by Kate Forrest
Alex’s horse snorted and stomped. The animal was restless. Maclean was taking a long time to consider.
“What are yer terms, MacKinnon?”
“Accept a marriage alliance between my sister, Anna, and Ewan, with a handsome dowry, and let us resume our alliance.”
“If your army is a thousand strong, then why offer the marriage alliance?”
“I want peace,” Alex said. “My sister also needs a good match. The Macleans are revered in the Isles.”
The chief’s eyes narrowed on Alex.
Hold your bluff, Alex reminded himself, taking care to keep his face still.
Maclean turned to look at his son. “Ye are agreeable to this?”
“Aye,” Ewan said.
After a few moments, Maclean finally spoke again. “I accept yer terms, MacKinnon.”
He nodded to Alex, then rode back to his men. Briefly, he exchanged some words with them. As the Maclean chief disappeared into the sea of men, one of his seconds rode up to speak with Ewan and Alex.
“Ye are to put everything in writing and get a date for the wedding, then return home,” the man said to Ewan.
Ewan agreed, and the man galloped off.
Alex remained firmly in place until the Maclean contingent turned around. He and Ewan sat atop their horses in silence until the thundering sound of a thousand men marching into the distance became a faint rumble.
Once they were out of sight, Alex turned to Ewan and asked, “Will he keep his word?”
“Aye.”
“Then it is done,” Alex said. He and Ewan were joined by Robbie and Donald as they rode through the keep’s gates.
Alex approached a group of riders he had on the ready.
“Follow the Macleans until they clear our borders,” Alex instructed them.
“Aye, Chief,” the lead rider said, and the men left. The gate closed firmly behind them.
Alex instructed the soldiers to remain atop the ramparts for the morning but gave the signal for the Irish to stand down. He finally dismounted his horse and took it back to the stables where he confronted Donald.
“You are no longer in charge of my guard,” he told the man.
“But Chief, I have served as the head of the guard since before ye were even born.”
“No longer,” Alex replied. “You are a weak man and unfit to serve me.”
“Weak?” Donald shouted. “Ye almost killed us all!”
He shoved the man against the stable door. “Nae. I saved us all!” Alex turned to leave, but Donald wouldn’t be silenced yet.
“Yer father would have listened to me.”
Alex sighed and turned to face Donald once more. Their disagreement was drawing a crowd. Ready to be done with it, Alex decided there was only one course of action. Alex looked at the two guardsmen posted by the stables, then fixed his gaze on Donald.
“Take him to the dungeon,” he ordered the guards, and then turned to leave once more.
Donald shouted curses and damned him to hell as the guardsmen led him away, but Alex did not care. He would not tolerate weakness in his guard.
In the commotion, Alex managed to find Robbie, Murdoch, and Ewan.
“Come,” he told the men. “Let’s share the good news with the others.”
Chapter 31
Alex walked with purpose into the great hall. He found Isobel and Anna seated where he’d left them, but they had company. Joan, Flora, and Agnes were sitting with them as well. Isobel stood as he approached.
“We heard the Macleans leave. Did he accept your terms?” she asked.
“Aye,” he said, coming to stand before all the women. He looked from Isobel to Anna.
“I am glad he accepted the alliance,” Anna said. She looked past Alex to Ewan and smiled. “You stayed,” she said, talking to Ewan.
“I’ll be returning home after we speak,” Ewan said. “The sun is coming up. Would you like to take a turn with me in the bailey?”
“That would be nice,” Anna replied. His sister took Ewan’s arm and left the great hall.
Her face lit up, Alex thought with relief.
“He seems a good man,” Isobel said.
“Aye, but I am still distrustful of his father,” Alex said. “We will delay the wedding until the new year. I want to watch the Macleans.”
“Do you think he will break the agreement?” Isobel asked.
There was concern in her voice, and he did not want to alarm her. He didn’t know what the Maclean chief was up to, if anything, but he would not worry Isobel without cause. Right now, there was no cause. “Nae. He’ll keep to the agreement.”
