Loyal to the Laird at Christmas

by Fiona MacEwen

  Isla found Blayne a most charming and courteous man. Here in the south, away from the hard ways of the north, he was an entirely different person. Amongst his own kind he seemed to come alive and Isla delighted in his company, as he did in hers. As the winter turned to spring, they took walks together in the parklands surrounding the city and attended parties and gatherings of the great and the good. But Isla still felt a sense of melancholy about her and there was something missing, something she longed for.

  In the Highlands she had worn a sprig of the white heather as a reminder of James. But here in Edinburgh she could find none, not even on her walks into the surrounding hills. There, the heather grew purple and so her tunic was without its adornment, though her heart was always filled with thoughts of James for she still loved him and always would.

  The days went by and she found herself pining for the Highlands and thinking of her mother and father. She had left in such a hurry, a rash decision, though one born of necessity. How much she had left behind her, though she knew it was dangerous to return. Instead, she wrote a letter to Una, dispatching it with some merchants who were going north. In it she wrote of her longing to see the Highlands again and her hopes that Una and the others were well.

  When she received a reply some weeks later it was a letter filled with woe and Isla’s heart ached at the thought of her beloved home so mistreated.

  “I have received a letter from Una. All is nae well at home,” she said to Blayne, on the morning that the letter arrived.

  “Have they realized how foolish it was to send me on my way?” he replied, shaking his head.

  “Aye, listen,” she said, and she began to read the letter out loud to him.

  My dear Isla,

  How much I miss you and how often I think of you in these dark days for myself and the clan. I was so grateful when I received your letter and kent that you were safe. Edinburgh is such a wonderful city and I remember it fondly from my youth. I am glad that you are safe there though I cannot say there is much else to gladden my heart.

  The new Laird has done nothing but ill treat the good folks of this clan. He is a wicked and cruel man, urged on by Hamish and a handful of others who would see their own power consolidated. I am sorry to say that he has increased taxes and forced your poor parents off their land. They, like many others, now scratch out a living on the Laird’s own farm, working for a pittance.

  There are many who now say that Blayne should never have been dismissed so readily and that if they were able to bring him back, they would. I fear for the future and there is still talk from the Laird that he would marry you if he could. I am filled with worry for myself too, for I ken not how long the hospitality of this castle will be given me. They have had the portrait of James removed and hidden away in the cellars and I dinna ken how long I can remain here.

  But I am glad you are safe, my dear, dear, Isla. Stay away from this wicked place for it now holds nothing but ill will and feeling. I will do my best to look after your parents and the others. I am only a woman and not a strong one like you. Perhaps one day we shall meet again, but until that day I send you my love and greetings. Stay safe, Isla, for danger lurks all around us.

  Ever your loving friend,

  Una.

  Isla looked up through tear-stained face at Blayne, whose face was set in an angry grimace. He shook his head and took the letter from Isla, reading it over again.

  “Wickedness. I … such wickedness,” and he put his arms around Isla, as she began to sob.

  “My poor parents, I shouldnae have left them,” she said, tears rolling down her cheeks.

  “Ye did what ye needed to dae, lass. It was too dangerous for ye to stay there. The idle threats of marriage would have become all too real, as this letter proves,” he said.

  “But I cannae just leave them to this fate. There must be somethin’ I can dae,” she said, looking up at him.

  “Ye cannae dae anythin’ lass,” he said, “but I wish I had been stronger than I was. Perhaps then I could have helped in some way. I should have sent Robert Craig on his way as soon as look at him, I should have stood up to Hamish and been a better Laird.”

  “But ye are different here. In the Highlands ye hid yerself away, but here ye are the center of all things,” she replied, brushing away the tears. “Why can ye nae return and take the Lairdship back?”

  “They would kill me. I am just one man,” he replied sadly.

  “Ye heard what Una said. The other clansmen have realized that this pretender is a cruel man and one they would gladly be rid of. Ye would have their support,” Isla replied, her voice beseeching.

  Blayne sighed and crossed to the window which looked out across the city.

  “I am nay Highland Laird,” he replied. “I am just a fraud. My place is here amongst these folks, nae amongst the moors and mountains.”

  “Ye could be both,” she said, angry at him for the way in which he refused to help his own people.

  Blayne turned and looked at her. She fixed him with a defiant stare.

  “I put my trust in ye and over the past months ye have shown me kindness and I cannae think of any man livin’ who has behaved in such a way. Ye are like my James in so many ways, but he wouldnae shy away from such a task,” she replied.

  “Aye, lass. But I am nae yer James and I never will be,” he replied, turning away from her.

  Isla was confused. He had never spoken in this way before and it stopped her short, her anger subsiding. What was he saying? In the months that had passed the two had become closer, and she had found her own feelings towards Blayne changing too. He had become something of a companion to her, a confidant, in whom she had trusted so much. Were his feelings growing deeper too?

  “I … I need to go for a walk,” she said, her words sounding jilted and uncertain and he nodded to her, as he stood looking resolutely out of the window.

