“They’re fine. Only my mother was home, and some wee lads saw the fire and got help.”
“What happened?”
Duncan’s silence was condemning.
Jenny shook her head. “No, my father could not do such a thing.”
“I said nothing of your father,” said Duncan.
“But you thought it.”
Duncan did not reply. Instead, he turned and said, “I must care for my mother.”
Hastily following at his heels, Jenny said, “Is she hurt?”
He spoke over his shoulder. “She breathed in some smoke.” Duncan arrived at his mother’s side. She was well tended by friends. Duncan knelt. With disgust, he spoke quietly to her. “Were you alone?”
His mother gave him a calm, but knowing, look. “I’m fine, lad. Dinnae fash yourself.”
Duncan clenched his jaw, but said nothing.
Nellie, said, “We’re lucky to have seen it in time to keep it from spreading.”
“Who saw it?” asked Duncan.
“The young lads were playing and saw a man ride by with a torch, so they ran to fetch help.”
“Tavish.”
“It could be, but he wore a cloth over his face, so we cannae be certain.”
With a pointed look, Duncan said, “Who do you think it was?”
Without hesitation, she said, “I’ve nae doubt it was Tavish.”
Duncan said, “I’ve nae doubt I will kill him the next time I see him.”
Jenny touched Duncan’s shoulder.
Alex opened his mouth to speak, but stopped as he heard someone singing.
With mounting anger, Duncan turned toward the approaching sound.
Alex held out his palm. “I’ll take care of it.”
“You mean you’ll protect him,” said Duncan. “For if he comes within my reach, I’ll put my hands about his sorry drunk neck.”
Duncan’s mother reached a gentle hand out to him. “No, love. You will not.” She wheezed and coughed.
“And why shouldn’t I? Ma, he left you to burn.”
“No, laddie. He left me to drink. He dinnae know this would happen.”
Duncan muttered. “Does he know that I hate him?”
“Don’t talk so.”
“I’m sorry, Ma, but–”
“There is naught to be done, except fetch me some water.”
Duncan rose to find water, but Nellie stopped him. “I’ve water right here.” As Elspeth sipped from the cup of water, Duncan’s father arrived. Through eyes bright with drink, he looked at his wife. “Are you hurt, darlin’?” Brodie pulled her into his arms. “I’m sorry. I should have been here.”
Duncan got up and walked a way. He cast one glance down at his mother in his father’s arms. His jaw tightened as he bit back harsh words. The smell of charred thatch and wood clung to him as he walked away down the lane. Strong hands gripped Jenny’s shoulders to keep her from following. Charlie said, “He’ll not be fit company for a while.”
“I know. But I hate to see him so.”
Callum arrived with a horse and a cart. He went over to Duncan’s parents and spoke in quiet tones of the croft by the sea.
Jenny said, “It’s so easy for him.”
“What is?” asked Charlie.
“He takes everything in stride, and he does what is right with such ease.”
Charlie shrugged. “Och, ’tis easy to do the right thing when you’re the chief’s son with land and wealth at your disposal.”
“It was not always like that for him, and you know it.”
Nodding, Charlie said, “Since his father has acknowledged him as his heir, Callum has shown himself worthy.”
Jenny watched Callum crouch down beside Duncan’s parents, placating their worries, while Mari tended to their comfort.
“I should help.” Jenny started toward them, but Charlie held her back.
“They have help. There is no need to swarm about them.”
She looked toward the path Duncan had taken, and then back to his parents. “It seems that I’m no use to anyone.”
“Come with me.” Charlie held out his hand.
With a smile, Jenny took it and followed him as he ambled down the narrow footpath.
“You’ve had quite a night.”
Jenny glanced at him and blushed. She knew Charlie too well.
With mischief in his eyes, Charlie said, “That’s not quite to what I was referring, but since you’ve brought up the subject, you’ve had quite a night, have you?”
