Highland Courage

by Ceci Giltenan

  She laughed. “I know. Your love helped me find my courage. Ye believed in me and I knew ye would never doubt me, no matter what vile lies Darcy told. I didn’t need to see your face, or even feel your touch. It was enough to know ye were there. I love ye with all my heart, Tadhg.” She kissed him again.

  Before he was ready to let her go there was a knock at their door, so rather than moving her from his lap he called, “Enter.” The door practically flew open as her parents rushed into the room. Her mother’s eyes were still red and swollen from crying and Mairead leapt up immediately to try and comfort her.

  “Mama, I am so sorry.”

  “Mairead, love, ye are not the one who needs to be sorry. I should have known. Years ago, I should have known something horrible happened to ye. My poor bairn, I’m the one who should be sorry. Ye must have been so afraid. Dear God, how did I not know? I would run the swine through with your father’s sword if it weren’t for that dreadful vow.”

  “Brigid, love, I never knew ye had such a bloodthirsty side,” Cathal jested weakly.

  “He hurt my child! If I ever have the chance, I swear he’ll pay.”

  “I don’t know, Brigid, Mairead did a rather nice job of emasculating him today on her own.” Wrapping his arms around Mairead, he said, “My precious wee lass, ye were magnificent. When I think, I nearly married ye to the bastard. God’s teeth, lass, ye should have told us.”

  “I know, Da. I’m sorry. I was young and afraid. I just wanted to pretend it never happened. I didn’t even know who he was until today.”

  “Aye, I suppose I understand that. And ye, Matheson, ye never wavered. Ye never doubted her.”

  “Did ye?” Tadhg asked.

  “Nay, of course not, she is my daughter. I know her. I love her. I never believed him for a moment.”

  “Cathel, she is my wife. I know her. I love her, too. Like ye, I never believed him for a moment.”

  Twenty Four

  Finola was near panic as Hamish escorted her and Meriel back to their encampment. The laird was furious, and when they arrived and her father found out, he was too.

  He went white and barely spoke to her. “Go to your tent and stay there,” he ordered.

  She went with Meriel to their tent, but she did not plan to stay there. She had intentionally delivered Lady Matheson into Darcy Fraser’s hands. The fact that she believed Darcy wouldn’t harm Lady Matheson would mean nothing. The whole clan had opposed the wedding, hadn’t they? But now no one would believe she only wanted to help the laird see his bride’s true nature. She could be beaten or banished and she would not sit quietly and wait to find out which it would be. The long summer days meant the evening was still bright but Meriel had fallen into an exhausted sleep. Finola managed to slip out of the tent and away from the encampment unseen.

  Once away, she had no idea where to go. Darcy had been nice to her. She liked him. He hadn’t hurt her, well, not more than any lass’s first time, she guessed. It was hard for her to believe he would force Lady Matheson when she was willing. No, that couldn’t be. Lady Matheson must have lied to save herself. Finola decided to try to find Darcy. He would help her. He would protect her. After all, she had protected him by admitting to being with him.

  She made her way through the gathering twilight to the Fraser encampment. She didn’t see Darcy, but his cousin Guthrie stood alone, brooding. She approached him. “Excuse me, sir, I am looking for Darcy.”

  “Well, lass, ye needn’t look here. He is an unwilling ‘guest’ in the castle.”

  “Why?”

  “Oh, it’s just the wee matter of a severely injured MacKenzie.”

  “But Darcy didn’t do it. I told Laird MacIan that.”

  Guthrie looked more closely at her, recognition dawning. “Ye are the Matheson lass he tupped. Aye, ye pulled his arse out of that fire.”

  “And in so doing, I landed myself in serious trouble.”

  “Aye, I’ll warrant ye did.”

  “I was hoping he could help me. My father and my laird are not likely to forgive what I did, but I did it for him. Surely he can help me.”

  Guthrie’s expression held only pity. “Lass, ye’d be well advised not to seek his help. He is not likely to put himself out for ye, no matter what ye’ve done for him. Ye’d be better off trusting your own kin.”

  “Laird Matheson is furious, so is my father. There is no one else to turn to,” she wailed.

