How to Handle a Highlander

by Mary Wine

  The birds had quieted down, and no one had come to investigate. Moira found herself searching for an escape route, but there was none.

  “Gahan Sutherland?” Achaius questioned. “It was Lady Daphne who gave her the clothing. Having the future countess of Sutherland feeling kindly toward me wife might be an advantage someday.”

  “I saw her coming in from the woods, and Gahan left nae long after her. She’s his whore,” Bari accused.

  Achaius looked at her, his retainers turning to flank him. She should have been frightened, but all that swept through her was relief.

  “Ye see? She makes no excuses or denials.” Bari spat on the ground in front of her. “Let me cut her throat and leave her here for that bastard to find.”

  “Now why would I let ye do such a thing?” Achaius asked gleefully.

  Surprise flashed through her as Achaius turned to face Bari. “Since ye have no bride, no bastards, and no other kin, me wife is the heir to the Fraser clan. The issue from her womb will be the next laird.”

  “She will never inherit Fraser holdings,” Bari growled.

  Achaius stepped closer and lowered his voice. “Are ye sure, lad? Ye talk a great deal about feuding, and nae one bit about making sure ye have an heir. Ye have no cousins, no uncles, and no other siblings, only Moira, me properly wedded wife.”

  Bari’s eyes widened. “Are ye playing me for a fool? Ye promised me ye’d join me in a feud against the Sutherlands. It was the only reason I gave ye land as dowry.”

  Achaius chuckled, the sound dry and brittle. “Marriage is for gain and babes. Yer sister is a Matheson now, and we protect what is ours.”

  “Does that mean ye are nae riding with me against the Sutherlands?” Bari demanded.

  “Keep yer voice down,” Achaius warned, “or ye’ll get to see the room yer sister died in, I wager.”

  “Answer me,” Bari hissed through clenched teeth.

  Achaius ignored him and turned to look at Moira. “We’ll be leaving now. I’ve had enough celebrating, Wife.”

  “I’ll find someone else to join me,” Bari threatened.

  He shrugged. “Ride to yer death, lad. That will only leave yer clan to me.” He turned to his men. “Saddle the horses. We’re bound for Matheson land.”

  The Matheson retainers responded instantly. They began pulling their horses from the stables and saddling them. The Sutherland retainers watched curiously from their posts until Norris Sutherland appeared.

  “It’s been a fine visit, one I’ll nae soon forget,” Achaius declared loudly to Norris, “but the arrival of yer son has me thinking of planting me own seeds, as I told yer father already.”

  Norris nodded then looked toward the gate. The bells on the walls began to ring as Gahan returned to the fortress. Moira turned to watch him, her breath catching in her throat. He was magnificent. She stared at him, trying to memorize the details of his dark hair flowing back as he rode forward. The pommel of his sword gleamed behind his left shoulder, and his doublet sleeves were once more open and tied behind his back. He pulled up the stallion and took in the activity, his eyes darkening with fury.

  “Glad I am to be able to say farewell to ye,” Achaius said. He offered Gahan his hand. Gahan slid off his horse’s back and reluctantly clasped the older man’s wrist. Achaius nodded then turned to let his men help him mount.

  “Forgive an old man for his whims, but I feel the need to be gone,” Achaius announced.

  Moira hesitated as her mare was brought forward.

  What are ye going to do? Refuse to leave?

  She’d always known it had to end. She drew in a deep breath and lifted her foot to mount. Gahan grasped her waist and lifted her onto the back of the mare.

  “Thank ye…” Her words trailed off as she looked into Gahan’s eyes one more time.

  My lover’s eyes…

  Aye, she’d remember him that way. He withdrew his hand, and his captain stood near his back. Her throat was trying to swell shut, but she swallowed the lump.

  “Good-bye, Gahan Sutherland,” she said softly. “Please give Daphne me farewell.”

  Achaius didn’t grant her any further time. He pointed toward the gates, and her mare was swept up in the flow of his retainers. They closed around her, shielding her from Bari and carrying her through the gates of Dunrobin.

