His Highland Heart

by Willa Blair

  “Excuse me,” Kenneth told them, without taking his gaze from Ella. “Now ye are with yer friend…”

  Ella whirled to him and offered her hand. “Aye. Thank ye for taking care of me.”

  Kenneth kept her hand for a beat longer than Euan thought necessary, then nodded and moved away.

  A frown creased Calum’s face, making Euan smile.

  “Ella, this is Calum,” Euan told her, giving Calum the introduction he so clearly craved.

  “I’m honored to meet ye…” Calum trailed off as Ella turned her smile to him.

  “Thank ye,” she replied as Calum colored. “I’m pleased to meet ye, as well.”

  “Let me escort ye to the keep,” Calum offered and lifted his injured arm in its sling. “I’m of no use unloading the boat.”

  “Oh, I’m so sorry ye are hurt,” Ella told him, placing a hand over the sling.

  Euan fought not to laugh as Calum steered her away.

  “He’s still smitten by her beauty,” Euan informed Muireall.

  Calum moved with Ella as if in a trance.

  “We saw her with ye, sitting behind a cottage the day ye left food for me.” Euan turned his head to follow Calum’s progress and make sure he didn’t walk into anyone. “Her and another lass.”

  “Tira.” Muireall pursed her lips. “I’m sorry for him, then. As far as I ken, Ella is still married to Thomas.”

  “But she left him,” Euan objected.

  “Aye, but she hasna said whether they pronounced their divorce before she did.” Muireall shrugged. “I’ll find out more later. But before I climb back up to the keep, I’m going to get a basket of fish. I may as well make the trip worthwhile.”

  Euan nodded and turned from following Calum’s departure to watch her walk away. He could wait for her, but why? Her friend was here now, and before long, Iain would agree to send them home, so Euan saw no sense in continuing to hunger for Muireall. She would never be his.

  He picked up his basket and continued toward the keep, his melancholy returning. He had spent long days and nights holding out hope for his men. There was nothing he could do for them. His only obligation now was to return Muireall to Munro—Ella, too, if she wished to go. If he could convince Iain to let him take them.

  Once Muireall delivered her basket to the kitchen, she went in search of Ella. Calum hadn’t taken her friend very far. She found them in the Great Hall, talking and laughing over bread, cheese and ale. She joined them and grasped Ella’s hand. “I canna believe ye are here!” Muireall exclaimed, earning a hint of a frown from Calum. “I’m so happy to see you.”

  “I’m relieved to see ye, too,” Ella told her. “When I got on that boat, I wasna certain it would take me to ye, though they said they’d been told to pick up any lass—or two—waiting on the beach. The captain, Kenneth, seemed trustworthy. And he said all the right things, except for telling me his clan. Where exactly are we?”

  “Clan Brodie,” Calum spoke up. “Across the firth from Ross…and Munro.”

  Ella clasped her hands together. “Ye will take us home, aye?”

  Muireall wanted to cheer as Calum nodded. Though his expression was grim, that nod lifted Muireall’s heart. Euan had promised her, and now Calum had promised Ella. No one had ever denied Ella anything, so it would happen. She just couldn’t say when.

  “Come on,” Muireall said, tugging again on Ella’s hand. “Let’s get ye settled and then we can talk. I want to hear about what’s happened at Ross since I left.”

  “As do I, and so will Euan,” Calum broke in. “Perhaps we could meet back here in an hour? I’ll find Euan.” Calum did them one more service and waved down the steward, who led Ella to a chamber across the hall from Muireall’s.

  “I hope ye’ll be comfortable here while ye bide with us,” the man told Ella, smiling all the while.

  Once he’d gone, Muireall snorted. Ella’s beauty hadn’t lost its ability to charm every man in sight. Muireall might as well have been invisible. She wasn’t surprised.

  Ella sat on the bed and looked around the chamber.

  It was just like Muireall’s—simply furnished with the bed, a chair placed by the small hearth, a chest, and a side table. Muireall walked to the small window. It looked out on the bailey over the walled garden. A pleasant view, if somewhat limited. A chill breeze blew in, but with the shutter closed, the chamber would be comfortable and warm. She closed it and turned to face her friend.

