“Nay. The family is known as an odd one, but they are good leaders. We would be stupid to follow someone else.”
“I suppose you’re right. I guess I just thought that the fear of something different would make you less likely to follow them, not more.”
“The fear is there. There is no doubt. But most believe the McClains are good people, and they are happy to follow those who do good things.” Annie shrugged. “Me family has always been fiercely loyal, especially now that I am married to one of the sons of the previous laird.”
“Tell me about how you became so good with a bow and arrow!”
Annie laughed. “After me mother gave birth to me, and the laird healed us both, me mother was told it would be best if she dinna have more bairns. So, me father decided I was as close to a son as he would ever have. Me mother felt badly not giving him sons, so she let him take me out with him whenever he wanted. Oh, I learned to cook and sew like all the women, but I spent me Sundays with me father hunting, learning to use a sword, and throwing me knife. I am quite skilled, whether anyone else thinks a woman can do those things or not.”
“I’m glad you are,” Heather said, shaking her head. “Having to spend another day with Broderick leaning over me would have made me go slowly insane.” She rubbed the back of her neck, as it started prickling at the very idea. “You should stay for supper tonight. Your family, I mean. You’ve spent the whole day with me, and you’ve had no time to prepare anything.”
Annie smiled. “There will be potatoes?”
Heather laughed. “It’s not taco Tuesday, so there will probably be potatoes. In fact, I believe they’re making scalloped potatoes with ham. A favorite of mine.”
“That sounds like a lovely meal. We will stay to eat it with ye.” Annie looked around her, studying the room for a moment. “I must admit I keep expecting someone to jump out of the shadows at us. Tis strange knowing tis my job to protect you from whatever may be lurking.”
Heather sighed. “I wish there was no need to protect me. I feel as if I should be afraid of my own shadow.”
“What good would that do?” Annie asked. “You need to focus on living and let me focus on keeping you safe.”
“I’ll do my very best. It’s hard when you know you’re in danger, though.”
“I can see that.”
Several women came into the keep to visit that day and talk with Heather. It was clear they wanted to know the lady of their clan. “And where are ye from?” a woman asked.
Heather smiled. “I grew up in the same town that Beth did.” It seemed the safest answer.
The woman—Fiona—frowned. “Beth doesn’t talk much about where she is from.”
“Then I had better not talk about where I’m from. I wouldn’t want to upset her in any way.”
Fiona’s eyes narrowed. “Ye are married to our laird. Ye have to tell us.”
“Beth was married to your previous laird, and she didn’t.” Heather had no idea what the woman’s problem was, but she refused to worry about her. There were too many other things to worry about in her life.
When it was time for supper, Beth came in carrying little Bonnie, who went straight to her mother’s arms. She rested her head against Annie’s shoulder. “Did ye have a good day with Grandma?” Annie asked the girl.
When they all sat down for supper that night, Gavin said a prayer for their safety. As soon as it was over, Heather asked the question burning in her mind.
“Did you learn anything new today?” she asked.
Derek shook his head. “Nay. I am growing weary of this. I felt the anger again, though, and now it seems to all be directed toward you. None of me brothers or cousins have figured anything out. And they should have by now.”
“I see.” Heather rubbed the back of her neck. “I want it all to be over.”
“I do too.”
Beth frowned. “I don’t understand how someone could have taken such an instant dislike to you, Heather. You have barely been around anyone but family, and we know it’s not family who is angry.”
“How do we know that?” Gavin asked. “What if it is one of the other wives? Upset that their children will never be laird with Heather here?”
Beth shook her head adamantly. “None of my daughters would feel that way about another. There’s no way that could be it.”
“Mayhap you’re right. What if it is another woman in the clan who is upset that Derek married? Is that possible?”
Heather pursed her lips, looking at Derek. “That sounds like it fits what you’re feeling. Anger and sorrow mixed together. It would make sense that it would be a woman scorned. Have you courted anyone?”
Derek shook his head. “I have never even walked alone with a woman of our clan or any other. I am not comfortable with people given me power. I canna think of a single woman who would think she had a claim over me.”
“It doesn’t have to make sense,” Beth said, frowning. “What if it was someone who just thought you were going to marry them with no reason behind it? Is that possible? Were there any women who were making eyes at you?”
Derek shrugged. “Me whole life girls have been flirting with me, knowing I was the future laird of Clan McClain. Twould be ridiculous if one of them decided I was marrying them, though. I have never returned any attentions.”
“That makes sense to me,” Beth said. “I hate that whoever it is makes you feel uncomfortable.” A look in Beth’s eyes had Heather wondering, though.
“Could you ask around, Beth? And perhaps have the other women of the family asking? Then you could pinpoint anyone who felt like they had some sort of hold over Derek. Maybe we could find who it is quicker that way.”
Beth nodded. “I was thinking the same thing. I feel like we’re playing one of those murder mystery games where we have to figure out who the potential killer is before they strike.”
