Fearghas reluctantly went into the great hall and did as she ordered.
“There is nay need tae be sae rough,” she told the guard. She heard grumbling behind her, but she ignored it. “’Tis best if everyone remains civil.”
“Thank ye, mistress,” the young woman said, taking in a staggering breath as her infant continued to wail. She gripped the bairn tighter to her chest, shifting from one foot to the other in an attempt to calm the newborn. She started to say something more when Iagan’s deep voice interrupted them.
“I’ll take care of this,” he said to the guards.
The guards relaxed and eased away from the mother and child. The baby was still screaming as Iagan ushered them a little away from the crowd. At this point, Kila should have gone on her way, but something made her stay. William’s cousin spoke quietly to the woman, but whatever he said to her caused her to quake with grief, and she burst into tears.
What could Iagan have possibly said to the woman to make her so upset? As she continued to watch the couple, she noticed the angry tension starting to fill his body. If there were no witnesses, she was certain that he would have struck the young woman. This wasn’t a man she knew.
Isabel tugged at her sleeve. “I dinnae want tae stay here. Can we go now?” she asked.
“Aye,” she said. “Let’s go.”
Unable to help it, she glanced over at the woman and infant one last time. Iagan had left her, but she was leaning against the corridor wall. And then as if she no longer had any more strength in her limbs, she collapsed to the ground. She knelt on the stone floor weeping along with her screaming infant. Kila felt a wave of sympathy for the young mother. She wanted to assist the woman, but there wasn’t much she could do.
“Can we leave now?” Isabel asked, her tone becoming slightly more insistent.
A woman broke from the line and went to help the young mother.
“Aye, we can leave,” Kila said.
“Guid,” Isabel said, sounding relieved. “Can ye tell me more about the water spirits?”
Her enthusiasm about otherworldly creatures distracted Kila enough and made her smile. She had introduced her to this world, and she was happy to share all she knew about the other realm.
They made their way outside and past the row of unhappy clan members. They circled the large courtyard twice as she found more stories to tell the enraptured lass. There was a chapel tucked in the corner of the enclosed space. Several feet from the building were a couple of trees. At one time the area might have resembled a respectable garden, but now it was overgrown and uninviting. Until Rory’s wife arrived at Tancraig Castle, they never had a garden. But now that the garden was established, Kila didn’t know how she survived without one. It was a place where she could contemplate, or read stories without being disturbed. Kila knew that the inhabitants at Domlainn Castle would also benefit from having a similar sanctuary. She decided that she would get a couple of servants to help her ready the plot. At its current state, it wasn’t fit to visit.
Isabel skipped alongside her and acted like the young girl she was meant to be. She had been confined in the main tower for so long that she was missing out on life. What else had she not experienced?
They wandered a little farther and reached where the farm animals were housed. As they were about to pass the pig pen, she was struck with an idea. She had spent a lot of time with Isabel and was aware that the lass loved animals.
“Would ye like tae visit the pigs?” she asked, watching to see her reaction.
Isabel’s eyes widened with worry. “Will I get dirty?”
“Of course nae,” she laughed. “I’m nae going tae take ye inside the pen. See that sow? ‘Tis pregnant. Any day now, it will give birth tae its piglets.”
Kila led the cautious lass over to the wooden fence. The hog was rummaging through an empty trough.
She saw a bruised apple on the ground and picked it up. “Come here, lassie,” she called to the sow.
The sound of her voice caused the creature to pause and look her way. Its sights immediately went to the gift she offered. Then without further prompting, it made its way toward her. The hog took the rotten fruit from her hand, and as it munched on it, Kila ran her palm along the rough bristles on its back.
“Ye can touch it too,” she told Isabel.
Isabel crouched beside her but watched the animal with some wariness. “Will it bite me?” she asked.
“If ye are gentle, I dinnae think it will bite ye,” she said. “And if ye offer it a gift, it will surely consider ye a friend.”
“A friend,” she whispered.
Moving her hand tentatively, Isabel reached out and ran her palm on the top of the sow’s head. When the pig didn’t react aggressively, the lass became bolder and moved her palm gently and rhythmically over its coarse back. It let out several grunts and snorts, and Isabel giggled. The sow then began to pace along the wooden fence as if it wanted more patting.
“I think it likes your attention,” she said.
“Do ye think sae?” she asked.
Isabel found another piece of fruit that had fallen outside the pen and offered it to the pregnant sow. The creature took the offering and ate it.
“This lassie will make a splendid mother,” Isabel said, looking at Kila with bright eyes.
“I’m sure she would,” she agreed.
Other pigs came to see the commotion and Isabel delighted in finding more discarded fruits and vegetables to feed them. It was only when Kila looked up at the sun that she realized they had tarried too long at the pigsty.
“We will head back now,” she said.
“Do we have to?” Isabel asked, the disappointment in her voice strong.
“Dinnae worry, we’ll come back another day. Perhaps by then, the sow will give birth.”
They walked back to the tower while Isabel chatted merrily about the hog family. They had barely made it through the castle door when William’s mother saw them and rushed over. The lineup of people was only slightly shorter.
