Emma held her breath when Anna gasped. She squeezed the maid's hand in warning.
Footsteps came closer. Then just as he was almost to where they hid another male's voice sounded.
"Ay Paden, are ye still brooding over Lady Emma?" An older man, the one from the stables had arrived. From the slight slurring he was drunk. "I say ye find another young lass and git rid o' yer troubles." The man chuckled.
Paden laughed at the old man. "Ye know that willna work Angus. As much as ye should know yer head will be heavy in the mornin'"
"True," the tipsy man replied. "Tis a good way to get over a broken heart." The drunken man burped loudly.
Broken heart? Emma frowned. Was Paden truly broken hearted over her?
She burst from where she'd been hiding.
Both Paden and the old man turn to her with shocked expressions.
Emma grabbed Paden's hand. "Run away with me. I am leaving tonight with or without ye."
Before he could reply Anna emerged from the darkness. "Aye my mistress is intent on leavin'. But I think tis a horrible idea."
Paden looked from Emma to Angus who shrugged and stumbled to where cots were.
"What is yer answer?" Emma asked her heart thundering.
Chapter Eight
"Where are ye planning to go?" Paden could only look between Emma and her maid who stared up at him with huge rounded eyes.
“Home to Skye.”
He tried to think of how to dissuade Emma without giving her hope he'd go. "I will admit the idea of leaving under the veil of darkness is a wise one. However, Ye forget that clansmen are camping all over the lands. Many have traveled long distances and will be searching for wenches to warm their beds."
Chin lifted there was challenge in her gaze. "I do not care. It shouldn't be hard to avoid camps."
"Camps with roving guards?"
With an exasperated breath she whirled away. "It would suffice for ye to just say nay. I prefer it to this conversation. Precious time is being wasted." She pulled the maid's hand. "Let us get the horse saddled so we can go."
"I must tell ye I won't allow ye to go," Paden told her bracing for what she'd do next.
"Ye cannot stop me. I must go. Ye don't understand how it is to be a woman. We have no choices. No rights."
Finally Paden closed the distance between them and took her by the arms. "Listen to reason please. I will not allow ye to go alone into the night. It would be much too dangerous. If ye insist on leaving even with my escort I cannot guarantee safe passage."
"Enough of this." Emma's eyes shined with defiance. She tugged away and grabbed a horse's reins. "Let's go Anna."
Paden let out a breath. If he left with them, his absence would be immediately noticed as he was due to compete once more in the morning. The three lairds had hedged bets on one person each, and he'd promised the McNeil to be his representative.
Not just that, but also there was the added danger of opposing clans being blamed for Lady Emma's absence. "Do ye not care that war could ensure because of yer absence?"
"What?" Emma turned to him. "Ye are trying to dissuade me. It won't work."
"When ye are found to be missing, clansmen will be questioned and some will be suspect. Eventually, someone could be blamed for absconding with ye or worse yer death. Some unfortunate man could end up hung, judged guilty."
"Confounded." She stomped her foot and groaned. "Is there no possible way for me to avoid marriage?" A tear slid down her pretty face and she wiped it away angrily. "I would rather kill myself than marry a man who loves another. I won't do it."
"There is a way," Paden told her. "We can marry secretly. I will marry ye."
The maid gasped. "Ye cannot marry her. She's a lady."
Paden waited for Emma to speak. She narrowed her eyes. "I don't believe ye."
He shrugged. "That is completely up to ye. It is an option. Ye have to admit it will stop him from marrying ye. Besides, have ye considered the fact there could be consequences to the other night. I won't have ye raising my child with someone else."
The maddening woman had the gall to laugh. She shook her head, lips curved into a smile that did not reach her eyes. "That is ridiculous. Ye spilled onto the bedding."
"Mother of God," the maid crossed herself, but continue to watch with them interest.
Emma had a point. She was a smart lass. Paden tried to come up with another delay tactic, but couldn't. Finally he waved to the open doorway. "Very well Lady Emma. I wish ye well. May God keep ye safe."
