“Perhaps we should,” Justin agreed.
As soon as she felt clean enough, Paisley walked back out of the water and let her sister gently dry off her sore back while she dried her hair and her front.
Not until Paisley was completely dressed did her sister shout, “You may look now.”
ADAIR AND ROSS MACDUFF were having a terrible time deciding which Graham cows they wanted. Just when they chose one, the cow wandered off into the herd. Ross ran this way while Adair ran that and at last, they managed to pin the unruly heifer near a tree. Ross tied one end of the rope around the cow’s neck while Adair tied the other end to the tree. Naturally, that wore them both completely out and they were forced to sit down in the pasture to rest.
“That is our only rope,” said Adair.
“I know!” a frustrated Ross shot back. “Have we anything to barter for more rope?”
“Only our weapons and who would want them?” Adair looked down at his bent sword and shrugged. “Aleen might take mine, she comments on it often.”
“She laughs at it, you mean.”
Adair started to argue and then realized his brother was right. “We should have asked for beef and rope.”
“I think she would have preferred me,” Ross muttered, scratching the side of his beard.
“Who?”
“Aleen.”
“Aye, but her husband forbids it. Do you see how he glares when we go near her?” asked Adair.
Ross changed hands and scratched the other side of his beard. “Why does he do that, do you suppose?”
“All lads worry their wives will be carried off, witless.”
“Witless? If you are so wise, why did you not ask Laird Graham for rope? How are we to get the cows home without more rope?”
Adair wrinkled his brow. “Perhaps we could take one at a time?”
“Perhaps we can at that. ‘Twould mean five trips, but we’ve nothing better to do.”
Chisholm was so tired when he got home, he fell asleep the moment he stretched out on his bed. She was safe and nothing else mattered. By the time he awoke and went back outside, the MacDuff brothers were on their horses trying to pull an unwilling cow behind them. He watched them choose the path that would take them home and kept watching until they were out of sight.
There were people still in the marketplace, perhaps more than usual for that time of day and when he went to a table and took an apple, he realized everyone was talking about Paisley’s remarkable rescue. Yet more than what happened to her, they wondered to whom Laird MacGreagor would give the golden chalice.
That was one thing Chisholm had not thought about nor did he care. He would much rather have Justin’s daughter than his gold. The question now was, how long should he wait to pay his beloved a visit? Was tomorrow too soon? No, he should give her at least three days to recover. From the way she thanked him only hours before, it was not likely she would choose another man in the next three days. Indeed, he would wait and let her rest, although being away from her was already becoming maddening.
NEVER HAD THE CLAN been so happy as to watch Paisley come home and as soon as they arrived, the uncle Justin left in charge lifted her down and hugged her. Then she was hugged by each of her brothers and her aunts, all of whom were warned about her bruised chin. She patiently answered her youngest brother’s endless questions until Sawney took pity and sent him off to play. Instead of going inside, she wanted to walk the stiffness out and Sawney wanted to be with her.
“Can you ever forgive me?” said Sawney, walking arm and arm with her into the glen.
“Can you ever forgive me, I lost your belt?”
“Mine is worse, I lost a sister.”
“Did father yell at you?”
“Nay, he was very kind, which made me feel worse. He takes the blame on himself saying he should have sent a lad with you instead of a laddie.”
“He called you a laddie? We must think of a way to get even.”
Sawney made her stop, hugged her again and then let go. “I am so happy to have you back. I find no joy in trickery without you.”
“And I am happy to be back, though I do not suppose I will go to the grave yard again anytime soon.”
“I do not blame you.” He started them walking again and made certain there were ample guards in the glen this time.
Perplexed, Paisley pointed at a woman. “Who is that?”
“That is laird Monro’s daughter, Blanka.”
“With Thomas, the same Thomas you hoped I would favor?”
“Aye, they have been together constantly. Thomas is to guard her and I suspect it is not a chore he regrets. He smiles often as does she, but I fear what will happen.”
“How so?”
“Her father, Laird Monro, expects Father to marry her.”
“So she is the one. Tell me all of it and do not leave out the least detail.”
ONCE THE GREETINGS were over, Justin went inside the Keep to pour himself a goblet of wine. He was still enraged, but a little calmer now. With just family in the room, he could relax and collect his thoughts.
Moan listened while Ginnion quietly explained Justin’s ire. He could certainly see why Justin was upset and he was reluctant to tell his laird more bad news, but it had to be done. Moan waited until Justin sat down and drank half a goblet of wine. He knew he would be expected to report, but he waited a while longer until Ginnion and Shaw also took a seat. “The lad who cut Sawney escaped.”
Justin’s jaw dropped. “How?”
Moan sat down at the table and shook his head. “He had help...he must have. There is a hole in the back wall and we left nothing inside for him to use to dig it. I saw to that myself.”
“Were there no guards?”
“Aye, but they had no cause to watch the back. Who could have guessed we have a...” Moan was hesitant to finish his sentence.
“A traitor?”
“Aye.”
Justin closed his eyes and slowly shook his head.
