The younger woman sighed. “Oh, vera well. He is nice to look at and intelligent, but he seems to think that I will fall to every whim, which I wilnae! I have turned down his first proposal, and that seems to have perplexed him. We will see if he gives up or if he learns a little romance.”
“And Graeme?” Gemma asked, turning to Jillian. She knew the MacSeaver heir was sticking around to keep an eye on things, although Theo didn’t believe him. Gemma didn’t believe it either, but she didn’t think the man would betray them. She had a feeling the man wanted to keep an eye on Jillian.
“He keeps his distance,” Jillian said quietly.
“He scowls at her,” Elizabeth laughed. “All the time. Just finds some reason to be near her and then scowls at her. Honestly, if ye arenae going to marry him, then ye should at least enjoy him and get it out of yer system.”
“Elizabeth!” Jillian gasped, while Gemma chuckled. “‘Tis not like that!” But her cheeks were flushed, indicating something different. Gemma didn’t know Jillian’s story about her husband and Graeme, but there was something there.
“He is handsome. If he is looking for a wife, then perhaps I should start paying more attention to him.”
Jillian glared at her while Elizabeth laughed. “Oh, I am just jesting, but ye should note the jealousy and decide what ye want to do about it.”
“There is nothing for me to do,” Jillian said quietly. “He will always hate me because he thinks I killed my husband, and even if that were the case, I could not live on MacSeaver land again, and he is to be laird. There is nothing there for me. Perhaps ye should have Graeme, and I will woo yer Oliver.”
It was Elizabeth’s turn to glare at her, and Gemma sighed, as close to contentment as she would get with Theo gone. “I will be sad when the two of you leave, but for now, it gives me pleasure to know that you are here.”
Silence descended as they leaned against each other, and eventually, they fell into sleep.
For the third night in a row, Theo stared at the empty bed. His nights were short now, filled with interruptions to his sleep as he realized that his wife was not beside him, and then he would pace, wondering if she was sleeping.
She was always so concerned with others in Loch Moran. Chances were that she was staying up half the night feeding the people or working on her looms for the next shipment.
She was pregnant. She needed to sleep and take care of herself, but now that she was not there next to him, who would take care of her?
Worry gnawed at him as the fire in the hearth grew dim, and still, he sat staring at the bed. His child grew in her belly.
His child.
All he wanted for the future of that child was to know that it was growing up safe and happy, and he feared deep down that it would never happen because it carried his blood.
The ache spread in his heart as he stared at the bed.
He had abandoned his wife. It didn’t matter that he’d sent her with a dozen guards to what was now one of the most protected areas in the mountains. It didn’t matter that he’d done it for her safety and the well-being of their child.
He’d still abandoned her.
And she may never forgive him for it.
24
Although her heart was heavy, the next few days were filled with genuine smiles as the residents of Loch Moran flocked to her to welcome her back and greet the news of her babe with tidings of joy. Agnes had forced her to sit and questioned her about the issues she was facing, and was already concocting something for her to drink every morning to assure her safety and the babe’s well-being. Already, everyone wanted a feast to welcome her back.
No one had the bad taste to ask where her husband was with the exception of the children, David and Cameron being the first to ask why she was alone.
“Laird Theo has much to do at his keep, and he thought this was the safest place for me,” she told them as she knelt down to give them a hug. Unable to help herself, she found herself searching for signs of their own well-being, but they both had smiles on their faces; the kinds of smiles she hadn’t seen in a long time. “How do you like Oliver?”
“Ye must meet him!” Cameron exclaimed, jumping up and down with joy. “He is training David to be fierce, and he promises to do the same with me. If yer husband is gone, ye can wed Oliver, and we will be a family!”
David tried to shush him even as someone chuckled from the door. Gemma looked up just in time to see a handsome man, close to her age, walking in. He’d overheard everything. “My apologies, Lady Gemma, but ‘tis hard to keep an eye on these two sometimes. I am Oliver.”