As if for the first time noticing the chill in the air, she pulled her cape closer around her shoulders. "Ye are the most maddening man."
"I could say the same for ye."
"If I stay, I could demand ye follow through on marrying me."
"I..."
Angus called out from the cot. "Others come."
Paden took Emma by the arm and guided her to a side door and outside.
Emma looked to him. "There is a plan for a betrothal celebration, albeit a small one, in two days once the games are over. I planned to be faraway by then."
Paden nodded. "I will speak to The McNeil tomorrow."
"Oh no! Ye mustn't. He will have yer hide." Emma stopped walking and pressed her hands to Paden's chest. "Don't ye see? No matter how fair my uncle, he will not accept it."
She frowned. "There must be another way. My uncle, although my warden will never allow my marriage to a blacksmith."
"I will explain. All will be fine." Paden wished he were as sure as he sounded.
"If only it were true. Don't do anything Paden. I will work it out myself. It astounds me that ye are willing to do this for me. Fortunately I am a laird's daughter and it could work and not be questioned for me to throw a tantrum and refuse to eat or come out of my chambers unless the betrothal is cancelled."
The maid walked ahead of them and Paden took advantage and held Emma back. "We need to talk more. I feel very strongly for ye Emma. Do not ever think that my offer to marry was made in haste.”
Her eyes widened. "Truly?"
He smiled. "Yes."
"I will send ye once the tournament is over. Promise not to do anything until we speak." Paden waited until she finally nodded.
"Very well."
Chapter Nine
At the village tavern, Calum McKenzie placed two tankards onto the counter for the thirsty travelers. It seemed of late more and more people traveled through Moriag. Most men headed south to join the fight against the English. A worthy cause, however in his opinion it was also a lost cause.
The English were much more advanced in their weaponry and had larger armies. It seemed whatever the crown of England wished for, was acquired without much effort.
Ships were sighted anchored but a day's ride south. Before long even Moriag could be overrun. He grunted when one of the men lifted his tankard. "Aye Calum, won't ye join us?"
"Ye waste yer time. Need to stay here and wait for the fight to reach the Highlands. Unlike the Lowlanders, we will not be easy targets." He shook his head and moved to the edge of the counter.
At a table, next to a window, a woman accompanied by her maid, sat eating. The woman kept her gaze downward, it was as if she wanted to blend into the background and not be noticed.
He noticed however that she was a beautiful creature. Unlike anyone he'd ever seen, the woman's creamy complexion contrasted with her dark hair. What captured his attention most were her beautiful eyes, the shade of fall leaves with specks of gold.
Her name was Rhona McLeod, as she’d introduced herself and he wondered why she traveled alone.
Rhona's hand trembled when she reached for her cup. After a week's travel, on the run Skye, it was too dangerous to stop and eat in public. But they'd had no recourse. Hungry and without any hunting abilities, she and her maid, Maisie were forced to come to the small village pub. Hopefully no one would think to look for her there.
After boarding their horse and paying for the food, she would barely have enough f
or a couple nights stay at the Inn across the village courtyard.
There were jewels sewn into both her and Masie's clothing, but it would bring unwanted attention to attempt to sell them just yet. No instead she'd move on to the next village. There she'd find a buyer for a few pieces.
Eventually she hoped to find a place to settle. The further north she could go, the better. Although she was pretty certain to have lost whoever trailed them. Even after several weeks, she was much too scared to stop.
Scanning the dim space, once again her gaze went to the bar keep. He was a large man. Brawny as her Da would say. With light brown shoulder length wavy hair and matching eyes. Despite his rather intimidating size, he moved with assured grace and whenever he spoke, his voice was deep but soft.
Now when he looked to her there was warmth. Rhona flushed when he made his way to her table. "Is everything to yer liking Miss?"
"Yes thank ye so much."
He looked to Maisie and back to Rhona. "I believe yer companion is ill with fever."
