“Let us go,”
They rode for hours until their horses were exhausted. They stopped at a waterfall and decided to camp there for the night. Aidan laid on the ground beside Joan, he enjoyed caressing her brown hair. Ian had offered to get some wild berries and had set off with his dagger and a bag.
“Ye have very soft hair, and a very small head,” Aidan teased as he sunk his hand into her hair to stroke her scalp.
“I need to take a bath,” Joan scowled said as she brushed his hand off her hair and stood up.
“Of course. Stay where I can see ye.,” Aidan muttered but caught himself and looked up at Joan, wide eyed. “I dinnae mean it that way! I meant ye should nae wander off and—” He was cut off when Joan started to laugh. He had never felt so embarrassed at such a little thing. “Oh, go ahead and laugh.”
“Fine,” she said as her laughter died down, but she let out a few giggles every now and then. She dug into her bag and Aidan saw her huff in annoyance. “I left my dress at the inn.”
“Which one?” he asked as he went over to her and crouched in front of her.
“The blue gown I wore when we arrived at the inn. I washed it after I cleaned your wounds but the blood would not come off so I hung it out to dry to mend it later. It seems I forgot to take it.”
“It is ruined. Forget it. Ye will get a better one in Scotland.” Joan beamed and got to her feet. “Stay close.”
“I will,” she said as she picked her things and went off to take her bath. Ian came back while Joan was occupied and he had found more than enough berries to feed them. He noticed Aidan's red face and questioned him.
“Why are ye so red in the face? Did ye drink me ram?” Ian asked as he fell into the grass and popped one in his mouth.
“I said something inappropriate,” Aidan confessed, and Ian scoffed.
“Oh! The great Aidan misspoke, tell me more,” he joked, and Aidan kicked him playfully. “Was it to the lass?”
“Yes.”
“What did ye say?” Ian pressed as he propped himself up on an elbow. “How bad could it be?”
“It is more embarrassing than inappropriate,” Aidan sighed as Ian reached for a handful of berries and put them in his mouth. “She wanted to take a bath and I told her to stay where I could see her.” Ian spat out his half-chewed berries and laughed. “Daenae laugh!” Aidan protested, but Ian ignored him. Aidan sighed as leaned back on a tree and mumbled under his breath. “Piece of shite.”
Aidan rested his head on the tree and stared at the skies. His mind wandered to Rattray.
I wonder how me people will react to an English lass, and nae just an ordinary lass, the daughter of a Lord. Many of us have never even seen an Englishman before. Even if she dresses like us, any trueborn Highlander will spot her once she approaches.
He turned to his side in discomfort, Ian seemed to be busy thinking as well.
Joan must be so brave, followin’ me without fear of what might happen. I can’t let her down, she trusts me too much. I wish I kenned better when I met her, but what choice do I have? I couldnae have told her I was sent to plan an attack on her people. I had to lie!
He turned back toward the skies as he tried to find a solution.
If I told her now, I would definitely lose her. This lust for war will be our undoing. I wish both countries could come to an understandin' for once. For once, I donnae want to fight, I have too much to lose. For once, I wish we could have peace. Maybe then, I can truly be with her without having to hide behind a mask.
He realized his people had never turned their back on a war with any rival who dared question their strength, even if one sword were outnumbered by five muskets, they would still fight.
I have a duty to me people, if they go to war, I go to war. I have no choice.
Chapter 10
“Welcome to Scotland,” Aidan said, turning to look at Joan.
She gasped as she peeped over Aidan's shoulder at the lush scenery. It was nothing like she had imagined; it was much better.
“My books have done no justice to the beauty of your country,” she murmured.
“Well, they were English books, weren't they?” Aidan replied with a proud smile.
Joan smiled back and took in more Scottish air. It smelled slightly different, earthier. She spread her arms wide but this time she didn't shut her eyes. She stared at the greenery and the mountains that towered over everything else.
I love it.
She heard the bleating of a goat echo somewhere in the hills as their horses stopped at a gate. She turned to see two men in armor guarding the gates. She expected them to ask questions but was surprised when the guards bowed and let them pass.
Are people treated like this in Scotland?
She looked back and saw the guards had stopped a man on a horse. He reached into his pocket and gave them a bag of money before he was allowed in.
Why did they not take money from us?
“Aidan?” She looked up at him. “Why did those guards not take money from us and why did they bow?”
“My master is a very wealthy laird and his servants are treated with respect,” Aidan answered, and Joan nodded. “Just wait till we get to his estate.”
Joan was about to speak when the squeal of a little girl cut her off. The girl had run in front of Aidan's horse. “Aidan! Where have ye been?” Aidan laughed as he got off the horse and the girl rushed to him and he picked her up. Almost immediately other children started to rush toward them.
“The children love him. Daenae bother ye head about it,” Ian said as he rode up to them. He scratched his scruffy beard and yawned. “Tell Aidan that I left.”
