Heart of the Highlands: The Beast (Protectors of the Crown Book 1)

by Holthaus, April

  For such a young woman, she had a mouth on her as sharp as a dagger.

  “My Lady, we would ne’er wish such a thing!” Sorcha said, defending her clansmen.

  “Well, I expect you will give your son a proper punishment!”

  “Of course, my Lady,” Sorcha mumbled.

  “Good! I wish to be informed the moment my idiot husband returns, is that understood?” Lady Madeline demanded.

  “Aye, my Lady.”

  A few moments later, Peter poked his head into the kitchen.

  “Is she gone?” he asked.

  Sorcha grabbed him by the ear and dragged him into the room.

  “Petey, what did ye do?” Socha asked smacking him on the back of his head.

  “Nothing! Tis no’ my fault the horse bucked. The mare does no’ like her.”

  Keira joined the others and spoke up to defend the lad.

  “I heard that some animals can sense evil. Perhaps the horse chooses the rider and no’ the other way around,” she said smiling at Peter, hoping to comfort the lad.

  “Aye, well ye leave me no’ choice but to punish ye. Run along home. Ye get no meal tonight,” Sorcha said.

  “But he did nothing wrong!” Keira argued.

  “Tis the way it is, Lady MacKay. As we live under her household, we must abide by her wishes.”

  “Aye, but ye are a MacKay and no’ a Farquharson! If we are to live under the same roof, she can no’ expect to make all the rules. There are two clans living here and hers does no’ have superiority over ours.”

  “Thank ye, my Lady,” Sorcha softly replied, with an earnest smile.

  “For what?”

  “For being a kind Mistress.”

  The woman’s comment filled Keira with glee. She was happy they welcomed her with open arms. There was not one MacKay she had met that she did not like. They were all kind and very welcoming to her.

  As for Lady Madeline, trying to befriend the sour woman seemed as pointless as a dull knife. Instead of trying to make amends with the woman, Keira spent most of her time focusing on her husband’s clan; her clan she often corrected herself. She knew that she might as well get used to saying that, no matter if the reality had struck her yet or not.

  Keira began learning the clansmen’s names as well as their families and where they lived. As she made her way to the village, two of Ian’s retainers followed her.

  “May I help ye?” she asked them.

  “Nay, my lady. But we wondered if we can help ye.”

  “Nay. I did no’ ask fer any help so ye can carry on wit’ yer duties.”

  “Ye are our duty, my Lady.”

  “What do ye mean?”

  “Laird MacKay said that we were supposed to stick by ye and keep ye safe.”

  “Keep me safe? From what? Am I in danger?”

  “Well, nay, my Lady. But the Laird gave us strict orders and we mean to follow them.”

  “Well than ye can inform yer Laird that I am in no’ need of protection. I am only heading to the village to meet wit’ the clansmen.”

  “I am sorry, my Lady, but we are no’ leaving yer side.”

  Keira huffed at her husband’s silly protectiveness.

  “Well, then ye will just have to follow me everywhere I go! What are yer names?”

  “I am Seamus Fraser, my lady and this is my brother, William.”

  “Under normal circumstances I would say, tis a pleasure, but I think we can all agree that any order by Laird MacKay is no’ of normal circumstance.”

  Keira and her two overbearing guards, sent out to visit each cottage to see if there was anything they needed. Seeing to the clan was one of her responsibilities at home so she took it upon herself to do the same here.

  The list was long as several things had been overlooked. Many of the homes had been damaged by the recent storms and were in need of repair. There also seemed to be a lack of necessities throughout the castle such as candles and flatware. They did not even keep a moderate supply of salt which was an essential item to have. Organizing her list, she would see to it that the most important items were procured first. Perhaps she could send one of Ian’s men to the market to fetch the much needed items.

  Keira waited for hours for Ian to return from the fields with his men. But the moment she saw him, he was too busy to even notice her. He sat down with a group of his warriors and began discussing matters of the King and the threats of rebellion. Keira sat down at the far end of the table and patiently waited.

