by Fiona Faris
“Woah, woah. I dinnae take any advantage that wasnae freely given ye witch!” he said backing away from her.
“Watch it Laird,” Magnus warned. He would allow Lucas and Kelly to work out their differences of opinion but only to a point. Kelly was still his wife, and Lucas tried to respect that.
“Kelly, of course ye be right lass. I dinnae think past the nose on me own face with regard to Ella and her feelings about all of this,” he said raising his hands in defeat. “I’ll speak with the council tomorrow and accept the lairdship. And I’ll speak with Ella tonight at the meal and let her know I willnae send her tae France if she doesnae want to go. I will give her the choice.”
“Och, I’m glad yer comin’ tae yer senses Lucas, but I’m afraid Ella won’t be at the meal taenight,” Kelly said. Now it was Lucas’s turn to look shocked.
“Why not? Is she unwell?” he said, moving toward the door. If something was wrong with Ella he needed to be by her side. Kelly and Magnus were both smiling at him. “What? What is it? Do I need tae go to her?”
“Nay, Lucas. She is well, just tired from the long journey. I left her with some bread and cheese from the kitchen. She only needs some sleep is all. Whatever ‘tis ye want tae tell her can wait until the morn,” Kelly said holding in a laugh.
He immediately relaxed. Of course, Ella would be exhausted. He was exhausted as well. He thought about food and his stomach growled in hungry anger. “Verra well, let’s go eat. I’ll tell Ella everything she needs tae ken tomorrow after the council meeting.”
Lucas still didn’t understand what about his concern for Ella caused her and Magnus to find humor, but he couldn’t waste his thoughts on it. He was too hungry.
The main hall of the keep was lit with candles and the two large hearths at either side of the massive hall were burning high. There were several tables lined in rows, and the clan had already filed in for the evening meal, eager to catch a look at Lucas returned from battle. The mood was jovial, and Lucas found himself happy to once again be in the company of his people. The main hall at Cadney was different from any other Lucas had ever seen. The Laird’s family table was not elevated above the other tables, instead his family sat among the other families of the clan.
Lucas took his traditional seat to the right of his father’s empty seat. He was taking in all the friendly faces wishing very much Ella had felt up to joining him on this happy night, when he was rushed from behind.
“Lucas!” his sister Millicent screamed in delight as he quickly turned and took the young woman into his arms, hugging her tightly. She was a sight for his sore eyes. At nineteen Milly was a force to be reckoned with. Lucas couldn’t help but think she would be turning lads’ heads from this point on. She had the MacGille fire-red hair and bewitching emerald green eyes like his own. It was often remarked that she looked more like Lucas’s twin than Gavin’s with his dark eyes.
“Milly, how I missed ye so. Are ye well, lass?” he asked, fighting back the emotion that threatened to overtake him.
“Aye, brother. Wait until Ma hears ye are back. She will be happy for sure,” the girl said. Then turning sober, she asked. “Have ye any word of Gavin suring ye travels brother?”
“Nay, sweet girl, but dinnae give up hope. If he is alive, he will find his way back,” Lucas said.
“He is alive. I would feel different if it weren’t true. Dinnae fash, brother, he will return to us soon. Now, tell me about this beauty of an English lass ye brought home tae th’ keep?” Milly said, flashing Lucas a brilliant smile. Lucas set her down and sat next to her at the family table.
“Never ye mind, ye’ll meet Ella soon enough. I ken,” he said, pouring a trencher of ale for himself. Now that he was home, he found he missed the food and drink that was readily available. As cozy as their barn had been, nothing replaced the feeling of satisfaction he found being home among family.
The meal started, and Lucas enjoyed the company of men he hadn’t seen since the before the battle of Dunkled. Ale and whiskey flowed freely, as tray after tray of game and puddings were passed around. Lucas saw new babies born to old friends, and spent a good amount of time talking with Magnus, Kelly, little Mattie, and his sister.
