The road upon which Rhona and Stewart rode upon was muddy and treacherous. It wound its way through the forest and as they urged the horses on, throwing up mud and filth that dirtied their cloaks, the rain was soaking them through and the wind howling in the trees.
* * *
No one had seen them leave, so preoccupied was the castle guard with preparations for the wedding. The back gate of the castle was not guarded, and they had been deep amongst the trees before the alarm had been sounded and Murdoch had discovered his brother’s betrayal. Now they rode on, desperate only to get to safety, as far away from Murdoch as they could.
* * *
“Why did ye rescue me, Stewart?” Rhona asked as they rode beneath the boughs of trees which offered a little shelter from the rain and wind.
* * *
“Because I could not allow my brother to treat ye in that way and because as these months have passed, I have come tae love ye, Rhona. Ye are like no other woman I have ever met, even in the face of such adversity ye stood your ground, and I am sorry that we Mackintosh’s have caused such hurt for ye.”
* * *
“Ye have shown me nothing but love and care, it is more than any member of your clan has done. Ye are nothing like them, and I tae have come tae love ye as these months have passed. Ye are sweet and kind, at first, I felt conflicted, but now I know that love appears in the most surprising places. Thank ye, Stewart.”
* * *
She smiled at him and reached out for his hand and kissing it, as the two rode on deep into the glen and to safety.
Chapter Ten
Brother Where Art Thou?
Murdoch Mackintosh was in a foul mood. He had ordered the captain of the guard to make a thorough search of the castle. Every room had been turned upside down, the cellars and outhouses, even the village had been searched but to no avail.
* * *
There was no sign of either Rhona or Stewart, the two disappearing as ghosts into the night. Murdoch could not believe the treachery of his brother and he had Cairstine and Alistair questioned extensively as to the whereabouts of Rhona.
* * *
“Ye must know where they have gone tae, lassie,” he shouted at her, “ye are her closest friend and confidant. What treachery have ye all been brewing behind my back?”
* * *
“The only treachery here, Murdoch, is your desire to wed my dear mistress and make her your plaything. Ye disgust me, and it is no surprise that she has fled from ye. Your brother has come to realize the wickedness of your ways, and I thank him for rescuing Rhona from your clutches.”
* * *
“Tell me,” Murdoch sneered, “are they, lovers?”
* * *
“If they are then it is the better brother she has chosen,” Cairstine turned her back, refusing to answer any further questions.
* * *
“Do ye know where they have gone tae?” Alistair asked her as Murdoch stormed from the room in a rage.
* * *
“I would think they’d make for the crofts up above the glen. Do ye remember that once we visited there many summers ago? Iain and Rhona showed us the way, up the forest paths and through the glades passed the pools. The crofters out there live a wild existence, but they seemed so happy.”
* * *
“Aye, I recall it fondly,” Alistair smiled, “ye and I swam in the pools by the waterfall and slept beneath the stars on the trail. The people there were most hospitable.”
* * *
“They say that is where Duncan went tae after Murdoch banished him” Cairstine continued, “but that is not something I intend tae tell that wicked man.”
* * *
“Aye, such things are best kept tae ourselves, and when I am strong enough perhaps ye and I shall go and join them.”
* * *
“Tae get away from here would be a thing,” Cairstine sighed wistfully, “ye and I deserve happiness tae,” stoking up the fire she settled herself next to her husband. The two reminisced long into the night of past joys and talking of times to come.
Murdoch did not discover the whereabouts of Rhona and Stewart, at least not immediately. The search of the castle yielded nothing, except more confusion. It was clear that the two had escaped while the guards were busy at their duties. This did not stop Murdoch from reprimanding them severely demoting the captain of the guards and threatening him with further punishment should it happen again.
* * *
Despite his outward anger, Murdoch’s heart was saddened, not only by the loss of Rhona but by his brother’s betrayal. Why had Stewart treated him in such a way? He had always trusted his brother as his lieutenant, dependable, and willing to serve. He had never foreseen such a disregard for blood.
* * *
Murdoch sat for days in Rhona’s chambers and brooded over his loss, the loss not only of the lassie but of the brother whom he loved and who had betrayed him.
* * *
“Curses,” he shouted, flinging himself upon his knees and weeping, “my own brother, may God curse him and the lassie tae, wickedness, such wickedness.”
* * *
No answer came, for now, Murdoch was alone, his evil schemes and treacherous deeds thwarted by the fact that love cannot be bought or sold. It cannot be bargained for or forced. Love is a meeting of hearts, the coming together of souls, the joy of union between mind and body. Murdoch knew that Rhona had never felt such feelings for him, and as he prepared to depart for his father’s castle, it was with a heavy heart, knowing he would never find true love.