“Are you also going to your master's estate?” Joan asked, and Ian halted in his motion, confused at first until he remembered what Aidan had told her.
“Yes,” he said and pulled his horse’s reins and galloped away.
She turned back to Aidan who now had the first girl on his shoulders as he struggled to answer the myriad of questions that the children asked him. It took a while but he ushered the children away and they left reluctantly, except the first girl who latched on to his hair. “Ye have to go to ye escorts, Afric.”
“No! I havenae seen ye in so long!” she cried as she tugged on his hair harder, as if to punish him. Her fiery red, curly hair shook violently as she bounced on his shoulder. “Say sorry to me!”
“Sorry. I apologize!” He chuckled as she slid down his shoulder and he helped her to the ground. “Go on now, Afric. Ye daenae want to keep yer escorts waiting.”
“Cannae I come with ye?” The girl looked at his horse and turned back to Aidan before taking a look at Joan. “Who is she?”
“She is me friend, Afric,” he said and yelped when she tugged at his hair again.
“I am yer only friend!” she yelled at Aidan.
“Of course ye are!” Aidan nodded, rubbing his head.
Joan giggled at the two of them and Aidan looked back at her.
He is good with children!
“Go now, Afric. I have to take Miss Hale somewhere,” Aidan said, and the girl pouted, her brown eyes suddenly brimmed with tears. “Daenae use that trick on me. I am smarter now.”
The girl scoffed and looked away from Aidan. She was about to say something when a group of people came running toward them. A girl that looked a few years older than Afric swiped the protesting child into her arms. “Let go of me! I command ye!” little Afric protested.
“Thank ye, Aidan! She suddenly ran off and we searched the town for her,” the girl said as Afric struggled to get out of her hold. “When did ye return?”
“Just now. Ian must have gone home already,” he replied. Joan felt out of place since she was being ignored. She couldn't tell if it was on purpose or not. “This is me friend, Joan.” Joan waved at the girl but was only met with a curt nod.
“We must get going now before the Duke takes me head for letting her wander by herself,” the guard said.
“Yes. I wish
ye luck with Afric. Troublesome lass she is,” he teased the girl by tapping her nose and the girl almost bit his finger. “Be good, Afric. Daenae go away next time.”
“I blame ye! Ye never let me stay with ye! If I was with ye, faither wouldnae be so worried,” Afric yelled at them. Her caretaker ignored her and scooped her up. As they started to leave, Afric began crying violently for Aidan.
With a small laugh, he held onto the reins of his horse and started to lead Joan to his estate. “You seem very popular,” Joan commented, and Aidan hummed in agreement. “Afric is a lady?”
“Yes, she is the only child of the Earl of Aberdeenshire. Me master is The Laird of Rattray which is one the towns in the Earl's province.”
“Will she be married off to another kingdom or a clan?” Joan asked, curious about what might happen to the girl.
“No. She will make a fine lady, one who can lead her people to many victories. She already knows how to shoot an arrow. Ian taught her,” Aidan said as he waved at a trio of women who greeted him.
“You seem to be close to her. Did you serve the Earl before?” Joan raised an eyebrow at him when he shook his head. “Why is a servant so close to the Earl's daughter when you did not even serve her father?”
“My master is a very good friend of the Earl. They grew up together, fought wars together, did a lot together since their youth.” Joan still did not know why she doubted him.
Why does he look so worried?
By the time they got to his estate, Aidan was tired of walking. They were met by different servants, ready to attend to them.
“Sir Aidan, how was yer journey? The Laird and his wife heard news of some intruders at the border. They should be back before night fall,” a servant said as Joan was being helped down from the horse. Once she was off the horse, it was taken away and some other servants took their bags into the estate.
“It was eventful. Call the doctor, I think I have an infected wound,” Aidan said as he stretched his hand out to Joan who was looking around; she seemed surprised and worried. “Joan, this is me master's estate. He is The Laird of Leitan.”
“Master?” the man asked, confused. “But Sir Aidan…” Aiden interrupted him.
“This is Miss Hale. She will be a guest in me master's house. I am actually allowed to be as free as I want here because me master has no children so he took me as his own. People dae tell us that we look alike. Come now, Joan. Let us get some rest,” Aidan said and ushered Joan into the estate, sparing a look at the perplexed head servant.
Aidan led Joan to a room where her bag had been kept. “Are you sure we can stay here? Since this is not your place, would it not be rude to settle in without seeing the owner of the estate?” Joan asked as Aidan started to uncover the furniture in the room.
“No Joan, feel free here. Guests here are treated hospitably. Ye need nae worry. Please rest, ye need it, especially because of our long journey,” he said as he gathered the cloth that had been covering the furniture in his arms. “Me room is just opposite this one. If ye need anythin', ask anyone or come to me.”