  “Why did ye leave Thomas?” Muireall asked after deciding she might as well get right to the point.

  Ella pursed her lips and shrugged. “Before ye left, after what ye’d said about going with your shipwreck survivor, I was torn. The idea of leaving, despite the way we’d been taken, frightened me. I couldna imagine what would happen to us. Whether we’d be better off, or worse. If we’d even survive. And God help us if Donas Ross recaptured us. What he did to ye after yer second attempt to escape and after yer night in the cove would be nothing in comparison.”

  Muireall crossed her arms. “I was worried, too, but I couldna bear to stay when Euan offered a way out.”

  Ella nodded. “But then ye disappeared. And word came Donas had been killed. I feared if ye had something to do with it, the clan would take their anger out on Tira and me.”

  “Nay!” Remorse filled Muireall and she couldn’t think. In her desperation to leave, had she considered that?

  “Even if ye didna, they might think so. Silas was inconsolable. Mad with her grief. And ye were gone.” Ella looked away. “I felt more alone than ever I have in my life.”

  Muireall moved to the bed and sat beside her, then took one of her hands. “I’m so sorry.”

  “Ye have nay reason to be sorry. Ye offered. I wasna ready. After I realized leaving would not be so bad, especially if it brought me to ye…and eventually home, I took advantage of the chaos in the village. Silas had taken to ranting and screaming out Donas’s name, setting everyone on edge.”

  “How awful.”

  “The men could leave at will—hunting, or hunting for shipwreck survivors. The women would do anything to get out of the village—searching the cove for more from the shipwreck or even going into the woods to look for herbs everyone knew were out of season.” She gave a mirthless laugh. “I went along with them to the cove, then just wandered away and kept going. I hid in some rocks down the beach until they left. When I saw a boat approaching near the shore, I walked to the water and waved. It was that simple.”

  “My God, Ella, they could have been anyone…”

  “Before they got close enough to beach the boat, they asked if I was yer friend.” She shrugged and patted Muireall’s hand, then pulled hers free and wrapped her arms around her middle. “So, I went with them. Now, I wish to go home. If we have a home any longer.”

  Muireall nodded. “I worry about that, as well. Euan thinks Donas lied to us, to keep us from trying to escape. We were taken so quietly, he said the Rosses likely never came near our village or our keep. We never heard any fighting. He thinks our people live, and probably searched for us, but had no idea what happened to us, or where we might be.”

  “Which would explain why no one came for us. Aye, I like that explanation better than Donas’s.”

  “I, too.”

  “Well,” Ella said, rising, “I have no belongings to unpack. I suppose we might as well meet Euan and Calum, as Calum requested.”

  “Before we go downstairs, let’s go to my chamber. Annie, the laird’s wife, found some dresses for me,” Muireall told her. “One or two might fit ye. If not, others will be found, I’m sure.” She led Ella across the hall into her room. As she pulled the clothes she’d been given out of her small chest, she explained. “The Brodies have been kind to me. The laird is Iain, and his wife Annie is from clan Rose. Euan said she’s…unusual, though she seemed kind to me. I think ye will like her.”

  Ella reached for a blue dress and held it up in front of her. “What do ye think?”

  “That’s
one I had in mind. ’Tis too large on top for me, so it might work well for ye. And it appears to be long enough. Do ye want to change? Ach, I didna think to ask if ye’d like a bath first, after yer voyage.”

  “Nay, I’m fine as I am. I’ll save this dress for later.”

  “This one, too, I think,” Muireall said, holding up a yellow satin gown trimmed with deep blue embroidery. “The skirt is also too long for me, and the color will suit ye.” As if Ella needed any more help capturing the attention of every man in a room.

  “Thank ye,” Ella told her, fingering the frock “I’ve never had a dress so fine.”

  “Nor I, but it doesna fit me very well.” Muireall sighed, envying Ella’s taller and curvier shape. “Let’s put these in yer chamber and go to the hall.”

  A few minutes later, they met Euan and Calum near the hearth at a table set with sliced venison, cheese, bread, and cups of ale.

  “I thought lady Ella might be hungry after her journey,” Calum said.

