Cade cocked his head and looked at his father for a moment. “Ye’re guarding her as ye would a noblewoman—as ye do Wynda.”
“Aye, I am.”
Cade grinned. “Ye don’t ever intend to return her, do ye?”
His father looked him squarely in the eyes. “Nay, I do not. Laird Macrae intended to deceive us and therefore I am under no obligation to return her.”
“Da, I don’t understand how ye can have it both ways. Macrae either lied about her abilities or he didn’t.”
His father actually laughed. “It’s a puzzle, isn’t it? But the truth is exactly what Elsie has maintained from the start. Macrae intended to pass an inexperienced apprentice off as an expert midwife but he was unaware of the skills she actually possessed.”
“And so ye’re just keeping her. Is this what she wants?”
“Aye, but even if she it wasn’t I’m not sure I could let her return. I believe she’s in real danger from Laird Macrae. Ye’re well aware that the story Robin revealed—the one Macrae has reportedly told his clan—is untrue. I suspect Macrae doesn’t want her returning with the real version of events.”
“God’s breath, that hadn’t occurred to me. Aye, she needs guarded well. So she’s under our protection now? Forever?” This thrilled him, but he wasn’t ready to reveal that to his father yet.
“Aye, she is. And trust me, son, we are the victors in this. I assure ye, she’ll be an asset to this clan, which will have far-reaching benefits.”
There was the secret again.
Chapter 25
Macrae sent another messenger just before Pentecost in May. The message was still polite, but worded more strongly. Laird Macrae was pleased to hear that Lady MacKenzie was doing well. Surely Elsie had done what she could and was now needed by her own clan.
Angus’ reply was equally politely worded. He simply clarified that when he asked for the assistance of the Macrae’s most experienced midwife, the intention was always for her to attend Lady MacKenzie during delivery. With three months to go yet, he was certain that as a father of three healthy children, Laird Macrae would understand the need for Elsie to stay until after the bairn was safely delivered.
Angus intended to continue to politely refuse any request Alban sent. However, he could no longer ignore the fact that he needed to find a way to keep Elsie permanently. The evening after he sent the messenger back to Macrae, he asked Hamish, Sully, Eric and Cade to join him in his study.
When they had gathered, Angus didn’t mince words. “Ye’re all aware that Macrae has asked again for me to return Elsie and I do not intend to. I had initially hoped that as Laird Macrae intended to deceive me, he wouldn’t push terribly hard for her return, but it appears that he is doing just that. As ye’re also aware, I fear for her safety. Given that he has lied to his clan about her, it is possible he intends to ensure she neither reveals his secret, nor returns home.”
“Angus, if he pushes for her return, and ye refuse, it could start a feud,” his brother observed.
“Aye, it might, but he set that course when he decided to deceive us in the first place.”
Hamish nodded. “Fair enough.”
“Do ye want to try to solve this diplomatically at all, or are ye ready to simply declare that ye intend to keep her and deal with the consequences?” Asked Sully.
“I would like to avoid a feud if we can. If he demands her return, I will disclose what we’ve learned about his original intention. He has to know it would do him immeasurable damage if other clan leaders become aware of his treachery. Perhaps our silence is the only price we’ll have to pay to keep her.”
“That could work as long as he doesn’t find out how talented she truly is,” agreed Sully. “But if word reaches him of her abilities, then we have nothing with which to bargain because he’ll say he did not deal falsely with us.”
“Aye, the truth of the matter is, he actually did us a great service. We have no proof that he didn’t know it at the time,” said Eric. At Cade’s affronted look he added, “I’m not questioning Elsie’s word. I’m just pointing out what he might say in his own defense. If others believe him, then it is the MacKenzies who will be judged harshly.”
Angus nodded. He had considered all of these scenarios.
“There is one way to ensure she remains here regardless of what happens between ye and Alban,” said Hamish.
“Aye, that’s what I’m thinking too,” agreed Angus.
“Care to share it with the rest of us?” asked Cade.
“Marriage?” asked Sully.