“Why do they call you Sir and treat you so differently?” Joan inquired.
“Me master and I are like father and son, ye have nothing to worry about here,”
Joan went over to him and threw her arms around him, surprising him. He slowly let the cloth drop and he returned the hug. “Thank you,” she said with her face buried in his chest.
“I have done nothin' special Joan. Ye daenae need to thank me.”
“You have done so much for me. Without you, I would still be locked in my castle or captured and at the mercy of those kidnappers,” Joan said as she pulled back. Aidan flushed as he scratched the back of his head awkwardly.
“It is no problem Joan,” Aidan said as he gathered the cloth into his hands. “I will be in the room opposite from this one,” he said mostly to himself as he quietly left the room.
Aidan dumped the cloth on the floor next to his room, knowing a servant would tend to it and went in search of the head servant.
“Connor!” Aidan called out and the head servant was in front of him in a matter of minutes.
“Ye called for me, Sir Aidan?” Conner asked with a small bow.
“When did ye say me faither would be back?”
“Before sunset, Sir Aidan.” Aidan hummed as he stroked his beard. “The maids have the bath house ready for ye. Food is also on its way but dae tell me Sir Aidan, when did ye become a servant in yer faither's estate? That is, if I may ask.”
“To speak the truth, I daenae ken. She is a lady in England to whom I feel attached to,” Aidan said just as he heard the drumming of hooves on the pavement and he, along with the head servant, went out to see what was causing the commotion.
Aidan beamed at the sight of the couple on their horses, his parents were back from the border and Aidan was more than happy to see them after such a long time apart. His father got down from his horse and his mother followed, the horses were taken away as the servants collected the weapons that his parents had used. He saw one of the servants whisper something to his mother which seemed to please her. The head servant opened the wooden door wider as the Laird and his wife made their way into the estate.
Having been told of his arrival, his mother did not look as shocked as his father. “Aidan? When did he come back?”
“A few hours ago,” he managed to say before his mother pulled him into a hug. He happily threw his arms around the older woman. “I have something to tell ye about England.”
“You just got back. Rest for a wee bit,” his mother said as she let go of him.
“No mother, it is important. While I was in England, I met a lass…” he started but his father cut him off.
“Ye best nae be wanting to marry some English lass,” his father joked but Aidan knew he was being serious. “Tell me about this lass.” His father hung an arm over Aidan's shoulder and led him to his office.
Once the door was closed, Aidan told them everything.
“She insisted that she wanted to come to Rattray with us. Her faither has no doubt been searching for her. We encountered some of their guards and I got injured but she nursed me back to me feet, she is good at that. The same way mother used to tend to your wounds after your battles,” Aidan looked at his father, waiting for an outburst.
“We cannae keep her with us for long Aidan. Ye ken this. She has to go.” His father said slowly, “I daenae want Haerton to have the upper hand. Ye might nae see it, but she is probably a spy.”
“I cannae send her back to England.”
“You daenae have to send her to England. Take her to the Earl. It is better if he decides her fate.” Aidan gulped and clenched his hands into fists.
I dinnae think this through. I cannae take her to the Earl and I cannae send her back to England. I have to keep her by me side. If I send her back, I will lose her forever.
“We cannae take her to the Earl yet,” Aidan spoke up and his father looked back at him. “She trusts me, and I want to keep her by my side to learn more about them.” Aidan hated lying to his parents, but he knew it was something he might have to do to save Joan.
This might be the only way to keep Joan safe with me.
His father perked up at what Aidan had said. The Laird threw his head back and laughed. “You are very cunning, Aidan. Dangling a child's favorite toy in front of her and taking it away before she can reach for it.” His father slapped his back in a way of saying he had done well and left leaving Aidan with his mother.
“Ye’re lying, aren't ye?” she said once his faither's footsteps had faded away. Aidan shook his head and his mother furrowed her brows. “Why are ye lying to me?”
“I am nae,” he said, and she shook her head at him.
“Please be careful,” she said, and he nodded before leaving the office for his room.
The courtyard in the Leitan Estate was bustling with maidservants. His father had organized a feast to celebrate Aidan’s and Ian's safe r
eturn. Aidan looked to his side and saw Ian with a bottle of his favorite whiskey; he was flirting with a woman, and Aidan shook his head.
He had gone to check up on Joan earlier but she was still fast asleep. He did not bother to wake her up since she might still be tired.
Excusing himself, he left Ian to go to his room and met Joan at her door. He was free of any grime and dirt and was in fresh clothes. “Did ye sleep well?” Aidan asked as when she opened the door. She nodded with a small smile. “My master is back. He threw a feast. I want to introduce ye to him.”
“Will he not be bothered or even be angry?” Joan asked, remembering what Ian had told her about the amount of trouble she had waiting for her in Rattray.
Highlander's Cursed Bride: A Steamy Scottish Historical Romance Novel Page 9
