Her Highlander's Heartl (Highlanders 0f Cadney Book 2)

by Fiona Faris

  “Aye, that it does, but I spoke tae th’ actual Laird Mackenzie, and he’s agreed tae release Thomas! Isn’t that wonderful news?” Violet nearly fell over with joy, spilling the trencher of food and cup of ale she had precariously perched on her arm as she did it. Milly jumped up to catch her and the meal.

  “What the devil are you talking about, Violet? I was just with Nathan Mackenzie and he said that he would only release Thomas if I… if I married him.”

  “Ahhh, that must be what he meant by bein’ tae rash with ye.” Milly had no idea what Violet was going on about.

  “He was rash with me, but Nathan was a walk in th’ park compared to the other one. Nathan at least had the decency to look nervous and regretful about the position he was putting me in. Elias on the other hand…”

  “Och, the cousin. He’s a black heart, that one,” Violet interrupted, setting the trencher down on a table. “His Lairdship said he was going to release Thomas, he had already given the order. As soon as ye were done with me, I was tae go see tae him.” What the devil? Nathan must’ve had a change of heart after she stormed out of the library. Maybe the years away had made him mature and allowed him to see the value in doing the right thing? She wanted to be happy for her friend. What a wonderful thing to have Thomas out of the dungeon. He should’ve never been there in the first place.

  “The Laird also said it was Elias that made ye cry?” Milly eyed the food suspiciously. She was starving, but after leaving Elias, she didn’t trust anything provided by Mackenzie hands. “Go on eat it, I had a bit of the bird on me way back up and I didn’t croak over. Care tae tell me what happened?”

  Milly began to pick at the food. She didn’t want to burden her friend with her sad news, especially since she just received good news of her own, but she had no-one else to turn to. She swallowed and took a deep breath. “Elias kens that Gavin is alive and where he is being held, but has refused any offer of help unless I marry him,” she said quickly to avoid breaking down into tears again. Violet looked up at her stunned. “He said I had tonight to think about it, or else he had ways to force my decision.”

  “Gavin is alive?”

  “Aye, I mean I always ken it tae be true in my heart, but I never dared hope it for real!” She began to feel the tears well up. Picking up the strong drink she took a sloppy swig hoping to push the liquid heat threatening at her eyes back down to wherever it came from with the gulp of ale. “I can’t marry him, Violet, you should’ve seen his eyes. They were dead, not a flash of life in them. And his accent, completely gone. I get a strange feeling around him, I can’t explain it, but there is something not right about Elias MacKenzie.”

  “Why do ye not feel so strongly about Nathan’s proposal, I wonder?”

  “Nathan is different. I’ve ken him since we were children. I hate him tae be sure. But I dinnae think he is evil. He was being an ogre about Thomas, but I dinnae get the feeling he would hurt me. I rejected him, and he still released Thomas, if what ye say is true. Nay, Nathan is irritating, but Elias is different. He is dangerous. I hate tae say, Violet, but I am afraid of him.” A shiver went down her spine at the thought of it. There was something unrelenting in Elias’ need for her to marry him. Greed. Of course, greed was what drove Elias Mackenzie, but it was something more. If only she could put her finger on it.

  “I glanced at him out of th’ corner of my eye when getting yer plate and he seemed like a man possessed. Pacing back and forth, muttering to himself. He dinnae notice me, thank God. Plus, the talk in the kitchens is that he is bad for the clan. None of the maids like to serve him. I think ye are right tae fear him.” Violet moved away from Milly and began to busy herself with the bed linens.

