The Thistle and the Rose

by May McGoldrick

  Celia's brow furrowed for a moment as she searched for a way to warn him about the path that she was traveling. A path that could soon lead to Argyll's castle. A path that could lead anywhere.

  “I have a responsibility that I have sworn to fulfill. And until the moment comes when I have done so, my life and the choices of my life do not belong to me.”

  Colin wondered whether the responsibility she spoke of was Kit. But he wanted to make her understand that he would help her.

  “All I'm asking is for you to remain here for a few days, until I get back from seeing the earl of Argyll. Then I will aid you in whatever way I can. Together, we can be—”

  “Argyll? You're going to see Argyll?” This is what Celia needed. To get to Argyll herself. To find out why Father William was hesitating. To complete this leg of her journey.

  “Aye. I just received word that he's returned to his winter lodging,” Colin replied. “I will find out for you about your priest friend, if you like.”

  “I want to go with you,” she said, stepping away from him.

  “Where? To the abbey?”

  “Aye, to see Father William.”

  “Why do you need to go yourself?” Colin asked pointedly. “Why can't I see him for you?”

  “Because I need to see him myself,” Celia responded, pausing. “Colin, you promised to ask me no questions. I'm holding you to that promise. All I can tell you is that I need to go with you.”

  “Nay. I will not take you,” he answered flatly. He assumed that Celia knew nothing more about the attackers’ identities than she had said, that she had no idea of any connection between the attackers and the abbey where Father William was staying. But in their discussion in the Great Hall, his father had expressed reservations about the earl of Argyll's allegiance. Forty years of navigating the treacherous waters of Scottish politics had given him insights that Colin knew it would be foolish to overlook. And if Lord Hugh was correct, then the trip could possibly be dangerous. If there was one thing that Colin knew, it was that he didn't want to put Celia in any more danger.

  “Colin, you just said you would help me,” Celia said, her anger flaring. “Then take me with you.”

  “I cannot,” he responded. “There could be dangers on this trip that I do not want to expose you to.”

  “Do not try to tell me that a short trip like this could be more dangerous than what I've already been through,” Celia said shortly. But she knew that to convince him to take her, she had to soften her tone. “Besides, I'll be traveling with you.”

  “Celia, this is the Western Highlands. People here have a different view of women than they do in the Lowlands. There are dangers here that you have never faced. Whatever you need done there, I'll do for you.”

  “You cannot,” she replied softly. “I will not hinder you, either. I can take care of myself. I grew up on ships that no pirates even dared to attack. Among men whose view of women would make attitudes out here pale by comparison. But I have things that I need to be doing.”

  Colin had sensed Celia's strong-willed nature, and he could see that she was determined. He knew he would do better to try another tack, if he wanted to persuade her amicably.

  “Celia, what about Kit? What will you do about him?”

  Celia hated the thought of leaving the bairn after what had happened, but she had to speak with Father William. Edmund would protect Kit while she was gone; she was certain of that.

  With the English pressing ever closer, Celia felt time was running short, and she needed to learn the reason for Father William’s hesitation. With Argyll back, Celia also hoped that going there would expedite their next move.

  “He'll be fine here with Ellen and Edmund. You said we'll only be gone a day or two.”

  “Before we had this conversation, you didn't even know I was going to see Argyll. I do not understand this sudden urge. Were you planning to go yourself?”

  “Colin,” she responded, quietly moving to him and taking his huge hand in hers. “I simply cannot tell you the business that I've sworn to complete. A few moments ago you said that this garden is like Scotland. It is true. To enjoy the fruits of the garden, there is work that must be accomplished. Trust me.”

  “The way you are trusting me?” Colin looked Celia squarely in the eye. She was expecting more of him than she seemed willing to give. How could he be sure that the course she was taking was the best for all of them?

  “I do trust you, Colin Campbell. You know more about me than I was permitted to tell anyone. What you know now, I have told you because I believe in you. And what I am doing now, you would also be doing.”

