“We have not have time to hear back from the messenger. Think you Dunbarton will want his son back?” Eanruig asked, breaking into James’s grim ruminations.
“Truly?” James queried.
Eanruig nodded.
“Nay.” James stared into the fire. “’Tis only wishful thinking that Dunbarton would change his mind about Keary.”
Niall knocked on the door and poked his head in. “A word, James.”
“Aye, come in.”
Niall stalked in and took a seat. “Lady Akira is distressed that Allison is upset and wishes you would have a word with the lady to ease her concern.”
“I will speak with her. But I am sure I will not ease her discomfort.”
Niall nodded and poured himself a mug of mead. “One of Keary’s companions attempted escape in a keg bound for the village. The gate guard checked it when one of our men discovered Keary’s companion had slipped away.”
“And?”
“He will stay below stairs until you say so, James. Mayhap the others will learn from the example. But the worst of the matter is that Keary found something to write with and penned a missive to his father about Agnes being kept hostage here. I destroyed the missive, but I wanted you to be aware of the trouble Keary is trying to stir up.”
“He knew who she was? Or assumed she was?”
“Seems so. Most likely he overheard something a servant said.”
James considered Niall’s rumpled appearance and the lines under his eyes. He looked as tired as James felt. “If you have no other news, you may retire, Niall. I need you well rested for the morrow.”
“Catriona may try to send word to Dunbarton as well.”
“Aye, you are right. Eanruig, see that none of Catriona’s people leave the grounds until after we hear back from Dunbarton concerning the bargain over his son.”
“Aye.” Eanruig finished his mead and set the mug down. “I will see you on the morrow.”
“Aye.” James turned to Niall. “Get some sleep, Niall. No dallying with the lassies tonight.”
Niall smiled. “Since Eilis arrived, I have had no interest. Remember that, should you not wed her. I will gladly take her to wife.”
James rose and slapped Niall on the shoulder. “If she was not already spoken for, I would give her to you. Although I suspect you would have to fight Dougald for her also.”
Niall chuckled and finished his mead. “When it comes to the fairer sex, he would beat me.” He headed toward his chamber.
James went to speak with Allison, although the hour was late. The guard bowed his head, and James acknowledged him then knocked on the door.
“Aye, yes?” a lady called out.
“’Tis Laird James wishing to speak to Lady Allison a moment.”
A faint light flared to life in the chamber, and women’s hushed voices filled the air. Then after much time, Allison, very pale of face, opened the door and bobbed a curtsey. “My laird.”
She wouldn’t look at him and watched the rushes at her feet instead.
“What trouble were you in at Brecken Castle, and how was Eilis involved?”
“The lady was mistaken, my laird. I have already told Niall thus.”
“Aye, and the lady’s memory is returning. I would rather hear the truth from your lips before she recalls what had happened. When my brother and Gunnolf return, they will also be able to vouch that you were the one who released them from Dunbarton’s stronghold. Try me, lady, and the situation will only worsen for you.”
The lady’s eyes filled with tears, and he believed his mother would not approve. What had Niall said? His mother wished James to lessen the lady’s discomfort? Then Allison would have to be honest with him first.
She shook her head. “Eilis was wrong.”
“Know you she is MacBurness’s niece?”
Allison’s eyes grew round. He couldn’t tell if she had known who she was then and couldn’t believe he’d found out, or didn’t recognize the name.
“Lady Allison?”
“Nay.” Allison shook her head vehemently. “I knew only her first name, Eilis.”
He tilted his head back. “I see. So you knew her.”
Allison’s cheeks even seemed paler if ‘twas possible.
“Allison, how did you know her?”
She let out her breath in a tormented way. “A man…a man tried to have his way with me when I went to see to my horse in the stable. The mare was new and nervous. She seemed to enjoy my saying goodnight to her before I retired for the eve. But one night, a man followed me into the stable unbeknownst to me. He…he forced me down hard. I bumped my head and was momentarily dazed. But Eilis heard me squeak and came to my rescue. He…he took her from the stable, and I did not see her again. I had only seen her once before in Lady Anice’s chamber speaking privately with her. She was a pretty girl but terrified of her family. ‘Twas none of my affair, and I was not prone to gossip.”
Allison trembled slightly, and her eyes remained downcast. “I…I wished to know what had become of her after the incident in the stable, but Lady Anice would not speak of it. Only said there had been trouble, and that a cousin had taken Eilis from the grounds. She had no choice. Her uncle wished her returned at once. I never inquired who her uncle was. I was afraid the cousin might have been the one who attacked me in the stable. Still, I feared whoever it was might try again, so I left there, seeking employment here instead. I have never had any trouble here, my laird. I do not wish to leave.” She hastily brushed away tears.
“What about your connection to Dunbarton?”
She sniffled. “My half brother is one of his men, aye. Since I had lived there as a young girl, but most thought I still served Lady Anice, I was able to slip into the castle, ply the guards with a draught to make them sleep, and free your brother and Gunnolf. None, not even my brother, know I work here. I cannot risk returning.”
“And there is no lady to serve there.”
“Nay, my laird.”