“Aye, marriage,” said Angus.
The expression on his son’s face was unreadable.
“But to whom?” asked Hamish.
“Da, ye can’t just force her to marry.”
“Of course I can, but I hope force won’t be required. She’s a smart lass, and she wants to stay. She’ll see the wisdom of it.”
“Well, Uncle Angus, if ye think she’s smart and will see the wisdom of it, perhaps ye should ask her if there is a MacKenzie she’s…attracted to. Someone she might wish to marry.”
Angus recognized the mischievous twinkle in his nephew’s eye. “Do ye have yer eye on her, lad?”
“If I did, would ye allow it?”
Hamish frowned at his son, but Angus considered the idea. “It’s important enough…aye, I might consider it.”
“Laird, the feast of Pentecost is upon us. Ye could watch and see who courts her and whose attention she seems to enjoy,” offered Sully. “Then it may only take a few careful suggestions to the right man and the problem will work itself out.”
~ * ~
Cade had been blindsided by his father’s discussion of marriage for Elsie. This didn’t figure into his plans at all. But Eric’s apparent interest in her infuriated him. As soon as they were away from the other men, Cade rounded on him. “What the hell was that about?”
“Well, the short version is, yer da wants to keep Elsie and figures marrying her to a MacKenzie is the most expedient way to do that.”
“That’s not what I meant and ye know it. Since when have ye been interested in her?”
“I’m not interested in her.”
“Then why did ye let my father think ye were?”
“Tell me Cade, if ye could, would ye marry her?”
“Aye, of course I would.”
“But ye know as well as I do, if ye just came out and told yer da that, he wouldn’t allow it. He has other plans for ye.”
“Aye, I know that. Get to the point.”
“The laird has other plans for me as well, but we just learned this is important enough to him that he would consider letting me marry her.”
“How does that help me at all?”
“Once he becomes used to the idea of her marrying me, the idea of her marrying ye might not be so outrageous.”
Cade frowned at him. “God’s teeth, Eric—that might work.”
Eric shrugged. “I doubt it, but this way ye at least have a chance. If ye’d just declared yer undying love for her, as I feared ye were preparing to do, his immediate reaction would’ve been to refuse ye.”
~ * ~
Even though Angus was not allowed to engage in marital relations with Wynda, from the start, he’d refused to sleep in another chamber. He adored his wife and if holding her in his arms while they slept was the only intimacy they were allowed, so be it.
The morning after the Pentecost feast he stayed abed later than usual. He stretched and groaned. His throbbing head reminded him that he had imbibed more freely than usual at the feast.
“Angus, my love, is something wrong?” Wynda’s teasing tone told him she knew exactly what was wrong.
“Aye, I overindulged a bit last night, but I expect ye knew that.”
She lay on her side and caressed his cheek. “I’m sorry. Perhaps Elizabeth will have something to ease yer headache.”
“Aye, she might.” But the mention her real name reminded Angus of his other most pressing probl
em. Sully had suggested he watch her during the dancing to see if she had a growing affection for any of his men. The problem was he knew how men behaved when they were attracted to a woman, and damn near every man in his garrison seemed interested in the young midwife. But he wasn’t sure how to tell if the lass felt anything in return.
Wynda frowned. “Angus, what troubles ye? And don’t dare tell me ‘nothing’.”
Angus sighed. He had tried to keep the issue with Laird Macrae from her as much as possible. He didn’t want her to worry. But Wynda spent as much, if not more time with Elizabeth than anyone else. She might know the lass’s preferences.
“My love, I promised ye I would do whatever it takes to keep Elizabeth with us.”
Wynda’s eyes narrowed. “Has something happened?”
“Laird Macrae sent another messenger. He arrived several days ago.”
A look of horror marred his lovely wife’s features. “Oh, Angus. She can’t go back.”
“Now, Wynda, if ye want me to tell ye what’s happening, ye mustn’t allow yerself to get so upset. I have no intention of ever sending Elizabeth back, ye know that.”
