by Reece Butler
Lady Janet clasped her hands tightly in her lap. It was not a good sign. Women did that to hide their disquiet.
“Your father has spent much gold turning Castle Girnigoe into a showcase. Because of…his other decisions, his heir is now his grandson, George. If anything happens to the earl his brother, Lord Sinclair of Braal, will take over until George reaches his majority.”
“I’m surprised my uncle hasn’t fallen down the stairs while drunk and broken his neck,” replied Alana. “He couldna organize a brawl in a brewery, much less care for all the lands of Caithness. What of my brothers and sister?”
“John was sent to your father’s dungeon six years ago for the sin of making peace rather than slaughtering all the Murrays as ordered by the earl. John was planning an escape but Henry discovered it and told your father. When Henry went to the dungeon to taunt him he got too close and John beat him to death with his chains.”
Henry was dead? She felt little remorse after all he'd done to plague her. Alana could see her father going into a rage at John thwarting his plans for revenge. And she could see her jealous younger brother delighting in destroying John’s chance of escape.
"What if the earl dies, won't John be released?"
Lady Janet shook her head. "He's gone as well."
Alana swallowed hard at that. “What of Elizabeth? She should have children by now.”
Lady Janet shook her head. “Elizabeth loved a servant and refused to marry your father’s choice of husband. The earl forced her to watch him whip her lover until he collapsed, and then slit his throat. When she still refused marriage he sent her to the Castle of Mey. She was to be locked in the attics until she agreed to marry. She escaped and leaped to her death.”
Alana focused on a small strawberry flower on her tapestry, the symbol of the Fraser Clan. The berry beside it was as red as the blood her father enjoyed shedding. She’d known he was brutal, had experienced it firsthand. But never had she thought he would do something so monstrous as kill off his children. He only wanted her because she was the only one left.
“He’s mad,” she whispered.
“Aye, though too powerful to curb. If your father dies before his grandson is of age it would lead to a clan war. As your uncle is weak, the Gunns and Mackays would fight for the land your father’s taken from them. The Keiths have Ackergill Castle, a mere mile from Girnigoe, and would join the fight.” Lady Janet paused. “That would bring down the wrath of King James on us all.”
“And my having sons will stop this war?”
“Aye. Your husband would hold Caithness for George instead of Sinclair of Braal. If he is strong he will keep the peace, holding power through you.”
“A woman’s womb holds the balance of power yet she means nothing to them in herself,” she said bitterly.
“If you have a good husband you will be far more than a womb to him.”
Laird Fraser was a good husband, and a good laird. The head of Clan Fraser put aside his own desires to do what was best for the clan. He ruled well, yet could be harsh when necessary. He also laughed, played shinty with the lads, and cuddled wee lassies on his lap.
The Earl of Caithness thought of no one but himself.
“You have had ten years with us, Alana. It is time for you to kneel in front of a priest and say vows, then do your duty to your husband and clan.”
Alana sighed in resignation. “While I’m old and have been publicly shamed, at least I come with a substantial dowry. That should help find a kindly husband.”
Lady Janet leaned over to pick up her needlework, delaying her reply. Alana’s stomach tightened.
“Alexander’s note suggested the earl spent your dowry on Castle Girnigoe. Few will have you, lass, not even younger brothers.”
Alana pounded her fist against her knee in frustration. “So I’ll be forced to marry a pox-ridden, ugly beast? Someone who’d otherwise not be allowed near the skirts of an earl’s daughter, much less under them?”
“You could find your own husband. The earl willna care who ‘tis, as long as you birth Sinclair sons.”
“I need a man who will give up their allegiance to their own clan and take the name Sinclair, living in Castle Girnigoe with my father. He should have lots of brothers as that will make it more likely I’d bear him sons.” She blew out her breath. “How long do I have to find this paragon?”
“Until Alexander returns. As ‘tis best no Fraser travel openly through those lands, you need an escort from a clan who will keep you safe.”
“So it may be weeks before he returns?” she asked hopefully.
