Highland Soldiers: The Betrayal

by Jarvis, J. L.

  The men cut their way down long rows with sickles, while the women followed to gather and bundle the grain. Jenny stole more than a few glances at Duncan as he bent over to work. His shirt, damp from sweat, clung to his broad shoulders and muscular arms. Her eyes traced a path from his torso to his backside and powerful thighs. Hard work had its rewards, she decided. Her thoughts thus focused, she did not hear Charlie approach. Nor did she see him follow her gaze and grin as he guessed her thoughts. Charlie cleared his throat loudly.

  “Och, Charlie, you startled me!” Jenny pressed her hand to her chest.

  “So I see. You seemed deep in thought.” If his knowing weren’t enough, he glanced back at Duncan and then at her, grinning.

  Unable to deflect Charlie’s unabashed teasing, Jenny blushed and turned away.

  Charlie chuckled. The others all stopped working and headed for the barrel of water. Charlie poured a dipper of water over his head.

  Duncan sat down beside Jenny, and joined her in leaning against a stack of bundles. “I’m sorry that you have to do field work.”

  Charlie overheard and offered, with a wink, “She has a fine eye for this sort of work, haven’t you, Jenny?”

  Duncan seemed confused. “I dinnae know that it takes as much eye as it does muscle.”

  Charlie nodded, “Aye, well, your Jenny appreciates both, don’t you Jenny?”

  Jenny picked up a handful of stray stalks and threw them at Charlie, who was already ducking. “Away with you!”

  Charlie brushed the barley from his hair and clothing as he rose to go after more water.

  Jenny blushed as she explained to Duncan, “Charlie caught me admiring you as you worked. You’re very braw.”

  Duncan’s eyes smoldered with unexpressed thoughts. “You’re a fine worker, yourself, lass.” He glanced down at the moist neckline of her shift and blew gently on her chest to cool her. His lips spread into a slight smile as she leaned her head back against the barley stack. With a sigh, she closed her eyes.

  Duncan said, “Your arms and back will be sore from the work.” He proceeded to rub her shoulders and neck.

  Callum announced that he was going back to work, and everyone followed. Duncan and Jenny exchanged a wistful look, and then joined the others.

  At the end of the day, they went down to the shore.

  Charlie announced, “Take heed, lassies! I’ll not swim in my plaid, so turn your heads or not. Tis your choice.” By the time he had said it, his plaid lay in a heap on the rocks, and his leine was next to follow.

  With a gasp, Mari turned. “Charlie, you gave us no time!”

  Jenny laughed and called out. “He’s a proud man, Mari. We’re still not sure why.” Mari was too shocked to laugh, but the men chuckled and called out their agreement.

  The other men showed no shame in unwrapping their plaids and running into the water, as they had done many times in the loch since they were young children. But Mari, steeped in her lowland Covenanter upbringing, was unused to their wild Highland ways. For her sake, Jenny discreetly alerted her when the men were fully immersed in the water. For years, Jenny had felt like one of the lads. There was nothing any of them could do anymore that she could not dismiss with a roll of her eyes. She should have minded their antics, but she did not.

  Jenny said, “This may shock you, but I’m going in there, too.”

  Mari was not shocked, but neither was she ready to take off all but her shift to go into the water with a group of naked men, even if her husband was one of them. “You go on, Jenny. I’ll wade in to my ankles.”

  Callum called out to Mari, “Wear your shift into the water. We’ll all turn around until you’re all the way in.”

  Charlie said, “I’ll make no such promises, dearie!”

  Callum practically growled. “Lad, you can look away on your own, or I’ll have you looking away under water.”

  Charlie laughed. “You’re not as much fun as you used to be!”

  Mari said, “Oh, but Charlie, he is!”

  It was Charlie’s turn to be caught off guard. For once, he was at a loss for words.

  Meanwhile, Callum came out of the water such as he was, and scooped the fully clothed Mari into his arms, and carried her over his shoulder and into the water. Jenny laughed as she removed all but her shift and ran after. Duncan waved and swam toward her, meeting her in shoulder-deep water. He planted a kiss that took her breath away, as his hands explored all they could find under the water.

