Highland Messenger (Scottish Strife Series Book 4)
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An hour later, she slammed the pen on the table.
“’Tis done.”
Reaching up, she pinched the back of her neck to relieve the tension there. She scanned the parchment one last time. Letting out a contented sigh, she leaned back on her chair. This was the most difficult letter that she had ever written, but she managed to finish it. Rolling it up, she then carefully returned the stone back into the wooden receptacle, and placed it inside the ornate chest. Leaving her bedchamber, she hurried to the solar.
As soon as Mairead opened the door, the castle cat stopped licking its fur, and raced to the other side of the room. It cast an accusing glance at her as if somehow she had invaded its privacy. Kila meanwhile sat on the bench reading a large book that Rory had given her. When her sister wasn’t searching for drama, she had her nose pressed in the book of Scottish myths and legends. She was unnaturally fascinated by the topic. Most of the time Mairead believed that the stories about the fae folk were pure fancy, although she had to admit that some of the tales she heard made her skin crawl. The fae creatures according to the book weren’t friendly, and on any given day, no man or woman would want to encounter them.
“Read this letter.”
“I’m busy.” Kila stuck a finger in her book, and glanced up at her with slight annoyance.
Ignoring the look on her younger sister’s face, Mairead placed the parchment on top of the book, and plopped down on the stool next to her. “It took me a long while tae compose it. Now I want tae hear what ye think.”
Kila screwed up her mouth, but when her gaze dropped to the sheepskin, her expression changed to one of curiosity. She put the book down on to the floor, and walked over to the fireplace with the letter in her hands.
A moment later, she spun around. “Ye cannae send this tae him.” She pinched the sheepskin between her thumb and forefinger as if she was handling a dead snake. “It reads like a business transaction, not something sent by a lover.”
“It does?” Her heart plummeted to her feet. She was expecting Kila to applaud her for completing the missive, not tell her about its failings. She took the letter back, and scanned it with a more cautious, critical eye. As she got to the end, a sinking feeling settled in the pit of her stomach. Kila was right. Even though Mairead had poured her heart out in the missive, the words sounded hollow and inadequate. After reading this correspondence Blane was unlikely to rush back and marry her.
“Aye,” her sister gave a decisive nod. “Ye have tae tell Blane that ye love him, and ye have tae do it in person. Going about it any other way is just cold and unromantic.”
The cat approached Mairead from the left, having finished with its grooming, and now deciding that she was acceptable. It walked up to her, and began to rub against her leg, purring all the while. Reaching down, she picked up the feline and placed it on her lap. She frowned as she absently caressed the cat’s fur. “Ye ken that I cannae go against Rory’s wishes,” she said.
“What wishes?” Kila asked as she circled to sit on the stool next to her sister.
“Dinnae be daft,” she said a little impatiently. “Ye were there when Rory and Blane fought over Darra. Our brother explicitly warned Blane tae never again set foot in Tancraig Castle. Ye ken how stubborn Rory is. Once he makes a decree, ‘tis near impossible tae alter his mind. I cannae go against our brother and ask Blane tae come here.”
There was a long silence as Kila considered the truth of her words, her finger tapping rhythmically against her bottom lip. “I have it,” she said a moment later. Her finger stopped moving, and she stared at Mairead with a spark in her eye. “Rory has already left with his men. He’s nay longer here tae tell ye what ye can and cannae do.”
“But his word is law here,” she said stubbornly.” If I openly defy him, he could very well cast me out. Then where would I go?”
“I doubt that he would cast ye out,” Kila said, scrunching her face in disbelief. “Ye are too important tae him. He voiced this countless times when ‘twas ye who managed the castle in his absence.”
“I nay longer run the castle,” she reminded Kila. “Perhaps I should ask Darra —”
“Nay, dinnae ask his wife for help.” Kila gave an emphatic shake to her head. “If ye tell her about your plan tae speak tae Blane, she will surely dissuade ye. With that said, your scheme will be thwarted even before ye set foot outside the castle gate.” She rested her palm on her cheek. “And if Rory gets wind of your intentions, ‘tis certain that ye will wed the MacTyrnell.” She let out a small shudder. The hand that rested on her face dropped, and she wrapped her arms around herself, as if it was she who needed the protection.
“I cannae leave the castle,” Mairead said, shaking her head even as an uncomfortable lump settled in the middle of her chest. While she tried to deflect Kila’s views, she couldn’t help but wonder whether Rory really would consider her interests. After all, she was a woman, and women had little power in the world of men. If he believed that an alliance with Clan MacTyrnell was important, then she would have to sacrifice her life. She swallowed back the knot that rose to the base of her throat. “Everyone kens that ‘tis too dangerous.”
There was no lie in that. Danger and apprehension hovered over them for months as the war steadily came closer. Since the people looked up to her, she tried to put on a brave face. And in fulfilling the leadership role, she was too busy to even consider the idea of marriage. Now she was confronted with the prospect of marrying a complete stranger. What did she know of William MacTyrnell? True, he had a reputation of being honorable, but that was the opinion of his peers. How would he treat his wife? Tension clutched at her gut as she could find no answer to her inquiry. She was old enough to know that once married, most women entered into servitude. Their movements were severely restricted, and they were taken away to live in a foreign clan, away from everyone they loved.
