Fated Hearts 02 - Highland Echoes

by Ceci Giltenan

  “Will I come tomorrow?”

  “Nay, sweetling, ’tis a holiday. When ye come on Monday, bring yer empty loom and I will teach ye how to thread the warp.”

  “All right, I will. Maybe I’ll see ye tonight when I’m wearing my new belt?”

  “Maybe,” answered Grace.

  When Teasag had left, Grace looked at her Grandmother. “What is wrong?”

  “Am I so obvious?”

  “Grandmother, I love ye and I can tell when ye are upset.”

  “Aye, I am upset, Grace. There are whispers passing through the clan today.”

  “Whispers?”

  “Whispers about ye. They are saying that Bram came here yesterday before even speaking to his father. They say he had been back for hours and he didn’t even show up when supper was served. He didn’t come to the great hall until Ian went looking for him.”

  “And what did Bram say?”

  “That he had come across ye and Kristen walking back from the village in the rain and he had only stopped in to check on ye both.”

  “That is true. We walked Teasag home when the rain stopped yesterday afternoon, but it started raining again. He saw us home.”

  “Aye, lass, but then he came back. Why?”

  Grace looked down. She hadn’t considered that Bram’s presence in the cottage yesterday might start whispers. Grace firmly believed the truth was always best. “I had been angry with him. When he left, he gave an order that Kristen and I couldn’t walk on the headlands alone.”

  “Why would he do that?”

  “He thinks it’s dangerous. I only found out about the order when Kristen and I started to take a walk one afternoon.”

  A smile flirted at Innes’ mouth. “I expect ye were a bit angry over that.”

  Grace smiled. “Aye, and I made it clear to him.”

  “That poor man.”

  “Anyway, he brought us home, but after he had taken care of Goliath and changed out of his wet clothes he came back. He wanted to talk to me, to explain why he did it.”

  Innes looked serious again. “But surely that didn’t take hours.”

  “It didn’t. At least it didn’t feel like hours. But I did lose my temper, and well…”

  “Ye didn’t listen to him right away.”

  “Something like that.”

  “Well, he has done ye no favors. The whispers will die soon enough if ye stay away from him. That’s why I asked ye to help me in the kitchen tonight. I will let most of the women go early because of the celebration. They’ll know then that ye’ll be here. Folks are already speculating about what might happen between ye this eve. They say he danced with no one but ye the night of Pentecost. Ye mustn’t be seen with him tonight.”

  Grace’s heart fell. As much as she had looked forward to spending the evening with him, Innes was right. Bram might be planning to declare his love for her to his father, but he clearly hadn’t yet and until he did, Grace would suffer the sting of wagging tongues. “Aye, Grandmother. I will help ye in the kitchen.”

  *

  Bram had found this day to be nothing but frustrating.

  After holding his tongue about Grace the previous evening, he hoped to find a chance to speak to his father privately today, but his father managed to avoid him. Bram knew Da was avoiding him because he had spent so much time recently trying to avoid Da, he recognized the signs.

  By early evening, he gave up, instead seeking out Grace. He needed to tell her of Ian’s concerns and why he hadn’t spoken to his father yet. He intended to take Grace and Kristen to the bonfire on the village green. However, there was no answer when he knocked on the door.

  He wondered if perhaps she had already left and asked the guardsmen on watch but she hadn’t left the castle walls. He thought she might be in the kitchens but he knew the admission he made the previous evening had probably started threads of gossip that would only be fed if he sought her out in front of the women working in the kitchens. He would try again after the evening meal.

  Even that didn’t work. Just as the meal ended, his father, who had managed to disappear for the whole day, decided that the family should go to the village celebration together. There was nothing for it; he had to try to bring Grace with them. “Da, Grace doesn’t know many people yet. I thought I would accompany her to the festivities.”

  His mother laughed. “Ye are so very thoughtful, Bram. Someday ye will make a truly great leader for this clan, but ye needn’t worry about Grace. I understand Innes gave many of the women an early evening so they could join in the celebration with their families. Grace will be helping her finish up in the kitchen tonight. After all, they have been apart for so long I’m sure they want to spend as much time together as possible.”

