Andrew shook Maidie. “The horses have arrived. We must go.”
She looked at him with sleepy eyes. “Thank the Lord. We’re going home.”
“Aye, a ghràidh. We’re going home to Fàrdach Castle.” Andrew removed his arm from Maidie’s shoulders and stood to meet the men and horses.
Colin rose from his resting place and Maidie roused Sven. The rising sun peeped from behind a cloud to lend its light to the camp. The chief thanked his men for their care, helped Maidie up to the saddle of a horse, and then placed Sven behind her. Colin, then Andrew mounted their destriers. Surrounded by Munro warriors, Chief Andrew led the way through the forest to the camp of his brother. They must now prepare to move out. Fàrdach Castle, his home, awaited his return.
The men were up and about when Andrew and his party rode into the camp. Some seemed surprised to see them, because they didn’t know of the events of the night. He dismounted while the accompanying warriors did the same, then helped Maidie and Sven from their horse. Maidie’s tent still stood, so he decided she needed to rest before beginning the journey to Fàrdach. He wanted time to parley with Hugh MacKenzie in getting Tavish’s body. The lad should be buried on Munro soil. Tavish had no family but those of Fàrdach Castle, and he should rest among the ones who loved him.
“Come, a ghràidh, and rest for awhile before we begin the journey home,” he whispered in Maidie’s ear while leading her toward the tent. “I’ll have some food sent to you and Sven. You’ll have to share your bed with Briana. She’s asleep inside.”
“I will be happy to have Briana with me. We need to get acquainted.”
Andrew led Maidie to the tent. He ordered a bowl of gruel and a dram of ale for Sven and her, then looked around for Gavin but did not see his brother.
“Where is the tanist?” Andrew asked Cook.
“He left with Erskin when a messenger rode in this morn and said the MacKenzie wanted to parley out on the grassland in front of the castle.” The cook spooned out two wooden bowls of gruel from a large pot over the fire. “Will you eat some gruel, M’Laird?”
“Nae, Colin and I will eat an oatcake if you have one. I must find my brother.” Although hunger pangs rattled his stomach, Andrew could not take time to eat.
The cook handed each of the two men an oatcake. They quickly ate the cake, drank a swallow of ale, and then mounted their horses. Andrew spotted the group of men deliberating in front of Castle Lach. Warriors of both clans surrounded them. Tavish’s body wrapped in his plaide lay across a horse. The Munro group parted to let their chief and Colin through. The faces of Hugh MacKenzie and Ewin Cameron contorted with anger. Hugh hushed his shouting when Andrew rode in.
Gavin greeted him with a broad smile. “Chief Munro, seems you have the MacKenzies and Camerons in a stew with your antics of last night.”
Andrew nodded toward the two chiefs. “What are your demands for my warrior’s body?”
Hugh MacKenzie, with a face to match his red hair, seemed about to burst and shouted, “I demand the deed to Chanonry Castle and Maidie Munro. The things you stole from me, you thief. We made a fair exchange.”
“Now look, Hugh,” Andrew struggled to stay calm. He clutched the saddle’s pommel until his knuckles turned white to keep from pulling the man off his horse and choking the life out of him. “You burned my village.”
“Your reivers stole my cattle and killed my men,” MacKenzie shouted louder.
“Only because you stole our cattle. We were trying to get back what belonged to us,” Andrew could not keep his voice under control, so he stopped for a breath. “Hugh, we could blame each other all day. I wanna give Maidie and Sven back to you, but I will give the deed to Chanonry Castle. ‘Twas yours in the beginning, and I desire peace between our clans. Our feuding hurts only the innocent.”
Hugh looked at Ewin Cameron. The Cameron shook his head. Hugh turned back to Andrew. “I must speak to Cameron.”
Andrew nodded, and the two men left the group to speak in private. Their gestures and loud voices indicated bitter disagreement. Hugh shouted one last time then rode back to the group while Ewin Cameron made his way to the castle.
“Ewin and I disagree. He wants his niece and her son at all costs, but I say you can have the wench. She wanna be a fit wife for my son anyway. Too many other bonny lasses needing a fine husband.”
