Highland Bloodline

by Florence Love Karsner

  "Da, ye don't really think they'd try to find us up here, do ye?" Jack asked.

  "Nae, lad. Ye gotta know how to get up here, and even if they did find their way we could post some men to alert us before they get here."

  Da sipped his cider, knowing this situation was one they hadn't had to deal with before. He knew Jack and Alex were looking to him to have an answer to the problem, but at the moment he felt drained and tired. He'd had a very busy day as it was, and presently he was looking forward to his bed. He'd feel better after a night's rest.

  "Aye, Da, that's not a bad idea. But if they should get this far up, then we've got another problem. What do we do with them? There would likely be more of them than there are us, so what then? Nae, we've gotta think more on this." Alex wanted a more detailed plan.

  "Well, yer right, lad. But, first things first. Right now we're not making use of all our assets. And as ye know, ye should use everything ye have to come up with a good plan."

  "Aye. What are we missing, Da?" Alex asked.

  "Ye lads have always made me proud with yer abilities to think logically and listen to each other, realizing that several brains are better than one."

  "What are ye talking about, Da?" Jack looked at Alex and shrugged.

  "We're all here, except for Hector, and he'll show up at some point."

  "Aye. No doubt he's heard the rumors, too. But we can't count on him at the moment."

  Silence reined for several very long minutes. Then, as if having been struck by one of Caitlin's lightning bolts, Alex stood up.

  "Jesus. Of course. Robbie. He probably knows more than any of us about the Brits. He'll have heard much in Edinburgh this past year. Da, yer way ahead of me."

  "Don't know about that, but I've spent some time with the lad lately. I can tell ye he's got a verra fine head on his shoulders. I know he seems a bit proper and unsure of himself, but he's got a quick mind and I believe we'll learn he's wise beyond his years. Just a thought, mind ye."

  Alex went to the top of the stairs and called out. "Robbie, can ye come down here for a minute?"

  The lad spent a lot of time in his attic lair. Ian had been right. The space was special. He was never disturbed up there and could write and draw into the night if he wished. Alone, as always. Alone, but not lonely now.

  "Alex? Uh, Da? What's wrong?" Robbie stood in the doorway and Alex once again saw himself as a young lad.

  "We're having a family meeting in the kitchen and we'd like ye to join us, if ye will. We've got several important decisions to make. Could ye do that?"

  "Oh, yes ... sir. Of course. Just let me put my candle out." He walked over to the desk, pinched the flame with his fingers, closed his journal, then joined Alex and they returned to the kitchen, where Jack's temper and impatience were front and center by this time.

  "The Brits are threatening our way of life and our families. I can't imagine my life without Millie and Midge and I'll be damned if I'll let those Redcoat bastards take me away from them! And who knows what they might do to our women and bairns?" The need to protect his family was overwhelming.

  "I say we go on. Every day we wait is another day the Brits are closer to finding us. Hector wouldn't expect us to wait around for him. He'd want us to try to get as much information as we can, as fast as we can. If he shows, Da can bring him up to date."

  Alex was ready to take action too. His family meant more to him than life itself. And like Jack, he'd die trying to protect them.

  "Aye, I agree with ye. We should have acted long before now, but I had hoped this whole Culloden mess and Prince Charlie would be forgotten, just as Da said the rising of '15 was. But looks like we've got to find out all we can and make our plans accordingly. We'll tackle this problem like we always do. We'll gather the facts, then act in a manner that will keep all of us safe."

  "Well, Mam would tell us, 'if ye don't see an answer to yer problems, lads, then create one.'" Jack was ready.

  Robbie answered every question they threw at him relating to Edinburgh and the British soldiers. He'd always thought of them as his countrymen, but now he wasn't so sure.

  "My home, my mother's home, is located up on the High Street, actually right next door to Major Ashford. He's a very important British officer and there are always a lot of comings and goings at his residence. But I have to tell you, he always treated my mother and me with respect."

  "Then ye know yer way around Edinburgh well enough, lad?"

