Highland Pride

by Dana D'Angelo

  “Has the MacIachlan arrived?” he asked.

  “Aye, we’ll meet him in the Great Hall.”

  ***

  “Come this way,” Kila said, leading Henry toward the main tower.

  “I will go wherever ye lead me.”

  Before Kila could think to utter a protest, Henry took her hand and tucked it at the crook of his elbow. She felt a strong urge to snatch back her arm; however she risked offending the man. She could almost hear Mairead’s stern voice telling her not to do anything to compromise the treaty Rory was working to develop.

  A couple of his Henry’s men followed discreetly behind them.

  The steps they needed to make to get inside the castle weren’t many. Under normal circumstances, it would have taken Kila ten minutes to reach the stairs that led into the great hall. But the laird acted as if he was on a social call and was intent on setting a leisurely pace.

  Henry took a deep breath and looked around. He pointed to the new addition that Rory had commissioned on the north end of the kitchen tower.

  “It appears that your brother is expanding his fortress.” His gaze stopped at the far end of the compound, “And ye have enlarged the garden too.”

  “Aye, the garden has expanded.”

  Since Darra arrived at Tancraig Castle, she had made significant physical changes to the grounds. The primary addition was the extensive garden she designed. It served as a sanctuary and contained an orchard and wildflowers. And while it was a beautiful sight, it also had a functional purpose. Within a defined area, she grew dozens of healing plants which she used to concoct her special remedies.

  Henry turned to her. “Do ye think we can take a stroll through the garden?” he asked.

  “Of course,” she said, taken aback by his strange request. Most men were more interested in socializing with each other rather than spending time in the sanctuary.

  He indicated to his men. “Go ahead and wait for me at the Great Hall,” he said.

  The guards left to do what he instructed. Since Henry was distracted with his guards, Kila took the opportunity to untangle herself from his arm.

  “The garden is this way.”

  Kila took a couple of steps away from him, although she was mindful to keep her tone cheerful and friendly. Though it was a relief to put some distance between them, she still had to act as a representative of her clan.

  “Since the last time ye were here, I dinnae believe ye saw the wildflowers in full bloom.”

  As they made their way across the courtyard, they fell into a brief silence. Her mind was still occupied, and she questioned why Rory wanted her to accompany the old chief.

  “Ye are right. I recall the servants were digging up the soil the last time I was here,” he said.

  Kila led him through the cobbled path that wound around neat clusters of vegetation and shrubs. Interspersed in the greenery were splashes of pink, purple, red and gold flowers and plants.

  Henry paused to pinch off a piece of lavender. He lifted the sprig to his nose and breathed deeply.

  “Are ye interested in the medicinal herbs in the garden?” she asked politely.

  Kila had a keen memory and could recite all the plant names. Most people visited the garden to enjoy the tranquil grounds. Either that or they were sent to the garden to fetch a specific herb for Rory’s wife. As far as she knew, not many men were interested in doing either, and she didn’t think Henry was any different.

  “Nay,” he said, confirming her thoughts. “I dinnae care much about plants.”

  He reached for her hand and pressed the fragrant flower in her palm. She expected him to let her go, but he leaned back, his eyes scanning her body as if he wanted to see past her clothing. Once again, she fought against pulling back and running inside the castle. When Henry finally caught her gaze, he winked. “I just find the view here is much better, especially when I have a bonnie lassie at my side.”

  “Och, ye do ken tae flatter a lass,” she said, forcing her lips into a smile and almost gagged at her lie.

  But the MacIachlan grinned at her as if she spoke the words he longed to hear.

  She gave a quick look over her shoulder, hoping that someone would appear and relieve her of the lecherous ogre. But she swallowed her disappointment when aside from a handful of servants near the kitchen tower, she couldn’t find anyone who might save her. And as far as she could see, the only occupants in the garden were a small flock of birds and two red squirrels that had already taken cover. She stepped back, needing to put more distance between them. Every time the old chief looked at her, she felt like jumping into the burn and give herself a good scrub.

  They started to circle the old oak that grew at the center of the garden. Right under it sat a wooden bench. They stopped a few times to examine the different vegetation. And in attempting to fill the periodic silences, Kila continued to chatter about the various uses Darra had for the plants.

  After a while, Henry guided her to the bench. Usually, this was one of her most favorite places to read, but today Kila didn’t want to tarry long here.

  “There is much in this garden tae explore,” she said. “I havenae shown ye the rose patch that we planted last spring.”

  “I want tae sit here for a while,” he said, sinking into the worn bench. “If I were a younger man, I would choose a spot like this tae do naughty deeds.”

  He patted the spot beside him, and she reluctantly sat next to him.

  Kila folded her hands over her lap. “I’m nae sure what ye mean,” she said primly.

  He let out a hearty laugh. “Ye are too innocent.”

  A faraway expression instantly appeared on his lined face as if he recalled his youth. She relaxed slightly. He was more interested in remembering his past than pouncing on her. And when he proceeded to tell her of his seductive exploits as a younger man, she discovered that her hunch had been correct. All she could do was to paste a smile on her lips, and pretend that his lewd anecdotes were appropriate topics of conversation.