“Where were ye?” Kaithren demanded.
“We went tae see the pigs,” Isabel said happily, oblivious of her grandmother’s disapproving look. “They have prickly black hair along their backs. And they love tae eat rotten apples.”
The older woman scanned her granddaughter and then stopped at the hem of the lass’s skirt.
“The pigs? Rotten apples?” Her furious eyes pinned Kila to the spot. “Why would ye take her tae see those filthy animals? Come, Isabel. Your father will hear of this.”
Chapter 15
William looked up as he saw Fearghas heading quickly toward the dais. The clansman who was in the middle of listing his grievances paused and glanced behind him to see what had caught his attention.
The servant climbed the raised platform, and in a low voice, he said, “Your mother is coming this way.”
William groaned inwardly. Sure enough, he saw his mother storming into the great hall. Fury was reflected on her normally impassive visage. He knew his mother strove to keep her emotions in check, especially when she was in public, but today it appeared that she didn’t care who witnessed her displeasure.
Kaithren dragged Isabel behind her, marching past the long line of people waiting for a chance to talk with William. Kila walked a short distance behind them, although her pace was much slower.
His mother had a look on her face that indicated that she wanted to battle with someone. As she headed straight to him, William was conscious that he would be the person to hear all she had to say. And long experience told him that she would have some choice words to share.
“I’ll speak with her,” he said.
“But I havenae finished recounting my losses,” the clansman protested.
“I’ll review your complaints later.”
He nodded to Fearghas. The servant had been a part of the household for years, and he understood exactly what William wanted. The smaller man began shouting and waving people back as he led the unh
appy clansman away from the dais. It was the only way. It would have taken too long to clear the large chamber and give him complete privacy. Kaithren had a terrible temper, and he couldn’t allow the clan members to hear her raging at him. His mother glanced behind her and nodded as if she approved of his decision.
As his mother reached the raised platform, the clan members gathered at the furthest end of the chamber. Kila was detained with the group, and he saw that she went to speak to his commander.
“I need a word with ye,” his mother said.
William suppressed a sigh and motioned for her to continue. “Ye better have an adequate excuse for interrupting my interviews, Mother,” he said.
She nudged Isabel in front of her. His daughter hung her head and refused to look at him.
“What is wrong?” he asked.
“’Tis your daughter,” his mother burst out. “She has been spending time in a pigsty. A pigsty! ‘Tis unbecoming that the daughter of a clan chief should be wallowing with the hogs,” she said, her voice trembling with contempt and fury. “Just look at her. Her gown is covered in mud, and her hands are filthy! Ye would think she was a commoner and nae born in a life of privilege. I’ve told her countless times that she shouldnae go outside. She should heed my warning as her own mother —”
“That’s enough, Mother,” he said, interrupting her.
His first wife was with child and fell ill before giving birth. Kaithren was firmly convinced that Helene wouldn’t have died if she had only limited her movements inside the castle.
“Is this true that ye went outside, Isabel?” he asked.
His daughter continued to study the stone tiles at her feet, unwilling to speak. Since she was young, the lass barely conversed with anyone. Some people speculated that she was either simpleminded or was unaware of her surroundings. But he knew better. On many occasions he noticed the intelligence in her eyes, indicating that she understood what he told her. He also noted the few times he heard her speak, although she rarely addressed him directly. He had brought in a healer to help the lass express herself, but the healer was unsuccessful. In the end, he gave up and allowed her to communicate in her own way.
Even though she wasn’t as vocal as most bairns, she still somehow managed to win the sympathy of the servants. This was actually an extraordinary feat since the servants here were mostly lazy and useless.
In many ways, his daughter reminded him of her mother, although there were traces of him as well. At the moment, a distance existed between them, and he didn’t know how to relate to her. This was why he gave his mother free rein to care for his daughter. Certainly, he didn’t know how to raise her properly.
“Answer your father,” Kaithren said sharply.
Still not looking at him, Isabel slowly nodded her head.
“What did I tell ye about using your voice?” Kaithren demanded.
Finally, the lass looked up and glared at her grandmother. “Aye, I was playing with the pigs,” she said, her tone defiant.
Kaithren was taken aback upon hearing the lass’s clear voice. But then she registered Isabel’s tone, and her eyebrows snapped down.
“’Tis because of her influence,” she said, whirling around to point at Kila who stood on the opposite end of the room.
William took in the attractive lass who watched them anxiously. It was his practice to hear both sides of an issue before he made his judgment.
“Bring the lass forward,” he said loudly to Grant.
William’s commander started to escort Kila to the dais. But she wasn’t content with walking across the room at a leisurely pace; she ran. Thus far, he was successful in avoiding her, but now that she stood before him, he was reminded once again of her mesmerizing beauty.
“Isabel isnae tae blame,” Kila said, breathing hard. She moved to stand beside his daughter.
The MacGregon lass stood tall and seemed to brace for whatever would come her way. She put an arm around Isabel’s shoulders, a gesture that was at once protective and comforting. He was a little startled that in such a short time, she had already formed a strong bond with the girl.