  "I know every street and alley, and I'm friends with every merchant on the High Street. I've explored the castle and all the buildings surrounding it. I've even been in the Old Tollbooth prison, even though Mother forbade me to go there. She thought I was too young to be exposed to such as those inside. But I did sneak in a few times, and that was enough."

  Alex was surprised to hear that bit of information.

  "Then looks like ye might have a streak of Highlander in ye already, lad." Jack laughed. He was still taken aback at times when he watched Robbie. It was just like looking at Alex at that age.

  "Then we're in agreement. If Hector's not here by morning we'll go on to the border."

  Da nodded and excused himself. His bed was calling him after a long day.

  ~ ~ ~

  "Are ye sure ye can handle this without help, mo chridhe? We'll only be gone about a week or so, but if ye wish me to stay then I will. But Da says he's in agreement that we should get ourselves down to the border and listen in at a couple of pubs, see what's going on."

  "I'll be fine. This fever will wear itself out in a few days and the bairns will be running about as usual. Go now, see what you can learn. It just seems to me that Culloden took enough men already, so why can't the Brits leave the rest of the Jacobite supporters alone? The Brits won the battle, and we all just want to live our lives as best we can."

  "Aye, we all want that. But there are enough rumors floating about that we need to check them out. We believed in the cause and did our part, so that's history now. I rather doubt the Brits can remember the names of Prince Charlie's supporters, so I'm not too worried they'll remember the MacKinnon brothers. And as Da says, we live so far up in the Highlands they'll have a hard time finding us. But still, it's better we know what the thinking is in Edinburgh and London."

  "Then you two go and get yourselves back as quickly as you can. Millie, Camille and I can care of the bairns, and Da and Robbie will be about if we have any trouble."

  ~ ~ ~

  Caitlin kept busy 'round the clock, bathing fevered foreheads and all but forcing her medications down the throats of the three bairns. Her skills were limited when it came to a disease such as Scarlet Fever.

  A knock at the door got her attention, but before she could call out the door opened to reveal Millie standing there.

  "Millie, you can't come in here. Go back down stairs now. I don't need you to become my next patient."

  "But I can hear Midge. She's crying. I must hold her."

  Caitlin gently closed the door, but spoke loudly in order for Millie to hear her on the other side where Willie was standing watch. He had never harmed a family member, but his presence at the door gave them pause just the same.

  "I know it's hard, Millie. And yes, she is crying, but that's a good sound. As long as they're crying and fighting back, I can help them. When they get quiet and stop fighting, then it's more difficult for me. Please go help Da in the kitchen and put some supper for me at the top of the stairs. I'll eat when I can and I'll try to get something down the children, but that may be difficult. And don't forget to bring up some brewed tea, with some honey if we have any. They'll drink that I hope, if nothing else."

  "Alright then. I'll get busy. But I'm so very worried. She's never been sick before. I feel like I should be doing something, anything."

  "Then make the tea and send Robbie up. Da says the lad told him he had Scarlet Fever when he was a child, but I need to make sure before he comes in here. I'll ask him. Now just be calm, Millie. And don't forget to chec
k on Dugald and Charlie. Camille handles them well enough, but Dugald can be a handful for someone who's never had children. Trust me, I know about that."

  Shortly afterward Robbie flew up the stairs taking two at a time, just as Ian always had. He stopped abruptly when he encountered Willie at the door. The wolf stood and Robbie felt fear rising from his toes to the top of his head, and the impulse to flee was almost overwhelming.

  Willie came closer and, for the first time, rubbed his nose against Robbie's leg, a sure sign of acceptance and an indication he understood the lad was to be trusted. Robbie swallowed and released the breath he had been unaware he was holding. Then, in a very brave move for him, he knelt on one knee and scratched the wolf behind his ears as he had seen Alex do many times.

  Robbie knew if his mother could have viewed this scene she would have expired from fright. She never would even let him have a dog in their home, as she was afraid of just about anything with four legs. He rapped quickly on the door and waited.

