“There now, there now, easy girl,” the merchant could be heard saying, and one of the horses whinnied, as Fraser peeked out from under the blanket.
They were in a courtyard, close to one of the walls where a great mound of straw was piled up, presumably meant for the castle animals. There was no one else about, it still being dark, and Fraser knew that this was his only chance to hide somewhere in the castle before the servants began unloading the apples. Glancing from side to side, he slipped out from beneath the blanket and made his way over to the pile of straw, hiding behind it, just as several guards emerged from the keep.
“Apples, always apples,” one of them said, pointing to the cart, “here, merchant, your goods are falling out of the cart.”
Fraser’s escape had caused a cascade of fruit to fall to the floor, and with many apologies, the man hurried about picking up the stray apples and stuffing them back beneath the blanket. Fraser watched and smiled, despite the danger, it seemed that his plan was succeeding. Now he needed to find out where Isla was, a task which would be far easier said than done.
The castle was coming alive now, and presently several servants emerged from what must be the kitchens to begin unloading the apples. They were placing them in large wicker baskets, and the man in charge was chastising the merchant for the quality of the fruit. Then from the kitchens, there emerged a woman carrying a tray. Fraser watched her with interest as she made her way towards a door leading to what must be a stairwell over which was built a row of windows that looked out across the castle battlements.
She had a sad and forlorn look about her, a resignation that caused Fraser to wonder who she was. The other servants seemed happy enough about their work, laughing and joking with one another at the merchant’s expense. But this woman was different, and Fraser wondered who it was she was taking the tray of food to. It was sometime later that she emerged from the tower door, the tray now empty but still the same sad and forlorn look of resignation upon her face. Fraser was tempted to step out of his hiding place and speak with her. But he dared not, lest someone else be watching, for there were comings and goings into the courtyard all the time.
Instead, he remained hidden, waiting for an opportunity to arise. As the morning drew on, he knew he must soon make a move, and he decided that the best option would be to make his way upstairs into the castle and hide somewhere until nightfall. He would have a better chance of sneaking down to the dungeons then, but the woman with the tray had aroused his suspicions.
It could not have been for Sir Percy or his son, for surely they would eat in the Great Hall, and who else among the castle residents would have their food brought to them?
Fraser decided to make his way up the stairs of the tower and investigate what might be there. For perhaps they had not mistreated Isla so badly as to shackle her in the dungeons. She was a valuable prisoner after all and worth far more to the Musgraves alive than dead. He waited for the opportunity to leave his hiding place, and when there seemed a lull in the comings and goings of the servants, for it was close to noon, and the smell of lunch was wafting through the air, Fraser made a run for it.
He bolted towards the door, waiting for the shouts of soldiers behind him. But no one had noticed him, and he was through the door in a moment and faced with a spiral staircase leading up. It was unlit, and he groped his way up the stairs, as his eyes adjusted to the gloom. There was no sound from anywhere, but his hand was on the hilt of the dagger, ready to draw it at the first sign of trouble. Fraser had no desire to fight, he wanted only to see Isla and for the two of them to escape as quietly as he had entered.
At the top of the stairs was a long corridor, with slit windows along one side and doors leading off on the other. Fraser crept along it, opening one door which contained nothing but a dusty old bed and washstand. It could make a useful hiding place, and he was looking inside when the sound of voices at the other end of the corridor startled him.
“She’ll agree. She has to in the end, otherwise she’ll find herself locked up here for the rest of her sorry life,” one of them said.
“Patience Howard, if you want to marry her, you shall, though it is hardly necessary. She has her attractions for you though, I am sure,” another replied, and they both laughed.
Fraser’s anger was roused; what wicked words, and he imagined that the speakers could only by Sir Percy and his son. Was Isla being held up here? He peered cautiously around the door and flattened himself back when he saw two men outside a door at the other end, fumbling with the lock.
“Stand back from the door, Isla, we have a great deal to discuss with you,” came the voice of one of the men, and the door was opened.
Fraser held his breath, listening for the sound of Isla’s voice, but it was muffled, and the door was closed behind them. He wanted to rush out, throw open the door, and seize hold of Sir Percy and avenge himself upon him. But he knew it would be a futile move; for in an instant, twenty soldiers would be upon him, and he would never leave the castle alive.
Instead, he waited quietly in the room along the corridor. It was sometime before the door opened and the two men again emerged. This time Fraser heard Isla loud and clear, and he admired the bravery and force of her voice as she shouted after them.
“I will never marry ye. I would rather die than be wedded to a man such as ye. Get out,” she cried.
“Then remain here for the rest of your life,” came the response, and the door was slammed shut, and the key turned in the lock.
“I told you she would be uncooperative,” Sir Percy said, “but do not worry, she will be made to cooperate. Once we have her father, then perhaps she will be more open to bargaining.”
“You intend to capture her father? Not kill him as an example to the other Lairds?” his son replied, for it could not be anyone else, but Howard Musgrave, Fraser concluded.
