Georgina looked around the room in a panic for the chamber pot that she’d been sick in, having been too weak and light headed to hide it away last night before she’d closed her eyes to welcome sleep. Unfortunately for her, Fiona breezed into the room before she was able to straighten the place up and she was caught in all her zombie-like glory.
“Oh, hell lass, what’s gotten ya?” Fiona perched on the side of the bed, peering at her with concern in her eyes. “Ye don’t look so good, what’s the matter?” She felt Georgina’s forehead like she was looking for signs of a fever.
“I think I’m perhaps not cut out as an ale drinker,” Georgina admitted, cringing at the sound of their voices hammering into her skull.
“Ach, of course, ye English lasses are just delicate wee things aren’t ya?” Fiona said in amazement. Georgina’s previous worry seemed to disappear.
“Not to worry, it happens tae the best o’ us. Yer first hangover is a rite o’ passage. Of course, in Scotland, it’s usually at a much younger age but at least noo ye can say that ye’ve been initiated,” Fiona continued good-naturedly. Georgina couldn’t tell if she was being serious or joking about the initiation, but it served to make Georgina feel like less of a fool.
“Well I don’t think I’ll be touching the stuff again if this is how it makes me feel,” Georgina announced. What she couldn’t understand was how Fiona could be her usual chirpy self after a night of ale drinking and yet Georgina felt sicker than she’d ever felt before.
“Aye, that’s what they all say. Dinnae worry, ye get used to it. Soon enough ye’ll be able to put it away like nothin',” Fiona encouraged, moving to put the bedpan back out of sight. “I’ll have the maid come and straighten the place up. She was gonnae come and gae ye a shout about breakfast but I had a feeling that this wouldn’ae be a good morning for ye to have a stranger at yer door.”
Great, so Fiona must have seen how out of control she’d been last night. Ohhh, if only Marcas and Conall could just forget all about it, then maybe she’d be able to face them.
“Oh, I’m so embarrassed that anyone has to see me like this,” Georgina lamented, covering her face with her hands.
“Dinnae be silly lass, this is what friends are fer right?” Fiona stated, patting Georgina gently on the arm. “This time the morn we’ll be laughing about this.”
“And until then, I have to go downstairs and face Marcas after humiliating myself in front of him last night,” Georgina voiced her concern. The reality of the situation was beginning to hit her, and the dread was bringing the nausea right back up again. “Oh, Fiona, I can’t. I can’t do it; I just want to hide away in here until it’s all been forgotten about.”
“Hiding is fer cowards and ye’ll no find one o' those in this region. Come on lass, ye can’t lie here and wallow all day,” Fiona scolded, pulling back the bedcover and gesturing for Georgina to get up.
“Besides, the boys are both up and away already, so ye don’t need to worry about bumping into them at the breakfast table,” Fiona added. Oh, now you tell me.
As annoyed as she was at Fiona for not mentioning this sooner, Georgina found this information was what she needed to motivate her into getting washed and dressed and downstairs with Fiona. She was still embarrassed and feeling grotty and tired, but she’d at least managed to make it out of bed and down to the dining room.
Two bowls of oatmeal and more of the bare bannocks that Georgina had encountered on the road with Conall and Marcas were laid out waiting. This time there was butter, a pot of marmalade, and a pot of hot tea to go with it. The tea things were laid out with china cups and saucers and a jug of fresh milk, making Georgina feel at home for it wasn’t much different to what she was used to.
As they sat down to tuck into their food, they’d barely gotten a few bites in before Fiona pounced: “So, what’s the real story?”
“What do you mean?” Georgina was still fuzzy headed, even though the prospect of food was beginning to help, and wasn’t sure what Fiona was referring to.
“I mean,” Fiona paused to swallow the bite of marmalade covered bannock, “Conall told me his version of the story, of how ye ended up being his prisoner, but I’m sensing there’s more to it than that.” Fiona’s eyes were boring into Georgina, like she was expecting a big scandal to unfold from her.