  "Caitlin, it's Robbie. The lady, uh Millie, says you need me."

  "Robbie, yes. Da says you had Scarlet Fever as a young lad. Is that right?"

  "Yes. Mother kept records of everything I did, especially illnesses. I've had chicken pox, mumps and, yes, Scarlet Fever. She wrote in her diary I almost died and she went to the kirk every morning to pray for me. She wasn't a religious person, so it seems she must have been very worried. Oh, and one more illness, I guess you could call it that. I had lice at one time, too. Mother was horrified, but I survived the scrubbing with lye soap she insisted on. I still remember that treatment very well. My skin was raw for several weeks, but I guess it did the trick."

  "Lice, huh. Well then. If you're sure you've had Scarlet Fever, I could use some help in here. At the moment I need some medications that you'll find in the upper part of the cupboard in the kitchen. Bring me the basket filled with herbs and some clean cloths so I can give these bairns a bath to ease their fever. Several of my herbs will help with this. There's not a whole lot I can do, but these measures may help them somewhat."

  "Right. I'll get what you need. Be right back." Robbie rushed down the stairs relieved to have something to keep his active mind busy. He'd spent the morning with his grandda and was still thinking about that. The old man was a lot like Alex, but somehow very different also. Robbie was trying to figure out that difference.

  CHAPTER 6

  N

  ext morning, Alex and Jack were up early, both chomping at the bit to get a move on. Hector still hadn't arrived, so they were leaving without him. When the sun peeked over the mountains they made their way to the stable. Da came out shortly, followed by Caitlin, Robbie and Millie. Willie stood next to Caitlin as if to let Alex know he'd keep her safe. The men had already said their goodbyes to their women and bairns. No more needed to be said.

  "Da, we'll be back in a few days, as quickly as we can. Andrew should be here tomorrow or maybe the next day. And Hector will get here eventually, too."

  "Aye. Ye lads go and find out what's going on. Then get back here and we'll figure out our strategy. I've got a very capable grandson, three fearsome women and a wolf on my side. We'll be alright."

  Alex and Jack rode out, Alex astride Zeus and Jack on Millie's Arabian, Dillon, the horse she stole from her late husband, Lord Warwick, when she fled his castle so long ago. The steed was a very large animal and able to carry Jack's weight easily. Normally Jack would have ridden Goliath, his own large bay, but he needed to put a new shoe on that one's left front foot, something he'd planned to do this week. Millie's Arabian was an exceptionally fine animal and Jack smiled to himself when he pictured Millie, the lady, stealing him from her abusive husband.

  After being on the road for slightly more than a day, the brothers stopped at a pub for a bite to eat and to listen to the gossip, which was always plentiful in any pub.

  Approaching the pub just before sunset, they tied their horses at the edge of some trees. As they entered the establishment, they had to quickly step aside at the entrance as they were almost overrun by several British soldiers dragging a man out the front door.

  "Ye British bastards! Ye have no right to come to our country and steal our lands and properties. I'll go to me grave spitting on ye!"

  The middle aged man, a Highlander from his outward appearance, cursed and kicked at his captors but to no avail—four Redcoats were more than he could handle by himself. There were a number of other Highlanders in the pub, but they knew in addition to the four who were hauling the man out there were seven more sitting at a table close to the front window, and all were armed.

  "Alex, ye think we better make ourselves scarce? Could be that bunch knows we were supporters of the prince."

  "Aye, ye've got a point, brother. I don't know how they know who the supporters were, unless some of our own are giving us up. But no matter. I agree we should keep ourselves out of sight. Let's move on."

  They made their way back to the horses, mounted up and headed back into the forest, still making tracks toward the border.

  The two Highlanders were very adept at keeping deep within the woods and avoiding someone on the trail. Da had taught them survival skills at a very early age. But now, they weren't sure who the enemy was. Was it the British soldiers who seemed to show up everywhere these days? Or was it some of their own countrymen who were perhaps giving information to the Brits in order to save their own hides?