“Charlie!” She pushed him away and kept walking. “You’re a terrible man!”
“I try my best.”
Jenny said, “Och! I dinnae know why I bother with you at all.”
“Because we’ve been friends our whole lives and you haven’t a choice anymore.”
“Aye, well that much is true.” She hooked her arm into his. “And as much as I hate to admit it, I’m lucky to have you.”
“That’s what all the lassies say,” Charlie said with a satisfied grin.
They walked along for a time, until Jenny broke the comfortable silence with a troubled sigh. “Duncan feels every wrong deeply.”
“That is how Duncan always has been. You cannae change a man’s nature.”
“I dinnae want to. I just want to help him, but there’s nothing to do.”
“You married him. You make him happy.”
Jenny gave a wry laugh. “Happy? Without me, he’d have a home and his parents would be asleep in their bed now.”
“You cannae help what others do.”
“I suppose you are right.”
Charlie stopped and took hold of her shoulders as he peered at her. “Dearie, I am always right.”
She laughed, in spite of herself, and was met with one of Charlie’s most charming grins.
He nodded toward a tree by the lake, where Duncan often went to think through his troubles. There he sat facing the water.
With a grateful smile, she said, “Charlie, you’re not so terrible, really.”
“Wheesht! I’ll not have such talk.” Charlie shooed her away and watched until she was safely at Duncan’s side.
*
Jenny sat beside Duncan and watched the rising sun cast a path over the water to burn off the mist that still clung to the trees.
Duncan put his hand over hers.
She said, “Dinnae leave me like that again.”
“It has naught to do with you.”
“It has now, for you’ve made me your wife.”
He searched her eyes with a puzzled expression.
Jenny was quiet but firm. “If you carry a burden, I’ll share it.”
“Jenny.” He shook his head as he turned.
“Duncan,” she answered right back. “If you love me, then look at me now.”
He turned and faced her out of spite, but with tears in his eyes. She had never seen him like this, and her heart broke to see it. She rose to her knees so she could circle her arms about his neck. There she held him. The broken coin hung from her neck. Duncan touched it and the skin it lay against. He reached into his sporran and brought out the other half of the coin and fitted them together.
Jenny whispered, “I am yours, but you are mine, too. I will not have you hurting alone.”
A gentle rain fell in light drops on the leaves. A cool breeze sent whispers through the trees. Underneath, the two sheltered and made love. They were tender and close, with nothing between them but trust.
Chapter 11
They arrived at the croft by the sea. Duncan, Jenny and his parents settled into the croft, while the men and an insistent Mari made camp near the site where the new croft would be. Callum quickly found it was useless to argue for her comfort. She would sleep with her husband out under the stars rather than take shelter inside without him.
Brodie changed after the fire. Duncan refused to believe it would last, but Jenny did not agree. Brodie took more care with Elspeth to make her life easier. Perhaps the fire made h
im see he would lose her someday, and he now was reluctant to leave her alone. He drank less, and worked more to prepare for the winter. He found a good spot for the still, and made plans for the spring. They could make enough whisky to pay for their rent and sell what was left for provisions. Even in winter they could gather seaweed that the waves washed to the shore, and then burn it to make kelp. What they couldn’t use themselves, they could sell. It would be a harsh first winter with no harvest or goods stored to prepare them, but before they left, Duncan’s friends promised to be back with supplies to see them through the winter. After that, they would have what they needed to build a life here. At last, Duncan looked forward to the future.
The bitter sea wind drove them inside the small croft much of the time. There were two box beds arranged head to toe, with linen mattresses stuffed with hay. Despite the walls that surrounded the box beds, they were so close together that they could not help but hear any movement or whisper. While Jenny quietly coped, Duncan was sure he would go mad. In the daylight, he behaved like a thief in the mercat, touching her hand or the small of her back when he though no one would see. The mere return of a glance made him ache to take her on the spot.