  Muireall smirked. She hadn’t missed Euan’s elbow in Calum’s ribs. Suddenly, he needed encouragement to speak to Ella? He was even more smitten than she first thought.

  “Thank ye, I am,” Ella told him and favored him with a smile.

  Calum colored, then Ella did, too.

  Muireall traded a raised-eyebrow glance with Euan, then turned to Ella. “While we eat, tell them what ye told me has happened at Ross since I left.”

  “The clan has been much like an anthill stirred with a stick,” Ella began as she placed food on her trencher. “Silas is furious and bent on revenge. But there are cooler heads among the warriors.”

  “Cooler heads?” Euan asked, giving her time to take a bite and chew.

  Ella swallowed and nodded. “Some were becoming vocal about being glad Donas no longer controls the clan. But Silas and her followers have taken control, at least until someone calls the council together, or defies her and calls for a vote. So far, no one has.”

  “No’ even Erik?” Muireall was certain he would have no trouble gaining the position. So why wait?

  Ella shook her head while she nibbled on some cheese. “She’s kept him out on patrol, looking for…” her gaze shifted to Euan and back to Muireall… “ye two, I suppose. Erik must be furious to lose his intended bride.”

  Muireall bit her lip. She’d told no one what Erik had said to her that day he’d ordered Ella out of her cottage. She kept her promises. Even to Erik.

  When Muireall failed to respond, Ella continued. “Thomas…well, he favors Erik, but has held his tongue. Waiting, I think, for Erik’s return.”

  “Sensible,” Euan said.

  “Aye. ’Tis one of the things I came to like about Thomas. He has a good head on his shoulders.”

  Calum’s mouth opened, then closed, but no sound came out.

  Muireall bit back a laugh at his reaction to Ella’s praise of the man Muireall suspected Calum would rather Ella forget. Then she asked the question she suspected Calum had sense enough not to ask. “Then why did ye leave him?”

  “Why?” Ella’s eyebrows arched in surprise. “Ye must ken. He helped steal us. He…married…me against my will.”

  “But ye just said…” Muireall goaded, earning a frown from Euan. She nodded. She’d behave.

  “Nay, he’s no’ all bad,” Ella was saying. “He could be kind. I’ve told ye that before. But I canna forgive the things he did. Once ye were gone, I realized what my future would be…with him and with Tira doing her best to curry favor with Silas. Even once I heard Donas was dead and gone, and there was hope for real change at Ross, I realized I couldna stay. I didna wish to stay.”

  Muireall nodded in sympathy.

  “Do ye think we have a home to return to?” Ella directed that question to Euan.

  “I do. And we’ll take ye…both…home as soon as ’tis safe.”

  Ella grasped Muireall’s hand. “But will they take me…us…back?”

  “I dinna ken,” Muireall told her. “But I hope so. They canna hold what happened against us.”

  “Aye, they can. Dermott will want nothing to do with me. I’m ruined.”

  Muireall winced, anticipating Calum’s reaction to hearing of another man with a claim on Ella. “If he loved ye before, he’ll love ye still.”

  Ella shook her head. “I dinna believe he will.”

  Muireall snuck a look at Calum. His stricken expression made her wish Ella’s betrothed had never been mentioned. Calum clearly didn’t hold what happened to Ella against her. Dermott, knowing him, probably would. Ella was right. She might face a cold reception at Munro.

  Muireall pursed her lips. So might she. She had not been taken, but only her virgin’s blood would prove that, and who at Munro would take the chance and marry her to find out?

  She glanced at Euan. His gaze was fixed on her. He nodded and gave her a smile. If he hadn’t promised to do as she asked and return her to Munro, she might believe he wanted her for himself. But he had promised. And he would take her home. She had no future with him.

  Once they finished eating and talking, Ella went to her chamber to rest. Euan and Calum disappeared outside. Muireall returned to her chamber to fetch a shawl, thinking a walk outside would be pleasant, when she heard Euan’s voice rising from the bailey. She went to her window and looked out.

  Euan stood below her, watching a group of lads practicing combat with wooden swords. After a moment, he moved to one of the pairs and spoke to them, then took one lad’s arm and moved it slowly through a sequence, then again. After a few words, he had the lad demonstrate it, then again, faster. With a nod, Euan stepped back and gestured for the lad to continue practicing with the other lad.