Andrew seized the opportunity to mention one and set Hugh’s mind to thinking about Davina. “I have a bonny lass in mind for your son, Hugh, if you care to discuss the matter at a later time.”
“I suppose you’re thinking of your sister.” A smile cracked the plump face of the MacKenzie chief.
“She’s a bonny lass indeed. ‘Twould be fitting for our families to be joined in marriage.” Andrew returned the smile.
“I will think on the matter. Now, where’s the deed to my castle?” MacKenzie rubbed his beard and licked the foam from his lips.
The chief of Clan Munro reached into his ionar, pulled out the parchment, then handed it to Hugh MacKenzie. Hugh reached with chubby fingers to snatch the document, tucking it safely inside his vest with a half smile.
Andrew laughed. “Is the quarrel settled now, Hugh? No more MacKenzie reivers on Munro lands.”
“Aye, and no more Munro reivers on MacKenzie lands,” the large chief answered.
Andrew extended a hand. “Let’s shake hands on the bargain. I’ll take your handshake and word as your bond.”
The MacKenzie rode closer then took Andrew’s hand in a hearty handshake. “You’re surely the Black Falcon of Ferindonald, Andrew Dubh Munro.” Hugh MacKenzie turned toward Castle Lach and rode away with his band of warriors following, leaving Tavish’s body on the ground.
Andrew motioned for two of the Munro men to secure the warrior’s plaide-wrapped body on the back of his horse. He then turned to Gavin, “Let’s go home, Brother.”
“Aye, I’m ready,” Gavin answered with a broad smile for his chief. “You’re surely the Black Falcon of Ferindonald, Andrew Dubh Munro.”
Andrew smiled at the tanist before the two men turned their horses toward the camp and home. Maidie awaited, and naught would keep her from him again.
***
Fàrdach Castle loomed large before the tired party of travelers. How wonderful the sight to Maidie, for she thought she would never again see the mighty fortress. The citizens of Drumainn lined the street of the small village shouting greetings to the returning Laird. Small children ran beside the horses until called back by adults. Maighstir Tam stood in the doorway of the abbey and tipped his tonsured head toward Maidie. She smiled in return. They passed the cottage where she had lived with Kenneth eons ago, so it seemed. A loaded wagon stood beside the entrance, and a young couple carrying pieces of furniture waved from the yard. Flora stood in the doorway of her cottage but turned inside when they passed. Gavin gave a long look in the direction of the empty doorway.
Peter ran beside Sven’s horse. “You’re riding by yourself now?” Peter shouted to Sven.
A large smile broadened across her son’s face. “Aye. The chief says I need to train to be a warrior.”
Maidie’s heart grew heavy with Sven’s words, but she would broach the subject of her son’s training with the chief in due time. Andrew had been only a gentleman on the return trip, even distant. He seemed taken by the small child he held close on his horse, so Maidie had no idea what to expect from him. Briana had captured the hearts of the entire party. Sven enjoyed playing with her. Although she could neither hear nor speak, Briana showed signs of high intelligence. She mimicked actions and learned the people she could trust quickly. Although she clung to Andrew, reaching for him when he was in her sight, she was beginning to trust Maidie, and seemed content to be in her care.
Andrew told Maidie of his spiritual experience with the Lord in the dungeon of Castle Lach. She thanked the Lord over and over for saving her beloved’s soul. Her prayers for Andrew’s salvation were answered. She would be eternally grateful to Colin for sha
ring his faith.
Warriors who lived in the village left the group, calling their farewells to the chief and tanist, who in turn called back to them. A small band comprised of the chief’s luchd-taighe remained to accompany the returning party to the castle.
The gloaming came much too quickly, enveloping the landscape in grey hues. Trees barren of their leaves looked like quiet, dark sentinels guarding the entrance to the castle. The large gates opened wide for the group to enter. Huzzas and welcomes rang from the ramparts and inside the bailey—a lovely welcome home, to be sure. People stopped their activities to call a welcome to the chief. A sense of contentment only home can bring, filled Maidie’s soul. She wished to never leave this wonderful place again.
Inside the inner bailey and under his daughter’s protests, Andrew handed Briana to a servant then dismounted. He told Gavin to take Tavish’s horse to the stable then have the warrior’s body brought to the chapel. Andrew walked briskly to Maidie’s horse, helping her down. Sven managed by himself, grinning when his short legs reached the ground. The remainder of the group dismounted while stable boys led the horses away.
