Highland Rising (The House of Pendray Book 4)

by Anna Markland

  In the event, Esther dragged her sister away, no doubt anxious to hear the latest news.

  They all joined the sizable crowd gathered around the recently arrived dragoons—tenants and servants as well as the rest of the Pendray family. Quinn was speaking to one of the four soldiers and he beckoned Gray. “Argyll arrived off Mull and sent his son ashore.”

  “When?” Gray asked.

  “Five days ago, sir,” the soldier replied. “Charles Campbell took the castle at Dunstaffnage, and sent the fiery cross into the surrounding area.”

  “Do we have any reports on the response?” Quinn asked.

  “Nay, but the earl himself carried on south with the main invasion fleet. The marquess surmises he’s headed for Islay.”

  “He likely thinks he’ll attract more support there,” Munro suggested.

  “We’ve four hundred and fifty men on Islay, sir,” the soldier reported. “But the marquess plans to withdraw to Kintyre if he thinks the odds of a decisive victory are against us.”

  “Good plan,” Quinn said. “A success at this stage might spur Argyll on and encourage more recruits.”

  Gray decided it was time to set his mission in motion. “We need to meet with Atholl. I’ll return to the Isles with these men and discuss matters with the marquess first hand.”

  “I concur,” Quinn agreed.

  Gray saw the anguish on his mother’s face, but she wouldn’t give voice to her concerns in front of servants. She knew first-hand what it was to be a spy in an enemy camp, and probably realized Gray and Quinn had previously discussed the feasibility of infiltrating Argyll’s newly recruited force.

  “Let’s adjourn to the Map Room,” his father suggested.

  The crowd began to disperse, a few village folks lingering to discuss the latest developments with Quinn and the Pendray men. The three eldest Cameron girls went back into the house and Gray was irrationally disappointed Faith didn’t give a backward glance. He wondered how she felt about his leaving for the Isles. Would she miss him? Worry about him? Did she have an inkling of his mission?

  Maggie tugged his sleeve. “Are ye going to war just so ye dinna have to explain to Mr. Guthrie that ye canna wed Meaghan?”

  “Away with ye,” he scolded. “I’m nay going to war.” But her words gave him pause as he watched her enter the house.

  Faith probably believed he was going to the front in order to avoid her.

  However, two things were of paramount importance—the protection of Kilmer and ensuring the failure of the Rising. He was fairly proficient with sword and musket, but clandestine operations were his forte. The prospect of participating in a covert action was exhilarating and preferable to sitting at home worrying.

  He strode down the hallway to the Map Room, confident he’d made the right decision to carry out his assignment. Thoughts of marriage could be dealt with later when the Argyll question was resolved.

  His mother’s presence in the Map Room shouldn’t have come as a surprise. He nodded and smiled, glad to see her there.

  He was taken aback when Quinn led the discussion. “I surmise Gray has explained his mission,” he began.

  “Not in full detail,” Gray replied lamely. “I was waiting for the right moment.”

  Quinn’s frown indicated his puzzlement. “Weel, I expect ye’ve all guessed the plan. Gray will enlist as a recruit in Argyll’s army with a view to fomenting discontent where he can.”

  His mother stiffened her shoulders and shifted in her seat, but said nothing.

  His father frowned.

  Munro and Garnet braced their legs and stood with arms folded, looking for all the world like glowering twins.

  Gray resented his family learning of his mission from Quinn, but acknowledged he was to blame for putting it off. “I knew ye’d worry,” he offered as a paltry excuse.

  “No use fretting about that now,” his mother said. “But I suspect from Quinn’s frown there is more to it.”

  A chill raced up Gray’s spine. In Edinburgh, he and his mentor had argued about the most effective way to infiltrate Argyll’s army. He preferred to go it alone, whereas Quinn…

  Gray had left Edinburgh thinking he’d won the argument. The reason for his mentor’s unexpected arrival became clear. He was about to be overruled.

  “Do ye nay agree, my lord earl,” Quinn asked Gray’s father, “that an Ayrshire man turning up out of the blue by himself to volunteer would raise suspicion?”

