“She is very beautiful.”
“How could ye tell beneath the mud?” he chuckled.
“Stop that, Coll. Tis cruel and unfeeling.”
“Aye. Ye are right. Tis difficult nae ta tease her though. It never bothered her...before.” He shook himself. “She is different now. We are different now. There be nae going back.”
“And this saddens ye? Would ye wish it different?”
Coll stared silently into the flames. Would he wish it changed? When he first found out, his answer would have been aye without hesitation...but now?
His eyes wandered to his willowy bride, watching her nervously twist a scrap of cloth in her hands. He found that he had become quite fond of her over the past few moons. Her quiet, unassuming nature pleased him. He knew that she cared for him. He just was not certain that he felt the same. Coll felt something for her but naming it made him feel disloyal to Heather.
“Nay, Ailsa, I would change naught.”
Heather contemplated her feelings as she removed the mud and soiled clothing. She knew that she was angry with Coll but she was not certain why. She did nae love him, except as a friend. So why the stab of jealousy when she spied Ailsa? Because now she is his confidant! That must be it. I miss the closeness we shared. But Coll never made me senses reel at a mere glance like Blane does. If there be love...tis for Blane... nae Coll.
As her confidence solidified, Heather made her way to the hall to greet their guests appropriately. She breezed in with a smile on her face.
“Ye must forgive me rudeness earlier, I was surprised is all. Allow me ta welcome ye to our home.” She took Ailsa’s hand warmly. “I am having a chamber prepared for ye if ye be weary. Was it a long trip?”
Surprised, she nodded. She had been wrong about Heather being beautiful. Nay! Nae beautiful...stunning is more befitting. She felt like a toad sitting next to an orchid.
“It took near two days ta make the trip,” Coll interjected.
Shocked, she glanced at him.
“What could possibly be so important ta brave the elements for that long?”
“That is what I wish ta ken, Coll. Is your maither well? Faither?”
He shook his blonde head.
“It does nae involve them. There be reivers attacking our borders of late. Each time is bolder than the last. A sennight past a wee bairn was crippled by their mounts.” Coll paced restlessly as he pushed back his hair. “Tis frustrating! They disappear like wraiths in the mist. I came ta ask your aide in ridding us of these thieves.”
Blane stared at his brother. It was good to see him maturing.
“Ye can nae track them?”
“We tried...but they seem ta vanish when they near the border of MacDonnell land or Macrae. I ken that ye do nae do this but, mayhap, ye are next.”
He nodded thoughtfully. Coll was right. This could very well turn into his problem, as well.
“I would nae count Silas out as being behind this, Blane. He was a bit put out at our last meeting.”
He peered at his wife. She was probably right. He smiled at the memory, nodding in agreement.
“Why was he upset?” Coll turned accusing eyes on Heather. “What did ye do?”
“What makes ye think I did something?” She asked innocently.
“Cause I ken ye lass...and your wayward tongue.”
She crossed her arms obstinately. “I did naught but defend me husband! Silas called Blane a butcher...said he bathed in blood! All I said was that at least he bathed! Tis nae me fault that he took it so personal.”
Coll’s eyes widened as he fought the laugh churning in his gullet. “Ye truly said that?”
“Aye...she did. You should have seen his face! I thought he was going ta pop a vein.”
“My God! I wish I could have seen that!” he laughed as he held his stomach.
Ailsa was horrified at Heather’s rudeness to the man. Then a giggle escaped her. Quickly covering her lips, she found herself admiring Heather’s courage. She would never dream of saying such a thing to anyone.
The rest of the evening was spent swapping tales as Blane mulled over how to deal with Silas. He observed the interaction between Coll and Heather, pleased to see their friendship renewing itself. He knew the day was coming when she would need to be told the truth...but this was not the day. Not being one who harbors insecurities normally, he found that he had felt them when Coll had arrived. What would he have done if Heather still held romantic notions about him? He did not know. All he knew was that he burned for her.