  “Mother, if ye were so worried about their time together, it surprises me that ye gave Grace a colossal task to complete that would keep her out of the kitchens.” Ian kicked him under the table.

  “Ye heard about the ribbon? Oh I wanted that to be a surprise. But, Bram, she likes weaving ribbon and she is very skilled at it. Just imagine what Annice will think of such a lovely gift. Twenty ells of silk ribbon. It would turn any lass’s head.”

  Bram struggled not to lose his temper. “Twenty ells? That is quite a gift.” Grace had only mentioned ten.

  “Aye. I thought so. At first I asked her for ten ells of blue ribbon with a quatrefoil pattern woven in cream and gold. When yer father saw it, he was so impressed, he thought ten more in another color and pattern would be simply perfect.”

  “Twenty ells. Ye don’t think that is asking a bit much, Da?”

  “Nay, I do not. She arrived at our door with nothing but two extra mouths to feed. She can earn her keep like every other member of this clan does.”

  There was a difference between expecting someone to earn their keep and requesting something completely unreasonable. He was on the verge of telling his parents this when Ian kicked him again and said, “Da, I’ve been meaning to ask ye, have ye had any news from Boyd recently. Is his training going well?”

  Ian had effectively changed the subject and prevented a public confrontation but Bram had difficulty reining in his temper. His parents’ callousness, particularly his mother’s, had frankly shocked him. She was normally a warm, generous, kind woman. Bram remained quiet and irritable for the rest of the evening, refusing to be pulled into the festivities. He hoped vainly that Grace would come to the village on her own.

  As the night wore on and the celebration became more raucous, his parents returned to the keep. Not long after that he found Ian. “I’m leaving. Ye’ll have to represent the family for the rest of the night.

  “Bram, I’m sorry the evening didn’t go as ye had hoped.”

  “This can’t go on, Ian. If Da keeps avoiding me, I will see Grace safely off Sutherland land and once she is safe, tell him my intentions. He can banish me if he wishes.”

  “Bram, don’t do anything rash. Please. Ye may be able to talk him around. I don’t want to lose ye and Da won’t either. Besides, I don’t want to be Laird Sutherland. That is yer cross to bear.”

  “Good night, Ian.” At this point Bram refused to promise anything.

  When he returned to the castle he walked around the outer bailey, past the little cottage. It was dark and quiet. He knew it would be—they were long asleep. He walked to the rear entrance of the inner bailey, heading to the keep. To his surprise there was a light in one of the kitchens. He went to the door. There she was, illuminated by the soft light of the dying fire, sitting in a chair by the hearth. For a moment he thought she had fallen asleep, but she turned her head to look at him.

  “Grace.” He crossed the room and knelt in front of her.

  She caressed his cheek. “I’m sorry. I couldn’t leave. I so wanted to dance with ye tonight.”

  “Oh my precious lass, I’m the one who should apologize. I left yer cottage yesterday prepared to tell my father I intend to marry ye. But Ian—he thought I might be putting ye into jeopardy
if I defied Da publically. He pointed out that even if Da was inclined to let us marry, he couldn’t give in if I showed that level of disrespect. I don’t care for myself, but Grace, Da could force ye to marry someone else. That would kill me. I have to speak with him privately to have any hope of a life with ye.”

  “I’m glad Ian stopped ye. I don’t think I could have—how could I have…” She leaned forward and to his heart-stopping delight, kissed him.

  He stood, pulling her from the chair and into his arms, returning her kiss, deepening it.

  She responded in full measure. She put her arms around his neck, entwining her fingers in his hair.

  When he finally broke the kiss, he drew a ragged breath. He had never desired a woman so intensely.

  She laid her head on his chest and he rested his cheek against her hair. “Grace, there is another way.”

  “I don’t understand.”

  “There is another way we can be together and my da would not be able to interfere.”

  “How?”

  “Marry me. Tonight.”

  “Father Damien wouldn’t risk yer father’s wrath by marrying us without permission.”