  “Aye, I expect they are furious. Laird Fraser might have parted your head from your shoulders if he had been your laird. Still, Matheson is rumored to be fair. Perhaps a beating is all you’ll get. Go back to your clan, lass. It is the best thing ye can do. There is nothing for ye here.”

  Choking back a sob, Finola turned and ran from the camp. Once she was far enough away so that no one would hear her, she sunk to her knees and sobbed. After a few moments, someone placed a hand on her shoulder. Afraid, she jerked away, jumping to her feet to run.

  “Easy, lass, I mean ye no harm,” said a soft male voice.

  “Who are ye?”

  “My name’s Rafer. I’m a Fraser and I overheard ye talking with Guthrie earlier.”

  “Then ye know he wouldn’t help me, he sent me away.”

  “Aye, lass, I know. But he was wrong to do that. Darcy does want to help ye. He told me so. After what ye did, he was worried about ye and told me to look for ye. I was heading to your encampment to find ye. Imagine my surprise to see ye here talking to Guthrie only to hear him turn ye away.”

  “Darcy sent ye to help me?”

  “Aye, lass, he did. He wants to see ye. He bid me find ye and take ye to a safe place. He will meet ye there as soon as he can get away from the castle. Will ye come with me?”

  Finola was flooded with relief. Darcy did care for her and he would protect her. “Aye, I’ll come with ye. I knew he cared.”

  “Wait here for me, then. I will fetch a horse. We won’t get far on foot.”

  She waited as he bid. Before long, he returned mounted on a large black gelding. He pulled her onto his lap and rode along the northern edge of Loch Craos to the heavy forest on its eastern bank. When she tried to make conversation, he told her to be still. He didn’t want to risk anyone hearing them. Surely, the sound of the horse’s hooves was louder than her soft voice, but she didn’t argue. Eventually they came to a small cave at the base of a rocky hill. It was little more than an indention in the rock but it provided a small bit of shelter.

  He helped her dismount. “Ye must stay here, undercover. Darcy will come for ye as soon as he can.” He tossed her a wineskin and a bag containing a little dried meat and oatcakes. “Here is a bit of food for ye. Try to rest and he’ll be here before ye know it.”

  Fear gripped Finola as she watched him ride away. She was alone, in the middle of a forest, without any means of protection. Still, the night was quiet and she doubted there was anything that could harm her. Perhaps it would be best if she tried to rest. She wrapped her plaid tightly around her and curled up to sleep in the shallow cave.

  ~ * ~

  As the sun rose, Tadhg awoke, his sweet Mairead snuggled close to him. His anger from the previous day returned as the morning light illumined her bruises. He might not be able to exact vengeance from Darcy, but he could certainly deal with Finola today and he intended to. Mairead stirred as he slipped out of bed. “Wheest, sweetling, go back to sleep. Ye need to rest.”

  She stretched, wincing slightly. “I have rested. Where are ye going?”

  “I need to speak with David.”

  Mairead sat up in bed, her brow furrowed. “Tadhg, Finola made a mistake. She didn’t know what would happen.”

  “Aye, she made a huge mistake. If she had come to me, her laird, with her concerns, ye wouldn’t have been harmed. As it was, ye could have been raped or killed.”

  “But she didn’t know that.”

  “Mairead, she delivered ye into the hands of another man and then lied to me about ye being safe. Even if she thought it was wh
at ye wanted, she never should have taken the risk. She betrayed us both by doing so. I can’t ignore her reckless actions.”

  “I know ye can’t. But please, remember she is just a lass. She has been disgraced. That will be hard enough.”

  “Nay, Mairead, it won’t. There is no suitable punishment for what she did.”

  “Then what are ye going to do?”

  “She has no mother, and her father seems unable to control her. I don’t want her living under my roof any longer.”

  “Are ye planning to banish her?” Mairead looked aghast.

  Tadhg chuckled. “Nay, my tender-hearted, wee wife. I am going to see that she is wed.”

  “Your punishment is marriage?”

