Legend of a Highland Lass: Scottish Medieval Highlander Romance

by Kenna Kendrick

  William laughed as he noted his sister’s demure expression, reserved only for Troy. “Och, sister, ye have a way with words. From what I gather, Troy is the one who rescued ye from yer dangerous adventure and brought ye back tae us. Is that right, Troy?”

  Troy coughed. “Aye.” He looked at Ruth again, and she felt an enjoyable tingle at his repeated gaze. “I must apologize, Ruth, for I was walking in the rain, and my presence must have surprised Emerald.”

  She waved a hand in response as if to say it was no matter. “All is well, Mr. Ferguson. I must thank you for rescuing me. I must look to be quite the damsel in distress, not the preferred role I’d like to play, but I have you to blame for that.” She smiled, and Troy smiled back.

  Marianne had just returned and heard the end of her sentence. “Ruth! Can we not be kind to the minister?”

  Troy chuckled. “I believe she is making a joke at my expense. That will teach me not to walk in the rain anymore.”

  William stood to place a warm arm around Marianne. Marianne said, “The doctor has been fetched.”

  Troy stepped forward again. “If ye both don’t mind, I’ve a bit of medical experience meself. I could take a look at the bone and can try tae set it. We dinnae want the swelling tae become too much.”

  William smirked, and Marianne smiled. They glanced at each other briefly. “Of course, Troy. If you feel you have the expertise.”

  Troy knelt down beside Ruth once again, and Ruth’s heart gave a little flutter. Troy was about to touch her. Again. She was afraid he would hear her heart pounding in her chest, and she did not want the embarrassment, but his voice and expression soothed her.

  “Dinnae worry. I have done this many times before.” He turned to Ruth whose eyes were already on him. He reached out his hands. “May I, lass?” He said softly and tenderly, and Ruth had to will herself not to melt. This man had ignored her for months and suddenly he was being so kind, loving, and dare she say it, sensual?

  “Of course,” she seemed to whisper back, and he grinned before taking her arm in his hands. He felt the bone of her lower arm and watched her face as she winced.

  “I’m sorry tae hurt ye, but I’m tryin’ tae find the break.”

  Ruth willed herself to not feel pain. She would not look womanly and weak in front of this man! She gritted her teeth and used her words instead of her expression to convey her pain. “There! That is where it hurts the most.”

  He nodded. “Well, ye are a lucky one, no thanks tae me. The bone has not come loose from its path, but there may a slight crack in it. We will just need tae wrap it, and ye’ll need tae rest as ye’ve hurt yer head as well. How can I ever make amends?”

  You could kiss me. The thought came to her unbidden, and her eyes opened wide at her own salaciousness. Troy drew back, surprised. “Have I said something wrong?”

  She shook her head, “No, no.” She coughed. “Thank you.”

  Marianne perked up. “I have an idea. Not that you need to make amends, Troy, but Ruth will be needing a little assistance now that she is injured. She is planning the May Day festival. Would you be interested in helping her out? I know you have your own part to play in it, but everyone else is busy.”

  He stood up and moved his hand through his wet, brown hair. He paused for a moment. That would mean he’d need to spend more time with Ruth, and he was not sure he wanted to do that. Well, he wanted to, but he wasn’t sure he should.

  “Aye...I could do that.”

  Ruth’s eager face dimmed slightly at his hesitation, but she was grateful to Marianne for her brilliant idea. She knew that Marianne would not stand in the way of love! She would have to thank her later.

  Ruth smiled. “Thank you, Mr. Ferguson. I would be most grateful for your assistance. Party planning is not quite my forte, as it were.”

  He nodded, and then changed the subject. “Well, I will take my leave of ye all. Even though there is no break, I think ‘twould be best for the doctor tae examine her properly as well. I am no physician.”

  He needed to go. He had now tied himself to working with this woman for the next few weeks, so he would need to think of a new plan of keeping his ideas and forbidden thoughts at bay while they worked closely together. Her smile and eager expression only strengthened his resolve to leave quickly. She was so endearing and sweet. He had never heard a woman speak as she did. Ever since the first night when she’d told him of her dream to travel, Troy had felt the desire to bring her into his arms; but that could not be. First of all, that was no way for a minister to act with a member of his congregation. And secondly, he couldn’t afford such behavior. That life was behind him now and everything that came with it: the bawdy women, the reckless behavior, the fighting, the overindulgence. He wasn’t that man anymore. He had to make up for his past, and so he edged towards the door, hopeful the family would let him leave without too much argument.

  Marianne replied, “Oh, will ye not stay for tea? Or some wine? It is a long journey back in the rain and the cold! ‘Twould not be right of me to release you into the wilds.”

  He chuckled nervously and brushed through his wet hair again before donning his wet cap. “Please dinnae worry about me, Marianne. I am a seasoned rain-walker, and I shall find my way well enough.”

  Ruth sat up quickly and then winced again in pain. “Oh, and Emerald? Where is she? Is she all right?”

  “Aye, she is well, lass. She rests in her stable, dry now. She hadn’t gone far. Poor thing, I think she felt a bit of guilt for kicking ye off her back.”

