Highlander's Fate: A Medieval Scottish Historical Highland Romance Book

by Alisa Adams

  * * *

  Lachlan was strangely quiet until after dinner when, at last, he felt able to talk about the whole story of his rescue by Shona, his memory loss, the Robertsons, and Blaire's betrayal.

  "So, you see, when people say that someone saved their life by doing something for them—" He looked proudly at Shona. "In my case, it's really true!"

  "That is a remarkable story!" Alexa said, thrilled. "I wish I could write stories – I would put it in a book."

  "I wouldnae let ye." Shona laughed. "Because it's oor story – this big Lump an’ mine."

  "Why do you call him 'your big Lump'?"

  "I cannae remember." Shona frowned. "It's my pet name fer him. Lachlan the Lump!"

  "You two are mad!" Moira laughed.

  "Madly in love!" Alexa sighed with envy.

  Shona giggled.

  "Aye, an' we've got the bairns tae prove it!" She patted her stomach, and Lachlan squeezed her.

  * * *

  They sat talking contentedly for the rest of the evening – the men about the price of livestock, the harvest, and the weather, and the two married women about pregnancy and childbirth.

  Shona gleefully frightened the other two with gruesome tales of giving birth till they were so terrified that she had to confess that most of them – but not all – were nonsense.

  Alexa, who had no intention of ever having children, decided that if even a tenth of what Shona said was true, she was not interested. Nothing would make her go through so much pain.

  Shona watched Lachlan keenly throughout the evening. He was listening and contributing to the conversation, but she could tell that his mind was elsewhere.

  He had loved his first wife, Pilar, very much, and this whole episode had brought back painful memories for him.

  Shona had always encouraged him to talk about Pilar whenever he wanted, and she could see in his face that the love and sadness were still there. She was not jealous. Pilar was in the past, and Shona was in the present, and she had no doubt that Lachlan loved her as fiercely as she loved him. But she was so deeply in love that she hurt when he hurt, and she knew that he was in pain now.

  * * *

  The evening wound to a close, and when they were alone, Lachlan wept again, harsh, bitter sobs that came from the very core of his being.

  Shona wished she could take the hurt away from him, but she could not. All she could do was hold him, and she did, as tightly as her arms could bear.

  The following morning was sunny and cold, as perfect an autumn day as anyone could have wished for.

  Lachlan woke first and looked down at Shona, her hair spread out like a banner on the pillow.

  She was sucking her thumb, as she sometimes did in her sleep to comfort herself when she was troubled. It was always her sign of distress, and he felt guilty for having been the cause of it.

  He went to the window and looked out. The sky was a perfect blue, and he could see by the motion and hear by the whispering of the fir trees that there was a stiff breeze blowing.

  He felt better today, lighter and cleaner, as if a weight had been taken off of him, a weight he had not even known was there. Pilar was a good memory and Blaire a bad one, but they were both in the past. Now, he had Shona, his children, and the baby yet to come. He was indeed a happy, blessed man.

  Today he would act like one. They had only a few more days to go before they went back to Castle Ness, and he intended to make the most of every minute of them. However, there was one thing he wanted to do first.

  Lachlan wanted to see the robbers.

  * * *

  The dungeons were about as deep as the stronghold but were guarded with even more security. There were two guards holding swords at every locked gate they passed. He went down into the dark, damp, echoing corridors and heard the rattle of chains and the noises of men talking, but mostly grunting and moaning.

  He was familiar with this – he had locked up many men like this in his own castle. It pained him to do it – since he could not bear the thought of such captivity himself – but some men needed to be kept prisoner for their own and everyone else's safety.

  He was accompanied by Iain, who pointed Hector out to him.

  "Hector Sutherland!" the laird called.

  A man looked up.

  He was not at all what Lachlan had expected, which was a figure more akin to the ugly and reeking Murdo Robertson. This man was handsome and well-built, and although a few weeks in prison had made him a little thinner, he was still a fine figure of a man.