  Morgan Pendray clenched his jaw, clearly annoyed at being put on the spot. “It depends on the situation.”

  Quinn nodded as if his host had agreed with him wholeheartedly. “Most of the local recruits will have wives and bairns who’ll follow the army.”

  “Camp followers,” his mother whispered, staring into the past.

  “Aye. Argyll doesna have a well-equipped army. Fighting men need cooks, and laundresses, and…”

  “Whores,” his mother added with a wry smile, “but surely ye dinna expect a local lass to accompany my son.”

  “I agree, mother,” Gray said. “The hardships for a camp follower are…”

  His father’s scowl stopped him in his tracks. “You don’t need to remind your mother of that fact.”

  “Exactly,” Quinn exclaimed. “I’ll wager there’s more than one brave lass in Kilmer willing to take the risk for her country, just like ye did, Countess. And who more suited to the task than a daughter of the Cameron clan?”

  Confusion swirled in Gray’s head. It seemed Quinn had refined his thoughts since their last discussion. Clearly, his superior was referring to Faith and he was right that Covenanters wouldn’t question the enlistment of a man purportedly married to a niece of Richard Cameron, but…

  “We all ken Faith would follow Gray to kingdom come if the need was explained to her,” Garnet said. “But ’tis too dangerous. I willna consent.”

  “I agree Faith canna go off without a chaperon,” Munro replied with a smile. “Especially with Gray.”

  “Hold on,” Gray protested. “I am here, ye ken, and ye canna expect…”

  “Faith is perfectly suited,” his mother declared to his astonishment. “She seems quiet and unassuming, but there’s an inner strength to her. No one would suspect she was a spy.”

  Gray inhaled deeply. “But, as ye say, she’s nay married, and her reputation…”

  “Most folks thought your mother was a whore when she was a spy in the camp following Cromwell’s New Model Army,” his father claimed. “Except me, of course,” he added with a sheepish grin. “But now she’s a national heroine because people finally understood the bravery it took to carry out her mission.”

  “And I have a suggestion who might accompany them,” Munro said. “Just to smooth ruffled feathers. He’d be a good courier too. He’s brave and likes challenges.”

  Gray snorted. “Aye, but I doot Sarah will allow Giles to go.”

  “I’ll speak to my wife,” Munro replied. “And to Giles.”

  “And I’ll approach Faith,” Quinn declared. “She might welcome a chance to serve her country and redeem her family’s reputation.”

  Garnet hesitated. “I suppose there’s naught amiss with asking.”

  Gray groaned. It seemed his family agreed with Quinn, and Faith was going to be browbeaten into compliance.

  Faith retreated to the parlor and took up her sewing, hoping the hateful task would take her mind off Gray.

  She rolled her eyes when Esther rushed in, wailing loudly. “What’s wrong now?” she asked Rachel who’d accompanied her weeping sister.

  “Giles is off to Argyll with Gray,” Rachel replied.

  Still sobbing, Esther slumped into an upholstered chair. Rachel tried to console her.

  “I’m surprised Sarah and Munro gave permission for that,” Faith said, setting aside her sewing, “but I can see Giles wanting to go on the expedition.”

  The wailing grew louder. “What if he doesna come back?”

  Faith’s inclination was to igno
re her sister’s histrionics, but her foster parents’ unexpected entry with Quinn Guthrie sent her pulse racing again.

  Esther’s sobbing achieved its purpose. The visitors sought to console her.

  “Giles will come back safely,” Jewel assured Esther. “Munro wouldn’t have allowed him to participate otherwise.”

  “Ye’ve taken a fancy to young Giles, have ye?” Mr. Guthrie asked.

  “Aye,” Esther whimpered. “We plan to marry.”

  Jewel frowned. “That’s as may be, but he’ll be off to university in Glasgow next year.”

  Her words took the wind out of Esther’s sails and the wailing ceased.

  Mr. Guthrie sauntered over to sit across from Faith. “And what about ye, young lady? I expect Garnet will be casting about for a husband for ye soon. Has some handsome fellow drawn yer eye?”

  Esther snorted. “She fancies herself in love with Gray.”

  “’Twas unkind, Esther,” Garnet scolded.

