“Aye? What did it say?”
Duncan patted his doublet. “Dunno—haven’t opened it yet. If I had, I would have missed the start. Besides, a missive can wait a bit even if it is from his grace.”
“Remind me to tell the king you said that the next time we’re at court.”
Duncan smirked. “Should such a foul rumor come my way, I would deny it emphatically.”
The clerk finished his oration and the ram’s horn sounded. Sprinting, Sean sped ahead to ensure he positioned himself at the front of the pack. And in an eight-mile race, he’d keep pace behind the leader until the very end.
Duncan had the same idea and bloody MacCoul wasn’t far behind. Sean wouldn’t concern himself with that blackguard. He’d drop off soon enough.
Everything proceeded in respectable civility until Sean and the leaders rounded a farmhouse at the halfway point. Two brigands wearing chausses and shirts sprang from nowhere, barreling straight toward Sean. Startled by the movement of the first attacker, Sean’s instincts took over. Ducking, he flung the bastard over his back. When the second one hit, he wasn’t so lucky. Walloped in the side of the head, he stagger-stepped sideways until he crashed to the ground.
It was bad enough to have the contestants fighting each other, but now hoodlums had been planted? Someone must have a very large wager indeed.
Sean scrambled to his feet, fists at the ready. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Duncan throw a boot into number one’s gut. Sean eyed the second man and aimed a blow at the hinge of his jaw. Hitting his mark, teeth cracked. The bastard’s hands flew to his face before he collided with the dirt.
Duncan beckoned him. “Hurry.”
Sean ran beside his friend. “Who were those swine?”
“No idea.” Duncan took in a deep inhale. “But I’m certain they were waiting for you. They darted straight for you without a mind to the others.”
Sean sped his pace. “We can still win if we push.”
Duncan waved him on. “This is your sport. Go.”
Sean sprinted for the leaders, more intent than ever to win. Someone had set a trap for him—knew he was the man to beat.
***
Most of the spectators lined the outer bailey wall-walk on the Loch Etive side of the castle, all straining for a glimpse of the leaders in the footrace. Gyllis stood beside Helen, barely able to contain her excitement.
Yes, Sean had appeared a tad despondent when she’d given him her kerchief, but after all, he was preparing for a race. If they hadn’t been interrupted last eve, she would have given it to him then. But she didn’t want to think about that now. The weather was fine and Sean would sit with her during the feast just as they’d planned. She needn’t consider a thing beyond that at the moment.
“There they are,” someone yelled.
Gyllis cast her gaze toward the wood. Four runners barreled out of the trees, racing for the castle. The second man shoved the leader, who swung back his elbow. The closer they came to the finish line, the more the runners pushed with fists swinging.
“How can they stay ahead of the pack when they’re fighting like that?” Helen asked.
“The fighting has most likely just begun,” said a man behind them.
A fifth man darted from the forest. Gyllis made out Sean’s long stride, close behind the fighting leaders.
Alice shook her finger. “Look! Alan MacCoul is winning.”
Unable to believe it, Gyllis leaned further over the crenel notch. Sure enough, Alan had shoved his way into the lead. “But Sir Sean’s speeding around them.”
Shouts from the crowd grew louder.
Gyllis hopped in place and clapped her hands. “Faster, Sir Sean!”
Alice shook her fists in the air. “Run like the wind, Mr. MacCoul.”
Gyllis gave her sister a firm whack on the shoulder. “Excuse me. How can you cheer for that blackguard after he threatened Sir Sean with his dirk last eve?”
Alice stopped hopping up and down. “He did?”
“Aye.” With a well-founded nod, Gyllis returned her attention to the race. Sean indeed was moving closer to the lead, now one or two paces behind Alan. Her gaze darted to the finish line. I don’t think he can make it. Heavens, if Alan wins, it will upset everything.
Sean closed the gap. Alan struck out with his right. Sean clutched his arm and stumbled over the finish line right behind that blasted MacCoul. Within the blink of an eye, the Lord of Lorn’s officials surrounded Sean.
“He’s been cut!” someone yelled from below.
Gasping, Gyllis started for the stairwell.
“You shall remain up here, young lady.” Mother grasped her shoulder.
