Highland Savior

by Sarah Hoss

  She didn’t respond.

  “It pains me, dear sister, that ye would think such a thing. Nay, I will do something better.”

  She swallowed. “What?” She could hear the fear in her voice as it shook.

  “I know Hamish loves another, that his loyalty isna to ye. I shall change the odds to yer favor.”

  She burrowed her eyebrows in confusion. Then it dawned on her. She couldn’t have him harm Gillian. Because if Hamish ever found out, he would never forgive her and she would lose him forever. She couldn’t let that happen.

  “I’m gonna kill the woman they call Gillian.”

  He grabbed her hand, bowed over it, and kissed it. She ripped it out of his grasp. He left her standing in the room. Chills raced over her body and she placed a hand over her mouth. Had her silence sealed Gillian’s fate?

  The occupants of the castle gathered in the dining hall for merriment. With the storm raging outside, there needed to be a way to keep everyone from going stir crazy.

  The tables had been moved from the middle of the room to the outer edges. A piper stood at the head. Couples gathered in two large circles and waited. As the music began, they stepped into the center, then back again. They twirled to the left and clapped, then took a step back.

  Gillian sat at a table along the outer wall and watched. Her foot tapped to the beat. Glancing over, she watched the piper play his tune. She had always found bagpipes to be a beautiful sounding instrument.

  Over in the far, right corner, five men played a game, but she was too far away to know what it was. It was most likely a betting or drinking game of sorts.

  Food and drink had been prepared, but no one served. Tonight’s enjoyment was for everyone in the castle. She watched as people sat and laughed. They talked and danced—exactly what she needed. Sitting on the bench, in this very room, watching all going on around her, she felt at peace.

  A bard stood to sing a song and a new set of dancers took the floor. A gentleman approached her and Gillian blushed.

  “No, thank you. I don’t know the steps.”

  “Aye, well lassie, if ye can walk, ye can dance. Tis easy enough.” He reached out and took her hand, pulling her up and leading her to the floor. “Just follow along.”

  They stood across from each other. The men bowed and the ladies curtsied. They stepped forward and clapped each other’s hands, then stepped back to clap again. Three steps forward and they walked past each other, their backs almost touching, they turned left in a half circle. They reached out and clapped the hands of the person across from them, then turned right back to their original positions.

  She laughed as the women traded places with the person to their right and the men traded places with the person to their left, then they did it all over again. The dance was simple, but fun. When they were done, she was left panting, laughing, and in need of a drink. She thanked her dancing partner. As she walked away from him in search of refreshments, she spotted Rebecca in the doorway staring at her. The look on her face was puzzling. Almost as if she hated her but felt sorry for her all in the same thought. Funny it was, because that’s how she felt about her. She hated her for taking Hamish and yet felt sorry for her for being forced into something beyond her control. Yet there was a part of her that thought this was exactly what Rebecca wanted.

  Regardless of what was between them, she gave a pleasant smile and walked on to fetch a drink.

  The table looked wonderful and the kitchen maids had chosen a simple spread. Bread, cheese, forfar bridies, blood pudding, soup, wine, and spiced cider. She grabbed a forfar bridie which was a meat pastry. Having had a similar treat at a Renaissance fair once, she knew they were good.

  She found her place at the table again and sat. The little boy next to her reached for her plate and grabbed a piece of cheese. His mother scolded him, but she reassured her that it was all right. If that sweet chubby face smiled at her again, she would hand him the whole plate.

  She took a bite and the spiced meat was warm and wonderful in her mouth. She hadn’t realized how hungry she was. The bread was flaky and she licked a few crumbs from her fingers.

  The room was warm, but not just because of the two large fireplaces but because of the love and enjoyment floating between its walls.

  When she had half of her meat pocket gone, a shadow fell over the table and she turned to see who was standing behind her. She didn’t recognize him. He wasn’t a handsome man and there was something about him that didn’t settle with her.

  If she stood, she would bet that he was only as tall as she was at five-foot-eight. His hair was a reddish-blond, but looked darker because it appeared dirty. The odors that wafted off of him made her stomach turn. His eyes were large and blue but they held no life. A beard covered his face that was darker than his hair.

  “Can I help you?”

  “Are ye Gillian?” He shifted his feet and she glanced down at his shoes. They were wet and muddy.

  Glancing back up at him, she nodded. “I am.”

  “I was made to fetch ye, lass. Hamish and James just arrived. They wish to speak with ye. They’re out in the stables.”

  She couldn’t help herself and searched the crowd for the two men. “Why wouldn’t they just come inside?” she asked as they both focused their attention on each other at the same time. She tilted her head and narrowed her eyes in confusion. There was no reason for Hamish to want to speak to her and why would James send a complete stranger. She could understand Hamish’s secrecy since he was engaged to Rebecca. But still, couldn’t they have a conversation in plain sight like adults? The last thing she wanted to do was play games. She had to get over him.

