by Sarah Hoss
Alexander wondered if he could confide in his brother Marlana’s secrets. Yes, he loved Marlana. Yes, he wanted a life with her, but what happens when one day she disappears as quickly as she came? Would that happen? Would she be sent here to only turn around and leave the same way? They had no idea how she got here, which meant she could go just as easy. There lay the real fear for him. Dare he take her; love her, only to lose her? Could he lose at love twice?
The next morning, James walked through the castle having just spoken with the Chief. Everyday business didn’t quit just because there were guests. Someone had been stealing cattle the past two weeks. Nearly fifty head gone so far. He was making it top priority to figure this out. But first, a wedding would be taking place today and he needed to see that preparations were being done.
He started to walk past the dining hall when he stopped abruptly, took three steps back, and peered around the corner. Marlana sat at the table alone. After the previous night’s conversation with his brother, James’s interest peaked. The way they interacted, he knew his suspicions were right. Brief touches seemed to be done on accident, but actually on purpose. The way they watched each other when they thought the other one wasn’t looking. But he had been watching and he saw very plainly what they didn’t. They loved each other. Now, the only question was, how did he get them to see it for themselves?
Cows and weddings were momentarily forgotten. He studied her. She was dark haired, fair skinned, and long legged. She seemed gentle and soft spoken. Yet, there was something about her that suggested an inner strength. He thought if put to the test, she would pass with flying colors. She seemed smart, someone who wouldn’t go down without a fight.
Why not speak to her, get to know her. Find out what it is about her that is driving my brother mad for her. With that decided, he walked into the room and sat down beside her.
Marlana turned to see James smiling at her, and she couldn’t help but return the gesture. She hadn’t yet had a chance to sit and talk to him and it looked like she would be able to now.
She straightened her back, trying to appear the lady, and greeted him. “Good afternoon, James.”
He was a very handsome man. Even though his coloring was different from his brothers, you could clearly see the resemblance. His reddish-blonde hair didn’t quite reach his collar and it was long in the front, hanging at his eyes. Very GQ.
“Aye, and the same to ye, lass.” He poured himself some ale and motioned with the pot to her cup.
“Please.” She laid her hands in her lap and waited.
When James sat the pitcher down, he took a drink, then settled his gaze on her. “So, what would ye ask of me? The weather? How is heather honey made?”
“Heather honey?”
“Aye, it’s good on bread. A little tart, but verra good.”
She smiled at him. She couldn’t imagine putting those pretty purple flowers in her honey to eat, but he was more of an expert on it than she was. She would have to take his word. “I would like to try that sometime.”
“As ye wish, I’m sure there is some in the kitchen.” She waited patiently while he studied her. Patting her hand, he finally spoke. “I fear ye will disappoint me by making me wait.”
“I have no idea what you are talking about.” She lied and brushed a hair out of her eyes that wasn‘t there. She hated to be stared at and James was good at it. She didn’t know how many times in the last twenty-four hours she’d caught him looking at her.
“Ye arena interested in trying heather honey, but I know what ye are interested in and that is my brother.”
She was completely taken back that he would say such a thing, not that it wasn’t true, but that he said it out loud. “Good gracious, there is one more thing you and Margaret have in common. Bluntness.”
She didn’t want to hear about what she felt or thought about Alex. She wanted to know what he felt or thought about her. Sounds in the castle reached her ears and she didn’t want to sit anymore. As she began to rise, James stayed her with a hand on her arm.
“I wish ye would not be mad at him and not judge him. He loved Mairi very much and to be taken away in such a fashion was not easy. She told him not to grieve forever, right as she lay dying. To have it come by the one and only woman he swore to love. Ye canna blame him for fighting his attraction to ye.”
Where was James when she’d needed these words of encouragement a month ago? She wasn’t any closer to figuring out Alex today than she was then. It was all so confusing.
“If what you say is true, then it’s great to know your brother feels something for me. But I’ve been hurt in my past, too, and I’m not going to beg. Your brother fights me at every turn.” She sighed. “He wins. Now it’s his turn.”
He studied her again, before glancing off into the fireplace. “Why wouldn’t ye fight for something ye knew would be worth it in the end, I wonder?”
She shrugged. “You’re a warrior. Would you fight a battle you felt you couldn’t win?” When she got no answer, she continued. “If I can have half of the love in my life that he gave Mairi in one year, I would be a lucky woman. I hope she knew how lucky she was.” She never looked up as she spoke—concentrating on her glass. “It amazes me at how fierce you Macpherson’s are in everything you do. Your loyalty, loving, fighting, strength. I bet you couldn’t gently tug a flower from the ground, but would yank the damn thing up.” She laughed and peeked at James under her lashes.
This caused him to laugh until he had tears coming from his eyes. “Lass, ye have no idea.”
While they were sitting in the dining hall laughing, a squire walked into the room. When he saw James, he walked over to the table and informed him that the Chief wanted to meet with the both of them in his chambers.
James looked at her and quirked an eyebrow.