  Muireall bit her lower lip. The smaller of the two lads reminded her of Georgie. She wondered how he was faring without her. Did he miss her? He must. Tears threatened at the back of her eyes. He needed her, and she’d been gone more than a month.

  She shuddered and wrapped the shawl around her shoulders. She’d been that close to being wed to Erik. Her unwilling groom. She wondered if he had ceased searching for her by now. Had he sent an offer of marriage to the Rose for the lass he wanted, Fiona, or been too busy getting the clan under his control? She wished him well. Truly, she did.

  He’d intimidated her, but he’d also shown her the respect of his honesty. That was a kindness she hadn’t expected, and she shivered, recalling how he had shocked her. Now, days later and at a safe distance, she could see the most threatening of his comments as gruff teasing. He hadn’t touched her, hadn’t even moved closer to her. Merely told her, mildly, that he could silence her if he wished. She had no doubt he was able. But he hadn’t been willing, and for that she was thankful.

  She wrapped the shawl tighter around her shoulders and went down to Euan and the lads.

  He smiled when he noticed her approaching.

  “They’re doing well,” she said, glancing over the mock combat. “Did ye train them?”

  “Nay, Iain’s master at arms does that. But he’s away from the keep today, so I stepped in to help. The more they practice, the stronger they’ll be.”

  “I see.”

  “And this probably willna surprise ye: I’m a better fighter than I am a sailor.” His brow creased, but he kept his gaze on his charges.

  Muireall clamped a hand on his arm. “How many times must I tell ye no’ to blame yerself?”

  “Aye, well, many more, I suppose.” He turned his head to look at her. For long seconds, he didn’t speak, just stood there, his gaze moving slowly over her face.

  She waited, wishing his fingers were caressing her face, not just his gaze.

  His muscles shifted under her hand.

  She didn’t release his arm, but met his gaze with every bit of courage—and longing—she had in her. “Euan…”

  “Muireall…”

  They spoke at the same time. Unfortunately, the sound of their voices got lost under the anguished cry of one of the lads. The wee one Euan had helped while
she watched from her window now held his wrist, his wooden sword on the ground at his feet. His sparring partner stood by, looking frightened, his elbows clamped to his sides and his posture stiff, as she and Euan approached. The other lads paused their practice to watch.

  “I dinna mean to,” the bigger lad protested as Euan knelt by the smaller one. “He…”

  “I dinna care what he did, or ye, right now,” Euan said, cutting the lad off as he ran careful fingers along the smaller lad’s wrist. “I dinna think ye broke it, Angus, but ’twould be best to let the healer have a look, aye? Ye can practice some more tomorrow if she says ye may.”

  Muireall’s heart broke to see how determined wee Angus was not to cry. She squeezed his shoulder and smiled, offering what comfort she could. She didn’t want to embarrass him in front of the other lads.

  He gave Euan a brave nod and her a sideways glance before he took himself off to the healer’s cottage. Muireall wanted to go with him, but Euan saw her take a step to follow and shook his head. Muireall sighed. Part of toughening the wee lad was getting him accustomed to dealing with his hurts. She knew that, but she didn't like to see it.

  Euan stood and watched him go out the keep’s gate, then turned to the other lad. “Now tell me what happened.”

  “I dinna ken. We were practicing, then all of a sudden he yelped.”

  “’Twas yer responsibility to help Angus learn. Ye ken ye must be careful of a smaller lad, aye?”

  “I do. I will.”

  Muireall nodded, glad the lad showed enough maturity not to argue with Euan and try to defend himself.

  “Very well. Pair off with young Gowan over there. He’s more yer size, and I see Cook has come to fetch his partner.”

  “I should leave ye to watch over these lads,” Muireall said, but Euan took her arm.

  “Nay, stay with me.”

  She fell in beside him as he walked back to the edge of the practice area.

  “Ye must have younger brothers,” Euan said. “Ye were very good with Angus. Ye lent him comfort yet didna mother him too much in front of the other lads.”

  “Wee Angus reminds me of a lad at home, Georgie.”