by Jennae Vale
Helene extricated herself from the embrace and Saundra handed her a hankie for her nose. Helene gratefully accepted it and did her best to wipe away the tears that had begun again and then her nose. “Thank ye.”
“Me dear, if I had known Dougall was planning to bring a lass back home with him I would have warned him in advance.” She gazed at Helene, who stood a little taller under her examination. “Yer a lovely lass, but I must tell ye that Paddraig is a hard man and when he’s made up his mind about something, it would take a great force for him to change it. Dougall will marry Greer Matheson and if ye decide to stay, ye’ll be his mistress. I ken ’tis unthinkable at this moment, but if ye love Dougall, and I believe ye do, ye’ll stay for his sake.”
“I cannae do it. I cannae remain as his mistress. I want Dougall all for meself. I cannae share him.” Selfishness was not something Helene was known for, but Dougall was where her generous nature ended.
“This is all a shock to ye. Think on it for a while, lass. Ye’ll see that I’m right.” Saundra stood and walked to the door.
“I doubt I’ll ever see things that way,” Helene fumed.
“I’ll stay fer a bit, Aunt.” Brenna spoke for the first time.
“Dinnae let yer Da find ye here. He’ll be angry with ye,” Saundra said as she exited the room.
“He doesnae get angry with me, as ye well ken,” Brenna called after her. She turned a warm smile on Helene. “Do ye mind if I sit?”
“Nae, please do.”
Brenna sat on the edge of the bed and took Helene’s hand. “I’m so pleased we got to spend time together before ye arrived here. I like ye, Helene.” Unlike Aunt Saundra, Helene felt at ease with Brenna. She was exactly who she appeared to be. There was no falseness to her.
“And I, ye.” Helene wasn’t sure what to say. Their journey the last few days had brought them closer and she felt a great deal of warmth for Dougall’s wee sister.
“I will do me best to help ye. Dougall is me favorite brother, ye ken, and I’ve missed him greatly. I’d like him to stay. Me Da listens to me most of the time,” she proudly stated.
“Thank ye, Brenna. I feel so helpless. I love yer brother and I wish more than anything to be his wife.” Her shoulders sagged a bit with the weight of all that had happened.
“I dinnae care fer Greer Matheson. Her only interest is in being Lady MacRae when ’tis time fer Dougall to be laird. I believe ye’d marry Dougall title or nae.”
“I would,” Helene said. She was happy she’d found an ally here in this place. “Brenna, yer Da said that Dougall once loved Greer. Is this true?”
“I was but a wee child, but their Da came to visit once or twice and Dougall and Fingall were forced to spend time with her and her sister. Ye ken, to show them around and entertain them so they wouldnae be bored. Greer is verra pretty and I dinnae doubt Dougall thought so too, but he hardly knew her or had time to fall in love with her. He was but a young lad and off to Breaghacraig shortly after. Fingall, on the other hand, stayed home and had occasion to meet and spend time with Gillian more often and he did indeed fall in love. Dinnae fash, Helene. Me Da will say whatever he thinks will work to get Dougall to agree to the match.”
Helene felt some relief speaking with Brenna. “I would be pleased to call ye sister, Brenna, but I fear that may never happen.”
“’Twill. Ye’ll see.” Brenna squeezed Helene’s hand and leaned in to kiss her cheek. “We’ll be great friends. I promise.”
“I think we already are.”
Before entering the great hall, Dougall gathered the strength he’d need before confronting his father. He had two choices. He could remain calm and state his case in a rational manner. Chances are his father would not respond in kind. His other choice was to stand up to Paddraig. Let him know that he was his own man and he wouldn’t be forced into anything even by his own father. His father’s reaction to this would, predictably, be the same. He knew exactly how this was going to go, so he decided he would weather the storm as best he could before gathering Helene and their things and leaving for good. Hopefully he could maintain a level head.
Paddraig sat in his usual spot on the dais. He impatiently tapped his fingers on the table in front of him. Dougall decided to speak before his father was even aware of his presence.