  Colin turned and looked out at the two trees at the far end of the garden. He knew all four of these cherry trees would be flowering soon, as they did every spring since his mother planted them so long ago.

  What curious terms she uses, he thought: `permitted' and `sworn to complete' are such odd terms. Who is behind all this, anyway? What is this business about that she was sworn to complete? There were so many questions running through his mind. Perhaps one way to get some of the answers was to take her to Argyll's winter lodging.

  Aye, he would take her, but he would protect her, as well. If Argyll were somehow connected with that attack, Colin was not going to allow her to be an easy target. He would take more precautions than he had initially planned. But that was, perhaps, the wisest course, anyway.

  “Celia,” he asked, looking at her seriously, “will the earl of Argyll recognize you?”

  Celia gave him a puzzled look, unsure of his question.

  “Has he ever seen you? Would he know who you are by sight?”

  “No. Not if I were alone. But why are you asking this?” Celia knew that Colin had decided to take her.

  “It would not be wise for you to travel to Argyll's castle as Lady Caithness. We need to find some other name for you.”

  “I can do better than that,” Celia said with a smile. She had a solution. “I have, more times than I can count, disguised myself as a boy.”

  “You, a boy?” Colin grinned. This was the most outrageous thing he'd heard yet. She was so beautiful. How could she possibly hide the soft skin, the stunning auburn hair, the sensuous mouth? “I do not think so. Perhaps the men in the Lowlands are blind, but out here a beautiful woman is—”

  “I'm telling you, Colin, I am a very convincing boy.” Celia thought of all the times she had effectively freed herself of the restraints of womanhood in the guise of a lad.

  “You have too beautiful a shape for a boy, Celia.” He smiled, stepping back and eyeing her appraisingly. “Even under my cloak.”

  “You'll see,” she responded matter-of-factly. “Clothes cover a great deal.”

  “That may be a good thing in some cases,” he answered wryly. “But some things are better not covered.”

  Celia flushed crimson at his suggestive response. “Perhaps I'm one who is better covered.”

  Colin grinned broadly. “Then perhaps I'm the man to cover you.”

  Celia stamped one foot at his incorrigibility. He was hopeless. “For some reason, I do not think we're talking about the same thing.”

  “I think we are,” he replied innocently. “Are we not talking about your body?”

  “We are not talking about my body,” Celia scolded. “We're talking about disguising me.”

  “Too bad,” Colin sighed. “Such an uplifting topic.”

  Celia considered doing bodily harm, but she didn't trust herself to get too close right now. Instead, she manufactured her fiercest glare, a look she could not sustain as her own amusement bubbled to the surface.

  Colin burst out laughing at her poor attempt at intimidation.

  “We'll have to come up with something better,” he said, shaking his head with a smile. “No one will be fooled.”

  “If I can fool Alec,” she suggested brightly, “would you agree to take me as your squire?”

  “Squire? You will not fool Alec,” he said, laughing. “Alec has
a sixth sense where women are concerned. He’ll ferret you out in a moment.”

  “If you do not alert him, I will fool him,” she stated. “Will you train in the morning?”

  “Aye, before sunrise.”

  “Good. I'll be there.” Celia realized that it was nearly dark now. She hadn't even been aware of the descending twilight.

  “I'm not going to leave you and Alec Macpherson alone,” he said, suddenly serious again.

  “You will not have to,” she said confidently. “But I have a great deal to do to get ready. So when you see your new squire Jack in the morning, do not give me away.”

  Celia turned toward the door leading back through the library. She stopped after a step and turned back to Colin, removing the cloak from her shoulders and handing it to him.

  “By the way, Colin. Thank you for bringing me out here. I love your garden.”

  Colin took the cloak from her hand, holding her slender fingers in his grasp for a moment.

  “I'm glad, Celia. We'll be spending a great deal of time here.”

  Celia smiled and moved toward the door again. She stopped once more at the sound of Colin's voice.

