Laird of the Mist

by Foery MacDonell

He wheeled around to Fiona and raised an accusing finger. ―That same source tells me that you are, in truth, Fiona MacHendrie, a Highlander. And that your daughter is Caitriona MacDonell, who is married to the Laird Carrick MacDonell of Ben Fhithich. And Laird MacDonell did not die at Culloden, but is alive and well and running Beinn Fhithich this very day. How do you answer to that, Fiona?‖

  Fiona blanched again. ―It is true, Caldwell. But, let me explain…‖ her voice cracked.

  ―There is no explanation other than you are a lying whore,‖ he spat back at her. ―And as for the noble Laird, I have already set my men to find him. I will see him hanged, by God. And you?‖ He took a few steps toward Fiona, ―You will rot here in the Highlands with your Jacobite family. I was in love with you, Fiona. How could you be so treacherous? Iactually believed that you loved me in return.‖

  ―But, Caldwell. I did—I do—love you. Please, Caldwell…‖

  ―Do not address me by my Christian name, woman!‖ he roared at her. ―How dare you be so familiar? I shall never see you again. If I do, I will see you hanged alongside your traitor son-in-law. Mark my words well, Fiona. You are dead to me.‖

  With that declaration, Camden gave a final glare at Hamish. :‖ You should have let her die,‖ he shot, and turned abruptly. His boots pounded hard on the entry floorboards. Hamish and Fiona held their breaths tight until they heard the door slam behind him.

  When he found his voice again, Hamish cleared his throat and said, ―I assume that was your fiancé?‖

  Fiona merely nodded and put her face into her hands. She began to quietly sob.

  Hamish went to sit beside her, and put his hand out to her shoulder.

  ―Dinna worry, Fiona. It will be all right.‖

  ―No, da. It won‘t. He‘s ruthless. I‘ve seen him.‖ She looked up into his gentle face. ―You must get word to Carrick immediately. He has been kind to me. You must warn him. I can‘t bear to see him hanged. Please, da. Now.‖

  Hamish was on his feet in an instant. ―Aye, I‘ll go. You will be all right?‖

  Fiona nodded and waved her hand, indicating that he should go. ―Hurry, da. Please, hurry.‖

  Hamish had rushed to Beinn Fhithich only to be told that Carrick and Cat were gone to the Invergarry Inn. Carrick had business with John, the Innkeeper and Cat wanted the respite and lunch.

  ―Pray God they will be all right. Pray God the English haven‘t found them yet,‖ he thought as he urged the horse faster. He was too old for this and unaccustomed to horseback. A part of him yearned for his beloved Jaguar. 1746 was definitely for young men, not a sixty-five-year-old retired doctor.

  ―Where‘s John?‖ her called to the stable boy as he quickly dismounted from the sweaty beast. His hair was wet with exertion and he wiped the drops from his forehead as he called again. ―Have ye seen the Laird, lad?‖

  ―Aye,‖ the boyfinally answered, taking the reins of the horse from him. ―In the dining room, sir.‖

  Hamish headed as fast as he could toward the dining room, his mind fixed on getting to them with the warning. He saw them at a corner table with John and hurried over. He paused to catch his breath.

  ―Hamish?‖ Carrickimmediately rose on seeing him enter and rushed to his side. ―Are ye well, sir? What is it?‖

  ―Grandda.‖ Cat joined them. ―Sit ye down. Ye look terrible.‖ She put out a hand to guide him, but he pushed it away.

  ―Ye must…‖ He was breathing hard. ―Ye must get away. The soldiers…‖

  ―Soldiers?‖ Carrick cast a quizzical look at John standing beside him. ―What soldiers? The watch dinna call alarm.‖

  ―The watchis probably dead,‖ Hamish managed to gasp out. ―They were at Fiona‘s. Caldwell Camden is—was—her fiancé. He is going to hang ye, Carrick. Get away now,and take Caitriona with ye.‖

  ―But, how did hefind us? How did he ken it?‖ Carrick was already moving toward the door, Cat in tow.

  ―Ithink it was Robbie Colson told him,‖ Hamish answered, following.―Camden said he had a source. I canna think of anyone else.‖

  ―Damn the man!‖ Carrick swore as they made it into the courtyard. ―John? I recall caves up the path yonder. Am I right?‖

  John noddedvigorously. ―Aye, Carrick. Can ye find them, or shall I come?‖

  ―Stay and keep the soldier‘s away best ye can. Come, Cat, we‘ll go to the caves until they‘re gone.‖

  Cat held more tightly to his hand and stayed silent as they began to make their way up the rocky path, Hamish trailing along with them.

  As they came to the side of a hill next to a rushing burn, they could hear the sounds of loud voices below them engaged in argument. The soldiers had arrived, it seemed. They continued to climb the path, now steep, in haste. The voices grew louder as Carrick ran his hands along the side of the cliff face, searching for an entrance to a cave.

  ―It‘s along heresomewhere,‖ hesaid, desperation growing in his voice, his manner. ―Help me find the entrance.‖

  Cat and Hamish joined him, pulling brush and shrubs away from the wall to find any sign of a cave. As the voices grew closer, their search grew more frantic.