Andrew seemed in no hurry to remove his hands from Maidie’s waist when he turned her to face him. He stood close. His warm breath fanned across her face. Looking directly into her eyes with his bright grey ones shining, he smiled. “Welcome home, Maidie. You will never have to leave this place or me again.”
She returned his smile. “I shall be content to stay here with you for the rest of my life.”
“And that you will, a ghràidh.” Andrew bent to kiss her forehead.
Briana made a cry, stretching pleading arms toward her father. He turned from Maidie to take the child from the servant, but then returned and took Maidie’s arm, escorting her toward the castle. Sven followed. Gavin and Erskin disappeared into the stables. A servant opened the large door to the great hall now buzzing with activity. Tables were being arranged and set for the evening meal with the smell of delicious food permeating the air. All activity stopped when Andrew entered. The smiling servants hurried to form a receiving line for their returning Laird. One called to the cook who rushed out of the kitchen wiping her hands on her large apron.
The menservants bowed and the maidservants curtseyed as they expressed welcomes to Andrew and Maidie. Andrew acknowledged each one, conveying his happiness at returning home to Fàrdach Castle, his friends and family. Briana’s eyes widened with anxiety over seeing so many strangers, so she buried her face on Andrew’s shoulder.
A beaming Nellie approached Maidie, curtsied, and said, “Madam, what a treat to see you. You’ve come home.”
Maidie reached for the handmaiden’s neck and embraced her, then Nellie returned to the receiving line. Maidie also embraced Anne. “How is wee Randall?”
“He fairs well, Madam. I canna tell you how happy I am you are home.” Her large dimples creased more.
“I’ll be anxious to see him and visit with you, Anne,” Maidie said while Effie and Dan ran to Sven with hugs and news about the hound pups.
Sven pulled at Maidie’s skirt, “Mam, may I go with Effie and Dan to play with the pups in the kitchen?”
Maidie looked down at her son. “You’ve been riding all day, Sven. You must bathe before the evening meal, so dinna be long.” Sven rushed toward the kitchen with his friends, giggling and chatting.
The other servants expressed their welcomes then returned to their work, happily talking and nodding toward the couple. Davina descended the stairs, putting a hand to her mouth to cover a gasp when she saw Maidie with her brother.
Andrew called to his sister, “Davina, look who’s back with us.”
She remained at the foot of the steps, her face ashen. Andrew called once more, “Sister, Maidie’s returned. Come here. What is wrong with you?” He looked at Briana. “I want you to meet my daughter, Briana.”
Davina moved slowly toward the group, so Andrew caught Maidie’s arm and brought her to his reluctant sister. He coxed the frightened child in his arms to raise her head. Davina looked from Maidie to Briana to Andrew then stroked Briana’s small hand. The child clutched the larger hand in her own. Davina kept her face turned away from Maidie.
Andrew moved closer to his sister. “Davina, this wee lassie is my daughter. She can neither hear nor speak. ‘Tis our job to make her comfortable and teach her the best we can to communicate with us.”
“Aye, Brother. She’s a lovely lassie. I will enjoy helping her learn the Munro ways. Where is her mither, Tara?”
“She’s to wed Hugh MacKenzie at Christmastime. I saw her at Castle Lach while I was imprisoned there.”
“So Tara is to wed the MacKenzie. Stands to reason. He has money and she needs it.” Davina smiled at Briana, but continued to ignore Maidie.
If Andrew noticed Davina’s coolness, he didn’t say anything. He probably knew his sister well enough to ignore her moodiness, but her attitude made Maidie feel unwelcomed and uncomfortable. Maidie could not imagine what had happened to make Davina act so toward her. Mayhap her monthly flux contributed to the lass’ sullenness.
She suddenly stopped playing with Briana’s hand and looked around the great hall. “Where is Tavish?”
Andrew motioned for a servant and ordered, “Find Nellie. Bring her to me.” He turned to Davina as the man rushed away. They exchanged gazes for a moment before Andrew said in a quiet voice, “Sister, Tavish was killed in Castle Lach.”