  At the end of each conversation a new one began. This was going nowhere and if she did not speak up now, she would never get her chance.

  “My Laird, must I have an appointment wit’ ye to have a moment of yer time?” she sarcastically asked interrupting one of the clansmen who was speaking to his Laird.

  Ian smirked at her, finding her comment amusing. Keira frowned at him.

  “Nay lass, ye dinna need an appointment. What is it that ye want?”

  Keira stood from her spot and walked over to Ian.

  “I wish to speak to ye in private.”

  “Is it so important that it can no’ wait?”

  “I wish to discuss wit’ ye my concerns.”

  “And what concerns are those?”

  Keira looked at the men whose eyes fell on hers before turning back to Ian.

  “Well fer starters, I dinna need yer guardsmen following me around all day,” she said looking at her two shadows.

  “Ye are Lady of Clan MacKay! Ye will no’ be allowed on yer own wit’ out a guard to protect ye. Tis too dangerous! There is nothing ye can say that is going to change my mind. And what is the second thing?”

  Keira grunted.

  “While ye have been away I have compiled a list of things that many of the villagers are in need of. Did ye even know that two of yer clansmen are deathly ill? They are in need of a healer but I have no’ been able to find one. I would have tended to them myself had it no’ been for the lack of supplies I need to care fer them. I insist that ye send someone to the market straight away.”

  Ian stared at her, speechless, his face blank.

  “And how did ye come to learn all of this?”

  “I visited each of the clansmen and asked fer their concerns.”

  “Concerns?”

  “Aye. One must always make sure that their clansmen are well cared fer. As ye have no’ seen to the task, I have taken it upon myself.”

  Ian looked irritated by her response. Standing up from his chair, he excused himself from the others and took Keira by the arm. Once they were in private, he continued.

  “Lass, I dinna need ye to tell me how to run my clan. And ye must promise me that ye will never speak to me like that again in front of my men.”

  “Am I no’ to speak my mind?”

  “Aye ye can speak all ye want but in our private chamber.”

  “Well, excuse me husband, but I did ask for a moment to speak to ye in private, and ye refused! I am sorry, my Laird if I made ye feel inferior, but I will no’ apologize. As Lady of a castle tis my duty to help oversee the castle and clan.”

  “Why did ye feel it was yer duty to follow through wit’ my tasks?”

  “Because, ye were busy! At Castle Sinclair it was my duty to look after our clansmen and run the household.”

  “Well that is no’ yer duty here.”

  “Well I am finding it verra difficult to figure out exactly what my duty is!”

  “Yer duty is to be Lady of Clan MacKay.”

  “Which entails what? Embroidery and stitching tapestries! I am quite capable of doing more than simple woman’s work, Ian.”

  “I am no’ arguing that lass. I am just stating the fact that those things should no’ be yer concern.”

  Keira was about to argue, but Ian quickly cut her off.

  “But…I will look over yer list and see to what you believe needs to be done. But the next time ye wish to take matters into yer own hands, ask me first.”

  “I can agree to that
as long as ye can agree to give me more responsibilities. I am no’ use to doing nothing. I should help run the household.”

  “Nay lass. Yer place is at my side,” he said, wrapping his arms around her and placing his lips on hers.

  Keria slightly pulled back.

  “Ye can no’ cause my resolve to waiver by sweet kisses Ian!” she argued.

  Ian’s lips curled. Raising one brow he carried a smug look on his face. Before Keira could say another word, Ian pressed his lips hard against hers. His proud, cocky arrogance was not going to let her win this battle. She would let him win this fight and relish in his victory, but next time, she would not succumb so easily.

  By the evening hours, Keira sought out Leland to see if her message from Laird Sutherland had arrived. She was grateful that it had arrived right on schedule. In the letter, Leland handed her, Isaac agreed to meet with her to discuss the terms of surrendering her lands since her letter to him did not include the details of the arrangement. Sutherland suggested they meet in the marketplace at Kildrummy; nearly a half days ride away the next afternoon. All she needed now was to convince Ian to allow her to go.