  Isla rushed from the room and snatched up her shawl, making for the front door. It was March now, and a drizzle enveloped the city, a cool breeze blowing. as she hurried down the steps towards the parkland. She missed her parents and Una and could not bear the thought of the cruel way in which Robert Craig and Hamish Mackintosh were treating them.

  She wished that Blayne would act against them and return to the Highlands to lay claim to his rightful inheritance. Here, in Edinburgh, he was a man who commanded the loyalty and respect of those around him. Surely it could be the same in the Highlands? But it was not only this which so confused her, her own feelings also overwhelmed her. As the months since Christmas had passed, she had found herself becoming ever fonder of him. But she felt an acute sense of betrayal towards James. Were her feelings sullying his memory? Could she really entertain such thoughts when there was so much wickedness and heartache at home? And what of his words just now? No, he was not James, but there was much to commend him, and she knew in all honesty that she was finding him to be more than just a friend.

  It was with these thoughts that she walked out into the parkland that afternoon. It was cold, and she went quickly, little noticing anyone about her. The route was a familiar one, often walked by the two of them on their afternoon strolls, and she wished that she had asked him to come. It had been foolish to rush from the room like that, but the arrival of the letter and his words to her had caused such a rush of emotion within her that there seemed nothing else to do but flee. She was about to turn around when a shout from behind caused her to turn.

  “Hello there, mistress. I am lost, tis’ my first visit to this fair city, and I wondered if ye might give me some directions to Princes Street,” he asked.

  He was well dressed and had a short beard and cropped hair. He smiled at her as she approached and bowed low, thanking her profusely.

  “Tis’ only a short walk from here and ye cannae help but walk across it if ye head in this direction,” she said, pointing towards the town behind.

  “I am quite the fool when it comes to directions,” he said, looking round about him, �
��perhaps ye would walk with me, just until I have my bearin’ about me,” and he smiled at her again.

  Isla was never one not to help a person in need and she nodded, walking with the stranger through the parkland. He spoke of his family in Sutherland and that he himself was a merchant, traveling to France, a dealer in fine silks and fabrics.

  “I have never been further south than this fair city,” she said as they passed between the tall trees of the park and along a quiet path leading eventually to Princes Street beyond.

  “Ye should really see more of the world, lass. There is much to explore,” he replied.

  “Aye, though there are times when I would settle for home well enough,” she replied.

  “Ah, then that is a good thing,” he replied, pausing and smiling at her, “for home awaits ye, lass.”

  “What dae ye …” she began, but at that moment she was grabbed roughly from behind and familiar voice whispered in her ear.

  “Homewards tis’ then, lass, homeward bound,” and Robert Craig laughed as Isla struggled in his grip.

  Two other men appeared now, and she was pulled roughly away, a hand clasped over her mouth lest she should scream. The man, who was clearly not a merchant, continued to talk as though they were still strolling through the park and a few moments later they arrived at a waiting carriage. The door was held open by another familiar clansman and Isla was bundled inside, the carriage setting off at once. Her hands were bound, and she and a cloth tied roughly around her mouth, so that she could barely let out a cry.

  “Le … un …” she tried to speak, but Robert Craig simply pulled the gag tighter about her mouth and the others held her back in her seat and laughed.

  “A feisty lass, are ye nae? Well, we shall soon have ye back to the Highlands where ye belong. I was foolish to let ye go but thanks to yer letter to Una I knew exactly where ye would be. It was nae hard to find ye. Blayne Gordon is well known in these parts, a gentleman of the south rather than a Laird of the north,” he laughed. “But now I have my prize and when we arrive home, there is a wedding awaitin’ ye.”

  Isla looked at him with utter contempt. How dare he kidnap her and return her north like this. He had no right to make her his wife and she would refuse until her last breath. As they sped through the streets of Edinburgh and onto the Highland road, she wondered what would happen when Blayne discovered she was gone. Would he ride out to rescue her and make good upon his words or would fear get the better of him and allow him to leave her at the mercies of these wicked men? Only time would tell and for now there was nothing she could do but accept her fate.

  Chapter 8

  An Unwelcome Return

  The journey north was uncomfortable and made more so by Robert Craig’s frequent recourses to vulgarity and ill-considered words. Isla despised him and she could hardly bring herself to look at him. In the months since Christmas he had developed such a sense of arrogance and self-entitlement that Isla knew every one of Una’s words about him to be true.

  After what seemed like an eternity, but in truth had been five days, they arrived into the glen. A low mist hung about the trees and there was a dampness in the air as they pulled through the gates of the castle and the guards stood to attention.

  “Ah, tis’ good to be home now, daenae ye think, Isla?” he said, pulling the rag from her face, as she spluttered.

  “Tis’ nay home of mine whilst ye preside over it, Robert Craig,” she said, pulling her arm away from the guard.

  “Ye will become more cooperative, I am sure. Else it will be the worse for ye and for yer parents,” he said, smirking at her. “Inside now, there is much to see to.”

  The guards led Isla through the castle which had a cold and unloved feeling about it. Many of the portraits and tapestries had been taken down and there was no longer a sense of happiness or jollity in the air. The servants walked with their heads bowed and there were few clansmen about. Those left nodded to Isla with worried looks upon their face, as Robert Craig and his men led her towards the Great Hall.