Cairstine’s predictions of where Rhona and Stewart might head for were correct. Both knew they would find safety amongst the crofters living high above the glen on the moorlands.
* * *
It was several days journey, and much of the road was covered by the thick forests of the glen. After riding at pace for some hours, they slowed a little, the confusion of their escape and weather, ensuring that it would be some time before their path was discovered.
* * *
As the rain dripped down from the forest canopy, the two dismounted their horses and sought respite beneath the trees. Stewart found a dry place to lay down his cloak, where Rhona and the bairn could sit. Placing a protective arm around them, he kissed her gently on the forehead as she lent herself against him, feeling his strength and warmth about her, a comforting presence after the ordeal of their escape.
* * *
“I know I am nothing compared tae Iain,” he said, “but I will do my best tae care for ye and the bairn. Know how much I love ye Rhona, ye are beautiful and fair, and I would not wish tae be with another soul than ye.”
* * *
Rhona smiled at him, placing her head upon his chest, the bairn asleep at her breast.
* * *
“Ye are not Iain, but ye do not have to be like Iain. Ye are Stewart Mackintosh, and ye have rescued me from such evil as cannot be told. Ye have been strong and true, kind and gentle and in these months that have past, I have come tae love ye. I will always hold the memory of dear Iain in my heart, and I will never let the bairn forget his father, but Iain would not wish me tae be alone. I realize that now, and tae be with ye now is a moment I will hold in my heart forever.”
* * *
He held her close to him, the afternoon light beginning to fade as the rain continued to fall. They made camp that night, Stewart kindling a little fire in the dell of trees, a merry sight amidst the darkness. Around them, the sounds of the night, an owl hooting close by awakening baby Andrew from his sleep and causing him to cry out.
* * *
“It is only an owl wee bairn, and your mammy is here with ye, do not be frightened,” Rhona cradled Andrew in her arms and wrapped her cloak ever more tightly around her.
* * *
Stewart Mackintosh kept watch through the night, but no other sounds came in the darkness of the forest and all was still. As dawn broke over the mountain tops, the rain began to clear, and the sun sh
one forth over the peaks, its rays awakening Rhona from her slumber.
* * *
“Is it already dawn, Stewart?” she rubbed her eyes sleepily, stretching before checking on the bairn who was still fast asleep.
* * *
“Aye, the dawn is breaking lassie,” placing his arm around her he kissed her tenderly, “it looks set tae be a fine day, and I hope our journey will be easier than yesterday.”
* * *
“It seems an age since those events,” Rhona said, “tae think that it is only a day since we fled from Murdoch. I shall miss the castle dearly. We had such happy times there and how I would love tae share those times again with ye.”
* * *
“Aye, lassie, I can well imagine the happy times ye shared there, but there will be more tae come, I promise ye of that. Come now, let us make ready to depart, I have a little bread here for ye. It is not much, but it will get us tae the crofts,” Stewart unpacked a wrapped loaf from the saddle bag and tore a piece off for Rhona.
* * *
They set off again, just as the sun had risen above the tree line. It was to be a bright and clear autumn day, a contrast to the muck and rain which had hung across the glen these past weeks, and as they rode through the forest, Rhona felt her heart lifting and the sorrows of these past months growing less.
* * *
At length they came across a pool deep in the forest and Rhona paused, reining in her horse. Dismounting, she approached the water.
* * *
“I know this place,” she said, “it is a place where Iain and I would often swim: we shared our first kiss here. So much has passed since then, and it is as though he were still here.” She knelt by the pool, running her hand through the icy water.
* * *
“His spirit will always be with ye Rhona.” Stewart dismounted his horse and coming to stand next to her, placing an arm around her shoulder as the two stood looking into the depths of the pool.
* * *
“He would not wish me tae be a weeping widow though, ye and I shall swim here in the summer, and we shall bring the bairn here tae and tell him of his father.”
* * *
“Aye that we shall Rhona, that we shall. Come now, we may make the crofts by darkness if we ride again now.”
* * *
The two set off once again through the forest, pausing every now and then for Rhona to feed the baby or to share a little bread. As they climbed higher, the trees became thinner as the forest gave way to the moorland. Still, the sun shone down, and the autumn colors appeared in every shade of gold and red, auburn and orange: a carpet of beautiful color laid out before them.
* * *
As they emerged from the trees, the whole glen was laid out before them. In the distance, far below they could see the Cameron’s castle and the Macintosh’s banner fluttering above it.
* * *
“It will be a long while before we return there,” Rhona cast a wistful eye across the forest, “I pity those left behind, I pray that Cairstine and Alistair are well.”