“We cannot be certain it was one of us, “Shaw reminded, “it might have been another MacAlister who rescued him.”
“Then why did we not find another horse or the lad when we searched for Paisley, and how did he know where we took the one we caught? Nay, we have a traitor and we best find out who it is before more trouble befalls us.”
CHAPTER X
ONCE SHE WAS SETTLED in her bed, Justin went into her bedchamber, put a chair next to her and sat down. “Now I will hear all of it.”
“Well, I awoke in a bed on the fourth floor of the castle. I knew it was the fourth floor because...”
He listened intently, questioned her in some areas and when she seemed annoyed, he let it go. Having the whole story at last, he kissed her forehead. “Would you like me to stay until you fall asleep?”
“You have nothing better to do?”
Justin smiled. Her former good humor was back and he was glad. He put the chair away just as Blanka came in. “I am happy to know she will not be alone in the night.”
“I will see to her.”
“She may cry out.”
“I will calm her. Sometimes a lass needs another lass to talk to.”
“Tell me, are you being well cared for? I’d not like your father to be further upset when I...”
“When you decline his offer?”
Justin had not meant to be so blunt. “Forgive me.”
“Laird MacGreagor, I am certain you are a very good lad but I do not want to marry you and I very much hope you will not think unkindly of me. I love another.”
“Then we agree.” He was so tired, he neglected to ask whom she loved and he did not care, so long as it was not him.
His relief was so evident when he walked out the door, Blanka could not help but giggle. She glanced at Paisley, noticed she was already asleep and quietly began to undress for bed.
MORNING WAS UNUSUALLY quiet in the MacGreagor glen. To awake in her own bed seemed a miracle and the first thing Paisley saw was a new Ma
cGreagor belt draped over the back of her chair. She smiled. She was not as sore as the day before, yet she was not her old self again either. As soon as she dressed, she went down to the great hall.
Abruptly, she stopped on the bottom step. Her four aunts, Blanka and her sister were seated at the table, but there were no men. Paisley walked across the room and found an empty seat next to her sister. “How many did he take?”
“Just three,” Ceanna answered.
“Your uncles,” said Brenna.
“Save for my husband,” Carley added. “He left Moan in command again.”
Paisley hung her head. “I tried not to tell him, but...”
Leslie put her hand on her sister’s. “We know, dear one, but it is what lads do.”
“Particularly our lads,” said Patches. “Did we wake you? We sent everyone outside so you could sleep.”
“Nay, you did not wake me.”
Waiting for Paisley to wake up gave the women a chance to talk and they decided not to ply her with questions. They knew parts of the story, the parts the men told, but not the rest if it. She would tell them everything when she was ready, they all agreed. Yet they were extremely curious and could hardly find anything else to talk about.
“Twill be another fine day,” Brenna said.
“A hot one, you mean.” Paisley nodded her appreciation to the server who placed a bowl in front of her. She knew her family well and knew they were dying to ask what happened but, she thought, let them wait a little longer. The soft barley porridge and milk went down easy and tasted wonderful. She ate another spoonful and another before she thought of something, quickly swallowed and giggled.
“What?” Nearly all of them asked at once.
“‘Tis true MacAlister killed his wife, but can you guess why?”
“Nay,” Ceanna said while the others shook their heads.
Paisley turned in her chair, scanned the room to be certain there were no men listening before she answered, “She liked for the lads to watch her bathe.”
Everyone gasped and then erupted in embarrassed giggles, which soon turned to loud laughter. None of them noticed the server slip out the back door so she could be the first to tell the best gossip she had heard in years.
Their laughter brought Sawney and Moan inside and before long, the room was filled with people all wanting to hear everything there was to hear first hand. Paisley made light of the scary things, mentioned Laird Keith only briefly and heaped mountains of praise on the man who let her go. She left out the part about Chisholm holding her and instead made them laugh with her description of the dog.
Still, she wished she were back in Chisholm’s arms. He made her feel safer than anyone else, even her father. She wondered where Chisholm was and how many days it would be before he came to see her.
Sawney set the golden chalice down in front of her and it was Paisley’s turn to gasp. “Never have I seen anything so handsome as this. Where did Father get it?”
Sawney shrugged. “It seems Father has more secrets than we suspected. Shall we search his bedchamber while he is gone?”
His eyes danced with mischief and it made her laugh. “Never have I been brave enough to do that. Think what he would do to us; a month of cleaning up after the horses, in the very least.”
Sawney laughed with her but then got serious again. “Sister, there is one thing I do not understand, “How did Laird MacAlister know you do not like mutton?”
The room suddenly got quiet. “I cannot even guess. I told him I was already married too, but he dismissed my protests. At the time I thought he meant to make me commit bigamy, but it is odd he knew so much about me.”
Sawney glanced at his aunt Carley and then looked down. “We have a traitor.”
“What?” Paisley asked.
“We have guards everywhere, how else could the MacAlisters get so close to you?” He said no more, but now that he thought about it, the speed with which Neasan got to him after he whistled seemed extraordinary. Neasan’s mother and his aunt Carley were close friends and Sawney wanted neither of them hurt, but if the MacGreagors had a traitor, they all needed to know.
