At one time, she and Ewan had a good relationship, but as he got older, he acted as if he was superior to her. She resented that she was treated differently from him. Fortunately, she demanded and received almost the same education he got. The only thing missing was military training. And when her twin was outside honing his combat skills, she was confined in the solar with the women.
But though she initially didn’t want Ewan to accompany her, she was now grateful for his presence. During the long ride, she had turned the proposition over in her mind. She should have thought things through before she spoke. But she was now stuck. The conditions were made, and if she backed out now, she would look like a fool. And once again when compared to her sister, she would come up short.
But Alys was correct. Perhaps at one time, the Domlainn Castle was magnificent, but right now it was rundown. Even the village appeared neglected. In Tancraig, people were bustling in and out of the town. Granted this wasn’t a market day, so the square seemed unusually quiet.
A dog appeared between two houses and started barking loudly at them. Then along the road and several paces away, a farmer and his son pulling a cart of peat stopped to watch them. Both father and son seemed downtrodden. The lad, who was about ten years old, looked especially tired. And even though he was young, his demeanor made him appear many years older. As their procession came within their view, the lad recognized his chief. His face brightened, and he said something quickly to his sire.
“Guid day, William,” the farmer said, standing tall and proud. He looked up at his chief with a mixture of admiration and familiarity.
“Calum, Iain,” William said, acknowledging them.
It was the typical exchange between clan members and their leader. But when the farmer gazed at her and her companions, his expression became cool and assessing. The reception wasn’t exactly frosty, but it wasn’t welcoming either. The man made it clear enough that she was an outsider. She glanced over at William, but the Highlander didn’t appear to notice the watchfulness of his clansman.
But then Kila reminded herself that she was a stranger to this land. She was here to prove her worth, to show William and everyone else that they had misjudged her. With this resolve firmly entrenched in her mind, she straightened her spine as they entered the castle gates.
The uneasiness she experienced faded as she took in the courtyard. Things were worse inside the protective walls. Broken down carts and rotted ale barrels lay abandoned along the inner walls. Various items cluttered the inner yard, and weeds grew to considerable heights in some parts.
“Where are the people?” she wondered aloud.
“Aye, where are they?” Alys said, taking in the visual mess. “With such a large fortress, ‘tis curious that this place appears most deserted. Perhaps the servants are busy, and cannae greet us.”
“Or perhaps they arenae doing their work,” Ewan suggested. “I recall Rory saying that William had a problem with his servants.”
The three of them stared at the mostly empty courtyard. At home, someone would have at least come out to intercept them by now. If guests arrived at a castle, a team of servants usually was available to help. The lack of greeters either meant that they didn’t hold their chief in high esteem, or they had no respect for the MacGregons and refused to help them.
“I’ll need assistance in unloading our belongings,” Alys said. A man emerged on the top of the steps that led into the tower. “Och, there is at least one person.”
At seeing them, the lone servant ran down the grand steps. His face was drained of color as if he had just remembered something important.
He rushed over to them. “Your guests have arrived,” he said, his breath coming out in spurts.
“I sent word that we were coming, Fearghas,” William said, frowning. “Where is the help?”
“I dinnae ken.” The servant swallowed, his Adam’s apple bobbing nervously. “I told everyone tae prepare for your homecoming. Unfortunately, we werenae given a specific time, and we got caught up in doing repairs and other things.” He wrung his hands together. “I actually thought ye planned tae visit Tancraig Castle for several more days.”
Fearghas cast his eyes behind him as if he hoped the other castle inhabitants might magically appear. When three men looked curiously out of the barn, he let out a holler, drawing attention to them. The servants might have ducked back into the building, but they didn’t dare move since their chief was in the vicinity.
William shook his head in disgust. “Just get our guests settled. And call the grooms tae take the mounts tae the stables.”
Two guards approached them, and William and Grant went to speak with them.
“I’ll care for our own steeds,” Ewan said, dismounting. He gave his stallion an affectionate pat on the side of its neck. “This laddie is especially temperamental, and I doubt any stranger can handle him. I wouldnae want anyone tae get hurt.”
As Fearghas beckoned at the three stablehands, they reluctantly emerged from the stables.
Kila was still on her saddle and waited for one of the grooms to assist her down from her steed. But William had finished speaking with his men and unexpectedly walked over to her.
“I’ll help ye,” he said.
Before she could respond, he already reached for her and set his large hands on her hips. Then as if she weighed as light as a sprig of heather, he easily lifted her from the horse and set her on the ground.
“Fearghas will take ye tae the guest chamber where ye can get comfortable. I’ll see ye again at supper.” He stepped back and nodded to the servant. “Ensure ye provide our guests with all they need.”
With his orders given, William turned to give more instructions to a stablehand to bring out fresh horses. Meanwhile, Kila felt dazed. She could still feel the heat of his hands on her hips. He barely touched her, yet she felt unsettled. It was because he was intimidating, she decided. After all, it was prudent of her to fear him. Though she tried not to think of it, Kila was reminded once again about the rumor of his dead wives. Duncan, one of her older brothers, always made it a point to remind her of her impulsiveness. He predicted that one day she would get into serious difficulties. She had made a deal with a murderer, and it was beginning to look as if her brother’s prediction might come true.
