Highland Engagement

by Dana D'Angelo

  “Nay, we’re going with ye,” Anabell said.

  “It might nae be a guid idea,” he started.

  “We’ll nae be waiting outside,” she said firmly.

  Since he saw no point in arguing with her, he gestured for the stableboy to take their horses, donkey, and cart. He then led the women into the noisy tavern.

  Almost immediately, the smell in the room assaulted his senses. Blane had visited many taverns in his time, but this one was dirtier than most. The scent of stale alcohol and some other festering smell lingered in the air.

  Not far from where they stood, a dog raised its head but lowered it again when it saw nothing of interest. Then, along the walls were half a dozen men with their heads either slumped against the wall or passed out on the dirty rushes.

  Although tallow candles were set on the tables, the interior remained dim, and it was difficult to discern who belonged to what clan. However, the common room rocked with loud, drunken laughter and chatter, which mostly came from a group that sat at the far end. There were other people there too that looked like locals, although they appeared just as drunk.

  “What did they put in those cups?” Maggie asked. Her tone was slightly dismayed as she looked disapprovingly at the scene.

  “There’s a group of men over there that might be a part of your clan,” he said.

  All of a sudden, a shrill appreciative whistle pierced the air. “Who’s the lassie?” a man wondered loudly.

  At the question, a few heads swiveled to leer at Anabell.

  “Och, she’s a bonnie one,” a man from the group said, sliding down from his stool. He studied her as if she were a prized horse. “Nae many like her come around here.”

  Anabell recoiled when the man touched her cloak.

  “Keep your hands tae yourself, ye wee man!” Maggie said sharply.

  “Perhaps it wasnae such a guid idea tae come inside after all,” Anabell said.

  “Ignore them, or wait outside,” Blane said. “’Tis your choice.”

  She looked toward the door and saw that if they wanted to leave, they needed to pass the obnoxious troublemakers.

  “We’ll stay with ye,” Anabell said, coming to stand closer to him.

  Blane shrugged. He was almost done his obligation. And as soon as he found their clansmen, he would release the women to them, and then he could be on his way.

  Someone screeched in the corner of the room. His eyes followed the sound, and he saw two customers playing a heated game of dice. A large candle holder illuminated the floor as a small crowd gathered to watch the argument.

  “Ye cheated!” a short man shouted, pointing a bony finger at his companion.

  “Nay, ye are the cheat,” his larger companion growled. The first man lunged at his friend, and they fell to the ground in a tangle of fists. But there was little fear that the drunkards would harm one another since every blow on either side completely missed their marks.

  “Ho,” someone shouted. A customer from across the room sauntered unsteadily toward Anabell. Somehow in his drunken haze, he seemed unaware of Blane’s presence.

  “Ye have a familiar look about ye, lassie,” he said, his voice slurring. He started to reach for her face as if touching her silky skin would somehow trigger his memory. After a minute, his glassy eyes shone brighter. “I must have bedded ye. Come with me, pet, and we’ll have some more sport.”

  “Get away from me,” Anabell slapped at his hand as it dropped to capture her wrist.

  “That’s enough,” Blane said, shoving the culprit aside. The sot was already unsteady, and he toppled to the floor.

  Blane scanned the room, and his gaze returned to the cluster of men. One of them stood up, and he recognized the distinctive kilt patterns of the MacNeadain clan.

  “I see your clansmen over there,” he said and started to lead them to the center of the room.

  “Aiya,” Anabell gasped.

  But she had a right to be scared. One clansman pounded his tumbler repeatedly on the table while he sang a lewd song at the top of his lungs. His voice wasn’t particularly good, nor was it in tune, however his companions didn’t seem to care. They were too occupied with shouting and laughing at his expense. Still, another of her kinsmen kissed and groped a local wench who straddled his lap.

  The noise became louder as the singer started up a new vulgar song. A second clansman saw one of the barmaids, got up from the table, and tried to cut past them. In his attempt to reach the server, his foot caught on a stool, and he stumbled forward.