“I hope ‘tis closer to days, as I miss him.” She took Alana’s cold hand. “Alexander kens you well, and your need for a husband. He will be looking for a man to suit you.”
“He will?” Alana perked up at the thought.
“We will miss you, as will the bairns,” said Lady Janet. “But ‘tis time you have your own home and family.”
Tears suddenly prickled Alana’s eyes. She knelt at Lady Janet’s feet, resting her forehead in the silken lap.
“You are the mother I never had, and Laird Fraser is the father I’ve always wished for. You took me in when I had no one and nothing. I owe you both my life.”
“Whisht, lass. “ Lady Janet rested her hand on Alana’s head.
“I hope Laird Fraser finds a husband for me. I’m sure I won’t like anyone my father chooses.”
“Aye, you won’t.”
Alana lifted her head at Lady Janet’s heavy words. “Do you ken who he chose?”
“I’m sorry, lass. ‘Tis your cousin William.”
Alana jerked back. “No!” She shook her head, disbelieving.
“Aye. The man who near beat you to death.”
Chapter Two
Alexander Fraser watched the sun dip into the Atlantic Ocean behind the Isle of Mull. Duncladach, stronghold of the MacDougal clan, was far different from his lands near Inverness. Here he was almost surrounded by salt water, an excellent defense in itself. The plug of rock supporting the castle added to the unlikelihood of capture.
So did the sixteen tall, strong warriors that filled it.
If all went well he’d bring a few of them with him to Lovat Castle. Angus and Gillis would return with him, as they now held Andrath Tower for the Fraser and Cameron clans. He hoped to convince another pair to escort Alana Sinclair home to Caithness. Cormac and James had fostered with the earl and had known Alana as a child. Fraser could not refuse the earl’s order to return his daughter to him. He could, however, encourage her to be married, and with child, before she arrived at Castle Girnigoe.
His reason for travelling was to deliver his niece Fiona’s dowry to the MacDougals. It was far safer and faster to bring sheep and a heavy cask of gold coins by water, so he’d offered the use of his ship. Fiona was increasing and Angus and Gillis refused to let her ride that far. She wanted to meet her new clan and was well known to disobey orders, so her husbands had taken his offer.
Though Laird Somerled MacDougal hadn’t known about the dowry or that Angus and Gillis had wed into the powerful Fraser clan, they had made plans in hopes for the possibility of an influx of gold through marriage. Fraser was impressed with how quickly Fiona's coins had flowed out, and on what. No thick carpets or rich food for these men. No, they bought seed and implements, fishing nets and boats, breeding stock, and new roofs to keep the weather off their villagers. Practical matters for a desperate clan.
If Fraser hadn’t arrived with his ship full of food, ale, bedding, and more, he would have been eating porridge twice a day. That’s about all the MacDougals had in their meager larder. He did not blame them, as they’d had a rough past.
Somerled had become laird while still a lad. His father hadn’t cared much for practical things such as food, shelter, or heat. He’d spent his time boasting of past glory when the MacDougals were Lords of Lorn, and in creating sixteen sons, half of them bastards. In response, Somerled was highly focused on protecting and providi
ng for his clan. He’d done well against great odds, with little help.
The MacDougal clan, though known to be poor, was well respected for their tenaciousness, loyalty, and fierceness. They were hard warriors, yet neither cruel nor heartless. He nodded as Laird Somerled and his twin, Niall, joined him.
“Thank you for your hospitality. You’ve done well, raising your brothers.”
“A man does what he must,” replied the laird bluntly.
Gillis said the brothers had placed bets as to the likelihood of their oldest brother ever smiling. They insisted it would take a woman, not that any would wish to marry such a dour man. Niall, a few minutes younger, was almost identical. The laird’s usual scowl helped Fraser tell them apart. So did their body posture.
“Nay, ye did more,” corrected Niall. “Ye sent some of the lads to foster so the rest of us might have a wee bit more food in our bellies. They learned much from their foster clans.”
“Laird Cameron was pleased with Angus and Gillis,” said Fraser. “The link has borne fruit, as they are now protecting his lands, and mine, from the Clan Ranalds.”
