Dawn Annis

by Highlander's Ransom

  True to her word, Merta had a fence erected around the herb garden with a small gate located near the keep wall. Pleased to be in a garden again, Kate carefully placed the soil around the new plants while Seamus watched her work.

  “’Tis much like when my wife, Elizabeth, and I would steal a quiet moment. She would be in the garden and I would seek her out for a bit of talk. She had a sweet lilting voice, a gentle opinion. I learned early in our relationship, she had a sharp mind. I would be a fool to let male pride prevent me from gainin’ through her wisdom.” Seamus looked out to the hills and sighed. “I miss her. Ye remind me of her. Ye have a quick wit about ye. Tell me somethin’ about yerself.”

  “Oh, there is not much to tell. My mother was good to me. I grew up in York. Really, not much.” Kate focused on the plant she was potting. She didn’t raise her eyes.

  What could she tell him? She had been married? Her husband was a selfish brute? He reveled in the pain he caused her? That he was dead?

  “What about those plants yer workin’ there? Tell me about those,” Seamus said, changing the subject.

  “Each one has a reason. Each herb does something for or against the body.”

  “Ye learned this from yer mother? She has taught ye well.”

  Kate’s face grew warm. “I have tried. The knowledge has been passed down from many generations of women to their daughters.”

  Kate moved to the small lean-to next to the garden. Merta had it erected so Kate could eventually hang the herbs for drying and curing. There, she worked with each batch of seedlings, preparing them for planting.

  “I enjoy working with plants. They respond to my care. I’m happiest when I am caring for something, or someone.” She beamed at Seamus.

  Seamus winked at her. He closed his eyes and dozed in the warm sun, his long, grey hair lifted by the occasional breeze.

  Kate found more plants in the old herb garden survived than she initially believed. Tiny leaves of Jacob’s ladder and Coltsfoot leaf were poking through the soil as she cleaned the debris and dead matter away, thrilled with her find. Other young plants were growing as well, and she was able to identify most of the young shoots. Some others she would have to let mature before she could determine what the plant was and if it had any uses to her. She wasn’t sure what had initially been planted in the garden, as Merta could not tell her. Kate eagerly looked forward to any new discoveries.

  One sunny morning Seamus was out in the garden visiting with Kate.

  “Kate, lass, ye told me ye were a prisoner,” he said softly.

  Kate’s head came up from her work and she studied the old man’s eyes. Not seeing any guile there, she believed he did not know the facts surrounding her current situation. Apparently no one had informed him of the ransom plan. Yet, she did not want to agitate her patient, so she tried to choose her words and tone carefully but directly.

  “Yes, I did say I was a prisoner and I currently remain as such,” she said softly. “I was brought here against my will. I am being held for ransom.”

  Startled, Seamus struggled to rise from his chair. Kate dropped her hoe and hurried to his side. She placed her hand gently on his uninjured shoulder, preventing him from falling. She eased him back to his seat.

  “You will start bleeding again, m’lord. Rest easy,” Kate soothed.

  Seamus barked. “The devil, ye say. What’s going on under my very nose?”

  “I’ll explain. You must promise not to try to stand again. You don’t want to cause injury to yourself. You mustn’t hurt yourself.”

  Seamus nodded reluctantly. He motioned for Kate to hurry her explanation.

  “I don’t know the history regarding the conflict. From what I have been told, I am to remain here until the ransom has been paid by my husband,” Kate hedged. “I am not sure how long I will remain.”

  Kate did not explain that her husband was dead and no ransom was forthcoming. She wasn’t sure what Shane’s reaction would be when he returned from England. She didn’t know for sure he had gone to her former home to collect the ransom but she could guess. Shane’s continued absence left her somewhat perplexed. She knew if he had gone to England it would be only a matter of time before her secret was revealed. Perhaps she should be making plans to leave this place. Perhaps she should leave before Shane returned. She was also somewhat surprised at Seamus’s question. No one had told him. She had been so busy tending to Seamus as well as the garden she had not thought of her plight recently. Although, she did not want to think of it, Seamus’s question did remind her something must be decided upon. Yet she didn’t feel she could leave Seamus.

  Seamus appeared to be mulling over her statement, his brows pressed together in a frown. “And who is this husband that has yet to come for his wife?”

  Kate hesitated with her answer but felt she must respond rather than delay and cause further anxiety to the old laird. “My married name is Colquhoun,” she replied, hesitant to see his reaction.

  Seamus roared.

  Merta came running, still wiping her hands dry on her skirt. When she got to the edge of the gardens, she saw Seamus struggling to stand with Kate beside him.

  “Merta. Iain,” Seamus hollered the whole while. “I’ll be knowin’ what ‘tis goin’ on here and now.”

  Hot tears streamed down Kate’s face, her hair falling from the silk caul that held it atop her head. She felt the weight slip down onto her shoulders.