  Milly didn’t know how to proceed. If she, Violet, and Thomas left MacKenzie Keep and went home to Cadney, she would never find out how to get Gavin. But could she really surrender herself to marry an evil traitor such as Elias Mackenzie? She would live the rest of her life in constant fear. What if he was lying about Gavin? If he wanted to be Laird bad enough to force her into a loveless marriage, he could easily be lying about her brother. Her thoughts kept returning to his eyes. They were not the rich deep blue of Nathan’s, rimmed in dark grey, and filled to the depths with emotions she couldn’t name. Nathan’s eyes were the kind of eyes that Milly could get lost in if she looked to closely and for too long. No, Elias’ eyes were just as she told Violet, cold, dead, no life, and no sincerity. If the eyes were truly the window to a man’s soul, Elias had no soul. She was snapped out of her thoughts by Violet’s prattling from the corner of the room.

  “What are ye sayin’, Violet?”

  “I was just sayin’ I could’ve sworn Claire Tavish told me Nathan was not at th’ battle of Dunkeld because he was abroad. Something about being a man who searches for criminals, brings them back to face the Laird’s they’ve wronged, and even the courts in Edinburgh. Do ye suppose that’s true?”

  Milly had no idea why that would be any matter of importance to what they were talking about, but she didn’t want to be rude to Violet.

  “I suppose it could be. I ken he travelled a lot over the last three years. I dinnae see why it matters much what Nathan did before he became Laird.”

  “Well, it’s just that it seems tae me, Evil Elias gave ye a little bit of information. And if Laird Mackenzie, I mean Nathan, is as good at findin’ criminals as Claire seems tae think he is, then he may be familiar with the types of people that may ken where Gavin is. Maybe he’d be willin’ tae help ye find Gavin. Then ye wouldn’t need Elias for anythin’ a’tall.” Milly paused to consider what her friend had just said. Would Nathan be willing to help her? He had always been fond of Gavin. He surely wouldn’t say no if there was any hope of finding him alive, would he?

  “Violet, you are a genius!” Milly moved closer to her friend and spun her in a hug. “That is exactly right. I can go tae Nathan in the morning. Apologize for my rude behavior at his proposal and extend him an offer.”

  “Wait just a minute, Milly. What kind of offer? I merely thought ye could ask th’ Laird for his help is all.”

  “Well, he is in a situation himself, isn’t he? If he will help me find Gavin, I will marry him.”

  Milly was already pacing, working out the details of how she should approach Nathan in her head. She didn’t see Violet’s look of stunned surprise.

  “Now dinnae be rash. His Lairdship is an honorable man, an’ he will help ye without the offer of marriage. I’m sure of it, Milly.”

  “Yes, yes, I ken he would. But there’s a larger problem. Even if we find Gavin, and even if he is well. There is still the problem of Elias.” She continued to pace, her mind racing. It was more than just her brother’s life at stake. She had been too overcome with emotion to see it clearly earlier. “Nathan needs tae be Laird. Elias cannae be allowed to take the Lairdship. Ye dinnae see his eyes. Violet, I did. If he fails to secure me with Gavin as bait, what is tae say he won’t find another reason tae force me or worse, another lass intae marriage. I need Nathan’s help tae get Gavin, but I think I also need tae help Nathan tae stop Elias.”

  “Milly, are ye sure ye want to give up so much?”

  She embraced Violet tightly. Her friend was so much more to her than just a maid and companion. The woman was the voice of reason and quiet in the storm.

  “It’ll be just a drop I’m givin’ up tae see my brother again, and tae make sure the people of both of our clans are kept safe and well.”

  “And if the Laird refuses.”

  “Well, let’s hope he doesnae.”

  Chapter Five

  Nathan walked into the main hall just as the sun was peeking over the horizon. He nodded to a few of the kitchen maids who were still laying out the morning’s breaking of the fast and took his seat at the head table. He was still unable to take his father’s seat in the middle chair, but thankfully his presence in the room prevented Elias from taking it either. Much like their impasse of the Lairdship, they sat, for each meal, immovable
on either side of the empty chair; each willing the other to make a move. Nathan knew that before he had returned, Elias had not thought twice about taking his father’s seat. Now, however, that had changed immediately.

