Highland Bloodline

by Florence Love Karsner

  "Oh, I'll be back. Ye can count on that, lass." He left her with a kiss to seal this bargain.

  The next morning found him well underway to Edinburgh. Cameron Castle had several horses that could have kept up the pace he was calling for. He couldn't get to Edinburgh fast enough.

  He knew Alex and Jack would be planning to escape from wherever they'd been taken, but another hand might be a good thing.

  CHAPTER 15

  C

  amille and Andrew's cottage was now home to Aileen and her three bairns. She could hardly believe she had found them again and she still pinched herself every day to make sure she wasn't dreaming.

  Dugald and Bridgette talked so much Aileen could hardly follow their conversations. Charlie still hadn't made any attempts at talking, but he was beginning to come out of his shell. Caitlin and Millie had been amazed when they saw how easily Aileen communicated with him. Somehow she had developed a kind of sign language and they both understood it. All in all, the small family in Uncle Andrew's cottage couldn't be any happier.

  But life in the lodge couldn't be any more desperate. The only folk living in the lodge now were Caitlin, Millie, Robbie and Da, and the two small bairns. And the scene in the lodge this evening was anything but quiet, as one might have expected.

  Caitlin walked quickly from one end of the room to the other, her long skirts swishing with her jerky movements.

  "I know you don't like the idea, but I'm going, so don't try to stop me!"

  Caitlin's temper was quickly getting out of control, and right now she couldn’t care less about keeping it in bounds.

  Millie towered over Caitlin when she stood, and she, too, had a way of expressing her feelings that sometimes almost made her forget she had been a "lady" in her early life. She looked down at Caitlin with her hands on her hips, throwing her long dark hair back over her shoulder.

  "You can't just leave and go to Edinburgh. It's too dangerous, Caitlin. Da would be very upset and so will I!"

  "I've tried to call Uncle Wabi. He's not hearing me for some reason. For all we know, Alex and Jack may already have been shipped off to the islands. I must try to find them. I have no choice!"

  "Neither Alex nor Jack would agree to this plan. And what about Flinn? Have you forgotten about her? She still needs someone to nurse her."

  "I haven't worked out all the details just yet. I was hoping you might help me with that problem. You're very good with details, and if you will try to help me instead of getting in my way things will go better." Tears were threatening to spill over any moment.

  Caitlin was a full head shorter than Millie. But there she stood, arms akimbo, looking up at her friend trying to get a handle on her anger. Her aqua eyes flashed as she looked about the room, as if searching for something or someone that might help her with the situation.

  For a second, Millie worried about Caitlin getting so excited. She had witnessed her power before and knew it to be lethal. Finally, Millie sighed then walked over and put her arms around the small woman's shoulders.

  "You've brought the bairns through an ordeal, and Da, too. And I'm as worried as you are. It just seems terribly dangerous for a woman to take off by herself looking for two captured Highlanders. But alright, let's figure this out, then. If you're determined to go to Edinburgh, then get yourself ready. The coach goes every Friday, so you could get one tomorrow morning. I'll find a wet nurse in the village somewhere and Flinn won't starve. I'll make sure of that. But Caitlin, this is such a dangerous thing to do. Jack and Alex will tie us to a tree and flog us for sure!"

  She laughed and the two women held each other for a long moment, each feeling the tension within the other.

  "No, I won't take the coach. I'll ride Soldier and be there much faster that way. Now, wait here a moment. I've got another idea that may have some merit."

  Running up the stairs all the way to the attic, she knocked on Robbie's door. It opened and Robbie stood there with a question on his face.

  "Caitlin? What is it? Is it Grandda?"

  "No, just me. I need your help again."

  "What? Someone else has the fever?"

  "Nae. I'm going to Edinburgh and I need you to go with me. You lived in that city and I bet you know every twist and turn in it. I'm going to search for Alex and Jack. If they get sent to the islands we'll never see them again, and I can't let that happen."

  Robbie had never known a woman with this much determination. He'd seen his Mother stand her ground with a few disorderly men in a pub once, but Caitlin had a will of iron. He'd witnessed it while she worked with the bairns and Da and Andrew.

