Forgiving Hearts: Duncurra 1-3

by Ceci Giltenan

  She looked down. It was clear she didn’t want him to lock her in. He watched as she seemed to wage an internal battle. Finally, barely above a whisper, she said, “Nay. I will not promise to stay. If an opportunity arises to escape, I will take it.”

  “By the rood, lass, there is no way for ye to escape Cnocreidh, surely ye realize that? Even if ye did manage to escape to the woods without someone seeing you, it is winter and ye have no idea how to get back to Duncurra. Ye would be in terrible danger alone. This will be over soon, don’t make me treat ye like a prisoner.”

  She looked him squarely in the eye, and once again he saw the spirit and determination he had originally encountered. She said, “I am a prisoner and I won’t make that promise. If I have the chance, I will return to my husband.”

  Elspet arrived, followed by servants carrying a tub and buckets of hot water.

  Tadhg shook his head in frustration. “As ye wish, my lady.” Before leaving he turned to Elspet, saying coldly, “Lock her in. She is not to leave this room without my permission and an escort.” He left.

  ~ * ~

  Katherine’s bag of belongings had been tied to her saddle, and Elspet brought it to her while she bathed. “The laird thought it would be better if ye didn’t have a weapon,” the woman said. “He asked me to tell ye he will return it to ye when ye leave.”

  “Of course he did,” replied Katherine in frustration, remembering she had packed her father’s jeweled dagger. She rose from the tub and wrapped herself in the soft linen towel Elspet held for her. She dried, changed into a clean léine, and sat by the fire combing her wet hair.

  Servants removed the tub while Elspet tidied up before laying the meal on a small table. Katherine thanked her, but didn’t make any attempt to eat it. “My lady, please eat something,” Elspet said gently.

  “I will,” replied Katherine, “in a bit.”

  “Is there anything else ye need?” Elspet asked.

  Katherine looked around, really taking in the room for the first time. It was small, but comfortably furnished. She shook her head and said, “Nay, thank you.”

  Elspet opened the chamber door to leave and said, “I’m sorry, my lady, I have to lock the door.”

  “I understand,” said Katherine sadly. “Would you answer a question before you go?”

  “If I can.”

  “When we entered the hall this evening, Laird Matheson said to you, ‘our visitor has arrived.’ When he left today, how did he know he would be coming back with me?”

  “I’m sorry, my lady, that is something ye will have to ask the laird. Is there anything else?”

  “Nay, thank ye.”

  Elspet left, locking the door behind her. Katherine made a half-hearted attempt at eating the food set out for her, but she was exhausted, her head ached, and she felt ill. She finally blew out the candles before curling up in bed. It was warm and comfortable, but she would rather be sleeping on the cold ground in Niall’s arms than without him anywhere else. As she lay there, unable to sleep in spite of her fatigue, she once again tried to put the pieces together.

  She became more and more certain Malcolm had abandoned her. Laird Matheson had said, “Our visitor has arrived.” He knew I would be traveling to Brathanead and intended to capture me. That’s where things fell apart for her. Malcolm had only arrived at Duncurra two nights ago. Niall had made the decision to send her to Brathanead yesterday afternoon. How could Matheson have known?

  Based on the conversation Tomas overheard, there had been at least two people at Duncurra who were conspiring against Niall, one of whom expected to gain Duncurra for himself. Niall was right, that would appear to point to Fingal. He was among the first to know she would be traveling to Brathanead, but she would not believe he had betrayed Niall in this manner.

  This puzzle had too many missing pieces. Her head ached worse the longer she thought about it, but she was more firmly convinced than ever Laird Matheson could fill in some of the blanks. She resolved to try to speak with him in the morning, then finally gave in to her exhaustion.

  ~ * ~

  When Elspet knocked gently on the chamber door, Katherine was dressed and sitting in a chair by the hearth. Elspet bustled happily into the chamber saying, “Good morning, my lady, are ye well? It is good to see ye are already up and dressed.”

  “Good morning, Elspet. I am quite well, thank you,” answered Katherine automatically.

  “I’ve brought ye a nice hearty breakfast, my lady.” Her beaming smile dimmed when she saw the uneaten dinner from last night still on the table. “What was he thinking?” she grumbled under her breath.