  Blane grabbed Anabell by the arm and yanked her back to avoid the collision. His action momentarily caught her off guard, and she steadied herself before she moved behind him, pressing herself to his back. He felt the slight tremble that went through her body. Probably in her sheltered life, she had never witnessed such depravity.

  He let out a loud sigh. This was not how he imagined finding her clansmen. He knew that it wasn’t ideal to try to negotiate a business transaction with incapacitated men. But he got the lass to Middun as promised. That was enough, wasn’t it?

  “Your people should be able tae guide ye tae your destination,” he said.

  “Are ye certain that these are my father’s men?” Anabell asked, doubt and alarm sounding in her voice.

  “I’m certain,” he said.

  Something in his tone caused Maggie to stare at him. “Ye are nae going tae leave us with them are ye?” she demanded. There was genuine fear in her voice. “They can barely escort us out of this establishment, let alone take us tae Dunburn.”

  “Ye will be fine,” he lied.

  “Surely, ye jest,” Anabell said, giving him an incredulous look.

  Blane observed the stumbling men again. In all honesty, he couldn’t entrust them with the innocent lass. If they endangered Anabell with their incompetence, he knew that he would blame himself. And with their display of lewdness and stupidity, he couldn’t leave the lass to defend herself against these fools.

  He threw his hands in the air. “Fine, I’ll take ye tae Dunburn myself,” he said with some annoyance.

  Relief flooded across the faces of both women.

  Anabell clasped her hands to her chest. “Thank ye,” she said.

  He was mollified slightly by her gratitude.

  “We’ll go tae the inn and have a hot meal. After that, we’ll replenish our supplies and leave this place. From what I can remember, it’ll take us another two days tae get tae Dunburn.”

  “Excellent,” Anabell said, a cheerful and relieved grin lighting her lovely face.

  But he couldn’t smile back at her. Even though he was jaded and getting tired of meeting various madmen, he still held onto his integrity, honor, and goodness. Taking the women to Dunburn was the right course of action. He just wasn’t sure what he was getting himself into.

  Chapter 9

  Anabell saw that as they moved closer to their destination, Maggie’s mood lightened. She began recounting tales of when she was a lass, and she spoke about her lover once more.

  “Do ye think he’ll still be in town?” Anabell said.

  “He might be,” Maggie smiled ruefully. “But ‘twas sae long ago. He could be married by now and have several bairns.”

  “We cannae assume this, and we can only discover the truth once we speak with him,” she said. “Look, I see the town of Dunburn up ahead.”

  They set their horses to ride a little faster.

  “Greetings, Alane,” Anabell said when they met the guard at the gatehouse. Even though the guard had gray hair and a wrinkled face, she recognized him.

  “How do ye ken my name?” He peered at her, his brows furrowed in confusion.

  “Dinnae ye remember me? ‘Tis I, Anabell MacNeadain.”

  “And me as well,” Maggie chimed in. “Dinnae tell me ye forgot me too.”

  Recognition slowly dawned upon him, and he appeared stunned as he looked from one woman to the next. “Is it really ye, lassies? After all these years, I dinnae think I wo
uld ever set eyes on ye again.”

  His comments sobered Anabell. “I dinnae ken that we would be coming back either. We’ve come tae see Grandmother.”

  “Ye will find Lady Beitris in the garden.”

  “In the garden?” she repeated. She thought she had misheard him, and started to question him again. But the old guard waved them in and resumed his post.

  “I wonder why she would be in the garden,” Anabell mused.

  “Perhaps she’s relaxing there,” the nursemaid said.

  Her companion’s suggestion didn’t sit well with her.

  “Have the stableboy tend tae the animals, Maggie,” she said. The nursemaid nodded and hurried off toward the stables.

  It wasn’t ideal for her grandmother to be in the garden, especially in her frail state. Understandably, she used the space as a refuge, but she needed to spend her time resting in her bedchamber. What were the servants thinking? Anabell decided that she would speak with the steward about her concerns. In the meantime, she might need someone strong to carry her grandmother back to the main building.

