I wanted to keep her.
Chapter eight
Jinny Fairchild
Douglass was lying at my side, pushed up on one elbow and laughing when he sat up and looked past me. I turned my head to see what had caught his attention and saw through the tall grass and fading light of day a large figure coming toward us down the darkened beach with the setting sun behind him—a dark silhouette.
Douglass waved his arm. “Over here, brother.”
The man—Douglass’s brother—changed directions.
“Dougie!” His voice was deeper and a bit gruffer than Douglass’s. “Ye worried me being out the whole damn day. What are ye doing out here all this time in the grass alone? Sneaking yer hand under yer kilt, ye horny wanker?”
I felt my cheeks burn hotter than a smithy’s furnace. Good heavens! He hadn’t seen me lying on my back in the grass beside Douglass.
I looked at Douglass wide-eyed. I didn’t imagine my face could be any redder than his. His was as crimson as the painted evening sky above us. Which one made me more uncomfortable—his brother’s words or Douglass’s blushing cheeks? I didn’t know.
Douglass pressed his lips together and took my hand, pulling me into a sitting position.
His brother stopped abruptly, his brows jumping skyward.
“Jinny,” Douglass said. “This foul-mouthed rascal is my twin brother, Muireach McGrail. Muireach, meet Miss Jinny Fairchild.”
Though he, too, was striking in appearance, this mountain of a man might be Douglass’s twin, but they were total opposites. Their only likeness was their size.
He moved slowly, erasing the bit of space left between us as Douglass and I got to our feet. Muireach McGrail took my hand, placing his other over the top of it.
“Forgive me, Miss Fairchild. I didnae realize Douglass was no’ alone. I apologize. ’Tis a pleasure to meet ye.”
I smiled and accepted his apology with a gracious nod. “The pleasure is mine. Your brother speaks so highly of you.”
I saw a wave of pride brighten Douglass’s face to identify that I was defending him in my own way. He looked as if he could kiss me when seeing the sheepish look and guilty blush it put on his brother’s face and ears.
Douglass laughed. “Why, brother, ye’re blushing brighter than a hot poker.”
Muireach ignored the jab and reached for Douglass with a quick movement, flinging his thick arm around his neck in a brotherly headlock and scrubbing his scalp with his big square knuckles, saying, “He better speak highly of me if he knows what’s good for him.”
Douglass pushed him off, still laughing, and Muireach stumbled back, laughing, too. Both looked at me and seemed to appreciate the genuine smile their teasing put on my face.
With a tad more ribbing, and a bout of visiting behind us, Muireach made to take his leave, and Douglass said, “Do me a good turn, brother, and have Lair bring a buggy so I can take Miss Fairchild home.”
My eyes bloomed wide as I shifted on my feet. “Oh, please, don’t put anyone out. I can walk home, it’s not that far.”
“It will put no one out. After what happened to ye today, I’ll no’ be letting ye walk home, Jinny.”
Muireach frowned. “What happened to her today?”
“Miss Fairchild was attacked by a drifter.”
Muireach caught Douglass’s meaning and looked at me with his brows pinched firmly. “Are ye all right, then?”
“Yes. I’m well, thanks to your brother. I don’t think the man who attacked me is, though.” I turned my gaze to Douglass. “Which is why I’ll be fine walking home.”
His look said he would not tolerate me fighting him on this, and he turned to Muireach. “As I said, send Lair. I’ll need her to accompany Miss Fairchild and me. I don’t want Miss Fairchild’s reputation damaged.” He looked at me. “Our sister is about your age, and her presence will prevent that from happening.”
Though I was terrified of what might come of Douglass taking me home, I had to admit I melted a little, seeing his concern for my reputation.
“Lair could also state she’s been with us all day, which would protect your honor if that devil who attacked you is fool enough to brag about his actions.”
My heart beat wildly as I looked at the road toward town and then back at Douglass, again shifting on my feet. I had no fear my attacker would do such a thing. No, my fear was that Douglass might find out the truth. Or worse still, that Lachlan might get himself killed if he crossed paths with Douglass McGrail again. He might even deserve it, but he was my family—my only cousin, and though he was a tyrant, I didn’t wish him dead.