She shrugged her shoulders. Had the time come? Was it time to Pay the Piper, as they say. Holding out her hand, she asked, “Shall we go see what he wants?”
James took her hand, tucked it into the crook of his arm, and led the way. They hadn’t gone far when he squeezed her hand and stopped.
“Ye know everything will be all right, doona ye? He isna going to hang ye or anything. He just wants to meet ye.”
She gasped. “Easy for you to say, everyone knows who you are. You’re not an outcast.”
“Come. I will show ye there is nothing to be afraid of.”
They walked up and down halls and climbed stairs until she was completely lost, which she imagined was his intent. “Are you trying to get me lost on purpose?”
He didn’t answer.
“Yah, I know. If you told me, then you’d have to kill me, right?” She raised her eyebrows and put on a half-smile.
He looked startled at her statement and he rolled her eyes. She would have to remember that things are not said here like they are back home.
“I didn’t mean it literally. Sorry.” She lowered her head.
“Be careful with the words ye choose, lass.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Doona worry yerself. And, to answer yer question, there are many ways leading to the Chief’s chamber, and no, I never take the same way twice.”
They were walking again. She was determined to be upbeat, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that whatever was going to happen in that room, was going to be life changing. Before she knew it, they were outside the Chief’s door. She wondered what it would be like on the other side. Was she worrying for nothing? God, she hoped so.
James opened the latch and gently nudged her in before him, whispering in her ear as she passed, “Ladies first.”
She could hear the teasing sound to his voice and turned around to see him trying to act serious, but the hidden smile couldn’t stay that way for long and he let it go. He waggled his eyebrows at her. His good mood h
elped calm her. She glanced around the room, taking it all in. She wasn’t yet ready to look at the Chief who sat at his table.
The room was large, with a table in the middle of the far wall, a high-back chair behind it. She stood rooted in place, not sure what was expected of her.
Sconces hung about the room, rush light helped to illuminate the dark corners, giving the place a more homey feel. Two beautiful tapestries hung on the walls, catching her eye. One was of a Highland stag drinking from the river with a backdrop of a field with heather and majestic mountains. The other was of a beautiful lady, sitting serenely on a stone bench, peering out over a hillside. There was peace on her face and Marlana tried to drag comfort from that. Whoever had made these had a great eye for detail.
A large hound lay in the corner near the fireplace, completely ignoring all the commotion in his Master’s chambers. To the Chief’s left stood a small table that held silver goblets and a carafe. Wine or whisky she wondered? Beyond this, bookshelves soared to the ceiling, covered in volumes and scrolls.
This room spoke a lot about the man who was chief. Knowledge; you could tell the books and scrolls were used often. Simplicity; there were not a lot of things in this room. Pride; everything on display was the best.
Alexander came into the room shortly after they did. She turned around at hearing the door and smiled as he entered. Some of her fear went away. He looked quickly at everyone and when his eyes rested on her, that’s where they stayed. His face didn’t change much, but she could see a softening around his eyes. Needing to be near him, she started to step toward him, but his head made the smallest movement and she stopped. James moved to stand closer to the Chief’s desk. The silence in the room began to drive her crazy. What was everyone waiting on? Let’s get this over with already, she wanted to scream.
A clearing of a throat caught her attention. The deep sound startled her. She immediately faced the Chief, feeling like a criminal facing his executioner. She stood as still as she could be, no expression on her face, her hands trembling like crazy.
He walked around the desk to stand in front of them, and she let her eyes roam over him as he did so. His name was Duncan and he was old enough to be her father, she guessed. He was a fierce looking man. Very large, years of hard work and practice chiseled his body to perfection. He was of average height, but his presence made him seem much taller. He commanded attention and respect with his posture and stern expression. A nasty looking scar ran down the length of his bicep and she could only imagine the pain it must have caused.
She studied him a little closer. If one truly looked at the man, you could see the telltale signs of gentleness. The laugh lines around his eyes told of happiness in his life. This helped to ease her nerves.
“Welcome, My lady.”
When he spoke, she jumped. She didn’t know what to do. Did she curtsey? Was she supposed to offer her hand? No, not that, she did not stand before him with any kind of station; she was not above him or equal to him. Her hesitation must have spoken a thousand things and she knew she had better do something soon. He waited patiently.
She gave a small curtsey. “Thank you for your hospitality.”
Alexander was closer to her than she remembered. When had he moved? The Chief turned slightly to Alexander and extended his hand. He took it and the men clasped arms and gave each other a pat on the back.
“Good to see ye again, Alexander.”
“Thank ye, it’s good to be back at the Keep.”
The men studied each other for a moment longer, then the Chief turned his attention back to Marlana. “Would ye pour us all a drink, James? I think one would be welcomed right about now.”
James strode over to the table and poured four glasses of wine. First, he brought a drink to the Chief and Marlana, then went back for the other two glasses.
James flanked her on the other side. Did he and Alexander think she was going to run or were they there for support? Her mind wrapped itself around everything that was going on, trying to decipher it all. Duncan, the Chief, studied her. She realized she was biting her lip and stopped. Straightening her back, she looked him in the eye. She was here and there was nothing she could do to change that. She might as well act like a woman and stand her ground, instead of acting like a little schoolgirl facing the playground bully.