“But Sir Sean’s been hurt.”
Mother rolled her eyes with a tsk of her tongue. “I assure you, simply sparring with your brother has caused Sir Sean injuries much worse than a wee cut on the arm.”
Gyllis huffed and resumed her place in front of the crenel notch. She couldn’t see anything. Sean was surrounded by any number of men and Alan was nowhere to be seen.
“It appears you were right about Mr. MacCoul,” Alice said. “He definitely acts like he’s a bastard.”
“Pardon me?” Mother stepped between them. “Mind your vulgar tongue.”
Gyllis inched away until she was out of Ma’s grasp. Not knowing how badly Sean was injured twisted her stomach in knots. She could stand there no longer. “I’m heading out to see what I can do to help.”
“Gyllis,” Mother called.
She didn’t stop. If nothing else, she had to ensure Sean was all right. She dashed down the narrow spiral steps, pushing past people dawdling about, and ran out through the gate. Stopping in her tracks, Gyllis suddenly couldn’t breathe. The crowd had thinned and Sean stood with a woman wrapped in his embrace. The woman’s face was blocked by her wimple, but there was no mistaking it, Sean had his arms around the lass for a good long time.
Dumbfounded, Gyllis stood and stared. Her hands shook. She wanted to scream, but could form no words through the tightening of her throat.
A man walked past and brushed her shoulder. “I beg your pardon.”
Gyllis blinked, but was still too stunned to acknowledge the man. She backed into the tunnel of the barbican and drew her hand to her chest. I’m a fool, a stupid romantic who will never find a husband because my family locks me away in a castle and hardly ever allows me to visit court. Beltane was my chance—and now if that mutton-head dares to come sit on my plaid this eve, I’ll tell him exactly what I think of him. Mayhap he’s double-crossed Mr. MacCoul—mayhap that’s why Alan lashes out at Sean at every opportunity.
***
Da? Dead? Sean had gone completely numb. He couldn’t feel the wee cut to his arm, nor did he care. When Angus and Jinny approached with the news, he’d fallen into Jinny’s outstretched arms, hardly able to inhale.
“It has only been two days. He told me he was fine.” Sean coughed to choke back the tears welling in his eyes.
“Aye,” said Jinny, the MacDougall Clan’s healer. “We all thought it was a passing cold, but last eve he took a turn. ’Twas the sweating sickness for certain.”
Sean glared at Angus, his father’s man-at-arms. “Why did no one fetch me last eve?”
“He didn’t complain at all. We had no idea how bad it was until this morn when Sarah took him his porridge.” Angus looked him in the eye. “By then he was gone. ’Tis now up to you to lead the clan, m’laird.”
Sean stood dumbfounded. For the love of God, he was now the Chieftain of Dunollie? Yes, he’d always known he’d succeed his father, but not like this, not now.
Angus inclined his head toward the horses. “We must away.”
Jinny grasped Sean’s arm and shoved up his blood-soaked sleeve. “I’ll need to wrap this first. Angus, I’ve a rolled bandage in the satchel. Fetch it for me.”
Sean tugged his arm away. “Nay. It can wait.”
“”Tis too deep to ignore.” She took the bandage from Angus. “You
’re as pig-headed as your father. It won’t take but a moment, unless you want to grow weak in the head by the time you reach Dunollie.”
With a groan, Sean held out his arm and nodded to Angus. “Who else knows about this?”
“We kept it quiet—didn’t want word to slip out without informing you first.”
“Good. I shall pen a formal proclamation after we reach Dunollie.”
Jinny tied off the bandage. “’Tis only fitting it should come from you.”
Sean pushed down his sleeve and strode toward his horse. At least Angus had been smart enough to gather his things and have his horse saddled and ready to ride as soon as he crossed the finish line.
“Where are you off to?” The Lord of Lorn rushed up to him, his black mantle billowing with the wind. “The swimming competition is anon—and MacCoul was disqualified for using a blade. You’re our victor. You cannot—”
Sean gripped his uncle’s shoulder and placed his lips to his ear. “Da’s dead. Keep it to yourself until I have the keep in order. I must muster my men. Word like this gets out when our enemies ken I’ve been away, God knows what they’ll do.” Dread snaked up Sean’s neck. Aye, he needed to grieve his father’s death, but it was more important for him to take care of the clan. Once he had control, he’d issue an appropriate decree to be read by the criers.