  She lifted the old man up since he seemed determined to run from her presence. She did not blame him. If she learned the enemy had been nursing her, giving her various potions to drink, and using knives to cut on her, she too would be struggling for freedom. She did her best to bring about his recovery. She would never knowingly hurt him or anyone.

  “Seamus, I would never hurt you.” Kate scrubbed the tears from her face. His reaction upon learning she was the enemy devastated her. She had grown to care very much for the old laird and looked upon him as a kindly father and friend.

  Merta reached the two of them just as Seamus gained his feet. His gaze darted about, as if he were looking for someone in particular. The color suddenly drained from his face and his legs weakened. His knees gave out on him. Merta and Kate guided his fall into his chair. Merta motioned to two young men standing there with their mouths open, watching the whole scene.

  “Aye, lads, shut yer mouths and help us. Ye each grab an end and take himself to his chambers. We’re right behind ye.”

  Merta and Kate followed the men as they carried Seamus up to his room.

  Seamus yelled, “Shane. Shane. Where ye be, lad? I wanna explanation. Under my own roof.”

  Merta tried to explain. “Seamus, Shane is not here. He’s gone to England.”

  They finally entered his room and the men lifted him into his bed. Seamus quieted down, and Merta gave him a sip of water. He allowed Kate to check his bandages for signs the wounds had begun to bleed again. Satisfied none of the injuries were disturbed too badly, Kate left the room with Merta following.

  Kate wiped her eyes with her handkerchief. “I am so very sorry. I was surprised he. . . I thought surely someone had. . . Who could blame him for . . .?” she cried, choking back a sob.

  Merta stopped Kate and put her arms around her.

  “Ssh, wee lass,” Merta whispered. “Slow yerself down. Breathe.”

  Kate hiccupped in several breaths and tried to calm herself but it was too much. Her nerves were frayed to the breaking point. She twisted the cloth in her hand. It seemed she was truly on her own. Kate felt her knees buckle but was helpless to stop them.

  Merta kept her arms around Kate as she walked her back to her room. In no time, she had her sitting in front of a low fire with a cup of tea in her hand.

  While warm outside, the castle was still cool. Kate, in her upset, had gotten a chill. S
he held the hot cup with both hands to warm them. Merta fussed with a blanket, tucking it around her as Kate composed herself. Merta sat on a nearby footstool while Kate told her what had happened. She listened quietly, placing her hand on Kate’s shoulder when, in relating the story, she began to cry again.

  “Aye,” Merta began. “I can see how himself was taken a back a bit, m’lady. Was a shock to hear the name again, coming from yer mouth, too, with him so fond of ye. Shane should have told him, but with himself in no fit condition to hear it, ‘tis no wonder he dinna. I’ll be explaining to him and it will be fine. Dinna be fretting now. Just relax here for a bit and I’ll check on him.”

  Merta stood up and patted Kate’s shoulder. “Rest easy now and I’ll be right back. No worries. This will work out in the end,” she said with a wink.

  Kate couldn’t help a weak smile as she watched Merta cross the room and quietly open the door. Merta turned and winked again as she stepped out into the hallway. She gave Kate a smile and closed the door.

  Kate wept again, amazed at how quickly she had become attached to Seamus. She had begun to feel at home here in spite of the being kidnapped. But truly, kidnapped from what? She had no home, no money, no one to care about her. Except Smithers, and where was he?

  Shane had been a surprise. She enjoyed his company. There was a funny little flutter in her stomach whenever he was around. He made her laugh, he made her heart wobble.

  She had received kind treatment since she’d arrived. No one had treated her poorly, and most accepted her presence comfortably.

  Her success with Seamus had certainly made her favorable among the clan. Strange as it seemed, she was one of them. Still, Seamus’s reaction had startled her. Tears welled up in Kate’s eyes. She felt so alone and overwhelmed. So much had happened in such a short time.

  Merta returned. “I talked with himself and he is nigh on asleep. I told him as much as I know and he wanted to talk with Shane. I reminded him again Shane had gone and that he dinna say when he would return.”

  “Seamus is angry with Shane and the situation. He knows Iain was the one to kidnap ye and he’s furious with him. He dinna want to see him. He asked I tell ye, he is not angry with ye. Ye surprised him. He is tired now, but wants to see ye when he wakes.”

  Kate decided to stay in her room and after assurances to Merta she was fine, Merta moved toward the door.

  “Thank you, Merta. You have been an angel to me.”

  “Och, I haven’t noticed any wings sproutin’ yet, m’lady. And that’s the God’s honest truth.”

  Smithers watched the uproar around Seamus and Kate with a troubled mind, his cowl close around his face. He’d not had the opportunity to get close to her. He tried on several occasions as she walked the grounds. He could not find her alone or was stopped by his “duties” as a monk. Watching Seamus’s reaction to the Colquhoun name spurred him to redouble his efforts and form a plan to spirit Kate away.