  “I think I’ll just wait here until they come inside.” She began to turn around in her seat but he stopped her by placing his hand on her shoulder.

  “James and Hamish went on patrol. He is hurt and James is staying with him. He asked me to fetch ye.”

  “Okay, so you need to speak to Rebecca.”

  He glanced back over his shoulder, then turned his attention to her. “I doona wanna upset her in her condition. Not until the doctor has seen him.”

  He was ready to go now and the urgency frightened her a little. She debated in her mind whether or not to go, but when the man reached out to help her stand, she complied. Apparently, the men here weren’t used to no.

  As he led her out of the dining hall, someone off to the side caught her attention and she looked over. Rebecca was watching the scene very intently. When they reached the door, the man opened it and let her through first, slightly shoving her. She stumbled sideways and watched—as the man was closing the door, he stared at Rebecca. The moment seemed to go on forever as the two of them eyed each other. He gave a slight nod of his head and the door was closed. The look on Rebecca’s face seemed one of surprise.

  She furrowed her brow and pointed toward the closed door. “What was that all about?”

  “I doona know. They’re in the stables. Here is a cloak.”

  He walked away as quickly as he had come to her. Placing the cloak around her shoulders, she searched the area for anyone but found herself alone. She wasn’t sure what she could do for him if he was hurt. She wasn’t a nurse or doctor. She jogged to the stable door and pulled it open. The wind was blowing straight into the castle, allowing the stable door to fly open easily as it faced the direction of the wind and she stumbled again. The cold air hit her in the face and she scrunched her eyes as her breath was taken from her. She turned her back to the weather and closed the door.

  Her heart reached out to James and Hamish for having to be out in this storm. She hoped that the next patrol wouldn’t have to go. Surely, whoever was setting the fires was smart enough to stay inside tonight. The storm was getting worse as the hours ticked by.

  Removing the cloak from her head, she shook li
ke a dog to get the snow off. If the men were inside, then there should be light from a lantern, but horses whinnied and she took a deep breath that smelled of straw.

  “James? Hamish?” She waited, but no sound. “You guys, come on, answer me.”

  When the silence greeted her again, fear started to engulf her. She slowly backed up as she searched the area for anything. When she came upon something hard in back of her she screamed and turned around. It wasn’t the door.

  The man stepped closer, grabbed her arm tightly, and she winced. Raising her shoulder, she wiggled, trying to dislodge her arm from his grasp. She became wide-eyed with fear.

  She frantically glanced around the stables but there was no one. The entire castle must be in the dining room, therefore no help would be coming.

  She started to scream, but he slapped his hand over her mouth to shut her up.

  “Doona make another noise or I will slit yer throat where ye stand,” he growled into her face. He was so close, their noses almost touched.

  Her heart beat wildly in her chest. She should be used to having people threaten her life by now and for a brief moment, she wanted to laugh at the absurdity of it all. It was as if she’d jumped out of the pan and into the damn fire.

  When she kept quiet, he removed his hand. “The lives of James and Hamish lie in yer hands. Ye do exactly as I say and they live. Attempt anything stupid and they both die. Do ye understand?”

  She pursed her lips and let out a slow breath to calm herself. “I do.”

  He grabbed her elbow and walked her ceremoniously over to one of the stalls and grabbed his horse. Then they exited the barn and he hoisted her up on the animal’s back. The wind was bitter cold. If he wasn’t going to kill her, hypothermia would. Her hair had been pinned up in a tight bun, but as the wind came at her, her hair began to beat around her face.

  She frantically peered around the yard, looking, hoping that someone would be outside to help her. No one. Anywhere. She glanced back over her shoulder and could see light through the two small windows at the dining room. Inside, people laughed and danced. They had no idea. She glanced up toward the heavens and sent a silent prayer that James and Hamish were all right and that she would get out of this safely.

  He mounted behind her, then placed his plaid around them, covering her head and face. “Keep yer head down.” He kicked his horse and off they went.

  Where? She had no idea. She didn’t even know how he could see in such a storm. She tried to peek through her lashes at where they were going when she saw the gates. The only thing she could really see was the white ground pass underneath her as they rode.

  A guard stopped them at the gate. “Where are ye going in this weather?”

  Her attacker tightened his arm around her. “We doona live far and I wanna get the misses home while I still can. I have animals to check on.”

  After a moment, the horse began walking again. When she started to speak, he tightened his grip around her waist.

  “I doona want conversation. Ye will know everything soon enough.”

  James marched into his room and slammed the door. Pulling off his wet shirt, he threw it on the floor, then took off his breeks and deposited them beside the shirt.

  A fire is what he needed and after a few minutes of getting one going, he stood naked in its warmth. Steam rolled off his cold, wet skin. He was frozen to the core. Rubbing his hands over his arms, he thought about the fight with his brother. He understood Hamish’s feelings for Gillian; after all, she was a beautiful, intelligent, caring woman and they had a history. It’s got to be hard to let go of someone like that, but life didn’t always work out the way we wanted and Hamish had to lie in the bed he’d made, whether he liked it or not.