  "My Laird!" Hector answered, smiling and giving an ironic bow.

  Despite his privations, his ankle seemed to be healing well, and although he was limping, he was tolerating weight on the injured foot.

  "This is Laird McGregor of Ness," Iain said pleasantly. "He recovered some items you ‘borrowed’ from him."

  A shadow passed over Hector Sutherland's face, but he recovered quickly. His smile became wolfish.

  "Did you get them all, my Laird?" he asked politely.

  "If you mean did I knock the door down looking for them," Lachlan said laconically, "yes, I did. And if you want to know who let us in, it was your daughter, Mairi, who hates you with every fiber of her being. Your house has been stripped of all its stolen bounty, and that has been given to the poor, and it has been exorcised by a priest.

  "You, I believe, are guilty of at least two counts of murder, so you will be taken to Ullapool tomorrow and hanged. A priest will be there to attend to you and may God have mercy on your black soul."

  Lachlan felt no anger as he turned away from the man who had caused so many people so much grief, but he was glad that he had looked into his eyes.

  Now, all he felt was pity for all the wasted lives.

  22

  Alexa's Decision

  Alexa had made up her mind. She would not end the relationship between Graham and herself for the same reason as Lorraine had. She simply wanted to be free to travel the world and cram in as many experiences as she could before she died – life was very short, after all.

  Graham was handsome and kind and was shortly going to be very wealthy, but it was not enough, and a man would want children to carry on his name. But she never wanted to have those!

  What Shona and Lachlan had was an invisible rope binding them together, and it was there even when they were apart. That was what she wanted – that or nothing.

  * * *

  The next morning, Alexa, Moira, and Shona were sitting with Lorraine trying to master the intricacies of cross-stitch.

  "Damn it, Lorraine! How do you do this without stitching your fingers to the cloth?" Alexa asked, irritated.

  Shona threw back her head and laughed.

  "'Tis one of the punishments from God for bein' a woman, hen," Shona said. "Like childbirth, the curse, an' no' bein' able tae staun up tae pee. Efter God cast Adam an' Eve oot o’ the Gairden o' Eden, he gave Eve a fig leaf, a needle, a bit o' linen an' a ball o' silk an' said in His mighty voice: 'Go forth an' embroider!'"

  Lorraine and Alexa were doubled up laughing.

  "It wis because of original sin," Shona explained.

  They nodded, still laughing.

  "Who is looking after your children?" Lorraine asked curiously.

  "Lachlan's Nanny, Ishbel," Shona replied. "She is a granny tae them an' has a wee lass that she adopted that's called Moira an all."

  "That's lovely," Moira said with warmth. "What are their names?"

  "The twins are Ishbel an’ Campbell, an’ the wee one is Adam. But Ishbel still treats Lachie like a wee lad sometimes!"

  "Lachlan treats you like a queen," Lorraine said enviously.

  "I willnae deny it." Shona smiled at her, and Lorraine decided that now was as good a time as any to break the news.

  "I have ended my betrothal with Gregor," she said flatly.

  Alexa said nothing since she knew already.

  Shona said nothing and waited to hear the story.

  It was Moira who gasped
in shock.

  "But Lorraine – why?" she exclaimed.

  "Because like so many women these days, I am not prepared to marry someone who does not love me."

  "But Gregor adores you," Moira protested.

  "He adores someone, but it's not me." Lorraine sighed. "And I am not talking about it anymore. I just wanted to tell you."

  "But who—"

  Lorraine held her hand up.

  Shona was silent but thought for the millionth time how lucky she was to have Lachlan.

  Alexa dropped her cross-stitch sampler impatiently and jumped to her feet.

  "I'm going riding!" she announced. "Anyone coming with me?"

  "I wish I could, hen," Shona said with jealousy. "But my back willnae take it, an' my man will hae kittens!"

  Lorraine stood up.

  "I will come too," she announced. "And let you two mother hens talk baby talk."

  * * *

  Moira and Shona watched them go out.

