Highland Destiny

by Oliver, Marina

  John was there, pacing restlessly up and down while Lady Emrey sat calmly sewing. When Blanche said she had met Alexander in the town John swung round to her in a fury.

  'And no doubt he has bewitched you too! Even his insults last night do not seem to have disgusted you! Do you not realise he hopes to win us all to his side, knowing we might be expected to have some influence with Fiona? He is determined to wed her, and wants our support! How thankful I shall be when Patrick Crawford arrives!'

  Soon afterwards he left, and Blanche spent the rest of the day gloomily wondering if he were right, and Alexander had sought her company only to ingratiate himself with Fiona's friend.

  Fiona herself was preoccupied, for she had many letters to answer, and she wanted to dispose of as many as possible before Patrick arrived, and he was expected at any time.

  Restless, Blanche could not settle to anything, and an hour before supper decided to go and see how her horse was. The mare had injured her foot a few days earlier and it was being rested. Blanche wanted to ride out the following day, thinking it would cure her feeling of disquiet, but if the mare were not fit she would have to make arrangements to borrow one of the other horses. She was crossing the great courtyard on her way to the stables when she noticed a slight commotion as two men came through the gates. One of the men was a carpenter from the town who sometimes did jobs at the castle, and Blanche knew him well. He was supporting the other man, who stumbled along wearily.

  'Who is it?' she asked, running towards them.

  'I know not, Mistress Blanche. He was found just outside the little east postern gate an hour since, almost senseless. After a drink, all he could say was that he must see the chieftain, and he kept repeating that. I brought him here in my cart.'

  'Good man. Bring him into the hall, and I will fetch the Lady Fiona.'

  Calling to some of the men lounging about in this idle hour before supper to give assistance, she sped away to where she knew she would find Fiona, and told her of the stranger's arrival. Immediately Fiona laid down the quill she was using, tied up a bundle of papers with a leather thong, and then ran down to the hall with Blanche.

  The man had been laid on some straw piled into a rough couch before one of the fires, and he was drinking from a tankard.

  Seeing Fiona he attempted to rise, but she swiftly bent to push him gently back.

  'You need rest. Are you badly hurt?' she asked.

  'Merely bruised, there are no bones broke, my lady. And I was exhausted, but your good wine has restored me.'

  'What brings you here in such a condition? Were you set upon by thieves?'

  He shook his head and raised his hand to cover his eyes as though to blot out a terrible vision.

  'Not thieves, my lady,' he whispered at last. 'I scarce know how to tell you.'

  'But you must,' Fiona said firmly. 'If there is need for action, I can take it only after hearing your story.'

  Again he shook his head. 'I doubt if you can do aught. I – I was travelling with Patrick Crawford. We were crossing the river further south when we were set upon by the rascally boatmen, and others who came out of hiding to assist them. They left me for dead, and I was able to come here to tell you.'

  Fiona paled. Alexander had entered the hall and was standing behind her, listening to the man intently. He knelt beside Fiona as she crouched beside the man and put a steadying arm about her.

  'What happened?' Fiona demanded, refusing to give in to her fears.

  'All dead. Every one of us apart from myself.'

  *

  Chapter 4

  Alexander had led Fiona away after the horrifying news, and had given her into the care of Janet and Lady Emrey. Then he had given orders the man should be taken to a room near his own, and allowed to rest when his bruises and cuts had been attended to. Supper that night was a very different affair to the joyful revelry that had reigned for Alexander's homecoming the night before.

  Lady Emrey had remained with Fiona, who had been given a posset to make her sleep, and Blanche sat silently while John and Alexander observed an uneasy truce, speculating on who could have been responsible for the deed.

  'We shall know better when we hear his full story,' John had said at last.

  'Thank heaven he is alive to tell it,' Alexander had agreed quietly.

  It was not until two days later, however, that the man had recovered sufficiently from his ordeal to tell them his story.