“’Twas my idea tae go outside and visit the pig pen,” she continued. “Please, dinnae punish her for something that isnae her fault.”
William stared at Kila, and she felt that she was on trial once again. But her conscience wouldn’t allow the lass to take the blame, especially when it was she who influenced the girl’s actions. She recalled how Isabel had tried to warn her, but she had brushed off her concern. She was adamantly against having the young lass confined inside the fortress. In hindsight, she should have minded her own business. However, she created this mess, so she needed to make amends. She knew that Isabel was a sweet child, and now that the lass had opened up to her, she felt attached to her.
Kila sympathized with Isabel. The lass had grown up in an environment of fear. Furthermore, she wasn’t allowed to associate with children her age, and no one seemed to notice that she was lonely and melancholy. From her perspective, Kila could see the rift between father and daughter. And though she didn’t understand why she felt an urge to help them heal their relationship.
“I implore ye that ye dinnae punish her,” she said, ignoring the heated glare from his mother. She continued with her defense of Isabel.
After a long moment, William came to his decision. “Isabel willnae be punished today,” he said.
“Ye cannae be serious!” His mother gasped. “Soon she will forget all her training, and will slosh in the mud with the farm animals.”
William ignored his mother’s theatrics and settled his gaze on his daughter. “Go tae your bedchamber.”
Relief shot through Kila’s body. Isabel wasn’t going to be punished after all. She recognized instinctively that this was also the perfect opportunity for her to make her exit.
“Let’s go, Isabel,” she said, nudging the girl. She was all too eager to leave the great hall and avoid the Highlander’s further scrutiny.
Kila pivoted and noticed the clan members gathered at the far end of the large chamber, watching them with open curiosity. As she started to leave with William’s daughter, she could hear Kaithren’s angry voice. She decided to slow her steps so she could listen to more of their conversation.
“I dinnae understand why ye brought that lass here,” she said. “She causes nothing but problems.”
“She may be trouble, but she and I have an agreement tae uphold,” William said, letting out a tired sigh. “But dinnae worry. She’ll be gone soon enough.”
At hearing the finality of his words, Kila felt her heart drop to her stomach. William already had the notion that she was a bothersome failure, that she was unfit to govern a household. By coming to Domlainn Castle, she felt confident that she could convince him that she was as talented and as competent as her sister. But she fell short of that goal.
But then Kila clenched her teeth. She never had any intentions of marrying the chief in the first place, she reminded herself. In fact, he was far too old for her, and his attitude wasn’t something that she admired. People suspected that he committed murder. From the time she spent with him, she never felt unsafe or believed that he was a murderer. But she could be mistaken. And with all his faults, he had no right to judge her or call her names.
In a snap decision, she changed direction and marched back to the raised platform.
“I’m nae trouble,” she said furiously. “If ye want tae ken, I see nae harm in allowing Isabel tae experience the outdoors. ‘Tis far better than being stuck in the dank solar, listening to the same gossip told by a bunch of auld women.” She narrowed her eyes at William. “I ken that ye want me tae fail. I also see that ye had nae intentions of giving me a chance tae prove myself in the time we agreed upon.” His earlier words of dismissal rang in her ears. “I’m leaving —”
William stood up from his chair. “Wait,” he said, his commanding tone cutting her off.
Kila could feel the stares boring into her back as all
eyes focused on her. She took a deep breath, trying to control the wrath that coursed through her frame. All she wanted to do at this point was to storm out of the great hall. She would get on her horse and leave all of them behind. And she would do it right now.
“We already agreed that ye will be my guest for six weeks. I willnae go back on my word. We had a bargain, and I mean tae honor my part in it.”
His calm tone was like a splash of ice water. Suddenly she realized that she had overreacted, and she forced herself to relax. As if he sensed that she was softening, he asked, “Sae will ye stay?”
Kila wanted to tell him that she had every intention of leaving, but he had offered a truce. And if she didn’t take it, she might negatively impact the alliance he had with her clan. There was no telling what William would do if she offended him. And she knew that Rory would never forgive her if she callously undermined his treaty.
“All right.” She let out a long breath. “I’ll stay for the time we agreed.”
Chapter 16
A few days later, the long-anticipated Berry Festival finally arrived. All the summer berries were harvested, and they were eager to celebrate their hard work with music, dance, food, and games. According to Alys, the servants had spoken about this fair for ages. And with the excitement in the air, Kila got caught up in it as well.
Isabel and Kila trekked to the clearing with a group of people from the castle. When they arrived, they saw several servants cooking over open fires. Along the perimeter of the gathering, a handful of vendors had set up stalls to sell their merchandise.
As they were about to pass, a servant offered each of them a thrift.
“Thank ye,” she said, accepting the soft pink flower.
Kila started to tuck the pretty bloom behind her ear when she tilted her head to the side. She was certain that she had seen this woman somewhere. But before she could make her query, Isabel dragged her over to watch a game of stone put. A burly man cradled a large stone at the side of his neck. He advanced two steps and released the twenty-pound rock into the air. A moment later, it landed several feet away. Kila cheered and clapped with the onlookers as each contestant came forward and set new records.
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