  Choosing to ignore the comment, Katherine said, “Elspet, I need to speak to Laird Matheson as soon as possible. Please, can you ask if he will see me?”

  She looked at Katherine and observed bluntly, “My lady, ye don’t look ‘quite well.’ Ye didn’t eat a thing and I’m guessing ye haven’t eaten since sometime yesterday afternoon. What’s more, ye look even more pallid and drawn than ye did last night.”

  “Please, I need to speak with your laird.”

  “Laird Matheson will be livid if he sees ye looking as ye do, and finds out ye haven’t eaten. I think it would be a very good idea for ye to break your fast before I tell him ye wish to see him.”

  Katherine sighed and shook her head with an air of defeat. “You are right, I don’t feel well and I cannot eat right now. I will eat something later, I promise. However, I must speak with Laird Matheson. Please, will you ask if he’ll see me?”

  Elspet stared at her for a moment. Shaking her head in frustration, she responded, “I will give your message to my laird, but please, lass, ye need to eat something. I’ll check back in on ye soon. Is there anything else ye need before I go?”

  “Nay, thank you, Elspet.”

  The woman left, taking Katherine’s uneaten dinner, and once again locked her in.

  Chapter 23

  After Katherine left Niall spent the day preparing for the siege. He sent messages to outlying farms so as many people and as much livestock as possible could be moved to Duncurra for safety. He did everything possible to fortify his stronghold, driving himself well into the night, until Diarmad finally convinced him to rest briefly. When he lay down, he fell into an exhausted sleep, but the image of Katherine’s face as she begged him to let her stay haunted his dreams. When he woke after only a few hours, he rose and continued preparing for the imminent siege. Even though he believed sending Katherine to Brathanead was the right thing to do, after his few restless hours of sleep, he couldn’t shake the feeling he had failed her.

  That evening one of his men-at-arms approached, saying “Laird, the watch reports there is a MacLennan messenger riding hard toward Duncurra.”

  This could not be good news. Perhaps Malcolm had learned additional information about Matheson’s movements. He called for Diarmad, Alan, and Cairbre to join him in the great hall, where preparations were well underway for the evening meal. When the messenger arrived, Niall received him immediately. The messenger’s news stunned everyone.

  “My wife was kidnapped by Matheson?” Niall roared. “Tell me now the men guarding her were killed, because I swear they will die at my hand if they weren’t.”

  “Laird MacLennan said Matheson attacked with an overwhelming force. Most of the MacLennan soldiers fell under the sword or were gravely injured. Laird MacLennan himself was seriously injured. He begs your forgiveness and swears he will help ye seek vengeance. MacLennan soldiers will be arriving to support ye tomorrow.”

  “Did Matheson also take Lady Eithne?” Diarmad asked.

  “My laird said Laird Matheson only took Lady Katherine. Apparently she was bound, gagged, and thrown across Matheson’s lap.” The messenger began to look very uncomfortable.

  “Does he intend to ransom her?” Niall asked, his panic over Katherine rising.

  “The laird said Matheson didn’t mention a ransom, but—”

  “But what? What else is there?”
<
br />   “I’m sorry, Laird. Apparently, Laird Matheson said to tell ye—if ye still wanted your wife when he was done with her—ye could come to Cnocreidh and beg for her.”

  The message had its desired effect. Niall exploded in rage. “I will raze Cnocreidh!” he roared. “We leave at first light.” Turning back to the messenger, he said, “Matheson has never attacked the MacLennans; he must have known Katherine was with them.”

  “Aye, he did. He told Laird MacLennan he had ‘received an invitation’ from Duncurra.”

  This statement confirmed Niall’s suspicions. Consumed with fury, in a deadly calm voice he said to Cairbre, “Bring Fingal to me now.”

  “Aye, Laird,” answered Cairbre, but before he left, he said, “Laird, I cannot believe Fingal would betray ye.”

  “I don’t care what ye believe. It can only be him. He would not only need to see me dead, he would need to eliminate Katherine and the bairn as well to inherit Duncurra. Get him now!”

  Cairbre nodded and left.

  Niall had never felt this kind of rage. He saw the concerned glances passed between Alan and Diarmad. “What?” he demanded.