  For now, Elias had not yet come down to break his fast, nor had most of the clan who stayed within the walls of the keep. He liked being alone in the main hall. As a lad, the room was often times the place his imagination was allowed to take flight on rain swept afternoons or after the evening meal with the other kids when they weren’t outside. He was always free in the main hall. He looked around at the MacKenzie plaids that hung from the high stone walls. The history of his family and of his people lived and breathed in this room. He had to do what he could to keep that history from falling into Elias’ hands. Not for the first time since finding out about his father’s death did he wish his mother still lived. He was thankful for the guidance of his uncle, but he missed the connection of his closer family.

  “This room is much different from the main hall in Cadney.” Nathan looked down to see Milly approaching. She was dressed in a simple brown, woolen day gown, her own red and orange plaid marking the upper right of her sleeve. Even in simplicity she was lovely, and he felt his breath catch. “Our tables are all on a level, with each meal less of a formal occasion and more like a fun, family gathering.” He had been lucky enough to join her and her brothers for meals at the Cadney Castle main hall, and she was right. There was more of a connected feeling. Maybe when all of the nasty business between he and Elias was settled, he could encourage similar changes here at MacKenzie Keep.

  “My lady.” He offered her the seat next to his, standing to bow in greeting. She gladly accepted, a smile crossing her lips. He could still see the evidence of her tears in the slight red puffiness at the base of each almond-shaped eye, and new anger toward his cousin threatened to rise. “Did ye sleep well, Milly?”

  “As well as could be expected. I was hoping I’d find ye here, my Laird.”

  “Please call me Nathan. Surely as old, good friends, we are past formality.” Is that what they were? He had spent his youth running through the Highlands with her brothers and his constant companion, as she was never far behind. He smiled then at the memory of the dirty kneed, little fire brand she was, chasing them, begging to be allowed to join their fun. She was a pest then, was she still?

  “Aye, yes good friends.” Did he notice a slight clench in her teeth? “Nathan then,” she agreed, nodding sweetly. That’s a start at least, Nathan thought before she continued. “I need tae apologize for runnin’ out on ye in last night. Your proposal came as… well, I’m sure ye can imagine, it was a wee bit of a shock.” She placed her hand on his arm and he felt a bolt of electricity course through him, originating at her touch.

  “No need, Milly. It’s I who should be apologizin’ tae you.” He covered her hand with his own. Clansmen and their families began filing into the room, eager to break their fasts before setting out to whatever chores or duties they had in store for the day. The snow had stopped, but walkways needed clearing and animals needed tending too. Milly drew back her hand from Nathan’s arm and he felt an odd chill where it had been, missing her touch. He shook his head to clear it.

  “I was hoping after the meal we might be able to go somewhere quiet and discuss it?” Nathan couldn’t believe what he was hearing. He thought for sure after the way she stormed off last night, and then after whatever Elias had told her, she would be eager to pack her things and get back to MacGille lands as quickly as possible. Since Thomas Graham was no longer in the dungeon, there was no need for her to stay. Sure, he’d hoped to convince her otherwise, but now it was she who was asking to discuss matters with him. Elias entered the room and catching his eye, he flashed his cousin a mild smile, only to be met with a deep scowl in return.

  “I think that’s a fine idea. Does the library suit what ye had in mind?” he asked, then nodding toward his cousin, he added, “Maybe we should leave at separate times? There’s no telling which of the walls of the keep have eyes and ears.”

  He felt her body stiffen as she noticed Elias, not even pretending a courtesy by offering his cousin a nod or morning greeting as he sat.

  “The library is fine. And I think leaving separately is best,” she whispered tightly.

  “Lady MacGille, I was hoping to speak with you further about our discussion last night,” Elias interrupted, flashing Milly a wicked smile. Nathan’s fists clenched. Instinct kicked in. He grabbed her hand under the table, giving it a slight squeeze in what he hoped conveyed support. It was either that or attack his cousin right there in the main hall for creating such a response in the lass. He knew touching her like that was too familiar, but something about his cousin caused her to shudder. Nathan felt an intense need to offer Milly the weight of his full protection. Though she did well to try and hide her reaction to Elias, but Nathan recognized it for what it was ‒ fear.