“My laird, can I fetch ye more tae drink?” Edina said coming around the table to place her hands on Lucas’s shoulders. He was more than a little drunk but sober enough to be uncomfortable with the familiar way she touched him. Once, he remembered there had been talk between his parents of Edina. Mention that she would make a good match for Lucas. It was true that in his youth he had been fond of her. She had been an entertaining little scamp, who was unafraid of spending time in the old woods with the boys, and rough and tumble, but he had never felt any romantic desire for the girl. She was bonnie, that was for sure, but there was something missing in her. Lucas felt she didn’t really care for him, as much as she cared for being the wife of a future laird.
“I’m nae the laird yet, Edina,” he said pushing the woman away. “And ye’d do well tae remember yerself around me. We are not coupled, nor are we likely tae be.” She blanched at his blunt speak. He didn’t like to hurt her feelings, but also didn’t want to lead her on. His only interest was Ella, and it wouldn’t do anyone any good to think Edina was an option, including Edina herself. He watched as her eyes darkened in anger.
“Ye’d turn me away for that English bitch!?” she spat. Lucas was taken aback by her anger. Kelly stood and approached the pair with a smile on her face.
“Och, Edina. I thought I heard ye were needed in th’ kitchen?” she said to the other woman, trying her best to keep Edina from getting out of control. Lucas appreciated the interference. He wouldn’t stand for anyone in his clan treating Ella poorly, but he recognized his first meal back was not the best time to lash out at Edina for her insolence.
“I think that would be wise,” he said, keeping his tone even, as he turned away from Edina.
“I dinnae think so,” Edina said. “I think someone needs tae tell our soon-tae-be laird, that he is makin’ a huge mistake turnin’ away from me as he is in order tae choose that slut,” she spat. Lucas was incensed. He stood from his seat and turned to face Edina. Kelly and Milly both interceded.
“All right, that ‘tis enough for one night,” Milly said, placing a hand on Lucas’s arm. He had never struck a woman, but the urge to slap the vile words about Ella from Edina’s mouth was almost too strong for him to ignore, and he appreciated that Milly saw it in him and rose to stop it. Kelly led Edina from the room. The girl seemed to realize the gravity of her words and turned before leaving.
“My apologies, Lucas,” Edina sobbed. “I pray ye can forgive me. I’m only tired is all. I dinnae mean what I said about our guest.” He didn’t believe a word of what she said. Her display of jealousy clouding any feelings of friendship he had held for the girl. Disgusted, he turned to Magnus.
“I think I’ve had enough meal for one night. I’ll make a plate and see tae it that Ella has something tae eat before turning in for the night,” he said. Magnus nodded. He made a small plate of the food on the main table, poured himself another trencher of ale and headed off toward the bed chambers.
The halls were dark, but Lucas didn’t need candle light to know his way around the keep. Kelly had put Ella in the room facing the meadow and the loch.
He gently opened the door to her chamber and saw the fire had burned low. There was a slight chill in the air, and Ella was fast asleep under the woolen plaids on the bed. He quietly set the plate of food down on the empty table under the window and turned to stoke the fire.
He wouldn’t disturb her slumber. He stood to watch her. There was the faint scent of rose in the room from her bath. It reminded him of the first time he had seen her in the barn, leaning over him and doing everything she could to ensure he lived. She looked peaceful at rest, and strings of longing tugged at his heart. Even though his own bedchamber was just across the hall, this would be the first night in a long time he’d slept so far from her. H
e had gotten used to the gentle rise and fall of her breast when she was deep in sleep.
It could have been that his thinking was dulled from the ale and whisky, but in that moment watching Ella as she slept Lucas knew he couldn’t be away from her. It was folly to think he could send her to France. He could only be assured that she was safe if she remained under his protection.
