Highland Angels

by Ceci Giltenan

  “Nay, he’s sweet.”

  David rubbed his eyes, rousing from his nap. “She isn’t exactly an angel, Da.”

  Andrew grinned. “Nay?”

  “Nay. She doesn’t have wings, but maybe God put her there instead of an angel.”

  “I’m sure that’s true, Davy.”

  “Still, that’s kind of like an angel.”

  “Aye, that’s a lot like an angel.” He held her gaze for a moment before she looked away. “We should let yer angel rest now, son.”

  Chapter 3

  It was impossible to avoid Laird MacLeod forever. By Anna’s tenth day at the MacLeod stronghold, Isla began to get her out of bed for longer periods. That afternoon, while Anna sat in a chair by the hearth, the laird came to see her.

  “Eve, I am so glad ye’re awake and feeling better.”

  Afraid, Anna looked at her white knuckles as she clenched her hands in her lap. “Thank ye, Laird.”

  Dougal sighed. “Yer fear scalds me, lass, but I know I deserve it. I’m sorry for the way we treated ye when ye arrived.”

  “I understand, Laird.” She still avoided looking at him.

  “Is there anything I can get ye?”

  “Nay, Laird. Thank ye.”

  “There’s nothing ye need?”

  There certainly was something she needed. She looked up at him, “I need to go home.”

  “Ah, little dove, that is the one thing I cannot grant ye. Ye can’t go home yet. I need to know that ye’re well and that ye’ll be safe there.”

  “Of course I’ll be safe there, it’s my home.”

  “Eve, ye’ve been living with yer clan’s enemy for well over a sennight. Ye’ll be here for a bit longer, at least until ye’re fully recovered. With our clans feuding I must know there’ll be no repercussions against ye before I let ye return.”

  “There won’t be,” she insisted.

  “Ye said yer father was dead. Are ye married?”

  “Nay, Laird.”

  “To whom do ye belong then? Another family member? Laird MacKay?”

  “I have brothers.” Of course one of them is Laird MacKay, but Laird MacLeod didn’t need to know that. “Please, Laird, let me go home.”

  “Not now. We’ll discuss it later, when ye’re well.”

  Frustrated, Anna looked down at her hands again. She didn’t want to discuss it later; she wanted to go home now, but she remained silent. Showing Laird MacLeod disrespect would get her nowhere.

  “I know ye don’t understand, Eve, but for now ye’re under my care and I have to do what I think is best for ye.”

  Anna didn’t understand. How could Laird MacLeod possibly know what was best for her? What was best for her was to get away from the MacLeods before they found out who she really was.

  The next day it was Graham she was unable to avoid.

  “Hello, Eve, ye’re looking well.”

  “Then tell yer father to let me go home.”

  Graham laughed, “Oh, lass, no one tells my father what to do.”

  She clenched her jaw and looked away. Graham sobered a bit. “Eve, I’m glad ye’re feeling better, but ye aren’t strong enough to travel yet.”

  Andrew walked in just then and added, “Certainly not. Give it some time. Let us take care of ye. We owe ye that.”

  “Ye owe me nothing. Just let me go.”

  “When Isla is satisfied that ye’ve completely recovered, we will send a message to Laird MacKay to see how ye’ll be received. I’m sorry, lass, but he may not welcome ye back.”

  “He will welcome me back. I have to go. Please.”

  Andrew looked puzzled. “Why are ye so sure, angel? Ye said to me that he might kill ye.”

  “Well I exaggerated. He won’t. He’ll be angry but he won’t hurt me.”

  “If ye’re sure he’ll be angry, how can ye be certain ye’ll be safe?” asked Graham.

  “Because…” he’s my brother. No, she still didn’t think it was wise to reveal her identity. It was one thing to have a simple seamstress from an enemy clan as a captive and something entirely different to have the laird’s sister. “Because, I just know. He’s a good man. He won’t harm me.”

  “I’m sorry, angel. Ye aren’t well enough to travel anyway. Once we know more about what ye might face, we’ll decide what’s best.”