  “Perhaps we should go inside now,” she said. “My brother might wonder where we have gone.”

  “I suppose we should go inside,” he said, letting out a regretful sigh. He got up and fell into step with her. “Would ye like tae come visit me at my home?” he asked. “The property I have is much bigger than this. My previous wife had a garden built, and there are many fruit trees and roses there. It has everything a lady could want.” He slanted his eyes at her as if to gauge her reaction. “And I’m sure that a fine lady like ye would find it to her liking.”

  “From what ye describe, I’m certain anyone would be impressed with your garden and property,” she said, keeping her answer diplomatic.

  “Why is a bonnie lass like ye still unmarried?” he asked, abruptly switching the subject. There was an earnest light in his eyes. “I thought all lassies want tae get married.”

  “The war has put the plans of many on hold,” she said, her tone demure.

  “Ye will be impressed by what I can show ye in bed. But of course, I would wed ye first.” He gave her a lecherous grin.

  Kila let out an involuntary gasp, unable to believe what she had just heard. She didn’t like this change in topic at all. She had suffered through his inappropriate stories, and the unexpected talk of marriage made her shudder.

  Everyone knew that she would be required to marry soon. And most likely Henry recognized this as well. A cold fear dug into her spine as she pictured a life with Henry MacIachlan. This was not her idea of love. All her older siblings had found the love of their lives. She, at least, wanted a chance to find someone who was young, attractive, someone who was equal to herself. And Henry certainly wasn’t this man.

  Henry laughed, mistaking her reaction. “Dinnae worry, ye would be in excellent hands. I would be careful with ye on the wedding night. After all, we already established that ye are innocent, and I’ve been married thrice. My experience with virgin brides should count for something.”

  Kila felt reli
eved when they came into the busier part of the courtyard. The servants were rushing past in their haste to prepare for dinner, and their chatter filled the courtyard. As she got closer to the main tower, she felt the tension creep into her shoulders. She felt a sudden urge to pivot and run in the other direction. But she fought the urge and walked silently next to the laird. If she opened her mouth, she feared that she would say something that would upset him. Mairead had already told her how important Henry MacIachlan was in forming a strong alliance. If she did anything to damage the relationship, she knew that Rory would likely disown her.

  When the staircase appeared up ahead, she felt a whoosh of relief coursing through her. It would take less than five minutes to climb those steps and two minutes more to reach the main hall. After that, she could get rid of the old laird.

  “We should reach the Great Hall soon,” she said needlessly.

  Kila picked up her pace and led Henry through the hallway. The long corridor was another influence that Darra brought to the stronghold. She had the women create the wall hangings that adorned the walkway. Rory’s wife had actually asked for her opinion, and Kila was more than happy to suggest stories she remembered from her book. By the end of it, the corridor revealed the story of the fae, and how they became entangled in the history of Scotland.

  The ladies of the castle had labored hard on this display, and even now, she discovered delightful and new characteristics in the embroidery. Today, however, she had no time to admire the details on the panels. As she strode into the main hall, her steps faltered.

  “I dinnae see my brother,” she said, fighting to keep the vexation from her voice.

  Off to the right, the two MacIachlan guards stood conversing. Meanwhile, on the raised platform, the Tancraig steward was busy laying down the necessary documents on the table. Kila loathed spending another minute with Henry, but his guards and the steward were hardly the appropriate company for an esteemed guest. It was her duty to play the hostess. She racked her brain to find different topics to converse. A few minutes later, she had run out of things to talk about, and she resorted to speaking about the weather.

  An abrupt laugh in the corridor caused her head to turn. She could recognize Rory’s voice anywhere. Almost immediately, the tension drained from her body.

  “I think that’s Rory. I’ll see what is keeping him.”

  Before the laird had a chance to respond, she rushed to the entrance. And once she passed the archway, she ran into the hallway. In her haste to get to Rory, she collided into a solid wall of muscle that belonged to someone other than her brother. A yelp escaped her lips as the force of the collision caused her to stumble back. The large Highlander caught her arm before she could tumble to the stone floor. He pulled her to a standing position. Many warriors came through the Tancraig Castle gates, and she paid them little attention. For some reason, this stranger seemed familiar, but she couldn’t for the life of her recall who he was.

  Time seemed to stand still as she took in his male beauty. He wasn’t as old as Henry MacIachlan, but he wasn’t young either. It appeared that he was probably about thirty years old. He had a bearing of a leader, of someone who was likely a chieftain. For once, she wished she paid attention to the different clan tartans like Mairead. But even as she took in his great kilt, she had no knowledge about his clan affiliation. His hair was dark brown and had a waviness to it that was unusual. His skin was tanned, as if he were used to working and fighting under the hot sun.

  Gray eyes stared out at her, pinning her to the spot. Unable to stand the intensity there, her gaze dropped to his strong jawline, and she noted the dark stubble that grew there. She couldn’t help but notice as well that his neck was thick with muscle, and his chest was broad and solid. His entire body appeared potent and strong, and his legs beneath his kilt were as solid as tree trunks.

