Ellen had little choice but to go with Alan.
9
Alan took Ellen down the hallway to another chamber, a large room with a wide bed and a dresser inside. There were two chairs with a small table, and on this table rested a bottle of wine and some mugs. Alan poured out the wine and handed her one.
“This will help settle your nerves. Please, have a seat,” he said. Ellen watched him carefully. He was acting charming now, but she remembered what Duncan had said about the English. How far could she trust Alan?
“I’m sorry for taking you away from your mother so soon. It is not meant to be cruel on my part, but Myra has been fraught with nerves ever since she was brought to me. She has barely slept or eaten and has been on the edge of despair. It’s such a shame that she has lost her vigor, although I’m sure that now you have returned so will her energy. We must talk about what happened and I did not want her to have to hear it. She has suffered enough already. What happened Ellen? Did they harm you? Did they…did they take your virtue?”
Ellen sipped the wine, but did not drink too deeply as she wanted to maintain her faculties.
“No, they didn’t. They actually took me from the wagon because they didn’t want to leave me for dead. Sadly they didn’t have enough room for my mother, and they thought she was beyond saving. They took me back to their village and I stayed with them for a while. They were quite welcoming to me and weren’t at all what I expected.”
Alan’s face twisted into a nasty snarl. “No, well, these Highlanders can be very sly when they need to be. I wouldn’t be surprised if they put on an entire show for your benefit. They wouldn’t hesitate to try and lure a young, innocent girl away from a life of civility. But you saw their village?” His eyes gleamed and his words grew swift. “This is wonderful news. I have sent scouting parties north to try and find their stronghold, but so far I have only been able to discover the general area, and they have managed to defeat all my scouting parties.”
Ellen was shocked at how quickly Alan’s mind turned to martial matters. Now that they were alone the veneer of affection had been stripped away.
“They don’t have a stronghold Alan; just a village. They’re not as brutal and bloodthirsty as you make out. They’re just trying to live.” She tried to keep her voice calm, but it was difficult not to let emotion creep in. Alan looked at her cruelly, as though she didn’t know anything she was talking about.
“They’re monsters and they don’t deserve to live. You don’t know them like I do. I spent a lot of time in the Highlands, clashing with their clans, fighting with them. They don’t want anything but blood. They come down to England and raid our borders, taking whatever they want. You should know all about that since they took you!”
“And what about the English? They take land that belongs to the Highlanders, like this estate.” Ellen opened her arms and gestured to the room around her. Alan scowled and loomed over her in a threatening way.
“This estate had no business being theirs. It is ours by right. They moved in and squatted a long time ago, expanding their vile ways down into our land. We’re just fighting back, long overdue if you ask me. I don’t know what kind of games they played with your mind, but it will do you no good to hold these opinions. You are English, and you must be loyal to your people. How could you even dare to speak like this about people who kidnapped you and took you from your home? About people who killed your father and wounded so many other brave, loyal English men!”
His voice raised and Ellen was struck by the ferocity of his words. She flinched and the wine sloshed in her cup, which she placed back down onto the table. Her loyalty was not to any people, but to virtues like truth and honesty, the same things that Duncan held dear. Alan seemed bitter and old; his skin was pinched on his face and he looked like a vulture, waiting to prey on the vulnerable. He was in sharp contrast to Duncan, who had all the soft calmness of compassion and the vitality of youth. She knew in that moment that she could never come to love this man or give her life to him, even if it was her father’s last wish.
“I’m sorry Ellen,” he said, his voice strained with tension. “I do not mean to raise my voice at you. It’s just that I have been so moved to anger by these actions. They should be punished for kidnapping you and taking you away from your life and from your husband! I dread to think about the evil thoughts that went through their minds. It’s only by the grace of God that you were not corrupted by evil’s soft touch.”