  ―They‘re coming!‖ Cat cried. ―Hurry!‖

  Carrick pulled back a thick expanse of gorse, bloodying his hand on the thorns. ―Here it is!‖ He motioned to the others to follow him inside as he cleared an opening. ―Ye, too, Hamish. Hurry!‖

  Hamish held back and shook his head. ―No, Carrick. I‘ll go back to the Inn. I‘ll make sure the cave entrance is well-covered with the gorse, aye? I‘ll come for ye when they have gone. Go now.‖

  Carrick met Hamish‘s eyes in clear understanding of what must be done. ―Aye,‖ he muttered, then slappedhis shoulder. ―Good man. Be safe,‖ he said and ducked into the cave behind Cat.

  Hamish restored the foliage over the entrance as best he could, then set out back to the Inn below.

  ―Yer grandda has been a longtime now,‖ Carrick said, tightening the makeshift bandage on his hand that Cat had torn from her petticoat. ―TheEnglish must bevery determined in their searchto besuch awhile.‖

  ―Aye,‖ Cat agreed, lifting her weary head from his shoulder. They had been sitting in the pitch black cave for hours. ―It must be nearly morning by now.‖ Her stomach gave a loud growl and she shifted next to him.

  ―Ye‘rehungry,‖heacknowledged the rumble. ―I‗ll peek out the entrance and see is it safe for us to go. Or me, at least.Ye and the babe need food.‖ He rose carefully, so as not to jar her.

  ―Carrick! No!‖ Cat stood quicklyand grabbed his arms. ―Ye mustna go! What if they are still there? What if they catch ye? We—the babe and I—we need ye safe!‖

  Carrick kissed her quicklyand moved toward the entrance. ―I‘ll be safe, Cat. Dinna fash.‖ And he was gone.

  Cat sat anxiously awaiting his return. A million thoughts, all horrible, flew through her mind in vivid color. He would be hanged for certain, should they capturehim. Weren‘t they rounding up and hanging every Jacobite they could find? And Carrick was laird of an enormous estate. They‘d want his lands, if nothing else.

  A rustle in the brush made Cat stand abruptly and move back against the wall, deeper into the darkness. She held her breath lest they should find her.

  ―Cat?‖ Carrick‘s whispered voice called out. ―‘Tis safe, Cat. Come to me.‖

  Cat slowly picked her way to him. She reached out her hand so that he could find her in the gloom. ―They‘re gone?‖

  ―Aye, they‘re gone.Come, Cat.‖

  They made their way down the path toward the Inn, silent as they went. When they were almost there, Carrick stopped and turned to embrace her. Nuzzling her hair, he whispered,―There is a thing I‘d say to ye, Caitriona.‖

  Puzzled, she answered, ―Go on, then.‖

  ―Ye love me no matter what, aye? And our bairn will be safe no matter, aye?‖

  ―Aye, Carrick. Of course.‖ She pulled back from him and stared intently into his eyes. Eyes that seemed to hold a mysteriou
s burden. ―What is it, for God‘s sake?‖ she insisted.

  ―Come, Cat.‖ He turned and led her closer to the Inn.

  ―Oh,my God!‖ Cat cried, sinking to her knees in the dirt. ―Oh,my God!‖

  Before her was the Inn with a parking lot full of shiny, modern automobiles.

  NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR

  Invergarry Castle is real, but has been in ruins since Cumberland destroyed it in 1746. The ruins are featured on the cover of this book. It is one of the most beautiful places I have ever visited, and I go there every chance I get. You can visit the website at http://www.glengarry.net/castle.php

  Invergarry Castle was the seat of the Chiefs of the MacDonells of Glengarry, a powerful branch of the Clan Donald, known as the Clan Ranald of Knoydart and Glengarry. Its situation on Creagan an Fhithich the Raven's Rock - overlooking Loch Oich in the Great Glen, was a strategic one in the days of clan feuds and Jacobite risings.

  This historic place needs stabilizing to preserve what is left of it. If you would like to donate to this worthy project, please go to

  http://www.invergarrycastle.co.uk/

  About the Author

  Foery MacDonell is an award-winning, published author of historical romance. Her passion for literature and history led her into writing at the age of ten. Foery has honorary degrees in British Literature, Philosophy, Metaphysics, and Scottish History. She is a member of Romance Writers of America and Cactus Rose RWA.

  A native Californian, Foery now lives in Las Vegas with her true-life Celtic Warrior and their Maine Coon cat, Guinness. Write to her at foery@moongypsy.com or visit her web site www.moongypsy.com

  Laid of the Mist won the Covey Award, Second Place for the Best Historical Novel, 2010. Also by Foery MacDonell

  The Fool’s Journey

  From the mysterious monasteries of Tibet to the sweeping vistas of the Caribbean and its pirates, two people find their destinies in each other. The first novel in the Infinity Series, The Fool's Journey is an epic historical set in 18th century England and the Caribbean and spans the lifetime of Lady Catherine Bramwell and the three men who love her.

  Lady Catherine: framed for the murder of her husband of an arranged marriage. Jean-Philippe: the mysterious former English officer who wins her heart.

  James: the loyal friend who loves her in silence

  Artemus: the ex-pirate who wants to own her

  Table of Contents

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven