His Highland Lass (The Clan Sinclair Book 1)

by Celeste Barclay

  The trio made their way down the steps to the inner bailey. The keep was designed in three parts with the original tower on the left closest to the gate. The midsection of the keep was boxier with three stories. There were arrow slits on the second story and proper windows on the third. Mairghread’s chamber was on the second floor and had two arrow slits. She assumed the laird’s family chambers were on the third floor and benefited from proper windows. The third section of the keep was clearly the kitchens. As they turned in that direction, Mairghread waited for Alan to tell her about what they passed, but his attention was everywhere but on her. She realized that she actually appreciated the respite from talking as she did not really have anything to say to him. She looked at each of the buildings that they passed. Just outside the kitchen were large ovens that were used to bake the day’s bread. Tucked behind the kitchens, close to the bailey wall, was the laundry. She could see women working at a cauldron over a large fire. There were two women with large wooden spoons the length of a man stirring the contents. There were another five who stood over a trough scraping clothes along washboards. Finally, she could see four more women moving along the clothes lines taking down dry clothes and replacing them with the wet ones. It reminded her of home. She had often helped the women with the laundry. While they would never let her do any of the actual washing, she did help with the clothes lines. Directly across from the laundry, she could hear the noise and feel the heat coming from the blacksmith’s forge. The din was almost overwhelming. The blacksmith and what looked to be three apprentices were busy working on horseshoes and swords. The apprentices resembled the blacksmith with a shocking blaze of carrot orange hair. Must be his sons, she thought. Next came a series of small buildings with no one about. She assumed these were storage buildings. They most likely held seed, threshed wheat, shorn wool, and any other items that there was an abundance of that could not be kept in the keep’s storage areas. Mairghread had noticed the stables when they came through the portcullis. She longed to check on her horse, Firelight. She would ask Alan on their way back.

  Alan yanked on her arm to draw her to the left. He pulled hard enough that she almost stumbled. Rather than slow down or apologize, he huffed and made a sound of impatience. Mairghread clearly heard her brother growl from behind them. She sensed more than saw Magnus close the gap between them. If Alan stopped abruptly, Magnus would plow into him. For a second, Mairghread was tempted to make that happen. However, she did not want to antagonize Alan. She did not yet know if he had a temper. She got the distinct feeling that he was the type of man who did so she simply kept moving.

  They approached the gardens and Alan opened the gate but did not wait for Mairghread to pass through first. In fact, the gate almost slammed shut on her. Magnus’s arm shot forward to push the gate back open and let her pass through. She could only raise her eyebrows at her brother as she said thank you.

  “Are ye coming or just going to wait at the entrance? Ye said ye wanted to see the gardens. Here they are.”

  Alan’s tone was anything but inviting. Mairghread was quickly running out of patience for all things Mackay, well, all things Mackay other than Tristan.

  Chapter Three

  Alan spent all of twenty minutes in Mairghread’s and Magnus’s company once they entered the garden. He excused himself with a trite “I must check on the men.” He quickly skedaddled moving as though his pants were on fire. The siblings wandered through the garden at a leisurely pace. They were just under a year apart in age and were almost more like twins than anything else. They had been constant companions from the time that Mairghread could crawl fast enough to catch up to a toddling Magnus. She was close to all of her brothers, but she and Magnus were inseparable except for when they had to be or Magnus went out gallivanting with the other men. Mairghread knew exactly what they got up to as she had made the mistake of following Magnus when she was four and ten and he was five and ten. She got more of an eye full than she had ever expected when she showed up at the back of the alehouse in the village. There was Magnus with his plaid thrown up to his shoulders, arse to the wind, thrusting into a barmaid. She had been so shocked that she had not made a sound for at least a good thirty seconds, and then she had squeaked. She had never squeaked in her life, but she did then. Magnus whirled around to see his sister wide eyed and open mouthed. He did not know what to do. The top half of him wanted to run after his sister and apologize of all things, but the bottom half of him wanted to finish what he had started. At five and ten, it took him but a couple more minutes to finish what he had started and he dashed off after his sister without a word or a coin to the barmaid. He had quickly caught up to his sister and pulled her to a stop. A conversation that neither had ever thought they would have ensued. Magnus explained the mechanics to her and much, much more. With no living mother to explain these things to Mairghread and a father who would never, could never, have such a conversation with his daughter, the responsibility fell onto Magnus’s young shoulders. Mairghread learned more about the goings on between a man and a woman than she could ever imagine. While Magnus admitted that he was not the most experienced, he had now done it enough times to give quite a bit of insight. Magnus answered each and every question that Mairghread had, and there were quite a lot. By the end, Mairghread understood that there was more to coupling than just the breeding she had seen between horses in the pastures and the cattle on the hills.

  “Do ye suppose he went to check on his men or did he have a wench to tup?”

  “Yer intended does seem to have quite a relationship with many of the women of this clan. There were at least two that I saw in the keep that he clearly kens intimately. I believe I saw at least five more in various parts of the bailey that looked at him either with desire or revulsion. Both looks lead me to believe that he kens them quite well.”