  “Ahh, well I will go and see her as soon as I feel ready to, to let her know that everything is fine. But she’ll have to do her best to stay clear of you in future though.”

  Troy smiled at her grin and felt a tinge of something. Was it desire? He didn’t want to explore that idea. This woman was trouble.

  “And before you go, may I ask what makes a man wander about in the dark and the rain?” Ruth’s right eyebrow raised in question.

  William joined in. “Aye, I’m curious as well. Ye’ve not said such a thing before tae us, lad.”

  Troy searched around for a reason. Because I’ve spent many years aboard a pirate ship? No, that would not do. He centered upon an idea. “Och, I thought ‘twas the Scottish way. We’ve no respite from the rain for most of the year, so I took it upon meself to fight back against it.” He shrugged and pulled his wet coat back over his shoulders.

  The family laughed at his answer, but Ruth had seen his hesitation and the concern in his eyes as he searched for an acceptable response.

  “Goodnight tae ye all.” He nodded, grinning with that beautiful smile of his. “And I will hear about yer progress from William, I hope.” He looked at Ruth briefly.

  “Aye,” William replied gruffly and turned back to see Ruth.

  Marianne said, “Thank you again, Troy!”

  “Yes, thank you...Troy. I don’t know what I would have done without you.” Ruth stared at Troy across the room, willing him to stay and stop being so ridiculous, but he only bowed his head, and before giving her one last glance, slipped out into the night, shutting the heavy door behind him.

  Ruth leaned back against the sofa, letting out a sigh. What was this man hiding? Well, she had all of the weeks preparing for the May Day festival to find out.

  Chapter Three

  Marianne sat across from Amelia in the parlor at Kinnaird Castle, home to Laird Jamie and Lady Amelia Kinnaird of the Kinnaird Clan. They had been best friends since their childhood in London, and both of them had recently fallen in love with Scotsmen. Amelia moved to Scotland for financial reasons and met Jamie, the laird of the clan, and fell passionately in love. Marianne came to visit her, and she fell deeply for his best friend, William Fraser. Now they were comfortably settled in the Highland hills, far away from the condemning London society, discussing Ruth.

  Marianne sighed. “I do not know what has happened to make her so suddenly downtrodden and depressed. It’s as if I can’t do anything right!”<
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  There was a squeal of laughter and a young James Kinnaird ran through the hall to his mother’s arms, his father running after him. Amelia beamed at her son. Marianne smiled and touched a hand to her own growing belly.

  Amelia pointed to Marianne after she collected James into her arms. “Look at Aunt Marianne, dear. You will soon have a cousin to play with!”

  Jamie ran up to the pair of women, breathless. “This lad is bound tae kill me, Amelia. He’s more energy than I know what tae do with.”

  Amelia chuckled. “Well, then we must be grateful to Marianne for bringing James a cousin to play with.”

  Little James clapped his hands. “Cousin!” Jamie leaned down to give his wife a kiss and lingered just a bit too long before Amelia pushed his shoulders away.

  “Jamie! We have a guest!” But her face gave away her true enjoyment at having such an affectionate husband.

  “‘Tis only Marianne! She is more like family than a guest. And I’m sure if William were in the room, he’d do the same tae her!” He laughed.

  William suddenly entered from the side hall. “Aye, yer right, lad. A man shouldnae leave his wife unkissed. Not for one day.”

  Marianne blushed a little and smiled as William came up to her and kissed her on the lips before pulling away to look into her eyes.

  Amelia brought everyone back to attention. “Well, now that everyone in the room is well and kissed,” she gave little James a kiss on his pudgy cheek, “can we not all discuss the matter at hand-Ruth’s discontent?”

  William sighed. “Jamie and I have tae continue with work in the study. We’ll let ye both handle it. “Wild Ruth has been a common topic in our household these many weeks.”

  Marianne nodded. “Yes, Amelia, you and I can discuss it. Women know how to deal with such matters.” She threw William a dark look, who laughed heartedly at his wife’s frustration.

  She rolled her eyes and turned back to Amelia. “I understand that she’s always wanted to travel and see new things, but I thought Scotland would be enough of an adventure.”

  Amelia sat back. “Perhaps not. Is there nowhere we could take her or send her?”

  “I’m not sure we have many friends in London after what happened, between the pair of us.” The two of them laughed morbidly at their pasts. Amelia had left in disgrace after her wealthy father had gambled her inheritance away. Marianne left with Ruth under the cover of night to escape a forced marriage and a restrictive father. Neither of them would be very welcome back in their home city.

  ‘Besides, I do not think she would be satisfied with London.”

  “‘Tis too bad. My parents and Fiona have already headed to London for a brief visit to Fiona’s friends and have asked Jamie and I to accompany them. After May Day, of course.” Amelia’s parents, Lord and Lady Parker, had come to live with Amelia and Jamie after Jamie used his wealth to free Lord Parker from debtor’s prison. Now Amelia replaced that wealth many times over with her earnings from her work as a published poetess. Fiona, the former Lady Kinnaird, was Jamie’s mother, who had become close with the Parkers since the marriage of her son.