  “Then we won’t ask him. We can go to the Dominican abbey a few hours ride away.”

  *

  Grace wanted to marry Bram more than anything. They could do this. They could be married before morning and nothing could part them. Aye was on the tip of her tongue. “But Bram, won’t that be the same as defying him publically? There will be no chance for ye to prevent a rift if we do that.”

  “I don’t care. Grace, we will return for Kristen and Innes and make a home elsewhere if we must.”

  Grace’s heart fell. That was exactly what her parents had done, which had caused so much pain. “How can we do that? Ye will be banished from yer clan, yer family.”

  “It is a sacrifice I am willing to make.”

  “Ye aren’t the only one who will suffer, ye must realize that. It’s what my parents did. I know the pain it caused Innes, the pain it will cause yer mother. I’m not sure I can inflict that on anyone. Maybe it is best to at least try another way first.”

  He stepped back from her, cupping her face with both hands. “I don’t want to risk losing ye.”

  “If yer da cannot be swayed, I will marry ye at the abbey. But ye owe it to the ones ye love to try to convince him.”

  He kissed her again and she nearly lost her resolve. She wanted nothing more than to be his forever. Had she actually asked God to keep love away? When the kiss ended, she was left with a burning need but it was a temptation she could not give in to. “I should go.”

  Chapter 17

  On Sunday, the day after the feast of Saint John the Baptist, during the midday meal, the messenger finally arrived from the Sinclairs. Eanraig frowned as he read the message he brought.

  “Do they not wish to come?” Rodina asked.

  “Nay, they’ll come. But Laird Sinclair says clan business will keep them from traveling immediately. They will arrive in about three weeks.”

  “Well that’s not so long. There is a lot to do to prepare for guests anyway.”

  Eanraig lowered his voice. “Aye, but Bram is spending increasingly more time with Innes’ granddaughter.”

  “Ye’ve never been concerned by yer sons’ dalliances before?”

  “Because that’s all they were. A bit of fun. If she were just warming his bed I wouldn’t worry, but I fear this is different. He continually seeks her out. Ye notice he’s not at the table? Do ye know where he is?”

  “Nay, but—”

  “He’s on the headlands with her and the wee lass. This is the third Sunday in a row he’s done that.”

  “Well, if they are out in the open and chaperoned by a bairn, what could happen?”

  “I’ve already told ye, if she is willing I don’t care if he’s tupping her. But being seen to court her is entirely different. People will begin to speculate about where his affections lie. Then they will begin to talk about it and that talk might reach Sinclair ears, ruining any chances we have of a betrothal.”

  “I know ye’ve been hoping for this alliance with Sinclair, but can’t ye achieve that some other way? Could ye let this affection Bram feels run its course? Perhaps if we ignore it, he will lose interest.”

  “And what if he doesn’t? What if he wants to marry her?”

  “Would that be so bad if it made him happy? I know it isn’t the usual way of things but she seems like a good lass.”

  “She is a good lass, any parent would be proud of her, but that doesn’t matter. Even if she were the finest lass in the Highlands, it doesn’t change the fact she is a fisherman’s daughter. This alliance is important and there is no better way to achieve it.”

  “Why is it important? Until a few weeks ago Bram was betrothed to Fiona MacNicol. The Sinclairs weren’t important then.”

  “But they were. Rodina, sometimes ye seek an alliance because the clan would be a powerful friend, like MacLeod and Ross. Other times ye make an alliance because the clan would make a dangerous enemy. MacNicol and Sinclair fall into this category. Now that Alex has taken over from Bhaltair, the MacNicols may pose less of a threat but since that alliance fell through it is vital to form a bond with Sinclair.”

  “Is there another way?”

  “Nay, he has two sons and only one unmarried daughter. A few years ago, before the old Laird died, I tried to get him to let his youngest grandson train here but he had other plans. For the good of the clan Bram has to marry Annice Sinclair.”

  “I suppose ye’re right. I just hate to see him get his heart broken.”

  “I do too. Still, maybe ye are right and he will lose interest in a few days.”