  He surely didn’t expect her to live here alone for the rest of her life. She needed to make a life for herself. She needed to be protected and loved as she deserved to be. He knew he would make her a good husband and he had to admit to himself that a part of him was ready to settle down.

  He wanted to see her. Quickly, he got dressed and went in search of her. First, he went to her room and knocked on her door. “Gillian?” He waited. Glancing down the hall in both directions as if he expected to see her, he knocked on the door again. “Gillian.” When she didn’t answer he turned to look elsewhere.

  Where could she be?

  The gathering. He shook his head at his absentmindedness. He’d heard the laughter and conversation as he’d come into the castle, but he’d had one thing on his mind and that was to get out of the wet clothes and warm up. Jogging down the stairs, he strolled across the great hall and into the dining room. It appeared that everyone in the castle was in this one room. As a couple walked past him, their plates laden with food, they greeted him and smiled.

  “Did ye save some for me?”

  “Aye,” the man said but pointed toward the table, “ye’d best make quick of it. Athol is on his way to grab another plate.”

  He laughed and patted the man on the shoulder as he walked on past. He searched the room, looking at each and every individual, but he couldn’t find her.

  Cluny sat at his spot at the main table and he approached him. If anyone would know where she was, it would be the chief. He kept his eye on everyone. “My laird, I’m looking for our guest, Gillian. I canna seem to find her.”

  He finished taking a drink and sat the glass down. “Aye, she was here. She sat alone, ate, then she left.”

  James bowed and thanked him. Maybe he had missed her in passing. He left the room and stood in the great hall deciding where to look next. The library was close by so he started there. When he opened the door, the room was chilly and dark.

  Next, he walked toward the room where they made candles, thinking she had decided to be alone and work. He hoped she wasn’t feeling uncomfortable or out of place, though it would be understandable. If she was going to make a life here, he wanted her to associate herself with the clan more.

  He opened the door and peered in, but again, dark and cold. No one was in there. He closed the door and stared down the hallway. Maybe he should try her bedroom one more time. He could have missed her in passing.

  He walked briskly back out into the great hall and caught the stairs, taking them two at a time. There were four floors total and he was on the second floor. Turning to his left, he walked until he stood in front of the fifth door. He knocked and waited. Silence. This time, he decided to open the door and peek in. Maybe she was asleep and therefore hadn't heard him knock the first time. He stepped into the room and glanced around. A fire burned low in the fireplace and it gave off a subtle light—enough that he could see his way around. Walking over to the bed, he turned back the covers, but even as he did so, he knew she wasn’t there.

  He left the room, closing the door behind him. In his gut, he knew she wasn’t here. He needed to speak to Cluny.

  Hamish stood in the winter storm between the stables and the keep. James had already arrived. He let the snow and the cold pour over him like a waterfall. He deserved to suffer. He’d been an insufferable ass. But in his defense, he was a torn man. Torn between duty and love. On one hand, he had a duty to Rebecca for she carried his child. She was a good woman and no child of his would be raised in shame. On the other hand, he was deeply and totally in love with Gillian. He’d always thought he would have marriage and love together, but it seemed it wasn’t in the cards for him.

  He raised his gaze to the sky and snow fell on his face, causing him to shiver. Glancing at the keep, he thought of his brother. He needed to go and make things right. He wanted his brother to be happy and he wanted Gillian to be happy. James was a great choice for her. There was no one else he would rather have to love and honor her than James.

  Sighing, he walked into the keep and pushing the door closed behind him. He brushed snow from his shoulders and stomped
his feet. He could hear the jovial atmosphere in the castle and was ready to participate in the fun. He walked further into the room and the smell of the food encompassed him, making his stomach growl. He made his way toward the food and prepared himself a plate, eating as he walked away.

  Rebecca waved to him from her place at the table on the right of the room. He strolled through the crowd to sit next to her.

  She turned to him as he sat. “I’m so happy that ye’re back.”

  He swallowed his bite. “I thank ye.”

  “Are ye all right? Is there anything I can get for ye?”

  He watched her as she searched his person for any signs of injury. She was genuinely concerned. He touched the side of her cheek with the back of his knuckles. “I’m just a bit cold is all, I promise. If ye might get me a drink, I would be thankful.”

  She smiled, nodded and stood, ready to please him.

  He watched her walk away for a minute, then focused back on the task of eating. He hadn’t seen James or Gillian in the room as he entered and assumed they were together.

  A gentleman of the guard sat across from him at the table and coughed to get his attention.

  “My good man, how are ye this evening?”

  Athol reached across the table and they clasped arms. “I’m enjoying the evening, Hamish. I only wanted to know how the patrol went. I take my shift in an hour.”

  They talked about the weather and the ride, and Hamish was glad to not have anything to report. In all honestly, anyone would be crazy to be out in this weather. But he feared that was what they were up against and they were taking no chances.