Somerled grunted, as close to a sound of approval as Fraser had yet heard.
“The last MacDougal daughter married into Clan Cameron a hundred years past,” said Niall. “‘Tis a small link, but enough to foster a pair of brothers. ‘Twas Cameron who sent Cormac and James to the Earl of Caithness.”
“Laird Cameron said that also worked out well.”
“Aye, James would make a good steward,” said Niall. “He thought on what to do if one of us married a woman with a dowry.”
“Ah, that’s why you moved so fast with wee Fiona’s gold.”
“Aye, we followed James’s plan. My brothers and I thank ye for it. ‘Twill change much for Clan MacDougal.”
Fraser silently accepted the praise. They were both lairds, though their clans were far different in size and importance. A link, no matter how small, could change the fortunes of a clan. He’d known of the MacDougals before Fiona showed up with them in tow. When Alana first arrived at Lovat Castle, in pain and feverish from a vicious beating, she’d called out to Cormac and James to help her. It was why he was here now. If they would marry Alana and put a son in her belly she might have a life without too much heartbreak. Otherwise she would have to marry William, who would kill her. Worse, the man would take his time, making it a slow, tortuous death. He could not have that on his conscience.
He watched a cormorant dive. He felt at ease with these men. MacDougals had honor, courage, and loyalty. Having had little but pride for generations they would not beg from the wealthy nor take from the poor. Somerled was blunt and to the point. He’d had little chance of an education, though had done what he could to ensure his brothers fared better. He was an intelligent man who was too busy keeping his clan alive to get involved in intrigues far from his own land.
“You have six more pairs of brothers,” said Fraser. “What are your plans for them?”
Somerled stared out across the water. “My brothers have little schooling but are good warriors, and true. Some wish to see more of the world and may travel. Most are bastards.” He said the last to Fraser as a challenge.
“I dinna judge a man by his birth. Can they take and give orders, fight well but not leap into one without thought, speak true, and be loyal to the laird and clan they serve?”
“Aye, they be MacDougals!” Somerled’s thick brows almost touched.
“Then you have raised them well.” He was about to ask about Cormac and James when a feminine shriek exploded on the far side of the castle. There was only one throat it could have come from. Fiona. She enjoyed a wee tussle with her husbands, and was quite vocal about it.
“I wonder if ‘tis Angus or Gillis making my niece squeal.”
Somerled was already striding along the wall walk toward the noise. Niall, smile bright, gestured for Fraser to go first. Gillis and Fiona were wrestling in the shallow water. She’d been trained to fight but was a fraction the size of her men. Gillis easily lifted her and tossed her into deeper water. She landed with a giant splash, making him roar with laughter.
“Looks like the lad is teaching the wee lassie to swim,” said Fraser with approval.
Fiona rose up, sputtering and swearing. Her thin gown clung to every curve. Low curses from the twins reminded Fraser she was the only beddable female within miles.
“I told ye afore, wife,” said Gillis, grinning widely. “Such language will get yer arse paddled.”
“Try it and ye might never have bairns!” She pulled her dirk, brandishing it at the level where his thighs met.
“She looks like she knows what to do with that blade,” commented Niall.
“Aye, and if Gillis pushes her too far she’ll use it on him. Nothing to harm,” said Fraser, “just enough to get her point across. Across his hairy chest, most like. She’d shave him, not cut skin.”
Niall chuckled at his comment. Somerled scowled even deeper.
“Gillis!” roared the MacDougal laird. “Get yer wife inside and decent. She’ll nay be showin’ off what doesna belong to the rest of us!”
“Showing off?” yelled Fiona up at them. She pushed dripping strands of hair out of her eyes. “Do ye think I wished to get tossed by yer beast of a brother?”
“Careful what you say, lass,” warned Fraser. “Both of your lairds are here, and I agree with Somerled. There are too many men in this castle, and you’re the only wife.”