“I shall make your excuses.” Lorn pursed his lips. “Do what you must. I’ll keep your confidence. But do not wait too long, else a scandal could erupt with your reputation sullied. People will think you’ve something to hide.”
“It shan’t be but a day, two at most.” Sean mounted his horse. “Besides, this news would serve to put a damper on your festivities. You wouldn’t want that.” He dug in his heels and cantered south to Dunollie. Thank God he was only four miles away. If he’d still been on the borders it would have taken him a week to travel home—and even longer for Angus to find him.
A HIGHLAND KNIGHT TO REMEMBER
CHAPTER FIVE
Gyllis sat in her saddle with her back hunched and stared at her gelding’s withers. She’d been furious when Sean didn’t bother to present himself at all during last night’s Beltane festival. She couldn’t decide what hurt worse, seeing him in the arms of another woman, or having been completely disregarded as if her invitation meant nothing. Her heart ached—felt like Sean had taken his dagger and cut it out.
Duncan had been right. Sean MacDougall was not good enough for her or any of the Campbell sisters. He was a womanizer of the worst sort.
Worse, Gyllis had not accomplished a one of her goals on their trip to Dunstaffnage and now she and her sisters were headed back to Kilchurn Castle to be tucked away until Lord knew when. Her entire body hurt. Her throat was sore—probably from crying herself to sleep—her eyelids were heavy and her head hurt so much, she could have sworn someone clamped it between a pair of smithy’s tongs.
At least she’d be protected from the cruel world cloistered within Kilchurn Castle’s curtain walls. If she never saw Sean MacDougall again, it would be too soon. She stuck out her tongue and spat. And to consider I kissed his filthy mouth. I wish I could curl up in my chamber and never come out.
Her sisters were riding just behind Mother with Gyllis taking up the rear. Of course, they were accompanied by a heavily-armed guard of sixteen men in four-point diamond formation. When they traveled, Duncan always ensured they had a well-armed retinue to protect them against outlaws.
Gyllis looked over her shoulder and realized her brother wasn’t with them. “Where is Duncan?”
Mother turned in her saddle. “He received a dire missive from the king. He left for court at first light. Enforcers business.”
What is it about the Highland Enforcers? They are always here and gone. Sean’s most likely traveled with him—not that I care about his whereabouts in the slightest.
“Lady Meg will not like it when she discovers he’s off to court again,” Helen said.
Alice tapped her mare’s rump with her riding crop. “Heaven’s stars, Duncan’s wife awaits him with two wee bairns and he’s off on yet another inordinately important errand.”
“It is not our place to question your brother. He’s the Lord of Glenorchy,” Mother said. Gyllis could swear Ma would defend Duncan with her last breath.
Helen smoothed a hand over her veil. “Aye, but not everyone is made of iron, Ma. I have no idea how you lasted for seven years while Da was fighting in the Crusades.”
“That which you cannot change must be endured. I coped quite nicely—and the Glenorchy coffers grew healthier as a result. If you are faced with adversity, you must meet it head-on and make the best of your lot.” Mother twisted round and shook her finger at the lasses. “Eventually you will gain reward from your efforts.”
Slumping further in her saddle, Gyllis presently cared not to think of being strong and industrious. She was not the lady of a keep, nor did she have any prospects of becoming one…unless Duncan was at court arranging a betrothal with some unsuspecting noble. Aye? That will never happen.
Swooning with a wave of nausea, she moved her hand over her mouth. Her throat burned with an awful taste oozing over her tongue. Quickly, she leaned away from her gelding and retched with a gagging croak.
If it hadn’t been for her knee hooked in the top pommel of her sidesaddle, she would have fallen on her face, curled into a ball and waited for death to claim her right there on the trail.
“Halt!” Mother shouted. A circle of horses surrounded Gyllis. “Are you ill, child?”
“I think I am.” Gyllis’s mouth filled with saliva while her head pounded even more relentlessly than before. “Initially I thought I was upset, but I’m perspiring and shaking. Everything aches.”