  They found a bench next to a rose bush and took a seat. Mairghread turned her face towards the sun. She had never cared that too much sun brought out freckles. She believed the feeling of sun on her skin was one of the best she knew. She would soak up as much as she could in the spring and summer months before losing the sun’s rays for most of autumn and almost all of winter.

  “I dinna think he will be giving up his women once we marry.” This caused Mairghread a great deal of sadness. While she did not believe she had to have a love match, she did believe she should have a faithful husband. Even though she knew many men were unfaithful to their wives, especially noblemen, it was simply not done within her clan. A man who could not keep the vow he made before God, his bride, and his clan was a man without honor. A man without honor was no real Highlander.

  “Perhaps ye will win him over with yer beauty and knowledge.” Magnus smirked down at her. While she had no first hand carnal knowledge, she and Magnus had had several conversations beyond the one in the village after the incident at the alehouse. Magnus had been open with her as he wanted her to be prepared for whatever might be in store for her. He did not want his sister to ever be taken advantage of and he wished her a happy marriage. A happy marriage bed was part of a happy marriage or so he had been told by the married guardsman.

  “I dinna think that will be enough fer him to change his ways. I dinna think he realizes that his ways could use a change. And if he does, I dinna think he wants to change.”

  “Ye may very well be right aboot that. Can ye come to live with that?”

  “Do I really have any choice?”

  “Nay, I suppose ye dinna. Do ye think ye could find happiness here anyway?”

  Magnus wrapped his arm around Mairghread’s shoulder, and she leaned into him. She always found great comfort in hugs from her father and brothers. Perhaps it was because they were so much larger than she. It always gave her a great sense of security and belonging when they wrapped their strong arms around her. This time was no different. She realized with a pang how badly she would miss this once she married and they left. What comfort would she find in her new home?

  “I couldnae
say at this point. I might be able to find contentment, but I dinna ken whether I can be happy with a philandering husband. It is not simply that I would be marrying a man I believe to be without honor. It is the humiliation of kenning that everyone in the clan kens of his faithlessness. It is the humiliation of having to be near his women, of them kenning they are enough to make him stray from me. That I amnae enough to keep him in ma bed and ma bed alone.”

  “It is nae too late to speak to Da. Ye ken he loves ye dearly and would never wish ye a miserable life. He could decline the offer and we could all return home.”

  “Ye ken I canna ask that. The whole point of this marriage is to end the strife between our clans. Turning away now would just be an insult. I doubt Laird Mackay or Sir Alan would stand fer it. I am as stuck here as I am in a bog.” Mairghread heaved a heavy sigh and stood.

  With that they exited the garden. They were just in time to see Alan duck into the stables pushing a giggling woman ahead of him.

  Chapter Four

  Tristan could not get Mairghread out of his mind. Sitting at his desk in his solar with her father and three other brothers certainly did little to lessen the distraction that she posed. The five men had settled in to draft the betrothal contract. Tristan believed that Alan should be present for this as it would be his marriage, but since he was showing Mairghread the gardens, it seemed fine to begin without him.

  The men worked through the details for almost three hours before there was any sort of agreement. At times the conversation became tense, but Laird Sinclair was adamant that the dower lands he offered would remain in trust for any daughters that Mairghread and Alan might have. They were not to be used by the Mackays other than for farming or grazing. No crofters or keeps could be placed on the land if they were to be built by Mackays. The Sinclairs, without actually coming out and saying it, did not want any Mackays making their home that close to the Sinclairs’ land. The Sinclairs might be willing to form an alliance, but they did not entirely trust the Mackays. Once again the notion that Mairghread was the sacrificial lamb came floating into Tristan’s mind. Laird Sinclair might trust the Mackays with his daughter’s future, but he did not trust them with the future of his land. Tristan would have felt insulted on Mairghread’s behalf if he had not already seen how much the man loved his daughter. He knew that the man was also doing this to safeguard Mairghread’s future. If she were to die and Alan remarried, any daughters they had might be at risk of being sent off to a convent or given in a hurried marriage so they would not interfere with the new marriage. While he did not foresee that happening in his lifetime, he was a laird and a warrior. He could not know just how long that life might be. This land would be a safe dowry for those daughters. It would also be a place that Mairghread or her future daughters could go if they needed a different home. Tristan could not foresee that eventuality either, but it clearly made her father feel better. He could not begrudge the man that. He thought he might do the same if he had a daughter one day.

  A daughter? Sons? I’ve been careful thus far to make sure I havenae had any. But one day. Will I find a woman as fair as Mairghread fer maself? I’m going to have to watch her marry ma arse of a stepbrother and grow round with his bairns. I’m going to have to watch as he breaks her heart time and again with his cheating and drinking. God only kens how she’ll be able to get along with Beatris. Maybe she’ll have the patience that I dinna. I’m torturing maself already. Mayhap she isnae as great as she seems. Mayhap I willna covet ma brother’s wife once I see the real Mairghread. This could all be fer show and a different side will come out once she settles here. Mayhap I will be the lucky one not to have married her.