“You’re right, there is more to it. Although I hardly know what to think myself anymore,” Georgina began. She told Fiona everything, how her father agreed to give away her hand in marriage to Morgan Bolton, a man that she loathed, whose violent reputation and horrid manner frightened her. She opened up about how lonely her life was, how she used to long for something more, for the exciting tales told in romance and gothic novels.
Then came the wedding of the Earl of Aylesford, where everything came to a head. She admitted that Marcas had caught her eye across the dance floor, that she’d been filled with delight and a nervous flutter upon him approaching her, becoming all the more enamored by him as they danced and engaged in playful conversation.
She explained how Conall had cut in, that she’d seen Morgan looming and expecting her to go to his side to toast their engagement. Unable to hold it in, she had spilled it all to Conall. Fiona listened to the climax of the story, the escape from the wedding in front of everyone and how they’d fled on horseback, journeying up north until they reached the castle. She left out the parts where she’d enjoyed the feeling of closeness with both brothers, her mind having wandered to less than proper places for an unmarried woman of her stature.
“I knew it. I knew Conall was full o’ shite spouting off that revenge scheme o’ his. I could tell straight away from the look on his face that he’s smitten wi’ you. Marcas too,” Fiona exclaimed.
“Oh, Fiona, I don’t know about that. Conall seemed pretty certain, when he was telling you all about taking me prisoner, that I was nothing more than a useful object in getting his own back on Morgan for whatever he did,” Georgina contradicted, not able to keep the hurt from showing in her voice as she spoke.
“Trust me lass, Conall hides behind his manliness and his powerful reputation. Now that he is the Laird, he has to be seen as responsible and capable of keeping the Brits at bay. Inside though, he’s the same impulsive and jealous thing he’s always been. He has a need to prove himself and once he sets his eye on something, he’ll be damned if he don’t get it,” Fiona twinkled at Georgina as she said this, as if she was talking about her being the thing Conall wanted.
It made her cheeks flush to think of this possibility. Could it be true? Did Conall really have his sights set on her? She couldn’t help but feel a swoop of excitement in her belly at Fiona’s words, at such a powerful man being sweet on her.
Fiona paused to swallow down a couple more spoonfuls of her porridge and Georgina took the opportunity to sip her tea. The food was slowly soothing her raw stomach, but she was taking it easy just in case.
“He’s always had a need to compete wi’ Marcas,” Fiona continued. “Anything Marcas was good at, Conall had to do better. If Marcas wants something, then Conall has to take it fae him. The title o’ Laird fell to Conall by default as he is the older of the two, but Marcas is just as capable. In fact, he can keep his cool and stop himsel’ fae making rash decisions, unlike Conall.
So Marcas had his eye on ye first and Conall being Conall just had tae push his way in. I can tell it fair wounded Marcas by the way he looks at you, I’ve never seen him so taken wi’ any lass before.” Fiona’s speech about her brothers’ affection had Georgina feeling both light and giddy and completely out of her depth.
“Gosh Fiona, I hardly know what to say. I’ve barely been at Carnarvan barely a day and already I’ve had it said that they captured me as a prisoner, thought that you were Marcas’ hidden sweetheart, then we of course became friends, then I go and get myself drunk and tried to entice Marcas into my bedchamber before making myself sick.” Georgina listed off all the events that had happened to her in the past day; it was enough to
make her head spin without the ale.
“Oh, ye did not?” Fiona exclaimed, her eyes popping at Georgina’s admission about how her night had ended with Marcas.
“Oh, no! I certainly do not go around making advances on men, no matter how attractive I find them. I honestly don’t know what’s gotten into me and I’m so embarrassed. Marcas surely thinks that I’m nothing but a common hussy, which is quite untrue.” She sunk her head into her hands, groaning in discomfort as she worried about his opinion of her.