  Tears leaked from her eyes, and she didn’t try to stop them. The wind whipped them away to hide her shame. She’d known it would end. But that made it no more easy to bear.

  ***

  He’d always loved Dunrobin. From the moment he’d been old enough to understand his father was the earl, Gahan had looked at the castle with longing eyes. When he was very young, his mother would cuddle him and tell him about his father. When she died, he struggled to ignore the barbs aimed at him because of the stigma of his birth. Dunrobin had represented home and everything dear. He’d bleed to protect it, and vowed to give his life if necessary.

  But today, it felt empty.

  The sun was setting, and it felt like every bit of breath was leaving his body. The Mathesons disappeared over the horizon, and he fought the urge to charge after them.

  She’d said she wouldn’t wed him. But only to protect him.

  He ground his teeth with frustration, trying to think of a reason to go after her. But there was none. He watched as the Frasers finished saddling up as well and rode out toward their own land.

  Cam stepped in front of him. “Yer father is asking for ye.”

  He wanted to refuse. But he knew he couldn’t; that was not the way the world worked. Gahan reluctantly turned and entered the tower, making his way toward his father’s private study. People cleared out of his way, offering him nods of respect. The gestures were yet another reminder of how the world worked. The Sutherland people didn’t need him racing off to steal another man’s wife. He had his duty to uphold the honor of the family. Only the English nobility expected their people to behave correctly while they did as they pleased. He was a Highlander.

  But that did little to ease his frustration.

  “Do nae tell me to be content with it, Father,” Gahan said when he arrived.

  Gahan paced back and forth in front of his father’s desk. It felt like someone had cut something off him, living flesh severed from him while he was awake to feel the agony.

  “What makes ye think I would say something such as that?”

  Gahan froze, turning to look at his father. Instead of the stern look of disapproval he expected, his father appeared sympathetic.

  “I know what loves feels like,” Lytge said softly. “If ye recall, I gave ye me reasons for warning ye to stay away from the lass.”

  Gahan shook his head. “I am the greatest fool alive for nae admitting it to her.”

  It didn’t seem possible that he’d heard Moira say she loved him but a few hours past. It felt like a huge chasm had opened up, uncrossable now that she was gone.

  Someone rapped on the door.

  “Come in,” his father said.

  Norris opened the door and tugged on his bonnet as he entered. He stepped aside to reveal a young boy wearing the Sutherland kilt. The boy pushed out his chin and reached up for the corner of his cap. Norris gently grasped the boy by the shoulder.

  “This is young William. He was tending the mews today and has something to tell ye.”

  Norris eased the lad forward, and William stepped up after just the first nudge. He gulped down a deep breath before gathering the courage to speak directly to the earl.

  “Bari Fraser was furious with his sister for nae killing the laird’s new grandson when she had the chance to gain vengeance for Sandra’s death,” the boy said. “He wanted to cut his sister’s throat, pulled a knife out to do the deed and all.”

  “He did what?” Gahan roared.

  Norris held up a hand to quiet his brother. “There is more.”

  “It was Laird Matheson who protected her, but Bari Fraser claimed he’d seen ye in the woods with Lady Matheso
n and he knew for a fact ye were lovers. But Laird Matheson was nae angry. He told Laird Fraser that Lady Matheson was set to inherit the Fraser clan on account of the fact that Laird Fraser was talking about feuding with the Sutherlands.”

  “I knew it!” Gahan exclaimed.

  “Did anyone else hear this, lad?” the earl asked.

  William nodded. “There was three of us, but I’m the oldest, so I stepped forward.”

  “I need yer word that ye will keep silent,” the earl insisted.

  William nodded and tugged on the corner of his bonnet. “I will, and I’ll make sure the other lads do too. We’re Sutherland through and through.”

  The earl smiled. “That’s right. A Sutherland is only as good as his word.” He opened a small wooden chest on the desk and pulled three silver pennies from it. He pressed them down and tapped them with a fingertip. “Which is why I always take care of me people.”