Part of Ellen wanted to reveal that she had stayed with the Highlanders of her own volition to see how Alan would react, but she was afraid that he would cast her out as a harlot and banish her from his sight. And then what would happen to Myra? She needed to speak with her mother first and explain everything. Perhaps there was still some way to maneuver out of this…
“No matter,” Alan continued. “Emotions are running high and we should not let ourselves get carried away. What matters is that you are back and we can resume our lives. We need never speak of this matter again. You are home safe and we can now think about the future, and our marriage,” he said. Ellen grimaced at the news and her heart fluttered with pain. She was certain now more than ever that she could not endure a life with this man, not when he exhibited such disgusting opinions and wouldn’t even dare listen to reason. He was set in his belief that the Highlanders were monsters and deserved to die. She had no idea what had happened in the past to give him this opinion, but it was something that was not easily shaken from the core of his being, and Ellen didn’t want to be bonded with such a spiteful man.
“You rest now and get your bearings. I will see you at dinner and we can put this ugly matter behind us,” he said, turning on his heels to walk away. But before he left Ellen called out to him.
“Alan, wait,” she said. He turned, craning his long neck. Ellen wore a pensive look and inhaled deeply to compose herself before she spoke. “I am so grateful to you for providing this shelter for my mother, but I have had a lot of opportunity to think about my future and I’m afraid that I cannot marry you. Many things have changed and I…I am not sure this union would be the best thing for me,” she said.
Alan’s face turned to thunder. “Even though it is your father’s last wish? I may not be as noble as some of the other men he intended for you, but I make up for it in spirit, of that I can assure you. Clearly spending time with the savages has addled your mind. I will give you a chance to take back your words, but know this Ellen: if you change your mind about our agreement I will not let you and your mother stay here. You will have to find your own way in the world, and it can be a very uncompromising place for two women.”
Alan stormed out of the room and glowered. He was relieved to see Ellen return intact and unharmed. He didn’t know what he might have done if the Highland brutes had robbed his prize of her virtue, but they had certainly had an effect. He had thought her dutiful and obedient, but her tongue was as sharp as a sword. There was nothing worse than a woman with opinions of her own. All he wanted was a sweet wife, and he damned Robin for going too soft on her. She spoke of things she did not understand...and what a crime it was to side with the barbarians! She hadn’t seen them in combat, hadn’t lived the life that Alan had lived. While he had been ranging beyond the borders he had witnessed horrible things; things he would never forget, things that had scarred his mind and given him unending nightmares. Now he finally had a chance to put all that behind him, but it hinged on the whims of a silly little girl who had no idea what was really going on in the world.
His throat ran dry as he thought about the estate and what might happen to him if he was thrown out. The last thing he wanted was to go back to a life of marauding around the country, fighting for coin and every scrap of food. He deserved more than that. He’d paid his dues and he wasn’t about to let all his plans come undone because Ellen was having reservations.
Alan stormed through the estate back to where Myra was waiting. The crone was sitting in her chair, no doubt excited that
Ellen had returned, as well she should be because it was getting to the point where Alan was thinking about casting her out to the wolves.
“It’s quite a blessing that Ellen has returned,” Alan began, “but she has some strange ideas. I don’t know what happened to her out there, but the Highlanders have poisoned her mind against us. She seems to think they are not as bad as they seem, and she also has this idea that she is not going to marry me. You need to change her mind.”
“If that is what she decides then I am powerless to stop her. She is her own woman, and without her father here I fear I cannot demand from her obedience,” Myra said. Her gaze flicked away and she clasped her hands on her lap. She looked so small in that chair, like a little mouse. Vermin. Alan could easily have curled his hand around her throat and squeezed the life out of her. How tempting it was to kill a parasite like that. How tempting indeed...
“You are still her mother and you must talk sense into her. I have provided you shelter, and it is in your best interests for her to marry me. Do you think any man worth his salt will take her as his wife knowing full well that she has been taken and tainted by Highland brutes? I understand, of course, being an old family friend, but others might not. I dread to think of how you might suffer out there in the world without a roof over your head, always hoping that some kind stranger might take pity on you.”