“So, ye do like him then?” Fiona asked slyly.
Georgina peeked out from behind her hands long enough to answer, “Yes, of course I do.” There was nothing else to say other than a simple admission of her feelings. It was a relief to voice it out loud after all that had happened in such a short space of time.
“And Conall?” Fiona probed, raising an eyebrow in Georgina’s direction.
Georgina sighed out loud, “I can’t deny that he has charm, and ever since he scooped me up from the dance floor and whisked me off up to Scotland, I’ve had this warm feeling whenever I think about him.” She had never even admitted to herself that she might like Conall too, but even so, it was Marcas that really dominated her thoughts and her heart.
“Oh, this is just wonderful,” Fiona exclaimed, “you’re going to wed one of my brothers and then we’ll be sisters!” She couldn’t contain her glee, reaching over to hug Georgina right there over the breakfast things.
Georgina couldn’t help but get swept up in Fiona’s enthusiasm, letting out a giggle along with her friend. She let herself imagine what it would be like to stay here and get married, living happily ever after in the castle of a Laird.
Her glee was short lived, however, as she remembered that the life she had run away from was very likely to be out there, and would surely catch up with her. Besides, her father would never give his consent to marry a McGowan or any other clansman, especially after the scene they’d caused at the wedding.
“Dinnae worry yourself lass,” Fiona soothed, having picked up on Georgina’s sudden downturn of mood, “Conall likely saw an opportunity tae get one over on Bolton. He has a personal feud against the man, hell, we’d all like to see him get his comeuppance, but that disnae mean he wasn’t trying to do right by ye at the same time. And ye can hardly be a prisoner if ye came willingly, can ya?” She asked.
“Oh, I’m sure you’re right Fiona, that does make me feel a bit better,” Georgina said. Fiona certainly did have a way of soothing nerves and seeing the best of a situation.
“Come on, let’s get outside and go for a turn aboot the castle grounds,” Fiona suggested, getting up from her seat as she spoke. Georgina was full from the oats and the bannock, having washed down what she could manage with the local breakfast tea, and rose from her seat to join Fiona in taking in some fresh air.
As they walked, Fiona explained that she’d stepped into the role of the woman of the house given that they’d lost their mother during childbirth when Fiona was born. After the death of their father, that left just the three siblings. It gave Georgina a better understanding of Fiona’s caretaking role within the family as she really seemed to be the glue that held them all together.
She also learned of the tragedy that had befallen Conall’s closest friend and his wife, and that Morgan Bolton had personally tracked them down and killed them in cold blood after Conall had been victorious against him on the battlefield. It fed her hatred of the man and she was grateful that she’d trusted her instincts to get as far away from him as possible.
“So, ye can see why Conall would have taken any chance to get revenge against him,” Fiona explained. Her voice was pained as she told Georgina the story, the Campbell’s having been like family to the McGowans. Georgina felt remorse about being so fixated on herself, now after hearing about the amount of loss the McGowan’s had experienced.
“Oh, Fiona, I just feel terrible hearing all that. That must have been awful,” Georgina said, reaching out to her friend.
“Yes, it certainly was. Alistair was a loyal friend to Conall, to us all. They were practically brothers growing up together,” Fiona continued. Georgina’s heart went out to Conall, perhaps she’d been too harsh on him so far.
They walked in silence for a couple of minutes, Georgina processing all that they’d talked about. The view from the castle really was beautiful. They were perched on top of a hill, and she had a clear view of the wilderness of the land for miles around: the forest of lush green trees, the expanse of the hills, the freshness of the air. Just taking it all in made her feel so light and free.
“Ach aye, here comes trouble,” Fiona announced, her eye on the road leading up from the village.
Georgina followed her gaze, seeing Conall and Marcas striding up the road towards them. “Oh, no,” Georgina groaned, not feeling ready to face Marcas just yet.