  "I, uh, of course. And you're right. I do know Edinburgh. I know shopkeepers, librarians, blacksmiths, book publishers, some doctors, and even some British soldiers. Yes, I know a lot of people."

  "That's good. We may need to call on them for help."

  "But, Caitlin ... most of them are British. Still, they might help me if I ask. I've known them all my life. They were Mother's friends."

  "Then get yourself ready. We leave early tomorrow."

  "Right. I came here by coach and I memorized the coach schedule, just in case I wanted to go back home. It leaves for Edinburgh every Friday morning."

  "We're going by horseback. That's a lot faster and I'm good at following a map and using a compass. Uncle Wabi taught me those skills many years ago."

  "But, I can't ride. Not really. I was on a horse once, but I fell off and broke my collarbone. That's my riding experience."

  "Don't worry. Trust me, by the time we get to Edinburgh you'll be as good a rider as Ian. And, Robbie? Da isn't to know about this. He's over the fever, but he's too old and too weak to go with us."

  "He'll be mad as a hornet, Caitlin. You know that don't you?"

  "He'll just have to get over it. Alex and Jack are in trouble and you and I are the only ones who may be able to help them. We leave at first light. I'll meet you in the stable."

  ~ ~ ~

  After Caitlin's visit, Robbie sat on his bed for a few moments, then went to his desk and opened his journal. From a small pocket in the back of the book he pulled out a letter his mother had given him before she passed away. He'd not read it yet, and even now didn't really want to. But perhaps the time had come to find out what was so important to her she felt a need to put it in writing.

  As he carefully opened the envelope, Fiona's unmistakable scent rushed to meet him, causing him to inhale deeply, as if in doing so he could bring her closer. Lilacs. Always lilacs.

  Her handwriting was ever so perfect. Robbie would know it anywhere. It was like her—perfectly styled and artistic in nature. Everything about her had been like that. She would never leave the house without being perfectly turned out. Every hair would be in place, her frocks would have been ironed by Mattie, and her gloves and bonnets would match her clothing. Yes, she might have been a bit too meticulous about most everything, but Robbie had always known she loved him. In fact, he was the most important person in her life and he never doubted that.

  As he unfolded the letter, the lilac scent again flooded his nostrils, and for a brief moment his heart felt like it would burst. She'd wanted him to find his father, she had told him that. He smiled now when he recalled her instructions to "be sure to wear a tam when you travel to the Highlands."

  But this very minute he would have given anything to have her put her arms around him as she had when he was small and had a problem. Finally, he began to read her letter. He wasn't sure when the tears began to fall, but once they started they continued even after he finished and tucked her letter back in his journal. It would stay there always.

  He blew his candle out and looked out over the moor for a while hoping to get a glimpse of the stag, but the old one didn't appear this evening. Robbie was alone and more afraid than he could ever remember being. His mother was dead and his da may be also. He and a headstrong young woman were the only ones to try and free him from a prison in Edinburgh. Surely this must be a nightmare.

&n
bsp; ~ ~ ~

  Next morning Robbie was at the stable before Caitlin. He hoped he wouldn't embarrass himself by falling off his horse before they even left the lodge. This escapade, tearing off with Caitlin to save Alex and Jack, had to be the most daring thing he had ever done. He still thought of himself as a shy, quiet, studious British young man who lived with his mother in Edinburgh, but apparently that wasn't true anymore. Today he was most definitely behaving like a fearsome Highland Scot who loved nothing better than an adventure such as this.

  A Scot? Have I become one after all? No, because if I were I wouldn't feel so scared. Alex and Jack never seem afraid of anything.

  Inside the lodge, Caitlin and Millie said their farewells.

  "Hamish and Kenny will stay close should you need anything. Aileen will help you with Flinn, and Da may be weak, but he's pretty self-sufficient." Caitlin continued her instructions as if she were perfectly sure that everything she was planning would succeed.