One day, the sun shone and the wind calmed. Duncan watched Jenny bend over and slide bannock dough from a spade to the bannock stone. “Ma, can you tend to that? ‘Tis time I teach Jenny how to fish.”
Jenny’s brow wrinkled. “I’ve fished in the loch since I was a wee one.”
Duncan nodded amiably. “But sea fishing is different.” He followed that with a deep glare, which Jenny seemed slow to catch onto.
Brodie sat at the table and observed with only a glint in his eye to betray his amusement.
Elspeth said, “Away with you both. ‘Tis a clear day. A walk in the fresh air will do you both good.”
Brodie was quick to agree. “Aye, fresh air and a brisk walk.”
Jenny wiped her hands on her apron before taking it off to hang up. “Alright, then.” With a suspicious frown, Jenny put on a thick sweater and wrapped her arisaid about her. She gave a quick glance back in annoyance as Duncan pressed his hand to the small of her back to rush her through the doorway and closed it behind him.
“Lass, are your wits thick as porridge?”
“No more than yours. You’ve gone daft.”
“No, I know very well what I’m doing.” With that, concealed by the hanging folds of her arisaid, he slipped his arm about her waist just a little too high, and cupped her full breast in his hand.
With wide eyes, Jenny pushed his wrist down. “Your parents will see!”
Duncan tightened his strong arm and pulled her against him. Jenny’s eyes widened more at his wicked expression. “Well, wife, you’d best hurry along before I give them something to look at.” With a laugh, Duncan grabbed her wrist and pulled her along down the path.
Some distance down the shoreline, Duncan led Jenny to a small cave he had found on one of his fishing outings. He lit a fire and spread out an old plaid he had left there. As Jenny warmed her hands over the fire, Duncan touched her shoulders and touched his lips to her ear. “I’ve gone mad with want of you.” He slid his hands down her arms and then held his hands out to warm them over the fire as he kissed the satin smooth skin of her neck. When his hands were warm, he slid them up under her sweater and pulled it up over her head.
“Duncan, it’s cold!”
“I will warm you,” he assured her, as he untied her shift and explored every curve his hands found. “Do you know how I suffer to watch you, unable to touch you?”
With a sharp breath, Jenny turned and kissed him.
“Are you feeling warmer yet?” he said with a gleam in his eyes.
“Aye,” she sighed as she slipped her hand inside the waist of his trews.
At last unrestrained, they pulled off each other’s clothing and took what they wanted with unstifled gasps and moans.
Afterward they lay wrapped together in plaids by the fire. Duncan stroked Jenny’s hair as he said, “My sweet, darlin’ Jenny, I’m afraid that we have a wee problem.”
“There are no problems today,” she said, smiling.
“I’m sorry, but there is one.”
Jenny sighed. “What?”
“We will need to return with some fish, else they might wonder what we’ve been doing for all for this time.”
“They’ll think we couldnae catch any.”
“I suppose that might solve that problem.”
“So now there’s another problem?”
With a pitiable nod, Duncan said, “I’ve a hunger.”
Jenny lifted her eyes with some disbelief.
“For food,” Duncan added with a grin. “Although, now you tempt me.”
Jenny lifted her chin and smiled sweetly. “My braw man, if we stay here much longer, they’ll know well what we’ve been doing.”
“And what of it?” He wrapped his arms around her and nuzzled his face in her neck. “Can a man not love his wife?”
Jenny could not help but smile–until his lips reached her ear. She took a halting breath in. “You’d best stop that, or we’ll be bringing fish home for breakfast.” She reached over and grabbed the fishing poles and handed them to Duncan while she picked up the creel. “Now go douse the fire so we can be on our way.”
Duncan shook his head and did as he was told. “You’re a bossy wife, aren’t you?” Duncan put his arm around Jenny’s shoulder. “But I’ve married you, so there’s no hope for me now.”
“Och, you poor lad!” Jenny gave him a playful shove and ran on without him.