Wynda nodded. “I know. But what are ye going to do?”
“So far, the messages have been cordial requests and I have responded with polite refusals. I have said each time that ye still need her. I expect that the next message he sends will be more insistent. I’ve considered several options to deal with Macrae, but both Hamish and Sully agree, the best way to ensure that she stays here is to see her married.”
“Married? To whom?”
“That’s my problem. Sully suggested I watch her during last night’s celebration to see which of my men seemed interested in her.”
Wynda gave a most unladylike snort. “And that narrowed the field did it?”
“Clearly, by yer reaction ye know it didn’t.”
“Aye, I wouldn’t have expected it to. I suspect most of the unmarried men were falling over themselves to gain her attention.”
“I’d hoped that she might show some sign of growing affection for someone, but she didn’t seem particularly attracted to any of them.”
“Did she not? Did she dance with Cade?”
“Cade? Nay, I don’t think so. She danced with Eric, but not Cade.”
“Well then, that’s why ye didn’t see any attraction.”
“She’s after my son?”
Wynda frowned. “First of all, if she was, ye have no room to be affronted.”
Angus opened his mouth to argue, but she put up a hand to stop him.
“Nay Angus, let me finish. If she really were Elsie, and had been raised to understand our class structure, aye, I can see how ye might think she was simply trying to improve her station. But she comes from a place where a person’s position in society is largely driven by education and hard work. In her mind, she is exactly where she wants to be. Marrying Cade would have no impact on that. And secondly, Cade is the one who has fallen hard for Elizabeth.”
“Ye’re not serious”
Wynda laughed. It was probably Angus’ most favorite sound on earth. “I’m very serious.”
“How do ye know?”
“He stops by to visit for a few minutes more days than not.”
“Does he?”
“That surprises ye?”
“A little. I never thought the two of ye were particularly close.”
“We aren’t, but Angus, yer son is a kind man. I think he realizes how hard it is to be stuck in bed for so long and it’s just his attempt to distract me a little.”
Angus smiled, pleasantly surprised by Cade’s thoughtfulness. “And he told ye he’s fond of Elizabeth?”
Wynda laughed again. “Nay, of course not. But ever since Easter, almost all of his visits have occurred when she was here too. And the charming rogue leaves her flustered and off-balance every time.”
Angus chuckled. That didn’t surprise him at all. “It sounds more like she’s the one who’s fallen for him.”
“Well, I suspect she has, but ye’re missing the point. Cade doesn’t have to work to gain a lassie’s attention, and yet he obviously puts a concerted effort into turning Elizabeth’s head. I’ve never seen him do that.”
Angus frowned. “Aye, I haven’t either. But I cannot throw away the opportunity to make an alliance with a strong clan by allowing my son to marry a common-born lass.”
“I understand that, my love. However ye want to marry her to someone to ensure she can stay here. So if ye see her as an asset to the clan and ye want to make yer son happy too, ye’ll consider it.”
Angus leaned forward and kissed his wife. He didn’t want to tell her there wasn’t the slightest chance he’d allow Cade to marry a midwife, but he didn’t want to hurt her feelings by simply dismissing her idea. He settled on, “I won’t rule it out.”
~ * ~
Angus received Laird Macrae’s third message just before the feast of St. John the Baptist. The polite veneer was growing very thin.
Laird MacKenzie,
I am distressed that ye would keep my young clanswoman away from her loved ones for so long. Out of courtesy and respect, perhaps she hasn’t told ye this, but she is to be married shortly after St. John’s Eve. I apologize for the misunderstanding, but clearly, because of her pending wedding, it was never my intention for Elsie to attend Lady Wynda through her entire pregnancy.
