“I come in peace, Callum,” Finlay said, and the Laird laughed once again.
“Ye could come in nothin’ else, but peace given all that has occurred. It does nae bode well for ye or for yer clan, Finlay, when yer uncle so readily takes yer title and leaves ye but an exile,” he said, shaking his head.
“My uncle is a coward and a thief. From the moment he learned of my father’s death, he has plotted and schemed to take the title of our clan and see to it that I am left with nothin’ and even went so far as to make out that I am dead. That is what the clan believes, and that is why they have so blindly followed him,” Finlay said, facing Callum MacDonald with a defiant gaze.
He was only one man, but he was not about to be forced into submission by a man who would taunt him and keep his own intentions a secret.
“And that is what we believed too, Finlay. Reports told us that ye were dead and that yer uncle had been proclaimed Laird in yer place. Danger lurks on every side, but tell me now of what really happened to ye,” the Laird said, and Finlay recounted their tale.
He told of how he had been captured on the road north, encouraged to travel to that very castle to seek for peace, when all along, his uncle had intended it as a trap. He recounted Elaine’s arrival in the mysterious castle and how they had escaped from Maggie McClean and her band of outlaws, only to encounter the chief and his men before journeying north.
“And so ye must believe me when I say in all sincerity that to come to your hall was always my intent. I want peace between our clans, Callum. Tis’ what my father wanted, tis’ what I want, and I hope tis’ what ye want too,” he said.
The Laird looked at him for a moment, his eyes narrowing and a smile coming over his face.
“Time will tell, Finlay. Ye cannae expect to resurrect from the dead and start makin’ demands so readily. There was a time when the name of MacCallum was feared across half of Scotland, but now yer name is nothin’, and the balance of power is changin’ in these lands,” he said.
“My name is still an honorable one, Callum MacDonald, as is yers if ye choose the right path. Aye, the balance of power is changin’, but mark my words, there is much still to fear,” Finlay replied, undaunted by the Laird’s words and determined not to falter.
“Much to fear? Is that a threat or a promise?” the Laird said.
“Tis’ a promise for the future, but ye have nothin’ to fear from me. We must be united, else we shall soon find ourselves at the mercy of a far worse enemy,” Finlay said.
“Ye mean the English?” Callum said, and Finlay nodded.
“Dae ye think they shall keep their bloody civil war to themselves? Of course nae. When they have finished with their king, Cromwell will come for us, and he will show nay mercy,” Finlay said.
“Dae ye say that ye are nay longer loyal to the crown?” Callum said, and Finlay shook his head.
“I am loyal, and I see the danger ahead if we are divided. Help me now, and ye shall have a friend, refuse, and ye shall have an enemy alongside those who would gladly see this castle overrun and a new banner planted upon its battlements,” Finlay said, and Callum began to laugh.
“Ye are in nay position to dictate yer terms, Finlay MacCallum. Ye stand as one man in the hall of my fathers and tell me what tis’ that I should dae. I am Laird of this domain, and I shall decide if ye are to live or die, I shall decide between peace and war, I shall decide yer fate,” he said, his hand reaching for his sword hilt.
“I would gladly die to save my honor. But if ye intend to kill me, then dae so and allow Elaine to go free, see to it that she is returned to her father and given safe passage. If ye dae that, then I shall at least know there is still some nobility left in the clan MacDonald,” Finlay said and put his arm around Elaine, pulling her close to him.
“Such noble intentions, Finlay, but ye shall wait before ye have my decision. Ye shall be given victuals and a place to sleep; we shall talk again tomorrow,” he said, waving his hand and summoning the guard.
“The more time that is wasted …” Finlay began, but Callum had already turned his back upon them, and together Finlay and Elaine were led from the great hall and down a long passage leading to a narrow staircase which led to rooms above the great hall.
“What will happen to us,” Elaine whispered, but Finlay shook his head.
“I daenae know, lass, he is toyin’ with us like an animal at its prey. We shall find out soon enough, though,” he replied as they came to a large bolt studded door.
“Inside,” one of the guards said, pushing them roughly forward.
The door was slammed shut, and Elaine threw her arms around Finlay and began to cry.
“Be strong, Elaine, we must be strong. Otherwise, the enemy has already won,” he said.
But in his heart, Finlay wondered if that was indeed the case. What would become of them? Would Callum MacDonald help them and prove himself to be no enemy at all, or would he prove as cruel as so many others, a man with only his own self-preservation in mind?
Chapter Nineteen
A thin shaft of light came from up above, a barred window through which the wind whistled, and the sounds of the waves crashing against the rocks could be heard. They had been locked into the gloomy upper room for some hours now, a single bed, a table, and some empty chests all that served as furnishings in their newly given lodgings.
Elaine was hungry, her stomach rumbling, and her mouth dry from thirst. It was cold too, and she was sat hunched up upon the bed, Finlay next to her with his arm around her shoulders. They had spoken little since the key was turned in the lock, Finlay seemingly lost in thought, contemplating their fate.