  William looked at the silver with anticipation brightening his eyes, but he twisted the corner of his kilt instead of reaching for the pennies. “Yer gratitude is enough, Laird. Me father would ask where I got the penny, and I could nae lie to him.”

  The earl grinned. “Ye’re a clever lad.” He returned the pennies to the chest. William tried to hide his disappointment.

  “You tend to the mews, correct? Are there any chicks ye favor?”

  William’s expression brightened. “Aye, Laird. I like them all, but there is one I think is the best of the lot from last spring.”

  “It likes ye, does it?”

  William nodded.

  “It is yers. Tell yer father ye earned the hawk’s respect, and I saw fit to give it to ye. The other lads may take a hawk or a sheep for their diligence. That is nae a lie. Keeping yer word is being diligent to me.”

  “I thank ye, Laird, very much,” William said eagerly. He tugged on his bonnet again, this time pulling so hard it was drooping over his eyebrow when he finished. Norris opened the door for him, and he scampered through.

  “So ye have witnesses now,” Saer MacLeod offered from where he stood in the corner. “But nae ones who would hold up if Lord Home became involved.”

  “That may be for the best,” Lytge said. “As Daphne learned, the young king believes obedience to one’s family is very important. Moira is wed to Achaius, and I think the man is very clever, for he knows Bari is reckless enough to get himself killed before leaving an heir to the Fraser clan.”

  “I am going after Moira,” Gahan informed his father. “Now that Achaius has revealed his plans to Bari, she is nae safe. Bari might try to get her out of the way to make sure he is the only one who can hold the Fraser land, or to ensure me blood does nae wear Fraser colors. It’s true, the lass is me lover, but I wish she were me wife.”

  Everyone waited to see what the earl would say.

  “I doubt ye will be welcomed through the gates of Matheson Tower now,” Norris predicted.

  The earl held up his hand when Gahan would have argued. “This will require more than yer passion, Son. I forbid ye to go to Matheson land. Is that clear?”

  Every fiber of his being rebelled, but his father was steadfast.

  “What do ye suggest?” It took more control than Gahan thought he had to ask the question. His father didn’t answer. Instead, he began to tap the top of his desk with a fingertip.

  Gahan knew the gesture. His father didn’t have a solution. It was chilling, because there was a great deal of truth in what his sire had said. There was no way to force Achaius to relinquish Moira.

  She was beyond his reach.

  So the solution was clear. He’d have to find a way to make Achaius bring her to him.

  ***

  “Enough! Yer sniveling brother is gone.”

  The retainer shoved Sandra’s bag of food through the opening in the door and closed it. She’d heard him leaving and knew it was true.

  Bari was gone.

  Her door had been guarded every day he’d been at Dunrobin, but now there was only the wind whistling through the open window. She walked to the cot and put on her undergown. Loneliness was a vicious thing, ripping into her self-confidence and leaving her prey to despair. Through the window, all she could see was the ocean. It was all she might ever see.

  For the first few months, she’d laughed at Gahan Sutherland’s inability to hang her. She’d thought him a weak fool. But now she wondered if he was in fact a far more sinister creature than she’d realized. Her imprisonment was a slow torment. Death would have been swift and taken her away from counting the days.

  She trailed her fingers along her hands, appreciating how smooth her skin was. She was wasting her beauty inside the tower room. Was there no force in heaven or hell willing to help her?

  She’d swear allegiance to the first one who appeared.

  ***

  “Ye are hatching some plot.”

  Norris came through the secret passageway into Gahan’s room an hour before daybreak. Gahan looked up for only a moment before resuming his preparations. His sword was almost ready, the blade shining from the oil he’d applied to the sharpening stone.

  “And I want to know what it is,” Norris continued.

  “I will nae disobey Father,” Gahan replied.

  Norris crossed his arms over his chest. “That is nae an answer.”

  “I am leaving within the hour,” he admitted.

  Norris grunted. “As if I cannae see ye are making ready to depart. Where are ye going?”

