Highlander's Rightful Claim (Scottish Medieval Highlander Romance)

by Kenna Kendrick

  “What? What does he mean? I thought ye were dead, Andrew, what happened tae ye? Oh, I am so glad ye are safe, come now, come all of ye and we shall have some breakfast, are ye hungry, Andrew?” Rhona unable to control her emotions, allowed the tears of joy to run down her face.

  “The laddie needs tae speak tae ye, alone,” Duncan said to Rhona, “dinnae ye, Andrew?”

  “Aye, well, all in good time, give the laddie a chance tae settle,” Rhona led them into the crofts and Andrew following silently behind.

  The dawn had broken across the mountains, but the sun could not warm the hearts of those who had come to the young laddie’s rescue and a hostile atmosphere reigned. The clansmen cast him surreptitious looks, as Andrew quietly ate his breakfast.

  “So, what is all this then, Andrew?” Rhona at last as the bowls were cleared away and the clansmen went to their beds, for it had been a long night out in the forests in search of their young Laird.

  “I dinnae want tae talk about it,” Andrew failed to meet his mother’s eye as she stood before him.

  “Yer uncle Duncan and yer stepfather will only tell me instead, do ye want me tae here their version of events or do ye want tae tell me yerself, what happened tae ye, Andrew? I know the Mackintosh’s took ye and that ye were with some lassie or other, but what is it that has caused yer stepfather tae seem so angry with ye, I can only feel relief that ye are back safely with me.”

  “It is because of the lassie that he is cross, he’s not interested in what happened in the castle, that man could have killed me, mother.” The lad's emotions started getting the better of him as tears ran down his face.

  “Murdoch is a cruel man, and that is what I feared, thank the good Lord that he dinnae realize he had a Cameron as a prisoner, and certainly not the son of the Laird. But yer uncle said the lassie was a Mackintosh girl and that the soldiers were hardly better-disposed taewards her than ye.” Rhona replied.

  “She is Murdoch Mackintosh’s daughter,” Andrew stated quickly, holding his head in shame as his mother reacted in just the way he imagined.

  “Murdoch’s daughter! I have heard tell of her, how could ye be so stupid, Andrew? Tae risk yer life and not just yer own but all of us as well by carrying on with the daughter of the man who killed yer father, and who tried tae make yer mother his bride, what is wrong with ye, laddie?” Rhona cried, turning on her son and cuffing him about the ear in her anger.

  “I … I dinnae know she was his daughter at first, I … I just saw her in the woods by the pool one day, she was so beautiful, I had never felt as I did when I saw her, she fascinated me, and I went back tae see her, I got caught up in my feelings for her. The next time I saw her, I stepped forward to speak, but she ran away, leaving her shawl behind. I went again, and again tae try and return it tae her; eventually, I saw her, but that time I waited and followed her through the woods, I thought she was one of the forest folk but then …” his words trailed off.

  “Then ye saw her for who she really was?” Rhona looked disgusted at her son, as though he had betrayed them all by cavorting with a Mackintosh.

  “I saw her with Murdoch, aye, and I was horrified to know she was his daughter tae, truly I was but the poor lassie was ill-treated by him, she and her mother both and when next I saw her we spoke, and I gave her back her shawl, we’ve been friends since then …” Andrew tried to take hold of his mother’s hand, which she snatched quickly away.

  “So, ye knew this lassie was Murdoch’s daughter, and instead of burning that shawl ye crept about, lying and scheming so that ye could see her again, pretending tae visit yer Godmother, while all the while meeting this treacherous lassie,” Rhona shook her head.

  “I was not sneaking about, but ye would never have let me go tae meet a lassie, I had tae say something so ye would let me go, I didn’t want tae deceive any of ye, I promise ye.”

  But a fresh look of horror crossed Rhona’s face, and she turned on Andrew with new anger in her eyes.

  “Wait, was it her who betrayed us tae Murdoch? It seems very convenient that ye should meet a lassie in the woods who just happens tae be Murdoch’s daughter, and then just a short while later he and his men came here tae attack our crofts, what did ye tell her? Did ye betray us?”

  “No, she dinnae know I am a Cameron, let alone that I am tae be Laird. She thinks I am one of the forest dwellers and that Cairstine is my mother. She helped me tae escape from Murdoch, if it weren’t for Nairne then I would still be in the dungeons of that hideous castle awaiting my fate, it is because of Murdoch’s daughter that ye have yer son back,” Andrew spoke boldly, trying to assert himself before his mother’s anger.

  “Ye have behaved stupidly, Andrew, and for what? A lassie with whom ye can have no dealings, a lassie who is the daughter of a man who would have killed ye in a moment if he knew the truth about ye. Ye have had a lucky escape, and if the lassie helped ye, as ye so claim, then I am grateful tae her for that much. But still, ye cannot entertain such thoughts, put her out of yer head,” Her demeanor softened a little as Andrew hung his head, a tear in his eye.

  “But I love her, mother, and I have never felt like this for anyone before. She is so beautiful, so enchanting, and has such a perfect way about her, I cannot just rid myself of these thoughts for her.”