Sawney stayed and listened to the conversation until Paisley began to repeat herself. Then he wandered back outside. He took the path that led to the river, found the large flat rock his father preferred and sat down. Normally the rushing river had a calming effect, but not this time. Sawney did not like the feeling of being betrayed and needed to think it through. The question was, what did Neasan hope to gain by Paisley’s abduction?
Sawney‘s eyes suddenly widened. He hoped to start a war with the Kennedys and it did not work. Men sometimes complained about the lack of excitement and war was anything but dull. On the other hand, Justin just left to kill a Keith and perhaps Neasan’s intent would be accomplished after all. Suddenly, Sawney could not wait for his father to come home.
CHISHOLM DID NOT COME that morning even to inquire about her and Paisley was disappointed. Even if the dog came running to greet her, she would have found some measure of closeness to Chisholm, but alas, there were no visitors at all.
It was odd how much she missed him. The memory of him finding her and holding her tight for such a long time played over and over in her mind. She remembered wanting to touch the side of his face before he went his separate way, as though it was the most natural thing in the world. She had only seen him twice, so how was it possible to have such a yearning for him?
“Paisley?”
“What?” Sawney was standing over her looking down and she suddenly realized she was laying on her back in the glen.
“Are you unwell?”
“Nay, I only wanted to watch the clouds. They drift past so quickly and I hardly ever take the time to watch them. We used to watch them all the time when we were little.”
He shook his head to let the guards know not to be concerned, sat down and then stretched out beside her. “I remember. Perhaps we should not have given up childish things as quickly as we did.”
“Aye, but we longed to be all grown up.” She watched the clouds a while longer before she asked, “Sawney, what do you suppose love is like?”
He lifted his head and nodded, “Like that.”
Paisley followed his gaze to Blanka and Thomas who were standing so close together they might as well have been embracing. “It does look like love.”
“Father hardly said a word to her last night as we ate. He does not prefer her, does he?”
“He only preferred our mother. What are we to do, then?”
“Do? Why should we do anything?” Sawney asked.
“We must save him from an unhappy marriage and besides, I would like something more to think about than what happened to me.”
“Very well then, I say we find the priest, let Thomas and Blanka marry and all will be settled.”
“Aye, save what her father will do.”
“There is that.” Sawney turned on his side to look at her. “Where do you suppose the priest to be this time of year?”
“I never had cause to care where he was, but he cannot be very far away.”
“He is at the Graham keep,” Thomas said, both he and Blanka appearing above them.
The mere mention of Chisholm’s home, made Paisley smile. “Join us, the grass is soft, the clouds are glorious and I would like your company.”
Blanka sank to her knees, turned and soon she was lying down next to Paisley with Thomas doing the same on the other side of her. “They are beautiful. I do not believe I have ever done this.”
“Not ever?” asked Paisley.
“Father would never allow such a thing. You do not know how free you are here.” She felt Thomas touch her hand with his little finger and didn’t move her hand away. Instead, she smiled at him.
“We were just discussing you. My father does not wish to marry and from the looks of the two...” Sawney started. Perhaps he had gone too far.
Thomas turned on his side facing the other three, bent his arm
and rested his head on his hand. “Go on, you were about to say from the looks of the two of us, you were thinking what?”
“That we should find the priest and get you married before her father comes back.”
When neither of them said anything, Paisley asked, “Is it not what you want?”
“Aye,” said Thomas, “but I have not yet asked her.”
“Then ask her now,” Sawney said. “She might say nay, but I have heard it is a wager all lads must make.”
“I would not say nay,” Blanka said.
All three of them settled down on their backs again and let the clouds drift by, but this time Thomas had Blanka’s whole hand in his.
“Will your father kill my father?” Paisley finally asked.
Blanka rolled her eyes. “If he can. We must keep them apart until Father has calmed.”
Paisley hesitated to say anything until her thoughts were fully formed, but she could find no fault in her idea. “We could ride to the Graham keep, you could marry there and neither of our fathers would be the wiser.”
“We?” asked Sawney. “This will be a bloody glen if Father finds you were in danger again.”
“We can take a guard,” said Paisley.
“You are not yet well,” Blanka argued.
“I am well enough and I want to go.”
“To feast your eyes on Laird Graham?” Sawney teased.
“Nay, to see a dog named, Mutton, and to thank the MacDuff brothers for helping Laird Graham find me. ‘Tis the least I can do.”
Sawney did not believe a word of it. “And just perhaps feast your eyes on Laird Graham while you are there?”
Paisley giggled, “Perhaps.”
“Could we go and come back before Justin returns?” asked Thomas.
Sawney sat up and looked around. Six guards surrounded them, although they were closer to the edge of the forest than to them. “The guards will tell him anyway and I say if we are about to die, we might as well have an adventure first.”
Thomas wasn’t so sure they should do it, but if it was the only way to have Blanka for his wife he decided he was willing. As soon as he helped her get up, he and his bride-to-be followed Sawney and Paisley toward the far end of the glen.
Abducted, Book 8 Page 13