  Gahan held up the sword and inspected the blade with a critical eye. He made his brother wait while he slid it into its sheath and put the leather harness over his shoulder.

  “Gahan? Do I really have to run to Father and tell on ye?”

  Gahan shot his brother a deadly look. “Ye were willing to defy our sire to have Daphne, and I held me tongue.”

  Norris sighed. “That’s true, but I was heading to Court, nae somewhere where it was likely I’d have me throat cut. Father forbid ye from Matheson land for good reason. I agree with him.”

  “I am nae going to Matheson land.” He picked up his bonnet and adjusted his sword. “But I swear I am coming back with Moira, and I’d appreciate it if ye’d go back to bed. Go lie down next to the woman ye love and remember that nothing would have kept ye from having her.”

  “Aye,” Norris agreed.

  “And do nae insult me by worrying I’ll break me word to Father.”

  Norris drew in a deep breath but let it out before nodding. He offered Gahan his hand then turned and disappeared into the secret passage. A moment later, Saer MacLeod moved into the main chamber from one of the small adjoining chambers. Cam followed, and Gahan nodded in approval as he watched the two men bring forth the means of getting Achaius out of his tower.

  Sandra Fraser was paler but still a beauty—a deadly one, but Gahan was going to put her to good use. He wasn’t breaking his word, but he was taking a chance with his father’s good will.

  For the first time in his life, he was willing to do so.

  “So ye plan to use me as bait?” she questioned in a sultry voice.

  “I do,” Gahan informed her. “Consider it the cost of sparing yer life.”

  She fluttered her eyelashes. “I suppose that is a fair trade.” She held up a single finger. “But I want yer word ye will keep yer promise to set me free even if Achaius does nae step into yer trap.”

  “As long as ye stay off Sutherland land, it is done.”

  “What of yer father?” Sandra asked.

  “He left yer life in me hands.” Gahan raked her with a hard look. “Do nae forget that, for I swear I will run ye through if ye try to wrong me.”

  It was a risky gamble, and he was sure many would argue the risk outweighed the gain.

  Not to him. Regaining Moira was worth any risk.

  Seven

  For the first time, Moira found herself grateful that Achaius was a miser.

  With spring breaking all around them, there was much to be done at Matheson
Tower, and she threw herself into the work. But even exhaustion was not enough to keep her nights peaceful. Gahan inhabited her dreams: his touch, his voice, and even his kisses. She turned from one side to the other, seeking his embrace.

  All she found was emptiness.

  Matheson Tower needed cleaning, and it kept her busy for weeks. The maids were eager to please the new Lady Matheson, because Moira didn’t place herself above them. They lined up to help her scrub the stone hallways with hard-bristled brushes and lye soap. They set up large cauldrons in the yard and kept fires burning under them to boil water. The ash was scooped up and used to make more soap.

  She ordered the staff to bathe and set the cooper to making more tubs. He looked surprised, but went back to his shop to begin work.

  Through it all, Achaius ignored her, which was a relief.

  At least he didn’t balk when the cooper delivered the tubs and wanted payment. The tubs were simply large half barrels sealed with pitch. But they held water, and that suited her needs. Within a day, the kitchens smelled better, and after three weeks, she no longer had to tell the staff to bathe. They did so happily.

  But at the oddest times she would catch Achaius or his men watching her. If she ventured too close to the gate, someone would call her back into the keep and forget what they had wanted.

  It might have been her imagination. More likely, they were just making sure she stayed where Achaius had control of her. Bari was forbidden on Matheson land now, which left her to make the best of her life, but it also meant the Matheson clan had not ridden out to feud. Moira didn’t know what Bari had been up to in the past weeks, but it was a relief knowing that, so far, she had been able to keep her promise to her clanswoman to keep the peace.

  Fann saw to her needs, following her about. The girl was bright, so Moira didn’t protest.

  Moira and her staff had just finished cleaning the hall when the bell in the church began to ring. Moira wiped the sweat from her brow and looked at Fann.

  “We’ve visitors, someone important,” Fann said.