This was a far cry from what she dreamed about only a few years ago. Back then, she had wanted a husband that was devoted to her, and who would give her at least seven bairns to raise, much like her mother. But most of all Mairead wanted her husband to take her to see her beloved country. These were the vague ideas that played on her mind, but then her mother took ill. Suddenly everything changed. During that dark period, a couple of men had shown interest in her. Of course their attentions flattered her, but when her mother died, she was forced to care for her younger siblings and help run the castle. She had little time or energy to think about the future, and she was satisfied with living under Rory’s rule for the rest of her life.
But if news of the alliance was true, she would soon be married. And with marriage, her happiness and freedom weren’t guaranteed. Still, she wanted to believe that her brother desired what was best for her. Except that conviction wavered when she remembered that Rory was the chief, and the interests of the clan came first. She also wanted to believe that he cared for her too much to disown her. But if she disobeyed his wishes, she had no idea how he would punish her. It was foolhardy to live without the clan’s protection, since her chances of survival would be slim. The Broken Men and outlaws who lived on the fringes of society were proof of that. She simply had to wait until the war ended, and accept her fate. That dreary insight caused a heaviness to descend over her heart.
Blane wouldnae deny ye, a voice inside her whispered. Slowly the coil in her stomach unfurled. Nay, Blane wouldn’t deny her because he loved her.
But then the hope dimmed just as quickly as it surfaced. Seeing Blane again was impossible. It had been months since the altercation, yet she had heard no news of him. If anything she could only assume that he had taken up the call to fight and was at Bracken Ridge. And if there was no chance in getting to him, then perhaps she really should consider a union with William MacTyrnell. After all, she reasoned, Rory obviously had a high opinion of the laird, so the Highlander might be a decent man. While this viewpoint should have eased her distress, it didn’t. Try as she might, the idea of the wedlock brought her no joy.
“Before ye jump into the fire too, listen tae this idea,” Kila said from behind her.
The optimism in her voice caused Mairead to swivel around to look at her sister.
“While ‘tis true that Rory forbade Blane from setting foot inside the castle,” she paused, and a bright smile spread across her pretty face. “However our brother hasnae said that ye cannae meet Blane outside the fortress,” she finished with a triumphant flourish. “Thom MacCullvin can act as an escort, and take ye tae the encampment. Once there, you can declare your love for Blane, and ask him tae help ye get out of your dilemma.”
“What a clever lass ye are,” she said, astonished that she had never considered leaving the castle. “I’ll seek the messenger now.”
Chapter 3
Mairead’s heart thudded with anticipation. Once she hired the MacRell messenger to escort her, she would be that much closer to seeing Blane. She was aware that going to Bracken Ridge was probably not a good idea since warfare was imminent. She knew this because she had already spent much of her time trying to piece together what was happening. This desire for knowledge wasn’t all due to curiosity. She demanded to know the latest developments so she could prepare herself and others for the eventuality of war. Because of her inquiries, there were few things that surprised her. Except her guard was thrown off by the news of her pending marriage to William MacTyrnell. The talk of the match shocked her still, and suddenly the affairs of the state no longer occupied the forefront of her mind. The last thing she expected was to have Rory make a decision that would affect her entire life. Even if she tried to appeal to their father, she knew that he would side with her eldest brother. So in the end, she had no other choice but to take matters in her own hands.
The image of the large messenger flashed through her brain, causing her to quicken her steps. She had seen Thom earlier in the great hall, however she suspected that he wouldn’t be at Tancraig Castle for much longer. If fortune was on her side, she would be able to intercept him before he left.
Before she reached the messenger’s chamber, she carefully scanned her surroundings to ensure that the hallway was clear. Fortunately her older brothers had already departed for Bracken Ridge, so there was no chance that she would encounter them. Still, she needed to be cautious, because she knew that Rory employed castle spies. If any of her brothers ever found out that she visited a strange man, she would be in a great deal of trouble. However if she acted with assertiveness, none of the informants would question why she was alone in the guest quarters.
Throwing back her shoulders, she stood taller, the act boosting confidence into her small frame. Inhaling quickly, she raised her hand to the door. When her knuckles landed on the solid panel, the hollow knock echoed along the corridor.
She waited, the sound of her heart beating in her ears. An excruciating moment later she heard a scraping on the other side of the door. He was likely packing his belongings, and preparing to leave the castle. For some reason her hands felt cold, and bunching them up, she tucked them into the folds of her skirt.
The first occasion she met the bold messenger was when he came to deliver news to Griogair. At the time, she was helping her brother pack for a journey. When the knock sounded at the door, she went to answer it. The last thing she expected was to look up into the face of a formidable Highlander. While his masculine visage was half covered with a beard, there was something captivating about him. He stayed at the castle after he finished his task, but in the days that followed, his countenance rarely altered. Despite his somewhat aloof manner, the females in the castle were undeterred. Their eyes pursued him wherever he went. But he appeared indifferent to the attention that he garnered. He also appeared uninterested in interacting with anyone, including Mairead. In the end the things she knew about the messenger were based on conjectures. Now she was forced to seek him out, and hire him as an escort. Fortunately Thom MacCullvin was Griogair’s friend, so for that reason, she knew that she could trust him.
