The Highlander's Vow (Loch Moigh #4)

by Barbara Longley

  “My lord.” Struan tipped his head slightly.

  “Robley, Will, this is Struan of clan Sutherland,” Sky said. “Sir Struan, this is my cousin Robley and his eldest, Robert William, whom we call Will.”

  “Och.” Robley clasped forearms briefly with Struan. “The resemblance to Dylan when he was a younger man . . . ’Tis quite remarkable,” he said, flashing Sky a questioning look. “Do we have this young knight to thank for your return?”

  “Aye,” she said, her eyes misting. “He saved my life, Rob. I have so much to tell you. Is Erin here?”

  “Nay.” Will stepped forward. “Ma went to attend Lady Meghan for the birthing. She’ll be there for a fortnight yet, along with Hannah.” He glanced toward Struan. “Hannah is my younger sister. Meg and Hunter’s bairn was born four days ago. We just received word this morn.” Will held out his hand to Struan. “Welcome, Sir Struan. Our thanks to you for bringing Lady Sky home safe.” They too clasped forearms for a brief moment.

  “My, how you’ve matured, Will,” Sky said, tousling his tawny blond hair. “Last I heard, you were on your way home for good to train under your da.”

  “Aye.” He straightened his posture, a look of pride suffusing his features. “I’ll be ten and seven soon, and I’ve earned my spurs. ’Tis time I learn what will be expected of me once I become seneschal to the earl. I’m helping Da, so we can both spend more time with the horses.”

  “Are your younger brothers home?”

  “Nay, but they’ll be returning with Ma for a visit.”

  Robley hadn’t taken his eyes off him since they’d been introduced, and Struan desperately wished for a distraction. He’d had enough of the man’s scrutiny.

  “Last we heard, you’d . . . disappeared, lass,” Robley said. “The MacKintosh guards who followed you into the wood at Kildrummy said you were in quite a state and wouldn’t even wait for them to saddle their horses. They said you were in a hurry to find your da and brother.”

  “Can we move inside to your solar, Rob?” Sky scanned the bailey. “There is much to tell, and I would very much like to sit with a glass of wine whilst relating all that has happened.” She shot her cousin a pointed look. “Though to you it has been less than a fortnight since I left, I have been gone for almost three months’ time.” She met her cousin’s knowing gaze. “I’ve been on quite a journey.”

  “Ah, I see.” Robley swept his arm toward the doors into the keep. “Will, lad, see to it that wine and something to eat are sent to my solar before you join us.”

  “Aye, Da.” Will ran up the broad stone stairs and disappeared into the keep.

  “You will join us, Sir Struan, for I would hear your accounting of what has transpired as well,” Robley commanded. “Then you may billet with my garrison below the great hall.”

  Struan cringed inwardly. It had been a long time since he’d been ordered around by a noble or told where to lay his head, and already he resented being treated like an inferior. Stifling the growl rising in his throat, he followed, once again reminded of the gulf that separated him from the woman he loved—in this century, anyway.

  He and Sky hadn’t talked about the day he’d marched out of the inn, angry at her refusal to see things his way. Nothing had changed. The qualities that drew him to her still drove him nuts. Stubborn woman.

  They went up a flight of narrow stone stairs and down a short corridor to the lord’s solar. The chamber was well lit with a single glass-paned window against the southern wall. A table of oak, surrounded by four chairs with leather seats and carved oak armrests, took up most of the space.

  “Sit.” Robley gestured toward the table.

  Struan pulled out one of the chairs for Sky before taking a place himself. How should he play this? Just how much should he reveal about himself? At least the MacKintosh were familiar with time travel. Robley himself had been to the twenty-first century.

  “The day I disappeared,” Sky began, twisting her hands together in her lap, “I overheard Oliver talking to his lover, the baron Lumsden’s daughter. My betrothed revealed to her his plans to murder me within a year of our wedding so that the two of them could wed and live in comfort upon my dower lands and fortune. I feared they caught a glimpse of me as I fled from the door. ’Tis why I was in such a hurry to find Da.”