The silence was broken by footsteps in the corridor before the door was opened, and several guards, followed by the one called Murdoch, entered the room. One of them carried a tray of bread and water, which he placed upon the floor and kicked toward Finlay, who leaned down to pick it up and offered it at once to Elaine.
“She does nae need yer bread. The Laird has asked that she join him in the great hall for supper,” Murdoch said, “the bread and water are for ye, Laird of the MacCallums,” he said, and Finlay rose to his feet defiantly.
“What does he intend with her? If there is any treachery,” he began, but Murdoch began to laugh.
“Ye are in nay position to make demands, Finlay MacCallum. The Laird wishes to dine with the lady and dae so he will,” he said, beckoning Elaine to follow him.
“Tis’ all right, Finlay, nay harm will come to me,” Elaine said, though she found herself shaking as she rose to follow Murdoch from the cellar.
“That is right, nay harm will come to her,” he replied, and with a final glance at Finlay, Elaine was led from the cellar and along the corridor toward the great hall.
Flaming torches now burned in brackets along the walls, and much noise and commotion were coming from the great hall, as though a great feast were in progress.
“What does he want with me?” Elaine asked as they came to the large oak doors.
“He is nay monster, lass; he only wants to speak with ye away from Finlay. Ye intrigue him. Remember, he is only a young lad himself, unmarried too,” Murdoch said, pushing open the doors to reveal the scene within.
The trestle tables were now piled high with food and drink. There were several large barrels of ale and whiskey, tapped at the side and an abundance of good things to eat. Roast fowls sat alongside fish, raised pies and bread, great round cheeses sat amidst dried fruits and nuts, and much noise and merriment were going on all around.
But, as Elaine entered, the great hall grew silent, and all eyes turned to watch as she was escorted toward the dais. There, at the high table, sat the Laird, surrounded by his nobles and to his left an empty chair which was now pulled back as Elaine was ushered to sit, a fanfare of pipes having announced her arrival.
“Ah, Elaine, how good that ye have come to join us. I did wonder if ye might have refused,” Callum said, turning to her and smiling.
“I ne
arly did refuse, but to dae so would be childish. Tell me though, why dae ye invite me to yer feast and leave Finlay with bread and water?” she asked, as a servant began placing food on the plate in front of her.
“Because Finlay is nae a pretty lass like ye whose company I wish for,” he said, reaching over and pouring her a glass of claret.
“But ye gave nay thought to whether I would wish for yer company, or be happy in his,” she replied.
“Are the two of ye lovers?” he asked, and Elaine blushed.
“I was betrothed to his father,” she said, as if in answer, and Callum shook his head.
“Aye, it was a terrible tragedy to learn of the Laird’s death. He and my father fought many times alongside one another, but in years past, our clans have drifted apart, and war has come between us. He was a noble man, and to die as he did, proves his love for his people,” Callum said, raising his glass as though in a toast.
“And ye shall find Finlay to be just such a man too,” Elaine replied, beginning to eat the food now placed before her, for she was ravenously hungry.
“He and I are much alike; I have been ponderin’ it this very day. Each of us has lost our father in recent months, and each of us now bears great responsibility, one that we couldnae possibly bear alone,” he said, sitting back in his chair and taking a sip of ale, his brow furrowed.
“And that has been cruelly snatched from Finlay for nay other reason than his uncle’s wickedness,” Elaine replied.
“Aye, his uncle is a scoundrel, that much is certain. I once heard my father speak of him, and he had nothing but contempt for him. Nay, we daenae wish to think of that man as Laird of the MacCallums,” Callum replied.
“Then what would ye dae? Will it be the noble thing or nae?” Elaine asked, and the Laird turned to her in surprise.
“Ye think I wouldnae behave with honor?” he asked, and she smiled.
“I know nothin’ of ye, Laird. My only concern is to help Finlay. I can only imagine and hope that ye are a noble man, just as Finlay is,” she said, her fears suddenly disappearing and replaced with a sense of power over him, as though her words truly meant something and could touch his heart, striking a chord with him and making him see more to her than a mere woman.
“I would defend my honor to the very last, lass. But ye must understand that my own clan is in danger and that by helpin’ ye and Finlay, I am placin’ myself and my people in danger. If Finlay’s uncle discovers this, then he will surely declare war,” he said.
“Finlay’s uncle believes he is dead, as dae the good people of that clan. They have been forced to accept Finlay’s uncle as their Laird, but in truth, he is nay Laird, and when they realize that Finlay is returned, then they will surely rally to his banner. Ye have the power to help him, and I beseech ye to dae so,” Elaine replied.
He looked at her with interest, a smile playing across his face, and he cocked his head, looking her up and down and shaking his head.
“Ye are somethin’ to behold and make nay mistake, lass. Ye would make a fine mistress,” he said, placing his hand on hers and smiling.