Edina was in the minority of his clan in her thinking. Most of his clan would accept Ella with open hearts and open arms. His mind was decided. The next day he would do as he told Kelly and Magnus, and speak with the council. He would agree to take on his birthright role as Laird to Clan MacGille. He would do so only with the understanding that he would marry Ella Pearson. He was confident the council would agree and help ensure that the entire clan welcomed Ella as the new Lady of Cadney Castle.
Chapter Twenty-One
Ella rolled over in the soft bed and yawned. Stretching her arms high above her head, she relished in the feeling of waking up slowly. Fully rested for the first time in recent memory, she slowly opened her eyes. Looking at the room around her, her breath quickened. Where am I? she thought. Panic threatened to overcome her, until she noticed the small familiar table under the window. Taking three deep breaths, she remembered she was in a bedchamber in Lucas’s clan home. The vase with the flowers that Kelly had placed the evening before was still there, as was a full plate of food, chilled by being left so close to the window overnight it seemed. But someone had brought her a plate, that was a kindness. She relaxed a bit. Thinking of Lucas, and remembering her promise to tell him she was willing to leave him for France made her sad. She wished it could be different. Perhaps had they been from similar backgrounds or met at a different time, she thought. “Oh well,” she said to the empty room. “Best let’s make the best of it.” If she only had a small amount of time left, she would get up and explore the keep. Maybe she could ask Kelly for some writing tools and she could start writing letters to Amelia. She wouldn’t be able to have them sent of course, until she was safely in France. But she wanted to record every moment she was in Cadney so she would be sure to remember every detail.
There was a knock at the chamber door, and before Ella could answer Kelly came in alongside a young woman with unruly fire-red hair. They were holding a pile of dresses and what looked to Ella like under garments. The younger girl looked like she had been running around the stables, with pieces of hay sticking up in every which direction, but as soon as Ella saw her emerald eyes, she knew it must be Milly, Lucas’s younger sister.
“Good morning!” she said.
“Och, Ella, did we wake ye?” Kelly asked upon seeing Ella still in bed.
“No not at all, I was simply delaying the inevitable. It was so nice sleeping in a real bed for the first time in what feels like forever. It’s heavenly,” Ella replied. She was so grateful for the clothes and the company she couldn’t help but show the women her brightest smile.
“I’m called Milly,” the younger girl said as she flopped down on the end of the bed opposite Ella. Ella sat up and extended her hand in greeting.
“I’m Ella, and it’s a pleasure to meet you Milly,” she replied.
“I’ve never spoken to an’ English woman before. Ye talk so lovely,” Milly said.
“I think you talk lovely,” Ella replied, and all three women laughed.
“’Tis it true ye escaped a bastard English Commander who was gonna force ye tae be his bride?” Milly asked. Kelly shot her a warning look and swatted at her, trying to avoid embarrassing Ella.
“I did, but barely. I’m afraid he is still trying to steal me back. In fact, were it not for your brother, I’d most likely be his prisoner already,” she told the girl.
“How excitin’. Will ye not tell me the whole of the story?” Milly asked. Ella didn’t mind. She figured word would get out soon enough, and Milly seemed so sweet and kind. She reminded Ella of Amelia. Unafraid and eyes filled with adventure. She got up and broke off a piece of the bread from the food tray, and brought it back to the bed, sitting next to the girl.
“I’ll tell you all of it while I dress, if you agree to show me around the castle and the keep. I’ve never been a guest of a real-life highland clan before. I’d love to see everything,” she said.
“Och! That’s why we came up tae get ye!” Milly said. “We brought ye a bunch of me old dresses. Kelly picked out th’ colors she thought would flatter ye best. I like ye in something mayhap blue or violet. Either would look beautiful with yer blonde hair.”