“Da, I cannae marry another. I’ve promised to marry Helene. I dinnae wish to be a disappointment to ye, but I’ll nae do it.” There he’d said it. He stood at attention, ready for anything Paddraig might throw his way.
“’Tis too late. Yer already a disappointment to me, but ye’ll be put to good use as me prized stud and ye’ll marry Greer Matheson as I’ve arranged.” Paddraig reached for his cup and drained it.
“Nae. I willnae.” Dougall felt as though he were a young lad once again, disobeying his Da.
“Ye’ll nae embarrass me, Dougall. Ye’ll do yer duty. As me son, ye have nae choice in this.” Dougall was about to speak again, but his father put up a hand to stop him. “Now, let’s nae speak of it again. As a gift fer yer cooperation in this matter, I’m putting ye in charge of me teulu. To that end, I’m sending ye out to scout the surrounding lands with yer men. Get to know them. Gain their trust and show them yer a good leader.”
Dougall didnae dare speak. Being put in charge of Paddraig MacRae’s teulu was no gift. He’d been in charge of his own teulu at Breaghacraig, having won the respect of the MacKenzies early on. His Da thought he could buy Dougall’s loyalty, and his agreement to marry Greer Matheson. He was fuming with anger and was having difficulty controlling it.
“I can see yer thinking of disobeying me. Ye were always the insolent one, werenae ye?” Paddraig left the table and stood toe to toe with Dougall. “I’ve sent me men to guard the entrance to yer room. Yer lovely lass will remain me prisoner until ye return and if ye disobey me… well, ye dinnae wish to ken what will happen to ye both. Ye’ll leave now and I’ll brook no argument from ye.”
“I’ll nae leave Helene here at yer mercy. I’m leaving, and I’m taking her with me.” He narrowed his eyes and stared malevolently at the man who dared tell him what to do.
“Ye’ll do as yer told, or she’ll pay the price. I promise ye that.” Paddraig spat on the floor by Dougall’s feet.
The thoughts going through Dougall’s head were many, but he knew his father well enough to know that this wasn’t an idle threat. If he didn’t do as he had been ordered, Helene would be the one to suffer for it. “I’ll go, but know this. When I return, I’ll be taking Helene and leaving this place. I would advise ye nae to stand in me way.”
“Dinnae threaten me, Dougall. Yer the one who’ll lose.” Paddraig gulped down the rest of his ale once again. “Logan!”
“Aye, sir.” Logan, who’d been standing guard just outside the hall, entered.
“Get the men ready. Yer leaving on patrol. Ye’ll be the second in command and see to it that Dougall here gets to know his men.”
“Aye. sir.” Logan left the room. Dougall tried to catch his eye, but Logan averted his gaze. He had a lot he wished to say to his friend of his betrayal, but it would have to wait.
“Now, if ye give me anymore trouble, I’ll have me guards drag ye out and tie ye to yer horse. I dinnae believe ye want yer men to see ye in such a position.” To prove his point, he signaled to two men by the entrance who came to stand by Dougall’s side. “Ye can go of yer own accord, or these two will see to it that ye do.”
The men were large and menacing, smiling at Dougall’s predicament. He wanted more than anything to put his father and his two guards to the test, but the thought of Helene suffering more because of him was out of the question.
“I’ll go, but I must speak with Helene first.” Dougall turned to leave.
“Nae. Ye’ll nae speak to her now. Get yer horse and be ready when yer men have been gathered.” Paddraig wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. “And Dougall, dinnae even think of going up those stairs to her. Do ye hear me?”
“Aye.” D
ougall snarled through gritted teeth as he fisted his hands at his side and thought how pleasurable it would be to beat Paddraig MacRae to within an inch of his life.
“Good. ’Tis been a long time since ye’ve been home, but I dinnae believe ye’ve forgotten what happens when ye disobey me. I dinnae believe ye wish the lass to be the one who bears the brunt of yer disobedience.”
Dougall fought with every fiber of his being to control his temper as he turned and, escorted by Paddraig’s guards, strode from the room. He couldn’t get far enough away from this ogre who called himself Laird MacRae.