  She held Flinn close for one last moment, inhaling the warm, unique scent that only an infant has. Then, without another word, she handed her to Millie then bent down and took Willie by the jowls, looking deep into his eyes.

  "Willie, stay here with Millie. Look out for everyone. I'll see you soon." Then she hugged him fiercely and flew out the kitchen door. When she arrived at the stable she watched in amusement as Robbie stared at her, looking from her head to her toes. He was dumbfounded.

  She had dug through her trunk and found Ian's outfit that she wore when she was running from Commander Campbell and Lord Warwick—dark brown knickers, long brown tunic and dark stockings, and her own leather boots. She had braided her long hair and donned Ian's dark brown tam just as before, and had put a plaid in her saddlebag for warmth, just in case.

  "Caitlin? You look like a boy! Are you going to wear that? Women in Edinburgh don't dress like that."

  "Don't worry so, Robbie. I rather doubt anyone is going to invite us for tea. I've learned this outfit works a lot better for riding than my long skirts and petticoats."

  "Oh, I see. Right." He stared another moment, then asked a question. "How do I know which horse to ride? And I'm not sure I can saddle one anyway."

  "Hamish saddled the horses earlier this morning. He put a new shoe on Goliath, so you'll ride him. I'll ride my horse, Soldier. Now stop worrying. These horses know this country better than either of us. Come on over here and talk to Goliath a moment. Let him get your scent and your voice. He's experienced enough for both of you."

  Robbie walked to the next stall where Caitlin indicated he would find his mount.

  "Goodness—he's huge!"

  "Aye, he is. He's Jack's horse. He needed a horse that could carry his weight and Goliath has no problem with that."

  "I don't know ..."

  "Actually, Robbie, he's a lot like Jack—big and imposing, but all heart. No need to be afraid of him."

  Robbie eventually worked up the courage to mount Goliath. The horse snorted and shook his head back and forth, but stood very still for the lad to climb on. Caitlin put a few more items in their saddlebags, mounted Soldier, and they were off.

  CHAPTER 16

  S

  topping only long enough for everyone to get off their horses for brief periods, the soldiers had kept moving and consequently they and their captives were exhausted. Bringing in two Jacobite supporters would ensure they got a couple of days rest before they were out again in search of others.

  When they arrived at the corral behind the west wing of the prison, they dismounted and roughly pulled Alex and Jack from their mounts. Jack landed rather harshly on his backside and, of course, responded in his usual way. Standing up quickly, he roared at the soldier who had dragged him from his mount.

  "Ye British scum! If my hands weren't tied I'd break yer scrawny Redcoat neck!"

  "I'll just bet you would, big man."

  The soldier slammed the butt of his rifle against Jack's cheek causing him to stagger, then black out for a moment before falling to the ground.

  Alex saw red, but knew more angry words would only escalate the situation. But this was about all he could handle.

  "Were those yer orders? To batter and torture yer captives? Any decent soldier would understand that all soldiers, regardless of which side yer on, can respect another one. Brit or Scot, makes no difference. We're all men fighting for our country and way of life. So ye've captured us now; ye don't need to add insult to injury."

  "Shut your mouth, heathen," the soldier stuck his bayonet in Alex's back just deep enough to cause a trickle of blood to run down.

  Once they turned the horses loose in the corral, the soldiers and their captives entered the building by a side door. The taller soldier grabbed a lighted torch from its bracket on the wall and pushed the two captives along.

  After descending several flights of narrow steps they entered a long, dark corridor. The stench alone told the brothers they had arrived at their destination—a prison in Edinburgh. Even in the Highlands they had heard of the Old Tolbooth. Its reputation for being the most vile place to be incarcerated was apropos; it was indeed unbelievably horrid.

  The British had commandeered the Old Tolbooth in Edinburgh as a place to house their prisoners before they took them on to Tilbury Fort in London. Once in London, the men would either be sent to the islands to be sold as slaves, or they would be killed outright. Alex and Jack were under no illusions their fate would be anything different. If they were to survive, they had to escape from the prison in Edinburgh before they were sent to London.