Alys called a stableboy over to her. “Take these items tae the guest chamber,” she said.
The boy looked reluctantly at her and Alys lost her patience. She folded her arms over her chest. “Do ye nae understand me, lad?”
“Do what the lass says.” Fearghas glared at the youth.
A few minutes later William left the courtyard with his guards. The three older servants looked relieved at seeing the chief’s departure and started to leave as well.
Fearghas whirled around and cried, “Wait, where are ye going? Get back here and take the trunks.”
“Finally, someone is speaking some sense,” Alys said, rolling her eyes. She nodded at Kila. “I’ll stay here and make sure all our possessions are handled with care.”
With some grumbling, the three servants began to haul her belongings from the cart. One man grabbed a crate from the wagon. But his companion was too close to him, and when he pivoted, he crashed into his partner. In the next moment, several of her favorite books tumbled to the ground.
“Do be careful with my books,” Kila said, wincing.
She regretted that perhaps she carried too many things with her. When she left Tancraig Castle, it never occurred to her to be more selective in what she brought. Her thoughts at the time were to take everything she needed that would add to her comfort for the next six weeks.
“I’m sorry, mistress,” the man said. “It willnae happen again.”
Kila nodded her head although she still wasn’t comfortable with how they touched her belongings. She sent her friend a pained look.
When a servant bumped another trunk against the wooden rail, Alys spoke sharply to the man.
For a few minutes longer, Ki
la anxiously watched the servants unload her belongings. Ewan had disappeared with the horses and was nowhere to be seen. And William and his men were gone too. It struck her suddenly that this place was very different from her home. From the little she witnessed, she noted the careless behavior of the servants and the obvious lack of organization.
One of the things she came here to prove was her ability to manage the castle workers. But it was more than that, she realized. This fortress needed an overhaul. The courtyard had been neglected and was badly in need of a feminine touch. To the far right, she saw a sectioned off area that had once been a garden. However, the small wall that contained the enclosure was crumbling. Weeds grew in every available space, and any trees or shrubs present appeared overgrown and neglected. Kila spent a lot of time helping Darra cultivate the garden at Tancraig Castle. She perceived that if her sister-in-law saw the state of this garden, she would be mortified.
After a while, Fearghas noticed Kila standing to the side. “I’m sorry, mistress! I forgot about ye. If ye will follow me, I can show ye tae the guest chamber. I’m sure ye dinnae want tae stay out here for much longer,” he said, wrinkling his nose. Then his brows furrowed as if something had just occurred to him. “I also have tae apologize for the lack of greeting. We always have problems understanding what is happening from one day tae the next.” He let out a nervous laugh. “Ye are Mairead MacGregon, is that nae right? The MacTyrnell did well for himself for bringing home a bonnie lass like ye. I ken things will change now that ye are married tae the laird. The servants —”
“Och, I’m nae Mairead,” she interrupted him. “I’m Kila, her younger sister. And nay, I’m nae married tae the MacTyrnell.”
Her words caused him to become speechless. But then he frowned. “We were told that William had gone tae Tancraig Castle, and would bring back a wife.”
They started to pass the barn when a pig let out a loud squeal.
Kila shook her head impatiently. “Ye now ken the truth,” she said.
Fearghas looked at her with speculation, but then his eyes widened with new understanding. “I see. Ye are tae taking your sister’s place.”
She opened her mouth to refute him but instead decided to smile at his ignorance. It wasn’t worth the effort to tell the servant the entire story. Unless she could find a suitable man to love, she had no plans to stay at this stronghold for longer than she needed.
The servant continued to chat, telling her all sorts of things about William’s household. She had met people like Fearghas before, and recognized that this man was a gossip. She had already concluded that she needed to guard her words around him. But then it occurred to her that she could use this opportunity to glean information about William.
When they entered the castle a few minutes later, the atmosphere felt gloomy and oppressive. She had seen a handful of servants outside, but the interior was devoid of workers.
As they were about to go past the great hall, she turned to look inside the chamber. She was surprised to see many servants there, but none of them seemed to be working. They had yet to sweep the floor, and the hearth was dirty with an accumulation of old soot. Most of the servants were relaxing at the trestle tables, playing games or chatting with one another.
“Dinnae mind those lazy bastards,” Fearghas said, noticing what caught her attention.
Kila nodded and decided to change the topic before he vented about his fellow servants. “What can ye tell me of the MacTyrnell?” she asked.
“I’ve known William since he was a wee lad. And in all that time, he hasnae changed much. He takes care of his own,” Fearghas declared, his loyalty and admiration obvious. “His older brother died unexpectedly, and William was forced tae lead the clan. He’s been our chief for the past five years, and is just getting used tae it.”
He beamed at her and began to take her up a winding staircase. The wooden steps creaked as they climbed the stairs. “William disnae talk much, but he’s a man of action. I’ll wager that he’ll be a greater chief than his da or his brother.”