  “Truly? They did not even say goodbye! Oh no, what shall I do without you? Be left with an unsatisfied Ruth, I suppose.”

  Amelia laughed. “They wanted me to let you know. They apologized for their quick departure. Do not yet give in to despair! Let us think on it for a while. Perhaps a holiday somewhere new for Ruth would suffice.”

  “Perhaps, but I doubt it. She keeps mentioning an expedition across the sea.”

  Amelia chuckled. “But, is this not what is so endearing about Ruth? She has all of these ideas, dreams, and plans? She is so different from everyone else, and that is why Jamie’s and William’s nickname of ‘wild Ruth’ is so very apt.”

  Marianne nodded. “True. I just wish I could find a way to comfort her. I am afraid if I let her go away, something will happen to her, or worse. She might never come back. But I forgot to tell you…”

  Amelia’s eyes widened. She was desperate for any scrap of gossip she could get her hands on since she left London and since she had been semi-confined during her pregnancy. “What happened?”

  Marianne smiled and pushed a strand of auburn hair out of her face. She loved to see her beautiful blonde friend on tenterhooks, and she savored the moment as long as she could. “Ruth took a fall last night on her horse, which is not the good part, of course.”

  Amelia’s hand flew to her chest. “Is she recovered? Why did you not say earlier?”

  “The doctor said there is a slight fracture and concussion, but she will be well soon. She must rest. But, there is something even more interesting.”

  “Amelia gripped onto little James tightly until he squealed and asked to be let down. His nanny approached the chair and took him away. “What is it? Marianne, you are getting too much enjoyment out of my growing need for gossip in this isolated place!”

  “Well, perhaps you should not enjoy it so much, and I wouldn’t tease you!”

  Amelia threw her hands up in despair. “Oh, I cannot bear it! Will you not tell me?”

  “No, no, of course I will.” Marianne lowered her voice slightly. Ruth took a tumble from her horse, and none other than Troy Ferguson came to her rescue!”

  “Troy?” Amelia drew back in surprise. “But what was he doing out on such a dark and stormy night? For Ruth to do that is no surprise, but such a reserved, responsible, minister, it seems a bit unusual.”

  Marianne smiled. “Apparently he likes to take walks in the rain and in the dark. He calls it the “Scottish way”. But that’s not the important part! You and I have both noticed Ruth’s attention to him these many months, but he has not given her the least bit of notice.”

  Amelia nodded in agreement. “Poor girl. I had such hopes for another match happening in our part of the world, but it appears he is not interested. But it looks as though she has plenty of other willing suitors around Brechin land.”

  “Well!” Marianne’s eyes widened along with her grin. “Last night, there was something between the two of them. I could feel it. He asked if he could make amends, and I suggested he help Ruth with the May Day preparations, since she will be too injured to handle it all herself.”

  Marianne sat back and crossed her arms, satisfied with herself.

  Amelia’s mouth opened in surprise. “Marianne Fraser, you are turning into quite the little matchmaker. So? Did he agree?”

  “He did.”

  Amelia clapped her hands. “Well, then we’ll have work to do!”

  “You’re leaving soon, remember?” Marianne retorted.

  “Ah yes. So, that means you will need to take over for me in my stead once I am gone! But there is plenty to do up until the festival.”

  “Well, the best part about it is, Amelia, Ruth looked so happy for the first time in such a long time. She genuinely seemed excited about working with him, and she hasn’t been looking forward to planning the event at all.”

  Amelia beamed. “What excellent news, Marianne! Perhaps, in the end, she will find a way to be contented and stay in Scotland, if not in Brechin?”

  Marianne sighed. “I can only hope. I don’t know if I could bear losing her after the loss of my mother and the estrangement from my father.”

  Amelia placed a hand on Marianne’s. “I know, Marianne, but you know us women. If we feel that we are being bound, we fight even harder to be free. Do not push too hard, but we will see if we can work behind the scenes to orchestrate a match.”

  “I suppose we will.”

  Ruth, equipped with a sling from the doctor, felt that she was healthy enough to go for a restorative walk. Being stuck inside was never one of her preferences, and so she asked the maid to assist her with a plaid and tied it in front of her chest before setting off. It was a beautiful, Spring day, and since William’s house was closer to the many other village homes and businesses, she could easily walk towards her friends whenever she pleased.

  Ruth thought abou
t last night as she walked toward the baker’s home, a half an hour’s walk. The baker was a kind woman, around Marianne’s age, who greatly enjoyed Ruth’s youthful company. And, it didn’t hurt that she would allow Ruth to sample any of the fresh breads that were baked that morning. Last night after Troy had left so abruptly, Ruth sat thinking about why he would act so strangely. Marianne had approached her on the sofa, beaming with pride at her quick thinking.

  Ruth couldn’t help but smile. She looked up at William, slightly embarrassed, and he threw up his hands, and said, “I will leave. Sisters need to discuss male matters. Too bad I cannot be around to defend any of them.”

  The girls laughed, and Ruth said, “Thank you, Marianne.”