“Gemma is fine. Here, I am hardly a lady,” she said as she let him help her to her feet. “And I know just how secretive these two can be. I can’t tell you how happy I am that you are here. You are well-liked by the village and by these two.”
“I would have been here sooner had my cousin’s letter come directly to me. Unfortunately, it passed many hands, including that of my uncle.” A shadow passed over his face. “I assure ye that he will never get his hands on them.”
“So you plan to stay here?”
“Yer husband has given me six months to make a decision, but aye, I like it here, and I think I can prove useful.”
Gemma smiled. “And ye like a certain lass here.”
“My proposal was not met with the joy I had anticipated,” he grumbled with a scowl on his handsome features. It was obvious that he wasn’t one used to hearing the word no, and with a face like that, it was no wonder. Elizabeth had her heart set on love, and would settle for no less, but there was no reason to tell him that. He seemed like a smart man. He would soon learn to woo her like she deserved.
“Was it a proposal, or did you simply tell her that you were going to marry her?”
“‘Tis a man’s duty to protect his beloved.”
Lord, save me from highland men.
“Keep at it, Oliver. I am certain you will understand her soon enough. Will you be joining the guard?”
“I tried, but I was denied a post.”
That was strange. Theo was willing to accept anyone at an appropriate age who could be trained, and it sounded like Oliver already had training. But maybe that was the point. Thomas didn’t trust him until he’d sworn his loyalty to Theo. There was so little trust in the Highlands.
“I am certain that when Theo comes to visit, he will meet with you personally.” When would Theo come for a visit? In a few months to see how she was progressing? For the birth of their child? Or would he just send a letter asking if it was male or female?
What if she didn’t see him for years? The idea of a child growing up never knowing their father filled her with pain, but she pushed it away as she stared down at the two boys in front of her.
Oliver nodded and bent down to pick up Cameron, who had anchored himself to the man’s body. “If ye will excuse us, I need to feed them. They are bottomless pits.”
“There is a community dinner tonight. I am certain I will see you then,” she said as she leaned over and gave Cameron a kiss on the forehead. He grinned, and her heart warmed. It was obvious that he loved his cousin and vice versa. Even David was looking at Oliver with respect. It was one dark chapter of Loch Moran that looked like it had a happy ending.
“I will look forward to getting to know ye better.” Oliver paused. “And should ye have any insight on Elizabeth, I would be pleased to hear it. I had hoped to learn more from Jillian, but whenever I get near, I feel Graeme’s breath at the back of my neck.”
Well, wasn’t that interesting?
“You seem to be a smart man. I don’t think you need my help,” Gemma said gently before she shooed them out. It was warm now, and she wanted to go for a walk around the loch. The more time that passed without hearing from Theo, the heavier her heart got, but she hoped some sun and fresh air would help.
She wasn’t alone for very long. Someone had no doubt seen her and rushed to tell Elizabeth and Jillian, for the two ladies flocked her now, c
omplaining endlessly about Graeme and Oliver while she smiled, happy to have a distraction.
Stopping by one of the trees, Elizabeth spread a blanket and they sat while Jillian opened her basket of cheese, apples, and biscuits. They were quiet for a moment, snacking and staring out at the water.
“Ye fell in love with yer husband,” Elizabeth said finally.
“I did.”
Elizabeth grinned as if she had a secret. At first, Gemma just stared at her. Elizabeth could never keep a secret, and she would soon bust, but the anticipation was starting to get to Gemma as her friend continued to smile like a loon.
“What?” she finally asked in exasperation.
“I spoke to Thomas, and while he doesnae approve of going against his laird’s wishes, he knows that ‘tis best for a laird to have his lady by his side.”
Knowing that Thomas wished her home didn’t improve her mood.
“So he has agreed to escort ye back home.”
Now that gave Gemma pause. If there was one thing she knew about Thomas, it was that he was a stickler for protocol, and he would never go against Theo like that. Turning, she studied her friend.