Heather yawned as her eyes began to droop. He leaned over and murmured in her ear.
“Ye are weary wife. Tis time ta retire for the eve.”
“Aye. I am tired.”
Excusing herself, she stood to take her leave. The room began to spin out of control as her knees buckled. “Blane?”
He caught her up in his arms as she blacked-out. Coll leapt to his feet in alarm.
“What is wrong with her?”
Blane chuckled as he kissed her brow.
“She is breeding. Do nae tell anyone though. Tis a secret. She will be wanting ta be the one ta tell me...and Heather does nae ken...yet.”
As they watched him leave with his wife in his arms, Ailsa wondered what kind of strange family she had married into.
Chapter Seven
Sparks flew as their steel swords clashed. Sweat dripped from Coll’s brow as he tried every trick that he knew to disarm his brother. Nothing worked. The other men in the training yard had ceased their own efforts to observe the contest. Bets were exchanged on who would be the victor.
“Do ye grow weary, brother?”
Coll’s muscles screamed for relief as he shook his head. He refused to concede. He knew he could not best him with a sword but his pride would not allow him to relent.
Blane knew that Coll would not quit. It was his determination that he admired the most about his brother. It would serve him well in a crisis. But he tired of the battle and was ready to end it.
They had been at it for nearly two hours when the gatekeeper ran into the yard.
“M’laird! A messenger has arrived from Strome. He asks for an audience at once! The village was attacked!”
The two brothers’ eyes met in understanding as they lowered their weapons. Silas was making his move.
“Let me come with ye.”
Coll could not believe his ears. Why in heavens would his timid wife wish to ride into battle with him? He stared at her...stunned.
“Are ye daft woman? Why would ye want that?”
Ailsa worried the scrap of cloth in her hands as she tried to think of a good reason. The truth was that she feared the loss of him whether it be caused by a man’s sword...or a woman’s touch. But she would never speak those words. It would sting his pride. Gazing up at him, her soft, brown eyes brimmed with tears.
“I would miss ye too much, Coll. I do nae like being apart from ye.”
He relaxed his stance as he pulled her into his arms. He thought it was caused by her mistrust of him...her petty jealousies. Realizing that she truly cared for his well-being eased his mind. Peering into the face he was coming to care for deeply, he kissed her soft lips before pulling back and shaking his head.
“Nay, Ailsa. A battlefield is nae place for ye. I would be worried for your safety when I need ta concentrate on the task at hand. Ye will remain here with Heather. I will nae put your safety at risk.”
A small smile touched her lips. He does care for me...even if it be only a wee bit.
“Very well...but I will nae like it.”
“Neither will I.”
Finishing his preparations, Coll met his brother in the bailey, along with fifty warriors laden with weapons of war. Blane was saying his ‘good-byes’ to Heather as he approached.
“Ye will stay inside the walls of the keep, wife...and do nae over-tax yourself. We should be gone nae more than a sennight. If Nessa gives ye grief, let Seamus ken. He kens what ta do about her.”
He stroked her cheek in a caress as he committed her face to memory...kissing her long and deep before mounting up.
An hour out from the castle, small groups of the men began disappearing into the forest. Coll glanced behind them.
“I do nae care for using Heather as bait. It does nae feel right.”
“And ye think that I do? I nae only put her at risk but me child, as well!” Tension filled his body as he snarled at Coll. A lot depended on good fortune and he rarely had that. Blane would not be attempting this at all but Silas needed to be stopped before someone was killed.
A half-smile lifted the corner of Coll’s lips as he glanced at his brother.
“Speaking of bairns...how does she nae ken she is breeding? I thought women kenned of these things.”
Blane snorted a laugh.
“Apparently nae! She thinks she has a touch of the ague. It has nae occurred ta her that she has nae refused me access ta her bed in more than two moons time.” He eyed Coll for a moment to judge his reaction to such personal details. He had none. “Ye have your thoughts straightened out about Heather?”