Mother pointed eastward. “Mevan, you must speed our pace.”
“Very well, m’lady.” The man-at-arms circled his hand over his head. “You heard her ladyship. Onward.”
Gyllis had no choice but to persevere, growing sicker by the moment. By the time they reached Kilchurn Castle, she could no longer sit. She slumped over her horse’s neck, eyes closed, holding on and hoping the gelding would remain on course with the others. Her entire body felt as if pins had been jabbed into her flesh. Every step the horse made jostled her bones like she would shatter at any moment.
Maintaining a fast trot, Mevan led them into the inner courtyard. Unassisted, Mother hopped from her mount and addressed her man-at-arms. “We must see her above stairs straight away.” She then pointed to Marion and Alice. “Quickly, fetch Lady Meg. Tell her Gyllis’s illness came on suddenly. She’ll know what to do.”
Mevan stepped beside the gelding and reached up. “Fall into my arms, Miss Gyllis, I’ll see you’re right comfortable in no time.”
It took all her strength to slip her knee from the top pommel and ease off the saddle.
Mevan’s grip clamped too tight, like knives gouging her flesh. “You’re afire, lass.”
The rumble of his voice caused her head to throb with unbearable pain. Gyllis shook uncontrollably. Her teeth chattered. “I’m so c-cold.”
“I’ve no doubt you’re fevered,” he said, whisking her into the keep and straight up the tower stairs.
Gyllis clutched her arms close to her body, praying the jostling would soon stop so she could collapse in the folds of her bed. The whole castle was drafty—made her teeth chatter. With no fire lit in her chamber, it was as frigid as it had been outside. She crawled under the bedclothes and shivered while her head pounded mercilessly.
***
Angels wept from the dreary skies while Sean stood at the graveside beside Kilbride Church on Dunollie lands. The priest droned in an endless monotone, chanting the Latin burial mass. The Tenth Chieftain of Dunollie’s death mask had been hastily made. Sean had arranged for the most skilled stonemason to carve the effigy that would complete the tomb, but presently his father’s body lay wrapped in linen, hands still holding his bejeweled sword, awaiting internment into the granite crypt that w
ould house his body through eternity.
Sean’s mother had died of consumption five years past. Her death had been a somber time in his life, but did not compare to the hollow void now filling his heart.
Da had been a powerful and decisive man. His father led the clan, facing the brutal realities of life, yet he had a gentle streak—one Sean didn’t always understand. But from his first memories, he’d looked up to his father—aspired to be like him. A tickle of doubt needled at the back of his neck. How in God’s name would he fill his father’s shoes?
The clanswomen lamented and sniffled around him. Yet he couldn’t weep. The Eleventh Chieftain of Dunollie could not demonstrate weakness. Sean’s jaw clenched as he endured the morose tones from the seemingly endless mass.
When at last the priest was silent, he nodded to Evanna, Jinny and Angus’s daughter. The lass stepped forward, wiped her eyes, inhaled deeply and began to sing a ghostly tune.
Watchin’ yon hills of the heather,
On the shores of the deep blue sea,
A bonnie young lassie sat singin’ her sone,
Wi’ dew on her plaid an’ a tear in her e’e.
She swayed wi’ a galley a’sail and aw’ee,
An’ aye as it lessen’d she sigh’d an’ she sung,
Fareweel to the lad I’ll ne’er again see
I’ll nay forget ye. Alas, yer mem’ry ’ll alway’ be wi’ me…
Evanna’s voice sang clear as a curlew soaring above a loch on a misty dawn. The purity of her tone made chills spread across Sean’s back. She repeated the sad verse twice while wails from the women rose.
When the song ended, an eerie pall cast a heavy blanket atop the gathering of MacDougall clansmen and women. The only sounds were sniffles and rainwater dripping from the leaves. Sean had not the inclination to move. He stared at his father’s body. Everyone did. He’d always known this time would come, but had been so busy adventuring throughout Scotland, he had never considered it would come so soon. But it wasn’t unusual for any man to meet the Lord at eight and fifty.
If only I had spent more time with him. Now I’ll nay have a chance.
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