  Her sister folded her arms and pouted.

  Faith expected Mr. Guthrie to be shocked and annoyed, but he smiled. “Weel, if ye like the mon, what I have to ask might not be an onerous task.”

  It was a relief he hadn’t truly understood Esther’s spiteful remark, but Faith wondered what task he might expect of her.

  “Gray’s mission is to infiltrate Argyll’s army as a recruit,” he explained.

  Her throat constricted. She’d known instinctively Gray was more than a messenger. “I see,” was all she could manage.

  “I kent it,” Esther exclaimed. “My Giles will be in danger.”

  Jewel grimaced. “Can ye leave us?” she asked Faith’s sisters. “We’ve private matters to discuss.”

  Esther and Rachel understood their foster mother’s words weren’t intended as a question. Sulking, they left the parlor.

  Needing to have something in her hands, Faith picked up her sewing and waited.

  “Mr. Guthrie’s plan is for a lass to go with Gray, to pose as his wife so suspicions aren’t raised,” Garnet explained.

  Jealousy surged. If anyone was to pose as Gray’s wife, it should be…

  Her eyes widened when the meaning of his words sank in. “Ye’re asking me?”

  She already knew the answer, but why choose her?

  Did Gray suggest me?

  “We need someone with courage, and ye are the daughter of Michael Cameron. The Covenanters willna question yer loyalty,” Mr. Guthrie said.

  Once again my parentage rises up to bite me.

  “Giles will pose as yer cousin” Jewel said.

  I can only agree if Gray wants me to go.

  “Is Gray in favor of my going?”

  Jewel and her husband exchanged a brief glance that provided the answer.

  “He prefers to go alone, but we’ve convinced him otherwise,” Mr. Guthrie said.

  “Then I’ll go,” Faith replied, resigned to the lunacy of her craving.

  Jewel gasped. “But we havna explained all the dangers, and what’s expected of ye.”

  “No need,” Mr. Guthrie replied. “This brave young woman realizes where her patriotic duty lies. She’s a true Scot.”

  Faith could imagine her father’s pious reaction. No daughter of mine will spy on behalf of a Catholic king.

  However, at heart she was no longer Michael Cameron’s daughter. Not one person in the Pendray household had tried to impose their religion on her. She doubted she’d ever convert to the Auld Religion, but the rigidity of her parents’ Covenanter beliefs had led to hardship and death for them and many other Scots. Now, Argyll and Monmouth planned to stir up old hatreds and resentments and topple the Catholic king from his throne.

  Her uncle Richard and her father would have rushed to aid Argyll.

  Faith’s loyalty lay with the Pendrays.

  After everyone left, she mulled over her decision. She couldn’t deny the nervous fear lodged in her stomach. However, a calm certainty she was equal to the task overrode her qualms.

  She anticipated a summons to her foster mother’s solar later that afternoon.

  Garnet’s presence standing by the empty hearth didn’t come as a surprise, but Faith took courage from his welcoming smile. “Take a seat,” he said. “We’ve matters to discuss.”

  As she sat in one of the upholstered chairs, Faith risked a glance at her foster mother, perplexed by Jewel’s frown. It suggested her foster parents might be on opposing sides of whatever argument was looming.

  Raised in the rigidly strict Cameron household, Faith had always been obedient and self-effacing. After mulling over the assignment, she’d decided it was time to fight for what she wanted. Garnet had encouraged her to do so, and she had to follow her heart. “Ye both ken I’ve always loved Gray,” she began, trying to ignore the deafening pulse in her ears.

  “’Tisna that simple,” Jewel retorted. “Ye were just a bairn when he rescued ye in Edinburgh. My brother became yer hero.”

  Emboldened by Garnet’s silence, Faith soldiered on. “I dinna wish to quarrel with ye, but when ye first set eyes on Garnet, did ye nay ken he was the right mon?”

  Her husband arched both brows, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth as he looked at his wife. “Interesting question. Did ye ken I was the one?”

  Jewel blushed and averted her eyes from her husband’s insistent gaze. “’Tisna the same thing.”

  Faith pouted. “Ye think I’m still a bairn.”