  Tadhg laughed outright. “Nay, Mairead, I don’t consider marriage punishment. However, she is certainly old enough to marry and perhaps a husband can keep her out of trouble. In any event, she will no longer reside or work within the keep.”

  “I want to come with ye.”

  “Sweetling, I know ye do. Surely, ye can see how hard this will be for David. Perhaps it is better if I speak to him alone first.”

  She sighed. “Aye, I suppose it would be better if ye went alone.”

  “Ye will have two guardsmen here with ye at all times. After extracting that outrageous vow from us, Niall opened Duncurra last night. I don’t want ye out of their sight unless ye are in this chamber.”

  “Don’t worry, I appreciate their protection.”

  Tadhg kissed her and left the chamber. When he reached the Matheson encampment, his people surrounded him, asking about Mairead. Their concern touched him. She truly had found a place in their hearts. After assuring them she was well, he sought out David, who looked drawn and haggard.

  “Laird, I am so very sorry for Finola’s behavior. I don’t know what could have possessed her to do what she did. There is no excuse, but please, Laird, she is my daughter and I beg your mercy on her behalf.”

  “David, she betrayed me and Lady Matheson. I know she thought her reasons were sound, but it doesn’t excuse her actions. It is only by Mairead’s strength, and the grace of God, no serious harm was done. I cannot overlook her behavior. I do not want her living or working under my roof any longer.”

  “I understand, Laird. If ye mean to banish her, allow me to go with her.”

  “I don’t ye mean to banish her, David, she is just a lass. However, she must acknowledge her errors and I must know she can cause no further harm. I want her married, preferably to a crofter, so she is well away from Cnocreidh.”

  David looked relieved. “Aye, Laird. I understand.”

  “Angus lives near our border with MacIan. His son Seoras lost his wife several years ago and has two small children. Angus and his wife have been helping him, but they are getting on in years. Seoras needs a wife and someone to care for his children. He would make a good husband for Finola, but I will not consider the match if she is unwilling. Seoras and the children deserve better. There are other men.”

  “Aye, Laird, I understand.”

  “Good. Then I suppose ye should bring her to me. There is much to discuss.”

  David left, only to return agitated and with Meriel instead of Finola. “Laird, she is gone. Meriel was still sleeping, but there is no sign of Finola. No one remembered seeing Finola after she returned from the castle.”

  “Laird, I know she was frightened. She must have run away after I fell asleep,” explained Meriel.

  David’s face fell. “Laird, she isn’t safe out there on her own. I need to find her.”

  “Don’t worry,” Tadhg assured him. “We will find her.”

  The initial search for Finola turned up little. With so many people encamped outside Duncurra, finding any evidence of a trail was difficult. Still, well away from the trodden area of the encampments a trail left by a single person walking westward was found, but lost again in a rocky area. It appeared she was trying to go home to Cnocreidh. When they had found no further sign of her by midday, Tadhg sought Niall’s help and search parties formed, fanning out westward from Duncurra.

  Twenty Five

  Darcy sat drinking ale in the great hall oblivious to the uproar surrounding the Matheson lass’s disappearance. He supposed he should be concerned, she had helped remove suspicion from him regarding the attack on Rowan, but he had other troubles and he just didn’t care. That was until Rafer sought him out. “Darcy, are ye not joining in the search?”

  “Why should I? I owe Matheson nothing.”

  “That may be true, but I suspect he sees it differently.”

  “I don’t care if he does.”

  “Well, if ye were to find his wayward clanswoman and return her safely, he might be less likely to want ye dead.”

  “There are hundreds of men out searching for the twit. I am more likely to run afoul of one of his angry clansmen than anything else.”

  “Aye, there are hundreds of men out there, but ye will only run into them if ye go off in the same direction, searching toward the west.”

  “That is where they found her trail.”

  “What if it wasn’t her trail? What if she decided, with her laird as angry as he was, going home was the very last thing she wanted to do?”

  Darcy looked at him thoughtfully. “Aye. Now that ye mention it, why would she run away only to go where she would surely be found?”

  “My thoughts exactly. If ye search to the east ye will not run into any angry Mathesons or MacKenzies and if ye find her, ye will be the hero.”