  “Ye should be more careful, lass,” his deep voice rumbled, causing a shiver to run up and down her spine.

  “Why were ye running, Kila? And where is Henry?” Rory asked, sounding concerned. And because she knew him so well, she also detected a note of disapproval in his voice.

  At the sound of her brother’s questions, she snapped out of her trance. She took a step back, suddenly aware that the stranger, Rory, and an unfamiliar guard looked at her with concern.

  “He’s waiting for ye in the hall,” she said.

  “We’ll go meet him,” Rory said. He nodded at her. “Tell the servants tae bring some refreshments for our guests.”

  Chapter 3

  “’Tis guid tae see ye, Henry,” William said, acknowledging the older man.

  “Aye, ye too. It seems that ye are nay worse for wear,” he said, slapping him on the back.

  “Nay worse than anyone else,” he said.

  Henry MacIachlan was a fierce warrior, but it appeared that the conflict had aged him significantly. However, his commitment to his people wasn’t to be questioned since, despite his age, he was likely to rule his clan for many more years to come.

  When England invaded Scotland a year ago, William had fought alongside Rory and Henry. Just like him, he knew that the two men had lost their share of fighters during the war. But they fought together and had each other’s backs. To some extent, they trusted one another, but they still needed a formal document detailing the promises they had made. This accord was the only way they could each maintain control over their territories and resources. It was also a way to protect themselves from each other, as every clan was powerful in their own right. If they lived peacefully with one another, there would be no need to fight and needlessly lose men. The three of them at least could exist in harmony.

  Rory led them to the dais. In all, Grant MacCeikan, three MacGregon brothers, and two of Henry’s men would witness the document signing.

  William felt anticipation start to build inside him. He had enough of death and loss, and things were about to change. If an enemy clan tried to encroach on his land, he would be assured that his allies would come to his aid. But while he trusted them not to make war against him, he recognized that he still needed to be prudent and look out for his people. It was his duty after all.

  “My steward has prepared the contracts,” Rory said, indicating the legal documents that were laid neatly on the table.

  After they had made their verbal pact, and for the safety of all parties, they wanted the pledge in writing so there would be no disputes involving the terms. All they needed to do was to review the conditions, and make it official by signing the accord. Once the ink dried, William would be relieved to know that he had strong allies that would back him if the need ever arose.

  Now that the bloodshed with the English was over, many clans were starting to rebuild, and inevitably their greed would resume. And some of them would look toward MacTyrnell territory to expand. There was much devastation and loss during the war. If a clan didn’t organize and recover fast enough, it would fall prey to the more aggressive, predatory rivals.

  William sensed that it was only a matter of time before his adversaries closed in. Although his people were a fiery bunch that was quick to anger and even faster to fight, they would be no match against determined and more ruthless opponents. Every clan had their reasons for wanting to expand. The recent struggle had merely been a distraction. But now that it had finished, the in-fighting among the clans would restart. And knowing that this would happen, he had to do as much as he could to circumvent any disaster that might occur. As far as he could tell, both Rory and Henry were of the same mind.

  In the end, this commitment was beneficial to their kin. And as chiefs of their respective clans, it was their duty to ensure that they met the interest of their clansmen. And the well-being of a clan depended on making strategic associations with other groups who were equal or more forceful than them. He had already lost too many men during the warfare, and he needed to ensure that they had enough reinforcements behind them if they should go to war again.

  “I’m grateful that each of
ye has come out of your way tae sign this treaty,” Rory said. “Only solidarity among powerful friends will we defeat our common enemies.”

  The MacGregon directed them to take their seats. Each spot had a quill, a bottle of ink, and a copy of the treaty. Once they signed it, the steward and the men associated with each tribe would witness it. Then the conditions they agreed upon would be formalized in a written document. The terms would be binding. Although it wasn’t voiced out loud, everyone in the room realized that their clans’ survival hinged on the strength and integrity of this union.

  For several minutes, William sat on his stool, slowly scrutinizing every line in the contract. Each man was responsible for ensuring that the verbal agreements coincided with the written version. It was true that the war had finished, but the strife between the different tribes would continue as if the fight against the English had never occurred. And a clan without allies risked losing the properties and wealth that they held for generations. If they failed to secure their land, then they also failed to protect their kin.

  “The MacDougken Clan is becoming bolder,” William said, finally putting his signature on the document. “My people are strained as ‘tis. And on top of my domestic troubles, ‘twould get even more strained if the enemy clan came tae raid us. I’m glad tae have ye both on my side.”

  “Aye, I’m glad as well. It appears we have similar problems,” Henry said, signing off on his document and pushing the parchment to the middle of the table. “I fear that if we dinnae do something about these encroaching bastards, they’ll come after our resources.”

  “That cannae happen,” Rory said grimly.

  Without speaking about it, they all knew what they stood to lose. The MacDougken clan had a formidable reach, and they were ruthless. Even the monarch would be unable to help them if the group decided to attack. They had to take precaution and be prepared to protect their interests.