* * *
“Murdoch will not mistreat them,” Stewart said, “he knows his grip on power is not absolute; there are still enough of your clan folk there tae resist him, he is a weak man at heart. He speaks of much bravado and boasts of his deeds, but they are as nothing. Besides, he is probably at our father’s castle, disowning me before the clan and waiting for the old man tae die so that he may inherit the Lairdship.”
* * *
“Perhaps that will allow Cairstine and Alistair to escape? Come now, the bairn needs warmth this night, and I do not think we are far away from the crofts.”
* * *
It was a further hour’s ride from their vantage point to the settlement of the crofters. Rhona was beginning to tire as the lights came into sight; Stewart rallied her onwards as a small band came out to greet them. It was unusual for anyone to travel that far as the lonely road led nowhere in particular; Stewart and Rhona were the first travelers in many a month.
* * *
Rhona was glad to see the friendly faces, and several of the women helped her down from the horse, fussing over the bairn and placing a shawl around her shoulders for the night was cold. Stewart dismounted from his horse and was greeted warily by several of the men who recognized him as a Mackintosh.
* * *
“Do not fear friends,” a familiar voice caused Rhona to look up with joy, “this man may be a Mackintosh, but he is a good and honorable man with much tae recommend him tae us all.”
* * *
“Duncan,” Rhona cried, rushing to her brother-in-law and embracing him, “how I have missed ye, ye have been in my thoughts each day ever since that wicked Murdoch sent ye away.”
* * *
“And ye have been in mine, I knew ye would escape, lassie, and it seems we have this young man tae thank for it.” He embraced Stewart before turning to the bairn who was still being fussed over by the women.
* * *
“And this must be my wee nephew,” he said, taking Andrew in his arms and gently embracing him as the baby began to cry, “dinna cry wee boy, I am your uncle, Duncan. Aren’t ye a bonnie wee laddie and make naw mistake.”
* * *
“His name is Andrew Iain, after our saint and our Laird,” Rhona said proudly.
* * *
“Aye, our true Laird and not the old pretender down in the castle, this wee bairn is our rightful Laird and let all gathered here who still hold the name of Cameron dear remember that. It is this wee laddie who will be victorious.” Those gathered about let out a cheer, “Come now, there is much to be discussed, let us get ye warm, the both of ye must be tired from your journey, tell us how ye escaped. We have had watchers on the roads and knew there was something amiss but were unsure what it might be.” Duncan led Rhona and Stewart towards the crofts where a fire was kindled, and the meat was roasting.
That night Rhona told Duncan how Stewart had protected her and how the two had grown closer as the months since her brother in laws exile. Duncan had made his way through the forest after his banishment. Boyhood memories of journeys through the glen led him to the crofters who had shown him great kindness and welcomed him to stay with them. They were a hardy people and had long since tended to the cattle and lands of the high moorlands, far from interference. They had remained loyal to the Camerons and had no time for the wicked schemes of Murdoch Mackintosh. Rhona and Stewart knew they would be safe and that the bairn too: far away from Murdoch and his wicked thoughts of revenge.
* * *
As the fires burned low, Rhona and Stewart bid Duncan goodnight and settled down the bairn in a little room in one of the crofts. Stewart laid out rugs for them to sleep upon, placing his cloak over Rhona before settling himself beside her.
* * *
“Ye are safe now, Rhona,” he said gently, taking her in his arms and kissing her.
* * *
“Aye, a safety I have not felt for a very long time, how good it is tae be here and tae see Duncan. Wee Andrew will have an uncle and will have ye as his daddy.”
* * *
Stewart made no reply; he did not want to replace Iain Cameron as the bairn’s father but was determined to do his best for the wee laddie. Once again, he kissed Rhona, holding her to him as she returned his embrace.
* * *
They had not known the simplicity of such time alone. In the castle, every move and action had been done in secret, a stolen kiss, a tender embrace, but this was different. In the stillness of the croft they were alone as one, and as he made love to her, Stewart knew that Rhona was everything he desired: her beauty and her kindness, the gentle way about her, yet a deep determination and inner strength. How he loved her and in that tender act, she too felt a deep joy in their union beyond description.
* * *
As the embers of the fire burned, low nothing could quell their passion. Rhona caressed his face as he kissed her again and again, holding her close to him, thei
r desires fulfilled, and the sorrows of the past now gone.
* * *
“I love ye, Rhona,” Stewart said as they lay close together, “and I will always love ye, that is my promise.”
* * *
“And I love ye too, Stewart, and that is my promise tae ye tae.”
* * *
As the moon rose high above the moorlands and the stars twinkled in the night sky Rhona and Stewart slept, the bairn turning in his cot. All was at peace: their union fulfilled.
Stealing the Highland Bride Page 10