  Even as these last thoughts ran through his head, he knew them to be false. He was simply trying to talk himself out of the infatuation he could feel developing. Tristan had bedded his fair share and then some of women. He was not some green lad chasing after his first skirt. At eight and twenty, he had almost half a lifetime of experience with women. Even with this experience, he could not shake how strongly he was drawn to his brother’s intended. Instinct told him that Mairghread was as good and pure of heart and character as he had seen so far. If anything, he knew he would find her even better as he got to know her.

  Perhaps I could build a manor house fer them somewhere beyond the crofts. Then they could move there and I wouldnae have to see them together. I wouldnae need to see her everyday if I provide them with servants. They could live, sleep, and eat there. Alan would come up to the lists every day and I would have to suffer through his bragging, but I wouldnae have to see her. Not only would that solve the issue of seeing Mairghread, but I ken that Beatris would follow them to the house. That alone would make this worthwhile.

  Once again, he knew these thoughts to be false. He could not relegate Mairghread to some manor house where she would be forced to live in such a small space with her mother-by-marriage, her husband, and any and all of the women he was bedding at the time. At least the large keep might make it a little less obvious how many affairs his stepbrother would have over the years. That thought brought bile to the back of his throat and he nearly gagged. Mairghread did not deserve the husband she was about to be stuck with.

  “Laird Mackay? Didna ye hear what I said? I’ve said it thrice already,” Laird Sinclair said with impatience.

  “Nay. Ma apologies but ma mind wandered there fer a moment. I’m sorry but could ye repeat yerself? Again.” Tristan cringed a bit at that.

  “I said I would like to wait a fortnight before this is signed and a moon before the wedding takes place. I would be sure that ma daughter is satisfied with this arrangement before we make it permanent and I leave her here in yer keeping.” Tristan knew the stress on the word “you” meant that the man had little faith in his stepbrother and he would hold Tristan personally responsible for anything bad that might happen to Mairghread. He also knew that once she was wedded and bedded, there would be little that he could do as she would become Alan’s property. Unless he beat her, there was nothing he could do to make it a happy marriage. He did not want to be his brother’s keeper and he did not think he could be successful banning Alan from sleeping with other women. Alan was devious and would find a way around it.

  “Laird Sinclair, I will do ma vera best to ensure that Mairghread is well taken care of here at Castle Verrich.” That was the best that he could offer. He noticed that the fact that his pledge stated that she would be well taken care at the keep but did not mention his stepbrother did not go undetected by Laird Sinclair.

  “Call me Liam. We are to be kin and allies soon.” No mention of being friends. Tristan sighed.

  “And ye can call me Tristan.” What the bluidy hell have I gotten maself into?

  Chapter Five

  The men exited the solar in time to see Magnus and Mairghread enter the great hall. Tristan scanned to see if Alan was already inside or following behind them. He was nowhere in sight. It had been several hours since he had entered his solar for the negotiations and Alan had taken Mairghread to the garden. He had expected Alan to join them in the solar once they had returned from the garden, but he never showed up.

  Mairghread and Magnus walked up to their family and Laird Mackay. Tristan could see that she had gotten a few new freckles today. The realization that he knew that was a bit unsettling to him, but he was sure of it. She smelled of lavender and heather and now fresh air. Her cheeks were pink and her open mouthed smiled show two rows of perfectly shaped white teeth.

  “Da, Firelight and Tavish found two mares that they’re rather fond of! Laird Mackay, ye might have two new foals on the way before ma kin leaves!” She laughed and Tristan thought it was the sound of a faerie’s bell. He also did not miss the use of the term of affection for her father.

  Tristan paused though. Something she said struck him as odd. “Tavish?” He looked at the brother that had been with him for the past three hours.

  She laughed once again. “Aye. Tavish, the stallion.” She looked at her
brother and laughed even harder. “I mean Tavish, the horse, is rather taken with yer dappled mare, and ma horse rather fancies yer fawn colored mare.”

  Tristan looked at the family still in some confusion. “Ye have a horse and a brother named Tavish? I dinna ken how that is.”

  It was Magnus’s turn to laugh now as Tavish, the brother, glared at him. It was a long running family joke and cause of annoyance for Tavish, the brother.

  “Tavish is ma horse. Da gave me the horse when I was seven. At the time, Tavish over here was ma favorite brother. A week later ma favorite changed, and I tried to change the horse’s name to Callum, but it would only respond to Tavish. So it stuck.”

  Tristan tried hard not to laugh as he did not want to do it at the other man’s expense. It took a great deal of effort, and he almost choked.

  Tears twinkled in Mairghread’s eyes as she looked over at Tristan. “Go ahead and laugh. Ye ken that ye’re bursting to do it. The only one who never laughs is Tavish. Ma brother, not the horse that is.” With that she laughed again.

  Tristan could no longer contain it after hearing her infectious giggle. He chuckled too.