“Don’t be silly lass, just be yer normal self ‘n’ tell him what’s what,” Fiona ordered, giving her a nudge with her elbow to get her going.
“Well, if it isn’t little miss legless,” Conall called out as they approached the girls.
“Oh, ha, ha, and I’m sure you were as sober as a minister,” Georgina quipped back. She remembered Conall being rather red in the face last night, laughing louder than usual and even falling off his chair at one point.
“Where would be the fun in that?” He bantered back, grinning his usual cheeky grin.
“Aye ye were fair gone, pished as anything,” Marcas joined in, “I’d be surprised if ye remembered anything at all.” Georgina’s spirits lightened at this comment, now this is my chance.
“Well it was my first time trying ale after all, and the strength of it certainly took me by surprise,” she stated. You can salvage this, just keep your cool. “I have to admit the whole evening is a bit of a blur. The ale and my tiredness from such a long journey did rather run away with me,” she made an effort to sound demure and embarrassed by her behavior, the latter of course she wasn’t faking one little bit.
“We can let ye off this time, ye are a delicate wee English lass after all,” Marcas joked, but she could see a sincere depth within his eyes and she knew he was talking about her attempts to bed him.
“Well we’ll just have to see, perhaps you’ll make a Highlander out of me yet,” she jested back, the tension starting to fall away from her at his words.
“Ye’ll have a long way to go tae prove that lass,” Conall pitched in, seeming unable to resist teasing her.
“Well Conall, should we get a move on?” Marcas asked, putting an end to the light-hearted conversation.
“Och aye,” Conall agreed, slapping his brother on the arm, “Marcas and I have some business to get on wi’, we’re best no tae be disturbed.” He aimed this last bit at his sister.
“Well that suits me fine,” she fired back, “gets the pair o’ ye oot o’ me hair,” Fiona said with a hint of a smile. It seemed that the siblings shared a close friendship full of laughter and Georgina felt grateful at the chance to be included.
“Yes, Fiona and I will be just fine on our own,” Georgina added with a smile of her own.
Both brothers twinkled at this, wishing them a good day with a wink from Conall in Georgina’s direction before striding off inside the castle.
“Well saved, Georgina, well saved,” Fiona stated, referring to her interaction with Marcas.
“And thank goodness too,” Georgina replied, glad that she’d faced him and managed to salvage the situation. She was grateful that he’d been gentlemanly enough to give her a way out with his comment on her possible memory loss, which only made him all the more dreamy in her eyes.
Then there was Conall — full of wit and charm, made all the more handsome thanks to his hidden vulnerabilities.
Oh, what was a girl to do?
The next week passed by in a state of bliss. She was enjoying spending time with Fiona, who began to open up about the man she was in love with — Marcas’ best friend, Alpin. The pair
of them spent their days walking through the garden and delightfully discussing the objects of their affection away from prying ears. Marcas and Conall seemed to be occupied by their business dealings and had barely spent much time at the castle since that first day.
Whenever Georgina had encountered them, they were always together and trying to outdo each other with flirty comments and jokes to vie for her attention. She longed for a chance to get closer to Marcas, to be alone with him without Conall there to confuse matters. As long as he was at his brother’s side, she’d never be able to enjoy that feeling of intimacy that passed between them during that first dance.
It now felt like such a long time ago. She started to worry that whatever interest he had in her was disappearing now that the initial excitement of the situation had worn off.
“Oh, Georgina, ye’ll never guess what,” Fiona came running up to her as she took a walk around the castle grounds.
“Our wish has been granted, Marcas is having Alpin for a visit this night and it’ll be just the two o’ them, fer Conall has business obligations in town and will be gone until Thursday.” Fiona blurted it all out, hardly able to contain her excitement. Both women had been plotting a way to be able to spend time with both Marcas and Alpin without anyone else being there to get in the way.
The Highlander's Secret Maiden: A Scottish Historical Romance Novel Page 6