“Good,” she said with a yawn. She blushed and covered her mouth with her hand. Alex drew her away from the others, so they could speak privately.
“You should go back to bed. You haven’t had any rest.” She had to be tired. Hell, he was exhausted. I could crawl back in bed with her. Perhaps no one would miss me for a few hours. “I’ll join you,” he whispered in her ear.
“I thought the idea was for me to get some rest,” Isobel said. She smiled coyly and wrapped her arms around his neck.
“You can rest later,” Alex said, bending his head to kiss her. Just as his lips touched hers, they were interrupted.
“Alex, can I speak with you now?” Joan called.
Alex sighed as he touched his forehead to Isobel’s and closed his eyes for a moment.
“On second thought, you can rest now,” he whispered. He planted a kiss on her forehead, and then turned to answer Joan.
“Of course,” he said. “Come, let’s talk in my solar.”
“I want Isobel to be there too,” Joan said, walking toward them.
“You wish to speak with me?” Isobel asked.
“Aye,” Joan said.
Moments later, they were all situated in Alex’s solar. Isobel stood by Alex’s side and Joan sat across the table from them.
“Go ahead,” Alex said.
“I did what needed to be done while you were off touring the Mediterranean,” Joan began, fiddling with the pendant on her chain. “But now that you and Isobel are home, there’s no need for me to be here anymore.”
Alex looked from Joan up to Isobel. She knitted her brows, showing that she was equally as perplexed by Joan’s words. “What are you saying?” Alex asked, eyeing his sister once more.
“I’m saying I want my own adventure.” She let go of her pendant.
“But that’s not possible, Joan. You cannae go off on your own.”
“I’ve written to Mother’s family in the Trossachs. They are happy for me to visit.”
“You wish to live with the Grahams?”
“For a time,” Joan said. “I want to get away, Alex. Surely you of all people can understand that desire.”
He did understand. Alex saw much of himself in his oldest sister. He looked to Isobel. She had not yet spoken, but her eyes were filled with understanding. She’s just finished her own adventure. Of course she understands.
After taking a moment, he finally spoke. “You can go to the Grahams, but you will go with an escort.”
“Very well,” Joan said.
“I’ll assign four guards,” Alex said.
“Four?” Isobel and Joan said in unison.
“Surely that is excessive, Brother.”
“Excessive?” Alex laughed. “Did you not see the army gathered outside our gates?”
“You mean our allies?” Joan asked.
“They could still be a threat.” Alex didn’t have to explain it. She was his kin, and he’d be damned if he let anything happen to her.
“Why not send Robbie?” Isobel asked. “He’d be the perfect escort.”
“Aye, I suppose,” Alex said. Robbie was a strong fighter. He would be able to protect Joan from harm.
“Any of the guards would do,” Joan said, looking down at the table.
“Nae,” Alex said. “Robbie will go with you to the Grahams.”
“But surely he is needed he
re,” Joan said.
“Robbie is my best soldier. He will keep you safe, Joan. Have no fear.” Alex did not like the idea of Joan leaving, but he felt better knowing she’d be safely escorted to the Grahams, assuming Robbie agreed to it. He couldn’t imagine why Robbie would turn down the request. It’ll probably be the least demanding assignment he’s had in years.
“We should wait a few weeks then, until Agnes is recovered. I’m sure he would not want to leave his sister until she is feeling well,” Joan said.
“That is thoughtful of you,” Isobel said. “I think you are right.”
“I should tell Anna and Flora. I haven’t spoken a word about this to anyone.”
“They’ll understand, Sister. Do not worry.”
“They aren’t like us, but they will be happy I’m getting what I desire,” she said, standing. The action seemed to cause her pain, for she pressed her palm to her forehead.
“It’s the wine,” Isobel said. “You had too much last night.”
Joan nodded. “I did, but I cannae regret it. I danced all night.”
“You enjoyed yourself then, Sister?”
“Aye, Alex,” Joan said. “We all did. Flora will be talking of it for weeks.” She suddenly laughed, then pressed a hand to her lips and shook her head.