  Then Moira shook her head.

  "I cannot tell you why or I will be betraying a confidence, but things between those two and Lorraine's ex-betrothed are becoming very, very complicated. I wish I could bang their heads together!"

  "I knaw exactly how ye feel, hen!" Shona laughed. "It's no' exactly the same thing, but I used tae feel that way wi' Lachlan an' his cousin, Alban, an' they werenae even sweethearts! Best tae keep oot o' it, don't ye think?"

  Alexa and Lorraine rode along quietly, savoring the cold fresh air, listening to the keening of the seabirds and watching the ocean dash itself onto the rocks in a frenzy of foam.

  "Are you sure about your decision?" Alexa asked presently. She watched Lorraine's face acutely.

  "You know what happens when a man marries a woman he does not really desire," Lorraine said, sighing. "Soon his eye starts to wander, and before you know it, you have a very unhappy union indeed. It is fine for a man to have a mistress but for a woman to have a lover is a very different thing!"

  They were quiet for a while longer.

  "They tell us we must be homemakers," Alexa said at last. "Guardians of the household, mothers of children and after all that, we must keep our husbands happy in the bedchamber. I would not succeed at any of those things, Lorraine. I am far too selfish. At least I am not yet betrothed, but there will be a parting of the ways between Graham and me too. He is a lovely, lovely man and he deserves better than me."

  Lorraine did not dispute it – since they had always been honest with each other.

  "What are you going to do after that?" Lorraine asked.

  "I am going to travel. Till I die or become weary of it, whichever comes first. I have always wanted to, but it is difficult to resist the pressure of always having to do the right thing by other people's opinions. You have given me the courage to follow my heart by doing so yourself."

  "Me?" Lorraine laughed, incredulous. "I am the last person to be your guide!"

  "You underestimate yourself," Alexa said firmly. "You have integrity. You did not keep Gregor hanging around, wondering what was going on. You are steadfast and courageous – it cannot have been easy to have that conversation, Lorraine."

  "No," she murmured, "it certainly was not."

  "You are strong." Alexa shrugged. "We are alike in more ways than you think."

  "When are you going to tell Graham?"

  "When the time is right. Somehow, I think I will know."

  Suddenly Lorraine smiled brightly.

  "Shall we talk about more pleasant things?" she suggested. "Such as how to improve your cross-stitch? Think of it as a challenge and do not let it beat you!"

  Alexa groaned and looked at Lorraine as if she were mad.

  "I am talented at one cross thing!" she said. "Not cross-stitch, but crossbow! There is my real talent! Cross-stitch will not save me from bandits!"

  "Depends on how sharp your needle is!" Lorraine said archly, making Alexa giggle. "One of these days someone will turn you from a wild woman into a tame woman! And mark my words, Alexa: somewhere out there is the man that you will love to distraction forever. I guarantee it!"

  Alexa looked at her and pulled a face.

  "Don't!" she replied. "Because you are wasting your time, Lorraine."

  "We'll see," Lorraine said darkly. "Race you to the rocks again?"

  "Another challenge?" Alexa raised her eyebrows. "Is this the Lorraine Abernethy I know and love?"

  Lorraine whooped and spurred her horse forward, with Alexa in hot pursuit.

  They reached the rocks at exactly the same moment.

  Alexa did not have to wait as long as she thought she might to see Graham. He and Iain had business matters to discuss, and they did this over a glass of whiskey in Iain's office, while Shona and Moira were still sitting sewing in front of the cozy fire. Lorraine joined them.

  There was a storm blowing in from the sea, and Alexa tried to picture what it must be like to be in a ship in weather like this, only to find that her imagination was not adequate to the task.

  I have to go to a harbor and ask a sailor, she resolved.

  She had also heard that there was such a thing as 'seasickness' which was caused by the motion of the waves, and despite the fact that it sounded ghastly, she wanted to experience it.

