Dawn Annis

by Highlander's Ransom

  The hour was late and the mists rolled through the streets of York. Wanting to vacate the premises as quickly as possible, to rid herself of such an evil presence, Kate had brought with her only her personal toiletries, herb bags, and an extra cape to guard against the early spring chill. She made herself as comfortable as possible for the journey as the coach moved. She was tired, bone tired.

  “Damn Sidney,” Kate muttered to herself. “Even from the grave, the man torments me.”

  The rocking of the coach and the beat of the horses’ hooves on the ground soon lulled Kate. Exhaustion had finally taken its hold over her. What would she do? How would she survive? Thoughts rolled in her head like stones. She had nowhere to go.

  A shout jolted Kate from her sleep. The coach jerked to a stop. She could hear the horses screaming their fear and men shouting. Something heavy fell to the ground. Confused, Kate stood, bent at the waist, and stepped toward the coach door. As she opened the door, it slammed shut, bruising her hand. Pain shot up her wrist as her feet came out from beneath her from the force of the blow and she landed on the floor. She began crawling to her knees when a voice with a strong Scottish burr said, “Nay, mi’lady, ye are to be staying inside for now.”

  Kate heard the slide of the bolt, trapping her inside. She kicked at the door trying to free herself. The coach rocked as someone climb up on to the driver’s perch. With no warning, the coach leapt forward causing Kate to roll, slamming her head and the side of her face on the opposite seat. With some effort, she managed to get herself back up onto the seat.

  What is this? What has happened? Where is Smithers? Is he hurt? Fear threatened to choke her as the questions rushed through her mind. She jostled and bounced as the coach careened its way down the road. She heard the thunderous sound of several horses surrounding the coach, their hooves beating against the ground. She looked out the window but saw only the night, blurred, flying by. She could do nothing.

  Tears pricked the backs of Kate’s eyes. By the time they reached the Scottish border the next evening, the hard ride had left her battered and bruised. She had yelled until her voice had gone hoarse. No one could hear her or if they did, they didn’t bother to respond.

  When the coach finally slowed, she parted the curtains and peered out the window to see they had left the road and were stopping next to a stream. She heard the bolt slide off the door and watched as it opened. Her fear suddenly turned from panic to anger. She charged out of the coach with as much force as she could muster, surprising the brute and causing him to fall backwards with her landing heavily on top of him. She sat up, drew back her fist and punched him in the face with all the force she could bring together, bruising her hand and scraping her knuckles.

  “Ow, ye wee bitch. Geroff!” he cried, putting his hand up to his eye. “Grab her so she dinna get away!”

  Kate scrambled to get off him and tried to stand. Her skirts hindered her efforts.

  Another man grabbed her, causing her to flinch, as much from his smell as his fingers biting into her arms. He hauled her off and to her feet.

  “Och, now, lass, there isn’t a cause for such a ruckus. Just ye settle down a wee bit.”

  “Are you mad? I will not settle down. Release me,” Kate hissed, rubbing her aching hand. She struggled against the man’s hold on her. “What right do you have taking me? What have you done with Smithers?” She looked from one man to the other.

  The man holding her stared at her, scratching his whiskered face. “I have her, Iain.”

  Iain regained his footing, his eye red and starting to swell. He touched his face tenderly and winced. He studied her then smiled and gestured with his hands for her to calm down.

  “Now, now, m’lady, everything will be just fine. I’m sure yer man is all right. Just a wee bit bruised likely.”

  “Fine? Fine?” Kate yelled, pointing to the coach.

  “Now if ye will just listen for a bit, I’ll be explaining everything to ye.”

  “Everything is not fine. You’ve taken me against my will.” Her voice sounded shrill to her ears as she continued.

  “We are God-knows-where. You have kept me locked in there with no food, no water, and I have to . . .” Kate stopped mid-sentence, blushing furiously.

  “Aye,” Iain said, trying to cover his smile. “Before we be going into explanations, why dinna we go for a wee walk and then I’ll be tending yer bruises.” He motioned to Henry to let her go.

  Glowering, Kate wrested her arms from him.

  Iain raised an eyebrow at her in silent question. Kate nodded once and straightened her clothes. She drew her cloak around herself closely then raised her chin.

  Iain then turned to the other men and pointed to a fairly level area near a rocky outcrop. “We’ll stay here for the night. Tend to the horses while I’m gone.” Rubbing his stomach, he added, “And, lads, get some vittles cooking.”

  Kate saw his smile, and while grateful for his help with her immediate needs, she was furious. The nerve of this man to starve her, keep her prisoner, and then, laugh at her. She hoped his eye hurt!

  Kate followed Iain toward the bubbling stream. She struggled with her skirts through the thick grass, her legs still wobbling from riding in the coach so long. Iain had to steady her more than once, his hand at her elbow. She accepted his help grudgingly, each time glaring at him.