  Chapter 26

  Ian was quite displeased that his wife was so insistent on joining their journey to the market in Kildrummy, but he knew that she would not take no for an answer. Particularly, because she spent the better part of an hour arguing about it. She was insistent on inspecting the items they were to purchase for the castle, saying that Lady Farquharson had neglected her duties to make sure the household had been sufficiently stocked with supplies.

  There was also the matter of acquiring a healer. Keira had the necessary skills, but she could not very well be in two places at once. Selfishly, he did not like the fact that had she taken on the role full time, it would have taken her away from him.

  Since they arrived at Invercauld Castle, Keira kept herself busy with several mundane tasks that had been neglected, and Ian was adamant to find someone else to fill those roles, to free up her time.

  He did, however, like the way she immediately took charge and fulfilled her role as Lady of the Clan. She certainly possessed the qualities to help lead his people and her actions were already winning the hearts of his clan.

  Ian gave one of his guardsmen the list of items Keira had requested he buy. The list was long, but he was certain that they would find all of the items that they needed.

  As soon as they passed the first stall, Keira’s eyes lit up at the sight of all the marvelous items. Her innocent, childlike expression made him smile.

  “Ian, if I were to bring my two shadows wit’ me, would ye mind if I do a wee bit of sightseeing while we are here? I have never been to the market before and I still wish to get ye a wedding gift,” Keira asked.

  “Ye dinna need to get me anything, Keira. Ye are all that I need,” he said as he took her hand in his and pulled her into his arms.

  Keira leaned up on the tips of her toes and pressed her lips against his. She tried to pull away almost as soon as her lips touched his but Ian was one man who was not embarrassed by sweet kisses and showing his affection among crowds. He didn’t care what others thought. If anyone deemed his actions inappropriate, to hell with them! He pressed his lips harder against hers and caressed her firmly in his arms deepening the kiss.

  “Ian, people are staring at us,” she whispered.

  “Let them stare. Ye are my wife and I can kiss ye whenever I wish,” he replied, brushing his hand along her cheek.

  “If I promise to no’ be long, will ye let me go?”

  Ian smirked at her bright, eager expression. She was hard to resist. He knew allowing her to window-shop would please her, and with Seamus and William guarding her it eased his worry. He also hoped to steal a few minutes away to get something for her as well. The horse he had given her was not a proper wedding gift but a necessity, but there was one thing he did want to get her: a ring, a proper ring for a laird’s wife. Ian had eyed a lovely ruby ring for sale at one of the market stalls they passed when they first arrived in the village but with Keira right by his side, he was unable to make an inquiry about it. Perhaps, this would give him the opportunity to do just that.

  “Ye can go. But dinna wander off too far. We will meet back here within the hour.”

  “Thank ye,” Keira said giving him a quick hug and dashing off in high spirits.

  As Keira took off at a near sprint with Seamus and William trailing behind, Ian watched until they disappeared into the thick crowd before turning back to the jeweler’s cart. As he reached the cart, he picked up the small ruby ring and inspected it.

  “Ye have good taste, my Laird,” the merchant complimented. “That there is a rare, special find. It was just imported this morning from the Orient. I get all of my best products from there and I can give it to ye at a good price.”

  Ian held the small ring between his large fingers. It had a gold band and a small ruby placed in the crown. He admired how it sparkled in the sun. Slipping it into the breast pocket of his vest, enthusiasm filled his heart for the moment when he would give it to her. Nothing pleased him more than to make her happy and see her smile.

  “I’ll take it.”

  ~*~

  As Keira, William and Seamus passed one of the taverns, two buxom women caught the men’s attention. Keira pretended not to notice as she admired a market stall full of fine fabrics and linens. She had never seen so many wonderful things. The market had everything from chandlers selling expensive beeswax candles to mantua makers with the latest in ladies’ fashion. With the coins Ian had given her, she purchased a few silk ribbons for her hair and a lovely dark green shawl.