As he stormed through the doors and into the courtyard, Dougall’s gut told him to go to Helene. She’d be so frightened when he didn’t return. He hated himself at that moment. Hated that he was going to do as his father wished. He’d promised Helene he’d never allow any harm to come to her. If he went upstairs to see her, he had no doubt she’d pay the price. If he were any kind of man, he’d stand up to his father, march up those stairs to his room, get Helene and ride out of here now. He played it out in his head over and over and he always came out the loser in each scenario. He was alone. With no one to help him other than Logan, and there were no guarantees he’d be any help at all considering he’d already betrayed him. Chances of getting very far were slim. He didn’t stand a chance against his father’s army. If he battled with his father’s men and lost, he could end up injured or dead and Helene would be worse off than she was at this moment. At least she was safely ensconced in his chambers. She’d be safe there or so he hoped.
Anger fueled him as he headed towards the stables where the men awaited his arrival. His sister came running towards him.
“Dougall, wait!” she called.
He stopped and eyed Logan while he waited for Brenna to reach him. His guards waited by his side.
“Why are ye two standing there like idjit’s?” she asked, her irritation evident. “I need a word with me brother.” She pulled Dougall a few feet away. “Where are ye going?” she asked.
“Da is sending me off with the men. He willnae allow me to see Helene to tell her I’m going. I dinnae ken what game he plays, but until I can find a way out of this, I must do as he wishes. I fear he’ll harm Helene if I dinnae.” Dougall scrubbed his hands through his hair. “I need yer help, Brenna. Keep Helene away from Da and see to it that no one harms her. Can I trust ye to do that? Ye ken ye betrayed me and now ye owe me this one thing.” She had been a party to this whole thing, but he knew she loved him and that she had grown fond of Helene.
“I’m ever so sorry, Dougall, but ye see Logan and I had no other choice. Da threatened us with a month in the dungeon if we didnae do as he asked. I wouldnae wish to spend even one night there.” It was obvious to Dougall that she was being sincere. “Helene is a lovely lass. I’ll do me best to keep watch fer ye. I’ll help her in any way I can.”
“Thank ye, Brenna. I fear there is no way out of this mess.”
Brenna gave Dougall a quick hug. “Have faith, brother. There’s always a way.”
“Tell her I love her and I’m sorry.” He strode to his men hoping Helene could forgive him.
Chapter 7
Logan signaled to the men to follow him as he rode through the gates with Dougall at his side. His anger at Logan for his betrayal was still fresh and so he chose not to speak for fear he might make matters worse between them. Logan seemed to understand his need for silence. He rode abreast of Dougall, but spoke not a word, instead appearing for all the world to be searching the bushes and trees for any threat to their group.
They crossed the stream they followed, at a low point and then continued on across fields and rolling hills. Dougall thought back to his childhood and to the freedom he’d felt when racing with his brother through the trees, up and down these hills. Some of their best moments were to be found on horseback, riding through this very land. He and his brother Fingall could be found here as often as they could possibly get away. It was their safe place, far enough away from Paddraig MacRae to avoid the senseless beatings he bestowed upon them for even the slightest infraction. Dougall always took the brunt of it in an effort to spare his wee brother Fingall from their Da’s temper. His mother would intervene on his behalf and Paddraig, who loved her to distraction would always relent – until the next time and if his Ma wasn’t around, he was sure his beating would be swift and painful. His bruised and battered childhood had him fearing once again for Helene. What if his sister was unable to help her? What would happen if she wasn’t around and Helene found herself within arm’s reach of Paddraig? He stopped abruptly, causing his men to almost collide with one another.
Dougall cursed aloud at the thought of his father hurting Helene and the more he thought about it, the angrier he became.
Logan glanced his way with worry in his eyes. “What’s wrong, Dougall?”
“As if ye dinnae ken,” Dougall spat. He did his best to control his violent urges. He was angry with Logan. He’d known all along what was to come and he’d said nothing. He was seething and his anger was obvious even to those who didn’t know him. Dougall turned his horse to face Logan. “Why, Logan?” Dougall directed his anger at his old friend. “Why did ye betray me?” He moved up next to Logan and reached over, fisting Logan’s tunic in his hand. “Answer me. Why did ye do it?”