  “One question before you go,” he said. “But you do not have to answer if you do not want to.”

  She stood quietly, her face obscured by the darkness and the distance.

  “What is your name?”

  She paused before answering.

  “Celia Muir,” she whispered. And then she was gone.

  Muir, Colin thought in amazement. She’s John Muir’s daughter.

  Chapter 9

  Why does he take us farther north? As we move up into the Highlands, there is less and less of value for our scavengers to take. What we find is ravaged more viciously than ever before. And every day we are farther from England.

  I begin to think we no longer serve any king.

  The dawn was breaking clear by the time Colin was able to drag Alec into the open training area he used with his select group of warriors. His eyes scanned the scene of ten fighters practicing with various weapons, the squires and pages scurrying to and fro in response to the shouted commands of the fighters.

  Colin surveyed the half-naked bodies of the warriors, sweating from their exertion despite the biting dawn cold. His eye was drawn to the flashing arcs of the long swords and the knives, the slashing cuts of the halberds and the glaives. This is a very bad idea, he thought, suddenly aware of the dangers he was exposing Celia to here in the training yard.

  Colin couldn't believe he hadn't objected to this plan last night in the garden. He had been so surprised by and caught up in her idea that the possible consequences had not even entered his mind. He circulated among the fighters and the working boys, trying to pick her out, to put a stop to it, but she was nowhere to be found. He thought with relief that perhaps she'd decided against going through with such foolishness.

  Colin hadn't been able to go to sleep for a long time, thinking about Celia Muir. Celia Muir, daughter of John Muir, the notorious pirate and scion of the noble York family. Such a strange world. Colin had never met Muir himself, but he knew that Hugh and Alec's father had met him once, when they had divided the Irish Sea between them. Although Muir had been given a license by the English king to harry French ships while carrying on his own thriving mercantile trade, it was well known that he often crossed the fine line between privateering and open piracy. But Celia's father had always honored his agreements with Hugh Campbell and Alexander Macpherson, men whose activities so closely mirrored his own.

  No wonder Celia had felt so powerless in determining her own future. After her father's death, the Tudor king must have cast a greedy eye on the enormous wealth and the fleet of ships rivaling his own. Celia's fortune had been usurped, and her future had become the plaything of kings. What had she said? A “ward of the court.” It was the English court. But she was in Scotland now. And more important, she was here.

  Colin was, in a very satisfying way, thrilled that she had confided her identity to him. Knowing who she was only served to increase his affection for her. She might have lost everything, but she had a legacy of wit and courage.

  And her inner qualities were matched by her physical beauty. Since that first night, Colin had not gone a moment without an image of her in his mind.

  Alec went to the rows of weapons, and picked out a broad sword that he swung about him a few times. As he did, a squire ran to him with a pair of heavy leather gloves. Colin watched as the lad took the sword from Alec and stepped back, watching as the Macpherson heir stripped quickly to his waist, exposing his massive shoulders and rippling muscles. As Colin strode quickly to them, he could see Alec and the boy exchanging good-natured banter.

  “Wait a moment,” Colin shouted, running the last few steps and grasping the squire by the elbow. The broad sword fell to the ground as the boy whipped around to face the master. “This has gone far enough!”

  The startled look on the boy's face was matched by Alec's. The two looked at Colin as if he'd lost his mind. Colin knew the lad and abruptly dropped his elbow as if he'd been burned. He searched for something to say in explanation, but immediately gave up.

  “Are you just going to stand around all day?” he snapped at the two of them, turning on his heel and striding away. She must have given it up, he thought.

  Colin watched the workouts of his men, joining them when he felt inclined. Alec worked very hard, keeping several of the boys running for new weapons and drinks, crossing swords from time to time with one or another.

  After the exercises the fighters began to drift back toward their quarters before breakfast, and soon Alec and Colin were alone, with just a few of the boys who were busy returning the weaponry to its place.