“Aye. After wedding Ailsa, I have realized that it was a friendship I shared with Heather...naught more. Ye ken that Heather loves ye do nae ye? She never gazed at me so moon-eyed.”
“I had hoped so, but I was nae certain. She has nae spoken of it.” He puffed up as his heart quivered in joy. Blane treasured the knowledge imparted by Coll.
“How much farther should we venture out from the castle?”
“We ride till dark then circle around after making a false camp. There be fresh mounts awaiting us at a nearby crofter’s hut.”
Coll grunted his approval and fell silent.
The women had retired to the solar to work on some needlepoint since the men were gone. They had been there, working quietly, for several hours when Heather wrinkled her nose. A foul odor permeated the room. Her brows shot up in alarm as she recognized the stench! She glanced toward the door to find Silas filling the space. Opening her mouth to call out for the guard, she held her tongue as a dirk was pressed against her throat. She glanced at Nessa in disbelief.
“What are ye doing, Maither? Have ye lost your mind?”
Nessa smirked at her. “Nay. I am giving ye ta Silas. He will nae threaten ta toss me out just because of ye, ye ungrateful bairn. He will teach ye some manners.”
She gagged as Silas jerked her to her feet and dragged her from the chamber.
“Get the other wench, as well!” He ordered his men. “Two hostages are better than one.”
“Wait. What about me?”
He sneered at Nessa. “Ye have served your purpose.” He spun about and let fly his sghian dubh straight to her heart. She was dead before she hit the floor.
Heather gasped as Ailsa fainted and was caught up by the MacDonnell clansman. They exited through a secret panel that had not been used in years. She had forgotten that they were even there.
They were soon free of the castle walls as they made their escape into the moonless night. Several more of his clansmen met them at the edge of the forest with their steeds. They quickly mounted and was off.
Silas and his men rode hard for more than an hour before he slowed to rest their mounts. Seeing that they were not being followed, he stopped for a short rest.
The women were bound with leather straps and set beneath a tree while the men went about their business. Several burly ones leered at them, anticipating the reward they were promised. Silas had no problem with sharing them.
Heather shivered with cold as she kept a watchful eye on them.
“Are ye well, Ailsa?” she whispered.
She bobbed her head, too frightened to speak.
“Do nae worry, Coll and Blane will find us soon.”
Fear flooded her face. “How will they find us in time? They will nae be back for a sennight!”
She had forgotten. Taking a deep breath to calm herself, she knew it was up to her to get them out of this mess. But what could she do?
Blane watched the scene unfolding below him with building rage. The Fates had been kind, allowing him to select the right path that Silas would take. Silently he watched as they passed beneath him single file. It was too risky to attack while they were mounted. The women might be harmed. Noting that their horses were lathered he knew they would stop soon. Patience...I must have patience. The women appear ta be unharmed...so we wait.
They climbed down from the trees as soon as it was safe.
“They took Ailsa, as well! I will kill them all!” Coll fumed.
“We will stay with the plan! One wife or two makes nae difference! They will stop soon or they will be afoot. We will make our move then...nae before.”
He did not like it but Coll agreed. Blane had more experience on the battlefield than he did. He knew what he was doing. Nodding in agreement, he set off on foot to the most likely resting spot.
Moving stealthily through the woods, Coll led half the men to the south of their camp while Blane led the other half to the north. The east and the west was boxed in with high ridges too steep to climb.
The brothers settled in where they could keep an eye on their wives and waited for the MacDonnells to settle in for the night.
They had been there for a couple of hours when Silas rose from his pallet by the fire and approached Heather.
Grabbing a fistful of her strawberry curls, he jerked her to her feet. She cried out in pain as he dragged her toward the bushes.
Ailsa cowered as the two burly Scots approached her as well. If Silas would not wait, then neither would they.