  They came to a small copse of hardwoods and dismounted. "We'll rest a couple of hours then move on down to the border. If the rumors of our clansmen being sent to the islands are true, then we have some very hard thinking to do. If it were just us men folk, we could disappear from the place for a while, leave the sheep to Kenny and Hamish to take care of. The Brits can look at those two lads and know they're too young to have been supporters. But now we have Caitlin, Millie, Robbie, all the bairns, and Camille, too. What can we do to protect them?"

  They rested on the ground and pulled their plaids close around their bodies. Alex closed his eyes and tried to order his thoughts, but it was impossible. One moment he was thinking about placing sentries at the edge of their property to alert them to anyone coming, and the next his thoughts were of holding Caitlin close, burying his face in that glorious hair and breathing in the lavender scent that was a part of her.

  "We'll figure this out, Jack. We will. Let's try to rest now."

  "Aye." Jack trusted Alex's abilities and hoped he would come up with a plan that would work for them. But this was a difficult situation. Would their home be taken away? Would he and Alex be sent to the islands, or be imprisoned? And what about Hector and Ian? Hector was still running the Sanctuary, which was fairly close to the border. Had they already found him?

  Jack and Alex weren't so worried about Ian. He'd only been a boy and they doubted the Brits would be after him. Plus, they felt young Ian had skills and personal talents that would serve him well if he were in a bad situation. Woe be unto any Brits who rubbed that lad the wrong way.

  A short time after they had settled down, Alex quickly raised up on his elbow.

  "Did ye hear that?"

  "What? I didn't hear anything."

  "A twig snapped behind ye there, pretty close."

  "I still don't hear anything."

  Jack turned his ear toward the area where Alex was looking and moved his head from one direction to the other. Standing slowly, he still heard nothing. But just a couple of seconds later he felt something cold and sharp stick him in the side of his neck.

  "On your knees, Scotsman. Put your hands over your head."

  The bayonet on the end of the soldier's rifle dug further into Jack's neck, causing a trickle of blood to run down slowly. Jack raised his hands well above his head, his face as scarlet as the Redcoat's jacket. Getting caught by the likes of these two young sprouts didn't sit well with the Highlander.

  Alex reached for his pistol, but as he did so a sharp blade struck him across the back of his hand causing his pistol
to fly through the air and land a meter or so in front of him.

  "I'd think twice about reaching for that pistol, Scottie," a second soldier remarked as he walked closer and retrieved the gun.

  Blood poured from the cut on Alex's hand and the soldier stomped on the wound just to render an even more painful experience for the Highlander.

  "Get up. Here, take this rag and wipe your blood off my blade. Wouldn't want your Highland swill to corrode my very fine weapon."

  Alex took the rag the soldier offered and wiped the blade clean, then dabbed at his hand.

  "Wrap your hand with it. Don't want you bleeding all over me either."

  Alex bandaged his hand the best he could. He knew Caitlin would have told him it needed a number of stitches, but this would have to do at the moment. He flexed his fingers and was relieved to realize the cut was not as deep as he had first thought. It would definitely be sore for a while, but he'd have use of the hand, assuming he didn't develop an infection that is.

  "Look at this, Trevor. It's two very fine horses these Scots have here. They'll come in handy for us. Here, climb up on that Arabian, big man. Where'd you two heathens get a steed like that one anyway? Stole it no doubt."

  Once the two brothers were on their horses, the soldiers tied their hands together behind their backs, then led their horses.

  "Don't imagine you'll much care for riding with your hands tied behind you, but you'll manage. Serves you right for stealing someone's horse, you uncouth, backwoods thieves."

  The soldier was right. Riding with your hands tied behind you is a most uncomfortable position, one most men find difficult. But Da made sure each lad could ride well, and had instructed all of them personally. Riding with their hands behind their backs had been just one of the many positions he'd insisted on them learning.

  "We'll go as far as the border tonight, then on to Edinburgh tomorrow. There's a very fine gaol there with a room reserved for you. Yep, the Old Tolbooth will welcome the likes of you two, and the major will thank us for this."