  Just as Cairbre had, Alan tried to reason with him, pleading for caution, “Laird, he is your brother, at least hear him.”

  “Have no fear, Alan, I will hear his confession before I kill him.”

  “Laird, I’m sending Caolin to fetch Father Colm,” said Diarmad, motioning the women out of the hall.

  Niall snorted in disgust. “If ye think anyone will stop me from seeking justice, ye are wrong, Diarmad.”

  Father Colm arrived at the great hall just as Cairbre returned with Fingal. Fingal stopped short, looking wary and cautious. “What has happened?” he asked.

  “I think ye know,” answered Niall, barely able to contain his wrath.

  “Niall, I don’t understand. Please tell me what’s wrong.”

  “Ye will address me as laird, for ye don’t have the right to call me brother anymore,” snarled Niall. “Who did ye send to Matheson?”

  “Laird, I sent no one to Matheson, I’ve had no contact with him.”

  “Stop lying! Ye’re the only one who could have told him Katherine was on her way to Brathanead—the only one with a motive for wanting both of us dead!”

  Clearly alarmed, Fingal took a step back. “I am not lying to ye, Laird. For the love of God, tell me what’s happened.”

  Through clenched teeth, Niall said, “Matheson attacked with an overwhelming force as Malcolm was escorting Katherine to Brathanead.”

  Fingal blanched at his words. “Is she all right?”

  Niall continued as if he hadn’t heard Fingal. “Most of Malcolm’s men were killed or injured. Even Malcolm himself was seriously injured. Matheson kidnapped Katherine and apparently does not intend to ransom her.” Niall grabbed Fingal by the shoulders and bellowed, “Tell me what ye know, now, or I will tear ye limb from limb!”

  “I swear to ye, on our father’s soul, I had nothing to do with this. I would never harm either of ye, Niall, I swear it.”

  Niall threw him to the floor. Fingal was back on his feet in an instant, but Father Colm stepped between them. “Get out of my way, Father,” demanded Niall.

  Without flinching, Father Colm looked Niall squarely in the eye and said, “Laird, I will not let ye do something in anger ye will regret. Ye do not have proof your brother betrayed ye, and ye know as well as I do ye are angrier with yourself for not escorting her than ye are with anyone else. Ye need to focus on getting Lady Katherine back. Vengeance will wait.”

  Father Colm looked every inch a warrior in that moment, so Niall had no doubt he would have to battle the old priest before laying a hand on Fingal. Furthermore, what the priest said was true. “Ye are right, Father,” Niall said, glaring at Fingal. “I have no proof, and nothing can interfere with getting Katherine back. However, I will find proof of your perfidy, brother, then I will kill ye.”

  Addressing Diarmad and his two captains, the laird said, “We will leave only a few men here to secure Duncurra. Everyone else should prepare to ride to Cnocreidh at first light.” To the MacLennan messenger, Niall said, “Eat, rest, and return to your laird. Tell him I will gladly accept the support he offers, and I will have vengeance on Matheson.” Finally, turning back to Fingal, Niall said with rancor, “Ye will stay here. I don’t trust ye to protect your inheritance, so ye are relieved of all duties and confined to the keep.” With that, he strode out of the hall, followed by Diarmad, Alan, and Cairbre.

  ~ * ~

  Fingal felt angry and hurt, but more than anything else, he was confused. How could this have happened? He agreed with Niall, Matheson had to have known Katherine travelled with Malcolm in order to have ambushed him, defeating him so soundly. He looked at Father Colm and said sincerely, “Father, nothing that’s happened makes sense. If something happens to Katherine, I am the only person who stands to inherit Duncurra, but I swear, I did not betray my brother.” Dejectedly he sat in a chair by the hearth.

  Father Colm considered him for a moment before joining him. “I believe ye. Unfortunately, it is difficult to identify anyone else with a strong motive. If it isn’t ye, the only thing that makes sense is that whoever is behind this expects to conquer Duncurra, not inherit it.”

  “That is the only answer I can see, as well,” said Fingal, “but the conspirator was here on the Epiphany and Matheson certainly was not. I didn’t want to, but I can’t help but think Malcolm is involved. I worried about Niall’s decision to send Katherine with him, but Malcolm was our father’s dearest friend. He has truly always been like an uncle to us. My distrust has more to do with my mother’s involvement with Malcolm than anything else.”