  She frowned. There it was again. They’ll decide what is best. They will. What right did they have to decide what was best for her? Hold yer tongue Anna, she cautioned herself. Anna the laird’s beloved sister might challenge Laird MacKay’s authority and live to tell about it, but she suspected that Eve the lowly MacKay seamstress could get herself in a world of trouble in the midst of the MacLeods.

  ~ * ~

  After the evening meal, Laird MacLeod and his sons retired to his solar to discuss clan business. Andrew raised the subject of their MacKay guest.

  “Da, have ye decided what to do about Eve?”

  “I was hoping she could be convinced to stay on her own. She would have a safe home here forever.”

  “But she wants to go home, Da.”

  “I know she does, Graham, but she doesn’t understand what could happen, what her clan might think, how they might treat her.”

  Andrew nodded. “I agree. Graham, what would ye think if a MacLeod lass were captured by the MacKays and held for weeks?”

  Graham sighed. “I would think they had used her and grown tired of her.”

  “Aye. Even if we knew she had been held against her will and welcomed her back, her life would change. Many in the clan would never look at her in the same way.”

  Graham still seemed unwilling to accept it. “But, Andrew, she’s a MacKay. What kind of life can she have here?”

  “She saved my son’s life. The MacLeods will respect her. They already do.”

  “I know they respect her, but will she ever respect us? Hell will she ever even tolerate us? Whenever possible, she feigns sleep when one of us enters the room. She risked her life to save Davy and we instantly repaid her with abuse and neglect. It was exactly what a MacKay would expect from a MacLeod.”

  “And what would likely have happened to a MacLeod lass if the situation were reversed, son?” Dougal asked. “I will regret the way we treated her forever but, if she had helped abduct Davy, I would not have thought twice about it.”

  “But that’s my point. Our clan will respect her only because of her selfless act. The enmity between the clans still exists. At the risk of oversimplifying things, ye are asking a lass to live among us when she loves our mortal enemies, and her hatred of us is even more justified now.”

  “So my choice is either force her to stay where I can keep her safe but she will be miserable, or let her go home to God knows what?” He paused for a moment. “She can adjust to life with us. I’m inclined to keep her safe.”

  “As am I,” agreed Andrew.

  “Da, ye have to at least send a message to the MacKay and see what his response will be. Ye know she is not going to just stop asking to go home. It is practically the first thing out of her mouth every time someone enters her chamber. Perhaps if she learns she’ll be going home to misery, she’ll make the decision to stay.”

  “It would crush her if her clan rejected her,” said Andrew. “Ye heard her defend the MacKay. She firmly believes she’ll be welcomed home. Maybe it’s kinder to spare her that disappointment.”

  “She’ll resent us forever if we do. The truth may hurt, but we can deal with that if it happens,” said Graham.

  Dougal sighed. “Fine, Graham, I suspect ye are right. I’ll send a messenger to Laird Sutherland tomorrow and ask him to contact the MacKay on our behalf. I’ll make sure Laird Sutherland knows the MacKay’s reaction to this news is more important than whatever message he sends back.”

  ~ * ~

  Eoin read the missive from Laird MacLeod, delivered by the Sutherland messenger. Although relieved at last to learn that his sister lived, his brow furrowed and he said nothing. He dared not give an
ything away in front of the messenger.

  “Is everything all right, Laird?” the messenger asked.

  “Nay. One of my clanswomen is being held by the MacLeods.”

  “Will there be a reply, Laird?”

  “Aye, but I need to speak with her kinsmen before I compose it. Please, rest and refresh yerself, I’ll return soon.” Eoin left the hall, sending servants with instructions to bring his brothers and Marcas to his solar.

  While he waited, he considered the contents of the message. It indicated that a seamstress named Eve had wandered into MacLeod territory. This would normally not be tolerated, but she had helped a MacLeod child who was injured. For that reason, after giving the matter some thought for a time, Laird MacLeod would consider returning Eve to her family. However, one of his guardsmen had taken an interest in her, and if her family didn’t want her back, he would see her married as a token of his gratitude.

  Like hell.