He took a deep breath. “Your secret is safe with me.” She curtsied, and he left her at her chamber to see Fia. But he would continue to have Allison watched, to ensure she had not lied to him.
****
Furious, Eilis stalked across the guest chamber while Fergus remained outside their chamber door.
“He really cares for you, Eilis.” Fia put her hands over her heart. “To be Laird James’s wife.”
For James’s sake, Eilis had to leave Craigly. She wouldn’t even hazard being his wife. Why couldn’t he see how dangerous a game he played? Battles on two fronts? He’d never win, not with the difficulties he was already having with Dunbarton and his men even without her uncle’s interference.
She had already fallen in love with James, his mother, his cousin Niall, even his brother Douglas and friend Gunnolf, and the healer Tavia, too. And so many more of his people. Nesta and her gabby ways, and Ian, the sweet lad that he was. Everyone’s well-being was in her hands. She couldn’t be the cause of their downfall.
“James and I have just fought,” Eilis said to her cousin. “But even if that were not so, what will happen if our uncle learns I am here? He cannot. What if he and the rest of our kin deny I am Eilis? You know they will. Then it will be as before. I will have to wed Dunbarton. I must leave here at once. But I would not wish you to share the same fate as me. Try for James’s hand. Or return home to your family.”
Fia’s brown eyes studied hers then she smiled. “James does not even know I exist. He only wished my presence to learn who you were. So no, I will not return home but journey with you instead. We have had adventures before. I would not wish to be left out of your next one.”
“The door is guarded at night. I have a guard with me at all times when I am not in the guest chambers.”
Fia raised her brows. “And you think His Lairdship is not interested in you? Why not? If he cared naught about you, he would let you leave, not confine you.”
Unsure as to what to do about escaping, Eilis sat dow
n hard on the cushioned bench. “Would your brother aid us?”
“Ha! He would never go against our uncle.”
“‘Tis only a couple of lasses who will,” Eilis said, disgruntled.
“He is a powerful clan chief.”
“Aye.” Eilis rested her head on her hands. “I tried to slip past the guard, but he does not sleep on duty.”
Fia walked over to the window and looked out.
“If we had a rope—,” Eilis said.
“Och, you know how I fear heights.”
“Aye, after you took that tumble down the cliff.” Eilis sighed. “I already tried to slip through James’s chamber.”
Fia turned and stared at her. “Nay.” She elongated the word, emphasizing her surprise.
“Aye, I did. Ran right into him.”
Fia’s eyes widened. “Was he…was he dressed?”
Eilis shook her head at her cousin. “Of course he was, Fia.”
“All the way?”
Eilis’s cheeks heated.
“You are blushing. He was not dressed all the way?”
“He wore breeches.” Eilis had no plans to tell her about the other times.
Fia smiled. “And did he kiss you?”
If Eilis said no, her cousin would know the truth of the matter. Instead, she looked at her embroidery.
“Oh, Eilis, he must marry you if he has compromised you in any way. You must tell me what happened.” When Eilis wouldn’t speak, Fia smiled at her and touched her arm. “I…I think you love him. ’Tis the best thing that could have happened to you.”
“Nay, ‘tis not,” Eilis said sharply.
A knock sounded on the door, and both looked in that direction.
“Laird James is here to see Mistress Fia,” Fergus said.
Eilis swallowed hard. “What does he want?” she whispered.
Fia patted her arm. “To know more about you, I suspect.” To Fergus, she called out, “I am coming.”
“You must not say anything.”
“Aye, I will be careful.”
As soon as Fia left the chamber, her eyes wide as she joined James, Fergus shut the door, and James began questioning Fia in earnest. “Tell me what happened when Eilis was at Brecken Castle. About the incident in the stables.” James drew her away from Eilis’s chamber so she did not overhear their conversation.
“I know naught about it, my laird.” Fia seemed sincere, bothered even as she glanced back at the chamber and wrung her hands.
“Lady Allison told me about an incident there. Who was the cousin who took Eilis from Brecken Castle?”
“I promise I do not know. Eilis was quiet about what went on in the family. I tried to get her to tell me, curious as I was because her da had been the clan chief before his death. Then her uncle took over. I lived such a simple life on a farm near a village, far from castle life. Yet she loved to be with me, weaving, feeding the chickens, gathering eggs, spinning yarn, anything to get away from our uncle. We have many cousins so I do not know which it would have been. Nor did she ever tell me of a time when she visited Brecken.”
James considered Fia’s sincerity and nodded. “Think you could learn what happened?”
“Most likely, nay. Even if I can help her to remember, she might not wish to speak with me about it.”
“Aye.”
“Can I ask you something, my laird?”
He nodded.
“Do you intend to wed Eilis? She loves you if she has not told you. She fears our uncle more than anyone, but if it were not for that, she would gladly be your wife.”
“Did Eilis put you up to this?” James asked, although he already knew the answer to his query.
“Nay, my laird.” Fia smiled. “She would strangle me if she knew I had told you thus. Is that all you wished of me?”
“Aye, lass. Eilis will be my wife. One way or another.”
Fia grinned and kissed him on the cheek. “Praise be to thee, my laird. You will be good for her.” Then Fia curtseyed and hurried back to the chamber.