She glowered at Gillis before taking her husband’s hand to climb out of the water. She’d barely touched land when her dirk was taken, and she was upended over Gillis’s shoulder. His hand came down hard on her upturned bottom. Another shriek rang out as she kicked and pummeled him.
“Gillis likes a good fight, and to play,” said Niall just loud enough for the three of them to hear. “Luckily, so does his Fiona. As do ye, my laird brother.”
“Me?” Somerled snorted his disgust. “I will have a well-behaved, quiet wife who kens how to keep a castle and does what she’s told. There’ll be time enough to play when the work’s done.”
“The work is never done, laird, and ye ken that well,” said Niall softly. He gazed out across the water.
“I have a job that needs doing, by Cormac and James,” said Fraser bluntly.
With brows lowered the twins were near identical.
“Thought there was more to this visit,” said Somerled with a grunt. “Speak plain. What is it ye need them for?”
“The last remaining child of the Earl of Caithness, a daughter, has lived with me at Lovat Castle for ten years. The earl needs heirs and has ordered her home. It would not go well for Fraser men to cross the lands of certain clans. Cormac and James have been there, and back. They could escort her.”
“Does the lady wish to return?” asked Niall. “If she’s anything like Fiona, she may refuse. That would make the journey more dangerous. Will she be wise and do as told?”
“Lady Alana Sinclair will do as her father orders.” Fraser waited. The twins turned to him with equally suspicious looks.
“There’s more to the story, aye?” demanded Niall.
He gave a brisk nod. “Aye, but ‘tis best if no one else kens it.”
“Speak,” ordered Laird MacDougal.
Fraser told them about the deaths of the earl’s other children, along with any other information he could openly share. “Alana is the only one who can provide the earl with more grandsons. She had a good dowry, but I heard it was spent it on improving Castle Girnigoe. My sources say the earl plans to marry Alana to his nephew, William.” Fraser raised an eyebrow. “He’s outlived two wives already. Neither of their bellies swelled before they succumbed to”—he cleared his throat— “unfortunate accidents.”
The twins shared a look.
“Alana’s husband would gain control of Caithness if the earl dies before wee George reaches his majority,” said Niall.
Fraser nodded. “Aye, and William’s as weak as the ea
rl is strong. You ken what will happen as the Gunns, Murrays, Keiths, and Mackays fight to gain Sinclair land?”
Laird MacDougal cursed. “'Twill bring King James down on all our heads.”
“Must ye send her back to marry this William?” asked Niall.
“Aye, and nay.”
“Speak. My belly’s rumbling as there’s meat this night,” said Somerled.
“Aye that Alana must be sent back. Nay that she must marry William. She could find her own husband. Even better would be her belly already swelling with a bairn when she sees her father.”
The twins stared, waiting for him to continue before commenting.
“MacDougals are known to breed sons. The earl needs grandsons.” He spread his hands as if the answer was obvious.
“Ye think Cormac and James would wed the daughter of the Earl of Caithness?” demanded Niall.
“They were her childhood heroes. They ken William is a brute.” Fraser nodded. “If they are men of honor they would marry Alana just to protect her.”
“Cormac and James are men of honor, but they be bastards,” said Somerled bluntly. “They canna inherit.”
“Aye, but their sons can if the earl says it is so,” said Fraser. “Bastards or no, they would be respected far more than William.”
The men looked at each other, saying nothing. He’d heard some twins could speak without words. If true, these two were doing it.
“Alana’s husband must kneel to the Earl of Caithness,” he continued. “Her children would be of Clan Sinclair, not MacDougal. Will you let them go?”
“If the lass marries one she must share her bed with both,” said Niall. “Ye do ken that, aye?”
“I’ve watched Gillis and Angus with Fiona. She loves both of them, and enjoys their attentions. If Alana is happy with the same, so am I.”
“What of the earl? Would he kill them for seducing his daughter?”
Fraser raised a sarcastic eyebrow. “If Alana arrives in Caithness with two staunch warriors at her side and a babe in her belly, the earl will have what he wants.”
“The only one to lose is William,” said Niall.