Coll roared in rage as he charged toward the men...sword drawn. In less than a minute he had run them both through.
Blane saw nothing of the battle raging about him as he sliced his way to where Silas had taken his wife. His vision colored with red as the berserker in him emerged. This was the reason he had left the king’s service. He had no wish to release this power within him unless it was necessary. The thirst for blood made him mindless in battle!
Heather screamed as Silas ripped open the front of her gown, mauling her with his rancid mouth and filthy hands. He knew she would scream and draw her husband away from the guards. Hearing him approaching, he slammed his fist into her jaw, knocking her to the ground, then turned to meet his foe.
A guttural roar, unearthly in its volume, radiated from Blane’s lips as he spied her on the ground. Livid crystalline-green eyes bore into Silas as he backed away with his sword drawn. What unholiness is this? The man be possessed by demons! He quaked in his boots as he saw that he had clearly misjudged Blane Cameron.
Filled with mindless rage, he tore into Silas full-force, swinging his blade relentlessly! It swung so fast that all he could see was a blur as he tried to defend himself. Never had he seen a weapon move with such speed! Silas never had a chance as the ‘butcher’ took him apart piece by piece until he prayed for the killing blow.
Blane stood over his body, his breath wheezing as blood dripped down the length of his sword. His rage was spent when he heard Heather moan. She lives! I thought he had slain her! Thank the Lord!
Dropping his weapon, he rushed to her side, quickly covering her nakedness with his blood-soaked tunic.
“Mo gradh, ye be hurt?”
“Blane? How did ye ken that we needed ye?” she asked as she shook her head in response to his question.
He swept her into his arms after retrieving his sword and walked back to the camp.
“Twas what we planned ta draw Silas out.” He beamed with pride at their success.
She drew back from her husband in shock!
“Ye put us in danger...used us for...for...bait!” She screeched in outrage. “Put me down! Now!”
Blane complied with her wishes knowing the terror that she had experienced.
Heather paced back and forth across the small camp, stepping over de
ad bodies, as she unleashed her fury on her husband.
“How dare ye dangle us out like a worm on a hook! Maither was struck down before me eyes! It could have easily been Ailsa...or me!”
“I did nae ken, mo gradh!”
“Humph! Tis more likely that ye do nae care...just so long as ye accomplish your aim!” Her eyes narrowed on her husband...then Coll.
“And ye! Ye should ken better than that Coll! How could ye do that ta your wife?”
“They were nae supposed ta take her.”
“Really? Did ye ask them nae ta do so? But it was alright ta take me?” Tears streamed down her cheeks as her fury lessened to shock. “I thought at least one of ye two cared for me. I had hoped it was me husband. I was wrong.”
Strong arms enveloped her as she bent over and emptied her stomach. She turned in his arms and sobbed as he murmured of his love in her ear.
Heather knew she was over-reacting but she could not seem to stop herself. When Blane wrapped his arms about her, in spite of her sharp words, she knew that he loved her. No other man would take such a dressing-down in front of his warriors... especially by a woman. And he called me ‘his love’.
“Take me home, mo gradh, I am weary.” And her rant was over just like that.
Epilogue
Blane gazed lovingly at his wife and new son asleep in their bed. He chuckled as he remembered how he ended up informing her of the coming birth. She had thought she was getting fat by eating too much.
In a few moons they would be moving to the Cameron stronghold. Fingal wanted him to take over as chief so he could spend time with his grandson and the child that Coll was expecting before much longer.
They had finally sat down to a family meeting and explained everything to Heather and Ailsa. Heather was angry at first for being lied to but seeing how it all turned out, she forgave them. She agreed that Coll should be chief to the Macraes. It was his birthright.
Heather brushed ebony hair from his brow as she awoke to find him watching them.
“Ye are weary, mo gradh. Come ta bed and hold us in your arms.”
“I fear I will crush ye, love.”
Fractured Love... Broken Promises Page 4
