pray you come to believe. God is the only one who can help with your hard decisions.”
He stared ahead. They sat without talking for a time, then he asked while continuing to look out over the moonscape, “What pleases you, Maidie? What gives you joy?”
She answered immediately, “My son. He is my heart. I take great pleasure in him.”
“I can see that you do. He’s a fine lad, he is, and will grow to be an even finer warrior with the proper training.” She could see an upward curve to his mouth, but she did not like his statement.
“Nae. I mean, I’m hoping Sven will be educated.” Her voice caught in her throat.
He turned toward her again, without a smile. “A fine lad such as Sven should be taught to read and figure. The skills will serve him well someday, but he should also be able to defend himself. To do that, he must learn the skills of a warrior. This is a hard and cruel world, sometimes, Maidie. You ken such. A man must defend himself and his family.”
Suddenly, before she could answer, he rose and pulled her to stand. “Come. ‘Tis getting colder.”
She hesitated but ventured to question, “I would ask you M’Laird, before we go from this lovely garden, if I may replenish the healing herbs I lost?”
“Too many questions still remain unanswered. I shall think on the matter.” He placed her arm in the crook of his, then escorted her from the fragrant garden.
The great hall of the keep felt warm from the fires. The smell of food and the bodies of twenty or more people lingered in the air. Everyone but the servants had retired. Angus remained at the head table, talking with a member of the chief’s luchd-taighe. He turned to watch Andrew and Maidie make their way up the stairs. Maidie tried not to look at Angus, but could not help noticing the sinister expression on the physician’s face.
Andrew led Maidie to her chamber. He nodded toward Tavish who stood beside the door, then opened the door for her to enter. Sven lay in the bed dressed in a nightshirt. He played with a wooden man holding a sword. Nellie stood beside the fire and curtsied when she saw them.
“Sven will be in safe keeping here in the castle. No need to worry about his welfare,” the chief said. “You will also be safe, and I want you to replenish your remedies. The castle garden is at your disposal.”
Maidie felt a lump form in her throat. “Thank you so verra much. I canna express my gratitude, but how will Angus feel about me intruding upon his territory?”
“No need to worry about Angus. He has plenty of work to keep him busy.” Andrew smiled, took her hand and brushed the back of it with his warm lips. “Thank you, Maidie, for saving my life. Oidhche mhath, a nighean mhaiseach.” He turned and left the chamber, closing the door behind him.
Maidie stood for a moment smiling at the closed door and rubbing her hand. She put the back of her hand to her lips where the warmth of his kiss lingered. “Good night to you, my handsome chief.”
Maidie turned to her son and watched him play with the miniature warrior. Living in the castle would not be good for Sven, but what could she do? She needed to find a way to leave soon. Her father was an officer in the Cameron chief’s sluagh, but only a few combatants dwelt in his home. At least in her father’s house, Sven would not be exposed to so much fighting.
Chapter Ten
Andrew asked Tavish who stood guard at Maidie’s bedchamber door, “Have you seen Gavin?”
“Nae, M’Laird. I haven’t seen him since he left the great hall.”
“If he comes this way, send him to the library.”
Tavish nodded. Andrew eyed the young warrior. “How fair you, Tavish? Acting as bodyguard to such a lively lass may be more difficult than guarding me.”
“Aye, ‘tis hard, it is, but I manage.” The young lad smiled. “She doesn’t like me tagging along after her, but I pay her no heed.”
Even in the dimness, Andrew could see lights dancing in the lad’s eyes. “Mind you only guard her, Tavish,” he warned.
A line formed a crease between the young warrior’s eyes. “Aye, M’Laird. Guarding only is my intent. I have no designs on the madam except for her safety.”
“Mind you stick by that rule, Tavish.”
“Aye, M’Laird.” Tavish nodded his head in understanding, the smile leaving his face.
Andrew turned to walk away. He didn’t wish an affair going on between the healer and her bodyguard. Perhaps he should change the guard. She wanted to be left alone, but that option left her too vulnerable to those who were trying to harm or mayhap kidnap her and the lad. Until he could find the source of the mischief against her, she must put up with a bodyguard.
Andrew opened the door to the library to find Davina slumped in a leather chair before the fire. She seemed in deep thought. He crossed the chamber to take the chair across from her. She looked up, but didn’t smile.