  She took a deep breath, and squeezed his hand back before releasing his hold. Standing up she looked right at Elias before directing her attention toward Nathan. “I fear I’ve lost my appetite, my Laird, if ye’ll please excuse me.”

  Nathan took note of the angry twitch in his cousin’s jaw. Whatever had been said between them was deep and cutting, the lass wouldn’t even tolerate being in the same room with Elias. He gave her a knowing nod.

  “Until later, my lady,” he added, knowing Elias heard.

  “Indeed, my Laird.” Gratitude flashed in her eyes. By God, she had the power to fill a man with one look.

  “Mindless twit,” Elias muttered under his breath.

  “I’d be careful with your words, cousin,” Nathan warned, shooting Elias a glance he hoped portrayed the delicate ledge his cousin was walking on. Elias returned his focus to his plate like a scorned child. He may have been able to charm or fool some of the clan elders and a handful of clansmen, but Nathan knew him for what he really was. There would be no room in the keep for both of them.

  Nathan finished the rest of his meal as quickly as he could, barely tasting the mutton and cheese. Suddenly his need was great to continue his conversation with Milly.

  * * *

  The library was warmed by the fire in the hearth, but Milly still stood wrapped in her plaid. She was staring out the window toward Cadney Loch, her shoulders hunched and head tilted forward as close to the glass as possible without actually touching it.

  “I always thought the loch looked lovely in th’ snow,” Nathan said, interrupting her thoughts but pleased to see her smile was genuine as she turned to face him, if not a little sad.

  “Aye, it’s a small loch but it’s ours. The MacGille’s and the MacKenzies’.”

  “Aye.”

  “How did ye get in so silently?” she asked. She briefly wondered if MacKenzie Castle was like Cadney with a secret network of hidden halls and passageways that would allow the Lairds and their families a quick escape when under attack. Nathan pointed to a small, narrow opening in the wall next to the hearth. She gave him a small smile. Hidden passageway. He smiled back.

  “Milly, I should’ve greeted ye…”

  “Don’t, Nathan. There’s no need. I dinnae ask ye tae meet me to argue or fight. Ye made up for any ill will by what ye did for Thomas and Violet. I dinnae ken why he was in the dungeon in the first place, but thank ye for letting him out, and without force.”

  “I shouldnae have kept his release over yer head, lass. Honestly, I dinnae even ken why he was in th’ dungeon either, as I tried, poorly, tae explain last night.”

  “Was it not you who put him there?” The green of her eyes were so clear in the white daylight. He could easily get lost in their depths. He almost forgot she’d asked him a question.

  “Uh.. Nay, lass. ’Twas Elias’ doin’ and the excuse he gave was weak. It was my honor to release the lad. I only hope he is able to forgive th’ mistake, as is yer brother.”

  “Well, I’m not surprised it was Elias at all. For what value it has, I forgive you.�
�

  “Is it that easy to earn yer forgiveness then?” he asked, moving closer to her.

  “For bein’ rude tae a guest in yer home, and a misplaced proposal, aye. For the rest of what lay between us, we shall see.” There was a bit of a twinkle in her eye, and Nathan wondered if she were teasing him. He gave her a small smile, but the lass was quickly back to business.

  “Nathan, I’ve come tae ye with an offer.”

  “And here I was thinkin’ I’d be the only one making offers.”

  “If only that were true.”

  “It’s not?”

  “Nay, yer cousin also made his intentions known. But that’s why I wanted tae speak with ye. I’d be willin’ to reconsider yer proposal, but for a couple of conditions.” So, he was right, Elias did make an offer for her. The rage he was beginning to feel whenever he thought of Elias anywhere near Milly threatened to bubble to the surface. But showing her his anger at Elias wasn’t necessary. He wanted her to continue, so he took a seat on the settee opposite where she stood.