Dawn Annis

by Highlander's Ransom

Kate paced in front of the window in Seamus’s room to help the old man and to get away from the son. Her stomach fluttered. She pushed away her thoughts and concentrated on Seamus.

  “Ye nervous, lass?”

  “Not at all. Only waiting for you to arrive.”

  She helped him get comfortable. After checking his wounds, she handed him a cup of Lungwort tea to drink.

  “I dinna like this.”

  “The herbs keep your lungs clear,” Kate said. “You’ve been bedridden a long time and fluid can build in your lungs. When you are stronger and can move around more, you can stop the drink.”

  “Yer a hard one.” Seamus gulped the liquid.

  Kate checked him for fever and covered him with a quilt then left him to rest. She returned to her room, winding a curl around her finger, and paced.

  Later in the evening, Shane sat at the head table with his father at one side, Iain at the other. Kate could feel his gaze on her. When she entered the great hall, she fooled herself into thinking she had herself under control. As soon as she saw Shane, her stomach danced wildly.

  She hardly noticed the large crowd, as everyone came to dine at the same time to welcome the MacGregor home. It was a stroke of luck the minstrels were still with them as they usually didn’t stay in one place for too long. They strummed their instruments and sang ballads as everyone gathered for the meal. Kate was too nervous to mingle, her stomach skipping at the sight of Shane.

  The women prepared a meal worthy of the returning laird. On the long tables were platters of roasted venison, rabbit, and fish caught from the loch and baked that afternoon.

  While fresh meat was available, it was too early in the season for fresh vegetables. There were boiled potatoes and parsnips from the harvest last year. They were kept in cool storage next to the icehouse on the loch.

  Large pitchers of mead and ale were set out next to loaves of warm crusty bread and plates of hard cheese. Kate filled her cup with mead. She sipped, her foot bouncing.

  The cook made a special treat using the dried apples and pears from winter storage. Cored and soaked in spiced beer, the fruit was filled with nuts and baked. Just before serving they were drizzled with honey and the rare spice, cinnamon. The women hurriedly helped to serve the meal so they too could join their men, listening to their laird tell of the news and his adventures.

  Kate did not eat much of the wonderful meal. Her stomach ached from nerves. She noted the homecoming feast was a success. Everyone ate their fill and more. The platters and empty pitchers were cleared away. Most of the clan stayed in the hall after the meal. People gathered into groups around the hall, listening to the music of the minstrels. Everyone was talking at once, creating a low din punctuated with occasional laughter.

  “Get a hold of yourself. He obviously knows Sidney is dead.” Kate rubbed her sweaty hands over her skirts. “You have not been thrown out yet.”

  Shane had indeed gone to England as he related his travels to his clan and she had felt his intense stares during the meal.

  “It may be I am unwelcome but I am determined to stay until Seamus no longer needs me,” Kate muttered.

  After she finished eating, Kate left the hall unnoticed by her guardians. She intended to stay on the isle and didn’t need the ever-present escort.

  She stepped out of the hall and out the doors to the stone steps leading into the courtyard. Pausing, she folded her arms around herself and took in a deep breath, relieved to be away from the crush of the crowd.

  Kate crossed the courtyard and headed toward the loch. The sun had set though there were still a few lingering rays peeking out from behind the hills. She stopped and gazed at the beautiful sight. She took in another deep breath, inhaling the aromas of spring. A few more of the early plants around the loch had begun to bloom, giving off wonderful, sweet fragrances.

  She circled around the keep, then headed toward the herb garden she foolishly thought of as hers. She sat on a stool next to the lean-to and picked up the seedlings waiting to be planted. She knelt despite the night and placed them where she had intended. When had she begun to feel comfortable and safe? When had it no longer felt like a prison and more like a home? She wasn’t sure. Was it spending many hours here doing something she loved, caring for plants and herbs in a familiar place of solace and peace? Or was it Shane?

  Tonight she wanted to be alone with her thoughts and she wanted to be away from the MacGregor and his stares. She admitted Shane made her palms slick, her heart pound. His very presence made her thoughts stutter.

  She saw how his clansmen greeted him, their care for him apparent and Shane’s concern for his people just as clear.

  A shadow crossed the torchlight at the corner of the keep, startling Kate. She turned and saw him. She realized Shane had followed her and her breath caught in her throat. She saw his surprise at the herb garden in the dim light. A rush of sadness swept over his face.

  He walked to the gate.

  “To see this garden again. I think of my mother and the many hours she spent out here. When I was young, if I was seeking her, I was sure to find her here. She would talk to me about any manner of things. Suddenly I miss her very much.” Shane cleared his throat.

  Kate nodded. Before she could speak, he continued.

  “M’lady, ye have done some wondrous things while I’ve been away. I left my dyin’ father out of what I felt was my duty to the clan. I have come home to a father healing and a clan happier with more hope than I ever expected. How do I thank ye?”