  Alec finished his regimen with an impressive flourish of swordplay, handing the steel war implement and the gloves to a boy before walking to where Colin stood waiting.

  “You are not your usual happy-go-lucky self today.” Alec laughed, slapping his friend on the shoulder. “Lady Celia stand you up again last night? Her absence at dinner was rather conspicuous.”

  “Don't you worry about me and Lady Celia,” Colin began as they started for the door.

  “Excuse me, m'lord,” a squire called, running up with Alec's shirt in his hand.

  Alec turned and took the shirt, pulling it in one motion over his head. Colin stood impatiently, turning his thoughts to what Celia could call herself during the trip to Argyll's castle, and wondering as well what excuse he would give to Argyll for having a woman along. In truth, there were lots of places Colin wanted to take her, but Argyll's ruins was not one of them. But there was no denying it now. He'd given his word to her. Unless, he thought happily, she had changed her mind and come to her senses.

  “Thanks, laddie,” Alec said. “You did well. What'd you say your name is?”

  “Jack, m'lord,” the squire said, turning quickly to trot off.

  Colin's arm shot out, and he collared Jack, grabbing the squire by the back of the shirt and pulling him back. “Oh, no you don't,” he shouted.

  “What's wrong with you today?” Alec exploded, shocked at Colin's abrupt actions.

  Colin looked into the dirty face of the “squire.” The old hat covered Celia's hair. Her clothes were filthy, well-worn, and covered any hint of femininity in her figure. But the eyes were unmistakable.

  “Did you enjoy yourself?” he asked, glaring accusingly at her. Colin was angry at Celia and at himself, thinking of the danger she had been exposed to during his men's workout. One step in a wrong direction and she could have been seriously hurt.

  “Really, Colin, the lad worked hard for me,” Alec said in defense. Something is wrong, he thought. He never treats young squires like this. He's always positive and encouraging with them. Poor kid is probably terrified. “He's strong and smart. He'll be a good fighter one day.”

  “Thank you, m'lord,” the squire returned saucily. “So will you be.”

  Alec turned a dumbfo
unded glance toward the “squire” he had just praised. He didn't look scared. He was actually mocking him, daring him with his bold black eyes. “Why, you little...”

  Alec stopped short as Colin's laughter erupted, echoing off the castle walls. Still laughing, Colin protectively pulled the squire behind his back. But the wisecracking youngster immediately worked himself back to the front, still daring him. Alec looked from one face to the other. Everyone seemed to be losing their minds today.

  “Alec,” Colin said, putting aside his worries of a few moments earlier. “We've both been had, this morning. I think you'd better take a closer look at my new squire Jack.”

  Alec peered at Jack suspiciously. He looked like all the others. Young and eager. But with an attitude problem that would bring him some trouble if he didn't curb it.

  “Alec, this is Celia,” Colin said finally, smiling at Alec's perplexed look. “Let's get something to eat. We'll be leaving for Argyll's castle with the midday tide.”

  Celia smiled brilliantly at Alec as she passed him.

  “Some sixth sense!” She chuckled proudly.

  “You’re getting too old, Macpherson,” Colin needled. “You’re losing your touch.”

  “I knew it was Celia all the time,” Alec protested lamely as the other two grinned back at him. How did I ever miss those eyes and that smile? he thought. “I did. I knew it.”

  But Colin was convinced. They were all going to Argyll.

  Colin had sent out a small boat at midnight to let Argyll know he'd be arriving around nightfall. And when Colin arrived with Alec, Celia, and a troop of fifty men, the dismal gray day was just decaying into dark over the earl's rain-soaked countryside.

  Alec had been ill a number of times on the short journey, even though the steadily falling rain had kept the water fairly smooth and the wind steady. Celia had kept his company and promised him that she would try to help him on the trip back with a remedy she had learned in the Orient. She'd explained that the remedy must be applied before the seasickness occurs. Alec had simply looked at her wretchedly before leaning over the side of the boat again.