  When they got to a small copse of trees, Iain indicated for her to walk ahead of him. He turned his back. Kate considered running. Her common sense prevailed. She didn’t think she would get far and if she did, she was in unfamiliar territory with no clue as to where the nearest village might be. No, her only choice was to bide her time for a better opportunity and hope Smithers was all right and able catch up with her.

  As Kate walked out of the trees, Iain turned and smiled at her, his eyes twinkling. She couldn’t help but relax a little as she watched the lumbering bear of a man bow low to her.

  “My name is Iain MacGregor of the Clan MacGregor. ‘Tis my honor to serve the Lady Colquhoun. Now if ye will, m’lady, join me by yonder stream, I’ll be explaining,” Iain said graciously as he extended his arm to allow her to walk ahead. This man was the obvious leader of the group; the others worked in deference to him. She was struck by the size of him, she had never seen such a man with his bushy beard and shock of light auburn hair.

  Kate was surprised to hear the man call her by name. She nodded silently and did his bidding. Gracious he may be, but his motives were still unknown. She walked to the stream and sat down on the grassy slope with her shaking hands clasped in her lap. She wanted to keep them from showing her fear. She kept her eyes down while Iain sat beside her. Iain’s men had started a fire and the smell of food cooking had begun to travel down to them. Kate’s mouth watered.

  “Please be forgiving me for yer inconvenience and yer rough ride so far. I expect the trip to be getting a wee bit easier now we are into Scotland.”

  Kate’s head came up, her eyes searching. She looked around at the darkening countryside, trying not to panic. She immediately bowed her head slightly again holding her emotions in check. Once she had herself in hand, she brought up her chin and stared Iain straight in the eye.

  Iain smiled again.

  “I be impressed, Lady Colquhoun. I expected ye to be in hysterics by now. Any woman I know would’ve been. I respect ye for it.” He cleared his throat.

  Kate glanced briefly at Iain to allow him the apology though not enough to feel forgiven. He shifted his body and rubbed his chest, his face and neck reddening. He cleared his throat again. Finally, he seemed to find his train of thought and began again.

  “First, let’s tend yer face,” Iain said as he reached for her.

  Kate shrank from him. “I am better equipped to attend my bruises than you. I will take care of myself. Thank you.”

  Iain ch
uckled and sat back, looking at her with an admiring smile.

  He rose and walked over to the stream. He dipped two long pieces of tartan into the icy water. He folded one over on itself several times and handed it to Kate. The other he held to his own eye.

  Kate took his offering and held it to the bruised side of her face. She immediately felt the heat and throbbing subside.

  Iain settled himself back down next to her, making himself comfortable. Kate sat, her back straight, and listened quietly with growing panic as he began to explain. He talked of the MacGregor’s need to provide for his clan and her role as the means to achieve the desired end.

  “And of course, with ye being a Colquhoun, it seems logical to me to get the necessary coin through yer clan, as they were the main cause of the MacGregor clan problems,” Iain reasoned. “When we get to the MacGregor, we will just send for a wee bit of ransom and as soon as we are paid, we will take ye back to yer family,” Iain said with a smile. He spread his arms wide. “See, no harm done.”

  Kate objected. ”I have no earthly idea what you are talking about. How does the Colquhoun family have anything to do with you or your clan’s troubles? The family lives in England. They really are no longer a part of Scotland, other than the lands they hold. My husband has never mentioned a word regarding any of this fallacious conflict between your clan and his.”

  Kate had heard kidnappings were a common practice among the clans. She could hardly believe it was happening to her. The reasons this man was giving didn’t make any sense as well.

  “I don’t believe any of this has anything to do with me. The Colquhouns were a Scottish family, true enough, but I don’t believe this should involve me. My husband has never given an indication they were a part of the clan wars in Scotland.”

  “Nay, I dinna imagine he did,” Iain said. “‘Tis a thing for a man to be shamed about, the trickery and lying was done to steal our lands. That bastard Colquhoun took from us. His sin rides on his sons now.”

  Iain went on to explain the treachery that had happened in the court of King James I twenty-one years ago. He described how the lands were stolen from the MacGregors and given to the Colquhoun clan by King James. He talked of the battle when the Colquhoun and Campbell clans attacked and how his clansmen were simply defending themselves and their lands, not the offending cause of any trouble.

  “The treacherous Alexander Colquhoun made a deal with that devil King James I twenty-one years ago. Colquhoun whispered in the king’s ear of the riches we had on our lands. The bastard stirred up the Campbell clan and with the king’s blessing they attacked.”

  “Oh,” Kate said, putting her hand to her cheek. “How do you know the king was involved?”

  “Don’t ye be wonderin’ about that. I know.”

  He continued. “My clansmen defended themselves and our lands. The day was won by the MacGregors but the king’s head had already been turned. He declared the MacGregors outlaws for fighting when he had been trying to unite the clans. He gave most of our lands to the Cloquhoun and Campbell clans as retribution for our aggression.”