  “Bloody hell!” Robley strode to the window and stared out. “After your disappearance, your family stopped here on their way home to Moigh Hall. True said she’d sensed something sinister afoot all along, but she had no’ been able to put her finger on what it might be.” He turned back to face her. “’Twas she who insisted your family and guards leave Kildrummy under cover of darkness that very night. ’Tis also why you find my outer and inner gates closed at present.”

  “There is more to the tale, Rob,” Sky said. “Oliver is dead. He had the faerie ring where I fell through time watched for my return. He meant to force me to go through with the wedding, and threatened to starve and beat me into compliance. He said none of my kin kent of my return, and so it made no difference to him if I died. He’d already planned to demand Helen’s hand in my stead. Then, Oliver bade his guards to kill Struan, and—”

  “Wait,” Robley ordered, pulling out a chair and taking a seat. He fixed his stare upon Struan. “Who are you, and how is it you came to be with our lass?”

  “Uh, that’s a long story,” Struan said. “She fell at my feet in the middle of a jousting match at a Renaissance fair in New York.”

  “Do you wish to tell the tale, Struan, or would you prefer that I continue?”

  “You go ahead.” Struan leaned back and folded his arms across his chest. “But first, I want to make something clear to your cousin. I am not accustomed to being ordered about or told where to sleep. I am my own man and have not sworn fealty to any lord.”

  Robley barked out a laugh just as the door to the solar opened, and Will came through, followed by servants bearing food and drink. Robley turned to one of the servants. “Have a chamber prepared for Sir Struan and another for Lady Sky. I trow that will suit you?” He arched a brow at Struan before turning back to the servant. “At opposite ends of the hall, mind. In fact, put Lady Sky in our wee Hannah’s chamber. ’Tis next door to mine.” He shot Struan a pointed look.

  “Aye, milord,” the young woman answered. “I’ll see to it anon.”

  Struan didn’t bother telling Robley his efforts were wasted. He and Sky had been sleeping together since that day by Gordon Lake. Still, he didn’t wish to push things. He caught a glimpse of Sky and frowned at the expression of mortification darkening her lovely face. The servants set the repast on the table, curtsied and left, and Will took a seat at the table.

  “Struan and I met in the twenty-first century at a fair like the one where you met Lady Erin,” Sky began. “Struan had come to the twenty-first century himself but a decade before. He fought in the battle of Halidon Hill alongside his da when he crawled through a wavering light he saw in the bog.”

  “For certes?” Will leaned toward him. “Tell us what—”

  “Later, lad.” Robley shot his son an affectionate look. “Go on, Sky.”

  Sky took a swallow of her wine and continued. She told her cousins all that had transpired from the moment she’d fallen into the portal, to the present and their arrival at Meikle Geddes.

  “The McGladreys helped us immensely, and Struan trained with Connor for weeks as we waited for my passport to arrive.” Sky sat up a little straighter. “You should see Struan wield a sword, Rob. He oft defeats Connor whilst they train.” She glanced at Struan through her lashes. “My champion makes defeating Connor appear effortless.”

  “Ah, I wouldn’t say ’tis an easy feat to bring the man to his knees.” Struan winked at her.

  “By the saints!” Robley cried, letting out another laugh. “Did Connor and Katherine come with you? Are they here as well?”

  “They walked through the portal with us, but we were separated.” Struan shook his head. “There’s no tell
ing where they are now. I only hope the two of them remained together.”

  “Och, but I’d love to lay eyes upon them again. Mayhap they’re with Meghan, aye? Surely their hearts led them to their daughter, no matter what they kept fixed in their minds.”

  “’Tis our hope,” Sky agreed.

  Then she shared what Struan had told her about his own journey to the future. The way she spoke about the Gordons warmed his heart, and a pang of longing to be home shot through him. He missed his kin and he missed his forge. The only thing Sky didn’t touch upon was her relationship with him, and though he understood why, the slight still stung.

  Did her loyalty extend only as far as blood kin? A knot formed in his stomach, but he forced himself to be rational. She’d said she didn’t wish to part with him, and he’d planted the seed, suggesting that she return with him to Gordon Hollow. That discussion was not over by a long shot. No decisions had been made.

  “Sky and I plan to continue on to Loch Moigh tomorrow, and I’d appreciate it if you’d lend us a few of your best guards to aid me in seeing to her safety,” Struan said.