  "Move your clumsy feet, you big oaf. You too. Don't make me have to drag you to your new home. You might find this place just a bit different from that great lodge I've heard you have in the Highlands, though. The major says it'll make a great place for our regiment as we round up the rest of your kind. Ha!"

  Alex and Jack looked at each other, both struggling to hold their tongues, and Alex knew that was a real chore for Jack. Both he and Jack towered over these two young British soldiers and that seemed to irritate the young men. Just now, however, Jack understood the unspoken message Alex was sending him.

  Just keep quiet, brother. We're not done in just yet.

  But just when Alex thought his brother was listening, Jack stopped, swung around and used his forehead as a hammer, striking the soldier in the mouth. Teeth went flying and blood spurted everywhere.

  "You'll pay for that Highlander," the young soldier screamed as he raised his rifle and struck Jack in the same place as before, against the side of his face. That move flayed Jack's cheek open and sent him reeling backward.

  Alex winched as he watched. He had no plan, but one thought gave him hope. During the first moments when the young soldiers had captured the brothers there was a lot of commotion, and after having slashed Alex's hand and having jabbed Jack in the ribs with the bayonet, the captors had taken their pistols, but had failed to check for other weapons.

  Alex felt sure that just as he, Jack was carrying a dirk under his shirt, and probably one in his boot as well. This was just habit with them, one Da had instilled early on.

  Presently, Jack's head hurt like the very devil and he felt blood running down the side of his face. His right eye began to swell and he knew it would be totally closed shortly. It took a lot to bring him down, but that second strike had been quite a hard lick with the butt of the gun.

  The farther they went into the bowels of the prison, the more intolerable the stench became. The dimly lit, dank corridor had small cells along each side. Each cell had one or more prisoners, and none of them made a sound as the two new ones marched by. Water dripped from the ceiling along the way, making the floor very slippery. Several rats scurried across the path in front of them, causing the soldiers to curse and kick out at them.

  "Damn disease-carrying vermin! I hate coming down here. No telling what we might pick up just delivering you two traitors. Move on now. I want to get out of this rotten pit."

  The next scene, however, had
Alex stopping in his tracks. In the small cell on his left were two young lads, not even in their teens yet. The two were clad in ragged, filthy tunics and their feet were bare. The young lads were so thin their rags would hardly stay on their shoulders as they stood watching, their hollow eyes riveted on the newcomers.

  "Two little thieves, these young ones. Putting them in here for a spell might just cure that problem."

  But they were yet to view an even more disturbing sight. When they heard quiet sobs coming from the other end of the corridor, Jack and Alex slowed their pace. They didn't want to witness what they knew their eyes would reveal. In the far corner of her cell a young woman sat huddled on a mucky bed of straw. Her fine clothing spoke of someone with means, and the fact they weren't rags yet told them she hadn't been here very long.

  "And that's what happens to women who won't do as the major wishes. She's a real looker, but has a streak of independence in her. The major put her in here to teach her a lesson. My bet is it won't take her long to adapt her ways to his demands. Stupid woman."

  They walked on, and when they reached the last cell at the very end of the corridor the soldiers shoved Alex and Jack through the doorway. Just as they stumbled through, a long, dark snake slithered beneath the bars and headed down the hallway. Jack jumped two feet backward.

  "Jesus! Did ye see that? That was a snake I tell ye!" Jack wasn't nearly as concerned about the gun at his back as he was about a snake in his cell. He had an illogical fear of them and that was just a fact.

  "He's gone now, brother. Don't worry about the snake."

  The soldiers snickered. "Get yourselves in there, you two. You'll get gruel and water twice a day if you keep quiet and don't make work for the guards. It won't do you any good to holler and yell anyway, no one can hear you."

  Alex and Jack looked around their cell. Their bed of straw stank of urine and had been used so long it was crushed into bits about two inches long. As they moved farther into their cell, near the back wall, their nostrils were assaulted by the putrid odor emanating from the refuse of previous captives. Yes, the Old Tolbooth deserved its reputation.