  “Ye seem to have very little affection for your mother,” observed Father Colm.

  “Truthfully, Father, she wasn’t really a mother to either of us. She went to court for the first time when I was five. Eventually she chose to live there permanently.”

  “Without your father?”

  “Our father loved the Highlands, but my mother didn’t, and after I was born, she was never able to carry another bairn to term. I think the fact that she lost so many other pregnancies trying to give him more children made him want to do whatever it took to make her happy, so he let her stay there.” Fingal shook his head at the memories. “He turned a blind eye to everything she did, and while she was there, she practically destroyed this clan single-handedly.”

  “How did she manage that?” asked Father Colm.

  “She acquired a massive debt, the true magnitude of which was only discovered after my father’s death. The clan was on the brink of ruin. Niall was forced to seek help from King David, who provided a solution, in the form of marriage to a Lowland heiress.”

  “The Lady Katherine?”

  “Aye.”

  The old priest smiled and said, “I would hardly call that a sacrifice.”

  Fingal smiled too. “There would be many who would agree with ye, Father, but for Niall, at the time, it was. Years ago the woman he intended to marry betrayed him. The entire clan witnessed her deception and his heartache. He vowed never to marry. However, for the sake of the clan, he did marry Katherine, paid off all the debts, and is trying to help the clan not only survive, but to prosper.”

  “That sounds an awful lot like admiration from someone who is supposedly seeking his brother’s downfall.”

  Fingal smiled, but he felt profoundly sad. He had just lost the only thing that ever mattered to him. They both sat silently in contemplation for several minutes. Then Father Colm said, “Based on what Tomas overheard, the conspirator expects he will gain Duncurra for himself, but someone else will kill Niall. Could Laird Matheson be an accomplice?”

  “I admit it has been a number of years since I have had any close association with him, but this is completely out of character. He is one of the wealthiest lairds in the Highlands and has never been covetous of others,” said Fingal.

  “Men do change,” offered Fa
ther Colm.

  “Perhaps, but I can’t see what Tadhg could hope to gain by helping someone bring Niall down.”

  “Then, other than ye, who would have a reason to destroy Laird MacIan? Does he have any enemies?”

  “Father, Niall has a temper, but with one notable exception,” Fingal said dryly, motioning to himself, “he usually does not release his anger without serious cause. He is a force to be reckoned with, but he is also generally considered to be fair—much more so than our father was.”

  “Perhaps someone from Katherine’s past? A family member or a disappointed suitor?”

  Fingal snorted. “Her only family was a merciless uncle who nearly beat her to death, and he made sure she had no suitors.”

  Father Colm looked askance.

  “Tis true. Nay, her uncle benefitted by her marriage to Niall. He was happy enough. Frankly, Katherine lost the most, but there was no one to champion her.”

  Father Colm nodded, saying, “Fingal, lad, I can understand why the laird thinks ye are behind this. Ye have argued against it being anyone else but ye.”

  Fingal answered wryly, “Aye, Father, even I am beginning to suspect me. The fact is my brother is a good man, and well respected. The only person I know who neither likes nor respects Niall is my mother.”

  “If there is so little fondness between them, why did she leave court and return to Duncurra?”

  “After Niall resolved all the debt she accrued, he made it clear she was no longer to be extended credit. He gave her an annual stipend on which to live, but she arrived here after spending the lot in a few months.”

  “Could she be the one behind this?”

  “Not alone. She has become very close to Malcolm, and in recent months he has not only stirred discord between us, he has done the same between Niall and Katherine.”

  “He was here at the Epiphany. It could have been Malcolm who Tomas overheard.”

  Fingal thought for a moment before saying, “Tomas said one of the people he overheard said something about ‘pretending to be something for too long’ and he was ‘sorry he wouldn’t be the one to kill Niall.’ That could certainly be Malcolm, if the loving uncle role was just an act. Malcolm could have been behind the raids and the kidnapping. It was his idea to take Katherine to Brathanead in the first place. Instigating a war with Matheson would weaken us sufficiently to allow Malcolm to successfully lay siege to Duncurra, and could certainly get Niall killed.”