  “Your plan has some merit, but what’s in it for ye?”

  “Darcy, I love your sister. I want to marry her. All I ask is for ye talk to your father for us.”

  “I doubt my father will pay me any heed, but if we find her safely, I’ll do it.”

  They left the castle for the Fraser encampment to get horses then rode east looking for signs of a trail.

  ~ * ~

  Mairead became distraught when Tadhg told her Finola had disappeared. He tried to assure her that Finola would be found unharmed, but Mairead was all too familiar with the foolish choices one could make out of fear. She begged him to enlist all available guardsmen in the search, including those guarding her.

  “No, love. It was during confusion such as this when Darcy managed to get to ye before.”

  “He isn’t likely to do that again.”

  “Still, I won’t take any chances.”

  “What if I stayed in Rowan’s chamber, with my mother and Katherine? Niall has a guard placed there for Katherine. Quinn and Peadar are there as guards, too. I will be safe.”

  Tadhg considered this. The afternoon was pressing on and there had been no signs of Finola. If night fell without finding her, he feared for her safety. “Please, Tadhg, ye must find her.”

  “So be it. Ye will stay with your mother, under your brothers’ protection. Promise me ye will not leave their sides for anything. Do ye hear me? Nothing.”

  “I promise.”

  Tadhg escorted her to Rowan’s chamber. He also extracted promises from Quinn and Peadar that she would never be out of their sight. He kissed her soundly before leaving to rejoin the search.

  She hadn’t seen Rowan since the attack and the sight of her huge, strong brother, normally so full of life, lying pale and still in the bed nearly undid her. She sat next to him on the bed, holding his big calloused hand in her small ones. Her mother dozed in a chair but Katherine sat on the other side of the bed, watching quietly. “He is so strong. He will get better. He will get better, won’t he?” she asked Katherine.

  Katherine smiled warmly, saying, “Aye. I think he will. He stirs more often and seems to come closer and closer to being alert. His body just needs time to recover.”

  “He is a good brother. Since Mama is asleep, I can tell ye, he was so excited to come here. He wanted a chance to make his own way, to be more than just one of the younger MacKenzies.”

  “I know he did. He is a good man and an excellent guardsman. Niall thin
ks very highly of him.”

  “Was he happy about this wedding? When Da announced it, he seemed resigned to it. I hoped he would be as happy as I am.”

  “None of us have much say in who we marry, do we? Tadhg is lovely. I had no doubt he would be a good husband for ye.”

  “I thought he kidnapped ye, how could ye know such a thing?”

  Katherine’s musical laughter filled the room. “Aye, he did. But even though he believed Niall was his enemy, he treated me with kindness and respect. He listened to me when I believed something was wrong. If he could be that considerate of an enemy, he must surely treat a wife with great care.”

  Mairead smiled. “Aye, he does.”

  “But Katherine, ye didn’t answer the question,” her mother said.

  “Mama, I didn’t know ye were awake.”

  “Clearly. But I was aware Rowan looked forward to making a life here, sweetheart. The question remains, was he looking forward to his marriage?”

  Katherine smiled sadly. “I don’t think so. He accepted it as we all do. He intended to try and build a good life with Eara, but no, I don’t think he was particularly pleased about it.”

  “I didn’t think so. He was fond of Sine. He had met her several times over the years and was quite taken with her, but Lachlan wouldn’t agree to that betrothal.”

  “Was Sine fond of him?” Mairead asked her mother.

  “I don’t know, pet. However, she seemed distraught over his injury. Perhaps she does harbor a fondness for him as well.”

  Rowan stirred. “What has happened?”

  “Rowan, son, ye are awake!” Brigid exclaimed with joy.

  “Someone struck ye in the head, Rowan, but ye will be fine,” Katherine assured him.

  “My lady, the pounding pain in my head is enough to tell me I was struck. What I want to know is what happened to Eara?”

  “Don’t worry about that for now, pet. We have to get ye better.”

  “Mother, I know Eara—well, I’ll just say she didn’t want this marriage, but ye talk as if it is off. Is she the one who struck me?”