The Scottish Siren

by Kirsten Osbourne

  “Ahh. It’s laziness, then.”

  “I wouldn’t call it laziness . . . I would call it a cultural difference. Women in my time don’t care about things like that, so they are better off in pants.”

  Kirstine shrugged as she finished helping Beth dress. “There. Ye are presentable. Let us go have some breakfast.”

  The two women hurried down the stairs together, in search of their meals. When they got to the dining hall, there was Gavin seated alone, eating his porridge.

  “Good morning,” Beth said, keeping her voice light.

  “Good morning.” Gavin’s eyes met hers, and his were full of warmth. “I will be meeting with some of me allies today to discuss what happened with the McPhersons. I do not want war, but I am also not certain I want to be allies with them. It doesna seem to make sense to me to become an ally with a sworn enemy just to prevent possible future mischief.”

  “Mischief?” Beth asked, taking her seat as Morag placed her breakfast in front of her. She was amazed at how quickly she was adjusting to the new food. “You don’t think that kidnapping a child goes beyond mischief?”

  “Aye, but if I promise that I will be available to heal his clan, just as I am me own and those of me allies, then why would he cause problems again? I think me agreement is the perfect solution.”

  “You wouldn’t feel as if you were giving in to the bullies?”

  He looked at her blankly. “Bully?”

  “Someone who is always using violence and intimidation to make others do as they want.”

  He frowned, thinking about what she’d said. “Mayhap I would. I will speak with the other lairds, and we will see how we feel about it all.”

  “Is your father going with you?”

  “Dinna ye think I can do it on me own?” He was taking his father. It only made sense, because his father was the man everyone was used to dealing with, but she had no faith in him?

  “Of course I think you could. I just don’t think you should. There’s a difference.” Beth knew she couldn’t make him feel like she had no confidence in him, but truthfully, it didn’t make sense for him to go without his father. Not in her opinion anyway.

  “I will take me father, but I would like ye to think about who ye have married, wife. I am a strong man who has been raised to lead a clan. If ye dinna think I am able to do so, why did ye marry me?” He got up and stormed from the table, realizing that her words had cut him much deeper than they should have. He was a new laird. One who had only been doing the job for a couple of days, but he’d successfully gotten his niece back. Why did she not trust him?

  Beth frowned down into her porridge. How had she already messed things up so badly? They hadn’t been married long enough for the honeymoon glow to be gone yet.

  Later as Gavin went into a meeting with seven other lairds, his father at his side, he couldn’t help but think about everything Beth had said. Was he giving in to the bullies by agreeing to an alliance with the McPhersons? Was it a good idea, or was he simply trying to avoid a fight? His men were strong and well-trained. They could fight off the McPhersons if necessary.

  He sat down at the table in his grandfather’s great hall, worried about it. How would his grandfather feel if he were to give in over one incident? It didn’t make sense. The Campbells and the McClains had been allies since his father’s family had first moved to the Highlands. It had led to two different marriages between the children of the families.

  Grandfather sat at the head of the table, and he looked the part of the laird. He was an older man with huge hands, and he seemed to be able to control every other man in the room. “Let us discuss this situation with the McPhersons.” His eyes met Gavin’s. “Laird McClain, please fill everyone in on what has happened.”

  Gavin rose to his feet and concisely explained everything that had occurred from the moment Coira had been taken by the McPhersons to when they arrived back on McClain land. “They only took her to get me to heal their laird. He was on his deathbed. I firmly believe that an alliance with the McPhersons would make it so they no longer felt the need to take the children of me clan to get me to heal people.” When he was finished, he took his seat, waiting to hear what others said.

  Laird Campbell shook his head. “That child was one of me great-grandchildren. I would like to tear Laird McPherson limb from limb, but it sounds like it wasna his decision that led his men to take Coira. It sounds as if it was his men acting without guidance.”

  “And do we punish the entire clan for a few men who were ill-trained?” Kennan asked.

  The laird of one of the other clans spoke up. “I dinna like this. If the McClains give in to everyone who wants to have Gavin’s healing practices and becomes allies with them, the only common enemy we will have is the English!” All the men laughed at that.

  “’Tis a good common enemy to have!” Gavin said, grinning.

  The discussion went on for hours. The men argued the good and bad of the McClains becoming allies with the McPhersons. Finally, the decision was left to Gavin. “I believe we will become allies but ask that all the clans we are allied with spread the message that it is not necessary to take our children—or anything else—for me to be willing to heal.”

  Kennan frowned at Gavin. “I dinna want ye to become a full-time healer. Your job is leading our clan.”

  “Why do we not have James train the men? Then I am freed up for me healing as it is necessary.” James was his eldest brother and the strongest of them all. Gavin couldn’t imagine his father arguing with him.

  “But then the men will be used to following James. Do ye mean to allow him to lead the men into battle as well?”

  “If necessary. Father, I feel very strongly about me duties as laird, but I canna be laird and healer all at once. James can be the military leader, and I can be the healer.”

  “That is not how it is supposed to be!” Kennan protested.