The Macraes are prepared to be strong allies to the MacKenzies, but there is a limit to my generosity. I’m certain ye will want to demonstrate yer commitment to our burgeoning alliance by allowing Elsie to return home immediately. Not only are her skills are needed here, her intended grows impatient for her return. – Alban Macrae
Alban’s subtle threat was plain and he had blatantly lied about Elsie’s pending wedding. The minstrel for whom she might have had a budding affection had gone missing and was presumed dead. Thinking on it now, if Laird Macrae had known the young man’s plans, he could easily have had the lad killed. Macrae certainly wouldn’t want a minstrel—a man whose very livelihood was based on carrying news and telling stories—to know what had really happened. Nay, Alban clearly believed that Elsie continued to keep his secret. Angus did not wish to disavow him of that, so he sent a carefully worded message containing his own veiled threat.
Laird Macrae,
I do appreciate yer generosity and certainly would not wish yer clan to be without the skills of a midwife. However, it is my understanding that whilst Elsie is yer very best, her aunt has many years of experience and is an extremely skilled midwife in her own right.
Out of concern for my wife’s delicate condition, as ye suspected, Elsie had not informed me of her pending nuptials. However, she agrees that delaying her wedding by a few weeks is not an unbearable hardship. I assure ye, the burgeoning alliance between our clans will not be served at all by forcing Elsie to return home before Lady MacKenzie delivers the bairn. – Angus MacKenzie
Angus had no doubt that all pretense of civility would be dropped in the next message. In other circumstances, he would have simply called Alban out on his initial deception. But that could very well have resulted in Macrae riding on Carraigile with his full garrison.
Wynda was well into her seventh month. It was the longest she had carried any child before. He could not afford to allow her or the babe to be endangered in the slightest way. Therefore, he intended to put off Laird Macrae with diplomacy as long as possible.
Chapter 26
Cade was becoming impatient.
Once his father had decided that Elsie needed to marry, he became an insufferable matchmaker. To Cade’s endless irritation, the men his father encouraged were beyond eager to try to win Elsie’s affection. Perhaps his subtle assault on her was working, however, because she didn’t seem interested in any of them. She didn’t blush, become flustered or make a single cheeky comment to any of the men his father encouraged.
But Angus redoubled his efforts after the third messenger from Laird Macrae arriv
ed. Cade could wait no longer. He had to launch the final attack and show no mercy.
As the bonfires were lit outside the village at sunset, on St. John’s Eve, Cade scanned the merry-makers until he found her. As usual she was in the company of some of the castle serving maids and they were surrounded by young men who sought dancing partners, including Eric. Cade made his way through the crowd towards them.
Shauna spied him, extricated herself from her companions, stepped in front of him and slid her arms around his neck. “Sir Cade, it’s a lovely evening for dancing, wouldn’t ye say?”
“Aye, that it is, lass. Daniel, Shauna is anxious to join the dancing. Ye won’t make such a fine lassie wait any longer, will ye?”
The man grinned. “I wouldn’t dream of it, Cade.” He put a hand at Shauna’s waist and pulled her towards the dancers.”
“Cade, it’s good ye could join us, coz. After Easter and Pentecost, I feared ye’d sworn off dancing for good.”
“Nay, never that, Eric.” Catching Elsie off-guard, he pulled her into his arms, leaned close to her ear and whispered, “My toes needed a brief reprieve.” To his utter delight she blushed and sputtered, but before she could manage an intelligible comeback, he drew her towards the dancing.
“Sir Cade, I—”
“—can’t talk and dance at the same time if my poor toes have a hope of surviving the night.”
She shook her head and laughed. “Sadly that’s true.”
She let him guide her through the steps of one dance. As the dance ended, he said, “Ye’ve gotten much better.”
She flashed him her cute lopsided smile. “I sincerely doubt that.”
He grinned. “Fine, a little better.”
~ * ~
From the moment Elizabeth had let Cade pull her into the first dance, he had completely overwhelmed her senses. In fact, he’d been doing it for the last few weeks and tonight she simply gave into it. During the next couple hours, he let her venture no farther from him than his fingertips. His nearness was intoxicating—his touch invigorating. She didn’t want the evening to end, but it was well after midnight and she was so tired she could barely walk without stumbling, much less dance.
The Midwife: The Pocket Watch Chronicles Page 21