“Theo would be furious!”
“Aye, but he loves ye. We have seen it, and we think it may take drastic measures for him to understand that,” Elizabeth whispered before she looked around. There was no one near to hear her, but Elizabeth always did love drama.
“And Thomas agreed to this? Or perhaps he simply said he agreed that we should be together, and you two have conspired to somehow send me back?”
“Nay, he has agreed to it. Tonight, after the celebration, he has a small guard who will start the trek back. That way, no one will be able to warn Theo until ye are already there.”
“And what will keep Theo from executing the guards who defied them and sending me right back?” He would never do such a thing, but it was obvious that something wasn’t quite right.
“Because he loves ye,” Elizabeth said simply, but doubt was creeping into her voice. “Ye doonae really think he would do that, do ye?”
Gemma turned to Jillian, and her heart sank when she saw the same look of alarm in her eyes that Gemma was feeling. Elizabeth had grown up on Loch Moran. While she had seen battles and death, she knew little of treachery, and so it made sense that she might be part of a plan and not even realize it. Or even give someone an opening.
“Jillian?” Gemma whispered as she slowly stood and looked around. Again, it still seemed as though they were alone, but this time, she wasn’t so certain.
The woman reached down and gripped Jillian’s hand, as Jillian still looked around, completely bewildered. “I think ‘tis time we head back to yer house, Gemma. We have much to do if we are to prepare for the dinner and get ye ready to go home.”
“So ye think ‘tis a good idea?” Elizabeth asked with a frown.
“Aye, I think ‘tis a fine idea,” Jillian said loudly as she scanned her gaze behind them. Gemma had no doubt about what she was thinking. If there was ever a time for Graeme to be watching over them, now would be the most opportune.
In case someone else was watching.
“What is wrong with ye? Why are ye speaking so loudly?” Elizabeth asked.
“Quiet!” Jillian hissed, but it was too late. It had been too late from the moment Gemma had started questioning Elizabeth, but it was too late to do anything about that now. A dozen men stepped out from the trees, surrounding them on all sides.
These were not MacDougal guards. They wore no colors, and from the leery smiles on their faces, they were loyal only to their vices.
Mercenaries.
Gemma swallowed hard and struggled to remain calm. She had her babe to look after now. Their only hope to escape would have been to dive into the loch, and that would have spelled their deaths.
From the moment that she’d reached Loch Moran’s borders, she’d probably been watched and followed.
Elizabeth looked puzzled as Thomas stepped forward. “I doonae understand. Are ye leaving now?”
Thomas drew his sword and grinned wickedly. “This is not your fault, Elizabeth,” Gemma said fiercely. “You could not have known.”
“Known what?”
“That a man who was second to a laird, loyal to a laird, would never go against his direct orders like this,” Gemma said plainly as she squared her shoulders. She had no weapons, but she would do whatever it took to protect her friends and her babe.
“I doonae understand. If he isnae loyal to Theo, then who is he loyal to?”
“My laird,” Thomas said easily as he pulled out his sword. “Patrick MacDougal.”
“We are not leaving with you.”
“Oh, but my lady, ye are. All three of ye so ye doonae sound the alarm. My thanks to the lovely Elizabeth here for making things so easy. No one will blink an eye when we tell them that ye orchestrated this daring trip back to the MacDougal keep. They will say it is such a romantic gesture, even if they know ‘tis foolish. By the time anyone realizes they have been betrayed, it will be too late.”
He took a step forward. “Now then, ye will come with me now, or ye will die where ye stand.”
Now was the time for her friends’ admirers to step out of the woodwork. Graeme. Oliver. Anyone.
But no...it seemed as though no one was coming to save them.
25
Huddled together in the small tent, the three women plotted their escape. Gemma was grateful to see that none of them were panicking. Elizabeth had been shocked to realize that Thomas was betraying them, and Gemma could still barely believe it herself, but there was no denying what was right before their eyes.