  “Foul!” Kate cried. “It seems unfair to do such a deed.”

  “Aye, ‘twas a dark day. The heartache left for the men and their women to lose the land that would have one day belonged to their sons though the victory had been theirs that day was complete.” Iain lowered his head.

  He raised his head and the twinkle was back in his eyes as he told her of Shane, the MacGregor laird, and his wish to bring peace and prosperity to a clan now warring and destitute.

  “Now then, the MacGregor dinna know about my plan. I’ll be presenting ye to the laird as a gift, ye might say, when we get to the castle MacGregor. He’ll know the right of it. He’s wicked smart, that one is.”

  Kate sat through Iain’s explanation gradually becoming more alarmed, anxiety replacing incredulity. She had no money for ransom. She knew Andrew would not pay for her safe return. There was no doubt in her mind. What was she to do? So far, Iain had been courteous, if not gentle with her. What if he found out there was no ransom to be paid? Would he kill her? His laird wasn’t even aware of his man’s designs. Even if she was able to argue her case with this MacGregor, would he order her death just to keep her quiet about the failed plan?

  The highland clans and the raids that occurred were no secret in England. When they were not warring with others, they were feuding amongst themselves. All kindness aside, these men could be quite ruthless. She decided to keep her own council in regards to her financial status for now. Maybe she could reason with the laird of the MacGregors. It seemed to be her only hope.

  Chapter 5

  Iain and the other men let out a shout of joy.

  “There ye are, lads. Onto the land of the MacGregors.”

  Kate heard the men give another shout.

  “Them bastards won’t follow us onto this land.

  After another hour they came up over a rise and Kate gazed down into the most beautiful glen she had ever seen. Though she lived in the Scottish lowlands for several years, she had not known the glory the Highlands of Scotland could offer. Spring had a solid grip on the land now and the valley was surrounded in colors of every hue. The loch with its deep blue and purples appeared cool and inviting.

  Kate longed to stop at its shore after several days of traveling at such a grueling pace with no privacy to wash properly. The heather on the hills swayed in the soft breeze, its tiny lavender flowers nodding gently. The green hills with its rich dark earth and purple mountains in the distance surrounded them as they rode down to the castle below.

  Kate leaned out of the coach window to let the cool breeze fall on her bruised face. It began to heal on the journey, but it was still quite mottled and sore.

  As they approached the castle in the distance, Kate saw the MacGregor home actually stood on an isle rather than a finger of land as she first surmised. They passed through fields left fallow though she saw a few ready for crops to be planted. As they crossed a massive stone bridge, she gazed up at the enormous stone pillars holding the thick wooden gates with big metal baskets on either side, set with kindling, ready to be lighted at dusk.

  “It is beautiful,” she whispered.

  The coach wheels rattled across the bridge and then into the enormous courtyard. Kate pulled her head inside and peeked through the heavy curtains of the coach. She quickly forgot her musings of the castle’s beauty and majesty as she watched the activity and bustle of the people. Afraid and unsure of the situation she was about to face, she felt her heart pounding in her chest. Her breathing was rapid as she quickly tried to smooth the wrinkles from her kirtle and wipe the grime from her face. To calm herself, she sucked in huge breaths and let them out slowly.

  Then she saw him standing on the steps of the long hall watching the unfamiliar coach enter the keep. He was tall with long limbs, his muscular body firm and unyielding. He was about twenty-six maybe twenty-seven, she guessed. Dressed in tight-fitting leather trews and a long flowing linen shirt that lay open at the neck, he stood with the open stance of one confident in himself and his surroundings. He is strong. Strong enough to be the laird of his clan.

  Here was the MacGregor.

  Her heart missed a beat as she peered at him. He was wearing a frown as he ran his hand through his wind-mussed hair. So this was Iain’s laird. However was she going to talk to him about her predicament? Just looking at his handsome face made her nervous. His scowl didn’t help, although she couldn’t help noticing the breeze tousling his long hair and the sun shining on his tawny, smooth skin.

  Swaying, the coach rumbled to a stop and Iain climbed down from its perch. With the reins relaxed, the horses settled and stood quietly, catching their breath. Their teeth clicked as they relieved their tongues of the bit pressure.

  Iain waved a brief greeting to his laird. His me
n sat atop their mounts, waiting to follow Iain’s lead. The people of the castle had quieted with their arrival as the coach drew to a halt. The only sounds were of the various animals squawking or grunting for their evening meal and the jingle of the harnesses. Everyone had looked up from their chores at the strange coach, curious as to who was inside.

  “Where ye been, Iain? I’ve been having a need for ye. The

  Campbell clan raided four days ago and stole enough to make my blood boil. We rode after them but dinna catch them. And ye were cavorting across the glen for two weeks without a care,” Shane barked, his voice was deep.

  Iain just grinned at Shane’s brief tirade. “Aw, ye dinna need my help. We’ll get those cowards another day. Right now, I have something more important to be showing to ye.”