He confirmed what she'd been thinking. For two days now she'd asked Maisie how she felt, but the strong headed girl insisted nothing was wrong. Now her face was flush and her eyes dazed as she attempted to eat the soup.
"Is there a healer in the village sir?
"Calum," he told her. "Please call me Calum. And yes there is. If ye wish, I can help take her to wherever ye are stayin' and go fetch him."
"I thank ye. Yes please."
With little effort he lifted a protesting Maisie and they made their way to the Inn.
Once inside the room, he placed her upon one of the beds and turned to Rhona.
"How about ye? Do ye feel unwell?"
The already tight space seemed even smaller with his presence. "I am perfectly well. I will fetch water for Maisie while ye see about the healer. I must also pay ye for the food."
He waved her away. "No need, she barely touched hers and ye did not eat enough to charge.
As he turned to leave, she reached for his arm stopping him. "Thank ye so much Calum, Ye have no idea what this means to me. Ye are kind."
His warm gaze was followed by a slight curve at the corners of his mouth. "I will return shortly. Don't fret."
Moments later the healer motioned for Rhona to follow him out of the room. In the hallway his grave expression did not waiver. "I'm afraid she will not live much longer. The young woman can barely take a breath. Her chest is filled with fluid."
"No," Rhona covered her mouth to keep her maid from overhearing her gasps. Eyes misting, she blinked tears away.
"We are headed to her family home. There it will be safe. I have to get her there."
"Perhaps I can help." Calum had come upon them without her noticing. "Can she travel?" he asked the healer.
The healer shrugged. "It matters not. I doubt she will live longer than two, maybe three days."
When the healer left, Rhona fell against the wall and covered her face with both hands. "What should I do?"
The warmth of his large hand on her shoulder was comforting. "I meant it. If ye need help getting her home, I will take ye."
Finally God decreed to take mercy upon her. He'd sent a kind hearted man into her life.
Rhona let out a shaky breath. "I need to sleep and think. In the morning I will come and find ye with my decision."
"Very well." He lifted a basket. "My sister fixed this for ye and yer friend." There seemed to be no end to his kindness.
Once settled in the room, she watched him cross the road back toward the tavern.
In the other bed, Maisie moved. Her eyes opened and she looked to Rhona. "I'm so sorry milady. I really thought I wasn't so ill that I could not travel."
"Don't worry, we will make it to yer family home soon. Rest for now."
A single tear trailed down Maisie's cheek. "I must admit something to ye. Perhaps we should remain here. It seems like a nice village, with good people."
"What about yer family? Ye said we'd be safe there."
"I lied milady. I don't have any family. I was orphaned as a child...just said it...to give ye hope..."
Rhona could only gawk at the ill woman, who closed her eyes and seemed to fall asleep "Whatever will I do now?"
Once again she looked toward the tavern.
In the morning she'd find Calum and ask his help in selling the jewelry. After, she'd find local families and see about securing a position. Perhaps as a governess, she could teach children to read and write. Surely there was something she could do to earn a living.
She'd come too far to give up.
Considering how much her mother was fretting, this would be a good place to settle. She could send word and let her know she fared well and was safe.
At thinking of having left her ill father and mother, her eyes misted.
Chapter Ten
Her uncle’s study reminded her of home. With dark walls imposing furnishings and the lingering smell of pipe tobacco it brought back memories of her father's own. The McNeil looked up and his eyebrows rose. His gaze traveled past her no doubt expecting to see his wife accompanying her.
"I come alone uncle," Emma told him. "May I speak to ye?"
"Of course lass." He motioned to a chair then standing from his waited for her to do as instructed.
Much too nervous, she would have preferred to remain standing, yet she sunk into the plush seating realizing her knees wobbled and in all probability she would have fallen if attempting to remain upright. "It's about my betrothal."
"Ah." The one word spoke volumes.