  Fiona asked Blanche to accompany her to the room where the man lay in bed, propped up on a bank of pillows. Alexander was already there, and John entered soon afterwards.

  'Please tell us all you can, and all you suspect,' Fiona said softly.

  The man nodded, much more alert than he had been when he arrived at the castle, and obviously refreshed by the rest he had had.

  'We had travelled up through Glasgow, my lady. My master was cautious and wished to avoid Campbell territory, and so we travelled well past the point where the two rivers meet, intending to cross further down into Maclean lands and work our way back towards you on this bank. It added greatly to the length of the journey, but we thought it would be safer.'

  Seeing that Blanche looked puzzled, John quickly explained that the Campbell lands referred to lay on the land in between the two rivers, with Glasgow and the Lowlands to the south, and both Maclean and Macdonald lands to the north.

  'We found a boat waiting for us, but the messenger we had sent ahead to arrange it was not there. We were told he had crossed the river earlier to find fresh horses for us, for we had to leave the ones we had, the boat was not able to carry them across. Suspecting no treachery we embarked, and were half way across the river when another boatload of ruffians appeared from cover and came after us. Our boatmen upset the boat, deliberately, I have no doubt, and while we were struggling in the water they attacked us with clubs and stones, while our swords and firearms were of no use to us.'

  'The cunning devils, whoever they were,' Alexander breathed softly.

  'Aye,' the man agreed. 'Methinks they wished it to seem an accident. I heard one of them saying the bodies would be swept over the weir, and any injuries would be explained by the boat having capsized nearby. The current was strong just there, and that might have been assumed, had I not been fortunate and escaped.'

  'How did you contrive that?'

  'I have always been a strong swimmer, and so I was able to get out of reach of their clubs before they could do me much harm. When I realised what they were about I feigned that I was dead, and floated downstream. I was able to make my way to the bank under cover of some reeds, and I climbed out and hid until they had finished their grisly work. When they had all gone and it was safe to leave, I walked here,' he finished simply.

  'Did you see Patrick Crawford dead?' Fiona asked. 'Can you be certain?'

  'Yes, I fear so. He was attacked before the boat was upset, and with a knife that dealt some vicious wounds,' the man answered steadily. 'Even had he escaped them in the water, which would have been unlikely, for he was a poor swimmer, he could not have survived those wounds. I do so much regret being the one to bring you such sad tidings, my lady.'

  'It is fortunate for you you escaped,' she returned, 'and lived to tell the truth of what was done. They shall not escape punishment, whoever they are!'

  'Were there any signs by which the men might be identified?' John asked, knowing it was most unlikely. The man shook his head.

  'I have been trying to think and recall every detail,' he replied despondently. 'They came from where we took our boat, to the south, and as I was lying hidden I saw them return there afterwards. They dispersed then, and all I could see was that most of them turned westwards, following the river towards the sea.'

  'What did they wear?'

  'Many of them wore plaids of green and blue, but I could not distinguish the pattern, it happened so swiftly, and after I escaped they were too far distant.'

  'Campbell colours, and they turn towards Campbell lands,' Alexander po
inted out swiftly.

  'It could have been a feint,' John pointed out slowly.

  'Why should they bother when they were under the impression all were dead?'

  'They might think to have been observed by others,' the wounded man suggested. 'I could see the smoke from a cottage not far off on the southern bank, though I could not see the place itself, it was hidden by trees.'

  'Enough, you must rest now.' Fiona smiled at him and rose, indicating to the others that she wished them to follow her.

  She led the way to her sitting room and looked round at them thoughtfully.

  'I wonder who could have been responsible?' she asked.

  'Someone who wants to prevent your marriage, obviously,' Alexander said. 'That could be someone who intends you to have another bridegroom. Black Duncan is the most probable culprit, but it could also have been Bruce Maclean, hoping you would accept his crazy son.'