As they passed one of the windows, she paused to view the rushing burn just beyond the castle walls. And in the distance, she could make out the wooded area and mountains. The lush landscape simply took her breath away.
After several more steps, they climbed to the top floor of the tower where the sleeping quarters were located. The servant stopped in front of one door and pushed it open. “This will be your bedchamber. I’ll come later and escort ye tae supper.”
Chapter 9
As William made the journey home, he found it long and uncomfortable. He was acutely aware of his pretty guest, and he wanted to get home as fast as possible. If they traveled at a leisurely pace, she would constantly be within sight. That idea didn’t appeal to him at all. But now that they arrived at the castle, he would become occupied with his duties, and wouldn’t think of her much. And once she was finished doing whatever she set out to do here, she would leave, and life would resume. Then with no harm done, his relationship with the MacGregon would be in order.
When he got off his horse, he found two of his guards waiting for him. He had left these trusted clansmen in charge of the fortress while he was away. But after seeing at their grim expressions, he sensed that things were off.
“What has happened while I was gone?” he asked, though he dreaded hearing the news.
Grant slid off his mount and joined William.
“The cattle we sold at the tryst dinnae bring in much money,” the guard said. “The buyer claimed that our cows were too skinny, and wouldnae give us more than their worth. Unfortunately, we couldnae refuse his offer as our coffers are getting low.”
“Ye did the right thing, Aibne,” William said, trying to reassure his clansman even though he felt the tension rise to his shoulders. He had to find other ways to bring revenue to the estate.
“And there were fresh attacks on the villagers two nights ago,” the other clansman added.
William let out a curse. “Two nights ago?” he repeated in disbelief.
“We were only away for a couple of days,” Grant said, sharing his outrage.
“Aye,” Aibne nodded. “By the time the alarm sounded, and we rode into the village, the raiders were gone. Unfortunately, we lost their trail, and they disappeared into the night.”
“Were there any fatalities?” William said grimly.
“Nay fatalities but several farmers were robbed and injured, although the damages werenae serious.”
He shook his head in frustration. At least the farmers would recover and continue working. He would be in a bigger mess if the farmers couldn’t work the land. If that happened, they would then have a harder time paying the taxes, and the coffers would be even emptier.
William let out a sigh. It was depressing. From all appearances, it didn’t seem to matter whether or not he was home. They had difficulty learning who led the raids and finding out where they hid. From many months, the outlaws did their terrible deeds at night and left destruction and chaos in their wake. They seemed to know the backcountry as if they grew up on this land. What if this band of thieves somehow had connections to one or more members of Clan MacTyrnell? That thought disturbed him greatly.
The criminals used violence and intimidation to steal valuables from the members of various septs. In one instance a tenant was taken as a prisoner, and three cows and five hens were stolen from his home. The criminals dared to demand a substantial ransom for the man’s release. Unfortunately, William had to deal with a long string of similar offenses. He couldn’t recall his father or his brother having to tackle these types of disturbances when they ruled the clan.
More dark thoughts began to flood his mind. This chiefdom was never meant to fall on his shoulders, but now that his older brother was dead, he had no choice but to take on the position. If he didn’t do this, then the chiefdom would fall on Iagan’s shoulders. And even though his cousin expressed an interest in being the clan leader, William’s conscience wouldn’
t allow him to take over. His cousin seemed confident in determining the direction of the clan, but William rejected his logic and motivation. They already butted heads on how to govern the land and the people.
In the end, whether or not William wanted to be the clan chief, he was locked in the role. It was his responsibility to protect the clan. His current task now was to do something about the raids. If he chose to ignore the problem, his clansmen would continue to get injured and incur devastating losses.
“Should we send men out tae scour the area again?” Grant asked.
“Aye,” he said. The robbers were probably holed up in some area that they somehow missed. “We need tae make efforts tae bring these men tae justice. The clansmen already live in fear, and we must stop this terror at once.”
“We have already looked near the village,” Aibne reminded him.
“Then we need tae look again,” he said. “They like attacking the village sae their camp cannae be too far off. Send three search parties if ye have tae. We need tae increase our presence, and scare them out of their hiding places.”
The man hurried off to organize the pursuit.
“I dinnae understand why these outlaws have chosen tae inhabit our land,” Grant said. “It almost seems as if they consider our property a haven.”
“They will nay longer consider it a haven once we capture their commander. Without a leader, the others willnae have direction.”
He assisted Kila from her horse and then beckoned to the stablehand. “Bring us fresh horses,” he said. “We’ll ride with the men.”
The rest William wanted would have to wait. As he joined his men in the search, he couldn’t shake off the difficulty of their task. For months now, he had tried to address the outlaw problem on the property, but he had yet to come up with a solution. Part of the issues was the vast clan property. The fugitives could hide among the rocky slopes, or in one of the many natural caves that dotted the mountainside. The chore was as difficult as finding mice in a barn. He suspected the culprits were nearby, but he didn’t know where to look. Even when he split up his men to patrol the boundaries, the outlaws somehow became aware of their presence and moved their camps. But then he recognized that not patrolling the territory would invite even worse disorder.
Highland Pride Page 6