Emma hesitated. "I don't wish to marry Gavin McDonnell. To be truly honest, I will do anything to keep from it. I come to ye asking yer help in the matter."
Her uncle bent his head. "I cannot go against yer father's wishes. Ye know that."
"I know," Emma began. "I also know ye can speak to Gavin. Ask that he withdraw his offer of marriage." She leaned forward anticipating his rebuttal, ready with one of her own.
She'd barely slept preparing for this conversation. Her arsenal although full, remained weak. One blaring weapon she did not possess was Paden's declaration of loving her. He’d not been clear about how he felt about her.
The last thing she wished was for was to force him into a marriage because they'd been intimate. That he marry her for honor only.
"I can only think that the reason for this is that ye are infatuated with another. Being that the prospects for someone of your stature are not possible in Moriag, I will venture to guess the man in question is not acceptable." Her uncle's shrewd gaze met hers. Yet in the depths of his keen eyes she saw warmth, which fortified her to continue forward.
"I wish someone would understand me."
"I will tell ye this," her uncle interceded. "Infatuation and yes maybe even love are strong in the beginning. However very quickly the fact that ye would struggle everyday and want for those things ye've taken for granted all yer life would turn to resentment. Yer lack of skills to keep a humble home, along with the changes in yer life, will be a burden on the shoulders of a humble man."
Emma stood. "Just know I will not get married to someone I don't love. I won't do it."
As she reached the door, her uncle spoke. "I will send a messenger to yer betrothed. Ask that he come see me. Instead of asking Gavin McDonnell to withdraw the offer I will state ye wish for more time."
"Thank ye." Emma walked away not quite feeling relief. Instead burdened by her uncle’s statement. She’d not considered how different life would be if married to a blacksmith. He would not be able to provide for servants, nor afford the type of items she was accustomed to owning. What of his home? The cottage was small and sparse. Emma closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She’d consider all of it at another time.
Just as she got to her chambers, her maid gave her a message. It was from Paden.
I must travel. When I return, we shall speak. Await me.
Chapter Eleven
“I need to earn money to support myself,�
� Rhona repeated lifting her chin in challenge. “Ye cannot pay for our rooms without expecting some sort of... repayment.”
Rhona met Calum’s gaze and waited. Although he seemed the decent sort, she wasn’t prepared to owe a man for anything. Men sometimes requested payment in ways that had nothing to do with coin.
"Once ye are settled, we can discuss work. For now get yer maid healthy," Calum walked out without another word and Rhona could only stare after him.
“I insist,” she called out.
"He is quite nice," Maisie said lifting her head. "I wonder if he knows of yer brother. Perhaps if ye find yer brother, he can help us."
"My brother is either long dead or far away from here." Rhona tracked Calum’s as he made his way toward the tavern. "He is a nice man. However, he is still a man.”
She grabbed her cloak. “I will return shortly. I must sell some of the jewels to have coin to repay him and pay for this room.”
Once inside the tavern, Calum was surprised to see Angus. The old man sat at a table looking blankly across the room.
"Aye Angus, what brings ye in so early?"
Angus huffed and frowned. "Paden has gone to Skye, so I am to see after the stables with the lads. A couple of fools who can barely sink one nail without causing self injury."
"Ah. I'm sure Paden will return soon."
"I am not so sure." Angus looked to the doorway as Rhona entered.
At the same time Calum followed his line of vision and shook his head. The woman was a stubborn as she was beautiful.
Angus waved her inside. "Hello lass, do come in, don't tally about the door, yer letting the cold air in."
She walked in and hesitated. "I came to be of help." Her clear blue eyes met Calum's with challenge.
“I am Angus.” Angus made a show of bowing.
She smiled. "Rhona McLeod."
The old man let out a gruff chuckle, shaking his head. "Ye wouldn't happen to be kin to the McLeod's of Skye?"
She paled and took a step back. "No." It was obviously a lie, which Angus let go of. "So it seems one leaves and another returns."
Highland Mists: A Highland Romp Page 6