Heather grinned. She knew none of the others understood, and she wasn’t sure if it was even possible to explain. Thankfully, no one asked. “So, you have everyone asking around tomorrow, and we’ll all compare notes tomorrow afternoon.”
“Yes, we’ll do that. All but you and Annie of course, because someone needs to safeguard you.”
“Maybe I should be out talking to people as well,” Heather suggested. “It might help us find them faster.”
“No!” Derek said, shaking his head emphatically. “There is no way I will allow you to put yourself in danger that way. The animosity I feel is toward you, and I worry it will be acted on.”
“I can understand that,” Heather said. If it was just her, she wouldn’t be as worried, but the baby she carried was another story entirely. She couldn’t put him at risk.
Annie nodded beside Heather. “I will not allow her to leave tomorrow. We will stay inside all day.”
“Good,” Callum said. “I dinna want you in danger either, Annie.”
“I can take care of meself, husband.” The look on Annie’s face made it clear she wouldn’t be argued with on that point. She could take care of herself and Heather, and all would be good.
“I know you can.” Callum took another bite of his supper. “These potatoes of yours really are good.”
Heather smiled at Beth. “They’re a staple of the American diet in the future.”
“I dinna know what that means, but I am enjoying eating them.”
Even little Bonnie had eaten everything in front of her.
When a chocolate cake was brought out, Heather grinned. They’d been working on perfecting chocolate since her arrival, and by the looks and smells of the dessert, it had finally been accomplished.
Beth received the first piece, and everyone watched her as she took a bite. “Could use a little more sugar next time, but it’s good!”
At that, they all cut a piece, and everyone tried the tasty treat. Heather sighed as she ate the last bite. “Not perfect, but it’s chocolate, and truthfully, who could ask for more?”
“Not me,” Beth said, cutting hers
elf another piece. “I’m glad you brought the twenty-first century with you.”
“Me too!”
After supper, they brought in all the family, filling the women in on what only the men had known until that time. Beth asked the women, “Do any of you know anyone who has thought they would be marrying Derek?”
The women looked at each other, all of them shaking their heads. Broderick’s wife said, “I know there were several who wanted to be the next Lady McClain, but none of them who would really think it was possible. Derek has spent too much time alone over the years.”
Beth nodded. “That’s exactly what I was thinking. I want all of you to go visiting tomorrow. We’ll divide up the village between us, and we’ll all talk to different people. Then we’ll compare notes at the end of the day.” She looked at Heather. “Maybe we have a nacho night?”
Heather made a face. “I know! We’ll do smothered fries with chili and queso.”
“I approve this plan. That cake tonight was amazing.”
Heather jumped to her feet. “That reminds me. I had them bake a second cake. It should be ready.” She hurried from the room, only realizing when she was halfway to the kitchens that Annie was trailing behind her. “Did Derek send you?”
Annie shook her head. “Nay. I take my guard duty seriously.”
“I see that.”
“And I want to taste the new cake of course.”
“I asked them to put just a little more sugar in. I hope it turned out a little better this time.”
When they got to the kitchens, Heather smiled at the women there. “Coira, would you mind bringing the cakes out? The whole family is here now.”
Coira nodded, smiling. “I’d be happy to Lady McClain.”
“Please, call me Heather.”
“Aye, Lady McClain.”
Heather rolled her eyes as she went back to the dining room where everyone was seated. Two cakes were brought out to feed the large number of people there. It wasn’t just Derek’s brothers, but his sisters-in-law and their children as well. The sheer number of people in his immediate family was overwhelming to her.
While everyone ate the cake, Heather watched their eyes light up with excitement for the chocolate. “It’s good, isn’t it?” Heather had decided not to have more herself, wanting everyone else to enjoy it.
As they all left at the end of the evening, with the women promising to return in the early afternoon, Derek put his arm around Heather. “Did you feel safe with Annie?”
“Oh, yes. It felt like she was ready for anything.”
“And she was.” Derek felt safe knowing that Annie was the one guarding his wife and son. It made things easier for him.
As she lay in his arms that evening, they talked about how the women in the clan must think she was an imposter, there to marry their laird, but someone none of them knew. “I haven’t gotten that impression from anyone,” Heather said, “but I can see where some of them would feel that way.”
“We will just have to see how things are in the morning.”
The following morning, Annie was there before Derek left to train with the other men, and their plan was in place. All the women would be visiting throughout the day, taking treats they’d made to the other women in the village. It was a good plan and a way the women could sit down and talk to the others, learning all they could.
Heather watched out one of the windows, wishing they could walk around the lake at least. The lake was so beautiful, no one could resist its charms. “Do you want to walk?”
Annie shook her head. “I would like to, but me promise to the laird is more important than what I want to do. Why dinna you read me another of your fairy tales about the Highlands?”
Heather nodded. “Let me go get my iPad, and we’ll read. Do you want me to bring some sewing down?”
“Nay. I will spend the time sharpening me knife. Twill make me feel more powerful.”
Heather laughed. Whatever worked for Annie was good enough for her. Sharpening a knife sounded just perfect.