Alex had never seen his serious sister in such a state. “What is it?”
“I shouldn’t laugh, but poor Murdoch will be hiding from Flora for weeks; I think she may have broken his toe.”
Alex chuckled and looked up at his new wife. She was not amused.
“That is not something to laugh over,” Isobel said. “I should have given Flora more dancing lessons.” She frowned and added, “She did stomp a lot when we practiced.” She bit her lip, trying to keep from laughing herself.
“Ah, the lad’s toe will heal, if it is indeed broken,” Alex said.
“I’ll remind Flora of that when I talk to her,” Joan said. She reached for her emerald pendant. A common habit, Alex noticed. But instead of taking the pendant between her fingers, her hand dropped away. With a nod to Alex and Isobel, Joan left.
Alex reclined in his seat and sighed. “One sister is going off on her own, one is to be wed to a Maclean, and I can only wonder what mischief awaits us where Flora is concerned.”
Isobel leaned against him, wrapping her arm around his shoulders. Alex laid his head against her stomach, enjoying the feel of her velvet dress on his cheek.
“I am sure you did not anticipate all this would come to pass when you returned to Scotland,” Isobel said, combing her fingers through his hair with her free hand.
“Nae, I did not. I also did not know that I would find you,” Alex said. I need to tell her. There may never be a better moment. He glanced at the door, hoping no one would interrupt them. “I want to say something.”
“What is it?” she asked, framing his face with her hands.
Alex looked up into her violet eyes and placed his hands on top of hers. “I love you, Isobel.”
Isobel’s eyes welled with tears. She pulled her hands away, covering her face as she sobbed.
“Are you well, my love?” he asked. “What’s wrong?” He stood, uncertain of how to comfort her.
Suddenly she laughed, perplexing Alex further, and kissed him quickly on the lips. “Of course, I am well.” She laughed again. “I am more than well.”
She took a deep breath and wiped away her tears. “I have longed to hear those words from you.”
“Then you feel the same?” he asked, reaching for her. Alex grasped her hips gently, pulling her to him.
Isobel leaned into his chest and wrapped her arms around his neck, her violet eyes twinkled from the tears.
“Aye, Alex. I love you too.”
Chapter 32
The bay at MacKinnon Keep, three weeks later
Isobel looked on as Alex and his men loaded up the small boat with supplies. They planned to be gone for only one month, but Alex wanted to ensure Isobel had everything she could want on their trip to Ireland. With an alliance agreed upon with the Macleans and no new threats against the Rood, Alex felt now was a safe time to travel. Still, Isobel worried about those they left behind.
“You’ll be all right while we’re gone?” Isobel asked Anna, who stood at her side. “Joan and Robbie depart in a few days’ time. It will just be you and Flora.”
“We’ll be fine,” Anna said, squeezing Isobel’s hand. “Besides, we’ve got Agnes and Murdoch for company, and Uncle William is staying on with a dozen or so men.”
“I’m thankful for that,” Isobel said.
“I think my betrothed intends to visit as well,” Anna added shyly.
“It is nice for you to get to know each other before you marry,” Isobel said.
Joan, Robbie, Flora, and Murdoch approached.
“We wanted to give you this,” Flora said, handing Isobel a scarf. The stitch work on it was very fine, and the fabric was a beautiful shade of rose, like the sea pink flowers Alex had shown her on Iona the day she’d agreed to wed him.
“It is beautiful,” Isobel exclaimed.
“Flora picked the color, and we all worked on the stitching,” Joan explained. “But as I’m sure you guessed, Agnes did all the detail work herself.”
“I will cherish it always,” she said. Though she and Joan had not grown as close as Isobel had with Anna and Flora, they respected one another. Isobel also understood Joan’s desires. She was two and twenty. She needed her own adventure, and she was happy Alex was giving her the opportunity to have one.