  “Duncan! The others.” She warned him.

  “They cannae see me do this.”

  Jenny gasped.

  “Or this.”

  “Oh!” Her eyes were quite round. Duncan’s smile dissolved and a dark expression took its place. “I’ve been yearning for you.” His warm breath brushed her ear.

  “Well, you’ll not have me here!” She whispered, frantically.

  He held her against him so his lips brushed hers as he spoke. “Tonight. We’ll sneak out under moonlight. I want to hear you sigh my name as we lie on a bed of fresh-cut barley.”

  Jenny glanced about to make sure no one saw the exquisite torment he could cause under water.

  “Tonight, then?”

  “Aye.” It came out as a sigh. “Now, please stop.” With reluctance, she gently pushed him away.

  He took her face in his hands and touched his forehead to hers. “Know this, Jenny, my love. Between now and then, every time I look at you, I’ll be thinking of us in the barley, and what I will do to coax another sigh from you.”

  She looked away to be sure no one was watching, sure that her thoughts could be read on her face. “And I will have thoughts of my own.”

  No one was watching because everyone else was on their way out of the water. Some stood on the shore. Jenny asked, and Duncan saw to it, that the men turn away as she emerged with her linen shift clinging to her body. She hid behind jutting rocks as she squeezed out the water until the shift hung loosely. Then she gathered up her clothes and walked back to the croft while her shift dried. Duncan slipped his hand into hers, and they lingered behind the others. Jenny hoped she would never lose the thrill his touch brought her.

  He smiled down at her, and lifted a brow as his gaze swept over her breasts. “You should put on your bodice.”

  “But my shift is still damp.”

  “Aye, it is that.” Duncan hooked his arm about her neck and drew her close to his side while he whispered into her ear. “And, while it is a bonnie sight, I would rather it be only mine to see.”

  Jenny followed his gaze to her chest. Her wet linen shift was translucent and clung to her curves. Mortified, she glanced up at his smoldering eyes.

  Without a word, Jenny hastily pulled on her bodice and skirts as she worked to keep pace with the others.

  Duncan stopped along the way and drew her into his arms. Making sure that his back concealed it, he smoothed his hand down the center of her bodice. “Do you have it still?”

  With a soft smile, Jenny said, “I do.” She slid the busk from its center channel between rows of stays in her bodice.

  Duncan ran his thumb over the crudely carved whalebone scrimshaw he had made while at sea. “I had lost you, but my heart would not let go.” Whatever he had meant to say after that was lost to unutterable emotion.

  Jenny put her hand over his hand, still grasping the busk, and she whispered the words carved in it. “My heart can be nowhere else.” She slipped it back into its place.

  *

  Late into the night, Jenny tiptoed across the cottage floor, flinching as Brodie let out a shuddering snore. Duncan stifled a laugh as he steadied Jenny and led her outside. With the door closed behind them, they snickered and ran away as if they were children. The full moon lit their way. Duncan scooped Jenny up by the waist and spun her about. Then he kissed her.

  They made their way kissing and stumbling to a stack of barley, where Duncan wasted no time pulling off Jenny’s shift. As he did so, she pulled his leine up until her skin met
his.

  Duncan said softly, “I have wanted to taste you since you walked out of the water. All of you.” With hands and mouth he touched her and teased her until she was panting and clutching at him. Jenny wrapped her legs around him and reveled in the physical power of his need for her. She needed him, too, as much then as after, when they lay suspended in bliss. Later, long after they lay on their backs watching the stars, they would need the fullness and the trust of that moment. It bound them together.

  Chapter 13

  Elspeth set down a loaf of barley bread made from the first grains of the harvest. Beside it were smoked salmon, kale and baked apples. The men offered hearty approval as Brodie brought in one of the last bottles of the whisky he had brought from home. Lively talk went back and forth across the table, and laughter filled the croft. Duncan grinned and muttered something that made Charlie laugh. Jenny looked at her family and friends, and she thought of how good her life was.