  “No other lairds have been born healers. I was. We must be able to adjust things for the needs of our people.” Gavin wasn’t willing to back down on this. Already he’d spent no time with his new bride. If something wasna changed, he’d never see her again. And though he was angry with her now, he knew he wouldn’t be when he saw her later. There were sons to think about.

  Kennan sighed. “We will talk to James when we get back to McClain land. Mayhap he will be willing.”

  Gavin couldn’t imagine James turning down the opportunity to lead the men in their training or into battle. Gavin had often thought that James resented him for getting the birthright that was traditionally meant for the oldest son. The McClains had always done things differently.

  Laird Campbell called out to Gavin as the men were leaving the meeting. “Gavin, a moment of your time if ye will.”

  Gavin hurried to his grandfather, knowing it was something that needed healing. The man was old, and all of his ailments were soon brought to Gavin. “Yes, Grandfather?”

  “Me knees have gotten so bad it hurts to walk. If I dinna want to have me men carry me all over the land, something needs to be done.” Laird Campbell was a proud man, and he didn’t ask if there was any other way.

  “Ye have tried the salve I gave ye?” Gavin asked, even as he squatted down and put his hands onto his grandfather’s knees beneath the man’s plaid. He let the power flow through him, taking on the pain of his grandfather for just a moment of time.

  “I have. It doesna work. Nothing does.” His grandfather drew a deep breath. “Nothing but your touch, that is. Thank ye, Gavin.” He put his hand on Gavin’s shoulder in thanks. It was as loving as the old war man got with his grandchildren.

  “I am happy to ease your pain in any way I can,” Gavin said softly. “How is Grandmother?”

  “Complaining that she canna see well enough to sew any longer. I suggested she talk to you, but she wouldna hear of it.”

  Gavin rose to his feet. “Let us go see Grandmother, then.”

  They walked into the sitting room, where his grandmother
spent most of her time, and he walked to her. “Hello, Grandmother. How are ye today?”

  His grandmother dropped her sewing and wrapped her arms around him. “Gavin. It is always so good to see ye.”

  Gavin smiled. The woman had more than fifty grandchildren, and she was always excited to see each and every one of them. He held her frail body in his arms for a moment, scanning to see if there was anything else wrong with her. When he found nothing but age, he placed his hands over her eyes, gently as if playing a game. “I have missed ye. Did ye know I married? She is a beautiful lass named Beth.”

  “And ye dinna bring her to meet me?” She swatted his hand away, but the healing had been done. Hopefully she wouldn’t realize what he’d done for her. At least not until after he’d left.

  “I will bring her. I was here for a council of lairds, so I couldna bring me wife with me. Soon.”

  “Soon? Like the morrow? I have the right to see the mother of me future great-grandchildren.” She put her hands on her hips and glared at him.

  Gavin grinned. “Aye, on the morrow. Unless there is some healing that must be done.” He rubbed the back of his neck, wondering just how his grandmother would feel about Beth. He didn’t want to tell her that Beth was from the future, but her accent was so different. Hopefully she wouldn’t notice.

  “Good boy.” She patted his arm. “Go home now. Me eyes are working better than they have in years. Your work here is done.”

  Gavin bit back a laugh. “I hope I helped.”

  “Ye know ye did.” She shook her head. “Go spend some time with that new wife of yours.”

  Gavin exchanged looks with his father, who bit back a smile and said, “I will give Gilly your love.”

  “Thank ye.”

  With those words, they headed out to their horses, which had been tied up.

  “How do ye feel that went?” Kennan asked as they mounted their horses.

  “I dinna know.”

  “I think it showed ye have the ability to think for yourself, which is needed with that group of lairds. Ye must never show weakness when ye are in a meeting like that.”

  “Was it weak to include ye?” Gavin asked. He was afraid of the answer, but he’d needed his father there, mistake or no.

  “Nay, not this first time. If it continues, it would be a show of weakness.” Kennan shook his head. “Do ye feel like ye can handle the meeting with the McPhersons alone?”

  “Aye. I healed their leader. They have something they want from me. They willna hurt me for fear I will take me healing hands home with me.”

  His father laughed. “Ye are right about that. Take two men with ye—ones ye trust.”

  “I will take James and Ian.” Gavin didn’t have to think about it. His eldest brother and the brother closest to him in age. They would be his seconds.

  “Good choices.” Kennan was silent for a moment before turning the subject. “How is married life?”

  Gavin wanted to complain that he hadn’t had a chance to discover that for himself yet, but instead, he brought up their conversation that morning. “I dinna feel like she trusts me to run the clan.”

  “Ye are a brand-new laird. Taking advice is important at this point.”

  “I know. I felt like she was acting as if I was lacking skills . . .”

  “Son, I know ye want her to think that ye walk on water, but she is an intelligent woman. She obviously knows that ye are imperfect. Just as your mother knows that I am not perfect.”

  Gavin thought about that for a moment before nodding. “I suppose I will need to stop being upset, then.”

  “Aye, ye will. Ye need to get used to being together before ye can get upset with each other over little things.”