James stared after her, wishing tonight when he returned to his bed, Eilis was once again snuggled underneath the covers. Only this time he would know ‘twas her. And he would do more than just kiss the lass’s sweet lips.
Chapter Seventeen
Early the next morn, Eilis and Fia went to the hall to break their fast, but James seemed in a strange mood. He leaned over to Catriona. “How was your eve? Did you sleep well?”
At first, Catriona pushed out her bottom lip in a pout. “My chamber is not as nice as some, and I did not sleep well. Did you, my laird?”
Eilis bit her tongue. Was Catriona intimating that she needed James’s company last eve to make the night pass more quickly? And why was James ignoring Eilis and only speaking with Catriona this morn? Had he taken her advice, nay advice, but command to seek Catriona’s interest rather than Eilis’s?
She should have been satisfied. So why was her stomach bunching into knotted hemp?
By the time the meal had ended, Eilis could not wait to quit the hall. Not once had James looked Eilis’s way, nor had he spoken a word to her. Fia looked on sympathetically, and like Eilis, had not much of an appetite.
When Eilis and her cousin left the hall and, with Fergus guarding as usual, they took a walk in the herb gardens. Fia cleared her throat. “Laird James mentioned to me you had been to Brecken Castle.”
Eilis looked sharply at Fia but said naught.
“Do you remember?”
“Aye. That is where I met Lady Allison.”
“And the trouble you had there? A cousin took you away?”
Eilis stared at the flowers in the garden, vaguely remembering Allison had been in trouble in the stable. “Aye…oh, Fia, a man had…had attacked Allison.” Eilis closed her eyes then looked again at Fia. “‘Twas the cousin I had taken such a fancy to.”
Fia’s eyes widened. “You do not mean Fann, do you?”
“Aye, t’was he. The devil was in the drink. He had been in his cups and had tried to take advantage of poor Allison, but I…I heard her scream and raced in to see the matter, thinking a horse had nipped her. When I saw it was our cousin, I seized a pitchfork and poked him soundly in the arse. He turned his fury on me, but then realizing the trouble he might be in, he forced me to leave Brecken at once so I would not reveal his identity. Allison had no idea who he was.”
“Och, Eilis, why did you never tell me?”
“He was out of his head with drink, and he never did it again that I know of.”
James stalked into the inner bailey and spoke to a couple of his men across while Catriona practically was tied to him like a saddle to a horse.
“I cannot believe he has a guard watching your every move.” Fia folded her arms and gave Fergus the evil eye.
“’Tis not that he needs me here any longer. Look at the way Catriona fawns over him. And how he talked only to her at the meal this morn.” Eilis took a heavy breath. “He has finally realized his mistake in wishing me for a bride.”
Catriona reached for James’s arm, but he sidestepped her.
Then one of the men he was speaking to looked Eilis’s way, and when he did, James caught sight of her watching him. He smiled and took Catriona’s hand and kissed it.
Eilis’s mouth gaped before she caught herself. So did Fia’s.
“Did you see what James just did?” Fia asked.
“Aye. You see why I say he has no more need of me?”
“But…” Fia clamped her mouth shut, and she and Eilis glanced back at Fergus. The guard watched them, his face expressionless.
Two men approached James and pulled swords from their scabbards, and Eilis’s stomach clenched. “What is His Lairdship doing now?”
They challenged James, and he spoke to Catriona then she moved a safe distance away.
“What is happening?” Eilis tried to mask the alarm in her voice but failed.
“Practicing sword fighting,” Fergus said.
“Two against o
ne?”
For the first time since she’d known him, Fergus smiled. “Our Laird likes more challenging odds in case he is bushwhacked some day.”
The two men thrust at James, and every time he swept their swords away from his chest with a clang.
At first, James stepped back from their thrusts. Suddenly, he slashed at one then the other, forcing them to retreat. With a decisive blow, he knocked the sword from one of the men’s hand, and charged like a wild boar at the other until he struck the man’s sword and it flew into the air.
His people clapped.
Catriona quickly made her move to congratulate him, but after he resheathed his sword, three young boys approached him, wielding wooden swords. One handed a spare to James then they all attacked him with a vengeance, growling and yelling.
James sounded just as fearsome as he whacked their swords with his, but not once did he strike hard, nor did he wound them in mock battle. Instead, he groaned whenever one of the junior warriors slashed at his leg or hit his arm.
Then in a dramatic final bout, the tallest of the lads knocked James’s sword from his grasp. The courtiers cheered.
Eilis asked Fergus, “Does he oft practice with the lads?”
“Aye. They must learn to protect themselves. Our laird is one of the best swordsmen around.”
Again, Catriona moved in close to James to get his attention.
“I have seen enough, Fia. Let us retire to our chamber, shall we?”
“Och, you cannot let her have him. The poor man.” Fia hurried beside her as they entered the keep.
“He wanted her, Fia. My only purpose in being here was to ensure she saw the error of her ways. Now that she has, my obligation to him has been fulfilled.”
Eilis glanced back at Fergus and frowned. “I hope you do not repeat everything I say to His Lairdship.”