Still, from what she could glean from the conversations she’d overheard, things weren’t going to plan. Thomas was never supposed to be the villain in the story. Gemma was supposed to go willingly with them, and then they were both meant to be kidnapped by mercenaries. He was so certain that Theo would hand over the clan to him rather than to his father that he wouldn’t question Thomas’s part in the plan.
Thomas was blindly loyal to Patrick MacDougal—so loyal that he was betraying his childhood friend.
It gladdened her to see that most of Thomas’s support came from mercenaries. There were none wearing MacDougal colors except for Thomas, so at least most were still loyal to him. He must have smuggled them in small groups to hide in the wild forests beyond the loch. They’d taken most of the day to trek here, and Gemma feared that Theo would never find them.
Jillian got up again to peer through the crack of the tent while Gemma focused on listening to the conversation outside. They were planning a raid, and if she was hearing things right, they were planning on raiding the villages of Loch Moran, only it wasn’t on Thomas’s orders.
The mercenaries were going rogue.
Theo would be fighting on two fronts. One to save her and one to save a village.
The flap opened and Thomas stepped in, a grimace on his face. “By now, yer husband will know what has happened. I have no wish to kill ye, Lady Gemma, so I thank ye for remaining calm.”
“He will never step down as laird for me,” Gemma told him quietly. “Not when he was getting the support of the people.”
“He will come for ye,” he said confidently.
Yes, Theo would come for her. He swore to protect her, and he would give his life to do it, but he wouldn’t step down for her. No, he would rather die.
“Yer mercenaries are planning to lay siege to Loch Moran. Ye will lose the land in an effort to take power, and should you succeed, you would be the laird of a poor and broken clan. The king will strip you of the loch if he doesn’t strip you of your lordship for this folly.”
He scoffed. “Ye lie to distract me. They will do as I command, and the king, well, the Highlands have always been about power. He doesnae intervene if the clans can settle it themselves.”
“Theo told me that the two of ye played together. Ye trained as warriors together.”
“And he defied
his laird!” Thomas hissed, eyes flashing in indignation. “He swore his loyalty and then went behind his own father’s back to undo his work.”
“His father’s work was killing people!”
“Loyalty is everything in the Highlands! If we doonae have loyalty, then we have nothing!”
“You would have the honor of doing the right thing.” Desperate to reach him before unnecessary lives were shed, she took a step toward him. “Thomas, it is not too late. I know you are an honorable man deep down. You do not have to do this!”
The sword struck before she could even blink, slashing across her shoulder. With a cry, Jillian and Elizabeth dragged her back and tried to put their bodies in front to protect her, but Thomas was already calmly sheathing his sword. “The next time ye speak to me in such a manner, I wilnae be so lenient. Stay back and keep yer mouth shut. Soon, it will be over. Ye will either be released or ye will be dead.”
Turning, he stormed out of the tent, and Elizabeth tore some of her dress to help staunch the blood flow from her shoulder. It was a shallow wound, but the pain was more bearable than the fear that filled her. Fear for her child.
“We need to find a way to escape,” Elizabeth said quietly. “Thomas might be willing to let us go, but the men outside arenae. I have already heard their plans for us, and ‘tis not something we will survive.” Her face was pale, but her hands were steady as she worked.
Gemma looked over at Jillian. The woman was already looking over the tent with a shrewd gaze. For the most part, they were alone, but all the entrances were guarded.
Elizabeth’s face was ashen. “They plan to raid Loch Moran tonight. There wilnae be so many men, so we will haftae make our move then.”
“The guards won’t be prepared for a fight from within.” Gemma bit her lower lip and looked at the two of them. “I have a plan, but it’s dangerous, and I will need help.”
Jillian and Elizabeth both gave her their full attention.
“First, I will need a distraction.”
Highlander’s Lesser Evil: A Scottish Medieval Historical Romance (Highlands' Deceptive Lovers Book 4) Page 15