  “Ah, my dear Isla,” Hamish Mackintosh said, rising from his place by the fire, “the wanderer returns from the south. I am so glad to see that ye are safe. We were so worried about ye going off with that pitiful excuse for a man, how good tis’ to see ye home safely,” and he held out his arms to her in greeting.

  “If ye think I have returned here of my own free will then ye are very much mistaken, Hamish,” she replied, fixing him with a gaze of contempt.

  “Come now, Isla. This is yer home and ye wouldnae wish to leave yer parents when they are growin’ old and frail now, would ye?” he said, a sickly smile spreading across his face.

  Isla made no reply, looking sadly up to the place above the dais and high table where the portrait of James had been replaced by one of the new Laird. He was even more grotesque in portraiture, she thought to herself, as several of the dogs came to greet her.

  “I still have some friends here,” she whispered, kneeling and fondling their heads as they whined mournfully.

  “A married woman in just a few days,” Hamish continued, “all is prepared is it nae, Laird?” and he turned to Robert Craig, who smiled and nodded.

  “Aye, my bride is prepared and so am I,” he said, as the doors to the Great Hall flew open and Una strode towards them.

  “Ah, the lady Una. How kind of ye to grace us with yer presence,” Hamish said, as Una flung herself upon Isla and held her close.

  “My poor, wee lass. Have they hurt ye? I am so sorry, it was my letter, that is how they discovered ye,” she said, tears flowing down her cheeks, as she held Isla close and scowled at the men standing around.

  “We would have found her with or without yer help, rest assured of that,” Hamish said, “Blayne Gordon has quite a name in the capital and it was nae hard for Robert to find him. The lad parades himself about as though he were the king,” and the others laughed.

  “Better that than paradin’ himself around as a pretender,” Una replied, taking Isla by the arm and leading her to the fire where they could speak quietly. “Ye poor, poor thing. I have worried for ye every day, but I have sent word already to Blayne. He will know what wickedness has occurred soon enough.”

  “But I cannae marry, Robert Craig. Tis’ too horrible to comprehend, but if I daenae then who knows what he will dae to my parents and to ye,” Isla said, beginning to sob.

  “Ye must nae worry about us, lass. There is little now that that man can dae to me nor to yer dear parents he has nae already done. We are strong lass and ye must be too. Daenae let these wicked men win. There is much murmurin’ here, few folks like the Laird and more despise him. Those that speak good of him dae it only for their own benefit. He has few friends and will nae last long. His power is held by fear and intimidation, but few support him,” Una said.

  “But I will be forced to marry him. What else can I dae but agree to dae so?” Isla said, shaking her head.

  “There is little ye can dae, lass. The weddin’ is to take place in a few days’ time. I only hope that Blayne has received my message,” Una replied, as Hamish strode over to them and stood before them.

  “Enough of this whisperin’ in corners. Yer schemin’ and yer gossip will get ye nay where. Ye must both accept that Robert is Laird and that ye are under his subjugation and mine,” Hamish said, as Una turned to him and shook her head.

  “Ye may think that ye are the Laird’s confidant and that ye are the power behind the throne, Hamish Mackintosh. But ye are nothin’ but a weak and despicable man and I have nothin’ but contempt for ye,” Una said, and wrapping her shawl about her she strode from the Great Hall, as Robert and the others laughed.

  “Well, there we are, Isla and I presume ye would say the same thing, would ye?” Hamish said, turning to Isla and smiling.

  But Isla made no reply, and stared defiantly at him, as he shook his head and laughed.

  “Come now, Isla. There will be nay escapin’ this time, lass,” Robert Craig said, taking her by th
e arm, “ye can be locked until the weddin’ in case ye should try to escape.”

  He took her roughly by the arm and led her from the Great Hall, as Hamish watched and sneered.

  “Be a good lass now, Isla. Ye wouldnae want yer James to see you misbehavin’ now, his ghost is around here somewhere, I am sure. But he can dae nothin’ to save ye,” Hamish said.

  “If he were here, he’d kill ye where ye stand and I promise ye that Blayne Gordon will nae stand idly by and allow ye to behave like this, either of ye,” Isla said, shaking Robert’s hand from her arm and turning to face him.

  “Blayne Gordon will leave ye to yer fate, lass, I promise ye that,” Hamish replied, and with a wave of his hand he dismissed her, and Robert grabbed her and pulled her forcibly away.

  He and the other guards led her through the castle, its maze of corridors seeming strange and unfamiliar to her, now that the castle no longer felt like home. In a tall tower, overlooking the courtyard, was where they left her, and Robert stood sneering in the doorway as he prepared to lock her in for the night.

  “I am so glad ye are back amongst us, Isla. Tis’ good to know that ye and I will soon be married and this sorry affair can be put behind us. Ye will be mistress of this castle and I expect ye to be a faithful one,” he said, but Isla just glowered at him.

  “If ye think I am marryin’ ye then think again. I wouldnae marry ye if ye were the last man in Scotland and even then, it would be with a heavy heart. How can I marry someone who has shown such wickedness to me and brought me here against my will?” she said, turning away from him, with a tear in her eye.