  “Do not thank me, m’lord. Your father’s spirit let him heal. I only provided basic skills. As for the clan’s hope, I cannot be given the credit as I did nothing to encourage it,” Kate said quietly. “They are good people.”

  Oddly, Kate felt comfortable in Shane’s presence, more than she believed possible. Her stomach fluttered, her nerves taut but she was more in control of herself. As if his appreciation made him more the man than the laird. She also knew she was no longer hiding a secret.

  Shane smiled, his teeth white in the approaching night.

  “I have spoken with Merta and my da. They both told me of the care ye gave to him. Merta told me of her fright and of yer courage to do what was necessary. I thank ye.”

  Kate gave him a small nod. She felt modest as to her role in Seamus’s healing yet she did not want to argue with Shane. She allowed herself the compliment then braced herself for what was coming.

  “M’lord, if I may—”

  Shane interrupted. “M’lady, I have been to England. I have seen Lord Colquhoun, ‘Tis clear there will be no ransom.”

  Kate looked at her trembling hands.

  “’Tis also very clear ye have nowhere to go. Ye will stay here. My da is very fond of ye. I believe he loves and cares for ye as a daughter.”

  Their eyes met.

  “Merta is as well. I trust they have made ye comfortable during yer stay with us and I see no reason for ye to go elsewhere. Yer skill as a healer speaks for itself. So ye will be useful to my clan.”

  “M’lord, I must—”

  Shane put his hand up when Kate began to protest.

  “Nay, no need to thank me. I made my decision based on what I have learned of yer conduct while I have been away.”

  Kate stared at him speechless. The bright, beautiful man she had spent these last weeks conjuring in her head now stood before her. He was as handsome as she remembered. His voice so deep and resonant, it made her spine tingle. Here he stood, acting like an arrogant cur.

  Shane looked at Kate, his gaze clear, concise, without a hint of confusion. He started to turn away and head back into the hall.

  “So, I am no longer your prisoner?” At his nod, she asked, “And if my desire is to go?”

  “If that is yer wish, yer free to go wherever ye please. Where would
ye want to go?” Shane asked, puzzled.

  Kate did not answer him. She stalked past him, her nose in the air. Her anger grew with each thought. How dare he? Useful to his clan. His father and Merta have grown fond of her. What about how he felt? Did he share their thoughts or did he have some of his own?

  Her heart ached. She had nowhere to go. She was indeed dependent upon his kindness and willingness to have her stay. She was angry with herself, Sidney, Andrew, and the entire situation she found herself in, but most particularly with him.

  Any kind thought she may have had earlier about Shane MacGregor was dismissed from her mind. Here was the man in the flesh, not a dream. She had been caught being foolish and her disappointment was acute. Was she somehow hoping he wanted her to stay? Not for her usefulness to the clan but because he personally desired her. She knew she was being irrational, of course. But she couldn’t help herself. She wanted to rid herself of the MacGregor as quickly as possible. She walked as fast as she could.

  Oh, God. Kate lowered her head, her shoulders curling in as she rounded the corner. The tears came, frustrating even more. Crying again. For goodness sake, it seemed she had cried more in the last month than she had ever let herself before.

  Shane watched Kate stomp around the corner. He shook his head slightly and ran his hand through his hair. What? He did not understand. Here he gave the poor lass a safe place to live. She didn’t have to go back to Andrew Colquhoun, did she? She could live here, where she had friends. Here, where she had come to know the people and the surroundings.

  He could have been a little less harsh but what had she expected, an engraved invitation? While he knew it wasn’t much right now, he was confident it would be better. And it was a bloody sight better than what she had. The more Shane thought about it, the angrier he got. Well, that was fine if the lass didn’t want to stay here. He wouldn’t force her. He admitted he cared for her too much anyway. He didn’t need to complicate his life with a poor wench. A wealthy woman with land was who he needed. If the wee lass was daft, well it wasn’t his concern any longer. He just wasn’t going to feel responsible for her. And he definitely didn’t feel a need to protect her. Absolutely not. Really. Bloody Hell.

  Chapter 14

  Kate went to the herb garden, thinking about what Shane had said the night before. Once she had calmed down, though still angry with him for his arrogance, she realized he was right. She had nowhere else to go.

  By now, Andrew would have come to the cottage to ensure she had not resumed living there. She had no relatives she could go to other than her father and she doubted he would be pleased to see her. Emily would help, but she wasn’t sure how she would get to York. Any friends she had made while living in Scotland were from the village close to her home. They had limited funds, depending upon the generosity of their lord, Andrew Colquhoun. There were none she was willing to foist her troubles upon. She would not impose herself on any of them. Kate let out a long sigh and tried hard to concentrate on the task at hand.

  Smithers approached the garden and with his hands clasped and head bowed, he said very quietly, “M’lady.”