The corner of Duncan’s mouth twitched and she wondered if he was amused at her display of strength. She hoped there was a little bit of admiration in it as well.
“I understand that yer name is Marlana Crawford. Is that right?”
“Yes, sir.” She glanced at Alexander, then focused back on the Chief.
“Our clan has retained a close association with Clan Crawford. I’m lucky to call them friends and allies.”
He glanced over to Alexander as if he was driving a point home. Alexander squared his shoulders.
Turning back, the Chief said, “Though, ye doona sound Scottish.” He tilted his head as if he was trying to figure her out.
She stared back, trying not to let him or the situation get to her. His name was Duncan Macpherson, he was the Chief to this clan, and lived in Castle Cluny. Some called him Sir, others called him Cluny. He wasn’t purposely intimidating her, it was just an aura about him. In all actuality, he was being very kind.
Still, she swallowed nervously. “No sir, my family left Scotland some years ago. I was raised in America, in the colonies.” It wasn’t a lie, so he couldn’t catch her, though the some years ago was quite off.
“I see.” He crossed one arm over his chest and rested the other one on it, his fingers stroking his chin. What was he thinking?
Then he turned to Alexander. “How long has the lass lived under yer roof with ye?”
Alexander stiffened. “Not quite three months.”
“And in these three months, has her honor been compromised at all?”
She gasped and Alexander’s mouth twitched. Anger slowly crept across his face. “Nay.”
Duncan registered her shock at such a question being asked, and spoke to Alexander again. “Ye do realize that they will doubt yer word? Marlana is a beautiful woman.” He looked her up and down slowly.
“I‘ve never given anyone a reason to doubt my word.”
The Chief stepped in front of Alexander and laid a hand on his arm as if soothing a wild animal. “I know, Alexander, but ye canna blame anyone. It was just the two of ye alone for three months. Had ye not considered, son, finding her suitable living arrangements?”
The conversation puzzled her. Who were they? As Alexander talked, she turned to James for confirmation.
Leaning in, James whispered, “The Crawford clan has been advised of yer presence here in Scotland. They want to meet with ye, but ye have lived with Alexander for three months, so they will want to know if ye are still a maiden or not. If ye aren’t, they will demand that he marry ye to save yer honor.”
She could hear Duncan and Alexander talking while she listened to James. How on earth had it come to this? She was going to have to meet a clan that she knew nothing about. Strangers were going to question the validity of her virginity and there was the possibility of her being forced into a marriage because of it?
“My honor or theirs?” she asked angrily.
James turned to her. He raised his eyebrow and tightened his lips. A look that clearly told her to be careful with her words.
She turned to face him fully. “James, nothing happened, I swear.”
“Hush lass, things will work out. First, ye would be married to Alexander, so it’s not all bad. But I’m sorry to say that it won’t matter if anything happened or not, there is no way to prove it. They will most likely demand a marriage.”
She turned to stare at Alexander. He was furious and she could understand that anger, but still, her heart sank. She turned away, unable to l
ook at him any longer. He didn’t want to marry under these conditions any more than she did. He was angry that his word was not good enough. She tried, though, not to be too hurt. She had to remember that she was not back home and this was 1702. She took a deep breath.
A knock at the door startled her out of her thoughts. Duncan motioned for James to answer it. When he did, Colyn walked into the room.
“Colyn, this is a private meeting, what is it ye want?” The Chief put his fists on his hips.
Colyn smiled. “Marlana.”
Alexander leaped at him, only to be brought up short by James. Fury was etched all over Alexander’s body. “Never.”
James tried to calm Alexander, talking to him like one might a spooked horse. Marlana glanced between Alexander and Colyn. Colyn stood smug and confident. Alexander was poised to tear into him, piece by piece.
James grabbed a handful of his shirt and got in his face. “This is not the time or place. Get a hold of yerself.”
Alexander looked to his brother, then glanced over at her. She was taken aback by what she saw. That one look spoke volumes, and she smiled at him, hoping to reassure him.
Colyn addressed the Chief. “May I say something?”
“Aye.”
Marlana turned her attention to Colyn. She just had to hear this. Colyn took a step forward. He was serious, whatever it was.
“I know what this meeting is all about and I willna try to stand here and lie that I doona. Ye are going to demand a marriage between Alexander and Marlana. Am I right?”
The Chief looked angry. “Doona ever come into this room and demand answers from me.”
“I mean no disrespect, Sir.” He bowed his head. “I only want to say that I wish to marry her.”
She was stunned. Alexander lunged at Colyn again and was once more brought up short by James.
What the hell was going on? She could feel her world spinning way too fast; her grip on anything sensible was quickly slipping away. Never in her wildest dreams could she have imagined this outcome. The man she wanted didn’t want to marry her and the man she didn’t want, did. Putting her hands in the air, she spoke up. “Hang on a second. Do I get to say anything?”