Ella was flattered. She looked through the dresses and selected a modest blue one with light lavender piping. Milly nodded eagerly in agreement with her choice and while she dressed, with Kelly’s help she told Milly the story of Carlisle Castle, England and the horrid Commander Evans. She told it as if she were telling it to Amelia, and Milly listened with rapt attention. Ella couldn’t blame the girl for being intrigued. It sounded like a fantasy story hearing herself as she described the barn and how she heard Lucas moaning in the night and thought he was a ghost. Then she discussed the herbs she used and her concern about Lucas’s fever. Milly’s sharp intake of breath when she realized how close her brother had come to dying warmed Ella’s heart. Then when she told them how Fergus had heard the English soldiers were looking for her and they had to hide in the hay, and then their escape, their argument about Lucas sending her to France, and how she had no choice in killing the soldier to save his life. She left out the details of the intimate moments she shared with Lucas. Those were her own, memories she would keep sacred for the long nights in France when she had no one. She would remember her times with Lucas and trust that she once knew love. Milly clutched her chest and Ella was sure the girl would faint dead away from the shock of it all.
“I cannae believe ye survived all of that,” Milly said in awe. She took Ella’s hand in her own. “I’m so glad ye are here. Ye are safe here, finally. I dinnae want ye to go tae France, and I will be sure to tell my brother ye need tae stay here with us!” she said. Tears welled in Ella’s eyes. She knew Milly meant what she said. It warmed her heart to be so readily accepted by Lucas’s kin.
“Alright, if ye two are done with yer stories and such, Milly, I think we owe the lass a tour of the keep?” Kelly interrupted, wiping a tear from her own eye as Ella wiped hers. She stood up smoothed the wrinkles from sitting that had formed in the pretty blue dress.
“I think that sounds wonderful. After such a long story a bit of fresh air will do us all some good I think,” Ella agreed.
A light mist covered the keep and surrounding meadows a mid-morning glow, as the women took Ella throughout the grounds. Kelly and Milly were lovely company. The three women became fast friends. Ella didn’t mind when Milly nagged her a bit about being stuffy and English. And in turn Milly gave a hearty laugh when Ella called her a May fly for the excited way she flitted excitedly around when she spoke.
Kelly showed her where the larders were that stored the food for the long winter months, and the chicken coops, and even taught Ella the proper way to gather eggs from the stingy hens. Ella pointed out uses for various herbs in the garden beyond flavoring soups and stews. The other women were enthralled by her vast knowledge of items and their uses in healing.
They were finishing their walk through the garden when Lucas and Magnus came striding toward them from the practice fields where the men readied themselves for battle. They were both filthy, covered in mud, and Kelly gave a proper shout when Magnus grabbed her and twirled her around planting a dramatic mud-covered kiss on her brow. Ella was amazed at the outward show of love between the two. She couldn’t remember a time, if ever, that she witnessed her father display such affection for her mother. Lucas had been right, highland men truly did worship their women.
“Och, ye ken ye love it,” he said, giving Ella and Milly a comical wink.
“I love no such thing Magnus MacGille,” she replied crossing her arms and doing her best to look angry at her husband. Ella looked at Lucas and
was pleased to see he was smiling at the display. They all laughed.
“Ella ye look quite braw this morning. That dress looks lovely on ye. We missed ye last night at th’ evenin’ meal,” Lucas said. He had missed her presence last night? She had thought he would have appreciated the time alone with his clan to reconnect. Ella was surprised to find his compliment and his admission of missing her caused her heart to skip a beat.
“Thank you Lucas. Are your bandages holding up?” she replied, smiling.
“Aye, they are. I feel braw, thank ye. Although, I think I’d prefer tae stay here with ye, lass,” Lucas said, eyeing Ella intently as if it had been ages since they had last seen each other. Ella felt her cheeks redden. It was as if the others had faded clear away and it was only she and Lucas standing there. “But alas, Magnus and I have a council meeting then it’s straight tae the baths for both of us.”
“Or a dip in the cold loch,” Magnus said with a devilish grin. Lucas shot him a deadly look and Kelly laughed. Ella wasn’t sure what was so funny, but Lucas was well and that was all that mattered to her. “Ladies do ye mind if I take me wife away from ye before th’ meetin’?”