  “Ye must, Andrew, for ye are not going intae the forest again on yer idle wanderings.”

  “But mother …” Andrew began.

  “No, nothing, son, yer place is here amongst yer kin, yer uncle and stepfather are warmongering, the smell of battle is in the air, and we Cameron’s will take back what is rightful ours. Put this lassie out of yer mind and concentrate upon the threat, which is her father, the time is coming soon, and ye must be ready tae lead, ready tae fight, do ye hear me?”

  Andrew was devastated at the thought of not seeing Nairne again, and he wept openly before his mother, who shook her head firmly.

  “Go and get some rest, Andrew, ye have endured quite an ordeal, and it will take time tae recover, ye have stared evil in the face, but thanks tae the good Lord, ye are safe, and that is a small mercy tae be grateful for. Sleep now, there is much ahead of ye, of that I am certain and remember what yer father would want for ye.”

  With that, Andrew made his way to bed.

  The traumas of what he had experienced at the hands of Murdoch and his sadness at the loss of Nairne caused deep sorrow to overcome him. He lay on the rough straw mattress, his face damp with tears, his heartbreaking for Nairne whose face was vivid in his mind.

  “I will rescue ye, dear Nairne, I promise,” he whispered quietly, before falling into a deep and dreamless sleep.

  Chapter Eighteen

  ‘A Blameless Lassie?’

  Nairne awoke the next morning to the frantic ringing of the castle bell, and shouts in the courtyard below, as though the whole castle were being summoned from its slumber.

  Rushing to the window, she looked down to where the castle guards were gathering, the captain, who had been fast asleep in the Great Hall, was already shouting orders.

  “I want him found, immediately, and the person responsible for letting him go tae come forward, else it will be the worse for ye all, do ye hear me?” he shouted, turning red in the face and staggering slightly to one side.

  Nairne smiled and turning back into her chamber, she made herself ready for the day. Andrew would be long gone before any kind of search party could be readied. A person could hide forever in the forests, just as the Cameron’s had done, and searching for one missing man was like looking for a needle in a haystack. Her father would never find Andrew Macleod, and as Nairne entered the Great Hall that morning for breakfast, she knew his mood would be like thunder.

  “What is going on out in the courtyard, father? I heard the bells ringing, is it something tae do with the peasants in the village? Some rebellion or other?” she asked innocently, seating herself next to her mother who shot her a glance as if to say it was best to say nothing.

  Murdoch did not
respond for a moment, but suddenly he slammed his fist down on the table, causing them both to startle.

  “If I find ye had anything tae do with this, then it shall be the worst for ye, Nairne, I swear it,” he turned, twisting his face towards her in anger.

  “Tae do with what?” she asked, attempting to look as puzzled as possible.

  “Tae do with the escape of that laddie ye were cavorting with in the forest, that is what,” and with that, he threw his bowl of porridge onto the floor.

  “Andrew has escaped?” Nairne looked at her mother in what she hoped was surprise.

  “Aye, in the night, the cell door had been locked behind him, and that means that someone in this castle is responsible for unlocking him and helping him tae escape,” Una gave her daughter a long hard stare.

  “I will make no secret of the fact that I am glad he has escaped, father, ye had no right tae hold the laddie like that, he was a friend tae me and …” Nairne began.

  “I had every right, am I not Laird of this castle and master of this glen? I will have the respect I deserve from ye, from all of ye.” Murdoch threw back his chair, “did ye help him tae escape, Nairne? Did ye?”

  “Murdoch, please, she was in her chambers all night and how would a lassie like Nairne be able tae help anyone tae escape?” Una placed a hand on Murdoch’s arm, “if I were ye I would look more closely at yer guards, how do ye know ye dinnae have a Cameron spy amidst yer ranks?”

  For once Murdoch appeared to heed his wife’s words, but he still looked at his daughter with marked contempt, shaking away Una’s hands and grimacing to himself.

  “There are many spies in this castle, I have said it before, and now I say it again, ye cannot trust anyone, but perhaps ye are right. Nairne, do ye swear that ye had nothing tae do with the escape of the young laddie, for if I find ye have betrayed me then mark my words I shall have my revenge upon ye,” Murdoch fixed his eyes on Nairne who summoned all her courage.

  “I went to my chambers soon after ye, and the captain found yerselves here asleep on the table.”

  “Aye, very well then, but the question still remains, who is responsible for his escape? Prisoners dinnae just walk out of the dungeons unaided, someone has helped him.”

  At that moment several of the guardsmen entered the Great Hall, standing to attention before Murdoch, who nodded to them, seating himself back down between Una and Nairne.

  “Laird, we have some worrying news for ye,” one of the men stepped forward with a puzzled look upon his face.

  “Aye, it cannot be any worse than that which I have already heard this day, ye can speak,” Murdoch replied.

  “The keys for the dungeon are quite specific, there are only three. The first is kept locked away in the guard tower, and during the night no one guard was left alone. In fact, all five of the sentries can vouch for one another, that leaves only two other keys, the one belonging tae ye and the one belonging tae the captain of the guards,” the man shifting awkwardly from foot to foot.