  There was no MacKay seamstress named Eve and Eoin knew full well that the lass they held was Anna, but it appeared his little sister had prudently kept that secret. His relief was profound. Still he didn’t want to let it show to the messenger. It looked as if he could secure Anna’s release simply by asking for it, but he doubted it would be possible if the MacLeod knew who he actually held. If he showed too much enthusiasm it might lead Dougal MacLeod to suspect Anna’s true identity. Eoin didn’t even want Fiona to know until after the messenger had left, for fear she would not be able to contain her reaction in front of him. When his captain and brothers arrived in his solar he filled them in.

  “She lied to Laird MacLeod? Well done, little sister,” said Tasgall.

  “Are we sure it’s her?” asked Aidan.

  “Aye, it’s Anna,” he said confidently a huge grin splitting his face. “She identified her brother as ‘Sorely’. I don’t know whether to laugh or be insulted.”

  The other men laughed heartily at this news because Sorely was the name of Anna’s gelding.

  “Do ye believe that the MacLeod is just going to let her go?” asked Marcas.

  “I don’t know. The whole story sounds odd to me. She ‘wandered’ into their territory but because she helped a child, MacLeod will let her go?”

  “She didn’t wander in,” said Aidan bitterly. “I’ll warrant the bastards saw her alone on the bluff and helped themselves.”

  Clearly, that thought worried them all.

  “Why the story of the child then?” asked Tasgall.

  “I don’t know,” said Eoin honestly. “I’m not sure it matters.”

  “How are ye going to respond?” asked Aidan.

  “I am going to tell him the truth, that her brother does not wish for her to marry a MacLeod guardsman. I will suggest a meeting at our border under white flags, five days from now. He can return her to us then.”

  “Aren’t ye worried he might ambush us? Maybe ye should suggest he escort her to Sutherland and we can get her there,” suggested Tasgall.

  “Nay. I agree it’s a risk but Laird Sutherland knows Anna and he has a son in training with the MacLeods. While we aren’t feuding with the Sutherlands, neither are we on particularly good terms.”

  “Well, stealing Bram’s betrothed didn’t exactly endear ye to his father,” said Marcas.

  “Aye but that tension eased a bit when Bram married his beloved. Still, I can’t trust Laird Sutherland not to reveal her identity to Dougal MacLeod. That would put her in much more danger than she’s already in. Can ye imagine what might happen if the MacLeod finds out that she’s been lying to him?”

  “But a direct meeting, Eoin?” asked Marcas. “Even under white flags, I don’t trust the MacLeods not to attack. Perhaps ye could suggest he escort her to Laird MacNicol instead. Ye could send a message telling Alec what’s happened; he won’t reveal Anna’s identity. The MacLeods have no formal ties with the MacNicols.”

  “No they don’t and they are on good terms. But given that Fiona is Laird MacNicol’s sister, MacLeod is not likely to go along with that.”

  “He may be more likely to agree to it than a direct meeting. It poses less risk to everyone.”

  “Ye’re probably right. However, it’ll take more time to arrange and I hate to leave her at the mercy of the MacLeods any longer than necessary. If he refuses a direct meeting, we’ll suggest Laird MacNicol as an intermediary. In the meantime we can send word to Alec and begin making arrangements, should it become necessary.” Eoin smiled and added, “I’ll also send her a little message from Sorely, letting her know her family is overjoyed to learn that she’s safe.”

  ~ * ~

  “He wants a direct meeting under white flags?” asked Andrew incredulously when his father revealed the contents of the message from Laird MacKay. “Does he honestly think we’ll agree to that? It’s not as if our hostage is of any value to him. She’s only a seamstress.”

  His father shook his head, dumbfounded. “Aye, we would be daft to agree to that.”

  “Is there any indication of how she’ll be received?” asked Graham.

  “Not much. The messenger said Laird MacKay was reserved and didn’t seem overly concerned by the news. Still, the MacKay did include a message from her brother Sorely in the response.”

  “What was it?” asked Andrew.

  Dougal read from the missive, “Sorely has been saddled with grief since her disappearance. Her family is overjoyed to learn that she’s safe.”

  “Well, at least it seems as if her family will welcome her back,” said Graham.

  Andrew didn’t see this as wholly positive. “I don’t think that matters, Graham. Her family is not the whole clan and we know nothing of the MacKay’s reaction.”