Feeling certain that Douglass would not be moved, I accepted this with a nod, seeing no plausible excuse I could give to refuse his sound offer.
Muireach gave a nod himself and set out at a fast jog down the beach toward the castle road.
Douglass yelled out, “Make sure Lair does no’ tell Da what she’s doing.”
Muireach kept jogging and never turned, but waved his response. Douglass watched his brother go.
I asked, “Why can’t Lair tell your father?”
He returned his attention to me. “He does no’ allow the clan to socialize with humans. It’s clan law. But as long as they know to keep quiet, none of my siblings would betray me, so I’m no’ worried about it.”
“Oh.” I stole another glance toward the road, wishing I could just go. Not only could this result in disaster for my family, but for Douglass, too.
“Really, I should just go. I’ll be fine, I promise. I don’t want you or your siblings in trouble on my account.”
“Is there another reason ye don’t want me taking ye home, Jinny?”
Unable to meet his gaze, I dropped mine to the sand and shook my head—too quickly. “No, no, of course there isn’t. I … I don’t want to be a burden is all.”
Embarrassed for anyone to know about my cousin, but also concerned with making trouble for Uncle and his family, I couldn’t very well tell Douglass the truth—I liked him but he was a stranger to me. Not to mention the paralyzing fear of being put out of my uncle’s house and shunned by society if it came to light that my own cousin assaulted me.
“You’ve done so much for me already, Douglass.” I lifted my gaze to his and was taken aback by his serious expression. It insinuated he wanted to do more for me … to me. I saw his Adam’s apple rise and fall with a swallow.
“I’m only glad I was there to do something,” he said softly and so sincere. “I hate to think of the outcome had I no’ been.”
My nostrils opened against an onslaught of burning tears pooling in my eyes. I looked away, so hurt over Lachlan’s actions after following me here today.
“Yes, as do I.” I blinked and thin trails wet my cheeks.
He reached for my face, but stopped himself and dropped his hands in fists at his sides. “Jinny, I … ” He inhaled and let it out slowly. “I would like to see ye again. Can I call on ye tomorrow?”
My forehead pleated and I looked down at my fidgeting hands. “I’m not sure how my uncle would feel about that.”
He backed a step away. “Of course. I understand.”
I lifted my gaze and felt horrible to find he looked humiliated. Damn Lachlan! I wanted to see Douglass again, but with Lachlan watching me it would be impossible. I just prayed I’d be able to escape the impending disaster looming over this one ride home. I certainly wouldn’t take additional chances and see Douglass again after today.
The silence became awkward between us.
“How did ye ken so quickly that I was ech-ooshkya?” he asked, as if happy to change the subject. “Surely ye would no’ draw such a conclusion by the color of my eyes, especially if ye believed the creature had mud and waterweeds in its hair, and I had none.”
I laughed. “No, it was more than that. I believe every man I’ve ever met had hair that was free of mud and waterweeds and I’ve suspected none of them of being ech-ooshkya. And it wasn’t so quickly, really. I’ve pondered
it for months now.
“My suspicions began that day you saved me on my way into town. I arrived in Balfoureigh and met my Uncle for the first time. At supper that evening, I couldn’t stop thinking of the mysterious Clan McGrail that the driver of my coach had told me about, nor could I stop thinking of the magnificent horses I saw on the beach, especially the great black stallion. Curious, I asked my Uncle about the clan, and if he knew any personally.”
“Did he?”
“Only your collector. He said the rest of you were strangers. He told me he’s seen a few of you at times, but the look you convey says a man should not feel free to approach you.”
“I’ll no’ deny any of that. We’ve no wish to make friends with humans. No’ all are like ye, lass.”
I grimaced. “I suppose I can’t deny that either. I would that every man carried compassion and acceptance for all living things.”
Douglass looked guilt-ridden. “Perhaps those of us who don’t can learn from those of ye who do.”