  Kate’s stomach leaped. That voice. So familiar. Kate faced the monk then stepped closer to him, stunned. “Is that you? Oh, Smithers, is it really you?”

  Smithers put his clasped hands to his lips indicating to Kate she mustn’t speak so loudly. He motioned her back to work and spoke to her quietly while she weeded.

  “M’lady,” Smithers said softly. “We must ready ourselves to leave this place. It is not safe for you here.”

  In her excitement to see her friend, Kate’s words came at a rush. “How did you know where I was? How did you find me? I have been so worried about you. Are you well? They took me for ransom, Smithers. As you surely know, there is no ransom. Their laird, Shane MacGregor, oh well, you know who he is. You must, mustn’t you?” she said rapidly. “He went to England. Of course, he found out about Sidney and my lack of fortune. When I first arrived the housekeeper said he would return me straight away. After the evening meal last night, he told me I was to stay with the clan and having no place to go, I dared not leave.”

  Tears welled up in her eyes as she slowed then hiccupped. “I am so very glad to see you.”

  Smithers put his hands to his lips. “Calm yourself, m’lady. It is not our wish to arouse suspicion. I am glad to see you as well.” Smithers allowed a brief smile to touch his eyes.

  “You are being treated well, certainly not as a prisoner from what I can see. We do not want to draw attention. They believe I am no more than a monk making my way through this land.”

  Kate nodded and took a deep breath. She stood and turned toward Smithers, unable to concentrate on her weeding. In her excitement, she had mistakenly pulled up several herbs. Time to quit.

  “When the time is right, we will take our leave. I have been formulating a plan. You must understand, m’lady, time is of the essence. They may have a change of heart and decide to rid themselves of a witness who could potentially do them harm.”

  Kate bowed her head while she listened, but immediately raised it and searched Smithers’ eyes. “As much as I was ready to last night, I realized I mustn’t leave now. The laird’s father has been seriously wounded in a conflict with a neighboring clan. I found him suffering. He was in a dreadful state. I must stay until he is fully recovered. I won’t leave him, Smithers. I cannot.”

  “M’lady, you must surely see that to delay could put you in greater danger,” Smithers reasoned.

  “No, I will not leave this man to face what could still be, his death. I must stay,” Kate said firmly. “He is healing quickly. It will only be for a short while longer.”

  Smithers sighed. “It matters not how kind these people have been to you. You do not know them. If what I’ve heard about them is true, we are at risk. They could turn on you and my guess is they will if they feel the least bit threatened.”

  Kate, with a look that brooked no argument, folded her arms across her chest. Smithers had lost his battle.

  “I will make the necessary plans for our departure. When the man is no longer in danger, we will take our leave.”

  Kate waved him away with a brilliant smile, feeling more in control and confident now than she had in weeks. Smithers was here.

  Chapter 15

  Seamus sat at the desk in Shane’s cramped study.

  “The lass has no money,” Seamus said to Iain. “Shane saw for himself. Colquhoun is dead. His brother is Lord Colquhoun now and he won’t pay a pound.”

  “Ye counted on the wrong brother,” Shane said as he put his hand on Iain’s shoulder. “Leave the lass alone about it. She’s been through enough without having to explain.”

  “Aye,” Iain agreed and left.

  After Iain left, Shane said to Seamus, “She wants to leave. I asked her where she was goin’. She dinna say.”

  “We canna let her go unless she has somethin’ in her mind. The Campbells are out there for sure. We dinna want her to run into them.” Seamus rubbed his forehead. “No tellin’ what they would do.”

  “Aye.”

  Shane hoped she would stay. He did not share with his father the feelings of desire he had for Kate. He admonished himself and had no wish to hear the same from Seamus. He needed to marry for wealth, for lands, for a dowry. He should put her out of his head. Yet he could not stop thinking about her. Her beauty, her way with the clan, and her spirit had no bearing on what he must do for his clan and the decisions made for the best interest of them all.

  Moving to other discussions, father and son related to the clan as a whole. Worries about his father’s health put to rest, Shane concentrated on his clan.

  “Da, what do ye think of seein’ about how the MacDougalls and mayhap the MacDonalds would feel about joinin’ forces against the Campbells? Do ye think they would be willin
’?”

  “Idea ye have there is a good one.”

  “If we could, for now, draw more men off defense and put them to work in the fields, it would increase our food stores for winter.” Shane paced the tiny study. “I could ride to each and ask for their thoughts on the subject. Mayhap their agreement.”

  “Aye, a petition for alliance.” Seamus tented his fingers under his chin. “’Tis just the thing.”

  “The MacDougalls must be struggling as well with attacks from the Campbell’s on their borders,” Shane said. “The MacDonald clan is far enough north to have only their southern border abutting the clan Campbell.”

  “To reach either clan, ye will have to travel through Campbell land.” Seamus gripped his cane with worry on his face.