  “Aye.” Robley rubbed his chin, his expression pensive. “The Erskines may have already laid siege to Moigh Hall if that is their intent. To be safe, you should travel ’round to the south side of the loch under cover of the forest. Our clan keeps a few boats hidden there. Sky kens where they are. Wait for nightfall before crossing to the island.

  “We’ve no’ seen any Erskines passing through, but ’tis likely Lord Robert will have kept to the main road, especially if he’s traveling with a large contingent of soldiers,” Robley continued.

  “If the two Erskine guards I fought are any indication, the earl of Mar’s men are poorly trained. Lord Oliver was only slightly better.”

  “Three against one,” Sky boasted on his behalf. “’Twas quite a feat. Struan managed to dispatch two guards and Oliver quickly enough for us to escape.”

  Her eyes shone with pride—and was that love he glimpsed in those hazel depths as they met his? He could only hope. Warmth surged through him, and with it, a fierce wave of possessiveness. She was his, and if he had any say in the matter, she would remain his. All he had to do was convince her to return to the future with him.

  “I owe a great deal to Connor. He’s an excellent trainer,” Struan said. “I’ve never met a better swordsman.”

  “Nor have I.” Rob looked from Sky to him and back again. “Humph. I’ll travel with the two of you to Moigh Hall. Will, I’ll leave you in command here. Keep the gates closed, and warn the villagers to scatter into the hills or to come within the walls of the keep should we catch even a glimpse of an Erskine. We’ll take a score of my garrison with us, and I’ll send word to a few of our allies yet this day.”

  “I’ve already dispatched missives to Stirling, DúnConnell and Sutherland. Word should have already reached our king and allies by now.”

  “Och, you’re a braw canny lass and a credit to your clan.” Rob beamed. “Your father would have alerted our neighbors to the south at any sign of trouble. Cousin Murray will send what men he can spare. The Erskines dinna stand a chance against us, and Lord Robert is a fool.”

  How likely was it that one of his da’s direct descendants would travel to Moigh Hall? Struan’s jaw clenched, and the taunts he’d suffered as a lad came back to him in a chokehold of misery. He glanced at Sky to find her studying him. Of course she’d sense his turmoil.

  Would revealing his origins dim the light shining in her lovely eyes whenever she looked his way? He had hopes and dreams for his future, and they included having Sky by his side. He had no idea whether fate conspired with or against him. Helplessness to control the outcome or to alter the course of his life banded his chest and the familiar anger burned bright.

  He lifted his goblet and took a long draught, feeling once again as if fate were hemming him in and pushing him toward a ledge he wished to avoid.

  “Tell us about Halidon Hill, Sir Struan,” Will begged. “I’ve heard the tales and read about it, but you were there.”

  “Aye,” Robley added. “I’d very much like to hear the tale as well.”

  “If it pleases you,” Sky said, rising from her place, “I’d like to wash off the dust from our travels. Would Erin mind if I borrowed something clean to wear?”

  “Nay, help yourself, lass.” Rob glanced at her. “Have our servants see to cleaning your garments whilst you’re here, and they’ll be ready for you before we depart on the morrow.” He turned to Struan. “We’re close enough in size, lad. I’ll lend you something to wear so your clothing can be tended as well. In fact, let us take care of that anon.” He rose. “What say you to a bit of swordplay before supper? Will and I would be glad to witness your skill for ourselves, and we can save the storytelling for later this eve whilst we sup.”

  Struan sighed. He was tired and not in the mood to show off, but he understood he was being tested. Robley had caught the heated look he’d shared with Sky, not to mention the way she sang his praises. Perhaps he was being given a chance to prove himself and to gain an ally. If so, he couldn’t afford to pass it up.

  After all, Robley had married a woman from the future, a lass with no land or political connections. Hopefully, the man would sympathize with Struan’s plight. Too bad Sky wasn’t Robley’s daughter. Somehow he doubted Robley would have much sway with the earl of Fife when it came to Sky’s future with the bastard son of the fourth earl of Sutherland. Struan stood up and stretched. “If you wish.”