I didn’t like to think Douglass counted himself among that uncaring lot. He shifted on his feet, and changed the subject.
“That chat with yer uncle does no’ explain why ye would automatically assume I’m ech-ooshkya, though.”
“Oh, forgive me—I’m rambling. I had gone on to ask Uncle if there were any in your clan who were my age. He hadn’t known for sure, and wanted to know why I was so curious. It was then that I told him about the marvelous horses on the beach near the castle, and asked him if they belonged to the clan?”
A laugh sputtered out of me and Douglass arched a curious brow. I said, “Though I didn’t tell Uncle, I had imagined a dashing young clansman sitting atop the black stallion—I hadn’t imagined at that point the black stallion was a dashing young clansman.” I laughed again.
Douglass’s mouth fell open. He snapped it shut and looked out at the sea, a smile playing on his lips. His gaze returned to mine. “I didnae expect ye to say that, Jinny, but I’m happy ye think it.”
My laugh fell away, and for a long moment we watched each other. I felt as if I needed to take a very deep breath— Where did all the air go? His gaze dropped to my mouth, and I cringed when I chose that instant to lick my lips. His eyelids wilted and I was certain he thought of kissing me. I looked away, worried he might think I was too forward and had wet my lips in anticipation. Had I?
He cleared his throat. “So, tell me, did yer uncle know if the herd belonged to the clan?”
I was so very grateful for his discretion and sensitivity to my discomfort.
“He’d told me yes, but that a big white stallion usually lead the herd—I’m assuming now that would be Muireach?”
“Aye.”
“Uncle thought it was strange that the rest of the herd was made up of stallions—not mares. A fact I, too, had noticed that day.”
“My brothers. We generally don’t run with other clan members, as the greater number would be too threatening and might draw the unwanted attention of the fearful to try and thin the herd.”
“That’s wise of you. You did look quite threatening that day. As it was, Uncle cautioned me to stay away. He warned that the herd was mean as the dickens, and said some strangers and even townsfolk had gone missing when getting too close—”
I shut my mouth and fidgeted, berating myself for my rudeness in saying such to him. Moreover, I had let my guard down. A fact I could not deny now that I was recalling my uncle’s words. Was I being naïve in seeing this man as harmless because he saved my life twice?
Good Lord, I hoped that rumor Uncle relayed to me was just that—rumor and nothing more. The savagery of Douglass’s earlier attack in my defense ran through my mind and I didn’t like the conclusion being drawn. Not that it bothered me that he was what he was. Every creature was true to its nature. I just didn’t want to assume I was safe, if I was not. I had been down that road.
But I could not lie to myself—something inside knew Douglass would not hurt me. So what was causing me so much turmoil to question these things? I swallowed as I looked at this man before me, and had to admit the cause of my discomfort was that I felt something intimate for Douglass. What did that make me? Was there something wrong with me that I would desire one such as him?
“Jinny?”
“Yes?”
“Ye were saying?”
“Oh, excuse me. It was nothing. Really.”
“It was no’ nothing, it was something, and I’d like ye to finish. If I need to be warned then please do so.”
He was right. While it might be rude to paint him in an unpleasant light right to his face, and I might not be eager to think of him or his clan harming humans, I didn’t want something awful to happen to him or his family.
“My uncle said it could not be proven the herd of horses was responsible for the missing townspeople, and had been written off as people giving in to superstition, claiming the myth of the ech-ooshkya. He said some believe one could be roaming these parts and mingling with the clan’s herd.”
Douglass frowned. “Maybe we should stop running along the shoreline. I was no’ aware we were bringing that amount of attention to ourselves.”
“I think that would be wise, Douglass. I wouldn’t want to see any of you hurt. If I figured it out, others might, too, eventually. I’ve marveled they haven’t already. When Uncle had said the word ech-ooshkya that night, and asked if I’d heard of the creature, it had caused a bevy of thoughts to swirl through my brain. Someone might put certain pieces together. Of course, I doubt you go around saving many people while in your horse form.”
Douglass’s brows creased. “Only one.”