  “So ye are saying that either I am responsible for the escape of my own prisoner or I have a treasonous wretch at the head of my men?” Murdoch appeared calm, like a silent animal about to pounce.

  “There is some suspicion amongst the men that the captain is not always loyal tae ye, Laird,” another of the men stepped forward, “he is heard tae challenge yer authority, and the way he speaks about yer daughter is well … unchristian at times,” he concluded, nodding his head in deference to Nairne who attempted to suppress a smile.

  “I shall consider yer words, gentlemen,” Murdoch still appeared calm as the guards saluted him and departed.

  “The captain seemed very interested in me last night, and he rather encouraged ye tae drink more father, perhaps his sleep was just a rouse and once I had left he sneaked away tae the dungeons.”

  But Murdoch made no reply, rising from the table with a murderous look in his eyes and striding from the room. As the door closed, Una turned to Nairne and grabbed her hands.

  “Promise me ye had nothing tae do with that laddie’s escape, promise me, Nairne,” she hissed.

  “Dinnae worry, mother, it was the captain’s fault, ye heard the men, challenging father is a terrible idea, and if I have learned one thing over these past years, it is that tae do such a thing would be asking for trouble.”

  “I dread tae think what will happen tae that man, though I hated the way he was leering at ye last night?”

  “I had my reasons for allowing him tae do so,” and kissing her mother she left the Great Hall, a little smile playing across her lips in the knowledge that she and Andrew had succeeded in foiling her father in his wicked scheme.

  * * *

  Una and Nairne did not have long to wait before their question on the captain’s fate was answered. Murdoch returned later to tell his wife that the captain had been locked in the dungeons, several of the men, who perhaps possessed personal jealousy towards him, had testified further that their captain was a mutinous sort, who took the opportunity to speak ill of the Laird. Logic dictated that it could not have been one of the castle guards who let the prisoner escape since all of them vouched for each other. Unless the Laird himself was the culprit, which of course no one suggested, that left only one suspect. The captain pleaded with Murdoch, but his pleas fell on deaf ears.

  The prisoner had been unlocked, there was no question of that, and for the cell to be opened, a key was needed. Since the prisoner did not have the key on the inside, then it must have come from the outside, and since neither Murdoch nor the guards were guilty, there was only one possibility remaining. Betrayed by his own men and the victim of his master’s anger, the captain was thrown into the same dungeon from which Nairne had helped Andrew escape, and it was there he would await his fate.

  Nairne was pleased to hear that her plan had worked, and she had little sympathy for the captain whose lewd comments she had endured for many years. He had so ill-treated Andrew on their forced march through the forest that she was quite content to see him experience something of his own harsh treatment. Any feeling of guilt she felt for him was quickly assuaged by the knowledge that an innocent man had walked free, a far better man than the captain, who had issued his share of punishments over the years.

  Now Nairne’s attention was turned to her next meeting with Andrew, and as the third day approached, she grew ever more excited to see the handsome laddie with whom she had shared a perfect kiss.

  Chapter Nineteen

  ‘A Dejected Crofter’

  It was three days since Andrew had returned from the castle of Murdoch Mackintosh, his uncle and stepfather still held him in contempt, and the other Cameron’s wondered just what had possessed their would be Laird to cavort with the daughter of their most hated enemy. Rhona also was cold towards her son, shaking her head and muttering under her breath at the treacherous behavior of the laddie whom she believed was so much his father’s son.

  As the days passed by, Andrew kept himself to himself, working as directed by his stepfather and saying as little as possible. But his planned meeting with Nairne was fast approaching and the night before he was due to meet her by the pool he found his mother alone, preparing their simple evening meal.

  “Did ye see tae the animals as yer stepfather asked ye tae?” she asked, not looking up from the cooking pot, as Andrew entered the croft.

  “Aye, and I fixed the fences up on the high moor above, the cattle will not get out now, and I cut a week’s worth of sods from the peat for ye.”

  “Good, ye are finally doing the work ye have so long neglected, it will take time to rebuild our trust in ye though, Andrew, dinnae think such a thing is earned back quickly.”

  “Mother,” he began, clearing his throat and paused, choosing his words carefully, “I … I promised Nairne I would meet her tomorrow by the pools, she will be worried if I am not there and it seems cruel tae make her suffer after she helped me tae escape, do ye think that …”

  “No, Andrew, we have all
made ourselves quite clear up the subject of yer meetings with the young lassie, I dinnae wish tae hear her name mentioned again. I am grateful tae her for helping ye escape that evil place, but any more dealings with her will only lead tae trouble for ye and for the rest of us,” Rhona cast an angry look at her son.

  “But mother …”

  “But nothing, Andrew, forget about her, move on and focus upon yer work, yer place is here amongst us, not running down intae the forests at every given moment, do ye hear me?”

  “Aye, he hears ye alright,” Stewart Mackintosh strode into the croft, “obey yer mother boy, be a Cameron and dinnae go following after yer flights of fancy. If it is a woman ye want, then there are plenty of bonnie young lassies here upon the croft, any of which would be glad of a good young man like ye,” and he settled himself down opposite Andrew as Rhona ladled bowlfuls of soup before them.