  Brodie said, “With the harvest done, we can start on your croft, lad.”

  Duncan nodded appreciatively.

  “We’ve enough hands here to have it done in a sennight,” said Alex.

  Charlie shook his head slightly. “Och, less than that.”

  “Perhaps.” Alex turned to Callum for his opinion, but instead paused to study him. “What is it?”

  Callum exhaled. “I dinnae want to talk about this until after the harvest.”

  “Well, the harvest is over, so tell us.” Alex could see this would not be good news.

  Callum smiled with false cheer. “It’s too fine an evening. Let us talk in the morning.”

  The room was still. No one spoke. Mari watched her husband, while the others shared questioning glances.

  Finally, Duncan spoke up. “There’s no use, Callum. We know that there’s something on your mind. Until you tell us, we’ll think of nothing else.”

  “Aye,” said Callum. “There is something, but I dinnae like it.” He studied his hands for a moment. “As chief, my father has a duty to the king.”

  “To raise troops.” Alex said bluntly.

  Elspeth let out a small moan. Brodie put a comforting hand on hers.

  “What has happened?” Jenny asked. “I thought you put down the Covenanter rebellion.”

  “Not enough, so it seems.” Callum shared a look with Mari, and then looked frankly at Jenny. “The king has asked the Glengarry to raise troops. I will go. Will you go with me?”

  “Not Duncan.” Jenny turned to him. “Duncan, you dinnae have to go.”

  Duncan met her gaze with eyes full of his own inner struggle.

  “I almost lost you once. How can I let you go now?” Jenny could not contain her emotions. She rose quickly and went outside.

  Duncan watched her and then turned to Callum. “I will go.”

  Callum nodded his thanks.

  Duncan excused himself to go out to Jenny. He did not see her at first.

  “I’ll not leave your side, Duncan,” she vowed. She was leaning against the trunk of a tree, staring out at the sea. Waves of water rushed toward the land with insistent rhythm.

  Duncan went to her side. “I must go, darlin’.”

  Jenny’s self-control crumbled. “I know.” She turned and threw her arms about his neck, and she pressed her body against his.

  Duncan wrapped his arms tightly about her and cradled her head against him.

  “I’m sorry,” she said, as she cried.

  “No, love. You’ve nothing to be sorry for.”

  Jenny ran her hands over his shoulders and chest. “You’re mine. Why must they take you from me?”

  He had no answer. Duncan held her until she stopped crying and wiped the tears from her face.

  They went back inside. Elspeth watched Jenny with sympathy.

  Alex said, “When do we leave?”

  Callum gave a weak smile, and said, “I wanted to make sure that the harvest was in.”

  “Thank you for that,” Brodie told him.

  Callum turned to Alex. “We must leave tomorrow.”

  Jenny shut her eyes and tamped down her emotions.

  Callum went on. “The rest of the men will be waiting for us at the castle. We’ll assemble there, and then we’re for Stranraer. The Sheriff of Galloway has been replaced by John Graham of Claverhouse.”

  “Bluidy Clavers?” Charlie caught a sharp look from Callum and leaned back with remorse for his outburst in front of the women.

  “We’re to report to John Graham of Claverhouse.”

  Charlie caught Alex’s eye, but looked away. He had already said too much.

  *

  It was fittingly gloomy the following morning as they readied to ride. Jenny came out of the croft, bundle in hand, and went straight to Duncan. She lifted her chin and said boldly, “I’m riding with you.”

  Taken aback, Duncan took a moment to react. “Are you daft? No, you will not.”

  “Mari is going.”

  “Mari is going to her home, and you will stay in yours,” Duncan said firmly.

  Jenny would not back down. “I lay awake all night thinking about it.”

  “Not all night,” he said under his breath, as he led her away to speak in private. They had spent much of the night, clinging together as they made love in the box bed. “Now be a good girl, and gie us a goodbye kiss.”