She looked at the man who would accompany Joan on her journey. Robbie stood by looking stoic with his arms folded across his chest. He was unreadable, much like Alex, but she sensed a darkness simmering beneath the surface. It wasn’t that she saw evil in Robbie, but he seemed so removed from everything. She could only guess that it was intentional. Perhaps I shouldn’t have pushed for Robbie to take Joan to the Grahams. Perhaps he isn’t capable of love. Isobel did not want to see Joan brokenhearted. At the same time, love was worth the risk. If Joan and Robbie were destined to be together, love would find a way for them just as it had for her and Alex.
She hugged Flora, Joan, Anna, and even Murdoch goodbye. She waved to Robbie; he did not seem the sort who would enjoy a parting hug.
Alex hugged all of his siblings as well but lingered by Joan and Robbie. “Take good care of her, Robbie.”
Isobel knew how relieved Alex had been when Robbie agreed to escort Joan. But then he hadn’t noticed the tension between Robbie and Joan. Isobel debated at what part in their journey to Ireland she would bring up that observation.
“Joan, I hope you enjoy visiting with Mother’s family,” Alex said. “Send word when you are ready to come home. You will be missed.”
“I will miss you all too,” Joan said, her eyes welling with tears.
How bittersweet it is to satisfy our hopes and dreams, for pursuit of such things can take us away from loved ones. Isobel reflected on all she had lost since she left Edinburgh. But I have gained a family. As she looked around at Alex, his sisters, Robbie, and Murdoch, she knew it was true. This is my family. Joan was no longer the only one with eyes full of tears.
“Isobel, we should set sail. The winds are favorable,” Alex said, coming to stand before her. “Are you unwell?” He touched her cheek where a tear had fallen.
“I’m just happy,” she said.
Alex smiled and kissed her, then helped her board the birlinn. A crew of twelve men joined them. They pushed off from the bank, and the men set about adjusting the sail for the wind to carry them out to sea.
“Will you tell me about Ireland now?” Isobel asked, as she and Alex stood looking out over the waves.
“You’ll see it for yourself soon enough,” he said, wrapping his arms around her.
****
She did see and explore Ireland, and by their journey’s end, Alex had one question for her.
“How would you describe it, my love?”
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“I think you described it best, husband,” she said, her eyes twinkling with mischief. “Like the Western Isles, but different.”
Historical Note
The inspiration for this story began with one woman: Queen Margaret of Scotland. As the daughter of exiled Edward Atheling (son of Edmund Ironside, King of England), she was born in either 1045 or 1046 in Hungary. She and her family returned to England in late 1056 or early 1057 when Edward the Confessor named his nephew, Margaret’s father, his heir. However, Edward Atheling died shortly after his and his family’s arrival in England. Edward the Confessor then kept Margaret and her siblings under his guardianship until his death.
Margaret’s brother, Edgar, did not have the necessary support to become king and upon his great-uncle’s death, Harold, son of Godwin, became king. His reign was short-lived, with the Battle of Hastings giving way to Duke William of Normandy being crowned king in 1066, despite Margaret’s brother’s legitimate claim to the throne.
William did not view young Edgar and his family as a threat, and for a time, they remained in his care. Things changed, however, and the family sought shelter in Scotland over the winter of 1068. It is believed that Margaret brought the Holy Rood (a fragment from the cross on which Christ was crucified) with her at this time. She eventually married the King of Scotland, Malcolm, in 1070.
Queen Margaret is the only Scottish royal to become a saint and was known for her religious convictions. The Holy Rood (also known as the Black Rood) likely never left Scotland until it was taken by Edward the 1st of England (the Hammer of the Scots) during his reign in 1296. Eventually, it was lost to history. To this day, the whereabouts of Scotland’s Holy Rood remain unknown.
King David (Margaret and Malcolm’s youngest son) was indeed inspired by a vision to build Holyrood Abbey; however, other aspects of his life are invented in the story. Namely, Isobel herself. King David and his wife, Matilda (as I call her, Mattie) had two daughters, Claricia and Hodierna, and a son, Henry, Earl of Northumberland. Isobel Campbell is a completely invented character. In real life, David’s grandson, Malcolm IV, did inherit the throne at (or around) age eleven.