Myra looked scared but then, in an instant, fire burst into her eyes and she glared at him.
“I have been holding my tongue all this time Alan, but I can hold it no longer. I know about this place. I know that it was given to Robin and that by rights it falls to Ellen and the man she marries. That is the only reason why you’re so desperate to take her hand in marriage, and why you’re so scared now that she’s threatening to turn you away. I don’t know why you thought you had to lie about this. What’s really going on Alan? What else have you been hiding from us?”
Alan’s eyes widened to reveal the red rivers that swam around them. His nostrils flared and his cheeks reddened. He was a master tactician and yet all his plans seemed to be crumbling around him, all undone by these nefarious women. What a plague they were, but he was not about to be defeated yet. He closed the distance between him and Myra in long, loping strides, and gripped the back of her chair, making her gasp. He lowered his voice to an intimidating growl.
“If Ellen doesn’t marry me I will kill you both. Either way, this estate will be mine. As long as you do what I say I will ensure that there is always a roof over your head and that no harm will come to you. You have no power here Myra. There is no man to protect you, nobody except me. So do as I ask. Keep Ellen here and convince her that it is in her best interests to marry me, otherwise you will seal your own doom and you can be reunited with Robin.”
Her face was lined with terror and Alan was confident that he had made his point.
Myra watched Alan leave. It took her heart a little while to stop beating frantically. Ever since the truth had been revealed to her she had kept her mouth shut, fearful of what Alan might do should she expose him, but now that Ellen had returned Myra was emboldened to speak the truth, especially after hearing that Ellen didn’t want to marry Alan. The man wasn’t as kind as he had seemed. His nature was cruel and brittle, and he seemed eager to threaten them. Myra hated every moment of being around him and she did not want to put her child in that position, but what could she do if Alan would kill them? It was better for them to live in misery than to die. She wasn’t ready to be reunited with Robin just yet.
Not long after Alan had left, Ellen came into the room. Mother and daughter had a proper reunion where they could share in the affection they had for one another.
“I’m so sorry for not returning sooner. I thought you were dead. I thought there was nothing left for me here,” Ellen said.
“You mean to say that you chose to stay with them?” Myra gasped.
“Yes I did. They’re not like you think. They’re kind, compassionate, you might even say charming.” Ellen smiled sweetly and Myra was confused. The look in Ellen’s eyes was something familiar to Myra, but she couldn’t believe that it was true. She couldn’t believe that her daughter had fallen in love with a Highlander. “I only came back because I heard that you were alive. I had to come back for you. But I can’t stay. I know that now. I can’t marry him, Mother. I know that it was Father’s last wish and you may think I am dishonoring his memory by turning away, but I cannot bring myself to live a life with Alan. He is not the man I thought he was. Let us leave and find happiness elsewhere. We don’t have to be beholden to him.”
“Yes, we do,” Myra said in a soft voice. It broke her heart because Ellen was so filled with hope and courage. Myra had to dash those emotions quickly. “We can’t go anywhere else Ellen. The world is not kind for people like us. We have shelter here. Alan will look after us, and you’re right; it was your father’s last wish,” she said desperately, hiding the truth that if they left, Alan would kill them.
“But that’s what I’m saying Mother, we don’t have to stay here. We can take care of ourselves and I know a place where we might be safe.”
“If you’re suggesting what I think you’re suggesting then no.” Myra shook her head firmly. “I will not live in the Highlands. I am older than you Ellen. I do not have the same courage or will to survive. I can’t travel through some forest and live in an encampment. I need a roof over my head and four solid walls. I have become accustomed to a certain way of life, as have you. It will not be so bad with Alan, I promise you this. We will be safe, and we will be together.” Myra clasped her daughter’s hands. Tears rimmed her eyes and Ellen nodded, although she looked disappointed and her shoulders slumped, as though the wind had been taken out of her sails.