  Gavin didn’t feel like what he was upset about was little, but he decided to say no more on the subject. He had to think of a good way to woo his wife instead. Mayhap a picnic by the lake. He didn’t think she’d appreciate it if he just grabbed her and dragged her up the stairs to become his wife in more than name.

  By the time they reached the keep, he’d decided a picnic and a day strolling through the woods was just what they needed. The time alone was necessary for them both.

  Beth was sitting in the parlor with his mother and Kirstine when he arrived, the three of them carefully sewing something. Beth seemed to be much slower than the other two, and her brow was furrowed. She looked up to see him there, and a smile lit up her face.

  “I was hoping ye would be willing to go on a picnic with me.”

  “I’d like that a lot,” she said softly. “Do you ladies mind?”

  “I will keep working on your clothing,” Kirstine said softly.

  “I am going home with me husband, now that he is back safely on McClain land,” Gilly added.

  “Ye didna think I was safe on your father’s land?” Kennan asked, raising an eyebrow.

  “Dinna try to twist me words, Kennan.” With a smile to Kirstine and Beth, she was gone, off to spend time with her husband.

  Beth jumped to her feet, brushing her skirt down. It was strange to always be wearing a skirt and never a pair of slacks, but she knew how Gavin felt about her in pants. She’d seen that the day she’d met him. “I’ll have Morag prepare a meal for us.”

  Gavin watched her go, a smile on his lips. He had never felt so much for a woman before, and though he’d only known her for a couple of days, he knew they were meant to be together.

  She returned moments later with a bag he assumed was filled with food. “I’m ready!”

  He offered his arm. “Let us be on our way, then.”

  “Have ye had a tour of the grounds yet?” he asked. It was his place to do so, but with as busy as he’d been since their marriage, he hoped someone had stepped in to do it for him.

  “I haven’t.”

  “I am part of the second generation of McClains to be born here in the Highlands. Me grandparents came here from England when they were worried about political unrest. Also, Scotland seems to be a little bit less restrictive on people with powers.”

  “Are you glad you’re a Scotsman and not an Englishman?”

  “Aye! I couldna imagine living in that godforsaken place.” He shook his head, feeling as if he would be ill at the mere thought. “The village is here, and most of our clan lives within this village. There are farmers throughout the territory who make their living from the land, though.”

  “How many are in the clan?” she asked.

  “Several thousand. We are mostly self-sufficient, but we do trade with other clans for things we need that we dinna specialize in. The plaid ye wear comes from Clan Campbell, me grandfather’s clan. That is where we had our meeting this morning.”

  “How did the meeting go?” she asked softly. She’d been afraid to bring up the meeting before he did, but now that he had, she felt the subject was fair game.

  “It went very well. We have decided to become allies with the McPhersons, but we are also having the word spread that I will heal me enemies without them stealing McClain children.”

  “I think that’s a fair decision.”

  He shook his head at her and headed toward the lake. He wasn’t sure why she thought she should have an opinion in politics. She was a woman.

  Seven

  Gavin watched Beth’s face as they approached the loch that bordered the village. He thought it was one of the most beautiful places in the entire world, but of course, he’d never left the Highlands.

  Her smile told him she agreed, and he took her hand as they got closer. “I learned to swim in this loch, as did all me brothers. This is me favorite place on all of McClain land.”

  “It’s beautiful. I lived very close to the ocean before I came through time, and I find I’m drawn to water. If I am feeling down, I go find water.” For a moment, she considered telling him about Central Park, but she was certain he wouldn’t understand. Until someone had seen a city the size of New York, there was no way they could understand.

  “Well, now ye hav
e this water. I love to come out here in the winter and watch the waves just roll across it.”

  “It doesn’t freeze in winter?” Beth had always been told how cold the Scottish Highlands were, but if the lake didn’t freeze in winter, how cold could it really be?

  He shook his head. “Nay. I have seen it happen once, during a particularly cold winter, but usually ’tis just fine.”

  “Huh.” She wished she had access to Google, just for a minute, so she could see what the average winter temperature was in the Highlands, but Google was a thing of the past—or was it the future? This time travel thing was confusing! She had very little juice left in her phone, and once it was gone, that was it forever. How she wished she’d studied engineering or even science. Being able to make her phone last with the little games she had would make her feel like she was at least still connected to her century.

  He spread the plaid he’d brought with him onto the ground. Once he was sitting, he took the bag of food she carried and opened it. Together, the two of them ate their meal, making small talk about the sewing she was doing and discussing how busy he was with his healing taking him all over the Highlands. Never once did they discuss the meeting he’d gone to that morning. Neither of them was willing to open that can of worms again.

  After eating, he helped her put the remains of their meal back into the small bag, and he helped her to her feet. “I want to show ye where me parents fell in love.”

  “You know exactly where?” Beth asked, surprised.

  Gavin grinned. “My father has the ability to move through things. Ye know that, right?”

  “Yes, of course.”

  “Well, when they were children, they would come into these woods here and play house. Me father was never a fan, but me mother got to choose what they would play some of the time, and she dinna want to play ball like he did. So she would cook supper and keep their home while he was off training his men.”

  Beth grinned. She could see children playing in just such a way.