“I am nay one’s mistress unless I choose to be so,” she replied, pulling her hand away and averting his gaze.
He began to laugh, shaking his head and reaching out to fill her glass with claret once again.
“I knew ye were taken, lass. I could see it in yer eyes, the way that ye and Finlay behaved, his care and protection for ye. Such honor and nobility, I admire that, and I admire ye for yer convictions too. A lesser woman might have taken to my bed if she thought it might help her to escape,” he said, and Elaine shook her head.
“I was betrothed to Finlay’s father, a betrothal, and a duty that I honored. But, since his sad death, Finlay and I have grown closer. I wouldnae cast that aside for ye or for anyone else, whatever I was offered,” she said, and he nodded.
“And I wouldnae ask ye too. Now, let us drink a toast and celebrate this night,” he said, raising his glass.
But Elaine could think of nothing but Finlay, alone and locked in the upper room, worrying for her safety and wondering what might have become of her.
“So, ye will allow us to leave?” she asked as the evening drew in, and a fire was stoked in the hearth.
“Aye, lass, ye shall be allowed to leave. I bear Finlay nay grudge, nor ye either,” he replied.
“But will ye help us?” she asked, and the Laird looked at her with a grave expression upon his face.
“That is a question I must ask myself, though, lass. There is much at stake here, more than ye can know,” he said.
“I may be a woman, Laird, but I know well enough the risks. I know too that if the situation were reversed, then Finlay would dae all he could to help ye. He wants peace, and surely ye can see that peace is preferable to war? Finlay’s uncle will nae rest until yer lands are seized, and this castle flies his banner on its battlements. There would be nay mercy,” she said.
“Ye have pluck and courage beyond yer looks, lass,” he said, and Elaine smiled.
“I am the daughter of a Laird, and perhaps one day I shall be the wife of one too. I am nay coward, and I have faced much before findin’ myself in the hospitality of yer hall. Now, let us go and help us too. Then ye shall have made a friend, one who will be loyal and true to ye for as long as he shall live,” she said, rising from her place.
“Ye shall have my decision in the mornin’, but for now, I wish ye to stay a while. We shall have music soon, story and song. There is nay harm in ye staying’ a while longer at my side,” he said, and Elaine sat back down.
“Then send some of this food to Finlay and allow yer other guest to eat as well as I have. That way ye shall prove yer hospitality to us,” she said, and Callum nodded.
“If that is yer wish, then so be it,” he said, and ordered the servants to prepare a plate of food and summoned Murdoch to take it to Finlay.
“Our guest is honored, Laird,” he said, and Callum smiled.
“A fellow Laird must be treated properly but see to it that he is still kept locked safely away. He must know who it is that has power over him,” Callum said, turning to Elaine.
“I am grateful to ye,” she said, and he sighed.
“I know the sadness of losin’ yer father, of knowin’ the burden of responsibility that falls to ye and of realizin’ the task ahead. Ye are right, lass, Finlay, and I shouldnae be enemies, we are kindred spirits, and we have much in common. Come now, the pipes will play for us,” he said, just as the music began.
Now, Elaine sat back, enjoying the warmth and safety of the great hall and feeling at last as though she were in the company of friends, or at the very least, those who might one day be friends if the bridges of peace could be built between them.
“The Laird will summon ye in the mornin’, and ye shall have his decision,” Murdoch said, as he closed the door behind Elaine later that night.
The key turned in the lock, and she found herself in the dark, fumbling for the matches and candle which one of the servants had given her before she bid the Laird goodnight.
“Finlay? Are ye awake?” she whispered, and out of the darkness, there loomed a figure, reaching out to take her by the hand.
“Aye, I am here, lass,” he said as she struck a match, and the room was illuminated.
“I am sorry- it must be ever so late. I am tired too,” she said, lighting the candle and holding it aloft.
“I had only just finished eatin’, but I was waitin’ for ye. I have been worried,” Finlay said, as she came to sit next to him on the bed.
“Ye need nae worry about me, Finlay. All is well, and I have done much to help us, or so I hope. It was I who persuaded the Laird to have the food sent to ye and tis’ I who have secured our release,” she said, as Finlay looked at her in disbelief.
“Dae ye mean that, lass? We are to be free?” he said, and he threw his arms around her and kissed her on both cheeks.
“Callum MacDonald is nae such a bad man, in fact, there is
much good in him, or so I think,” she said.
“Will he help us?” Finlay asked, and Elaine sighed.
“That much remains to be seen. He understands the risk he takes to dae so, but the dangers he faces if does nae help us and yer uncle continues to consolidate his power,” Elaine replied.
“Then we must wait until mornin’ and discover his will. I was worried, lass, I thought perhaps…” Finlay said, his words trailing off.
“That I would be placed in a difficult position?” she replied, and he nodded.
Highlander’s Forbidden Desire: Scottish Medieval Highlander Romance Page 21