As she read from the book she’d started when all the women were together, her lips quirked at some of the things she’d found the most romantic about Highland romances that were completely untrue. Oh well. It didn’t really matter. What mattered was that the men in the Highlands were dreamy. And at least Derek was.
Why, she’d given up indoor plumbing, cars, and even new romance novels for him. He’d better be worth the sacrifices she’d made.
But she knew deep inside he was as she read the story. She no longer longed for a Highland laird like the books portrayed. Why would she? She had her very own Highland laird, and she was in love with him.
She felt no need to share her feelings, because she knew he could feel them when he was around her. She hoped he felt the same, of course, but Dr. Lachele had said it was up to her to get her laird to fall in love with her. Hopefully, she would be able to do just that.
Love wasn’t something that she’d expected to find so quickly, but with Derek…well, Derek was just the man she’d needed when she’d read all of those books, and the good doctor had sent her to the man she wanted and needed for all time. It was strange how good she was at granting wishes.
Now if they could just figure out who wanted to hurt her, she knew they’d be happy for all time. It was time for her to live her own happily ever after, instead of just reading about them.
Chapter Nine
The following afternoon, all the McClain women gathered in the parlor of the keep. Thankfully, it was a large room. Heather served snacks and hot chocolate to everyone, and the women marveled at the newfound chocolate in their lives. She also had the kitchens make cookies for them, and Coira was again the woman to come in and serve them.
Heather smiled at Coira. “Thank you so much. We appreciate your help.”
Coira nodded as she scurried away.
Heather looked at the others. “What have we figured out? Anything?”
They went through the other women one by one to discuss who had discovered anything. “The only person I talked to that seemed even the least bit upset is Fiona,” Broderick’s wife said.
Beth looked at her eldest daughter-in-law. “Fiona? Why is she upset? She’s much too old to think she could marry Derek—and she’s married with three daughters.”
“It seems she thought her youngest should marry Derek. Little Blaire.”
Beth shook her head. “Isn’t Blaire fifteen? Derek isn’t about to marry someone so young.”
“I still think she might be our culprit,” Elspeth said. “It just seems to fit.”
Heather shrugged. “She did seem rather displeased with me when we spoke.”
“We’ll tell Derek she might be the one.”
They continued through the other sisters until they’d all mentioned everyone they could possibly think of. There were three names suggested, but to Heather, none of them really made any sense.
“I hope the men aren’t disappointed in us,” Beth said. “We did try, and I know the three of them will be investigated.”
“Derek will be able to tell that’s where the anger is coming from if he talks to someone, won’t he?” Heather asked.
“Definitely,” Beth said. “That’s why his power is such a good one.”
“But he canna heal,” Annie said with a grin.
“That’s true…”
By the time the men arrived that afternoon, and they’d all discussed who they thought it could be, it was suppertime. As soon as they’d finished the smothered fries, Derek and Broderick went out to talk to the women in question. While they talked, all the women stayed at the keep, and the other five brothers and their father stayed with them. They needed to keep the women safe as they dealt with the matter at hand.
It was only an hour or two later that Derek and Broderick came back. “It was Fiona,” Derek said, shaking his head. “She has agreed to leave McClain land. She said she doesna want to live somewhere where good women are passed over for marriag
e to the laird anyway.”
“Where will she go?” Heather asked. She hated the idea of someone being banished on her behalf.
“She said that she has relatives with the Stewarts, and she will join them. The Stewarts are our allies, and they are good people. Fiona and her daughter will be content there.”
Heather nodded, still uncertain. It didn’t seem fair to her that the other women would be forced to leave their home, but she wasn’t the person who made the decisions. Thank God. This was definitely something she didn’t want to have to help settle.
“When will they go?” Beth asked.
“Several of my soldiers will accompany them out of our village in the morning and stay with them until they are safe on Stewart land. The other clan will be happy to have them, I’m certain. Fiona’s husband will go with them as well, and he is a well-trained soldier. He doesna want to leave, but he feels he must to protect his family.” Derek shrugged. “It doesna much matter to me whether they are happy or not, though, because I want me wife and bairn safe a lot more than I want their happiness.”
Heather smiled, as she rested her head on her husband’s shoulder. Never in her life had she had to worry about an enemy, and it seemed she’d made one quickly by traveling back in time. It was odd to her.
Once the keep was emptied that evening, Heather and Derek stayed up late into the night, talking about their future. Heather felt like things were falling into place easily, though she wished she knew how Derek felt about her. Her uncertainty was difficult, but she’d manage.
“Father says the bairn you carry is healthy,” he said.
Heather nodded with a smile. “He checks me every time he sees me because I’m the future of the clan. It feels strange to have that pressure put on me, but it seems that’s how it works with your family.”
“Aye, it is. Tis always been the way.” Derek took her hand in his. “And how are you feeling? Are you sick in the mornings?”
“Not yet. I shouldn’t even know I’m pregnant yet, but your father is a human pee stick.”
Heather's Highlander: Book Club: Heartsgate (Heartsgate Highlanders 1) Page 8