  “I will do neither!”

  Duncan’s eyes darted over to Mari and the men, who were packed and ready to go. He spoke in an awkward hush. “Dinnae do this. The others are waiting.”

  Jenny held her ground boldly. “I will go where you go.”

  Duncan’s nostrils flared as he held back his anger. The others waited, and he had to go. Duncan glared at Jenny, and the fire in her eyes. The wind lashed them both and tugged the kertch from Jenny’s face, freeing her hair to blow wildly about. Without thinking, Duncan reached out and smoothed the hair back from her face. This was the Jenny he would recall in the lonely hours away. He yanked her to him, and he kissed her. She was fuming and struggled, but her lips betrayed her and opened to his. After her arms softened and her body was formed against his, Duncan whispered, “Do you know how I love you?”

  He stepped away, holding her hand, and with one last look, turned and let go.

  She shook her head and whispered, “Don’t go.”

  He mounted his horse.

  Jenny said, “If you go without me, I will follow on foot.”

  Duncan steeled himself and urged his horse on without looking back. The others offered sorrowful glances, and then turned to follow.

  Bereft, Jenny turned to Duncan’s parents. “I must go.”

  Brodie started to protest, but Elspeth silenced him with her hand on his arm.

  Brodie said, “Alright. Let her have her long walk, and then I’ll go bring her home.”

  Elspeth nodded.

  Jenny swallowed back tears and started to walk. The riders disappeared over a hill. Jenny held back her shoulders and lifted her chin. They could leave her behind, but she would not stay there.

  From over the hill came a horseman. “Duncan,” she whispered.

  Duncan brought his horse to a stop beside her. His eyes burned. “God’s teeth, woman. Get on.”

  Jenny stepped on his foot in the stirrup as he pulled her the rest of the way onto the horse. As she wrapped her arms around his waist, she turned back. Elspeth and Brodie waved as Duncan and Jenny rode over the hill.

  *

  While the women lagged behind, talking, Callum and Duncan spoke of the task before them.

  Duncan said, “The lowlanders call him Bluidy Clavers.”

  “Aye, so I’ve heard.”

  “They say he’s a brutal man.”

  Callum stared gravely ahead. “They say what will serve their cause.”

  Duncan said, “Do you not think it’s true?”

  Callum’s expression was grim. “I pray to God it is not.”

  Mari rode up to keep pace beside her husband. “Callum,” she said swe
etly enough to arouse Callum’s suspicion.

  He looked at her and waited.

  “If Jenny is going with Duncan–”

  “You will wait for me at home.” It came out like an order to his soldiers. With one caustic glance, Callum thanked Duncan for bringing this on him. He turned back to Mari. “As you will recall, I had no choice but to bring you with me the last time. You suffered much for it, which grieves me to this day. But we had no choice, then. We do now, and that choice is for you to stay at home where you belong.”

  Mari bristled but calmed herself. “Husband, you are my home.” Mari did not speak to Callum again until they stopped at midday to rest the horses.

  Callum found Mari sitting on a fallen log. Prepared for battle, he sat down beside her.

  “You’re right, of course,” Mari told him. “I would be safer at home.”

  Callum said, “I cannae imagine what I would do if harm came to you.”

  She nodded. “That would be terrible for you.”

  “Aye, just so.”

  Mari said gently, “And that is what matters most, is it not? How you feel?”

  Callum looked at her sideways.

  Mari said, “To wait and not know whether you’ve been shot or run through with a sword should not bother me, as long as I am safe at home.”

  She had dealt a blow to his heart. Callum turned his warm gaze upon her. “I would not have you worry about me.”

  “I know that. Nor would I have you worry about me.”

  “But, Mari, I must keep you safe.”

  She took hold of his hand and studied its strength and its scars. “I’d rather live by your side than be home safe and lonely.” She lifted his hand to her cheek.

  Callum held close and kissed her forehead. “Mari, will it ever be easy for us?”

  She looked up at him. “I did not marry you for the easy life you offered me.”