  She wanted to be able to run up the ropes and stand on the crow's nest to see if she could spot land. She wanted to do all the things that ladies in polite society were never allowed to do. She didn't want to be a man – by no means; she only wanted their choices.

  She turned away from the window as the men came in, and her gaze collided directly with Graham's. He smiled at her, obviously glad to see her, and she smiled back, trying to be friendly and welcoming. In truth, he was the last person she had wanted to see. Would she have the courage to tell him tonight?

  "My dear Alexa." He bowed, then picked up her hand to kiss it. "You are such a beautiful woman – will you never learn to wear a dress?"

  She laughed.

  "Maybe the day they are nailing my coffin lid down," she said ironically.

  "Your hands smell of saddle soap and leather," he observed, sniffing.

  "I have just come in from a ride with Lorraine." Alexa laughed, pointing at her friend. "We are almost as disheveled as each other."

  Graham looked across the room to where Lorraine was talking to Iain and Moira. She looked unusually untidy, but there was a carefree attitude about her.

  Presently, they were joined by Lachlan and Shona, then they all began to laugh at something Shona had said.

  Alexa went across to them.

  "What is all the mirth about?" She smiled, putting her arm around Moira. "And why are we all standing up?"

  They sat down, and once again Lachlan pulled Shona onto his lap, and this time she did not resist, but laid her head on his shoulder. She looked very tired.

  "The Laird of Ness," Iain began, "was today served up a sizeable helping of humble pie. He mounted a horse that he was warned nobody could ride – but he said he had a way with horses and had never met one he couldn't ride. He sat on him for all of five seconds before Diablo deposited him in the dirt."

  "A classic case of pride coming before a fall?" Alexa suggested, causing a fresh gust of merriment.

  "Haud yer wheest, ye skellums!" Shona protested, trying not to laugh again. "My poor man's backside has a bruise the size o' a dinner plate on it!"

  "I must go and wash before dinner," Alexa announced. "Lorraine?"

  Lorraine stood up and walked gracefully up the stairs. Alexa sprinted, taking them two at a time.

  They washed in Alexa's bedroom, and Lorraine donned the dress she had brought with her, a pale blue plain linen one, gathered at the waist.

  Alexa wore a loose cream shift, and when they had both washed and dressed, they put up their hair and went downstairs for dinner.

  The company was seated and waiting for them, and when they sat down, Iain gave a broad smile.

  "Are we not blessed to have such beauty at our table, gen
tlemen?"

  Lachlan and Iain smiled and raised their glasses, but Lachlan really only had eyes for Shona.

  They ate venison and smoked salmon that night with some local cheeses, and when they were finished, they adjourned to a small parlor to relax.

  Graham stood up, declaring that he had to be on his way, and Alexa accompanied him to the courtyard. Her heart was beating a wild tattoo, and as she looked up at him, she felt her resolution faltering.

  He bent his head down to hers and began to kiss her, but she remained still, her lips not moving on his.

  "Alexa? What is amiss?"

  "I cannot see you anymore," she replied softly.

  There was a pause while Alexa shook her head restlessly.

  "I cannot let you court me anymore, Graham."

  He was still for a moment.

  "Is there someone else?"

  She could hear the desperation in his voice.

  "No," she murmured. "And there never will be. I don't want to be married – I only want to be free. Please tell me you understand. It is no fault of yours or anyone else's. It is just the way it is."

  He looked at her and took a deep breath, frowning.

  "Alexa – this will go no further, I promise." He paused. "Are you one of those women who have – unnatural desires? For other women, I mean."

  "Definitely not!" Alexa laughed out loud. "I hope everyone has the freedom to do as his or her heart desires, but truly I have never wanted another woman, nor ever will."

  He nodded slowly.

  "Is there anything I can do to change your mind?" He was begging, and it hurt him to do so, but there was never any use arguing with Alexa.

  The decision had been made.

  She shook her head.

  "Goodbye, Graham," she said, her voice gentle.

  He said nothing, but bowed, turned, and walked away.

  23