  Robley opened the solar door. “Let’s find something suitable for you to wear before heading for the lists, and I’ll arrange for a bath to be readied in your chamber.”

  “My thanks. If you don’t mind, I’d like to fight you both at once. It’s been a long few days, and I don’t wish to expend too much more energy today.”

  “By God, you are a Sutherland through and through, and every bit as cocky.” Robley laughed, cast him an incredulous look and laughed again. Will, on the other hand, kept his mouth shut and his eyes wide. “We shall see, lad. Dinna count on victory just yet.”

  Aye, it would be good to form alliances, make a name for himself with Sky’s kin. The earl of Fife would then be much less inclined to remove Struan’s head from his shoulders should he learn Struan had stolen his eldest daughter’s virtue. Though to be fair, she’d seduced him, not the other way around—not that he wouldn’t have gotten to the seduction part himself if given enough time.

  Struan, Sky and the MacKintosh traveling with them had left their horses with a crofter half a league back and made their way through thick forest to a hill overlooking Loch Moigh. Struan lay flat on his belly and peered down at the village nestled beside the loch. Their worst fears had been realized. The village and the shores teemed with Erskines armed to the hilt. “Bloody hell, Lord Robert has a cannon.”

  “Humph.” Robley peered down at the enemy now occupying the village. “’Tis unlikely to do him any good. Our island stronghold is out of range.” He glanced at Struan. “Is it no’?”

  “Hmm.” He studied the island. “The keep is set far enough back. Maybe they’ll manage to destroy a few of the fishing boats lining the shore, perhaps the outer curtain wall will suffer some damage, but the keep?” He shook his head. “Doubtful.”

  “Aye, and if we’re lucky, the damn thing will explode in their faces. I’ve heard tell cannons are most unreliable.” Robley put his hand on Struan’s shoulder. “Come, let us continue on before it becomes too dark to find the boats. I dinna wish to spend the night in the forest. ’Twould be best not to be discovered by Lord Robert’s scouts. Besides, even if we aren’t discovered, we’d have to wait another day to make our way to the island.”

  He and Robley retreated to where the rest of their party waited, hidden in the shadows of the trees. Rob issued a silent order, and the guards formed a line with Sky safely ensconced at the midpoint. They crept along, careful not to make any noise that might alert enemy spies. By the time they reached
the south shore and uncovered the boats hidden under the brush, the sun had sunk to the horizon.

  “Clouds,” Sky whispered, pointing to the north. Heavy, dark clouds were moving their way. “We’ll have good cover, more if it rains.”

  “Aye,” Robley agreed. “Sit. Eat something. As soon as darkness falls, we’ll be off.”

  By the time the sun had disappeared, it was raining hard. Rob, Struan and Sky piled into the first boat, along with three of the MacKintosh guards. The rest of the men divided themselves amongst the remaining three, and they all shoved off from shore and headed for the island, keeping the darker outline of the castle in their sights to guide them. The way was slow, and they were careful not to make noise when slicing the oars through the water. For safety’s sake, they kept a fair distance between each of the skiffs.

  Sky’s teeth were chattering by the time they landed, but there was nothing Struan could do. He had nothing to offer to shield her from the deluge. He helped her out of the boat and made sure she stood on firm ground before turning back to help drag the skiffs on shore.

  “Come,” Robley beckoned, “to the postern gate.” He led them single file to an iron gate behind the castle. There, he called out to the guards manning the parapet, and the passageway was opened quickly.

  “Welcome, Lord Robley.” The guard bowed as they filed through into the outer ward. “Och, Lady Sky! ’Tis grand to have ye back, Lady Sky.”

  “’Tis good to be back, George,” she said as she slipped through.

  “Bad business afoot with the Erskines, aye? Best hie yourselves to the great hall anon. The lords are gathered within.” George waited until the last man was through, and then the gate clanged closed behind them and the lock clicked into place.

  The lords were gathered? What was he about to face once they entered Moigh Hall? Struan followed Sky along a narrow path leading past what must be the kitchen gardens. They stopped at a door at the rear of the keep. Robley sent his guards to the lower level to find a hot meal and a dry place to rest before ushering Struan and Sky past the kitchen and into the great hall.