“I wanna marry that MacKenzie, so dinna bother to ask me again,” she said with a tight mouth and spewing the words between her teeth. “You and Gavin may as well give up on that plan and find another means to bring peace between the clans.”
“Sister, you will do as I say. You’re eighteen and of marrying age, so you might as well make up your mind to at least consider the plan. I wanna change mine.” Andrew swallowed hard and tried to curb the anger rising in his throat. Every lass dealt with of late balked at his wishes. If this sister were one of his men, he would have her whipped. “The MacKenzie and Cameron chiefs have been invited to a feast on the Samhain. You will meet the lad then. I hear he’s comely, and a fine warrior. We will discuss the matter further after the feast.”
Davina rose from the chair with tears welling in her eyes. “I love another. I wanna marry the MacKenzie.”
Her outburst took Andrew aback. Is she a marred woman now? “Sit down, Davina,” he ordered. “Who is this lover of yours? Have you been intimate with him?”
She started for the door. Andrew rose and grabbed her arm, spinning her around to face him. Fury filled his head. “Dinna walk away from me.” His fist clenched, ready to reach out and slap the youthful cheek, but her tears melted his anger. Instead, he wrapped her in his arms. “You’re so young, dear Davina. So young. Little do you know of life’s hardships. You’ve lived a sheltered life here in this castle with your family, but this one thing you must learn—you canna have your way about all things. Leaving your home to make one in a strange place is a frightening thought, but look at Maidie. She left her home to marry Kenneth and come to this strange place.”
“Maidie loved Kenneth. I dinna love the MacKenzie.” She sobbed.
“Give the lad a chance.” Andrew stroked her thick dark hair.
“I love another.” She buried her head in his chest.
He pushed her away to look into her eyes while holding both her arms. “Who is this lover of yours?”
“He is no’ my lover, but I love him all the same. I will take him as my lover and my husband if he would consent.”
“You’ve asked him to wed you?” Andrew gasped. His sister was more exasperating to deal with than the healer.
“Aye, but he wanna.” Davina st
ared into his eyes then. “Dinna ask me who he is, because I wanna tell, and I made him swear to no’ tell.”
“Saints above, Sister. You will be the death of me yet.” Andrew remembered the expression on Davina’s face while she danced with Tavish. A loyal luchd-taighe such as the young warrior would not take advantage of Davina, but the temptation may become too great if she persisted in her pursuit; however, Tavish seemed taken with Maidie. The time had come to find the lad another assignment in a distant place on the estate.
Gavin opened the door to the library. Andrew and Davina looked in his direction as he burst through the door. Andrew turned to meet him. “Saints alive, Gavin....”
“I come from Drumainn. On the way back spotted the gleam of a fire in the direction of Swordale. The reivers are raiding and burning, again.”
“Gather the men. We’ll meet them this night and put a stop to the reiving.” Andrew’s order came swiftly. The two men quickly left Davina in the library to go their separate ways and secure weapons, armor, and spread the alarm.
Andrew saw Tavish lying across the threshold of Maidie’s door, wrapped in his great plaide, and sleeping soundly. The lad certainly took his job seriously, or did he covet being near the lass? Probably both.
Andrew gently kicked the young warrior in the side. Tavish quickly roused and sat up. When he saw his chief, he stood with the top of his plaide hanging down around his knees, his hair disheveled, and a question on his face.
Andrew smiled. “Some watchman you are, Tavish. But never mind, you’ve had a busy night, and a young mon needs sleep.”
He knew the lad couldn’t stay awake at all times to keep guard, and he did lie across the threshold as a good watchman would do. No one could enter except through him.
“Reivers are close. You’re needed. We’re going now, so get yourself ready. I’ll tell the lady what’s going on and send Nellie to be with her.” Andrew knocked on the door while Tavish left to make ready.
After a short time and with another knock, Maidie opened the door while wiping sleep from her eyes, dressed in a quickly donned robe opened down the front to expose a white shift. With mussed hair hanging loosely about white shoulders and the blush of sleep upon her face, Andrew thought her to be strikingly beautiful. A wicked thought about removing that robe and shift flashed through his mind. He shook his head to clear it.
A Highland Pearl (Highland Treasures Book 1) Page 9