  Chapter 13

  Seamus stood at the entrance to the hall and slowly shuffled forward to greet his son.

  His handshake was firm, his eyes bright. Shane’s heart filled with hope. Could this be the same man he’d left dying? No, it was clear his injuries were healing. Shane wrapped his arms around his father, the man he expected to be dead when he reached home.

  “Da, ye look whole again. I dinna think it possible.” Shane could not let go of his father. “Ye mean a great deal to me, old man,” Shane said. “Worry over losing ye has weighed heavy upon me.”

  “Aye, son, my misery is leaving. Lady Colquhoun took pity on an old man. I owe her a debt.”

  Shane saw Kate standing a short distance away, unsure how to approach her. He wanted to talk to her. In private. He wanted to ask how she fared while he was gone. He returned his gaze to his father.

  “So, ye know who she is.”

  “Aye, that I do. We’ll be speakin’ about it,” Seamus said sternly. He patted his son on the back. “Good to have ye home, son.”

  Seamus turned and led the way back into the great hall. He held onto a gnarled, sturdy branch one of the men stripped of its bark and fashioned it as a cane of sorts.

  Shane gave quick orders to unload and care for his horse. He quickly followed his father, amazed at his recovery.

  As the men entered the hall, Merta stepped forward to greet Shane. Shane saw her hesitation as if reading his response. She gave him a brief hug and a quick kiss on the cheek to show she had no hard feelings from their last conversation. He in turn gave an extra squeeze and a wink. An unspoken apology passed between them. Iain and other clansmen arrived nosily.

  Shane waved them into the hall. He nodded at Iain.

  Seamus asked, “Tell me, did ye go to England?”

  “Aye, that I did, Da.”

  Seamus raised his brow. “Why is she a prisoner?”

  “Iain took the lass from her husband in York. He thought to raise some coin.” Shane frowned.

  Seamus opened his mouth.

  Shane held up a hand and shook his head. “Sidney Colquhoun is dead and any chance of ransom with it. I saw Andrew Colquhoun in a tavern. He was very proud of himself. He threw the lass out. Ye should of seen him, Da. He looked like a peacock with his feathers set in full display,” Shane said, his voice full of scorn. Then he spit.

  Seamus grunted. “Aye, it dinna surprise me. But had he not been bragging, ye would still be sitting there wondering what to make of the whole mess.”

  Seamus frowned at his lap, shaking his head slowly, and said, “Poor lass, such a sweet, wee thing.”

  After Shane’s discoveries had been explained to the old laird, they came to some immediate decisions.

  “Kate canna go out on her own. She’ll have to stay here,” Seamus said, rubbing his chin.

  “We will always have need of her.” Shane neglected to mention the attraction he felt for her. He had uncovered one secret. Were there more?

  Though the lack of ransom was disappointing, it was no fault of hers, and they all agreed, since she had nowhere else to go, she should stay.

  “She’s a good lass. I’m fond of her. I wouldn’t be standin’ in front of ye without her.” He paused. “I owe her a debt and I canna send her out to fend for herself.”

  It made no difference to either man that perhaps Kate would want to go. They were men and therefore knew what was best for her. She would abide by their decision, they were sure.

  As for Iain, Shane would have to explain to him there was not going to be a ransom paid and why. He also wanted to communicate to him any further brilliant ideas were to be discussed with him first. Shane decided to wait until the morning to talk with him.

  Seamus started to his room for a midday rest. He shrugged off Shane’s attempt to help him to bed.

  “I’m fine, lad. Just need a bit of rest. Go. Join the rest of the lads. They’ll be waiting to hear about yer travels.” Seamus turned and slowly made his way to the stairs.

  Shane watched the old man climbed the stairs and then turned to find Kate. He hoped for a moment alone with her. He told himself it was because he had to tell her she was going to stay. In his heart he knew it was also because he wanted to be near her.

  On the ride from England, Shane thought a great deal about Kate. Anyone with eyes could see the woman was stunning but there was more. From their brief encounters and what he had learned in England, he was beginning to know a remarkable woman.

  He had but a moment before he was forced to return his attention to his men. They claimed him, arms around his shoulders, and they moved as one to the tables by the fireplace. Soon they were laughing and bantering with one another. With great hugs and much backslapping, everyone was glad to see the MacGregor.

  Kate paced the room. She wrapped a loose curl around her finger. She had been left with no word from the
MacGregor. She assumed he went to England to collect his ransom. What he found there and how the knowledge would affect her, disturbed her.

  How was she going to explain herself? She knew the state of her own financial affairs and about the death of her husband all along. Had she confessed, it would have saved him a trip to England. How would he react to her duplicity? Seeing him again made her pause. He was as handsome as she remembered, and his smile gave her the slightest shiver.