I said nothing, merely gazed into his cerulean eyes.
He licked his lips. “So had ye?”
“I’m sorry, what?”
“Had ye heard of my kind before coming to the Highlands?”
“Yes. Being raised on the sea I knew some things, but not all of what Uncle had shared. Papa used to tell me stories of such creatures. He said the ech-ooshkya was the fiercest and most deadly of all the water horses. When I told Uncle this, he said Papa was right, that—”
I clamped my lips together and looked away.
“That what, Jinny?”
My gaze hit the sand. “I don’t want to continue this conversation. It doesn’t matter.”
I couldn’t tell him Uncle called the ech-ooshkya a brutal beast that loved the taste of human flesh. I could not make myself believe that he was brutal after he’d saved me twice, but I knew after seeing what he did to Lachlan that he did love the taste of human flesh. The thought weighed heavily on me. Was I deceiving myself into believing he was kindhearted simply because he saved me? Would he treat other humans with less kindness?
“Jinny, I want to know what yer uncle told ye about me—my kind.”
I didn’t want to think about all the horrid things Uncle told me, much less repeat them. Surely I could think of something Uncle said that would not illustrate Douglass as one with no sympathy.
Douglass watched me closely.
I said, “I hadn’t realized your kind also lived in lakes.”
He nodded. “Aye, if the loch is deep enough.”
“That’s just what Uncle said.”
“And what else?”
Heavens! He would not be sated. “I asked about the creature’s flesh becoming like glue when one sits atop its back.”
“What did he tell ye?”
“That it was true.”
His eyebrows pinched and his lips pursed and he bobbed a slow nod, studying my expression. “Is that all—did he expound on that?”
“Why can’t a rider get off your back? What is it that holds him there?”
“We release a secretion.”
“How do you let the rider off?”
“Another secretion that dissolves the first. Now, ye have evaded my question, lass. Is that all yer uncle told ye? Did he no’ tell ye why we would want to keep a rider on our back? I’m sorry, Jinny, but for s
ome reason, I can no’ stand the thought of no’ knowing what ye think of me.”
“Just because I was told something, does not mean I think it of you.” We both knew that wasn’t the case. He’d seen the horror on my face after his ferocious behavior.
“Then it should no’ bother ye to tell me. Please. Did he say what we do when we have a rider on our back?”
I swallowed. Was I afraid of seeing the truth in his face when I told him? Maybe I didn’t want to know the truth. Maybe that was something I would rather not be forced to come to grips with.
I liked Douglass. The man had saved me twice, and I’d just spent the day getting to know him—laughed with him. I’d felt butterflies when he brushed my hand, or held it within his own. Those were the things I wanted to think about, not the gruesome image of the feral appetite I’d seen in him earlier. Nor did I want to think of the terrifying image of Uncle’s vividly painted tale of the ech-ooshkya. But he would not let it die.
I let out my breath. “He said if a man mounts the beast when it’s in horse form, he is out of harm’s way only if the creature is mounted inland, but that the instant it sees or smells water means death for the one who’s fool enough to fall prey to the cruel thing.”
Douglass’s jaw was tight, the muscles flexing. “Go on.”
“I asked if the beast was truly cruel, if it killed any and all who would dare to straddle its back. Or did it kill only those who meant to do it harm.”
“And his answer?”
I saw Douglass’s discomfort, and I berated myself to think I was speaking of the creature as though it was not he.
“Oh, don’t worry, Douglass. I know, now that I’ve met you, that the tales had been ridiculously exaggerated.”
Oh dear, if they were not exaggerated, had I just passed judgment on him with that statement?
“Please, lass, just tell me what he said.”
I sighed. “He said it would be argued it was indeed cruel; that the creature was said to have no loyalty to us humans, or even to our livestock—we’re simply a tasty meal to it. Uncle said that without mercy, no matter who might be on its back, it would head directly for the deepest part of the water to drown its prey so it could tear the poor soul apart and then devour the entire body, guts and all. All but the liver, which it would let float to the surface.
Falling in Deep Collection Box Set Page 122