Footsteps moved closer to the door, and she swallowed nervously. She clutched at the fabric of her gown in an attempt to stop the tremor in her hands.
After what felt like an eternity, the door creaked open, and the messenger peered out. All at once, his magnetic allure hit her with a powerful force and she almost forgot to breathe. How could a man be so handsome? Dark ringlets framed his masculine features, and reached down to his broad shoulders. The thick beard that he sported was shaved, now revealing a small dimple at the center of his jaw. Since their first meeting, she had no occasion to be in close proximity to the brawny stranger. Of course she had noticed him from afar. In fact, it was impossible to overlook him, since he was as tall as her brothers, and he possessed a muscular build and fair looks. Despite her resolve not to stare, there was one occasion where he saw her admiring his solid physique. For a brief second their eyes met. A curious and unexplained tingle coursed through her body. She didn’t have long to contemplate the sensation, and she cast her sights down to the trestle table, embarrassed for being caught. She never made the mistake of staring openly at him again. But that didn’t mean she was oblivious to him. She might have shrugged it off as simple appreciation of his raw masculinity, but she was also aware that he observed her when he believed that she wasn’t watching. In truth, she was used to the admiring glances of men, but it was different with Thom. Under his scrutiny, she felt flushed and uncomfortable.
Mairead gave herself a mental shake, forcing herself to focus on the present situation. Kila’s fanciful ways were rubbing off on her, and she was imagining things that weren’t there. Besides, she had come here on business. Thom was going to Bracken Ridge, so it would be no hardship for him to deliver her safely to the encampment. She would pay him generously for his service.
“I’m in need of an escort,” she said, licking her dry lips.
He stood at the door, his hand at the wooden panel as if he intended to close it at any second. But then his gaze dropped to watch the quick movement of her tongue.
“Do ye?” he asked.
Mairead didn’t know why his deep voice startled her, or why she suddenly felt hot. She started to take a step back, but she stopped herself and straightened her shoulders. Using her most authoritative tone, she said, “Aye, I do. And I wish ye tae accompany me tae Bracken Ridge.”
“I’m nae interested,” he said and closed the door.
“But — but,” she sputtered while staring at the shut door. Very few people refused her, and the rejection left her momentarily speechless. “Ye dinnae even hear my proposal,” she finished loudly. Even though she was certain that he heard her through the door, there was no response from within.
Mairead made a frustrated sound at the back of her throat. Before she did something foolish like barging into the messenger’s bedchamber, she spun around and marched back to the solar.
As soon as Mairead entered the solar, Kila put down her book.
“What did he say?”
“He’s nae interested in taking me tae Bracken Ridge,” she said, not caring that she sounded miffed. “I was in the middle of speaking, and the brute had the audacity tae close the door on my face!”
She walked to the window and peered out into the courtyard. Thom MacCullvin’s rejection was fresh on her mind, and she still felt the humiliating sting. Now what were her options? A tightness filled her chest, and her world felt as if it was closing in on her. The thought of being married to the laird was like being handed a death sentence. If only she could get to Blane, she could convince him to rescue her from the unwanted marriage. When he lived at Tancraig Castle, she had complained enough to him about the travel restri
ctions that Rory placed on her and Kila. Blane had even seemed sympathetic to her plight. If she married him, he would indulge her, and might even allow her to travel with him every so often. Mairead felt a revitalized urge to find a way to reach her savior.
“So how will ye get tae the Ridge without an escort?” Kila asked, interjecting into her thoughts. “I doubt that the castle guards will take ye tae the encampment. If ye ask them, they’ll refuse ye outright. And obviously ye cannae ask strangers for directions since ye cannae trust them. If ye do, ye will risk getting robbed or killed.”
Her sister made valid points, and she pondered them for a short while. Suddenly she had the perfect solution to her troubles. She spun around and smiled. “I willnae require an escort,” she declared.
“I dinnae understand,” Kila said. “How will ye ken where ye are going?”
“I willnae need tae ken where I’m going,” she said. “Because the messenger will unwittingly lead me tae where I need tae be.”
“Aye, that’s a great idea,” Kila said. “We can follow him!”
Kila’s excited cry shocked Mairead into silence.
When she recovered from her surprise, she said, “Nay, we arenae going anywhere.” She shook her head firmly. “However I am going alone.”
“’Twas my idea for ye tae seek Blane,” she said, pursing her lips. “If I hadnae brought up the notion, ye would be still here pondering your dilemma.”
She shook her head. “I want ye tae stay here, and ensure that nae one discovers that I’m gone. It willnae do for anyone tae get wind of my plan before I even leave the castle.”
Kila crossed her arms tightly across her chest, her face pinched. She looked as if she was prepared to fight Mairead. But then she dropped her arms to her sides and let out a rush of air. “All right,” she said. “I’ll help ye with this. After all ‘tis ye who’s most affected if the marriage comes tae pass.”