  'Surely not!' Fiona was startled. 'Duncan Campbell I could well imagine plotting such murders, but never Uncle Bruce. Apart from all else, he is far too timid.'

  'I sometimes wonder if there is a streak of madness in him too, that might make him capable of murder if the rewards are high enough.'

  They discussed it at length, but could reach no satisfactory conclusion. Fiona, too distressed to concentrate on work, eventually dismissed the men and sat talking quietly with Blanche.

  'Alex is right when he says someone wants to prevent my marriage, so it points to Duncan,' she said slowly. 'He did not seem to realise that after what he has been saying about marrying me himself he might just as easily be suspected on that score!'

  'Oh, no!' Blanche exclaimed without thinking. Then she realised that in fact she knew very little of Fiona's cousin, and had not herself been certain whether to trust him or not. 'You do not think so, do you?'

  Fiona shook her head. 'No, for Alex could not have killed them all,' she replied calmly. 'He is no butcher, and while I believe him capable of killing a man in cold blood as well as in battle, he would not do so wantonly. It is much more believable of Black Duncan!'

  'What will you do?'

  'What can I do without proof except be on my guard against everyone? But it undoubtedly complicates matters now I have no prospective husband!'

  Blanche looked at her with curiosity. Did she feel no loss for the young man? Fiona read her thoughts and laughed a little bitterly.

  'Do not think me heartless, Blanche. After all, I have never met Patrick Crawford, and can have no personal feelings about him. Naturally I regret his death and the loss it will be to his family, particularly as it was connected with me, but it would have been a political marriage such as I have always known I must make. As my father's heir I cannot marry for love as you will do.'

  'I?' Blanche was startled. 'I have no thoughts of marriage, Fiona!'

  'You should have, you are past seventeen, and many of our visitors have noticed you. John is neglecting his duty towards you. He must find you a husband. Is there anyone you favour?'

  Vehemently Blanche shook her head, and Fiona laughed slightly.

  'Are you certain? If there is anyone I will do all I can to help you. I think John would listen to me if I expressed my wishes on such a matter.'

  'No!' Blanche was firm in her denial, finding the very thought of marriage distasteful after this evidence of the passions and jealousies it could arouse.

  Fiona smiled. 'We must both seek for husbands, then,' she said lightly. 'I have just three years, think you that will be long enough?'

  'Why so?'

  'My father had rather strange ideas. He had no doubts about my fitness to succeed him, but he was convinced that a woman needed a husband, and more especially if she ruled great estates. There was an odd provision in his will which stipulated that if I were not married by my twenty-first birthday, his lands, and the chieftainship, would pass to Colin or the next male heir. Of course he did not imagine he would not himself still be alive, or that Patrick would die, but you can see it complicates matters.'

  'Does your uncle know of this?' Blanche demanded.

  'Oh yes.'

  'Then – if he could prevent your marriage – '

  'Exactly. He would gain the chieftainship he has always wanted.'

  'So it might have been Colin instead of Bruce or Duncan?'

  'It could have been, although I do not think he would have the resolution!'

  'His wife would,' Blanche declared. 'Does Alexander know of this clause?'

  'I imagine not, or he would have denounced Colin along with the others. I cannot decide whether to tell him yet. I do not wish him to begin hurling accusations at our uncle while we have no kind of proof.'

  'But he ought to be warned!'

  'Warned?'

  'He will be in danger,' Blanche said worriedly.

  'How is that?'

  'If he becomes betrothed to you!'

  Fiona stared at her and then laughed, the first genuine amusement she had shown for some time.

  'Blanche, my dearest friend, are you mad too? I could never, never marry Alex! Oh, he is charming, and I like him, and enjoy his company, but he would make me a dreadful husband, for we would always be quarrelling! He is overbearing at times, and would most decidedly think it his right to rule, and it is not! I will take no man to husband who does not understand that. I do not mean to be a domineering wife, but my chieftainship is a position of sacred trust. Do you understand?'