  “She’s right,” Garnet said. “What’s more, ye think yer brother is still a lad. Can ye nay see he’s a man grown who’s drawn to Faith?”

  Jewel stood abruptly and stamped her foot. “But he’s promised to Meaghan Guthrie.”

  Garnet narrowed his eyes. “I ken ye and Beatris and Quinn think of Meaghan and Gray as a couple, but have ye asked yer brother about his feelings—and if aught has actually been agreed upon with the Guthries?”

  Relieved to have her foster father as a champion, Faith watched indecision play across Jewel’s face. She took a deep breath and hoped she could explain. “’Tis true I loved Gray for rescuing me, but the feelings I have for him now are different. I just canna imagine life without him.”

  Her foster parents exchanged a glance, then Jewel slumped back into her chair. “Seems there’s nay choice but to let ye go with him.”

  The usual hum of conversation filled the dining hall during the evening meal, except barely a word was exchanged between the members of the family.

  Gray was too preoccupied with what he should say at the strategy meeting scheduled for after the meal. He still thought going to Argyll alone was the best option—with Faith and Giles along, he’d have two other people to worry about. However, there was merit in Quinn’s plan. Most of the recruits would be family men with worldly concerns on their shoulders.

  If anything, Giles might be too enthusiastic and too ready to make his own decisions—a positive trait, but one that had the potential to endanger them all.

  As for Faith, the main challenge would be to keep his hands off her. He assumed she’d agreed to participate in order to be near him, although perhaps he was selling her short. She wasn’t a shallow nitwit who didn’t understand the perils this excursion entailed.

  It was possible she saw this as a way to repay him for her rescue years ago, or that Quinn had approached Faith in order to put her in harm’s way—neither scenario rang true.

  These nonsensical quandaries robbed him of his appetite. He rose from the table, nodded to his parents and made his way to the Map Room.

  Designed for studying maps and charts, the small space was furnished with one large high table, but no chairs.

  Once everyone arrived, the women stood together, Jewel holding Faith’s hand.

  Gray was aware his mother had spent several hours speaking with Faith earlier in the day, no doubt about what to expect from life among camp followers. It eased some of his fears. She couldn’t have had a more forthright teacher.

  The urge to beg Faith to reconsider h
er commitment warred with an inner desire to have her by his side as his comrade—but this wasn’t the time or place for either discussion.

  Giles’ bright eyes darted here and there. Munro had his hand on the youth’s shoulder and the two kept grinning at each other. It was Giles’ first decision-making meeting of any kind at Kilmer and was clearly seen as a rite of passage by the lad and his foster father.

  Gray chose to ignore a twinge of jealousy. He was happy for Munro and the relationship he enjoyed with Giles. He smiled at Faith, encouraged that she didn’t seem nervous. “We’d all better get some sleep so we can be on the road well before dawn on the morrow,” he said.

  Quinn frowned, perhaps somewhat put out Gray had taken charge of the meeting. “Aye. Ye should be gone before most folk are out and about. They think Gray is going to meet with the marquess, which is true, but seeing Faith and Giles depart too will raise questions. Never know who to trust these days.”

  Gray’s father bristled at the notion there might be an enemy spy within Kilmer, but Covenanter waters ran deep. Religious convictions could lead a man to heinous acts. The Covenanters who kidnapped Jewel four years ago had previously assassinated an archbishop, and boasted of it.

  After a brief discussion about other details of the plan, the meeting broke up. Faith lingered and approached him, a determination in her eyes he hadn’t seen before. “Ye needna worry about me. I’ll do my part.”

  “I ken,” he replied. “I just wish you weren’t coming with us.”

  She averted her gaze and was gone before he could explain he’d prefer she remain safe in Kilmer.

  Tearful Goodbye

  May 17th 1685

  Clad in simple homespun garments, Gray and his “family” departed before dawn the next day. Esther sulked for a long while upon learning Faith would be going with Giles, but she and her sisters turned up to say goodbye. Esther and Rachel took turns to peck a kiss on her cheek. Maggie wept openly when they hugged.

  Her foster parents embraced her. “We’re very proud,” Garnet said. “’Tis a brave thing ye’re doing.”