They spent a little more time together before they went for dinner. Ellen humbly agreed to be betrothed to Alan, which made him happy. He clapped his hands together and drank a lot of wine, declaring that all his plans were coming together. Myra felt a stabbing pain in her heart, fearing that she had betrayed her daughter in a deep way. Better that than being killed though. She had observed Alan carefully during her stay in this estate and she had witnessed how cruel and demanding he was to his servants. She had little doubt in her mind that he would carry out his threat. Betraying her daughter seemed to be a small price to pay for their lives, and she hoped that one day Ellen would understand.
10
Ellen wore a light green dress that reflected her love of nature, and was also a small tribute to Duncan. The morning arrived and she hurried downstairs as Alan was waiting for her. He was dressed in splendor and looked dashing in his tunic, but his eyes were cold and grey and there was no humor in his face at all. This was all just a statement for him to make to ensure that he was taking the hand of Ellen in a betrothal.
He had called in an official from the nearby town to perform the ceremony. They pledged themselves to each other and that they would carry out the wedding vows. Their hands were bound in ribbon and tied together. Her small, delicate fingers disappeared under the weight of his huge paw and Ellen shuddered through the whole thing. It took all her willpower to stop herself from crying. Myra had been adamant that this was the right decision, but Ellen was convinced otherwise. Alan was not the man she wanted, and she couldn’t believe that Robin had agreed to this either.
Once the ceremony was completed Alan harrumphed in triumph and appreciated the plaudits given to him by those in attendance. Ellen had a stony look on her face, vacant, numb, and expressionless. To anyone who asked, Alan explained it away as the lingering effects of her trauma at being captured by the Highlanders, for he did not want to humor the truth.
“Now that we are betrothed there is no turning back. We have delayed for too long already. I plan to decimate the Highlanders in this battle and ensure that they do not delay our future any longer. As soon as I return, victorious, we shall be married and share in the glory of each other. Our future begins now Ellen, and what a wonderful thing it shall be.” He
stroked her cheek and smiled at her, while she winced and wished that she had never returned.
Seeing him leave for battle gave her an entirely different set of emotions than when she had watched Duncan leave. Then, she had been worried and anxious. Now, she found herself hoping that Alan would never return. She felt awful for wishing such a thing on a man, and her father’s friend no less, but she saw it as the only way she might be able to escape the future that was creeping around her like a spider’s web.
She also feared for Duncan. Ellen hadn’t shared any information about the location of their village with Alan, always playing dumb and claiming that the forest all looked the same to her. It didn’t take much for him to believe that she could be this unobservant and useless, so he didn’t question it. However, they had found a lead from another source and were taking a large force into Highland territory, claiming they were fighting for a righteous cause. Ellen knew better though. It was just greed, plain and simple, and unlike Duncan, Alan didn’t seem to be reluctant to go to war. He seemed eager to indulge his base impulses and attack those who he thought deserved it. She prayed that Duncan would be spared a deadly arrow or a fatal thrust of the sword, and she dreaded what might happen if Alan managed to kill Duncan.
Ellen busied herself with reading, trying to take her mind off things. She sat outside in an effort to enjoy nature, which helped her to feel connected with Duncan. She smelled the scent of the flowers and smiled as she heard birds chirp. Then, she heard something that sounded strange.
“Psst!”
It was a strange sound for an animal to make, so she glanced around with surprise, peering into the corners of the courtyard. Then she saw movement by a wall. There was a hollowed-out archway upon which vines grew. It was covered in shadows and offered a hiding place. There, she saw a miracle: Duncan. His red hair was stark against the stone backdrop and he beckoned to her. Ellen’s heart was light and she skipped over to him, glancing around in fear lest anyone should see him.
Highlander’s Twist 0f Fate (Scottish Medieval Historical Romance) Page 8