  “We’ll have another chance to learn more,” said Dougal. “I’m not going to agree to a direct meeting. I’ll send another message indicating that I might consider escorting her to Laird Sutherland. We’ll see what his reaction to that is.”

  “Do ye plan tell her about the message?” asked Graham.

  “I have no intention of telling her that I won’t let her go home yet. Ye and Andrew can handle that.”

  Andrew arched an eyebrow. “If I didn’t know better, Da, I’d say ye were afraid of a wee MacKay lass.”

  “She is afraid of me. She won’t look me in the eye except when she asks to leave.”

  “Ye’re the laird of her clan’s enemy, and she’s just a seamstress, I wouldn’t expect her to look ye in the eye,” said Graham rationally.

  “Aye, I am the laird who backhanded her and called her a whore. Lads, do yer father this kindness.”

  Andrew rose from his chair. “None of us treated her well, Da, but I’ll tell her.”

  When he arrived at Eve’s chamber he found Mairi and David enthusiastically playing a guessing game with her. Cora, the old widow who had been Mairi’s nursemaid and who had agreed to care for David now, watched on. Eve laughed at their antics and Andrew couldn’t help but notice how lovely the copper-haired angel was when she smiled, her eyes sparkling with laughter. Sadly, that beautiful smile was fleeting. As soon as she was aware of his presence, she became quiet and guarded.

  He sighed knowing she wouldn’t like what she was about to hear. David spotted him next and bounced joyfully where he knelt on the bed beside Eve. “Da! Come play with us!”

  “I can’t play now, Davy.”

  “But it’ll be fun, Da.”

  “I’m sure it would be, but it is getting late. Ye need to go to bed and I need to talk with Eve.”

  Eve looked down, her hands folded in her lap.

  “Da, just for a minute? Ye never play with me.”

  Cora gently lifted David off of the bed. “David, yer father said ‘nay’ and he’s right. It’s time to get ready for bed. Say good night now before we go.”

  David hugged Eve vigorously. “Good night, Eve.”

  She kissed his head. “Sleep well, David.”

  He looked up at his father. “Good night, Da.”

  Andrew ruffl
ed his dark hair “Good night, son. Sleep well.” The lad nodded but hung his head sadly as Cora led him from the room.

  “Good night, Mairi,” Andrew said pointedly when she showed no sign of leaving.

  “Ye aren’t my Da, Andrew, ye can’t boss me around. Maybe Eve doesn’t want me to leave.”

  “Mairi, don’t push me.”

  Ignoring him, Mairi turned towards their visitor. “Eve, do ye want me to go?”

  “Sweetling, that isn’t important. Ye should do as yer brother asks.”

  Mairi sighed dramatically. “All right, but I’m going to talk to Da about this, Andrew.”

  “Of course ye will, Mairi, but ye should know—he’ll take my side.”

  She stuck out her tongue at him and left the room.

  Andrew just shook his head as he watched her leave then turned back to Eve. “Thank ye.”

  The lass shrugged and said, “I have brothers.”

  “Aye, ye do, and that is what I need to talk with ye about. Will ye sit with me by the fire?” He offered her his hand.

  She sat for a moment staring at the hand he held toward her but made no move to take it.

  “Eve, I’m not in the habit of being ignored.”

  With a sigh she took his hand, letting him lead her to a chair by the hearth. He sat in the opposite chair. She opened her mouth to say something and he put up his hand. “I know ye want to go home, please don’t ask again.”

  She frowned looking into the fire for a moment. “Then what did ye come to tell me?”

  “We sent a message to Laird MacKay and have received a response.”

  She brightened immediately, “What did it say?”

  “Yer brother, Sorely, asked that we tell ye he has been saddled with grief since ye disappeared and yer family is overjoyed to learn that ye are safe.”

  Amusement flashed in her eyes before she bit her lower lip, looking away again. He thought her reaction was odd, but after a moment she turned back to him, full of confidence. “I told ye I would be welcomed home.”

  The sparkle in her eyes cheered him. “I’m glad they want ye to come home, angel, but we still aren’t sure how ye’ll be received by the laird or the rest of the clan. Apparently Laird MacKay was very reticent when he read the message concerning ye.”