  Keira watched as her two escorts pathetically tried to fight off their two lady admirers, but she could tell that they were loving every minute of the attention and had it not been for their duty to watch over her they probably would have already been tossing up the maid’s skirts.

  “Ye know, there is no reason fer ye two to follow me so. Ye are more than welcome to enjoy a quick drink if ye like. By the looks of the women, it would be rude to no’ offer them a drink,” she teased.

  “I see what ye are trying to do there lassie. Ye want us to get into trouble wit’ our Laird. Ye are testing us!”

  “Dinna be foolish, Seamus. I wish to purchases some of these fine dresses and will need to try them on to make sure they fit. I dinna think the Laird would be too pleased if ye accompany me in the changing room,” she pointed out. “Now, go. I will be right here. And after ye have shared a drink wit’ these fine ladies, ye can always return to my side.”

  The two men looked at each other and considered her suggestion. Keira crossed her fingers behind her, hoping they would accept her offer.

  “Alright Mistress. But dinna ye go anywhere!” William ordered.

  The two women practically pulled them inside the tavern leaving Keira alone and unguarded. If she were to meet Laird Sutherland, now would be the time.

  Sneaking inside the tavern, she kept both Seamus and William in sight as she snuck toward the back of the room. Laird Sutherland was to meet her in the far back room where it would be quiet and private. The room was blocked off by a long red curtain that hung down to the floor, separating the dining area from the private room behind the bar. Keira moved the curtain to the side and stepped in.

  The small space was empty other than a table and a few chairs. Just as Keira was about to sit down, she heard the sound of the curtain being brushed open but before she could turn around, she was forcefully grabbed from behind. Large, muscular arms held her waist while the other covered her mouth. To prevent her from screaming, her assailant stuffed a small damp rag inside her mouth and covered it with his hand.

  Panic swept through her when she recognized the pungent odors of hemlock root and belladonna. As a healer, she knew almost instantly that the practice of combining the two herbs together created what physicians and monks called Dwale, a medicine referred to as the “deep sleep”. It was a method used on pati
ents to prepare them for surgery. By swallowing just a small portion, it would render the patient unconscious for several hours; too much could cause death.

  Keira struggled violently against his hold but her body betrayed her, slowly giving in to the effects of the foul potion. Her limbs grew weak and heavy and she struggled to keep her eyes open. She became overwhelmed with fear as she became more helpless with every passing moment. She needed to fight. She needed to break free from this hold.

  In the back of her mind her only thought was of Ian. He would come for me. He would save me. But as the minutes passed, there was no sign of him or his guards. He wasn’t coming. He didn’t even know she was here. How could he?

  Keira’s eyesight started to blur. Still, she fought with every last ounce of strength she had. She would not give up, not while she still had fight left in her and she would not falter, no matter how pointless it seemed. Unable to hold her own weight, her legs gave out and Keira was vaguely aware of collapsing in the arms of her assailant. Then, nothing.

  ~*~

  “My Laird,” Seamus called out as he ran towards Ian in a panic. “Has Lady Keira returned?”

  Ian let out a sharp breath. Anger and fear coursed through his veins. His stomach twisted at the thought of Keira in trouble and if these two idiots were here and not guarding her as they had been ordered to do, he could only imagine what happened to her. Grabbing Seamus by the collar, Ian shook the man.

  “What happened? She was no’ supposed to leave yer side! God strike ye dead! If anything has happened to her, I swear it will be the two of ye who are to blame!”

  “My Laird, she was out of our sight for a mere moment trying on dresses,” William defended.

  “And what were ye two doing? By the smell of whiskey on yer breath, I’d say it was far more than a moment wouldn’t ye agree?”

  Seamus and William both remained quiet but it was Leland who spoke up.

  “I believe I may know who took her.”

  Ian shot a glance at his brother, confusion showing in the lines of his face. How could Leland know what had happened to her? He had been at Ian’s side the whole time. If he did know something, why the hell was he just now speaking up?