“Ye wouldnae have returned with me. I had me orders and I couldnae disobey them.”
He had to give Logan credit, despite the position he was in, Logan showed no fear. Instead a sadness seemed to eminate from his eyes as he gazed directly into Dougall’s. Dougall removed his hand, but didn’t move away.
“Ye ken yer Da. He would have killed me for disobeying his orders.”
Logan’s words sat between them for a moment before Dougall could respond. “I ken it. I should have known. When in the entirety of me life has he ever needed me for anything other than to serve his interests?”
“I’m sorry, Dougall. Ye ken I only did what I was forced to do. I hope ye can forgive me.” Logan held his ground, waiting for a response.
“We’ll camp here tonight.” Dougall dismounted and leading his horse walked away.
Logan relaxed as he watched Dougall’s back receding in the distance. He knew what he’d done was wrong, but there had been naught he could do about it. He was too young to die, but seeing the anger and disappointment on his friend’s face had him thinking that perhaps death would have been preferable in this case. He’d saved himself at the expense of Dougall and Helene’s happiness. He didn’t know how, but he vowed in that very moment to make it up to them somehow.
Logan was one of Paddraig MacRae’s most trusted captains, but it was a position he dreaded. He’d been happy at Breaghacraig, but upon returning home to be with his family he was forced into service for the laird. At first he was merely a member of his teulu, but as captain after captain was stripped of their position, some imprisoned and others killed, Logan had prayed that he never be put in a position where he could disappoint his laird. Disobeying orders was considered a treasonous act with severe consequences. He’d have to be careful, but he was now more determined than ever to do the right thing.
Logan approached Dougall, who was busy unsaddling his horse, his deception weighed heavy on his shoulders. “Dougall, I must speak with ye.”
Dougall turned to face him, and Logan was relieved to see that the anger was gone from his face, replaced with an apparent resignation to his circumstance.
“And I would speak with ye, Logan. ‘Tis nae the time fer it. Get the men settled and then set up the watch for the night. Mayhap we’ll speak later.”
“Aye, sir.” Gaining Dougall’s trust once again wasnae to be an easy task, but he’d continue trying. They’d known each other a long, long time and that had to count for something. He set about following the orders he was given, knowing that he’d have his chance to make things right again.
Dougall and Logan sat quietly alone by the crackling fire. The men were either sleeping or taking
their turn at keeping watch. It was quite late, but Dougall couldn’t imagine he’d be able to fall asleep without speaking with Logan about what had happened between them.
“Ye said ye wished to speak with me. Now’s yer chance,” Dougall kept his voice impassive, controlling the anger he still felt.
“Aye. Dougall, I wish to apologize to ye once again. I ken ye may nae be ready to accept me apology… now or ever, but I truly am sorry to have caused ye so much pain.”
“’Tis nae meself I’m concerned about. ‘Tis Helene. She is the sweetest most gentle person I’ve ever known. I’m afraid of what will happen to her if me Da gets his hands on her.”
“He’d nae harm her, Dougall. He’s as mean as a nest full of wasps, but I’ve nae seen him harm a woman in all the years I’ve lived at Castle Treun.”
“Just because ye’ve nae seen it, doesnae mean it hasn’t occurred.” Dougall picked up a stick and began drawing lines in the dirt at his feet. “If he believes she’s a threat to his plans, who kens what he may decide to do.”
“Aye. I see yer point.” Logan leaned forward, elbows on knees. “What will ye do?”
“I cannae do a thing from here, but me sister, Brenna has vowed to keep watch over Helene.” Dougall was sure she would. Even though she’d gone along with the deception, he knew her well enough to know she would never allow any harm to come to Helene, at least not if she were present to witness it.
“Ye can trust her. She’s a good lass and yer Da loves her dearly. He’d do anything fer her.”
Dougall threw his stick into the fire and stood. “We will speak again in the morn. I’m so verra tired both inside and out, but I’m nae so sure sleep will find me. Ye should sleep. Tomorrow will be another long day.”