  She turned to Blane and explained the situation to him. “Will ye come with me tae the garden?”

  “All right, lead the way,” he said.

  “The courtyard hasnae changed much since the last time I visited here,” she explained as they crossed the north end of the courtyard. As they entered the enclosed garden, they immediately found Lady Beitris.

  “Ye arenae ill,” Anabell said, unable to keep the astonishment from her voice.

  The lady of the castle was on her hands and knees, pulling weeds from her rose bushes. A couple of servants worked beside her. Her cheeks were flushed with health as she chatted with the two servants who worked beside her. Every so often, she brushed her forearm across her forehead, wiping away the sweat. She looked nowhere near like she was ready to die.

  At the sound of Anabell’s voice, the older woman glanced up. And a puzzled expression appeared on her face.

  “Why would I be ill?” she demanded, blinking as the sun shone into her eyes. She placed her hand over her brow and peered in Anabell’s direction. The woman then turned to the servant nearest to her. “Jonat, tell me whether my eyes are deceiving me.”

  “’Tis Anabell, my lady,” the servant said, a broad grin breaking across her face.

  “What? Anabell?” Her grandmother let out a cry of delight. She rose from the ground and rushed over to Anabell. Taking hold of her, she pulled her into a warm embrace. “What are ye doing here, lass?” She suddenly drew back and studied her, an approving gleam reflected in her eyes. “Ye have the look of the MacNeadain about ye. And my, ye have grown! Is your mother with ye?” Her gaze fell on Blane. “And is this fine lad your husband?”

  “Nay,” Anabell said, feeling the heat flooding her face. “Blane isnae my husband. He’s an escort we hired tae bring Maggie and I tae Dunburn Castle.”

  “Is that sae?” she asked, although her gaze was still curiously fixed on Blane.

  “I came here tae see ye, Grandmother,” Anabell said, drawing the attention back to herself. “I heard that ye were verra sick.” She explained how she had learned about the news and recounted her travels to Scotland.

  Her grandmother looked exactly as she remembered, although her hair had turned silver, and she had many more lines around her mouth and eyes.

  “I wonder who would have spread such lies about me,” Lady Beitris said, shaking her head in disbelief. “I have nae been sick for years. But it disnae matter. Ye are here now, and ‘tis a cause for rejoicing.”

  “I’m glad I came,” Anabell said.

  “And I as well,” her grandmother said. She turned and addressed her servant. “Run along, Jonat, and tell the cook tae prepare a meal for our special guests.”

  ***

  “My friends in the kitchen tower want me tae visit them, but I told them I’m staying with ye,” Maggie said.

  Since they arrived at the castle, all the people the nursemaid knew wanted to reacquaint themselves with her. Anabell could see that her companion wanted to call on her friends, but knowing Maggie, the woman wouldn’t want to leave her side. But she insisted that the nursemaid go.

  “Are ye certain?” Maggie asked.

  “I’m certain. Now go visit your friends.”

  The nursemaid reluctantly left, and Anabell took up on her grandmother’s offer to tour her around the castle.

  And she discovered that she made the right choice. The weather was gorgeous, and there wasn’t a cloud in sight. The courtyard, of course, was as busy as ever. However, Anabell knew that every person had a role in the castle, and the servants worked tirelessly to keep the estate running smoothly.

  “Across from the Great Hall is the chapel,” her grandmother said. She then proceeded to point out every other significant structure in the vicinity.

  “Does my father visit here often?” Anabell asked as they circled past the garden.

  “Your father rarely visits,” her grandmother said with a twinge of regret in her voice. “But I suppose Gavan is busy trying tae end the clan war.”

  “The war still continues after all these years?”

  “Aye, ‘tis unfortunate, but ‘tis still occurring. Every sae often raiders come here and bother my people.”

  Her grandmother began to tell Anabell about the devastation that occurred since her departure.

  “’Tis fortunate that ye left,” she added.

  “’Twould seem sae,” Anabell agreed.