*
Most nights, they sat close to the fire. After Duncan and Brodie had finished carving trenchers and forks to eat with, they spent weeks making a chess board and pieces. The two men often played chess while the women knitted wool sweaters and socks. This evening, Jenny caught Elspeth watching Brodie with a slight smile. Since coming here, he had stopped drinking. Duncan had already sold most of the whisky by the time their cottage burned down. The few bottles left had gone untouched. As they played chess, Duncan and Brodie talked easily. Duncan showed a respect for his father that Jenny had not seen before. They were a family again, and now she was part of it. She returned to her knitting, content.
Duncan was not. As winter drew out, the gray weather wore on his spirit. More than once, Jenny saw him stare out at the water, and she knew he was restless. He had spent time at sea, and she feared that he missed it. She had always assumed that his restless spirit was caused by his troubles with Brodie. She saw now it was not. His parents were settled and happy, with a means of supporting themselves. Come the spring, she would not be surprised if he wanted to leave their new home, but she would not be happy about it. No matter what he decided, she had made her own decision. She would be by his side.
*
Spring crept in with a lingering chill, but the air smelled of new life. Duncan hitched his horse to the cart. They needed provisions. They were nearly out of food, and soon they would need seed for planting.
Jenny trailed behind him as he made preparations, clutching her arisaid about her. “You cannae go without me.”
“I’ve made up my mind, and I’ll not argue with you.”
“Well I’ve made up my mind, and I will! You’ll not leave me here alone!”
“You’ll not be alone. My parents are here.”
“And I love them, but I want to be with you.”
“What happened to the timid girl I married?”
“I’ve learned to be strong.”
Duncan gave her an admiring gaze. “So you have, and I’m proud of you for it.”
Jenny leaned close so her lips nearly touched his. “Then take me with you.”
Duncan shook his head and gently held her at bay.
“I want to go.” She was quiet but firm.
No.” He turned and exhaled.
“Och, dinnae heave sighs at me.”
“Will you tell me how to breathe now, woman?”
&n
bsp; “I will. And you’ll not breathe at all unless I am with you. And if I go with you, I may let you breathe heavily.” Jenny smiled.
Duncan could not help but grin as he turned and pulled her into his embrace. “Jenny, darlin’.” He kissed the frown on her forehead. “I would like nothing more than to have you at my side, but we dinnae know what state of mind your father is in, let alone Tavish.”
“It’s been months. Do you really think they’re still angry?”
“Clans have fought for generations over less.”
“But I’m not a laird’s daughter. I’m not worth a clan war.”
“You are to me. I would fight for you, but I’d rather not do it today.”
Jenny did not try to hide her disappointment. She would not give up. “Let me talk to my father.”
Duncan shook his head resolutely.
Jenny said, “If you let a wound fester, it only gets worse. If we go home together, we can make amends with my father and perhaps even Tavish.”
Duncan could not deny that it might make things better, but it could make matters worse. Still, he considered it.
Having gained ground, Jenny went on. “He’ll forgive us when he sees how happy I am with you.”
“Perhaps he will, but Tavish will not. I’ll not put you in danger.”
With frank disbelief, Jenny said, “Tavish wouldnae hurt me, and he cannae hurt you. You’re much stronger than he is.”
Duncan looked squarely at her. “Do you think you can flatter me into letting you have your way?”
“I was hoping.”
Duncan laughed and gazed up at the sky. “God help me.” To Jenny, he hastened to say, “I’m not fool enough to be swayed by your flirtatious ways.”
Jenny shook her head and whispered, “No, you are far too strong-minded for that.” She had won, and she knew it. A smile bloomed on her face.
Duncan shook his head, but a faint smile betrayed him. “I’ll let you come because what you said makes some sense.”
“Of course it does. Now, about your breathing.” She leaned close and hooked her hands over the waist of his trews. I thought we might stop on the way.”
Highland Soldiers: The Betrayal Page 9