“Eventually, yes, he will die, but not until he has been useful to us,” Sir Percy replied, and he laughed, as their footsteps echoed down the corridor.
Fraser waited a few moments before creeping out of the room and looking about him. The corridor was quiet now, and there was no sign of anyone else, but he remained cautious as he made his way towards the room where Isla was held. It had been wishful thinking to imagine the key still to be in the lock, but outside he paused, listening for any sounds from within.
He could hear Isla sobbing, but she had obviously heard his footsteps, for she stopped as he stood outside the door and called out.
“Unless ye be Lena then go away, I am nae interested in yer taunts and foolery. Begone, Howard, be gone and be damned,” she said.
“Isla, ‘tis nae an enemy, ‘tis me, Fraser,” he called back softly, and from inside, he could hear her leaping to her feet and crossing to the door.
“Fraser, how … ye … ye are in danger here. Ye shouldnae have come,” she said, as Fraser pressed his hand to the door and rattled the lock.
“I had to come, Isla. I love ye, and I couldnae stand by and see ye at the mercy of these wicked men. I have come to rescue ye, though I admit that I am unsure how to dae so,” he said.
“Oh, Fraser. I have thought of nothin’ but ye and my father in this sad place these past days. Ye will have heard of the raid he mounted upon the castle. He had nae hope of succeedin’ though, not against the Musgraves. They are wicked men, and they stop at nothin’ to see the clans crushed beneath them,” she said.
“Aye, but all I care about is helpin’ ye escape. We will find a way, I promise ye. I hid in an apple cart to get in, but there must surely be other ways out. We will find a way. I promise ye,” he said.
“I have a friend here, a woman named Lena. She is a Scot, but a servant of the Musgraves. Twice a day she brings me food, and I have come to depend upon her for kindness. She may be able to help us, but ‘tis so dangerous,” Isla said, and Fraser could hear her begin to sob again.
“Forget the danger, Isla. I am here now, and I will dae everythin’ I can to help ye escape, I pro
mise ye,” Fraser replied, once more rattling the lock and pushing his shoulder against the door in the hope that it might give way.
“What a touching sentiment,” a voice from behind came.
Fraser spun round to find himself face to face with the tip of Howard Musgrave’s sword and flanked by several soldiers who grabbed him roughly and hauled him up.
“Fraser?” Isla cried.
“Quiet now, girl, your so-called rescuer has somewhat failed in his task, I think. Fraser, is it? And what are you? Some peasant from the village sent by the Laird? How did you get in here?” Howard asked, grabbing Fraser by the tunic and pulling him up face to face.
Fraser made no reply, and turned his head away, as Howard let go of him and threw him down to the floor.
“Dungeons, sir?” one of the men said.
“No, throw him in there with her, let the two of them have their reunion, perhaps it might make her more cooperative if the threat of harm to this man is evident to her. And ensure this castle is secure. He got in somehow,” Howard said, as he unlocked the door into Isla’s room.
As Fraser was thrown inside, two apples flew from his pocket, and Howard laughed at the sight, turning to the soldier with a smile on his face.
“Apples, sir?” the soldier said.
“In an apple cart. That’s how you got in, isn’t it? Hidden among the apples. Well from now on, I want every cart coming in and out of this place searched. I admire you for your ingenuity, boy. But this was a foolish quest, and you shall pay for it dearly, for I assure you that you are now far worse off than Isla. Keep them here, and I shall tell my father we have two birds in the nest now,” Howard said, slamming the door and turning the key firmly in the lock.
Isla threw herself on Fraser, kissing him and holding him close as he embraced her, tears running down both their cheeks.
“Oh, Fraser, thank ye, but ye shouldnae have come. Now we are both at his mercy, the wicked, wicked, man,” she said, her face pressed into his chest as he held her close.
“I only wanted to be with ye, Isla. Nothin’ else matters, and if I must be a captive to dae, so, then so be it. So long as I am with ye, that is all that matters,” he replied, his hand in hers as the two kissed again.
“What news is there? Is my father, alright? I heard about the raid, of course, but I know nothin’ more,” she said as they sat together on the blankets in the corner of the room.
“Yer father is alright, but there were injuries among the men and lives lost. One lad is lucky to be alive. They brought him to me, and I was able to dae him some good at least, but yer father was angry, and he forbid me again from tryin’ to help rescue ye. But I have come anyway,” Fraser said, smiling weakly at her, “though it has done little good.”
“It has done good in bringin’ us back together, Fraser. Though in a sorry way,” she said.
“Aye, but perhaps there is some hope in this servant girl, Lena? Could she help us?” Fraser asked.
“I dinnae ken. She is as much a prisoner here as we are, though she has one thing we dinnae: a key,” Isla said, and smiling, she took Fraser’s hand and raised it to her lips, “but everything is better now that ye are here, Fraser. I have hope.”
Chapter Thirty-Five
Isla was overjoyed to see Fraser again, she had missed him and longed for him these past days, and it was astonishing that he should have risked so much for her. Such actions had only confirmed the feelings in her heart, and she knew that she was in love with him. For what but love could drive a man to such danger and risk?