  Lose interest. Even as he said the words he thought it unlikely. Still, maybe there was a way to help things along. They had accepted Grace at her word that she was a widow. Just because she proved herself to be Tristan Murray’s daughter, that didn’t mean that she was all she said she was. Perhaps she wasn’t married and the child was a bastard, or she might still be married. She could be hiding any number of sins, which if brought to light would change his son’s mind. As soon as the meal was over, Eanraig dispatched a messenger to the Isle of Lewis with orders to visit each of the three clan chiefs on the island and see what could be learned about the woman calling herself Grace Breive.

  *

  By the next morning, the talk Eanraig feared had already started. He began hearing rumors about how fond Bram seemed of Innes’ granddaughter. Bram apparently stopped by Innes’ cottage regularly and had been seen lingering outside like a lovesick swain hoping to catch a glimpse of his beloved. Bram had even issued an order that Grace was not to walk on the headlands without him.

  Eanraig worried that he would not learn anything about Grace’s past until it was too late. He needed to take steps immediately to separate them. First, Innes’ cottage was within the outer curtain wall, making Grace far too easily accessible. This was simple enough to fix.

  Second, gossip seemed to be more rampant in his clan than fleas on a beggar. A few tales told within earshot of the right people might be all that was necessary to make Bram rethink his relationship with Grace. Eanraig had a momentary twinge of guilt at the thought of this. Ruining a lass’s reputation was a bit underhanded. But he assuaged his conscience with the fact that she wasn’t a maiden, she was a widow. Eventually the rumors would blow over after Bram was securely married to Annice.

  With righteous resolve, he left his solar ready to set his plans in motion. He was barely out of the great hall, when he saw Bram striding toward him. “Good morning, Father. I tried to speak with ye yesterday but ye were occupied.”

  “Ye were occupied yerself yesterday, Son.”

  “Ah, well, that’s what I want to talk to ye about.”

  “I’m sorry, it will have to wait. I have business to attend to this morning.”

  Bram followed him. “This is important.”

  “Not so important
that ye couldn’t meander over the headlands with Mistress Breive instead of waiting for me yesterday. Therefore, ye can wait until I am finished today.

  Eanraig strode off. Bram had as much as said he wanted to discuss his relationship with Grace and Eanraig needed to put that off as long as possible.

  Chapter 18

  It had been four days since Grace had agreed to marry him and Bram still hadn’t been able to get his father alone. Bram would speak with him today, or simply elope with Grace. The midday meal was drawing to a close when Bram tried yet again.

  “Father, I still need to speak with ye privately.”

  “I’ve been terribly busy. I really don’t have time today. It will have to wait.”

  Bram’s temper was sorely tested. “This will not wait another moment. Please, can we speak in yer solar?”

  His father huffed. “I suppose I can take a few moments.”

  Finally. Bram followed his father from the hall.

  When they reached the solar his father glared at him. “What was it that simply could not wait another moment?”

  “Da, I wish to get married.”

  “And I wish for ye to get married. Problem solved.”

  “Da, please. I know ye want me to marry Annice Sinclair, but I can’t.”

  “Then we will find another worthy bride for ye.”

  “I have already found a worthy bride. I love her with all my heart. I cannot, I will not live without her. I am begging ye to please allow this.”

  His father snorted. In a mocking tone he asked, “And who is the lass for whom ye have this infatuation?”

  “Yer condescension is not appreciated.”

  “Fine, who is it ye love so madly ye would fail to consider the good of the clan first?”

  Bram sighed. This was not going to end well. “Da, I love Grace Breive.”

  “Grace? Ye can’t be serious.”

  “I am serious.”

  “She is nobody. The daughter of a warrior turned fisherman and coward, the granddaughter of a cook. Son, I know ye think ye love her. Ye are young, she is beautiful and readily available. She is the proverbial bird in the hand. Lad, she isn’t an acceptable bride but that doesn’t mean ye can’t enjoy her. She is a widow, keep her as a mistress for as long as ye wish, but ye can’t marry her.”