  Lady Beitris let out a sigh. “All this talk about clan wars has tired me out,” she said. “I think I’ll go tae the solar and spend the rest of the day there with my attendants.”

  “I’ll walk back with ye,” she offered.

  Anabell stayed in the solar with her grandmother for a couple of hours when she remembered that her business with Blane was unfinished. She quickly explained the situation to Lady Beitris.

  “I’m glad the lad has brought ye safely tae me,” her grandmother said. She called for one of her attendants to retrieve some coins and then handed Anabell enough money to pay the mercenary.

  With the money in her possession, Anabell went to search for Blane. Since she couldn’t find him in the castle, she decided to go outside to look for him. Fortunately, she encountered Libby, one of the servants who serviced the private chambers. She carried a stack of linens that were freshly washed and folded.

  “I’ve been looking all over for the mercenary,” Anabell said. “Have ye seen him?”

  “I saw him near the stables,” Libby said. “He looked as if he was getting ready tae leave.”

  “Leave?” Anabell repeated, her voice filling with alarm.

  The servant nodded, acknowledging that this was what she said. No longer caring about impropriety, Anabell raced toward the stable. All the while, she berated herself for not remembering to pay Blane earlier. She didn’t want to appear as if she was going back on her promise. After all, he had done so much for her and even saved her a couple of times from danger. And with a less competent escort, she shuddered to think what would have happened to her and Maggie.

  As Anabell ran past a cluster of chickens pecking at some grains on the ground, they jumped and sent out irritated squawks. But she didn’t have time to apologize to them. A moment later, she reached the stable and found Blane coming out of the building with his stallion.

  “Blane, wait,” she called.

  At the sound of his name, he pivoted.

  “Where are ye going?” She placed a hand on her chest as she took in a gulp of air.

  “I’m going back tae Caleith.”

  “Ye cannae leave yet,” she said.

  His brow quirked. “Why nae?”

  Her mind raced to find an acceptable excuse to delay him. “My grandmother intends tae hold a homecoming celebration in a few days,” she said quickly. “I think ye should attend.”

  “Nay, the celebration isnae for me, ‘tis for ye. Besides, I need tae return tae my men.”
/>   “I understand,” she said.

  She couldn’t hide her disappointment, nor could she stop the heavy feeling from settling over her heart. She knew all along that he would leave her; he was a soldier of fortune after all. But she didn’t think he would be gone so soon. Once he passed through the castle gates, he was unlikely to return.

  “Is there something else ye wanted?” he asked.

  His question prompted her to remember her reason for seeking him out, and she thrust her depressing thoughts aside.

  “I have something for ye,” she said, putting out her hand to give him the sack of coins. “’Tis the amount I owe ye for the supplies as well as for your services. I can never thank ye enough for guiding us tae Dunburn.”

  Blane looked at the sack of coins in her hand and started to say something. But he stopped when a commotion in the courtyard caught his attention.

  “It cannae be,” Blane said in disbelief.

  But there was no mistaking the members of his mercenary group riding toward him. Their familiar black shields glinted in the afternoon sun. And even though the party contained only half a dozen men, their commanding presence seemed to expand across the entire courtyard. Several servants stopped what they were doing and gawked at the new arrivals. A couple of hounds emerged from the kitchen tower and began to bark at the strangers. The noise brought out the bairns from the stables, and they too stayed to admire the formidable Highlanders.

  After Blane’s initial shock at seeing his friends, his heart swelled. They were an impressive lot, and he was proud of them.

  His comrades halted their mounts and dismounted. The first man to reach Blane was Calvin. Soon, Coinneach, Erik, Calum, Hamish, and Seamus joined him. They cheerfully greeted him, pounding him on the back and shoulders.

  “Sae, this is where ye have been hiding out,” Calvin said, scanning the courtyard and all the people in it.

  “I’m nae hiding out,” Blane said. “I’m actually leaving for Caleith tae find ye all.”

  “Well ‘tis great luck that we intercepted ye,” Seamus said.

  As they spoke, a few female servants drew closer to the group.