A screech left Davina’s throat, resounding throughout the great hall. Servants stopped their work to look in her direction. Davina’s face drained of all color, then she collapsed to the floor. Maidie bent over the girl, patting her hand and colorless cheeks. Nellie emerged from the servant’s quarters and rushed to the group. She curtsied in front of Andrew.
“Nellie, this is my daughter, Briana. Take her to the empty chamber beside mine. Prepare the guest chamber for Maidie. She has returned to us.” A faint smile curled Andrew’s lips.
Nellie took Briana from his arms. The child made the guttural sound of a cry and reached for her father, but Nellie clung to her as they ascended the stairs. Andrew turned his attention to Davina, who lay curled on the floor. A servant brought Angus who held a small bottle that he opened and passed under her nose. Pungent fumes penetrated the air, making her stir. Maidie sat on the cold stone floor, holding the young girl’s dark head in her lap, stroking her forehead.
Davina’s dark eyes sought her brother. “What happened to Tavish?”
“We’ll discuss that later, Davina, when you feel better and are able to hear the account.” Andrew squatted beside his sister, stroking her hand with a deep line between his heavy brows.
“Why did Maidie return? She left here to marry the MacKenzie’s son. Why did she return?” Davina’s voice reached a high pitch.
Andrew looked at Maidie. She returned his gaze, hardly believing Davina’s words. Maidie thought Davina to be her friend. She had acted distraught when Maidie left Fàrdach Castle. Thinking back on her departure, however, Maidie remembered how Davina’s sad farewell had not matched the girl’s almost happy expression. They did not fit, but Maidie had not the inclination to think about such with her own sadness over leaving Andrew and Fàrdach Castle.
Gavin entered the great hall followed by Erskin and others of the luchd-taighe. Two of the men carried Tavish’s body toward the chapel. When Davina saw the plaide-draped body, she screamed. Maidie held her tightly.
Andrew stroked his sister’s arm. “Davina, get hold of yourself, lass. Tavish is gone. He died a warrior’s brave death, fighting to save Maidie.”
Davina sat up, scorching Maidie with her eyes. “He died saving you?” she cried. She began slapping Maidie’s arms and chest and tried to slap her face before Andrew seized the distraught girl’s arms, holding her close to him. Her fists beat on his chest, “I hate her, I hate her.”
“’Twas no’ Maidie’s fault. I’ll no’ have you yelling and hitting her. Tavish wanted to help rescue her from the MacKenz
ie’s clutches.” Andrew held his sister tightly. “Now calm yourself, lass.” Andrew stood and helped his sister to rise, but held fast to her arms. “Go to your chamber and stay there ‘til I come. I’ll have someone send food for you.”
“I want no food, and don’t come to my chamber.” Davina scorched Maidie once more with her eyes. “And don’t let that black witch near me!”
Andrew turned to Angus. “Do you have a potion for Davina? She needs calming.” Angus nodded. “Then take her to her chamber and stay until she is quieter.”
Angus turned to a nearby servant. “Fetch my physician’s bag.” The servant hurried off, and Angus took Davina’s arm to lead her away.
Davina turned back to Andrew as she ascended the stone steps of the stairwell. “Get rid of that witch. She will bewitch all of us. She already has you under her spell. Get rid of her!”
Andrew turned to Maidie and took her into his arms. He stroked her hair. “I’m so verra sorry for Sister’s behavior. I ken she had feelings for Tavish, but had nae inclination of her resentment of you.”
Maidie could not keep tears escaping her eyes and spilling onto Andrew’s vest. She sniffed. “I, too, am sorry I came back. I am naught but trouble for you, sowing discord among your family.” She looked up at her love’s face, now mirroring the distress in his heart.
Andrew held her at arm’s length. “Dinna say such a thing, a ghràidh. You sow love within my heart, and I will never let you go again. Never!”
He pulled Maidie toward him, lifted her head to his and planted warm passionate lips on hers. Maidie’s entire being vibrated with his caress. Her stomach turned a flip while her heart skipped a beat. She wanted nothing more than to stand in his arms forever and feel his ardent lips on hers.
A Highland Pearl (Highland Treasures Book 1) Page 20