  'Yes, of course. Poor Fiona! You are unfortunate in having this consideration in choosing a husband.'

  'It is my destiny, but you are a great comfort to me, Blanche. Enough of this. I have no doubt that as soon as Patrick's death becomes common knowledge my relations will descend on me to offer their false condolences. Let us go riding and forget them while we may!'

  *

  Fiona was correct in her expectation that her relatives would soon appear. Both her uncles arrived on the following day and insisted on staying for some time, much to Fiona's chagrin. The only satisfaction was that Katriona had been prevented from coming by the sudden illness of one of her children.

  'Thank goodness for children and their ailments!' Fiona commented when she and Blanche had contrived to slip away from the castle for a few hours. 'Uncle Colin is bad enough on his own, but it is far more than twice as bad when they are both here!'

  At last the uncles departed, Colin attempting to make Fiona promise to go and stay with him and his family for a while. She made excuses, saying what a great amount of work she had to do, and instantly regretted it when he seemed to reconsider his departure, saying he felt it his duty to remain and help her with it.

  'No indeed, Uncle. Aunt Katriona is expecting you home, and will be anxious for your company and support if the children are worse!'

  'Yes, my dear, so thoughtful of you to remember that. Oh, my goodness, in all the excitement I nearly forgot. Your aunt sent you this little gift of sweetmeats, for she remembers what a sweet tooth you have. Now be sure to take good care of yourself.'

  'Indeed I will,' Fiona assured him.

  No sooner had Colin and Bruce departed than Fiona received a visitor from the Campbells. In considerable state a cavalcade of horses wound its way up the hill and into the castle courtyard. With immense dignity a superbly attired personage dismounted from the most magnificently caparisoned horse, and consented to enter the castle.

  Fiona, hastily informed of the arrival, came down to give him welcome, and they retired into her sitting room with another of the visitors, remaining closeted together for several hours.

  'Who is it?' Blanche asked Alexander when he, having returned from hunting, came to seek her out and discover how long the visitors had been here.

  'An embassy from Duncan,' he replied tersely. 'No doubt he brings false commiserations on Patrick's death! That devil attempting to overawe us with ostentation by bringing a more important Campbell chieftain to his aid.'

  'But it would not take so long, surely, to present such a message.'

&
nbsp; 'So there must be something else, and I'll hazard I know!'

  He said no more, but strode off to pace restlessly up and down the gallery from which Fiona's sitting room opened.

  It was almost supper time before Fiona emerged, and though Alexander started forward to speak with her she gave him no opportunity of saying what he intended.

  'Ah, Alex, you recall Lord Iain? He has been kind enough to bring me messages from Duncan Campbell. I rely on you to assist me in entertaining him properly.'

  She smiled and turned to Lord Iain, leading him away along the gallery and chatting of inconsequential matters, while Alexander, for once speechless, stood watching her.

  There was no occasion during supper for either Blanche or Alexander to talk with Fiona, for she was fully occupied in entertaining her visitors lavishly. Towards the end of supper she beckoned to John and he approached her chair. After a few words introducing him to Lord Iain, who graciously praised him for the prosperous looks of the estate, Fiona leaned back, her head turned away from Lord Iain, while John bent his head close to hers to catch her whisper.

  'I must speak with you when we are all retired. Can we meet in Blanche's room secretly? Ask Alex to be there also.'

  She raised her voice, glancing back towards Lord Iain. 'You will enjoy hearing our pipers, Lord Iain. My steward will arrange it.'

  John nodded, seeming to have no cares, and Fiona gave all her attention to her guest. John retired and spoke to the pipers, then unobtrusively left the hall. Shortly afterwards Alexander felt a tug on his sleeve, and looked round to see a small page, eager and self-important, stretching up to whisper in his ear.

  'The steward wishes to speak with you a moment, my lord, and he said could you come unnoticed?'