The two of them sat talking for the rest of the day, and Fraser was able to tell her something of her father and the clansmen, as well as of the village and the goings-on since the battle. There was little good news to share, but at least they could share it together. Neither Sir Percy nor Howard returned that afternoon, and Fraser lay down to sleep a little while, as Isla pondered what might happen next.
She had no intention of marrying Howard Musgrave. He was an odious man without morals, and he would have to force her to do so if he wished anything from her. But she worried what might happen if she continued to refuse, and now that Fraser was also a prisoner, what wicked schemes could the Musgraves devise to force her hand?
It was early evening when the familiar footsteps of Lena could be heard along the corridor, and Isla reassured Fraser that it was just their supper being brought.
“She is a good woman, though she is keepin’ somethin’ back from me, of that I am certain. She is the only Scot in the castle; there must be more to her than she has told me. But she has been kind, and for now, that is enough for me,” Isla said as the key was turned in the lock.
Lena had with her a larger tray on which were placed two bowls of gruel and a small loaf of bread. There was a jug of water and two cups, and she smiled at them both as she entered the room.
“And so, we have another sorry guest from across the border, dae we?” she said, shaking her head sadly as she laid down the tray on the floor.
“Aye, this is Fraser,” Isla said.
But Lena let out a gasp and steadied herself against the door.
“Fraser? Oh …” she said, looking at him in disbelief. “Yer name is Fraser?”
“Aye, Fraser MacGinn. I am a blacksmith in the village. Were ye a resident in those parts once? How came ye to be south of the border like this?” he asked, as her eyes fixed upon him.
“I … may I … oh no, ‘tis nothin’. Listen to me, being silly like this,” she said, shaking her head. “I was once of those parts, aye, but those are memories long ago. I suppose a lot of folks are called Fraser across the border.
“Nae others in the village that I know of, perhaps ye knew my parents. My father was a blacksmith in the village, and that is now my trade,” Fraser replied, taking a mouthful of the gruel and grimacing.
“A fine and noble trade for a young man to have, and that is for sure,” she replied, smiling at him as he held out the bowl for her in his right hand.
But as she took it, Lena let out another cry and dropped the plate, smashing it on the floor and sending shards flying across the room.
“Lena, whatever is the matter?” Isla cried, leaping up and taking hold of the servant, who was quivering, “‘tis only a birthmark on Fraser’s hand, are ye superstitious or anythin’? I hardly think it matters now. He can hardly bring us any more misfortune than we already have.”
“No, ‘tis … ‘tis nae that, lass. Oh, my,” Lena said, getting down on her hands and knees and scooping up the fragments of the plate as Fraser tried to help.
“But what, Lena? Ye are making nae sense. What is wrong?” Isla said, looking at her in confusion for Lena seemed quite unlike herself.
“Nae, lass, ‘tis nothin’ that either of ye need worry about. I assure ye of that. I should be getting’ back to my duties now; there is much to see to before bed. I shall return in the mornin’, I promise,” Lena said, casting nervous glances at Fraser, who appeared bemused by her reactions to him.
“Take care of yerself, Lena, but ye can talk to me if there is somethin’ botherin’ ye. Ye have a friend here now, remember?” Isla said, patting her arm and glancing at Fraser with a concerned look upon her face.
“Aye, perhaps two friends, I hope,” Lena said, still looking at Fraser in disbelief, as she backed out of the door, closing it behind her and turning the key.
“What a strange woman,” Fraser said, shaking his head. “She is as bad as yer father. ‘Tis bad enough to find ourselves held prisoner in here, but then to have to endure more suspicion over a simple mark upon my body, what nonsense,” and he rolled his eyes.
“There was somethin’ in her eyes, somethin’ she recognized,” Isla said, for Lena had shown no signs of strange behavior before, and it seemed odd that she should react in such a way towards Fraser when she had only met him moments before.
“A lifetime of servitude in this castle is enough to drive anybody mad,” Fraser said, going to the window and looking out.
>
“She has been kind to me, and I hope I can repay that kindness,” Isla replied, coming to stand by Fraser, “if we ever get out of here.”
“We will, lass,” he replied, “and over those hills to freedom.”
* * *
Together they passed an uncomfortable night, lying on the dirty blankets on the floor. The room was cold, and Isla was glad to now have Fraser next to her as she slept. She knew her father would not approve, but it hardly mattered now, and Fraser placed his arms around her as the two fell into a restless sleep.
The thin gruel and stale bread were hardly enough to sustain them, and each was hungry, often waking in the night to feel their stomachs grumbling. Isla huddled close to Fraser, his presence such a comfort to her after the harshness she had endured these past days. But despite his promises, she was still unconvinced that they would ever escape the clutches of Percy Musgrave and his son. Would she ever see her father again? Would she ever taste the sweet air of Scotland and walk with Fraser upon the heathers in freedom? Surely her father would not stand in the way of their love when Fraser had risked so much to save her.
A Highlander Forged In Fire (Scottish Medieval Highlander Romance) Page 17
